The Big Story
Weekend Listen: Are we in a recession? Not technically artwork

Weekend Listen: Are we in a recession? Not technically

The Big Story
E187723:18
Play episode

Show notes

Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Following a negative performance for economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, the Canadian economy fell into what's been described as a "technical recession". While the headline was pounced on for political debate, with such a small decline (just a 0.1% contraction) and some parts of the economy still doing quite well, economists are downplaying the significance of all this recession talk. Nevertheless, under the weight of the trade war with the U.S., there are a lot of questions around the recent signals by the Bank of Canada even talking about hiking interest rates and whether the central bank will be changing its message to the markets next week with it's policy announcement on June 10th. Host Mike Eppel speaks with Royce Mendes, the managing director and head of macro strategy at Desjardins, about this so-called "recession", and what the consequences of reading too much into it might be. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More from this show

More
  1. Weekend Listen: Can small businesses survive another tariff hit?

    Enjoy this special feed drop of our sister show "In This Economy?!" Canadian small businesses are a big part of the economy. And like the rest of us, they're dealing with more tar…

    E200621:13
  2. Big Headlines: Trump signs order to rename Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' while political leaders on both sides of the border push back

    Plus: B.C. lifts its province-wide state of emergency as local states of emergency remain, the first results are in for a program designed to bring professors from international un…

    E200708:11
  3. The giant Russian cargo plane trapped in Canada

    If you've driven by Toronto Pearson Airport at all in the past four years, you may have noticed the massive cargo jet with a big Russian flag on it just.... sitting there. It's bee…

    E200523:05
  4. Big Headlines: Flash floods in Nepal leave hundreds dead and more than 1,300 missing

    Plus: The U.S. claims Canada was the one who introduced last-minute demands before trade talks fell apart, campaign season gets underway ahead of elections in Quebec, the B.C. Cons…

    E200406:28
  5. Why do more Canadians want to own guns?

    Canadians have largely touted that one of our most distinctive attributes from the US is our gun culture, and while that's mostly true, the number of Canadian firearm licenses has…

    E200123:16
  6. Big Headlines: The world mourns Dolly Parton and Canada details its counter-tariffs strategy for the U.S.

    Plus: Alberta’s premier voices concerns about the federal government’s tariff strategy, New Brunswick’s leader shuts down the idea of cutting off power to neighbouring Maine, the B…

    E200306:42
Now Playing
Weekend Listen: Are we in a recession? Not technically — The Big Story | Josplay Music