The Decibel

Student-led protests continue to sweep across cities in Europe – from Paris, to Milan, to Madrid – as demonstrations have grown to encompass anger over the cost of living crisis, stagnant wages and lack of school resources. Thousands have been arrested, as some protests have turned violent.
Paul Waldie, The Globe’s Europe correspondent, talks about what he witnessed at recent protests in Paris, the response, and what the demonstrations reveal about how the younger generation is moving away from centrist politics.
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There’s been a public feud brewing between Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and the CEO of the company that owns Stelco, the Canadian steel company. It began after layoffs were announced in September, which prompted Joly to accuse the company of violating its agreement with the government from 2024.
The Globe’s mining reporter Niall McGee has been following the fracas. He’ll explain why the government has taken such interest in 175 layoffs, why the company says it let the workers go and what it all means for a critical industry in Canada.
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The latest federal budget had a line item that was intriguing and ambitious: $30-billion in spending over the next decade to put a roof over every Canadian’s head. The plan is a mix of new supportive and transitional housing developments, low-income rental assistance and a $7-billion commitment to facilities that provide mental health, addictions treatment and other support services. But how will this work? Can the Carney government succeed where other governments have largely failed?
Patrick White, The Globe’s cities reporter, joins The Decibel to break down the federal government’s strategy, why provincial and municipal governments play a big role in this plan and why some housing advocates are cautiously optimistic about how this could make a difference in eradicating homelessness.
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After years of delays, Canada is launching its national instant payment system. The first phase was initiated on Monday as part of a suite of new financial services aimed at both growing the economy and decreasing reliance on the United States. Workers, companies, retailers and restaurants will be able to receive funds immediately under the new system.
The Globe’s banking reporter, Stefanie Marotta, is on the show to explain how this all works, how Canada compares to other countries, and how it’s ultimately all about sovereignty.
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The federal government is making a big bet on AI by promising to invest up to $1.6 billion in the Canadian AI company Cohere. This is unprecedented for a private tech company in Canada – and it’s sparked a debate among experts about how the government should support the AI sector.
The Globe’s AI and technology reporter, Murad Hemmadi, explains why some experts are worried about this investment, why others say it’s essential, and why the government is putting so much money into one company.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com

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