The Big Story

Plus: The cost of living saw a big cool down last month, Carney is in London, rising fuel costs, and will Canada's immigration system regret relying on Artificial Intelligence? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced its AI Strategy as part of the AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025-2027. Included are measures to streamline the ministry's administrative tasks using AI without allowing the technology to make executive decisions on applications.

According to the IRCC, AI has been used since 2013, although only for what it calls 'if-then' models, but starting this year, it says it will be used to triage applications and respond to inquiries.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to Joshua Schachnow, a family lawyer and the CEO of Visto.AI to learn more about the technology's potential to help the ministry become more efficient, but also what dangers we should be on the lookout for.

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
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Plus: February was a bad month for the labour market, Carney arrives in Norway, Canadians are changing their March Break travel plans, NASA's historic flight, and is Canada missing the mark on alcohol awareness? We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
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What is the most harmful substance in Canada? You may not be able to guess it-- but according to a recent Canada-wide study, it's alcohol.

While it may not cause the most deaths, the study suggests it causes the most harms. And that's aggravated by that fact that most Canadians are woefully uninformed about the basics of alcohol safety and consumption.

Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Iris Gorfinkel, a Toronto-based family physician and clinical researcher to discuss the price Canadians pay - both physically and fiscally - for the lack of awareness of alcohol dangers, and how Ottawa can fill the policy gaps to reduce deaths and harms.

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

Plus: FIFA World Cup ticket sales, federal funding for synagogues, a new survey about Alberta separatism, and addressing vaccine hesitancy. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future
episodes. You can find us:

Through email at [email protected] 

Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky