Front Burner

CBC•www.cbc.ca

Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Each morning, from Monday to Friday, host Jayme Poisson talks with the smartest people covering the biggest stories to help you understand what’s going on.

We’re Canada’s number one news podcast and a trusted source of Canadian news. We cover Canadian news and Canadian politics, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, the Donald Trump administration, provincial politics from Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and politicians Danielle Smith, David Eby and Doug Ford.

We cover Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary as well as other municipalities across Canada. In this Canadian election year, Front Burner will be focusing more on Canadian politics. We will take a close look at Mark Carney’s first few weeks as Prime Minister, the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre as well as the future of the NDP and Quebec’s Yves-François Blanchet from the Bloc Québécois during the 2025 Canadian federal election.

The podcast goes beyond Ottawa and digs deeper into major issues like U.S.-Canada relations, jobs, the economy, immigration, cost of living, housing and rental costs, taxes and tariffs, democracy and technology. The Front Burner daily podcast covers Canadian news from every province and territory: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.

We cover news from major cities like Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. When U.S. President Donald Trump declares he wants to make Canada the 51st state and decides to implement tariffs, Front Burner has an analysis into what is happening. We cover Elon Musk’s DOGE. We cover the latest in technology from the rise of bitcoin and crypto, the future of TikTok, Meta, artificial intelligence, influencers, and more. Look to our archives to see fact-checked stories about infrastructure, fascism, border security, immigration, Pierre Poilievre, the Republican Party, American politics, Canadian politics, India, China, Trump’s tariffs, Mark Carney, Elon Musk, Toronto, technology, artificial intelligence, international students, healthcare, and inflation. We cover global news like the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the ceasefire, the Ukraine-Russia war, the India-Pakistan conflict, and the U.S. economy and U.S. politics.

Front Burner is a part of your morning news routine. Whether you’re in Toronto or Vancouver or Washington, this is the news that matters to Canadians. We take a look at the economy and break it down from the budget to interest rate hikes to inflation to recessions to jobs to the cost of living. We look at the policy around housing, Canadian housing supply, and what this means for first-time home buyers, renters, and those with a mortgage. We look at technology, from AI to the manosphere to social media like Meta, Twitter, Facebook, and more. We look at influential newsmakers like Elon Musk and influential technology industries like crypto and AI.

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Episodes

Is Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ more fantasy than reality?

Donald Trump’s 'Golden Dome’ is a proposed defense program that will feature the use of space lasers, satellites and interceptors designed to provide 24/7 space based defence. It’s advertised as a bulwark against missiles and nuclear attacks from the likes of China, North Korea and Russia. Mike Stone is a Reuters reporter covering the U.S. arms trade and defense industry and joins the show to discuss Donald Trump’s trillion dollar sci-fi inspired project, Canada’s potential involvement, and its ...

May 26, 2025•27 min

George Floyd’s murder, what’s changed in five years?

On May 25th 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by kneeling on his neck for over nine minutes. The whole thing was caught on video and once it got out, it set America on fire. Protests spread across the country and then the world. Promises of sweeping changes to policing and greater commitment to racial justice and equity were made. Fast forward to now, five years later, and the outlook is very different. There are more Americans killed at ...

May 23, 2025•28 min

Diddy on trial

It’s been a year and a half since the R&B singer Cassie Ventura first accused hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape and repeated physical abuse over the course of their decade-long relationship. Those initial allegations unleashed a torrent of accusations from others, more than 70 sexual assault lawsuits, and federal raids of his homes. Now, Diddy’s high-profile criminal trial is underway in a Manhattan court. He faces charges of sexually trafficking three women, as well as transportation...

May 22, 2025•34 min

Trump, Hitler and how democracies die

Today on the show is historian Timothy Ryback. Timothy is an author and writer with The Atlantic. He’s the director of the Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation in The Hague. Last year he published ‘Takeover’ which documents the ways Hitler and his enablers in the German establishment cleared the pathway to Nazism through constitutional means. He’s on the show to discuss - what he refers to as the “disturbing echoes” between Nazi Germany and contemporary America. Particularly betwe...

May 21, 2025•32 min

Is Alberta headed towards a separation vote?

Hundreds of people filled a banquet hall in Calgary last week to hear from the Alberta Prosperity Project, a group that wants Alberta to separate from Canada. They're trying to drum up support for a petition and earn enough signatures to trigger a referendum on separation in 2026. One of the reasons the petition is picking up steam is because Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party has just passed legislation that would lower the bar for holding a referendum vote. Jason Markusoff is a...

May 20, 2025•29 min

The internet sucks now, and it happened on purpose

It's not you — the internet really does suck. Novelist, blogger and noted internet commentator Cory Doctorow explains what happened to the internet and why you're tormented by ads, bots, algorithms, AI slop and so many pop-ups. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an accident. In Understood: Who Broke the Internet, Doctorow gets into the decisions made by powerful people that got us here, and most importantly, how we fix it. More episodes of Who Broke the Internet are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/DkvH...

May 19, 2025•38 min

Canada has a measles problem

Measles case numbers in Ontario are now higher than the total registered cases in the entire United States. This week’s report from Ontario Public Health puts the total at 1,646 cases of the disease since January. In Alberta, measles is spreading even quicker, outpacing Ontario in growth per-capita. Nearly three decades ago Canada had declared measles completely eliminated. But now the country is facing a situation where public health experts say, without prompt action, the disease could become ...

May 16, 2025•29 min

The latest in the hockey sex assault trial

Content warning: this conversation contains graphic details of an alleged sexual assault so please take care while listening. Proceedings began late last month in a trial that has been seven years in the making. It involves five former members of Canada's gold medal winning 2018 world juniors hockey team. They've been accused of sexually assaulting a woman who is known as E.M. All five have pleaded not guilty. This same alleged assault made headlines a few years back when it was revealed that Ho...

May 15, 2025•26 min

Politics! Carney’s new team, recount conspiracies

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet was sworn in at Rideau Hall. Among them are 24 new faces but also a solid handful of the same big names from the previous government. What does it tell us about the government’s priorities? Is it enough of a change from the Trudeau years? Plus, the Liberals gained a seat after winning a recount in the Quebec riding of Terrebonne by a single vote. It’s fuelling conspiracy theories and misinformation about the electoral process. CBC’s chief poli...

May 14, 2025•27 min

Trump sidelines Israel, Gaza expansion looms

Israel is planning a major escalation of its military campaign in Gaza — one that the government says is necessary to eradicate Hamas, but which rights groups have said amounts to the annexation of the Palestinian territory. It comes amid apparent rifts between the U.S. and Israel. Trump is currently on a tour of the Middle East which won’t include a stop in Israel; he has conducted talks with a number of countries in the region without notifying Israel; and the U.S. has just secured the release...

May 13, 2025•29 min

Where does Trump’s trade war go next?

Top economic officials from the U.S. and China met in Geneva, Switzerland over the weekend. This was the first time that they’ve had face-to-face since the start of their enormous trade war. The U.S. has currently placed 145 per cent tariffs on China. China has responded with 125 per cent. These levies have essentially stopped business between the world’s two largest economies. Daniel Desrochers is Politico’s international trade reporter. He’s here for a catch-up on the latest developments of th...

May 12, 2025•24 min

Dozens dead as India and Pakistan clash

Dozens have died this week as military tensions escalate between India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir. India fired missiles into Pakistan-controlled territory in what it says is retaliation for a militant attack on a tourist town in Indian territory in April. The Kashmir region has long been the source of violent conflict between India and Pakistan. But there are concerns that this latest flare-up could lead to a much bigger conflict between the two nuclear powers. Salimah Shiv...

May 09, 2025•23 min

Pope watch: who's next up?

Charles Collins discusses the Catholic Church's process of selecting a new Pope, the evolving demographics of the College of Cardinals, and the differing priorities between cardinals from the Global South and the West. He also touches on potential candidates and the challenges the next Pope will face, including navigating social issues and political polarization.

May 08, 2025•27 min

Mark Carney goes to Washington

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump had their first face-to-face meeting, amidst an ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S. The relationship between the two countries is at a historic low. On top of existing tariffs, Trump said on Monday that he wants to impose 100 per cent tariffs on movies produced outside the U.S. The move could have devastating implications for the Canadian film industry. On top of all that, there was the potential for things to go si...

May 07, 2025•23 min

Amnesty International chief on the fight for human rights

Dr. Agnès Callamard has been a leader in the human rights sector for decades, and since 2021 has worked in the role of Secretary General for Amnesty International. She joins the show to discuss doing human rights work at this difficult historical moment, the future of international law, Canada’s role on the world stage, the question of genocide, and some of the lessons that can be drawn from the world’s most precarious frontiers. For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/...

May 06, 2025•42 min

How 100 days of Trump is changing America

The first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second administration have been turbulent, controversial, and transformative. Today we’re joined by Alex Shephard, a senior editor at the New Republic, to take stock of the most consequential changes, their impact on the United States and its place in the world, and to what extent they are irreversible. For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts...

May 05, 2025•29 min

Are you worried about U.S. travel?

This episode of Front Burner explores the rising concerns among Canadians regarding travel to the United States. It examines potential encounters at the border, the necessity of fear, and safe travel strategies. Hannah Sampson discusses legal rights, phone searches, and the economic impact on U.S. tourism, offering insights into navigating travel during this period of increased scrutiny.

May 02, 2025•25 min

Where does Pierre Poilievre go from here?

The Conservative Party of Canada is once again the Official Opposition. Now, the Tories are grappling with the disappointing results of Monday’s election. They lost to the Liberals after leading in the polls mere months ago and their party leader, Pierre Poilievre, failed to win in his own riding. But it wasn’t a total loss. The Conservatives won 41 per cent of the popular vote, and picked up more seats than any other party, flipping both red and orange seats to blue. Top Conservative strategist...

May 01, 2025•27 min

Mark Carney's next challenge: minority rule

The episode analyzes the implications of the Liberal's minority government win in Canada, exploring challenges and strategies moving forward. It discusses potential deals with other parties, the influence of Donald Trump, and the need to address cost of living concerns. The conversation also examines the future of the Liberal Party's coalition and potential shifts in voter sentiment.

Apr 30, 2025•23 min

Mark Carney wins, a country divided

A recap of the Canadian federal election results with Mark Carney leading the Liberal Party to victory. The discussion covers the split vote, the NDP's decline, Conservative gains, and the challenges of governing a divided country. The episode also analyzes the implications of a potential two-party system and the future of Canadian politics.

Apr 29, 2025•32 min

The road to election day

It’s election day. The campaign has been short, but it’s been packed with plenty of drama. From annexation talk and economic chaos to stunning polls reversals to internal party blowups. Today we’re speaking with host of the The House podcast Catherine Cullen to spend a bit of time marveling at what an eventful several months this has been and talk about how things could have been different. We’ll also get into what she’s looking for as the results come in. Make sure to watch our election night l...

Apr 28, 2025•33 min

Weekend listen: Power & Politics’ campaign wrap

It's almost election day, and our colleagues at Power and Politics have been putting out a weekly wrap, where political strategists break down what the biggest federal election stories actually mean for the campaign. This week, former Justin Trudeau adviser Laura D'Angelo, former Harper government staffer Michael Solberg and former Alberta NDP strategist Zain Velji talk platforms -- do they matter, at this stage in the campaign game? And especially for a party like the Conservatives, who keep po...

Apr 26, 2025•42 min

Cuts, spending, spin: The economics of party platforms

This episode of Front Burner dissects the costed platforms released by the Liberal and Conservative parties in the lead-up to the federal election. The discussion covers major spending items, projected deficits, and differing approaches to economic growth. It also explores the challenges of interpreting these platforms and their implications for voters.

Apr 25, 2025•28 min

The politics of the toxic drug crisis

Since 2016, the toxic drug crisis has taken more than 50 thousand Canadian lives. The Conservative party has promised $200-million a year to fund addictions recovery care for 50,000 people, according to the party's platform. Leader Pierre Poilievre has also vowed to “defund drug dens” – imposing strict new rules for overdose prevention sites and supervised consumption sites. Liberal leader Mark Carney has said that his party would review the effectiveness of such sites, while the federal NDP sup...

Apr 24, 2025•35 min

How different are the party platforms?

This episode breaks down the Liberal, Conservative, and NDP platforms, examining their promises on key issues like housing, climate change, cost of living, and crime. Experts analyze the proposed policies, highlighting the differences in approaches to increasing housing supply, meeting climate targets, and making life more affordable. The discussion also covers proposed tax cuts, economic stimulus measures, and approaches to tackling violent crime and online exploitation.

Apr 23, 2025•35 min

The legacy of Pope Francis

Pope Francis brought a lot of firsts to the Catholic Church. He was the first from Latin America, and under him, the church became increasingly globalized and diverse. He spoke up for LGBTQ rights, for the people of Gaza, and for migrants and refugees around the world. In 2022, he apologized for the Catholic Church's role in Canada's residential school system. But his death on Monday comes at a complicated time for the church. The Vatican is grappling with the new political direction in the Unit...

Apr 22, 2025•23 min

Do drugs belong in therapy?

On Drugs looks through the lenses of history, pop culture and personal experience to understand how drugs have shaped our world. Because even if it’s just caffeine or ibuprofen, there’s a good chance you’re on drugs right now. More episodes of On Drugs are available at: https://link.mgln.ai/Q5X33U

Apr 21, 2025•41 min

Recapping the high-stakes leaders' debate

As the federal election reaches the homestretch, four party leaders squared off in Montreal Thursday evening in the only English-language debate of the campaign. Liberal leader and polling frontrunner Mark Carney took heat from all sides as the Conservatives' Pierre Poilievre, the NDP's Jagmeet Singh and the Bloc's Yves-François Blanchet kept the barbs coming his way all night. Aaron Wherry is a senior writer with CBC's Ottawa bureau. He breaks down how everyone performed and what we learned fro...

Apr 18, 2025•30 min

A pre-debate state of the race

With just over a week until election day, Canada's main party leaders go head to head tonight in the only English language debate. So, where does the campaign stand? Is anything shifting? How do people feel about the leaders at the moment? Where are parties drawing their biggest support and losses from? David Coletto, the CEO of the polling firm Abacus Data, joins the show today to tell us what the latest polls are saying. He will rejoin the show as just one of several special guests on our elec...

Apr 17, 2025•26 min

When China and the U.S. fight, who wins?

A big part of Donald Trump’s global tariff regime targets the Chinese economy in a bid, he says, to force the country into a deal favorable to the United States. Despite this, officials in China have been undeterred — claiming that tariffs will hurt Americans more than Chinese, and drawing comparison between the actions of Donald Trump and Mao Zedong’s ‘cultural revolution.’ Chinese officials have also responded to Donald Trump’s tariff program saying, in part: “if war is what the U.S. wants, be...

Apr 16, 2025•41 min

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