The Big Story

A recent report from Statistics Canada found that Canadians' functional health is on the decline, especially so for younger folks.

Functional health has to do with our ability to perform everyday bodily functions - like see, hear, move, and feel. And according to the report, the decline in functional health is directly related to a lack of emotional health among younger Canadians.

Host Catherine Jette speaks to Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, a physician and professor at the School of Public Health in Alberta to break down the study's findings, what Canadians can do on their own to improve their functional health, and how big of an alarm bell this should raise to Ottawa.

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Plus: World leaders meet to discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Deloitte's spring economic outlook, Poilievre makes an announcement, and does Canada need to rethink its Emergencies Act? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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It was a moment in Canadian history that the former Federal Government believed was due for sweeping powers. More than four years and two rounds of court reviews later, enacting the Emergencies Act maybe wasn't the right choice.

Or if it was, Ottawa wasn't sufficient at proving why at the time.

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Paul Daly, Chair in Administrative Law and Governance at the University of Ottawa, to discuss the threshold the courts believe Ottawa missed back in 2022, why the new Liberal government is still fighting for the Trudeau era, and whether or not Canada is due for a revamp of the Emergencies Act.

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Plus: Trump's primetime address, rising cost of gas, pay-hike for federal workers, Stephen Lewis has died, and Canada is torn over the notwithstanding clause. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
episodes. You can find us:

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Quebec's secularism law, Bill 21, prohibits certain public servants from wearing religious symbols while on the job. It was passed in 2019 with a pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding law - a section of the Charter that protects legislation from court intervention if the legislation goes against other freedoms.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments on how provinces should apply the notwithstanding clause, and whether or not its application should be subject to review after the fact.

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to journalist Max Fawcett to discuss the historical context of the clause, what legal challenges come with Bill 21, and potential outcomes from the Supreme Court's decision.

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