The Big Story

Canada's wealth inequality gap is widening, so much so that the concentration at the top makes up for a large chunk at the bottom.

A recent report from Canadians for Tax Fairness and BC Policy Solutions found that 86 billionaire families held as much wealth as Canada’s 6.2 million least wealthy families in 2023. 

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Dylan Dusseault, Executive Director of Patriotic Millionaires Canada, an organization comprised of wealthy Canadians advocating for tax increases on the wealthy to combat extreme inequality. The two discuss why some of Canada's richest individuals believe they should be taxed more to even the playing field, and what kinds of tax code reforms are necessary to narrow the gap. Then, Caryn is joined by Jim Stanford, economist and director of the Centre for Future Work, to break down some of the loopholes rich Canadians are taking advantage of - including capital gains tax preferences.

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

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'

The war in the Middle East has pushed global markets into turmoil, throwing early forecasts right out the window.

And even before this crisis began, Canada was already on a shaky trajectory, with the biggest economic risk expected to come from upcoming trade negotiations with the United States.

Host Mike Eppel speaks to Dr. Eric Kam, professor of economics at Toronto Metropolitan University, to discuss the challenges facing policymakers right now—and, more importantly, what Canada needs to do to finally break out of the boom‑and‑bust cycle tied to global energy markets.

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: The Ontario government is moving to ban unlimited ticket resale prices ahead of the FIFA World Cup, and the first day of spring doesn't really feel like it.

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

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston announced more than $130 million in budget cuts to several supports and programs, including sports, healthcare, climate change, and Black, Mi'kmaw and Gaelic communities. Although he's reversed more than $53 million in grant cuts, the arts and culture are still left to fend for themselves.

Protest against the cuts overall have broken out across the province, even making their way to the Oscars following Tamara Deverell's production design win.

Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to the Oscar winner herself, a BC native who lives in Nova Scotia, to discuss how government grants to the arts help put Canada's name on Hollywood's map. Then, Caryn is joined by Sébastien Labelle, a Nova Scotian actor and the artistic director of Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax, about the ripple effect of Houston's proposed cuts, and why he's calling the move 'smoke and mirrors'.

Learn more about Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax here: https://mayworkskjipuktukhfx.ca/

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: European leaders meet in Brussels, Poilievre on Joe Rogan's podcast, Canada's ranking on the World Happiness Report, and can the Canadian Armed Forces keep out white supremacists? 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