Cross Country Checkup from CBC Radio

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on close calls while swimming. Hundreds of people die every year from drowning in Canada. And parts of the country are already seeing a spike in accidental drowning deaths so far in 2026. We'll hear how Canadians learned to swim, scary moments they've faced while submerged, and hear tips about how to stay safe in open waters.

This year, parts of Canada are noticing an increase in accidental drowning-related deaths. And one survey finds that 50% of newcomers in the country say they are weak swimmers at best. From the beach to the pool, Canadians share their swimming close calls. Plus, a swimming instructor shares tips for how to protect yourself in open waters.

From bears, to moose, to snakes, animal interactions have been making the rounds in the news this summer. Canadians share the encounters that made for fun stories later on, and the scary ones that changed the way they think about being in nature. Plus, a wildlife expert shares safety tips on how to deal with close calls.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to November of 2002. That's when Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's director of communications was overheard calling U.S. President George W. Bush a 'moron' at the NATO summit in Prague. On November 24th 2002, Checkup callers weighed in on whether the comment was harmless, or if it would chill the trade dialogue between Ottawa and Washington.

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on how to make and maintain friendships as an adult. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians are spending less time with friends that in previous generations. And the World Health Organization has labeled loneliness a global public health concern. We'll hear about how Canadians are creating community, keeping the spark alive in friendships, and get advice on how to form new connections as we age.

According to Statistics Canada, adults are spending less time with friends than previous generations. We'll hear from callers how they've found creative ways to make lasting connections as an adult, and hear from a psychologist about why these relationships change as we age and what to do about it.

Over 20,000 residents across B.C. have been ordered to evacuate with dozens of active wildfires across the province. And in the midst of all that uncertainty, neighbours are stepping up to help. From fires, to floods, to medical crises, so many of us can recall examples when someone came to our rescue, and jumped into action on our behalf. We'll hear those stories and dig into what's behind our human instinct to step up or stand back in an emergency.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to 2009 when General Motors announced that its new electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, would receive a fuel economy rating of two-hundred and thirty miles per gallon in city driving. That rating meant it would be more fuel efficient than any mass market vehicle on the road at that time. On August 19th 2009, Checkup callers weighed in on what it would take for them to make the switch to driving electric.

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on emergency rooms and physician burnout. A new survey suggests doctors are leaving the specialty because the pace is unsustainable. We hear from fed up patients and burnt out doctors about what's happening in Canada's overtaxed emergency rooms. Dr. Brian Goldman from White Coat, Black Art joins us to respond to your calls.

Emergency rooms are under serious strain as ER wait times get longer, and doctors are burning out. We hear from doctors, nurses and patients about how the pressure in the ER is affecting them and their health. Plus, CBC's Dr. Brian Goldman shares what solutions there are to help hospitals do better.

WestJet and its flight attendants were unable to come to an agreement this weekend. Hundreds of flights were cancelled by Sunday morning, and thousands of passengers were affected. We'll hear stories from passengers caught up in chaos of the strike, as well as hear some tips for those of you thinking of travelling in the near future, and get a sense of the bigger picture involving airlines and their workers right now.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to 1998. It was a hot July, and callers on Cross Country Checkup we're reminiscing about time spend at summer camp. From eating Cheerios for a week, to watching a watching a fighter jet drop a bomb nearby, hear the best Canadian summer camp stories from 1998.

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on the push to get workers back into the office. Starting this month, federal public servants are now mandated to be in the office 4 days per week. As Canadians weigh in with their experiences, an expert explains what we've learned about workplace culture, and the debate between remote work vs. office mandates.

With more workplaces requiring employees to work more in the office, Canadians share how the debate between remote work vs. office mandates is affecting how they live their lives. Plus, an expert in organizational behaviour explains what we learned from the pandemic, and what the research says about workers' productivity in and out of the office.

With a new round of tariff threats, Ottawa is strategizing its next steps in what could be a long CUSMA renegotiation with the Trump administration. We'll hear from politicians, strategists, business owners and Canadians on what they want to see from Ottawa, and what possible leverage Canada can use to get the deal done.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to 2021. Canada was in the midst of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and many Canadians had been working from home for some time. But it was becoming clear that something was changing in Canadian work life. WFH was no longer a temporary COVID measure -- it was here to stay. On April 4, 2021, Checkup callers weighed in on their experiences working from home -- and the future of the office work.

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on the high cost of wedding season. Canadians face wedding costs between 30,000 to 42,000 according to WeddingWire Canada and The Knot. As guests and couples feel financial pressure, an expert explains how to navigate difficult conversations when celebrations push the limits of what people can afford.

Canadians face wedding costs between 30,000 to 42,000 according to WeddingWire Canada and The Knot. As guests and couples feel financial pressure, an expert explains how to navigate difficult conversations when celebrations push the limits of what people can afford.

From scoring exclusive seats, to dealing with scams, resellers, and rising prices, buying live concert tickets is becoming a bit of a gamble these days. Canadians share their ultimate concert stories, and when they've felt ripped off in the process. Plus, CBC's Dave Seglins shares tips on how to avoid scams and predatory practices.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to 2003 when the Rolling Stones headlined a massive concert in Toronto famously dubbed SARS-stock. It was staged to raise money for healthcare and hospitality workers as Toronto recovered from a deadly outbreak. Nearly 500,000 fans came and the show was broadcast across the country. On August 3rd 2003, Checkup callers weighed in on what they thought of the concert benefit.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in on road rage. As we enter the summer driving season, that means drama on Canadian streets and highways. We hear the best of Canadian's encounters on the road, and psychotherapist Julie Christiansen will tell you how to keep your own temper in check the next time you get cut off on the highway.

The Ontario government is raising the speed limits on some highways this summer. Listen to whether Canadians think our roads and highways are already too fast -- or still too slow? Also listen to hear why driving instructor Sean McDonald says you may not be as good a driver as you think you are, and road infrastructure expert Matti Siemiatycki will tell us how Canadian roads can be built less for speed -- and more for safety.

It's summer driving season, and that means drama on Canadian roads and highways. Hear as Canadians share their stories -- including a man who was stabbed, and a woman who broke up a fight on Christmas Eve. Also hear from psychotherapist Julie Christiansen about how turn down the heat when you're on the brink of road rage yourself.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to March 30, 1980. The hostage crisis in Iran was underway. It had been 149 days since Iranian students had initially taken 66 Americans hostage at the United States embassy in Tehran. Canadian diplomats had recently helped six American slip out country. The story made international headlines and was a point of pride for many Canadians. But not everyone was happy to be helping the U.S. administration. Ken Taylor was the Canadian Ambassador to Iran and helped the Americans escape. He was was on Cross Country Checkup on March 30, 1980.

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on the debate over manditory air conditioning in rental properties. New Westminster, BC now forcing landlords to keep at least one room under 26 degrees C in the units they rent. Landlords and tenants weigh in, plus legal advice to help ease the heat.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to 1971. As smog and polluted waterways were becoming impossible to ignore, the global environmental movement was starting to take shape. In Canada, the federal government at the time announced it would create a new ministry of the environment. Liberal MP Jack Davis was to be the first minister pending the approval of the House of Commons. On January 3rd, 1971, he was on Cross Country Checkup taking questions from callers about the future of Canada's environment.

Canadian summers are getting hotter, and the debate over manditory air conditioning is heating up. New Westminster, BC now mandates landlords to keep at least one room under 26 degrees C in their rental properties. Landlords and tenants weigh in, plus legal advice to help ease the heat.

Floods in Manitoba, wildfire evacuations in Northwest Territories, and heat alerts across the country. This summer is starting to feel more like a stress test. Canadians share how extreme weather has upended their summer and in some cases, their lives. Plus, the latest climate analysis on the summer of "super" El Niño.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in on your home renovation horror stories. Prime Minister Mark Carney finds himself in a position so many homeowners have been before -- the start of a major renovation. We hear from experts in architecture and home renovation about what you need to know to avoid problems with your own fixer-upper.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to 1991. Canada had just entered a free trade deal with the United States. But the American and Mexican governments had their sights set on something bigger -- A North American free trade deal. But Canadians weren't completely sold. Checkup asked: "Is North American free trade a risk worth taking?" Here's what some callers told host Dale Goldhawk.

As Canada, the U.S. and Mexico prepare to review the CUSMA deal, experts on both sides of the border take stock of where Canada-U.S. relations stand ahead of negotiations. We hear from economists, politicians, and Canadians about how Trump's tariffs are affecting their daily decisions.

No Prime Minister has been able to live at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa since 2015, because of neglect and disrepair. Now Prime Minister Mark Carney is in a position so many homeowners have been in - he's looking for a pitch and he's not sure how much it will cost. We hear from experts in architecture and home renovation about what you need to know to avoid problems with your own fixer-upper.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in on whether restricting kids' use of social media is the right move for Canada. We hear perspectives from tech experts, young people, psychiatrists and the view from Australia where social media is already banned for children under 16.

Medical Assistance in Dying has been available in Canada for 10 years. But the program is not accessible for patients whose only condition is mental illness. Right now, the rules are set to expand to include those patients starting in March 2027. But this week, a Parliamentary committee advised the government to press pause on that plan indefinitely. How does Canada's decision to pause MAiD for mental illness affect you? Is it the right or wrong thing to do?

Canada plans to restrict kids under 16 from social‑media accounts, with exceptions for safer platforms. Supporters say it protects kids; critics point to Australia, where most teens stayed online despite a ban. Parents, experts and young people weigh in on what really works.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to Father's Day in 1990. Canada was in the midst of a culture shift as women joined the workforce in growing numbers, and men taking on more child-rearing responsibilities than past generations. With expectations around fatherhood changing in real time, Checkup asked: “Can Dad really take care of the kids?” Here's what some callers told Dale Goldhawk in 1990.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in on the trend of Canadian crowds booing the U.S anthem and flag at sporting events. We hear perspectives from Canadian fans, sports journalists on both sides of the border, along with a Canadian mayor on why booing worries him at a time of tense U.S.-Canada relations.

While bars, hotels and tourism operators are hoping to reap the benefits of soccer fans taking over Canada, the Parliamentary Budget Officer says hosting the World Cup will cost taxpayers more than a billion dollars. This episode dives into how Canadians are feeling about hosting the FIFA World Cup - and the massive price tag. You'll get all the angles, from fans, an economist, and a soccer journalist.

Just before Canada's first World Cup match, flag bearers from host nations walked out. The US flag appeared, and then boos started from the crowd. The episode follows a trend that started last year at sporting events after Trump's repeated threats to annex Canada and U.S. tariffs came into effect. We speak to sports journalists on both sides of the border about the the politics of protest at sporting events. We also hear from a Canadian politician discouraging fans from booing as U.S.-Canada relations remain strained.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to November of 2022 -- the last time Canada's men's team qualified for the World Cup. That tournament was in Qatar. And that Canadian team made history -- by scoring a goal. Alphonso Davies put Canada on the board against Croatia -- the lone goal in a 4-1 loss. Here's Checkup callers hours after the game with host Ian Hanomansing.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in about the challenges young people are facing finding jobs and housing. We hear perspectives from Canada about how young people's financial future, and how they're families are figuring out how to support them. Career advisor Devon Turcotte and Family Counselor Alyson Schafer share their insights on how young people and their parents can navigate the road ahead.

For decades, adulthood followed a familiar script: finish school, land a job, move out, build a life. But today's economy is rewriting that story. With youth unemployment at 13% and more young adults living at home longer, the old milestones of "adulting" are shifting...for young Canadians and the parents supporting them. Career advisor Devon Turcotte and family counselor Alyson Schafer have answers for families looking to navigate this new reality without friction, guilt or outdated expectations.