Cross Country Checkup from CBC Radio

As Canadians debate how to deal with students missing school today, back in 2005 Checkup was taking the country's temperature on whether secondary education is truly serving students.

Canada elected a minority parliament - but five floor crossers have brought Prime Minister Mark Carney just 1 seat away from a majority government. Our question: Is floor crossing a fair path to a majority government?

This isn't the first time that future of Canada's passenger rail system has been the centre of public debate. On August 17, 1980, Cross Country Checkup asked callers: "Should we abandon our passenger trains?" Here are some highlights from that show.

A high speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City is on the table, promising jobs and billions in economic impact — but also raising concerns from communities and politicians. In this episode, we dig into what Canadians want to know about high‑speed rail and whether the country is ready for it. Our question: What questions do you have about high speed rail in Canada? Is it a good or bad idea?

Cross Country Spotlight - highlights from Checkup on Sunday. For the first time in more than 50 years, humans will swing around the moon and head back home. It's thrilling. It's historic. And it's expensive. We heard from callers —Why does space exploration matter to you? Is it worth the money? Here are some highlights from the show.

Stephen Lewis passed away early on March 31st, 2026. He appeared on Cross Country Checkup multiple times throughout his career as a politician, ambassador, and activist. Here's a selection from an interview he did back in October of 1977 when he was the leader of the Ontario NDP. The question for callers on that program was, "What do you think is the critical issue facing the next session of parliament?”

We're approaching a big moment for the Artemis II mission, as the crew prepares for their flyby around the moon. It's not a landing, but it's the first time in more than 50 years that humans will swing around the moon and head back home. It's thrilling. It's historic. And it's expensive. Artemis has blown past budgets and timelines. And here in Canada, taxpayers will contribute more than $800 million to the Canadian Space Agency this year. So, is it worth it?Our question: Why does space exploration matter to you? Is it worth the investment?

The federal NDP is pitching public, non-profit grocery stores. They say it's to bring prices down. City governments in New York and Toronto are studying the idea while Mexico has had a government-run chain since the 1950s. Supporters say it could lower bills. Critics say it won't.Our question: Are government-run grocery stores the fix for high prices? How's the cost of food affecting you?

Cross Country Spotlight - highlights from Checkup on Sunday. A month into the US–Israel war in Iran, civilian deaths rise, tensions spread across the region, and allies like Canada face tough choices. Here's a digest of Checkup's Q&A with experts on what's happening now...and what could come next.

Avi Lewis was elected as the new leader of the federal NDP party, earlier on March 29, 2026. We are revisiting another memorable moment for many in that party, August 2011. Former NDP leader Jack Layton died of cancer, just months after leading the NDP to its best ever election result.

It's been just over a month since the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran. The fallout is global, oil prices have spiked, pushing up the cost of living, and what happens next is far from clear. What questions do you have about the war in the Middle East?

It wasn't that long ago that the federal NDP held 103 seats. Since then, it's been a steady slide. Just seven MPs were elected last time, and one has since crossed the floor to the Liberals. NDP members are hoping that the rebuild begins, with their new leader Avi Lewis, and a new direction. What does the NDP need to do to be relevant? Does Canada need 3 major political parties?

With graduation season looming, Grade 12 students are feeling the heat. University admission averages have climbed for 15 straight years—a trend experts call "grade inflation." As the race for top marks intensifies, what's it doing to student stress levels, and their future opportunities?

Spiking gas prices will have a ripple effect across the Canadian economy, leading to higher prices for groceries, heating and holiday travel. So how are you adapting? What habits have you changed to stay afloat?

Canada's healthcare system is buckling. Doctors in Quebec are leaving the public system. Alberta is opening the door to more private care.Meanwhile millions of patients are waiting for surgery, or a family doctor.Are private clinics and physicians the solution to Canada's healthcare crisis?

AI is no longer theoretical; it's in the boardroom, it's on the battlefield, and it's reshaping everyday life across Canada. Reports suggest Anthropic's AI platform, Claude, may have been used in recent US strikes on Iran. Closer to home, companies are increasingly citing AI as the reason for layoffs as they realize new efficiencies. As this technology accelerates, Canadians are asking a simple but urgent question: Is AI helping us ...or quietly taking over? With Canada set to unveil a new national AI strategy in the coming weeks the answers to those questions are more pressing now than ever.

After the US-Israel strikes on Iran, Prime Minister Mark Carney initially backed efforts to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Days later, he added that all sides...including the US and Israel....must follow international law and work toward de-escalation. His comments come as questions grow about whether Canada's military could be pulled into the widening conflict, especially with attacks reaching countries beyond Iran, including a NATO ally. So how do you grade Mark Carney's stance on the crisis? And what should Canada's response be as the conflict expands?

For weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump had been talking about potentially using military force in Iran. Early on Feb. 28, it happened: the United States and Israel launched missiles into Iran, and the regime retaliated. What questions do you have about the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran? What's at stake for you?

Canadians are among the most radon-exposed people on the planet. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It is invisible, odorless, and radioactive. Aaron Goodarzi, a professor at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine and scientific chair of the Canada-wide Evict Radon study, joined us to explain more about this cancer causing gas and how to get rid of it.

With spring break nearing and summer travel ahead, especially with the FIFA World Cup coming to North America, Canadians are making plans. But for many, they've got their Elbows Up when it comes to U.S. travel. For some, avoiding the U.S. isn't just about patriotism, but personal safety with new mandates at the border. What's affecting your decision to travel to the US? Do you judge people who do?

The Milano Cortina Games are drawing to a close. Even if you only dipped in and out, you probably caught the curling double-touch controversy and some big wins for Team Canada in speed skating. On the other end, there was the heartbreak of Canada's overtime losses to the U.S. in both men's and women's hockey. This Olympics has had a little bit of everything. What did the 2026 Olympic Games mean to you?

The small town of Tumbler Ridge, B.C. is trying to cope after eight people, including six children were killed in Tuesday's mass shooting. Friends and neighbours, and neighbouring towns have been stepping in to help as the tight-knit community grieves. The devastating loss isn't just the stuff of headlines, many Canadians have had to figure out a path forward in the aftermath of unexpected, personal losses too. How did you get to the other side of a tragedy?

The New York Times published an article detailing the Tumbler Ridge shooter's online activity which included regular exposure to extremely violent content online. The shooter's digital footprint reflects a broader pattern where youth are being drawn into what some researchers call "nihilistic violence." To unpack what this means, Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Canada Bureau Chief for The New York Times, and Steven Rai, Senior Research Manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, joined us for a special Ask Me Anything.

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney has been critical of efforts by separatists in his own province, calling the push for a referendum on leaving Canada "deeply divisive." Last week, after separatist leaders claimed they had backing from members of the UCP. Kenney warned that MLA's from his former party should not be signing a petition that promotes separation. As the separatism debate heats up,Jason Kenney joined us for a special Ask Me Anything.

Alberta separatists are now gathering signatures for a referendum they hope will force a province-wide vote on leaving Canada. Just last week, the Alberta Prosperity Project revealed they met with Trump officials, an act BC Premier David Eby called “treason”. What does it actually mean for a province to “separate from the country”? Are you worried about the Alberta separatist threat? What's one thing Ottawa should do to make Canada more unified?

From connecting with customer service online, or asking for health advice, chances are you've already been interacting with an AI chat bot. AI is everywhere, helping us save time, learn new things, and juggle daily tasks, while also raising serious concerns about jobs, education, and trust. As companies like Amazon invest billions in generative AI, and cutting thousands of jobs. How are you using AI? Is AI making our lives better or worse?

Canada has lost a comedy legend. Tributes continue to pour in for Canadian comedy icon Catherine O'Hara, whose career spanned five decades. From her early sketch comedy days on SCTV to unforgettable roles in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, The Studio, and Schitt's Creek, she was beloved by Canadian fans and admired around the world. Her extraordinary body of work left a comedic influence that stretched far beyond our borders. What was your favourite Catherine O'Hara moment? What does she mean to you?

A lot of theories, and a lot of speculation, until January 23,2026, when Ryan Wedding was taken into U.S. custody after a decade on the run. How does a Canadian Olympian end up in handcuffs, with U.S. authorities comparing him to “El Chapo” and Pablo Escobar? And what's the real story behind the seized art, luxury cars, and motorcycles?

Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back without ever saying President Donald Trump's name, and it didn't go unnoticed. After Carney's remarks in Davos declared the rules-based international order a "fiction" ruptured by superpowers, Trump fired back with taunts and tariff threats. Carney responded to Trump's tariff threat by confirming that Canada never had any intention of securing a free-trade deal with China. Is it better to stand up or cozy up? What are your thoughts on Mark Carney and his handling of Donald Trump?

We've got a special episode today courtesy of our friends at As It Happens. The show airs weeknights at 6:30 pm ET and covers everything from complex stories, to the weird and wacky. It's a unique and intimate take on the news. We've got three shows chosen from this past week's episodes of As It Happens. You'll hear the Globe and Mail's Robert Fife on how the Canadian Armed forces have modelled a response to the unthinkable -- a hypothetical U.S. military invasion of Canada. A man names Ted Smith tells the show about his journey to exonerate his father, Tommy Lee Walker, 70 years after Walker was found guilty of raping and murdering a white woman name Venice Lorraine Parker. And Canadian hip-hop artist Michie Mee is going to celebrated with a stamp for Black History Month.

Just nine months ago, Mark Carney said China is Canada's top security threat. On January 16th, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his first major trade deal—one that could reshape what's in your driveway. The agreement opens Canada's doors to a wave of Chinese electric vehicles, while Beijing slashes tariffs on key Canadian exports through 2026. So what changed—and what does it mean for Canadian jobs, consumers, and the road ahead?

For many people, retirement isn't the finish line; it's a turning point. Whether it's learning something new, giving back, or redefining daily life, finding purpose after work can be deeply personal, and sometimes unexpectedly hard. Where did you find purpose after retirement or are you still searching?

Since the first Monday of January 2026, Ontario's public service workers have returned to the office five days a week, with Alberta set to follow on February 1. A new report from Statistics Canada shows hybrid workers are spending more time in the office and less time working from home. It's a shift that has left many people frustrated.Our question: Should workers be forced back into the office? Has returning to the office changed your work for better or worse?

It's been just over a year since Donald Trump began suggesting that Canada should become part of the United States. Now, with US intervention in Venezuela and renewed threats to take over Greenland, Canadians are starting to wonder, and worry.From Venezuela to Greenland, what questions do you have about US foreign policy, and what Canada should do about it?

The World Health Organization conditionally recommended glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for obesity treatment in December 2025. Canada could soon become the first country in the world to offer a cheaper version of Ozempic and Wegovy to people with prescriptions.Our question: Would you take a drug to lose weight...or have you already?

American forces stormed Caracas and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is “going to run” Venezuela for the time being.Our question: What's your reaction to the U.S. strike on Venezuela? What questions do you have?

2025 gave Canada no shortage of news — political shocks, global conflict, cultural moments, and a year that pulled emotions in every direction.In Cross Country Checkup's annual Year in News Special, guest host David Common sits down with a panel of CBC journalists: Paul Hunter, Susan Ormiston, and Aaron Wherry, reflecting on the biggest stories, the missed ones, and the conversations Canadians carried through it all.Our question: What was the most important news story of 2025? Which one didn't get enough attention?

You're making that big holiday dinner; juggling vegetables, a turkey, stuffing and sides. But with all the distractions, food safety can easily slip. Dinner rolls sitting where the raw turkey thawed? Was that knife used for meat or vegetables? And does it really matter?This holiday season also comes with active food recalls, including salmonella concerns linked to pistachio products and listeria risks in prepared salads and snack trays often served at gatherings.Our question: E. coli, listeria and salmonella; what questions do you have about meal prep and food safety over the holidays?

The holidays are here; and that usually means cookies, egg nog, cheeses, deli meats and plenty of indulgence. But new research is renewing concerns about ultra-processed foods and their links to higher risks of disease.What exactly counts as an ultra-processed food? Why are they so hard to stop eating? And does eating better over the holidays mean cutting out all your favourites, or are there realistic alternatives?Our question: From egg nog to deli meats — what questions do you have about ultra-processed foods and eating better over the holidays?

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has a “tremendous” relationship with Canada — but for many Canadians, the bond with American friends and family might feel strained. Political divisions have led to awkward gatherings, muted conversations, and in some cases, skipping holiday visits altogether. Our question: Are you gathering with American friends or family over the holidays? How are the Canada–U.S. relationships going in your life?

From whiteout conditions to multi-car pileups, winter driving across Canada can turn dangerous fast. Nearly 400 crashes were reported in southwestern Ontario during a recent storm, and a youth hockey team bus crash in northern Alberta has raised fresh concerns about road safety. Our question: From black ice to blizzards, what's your winter accident story? Do you feel safe driving on Canada's roads and highways?

It's the most expensive time of the year, and it's hitting just as many people are falling behind.Many Canadians have changed their spending habits and have even given up buying gifts for family members.Our question: How is personal debt affecting your holiday season? What's your workaround? What are you giving up?