Cross Country Checkup from CBC Radio

New CBC data shows violent incidents on buses, streetcars and subways have jumped sharply in major cities — raising concerns about safety, vulnerability and the crises converging on public transit. Our question: Do you feel safe on public transit? How can cities make riders safer?

According to research, as prices climb and first-time buyers rethink their expectations, many Canadians say owning a home feels further away than ever — with some giving up entirely. Our question: What's stopping you from owning a home? What needs to change to make homes more affordable?

From Florida flights to Black Friday deals, Canadians are rethinking winter traditions. After months of “Elbows Up” backlash toward the U.S., travel forecasts show Canadians staying home — contributing to a projected $5.7-billion drop in U.S. tourism. But while cross-border trips slow, the Retail Council of Canada says the momentum behind “Buy Canadian” is fading. Our question: How is 'Elbows Up' changing your holiday plans?

ER wait times are reaching breaking-point levels across Canada — with patients waiting hours or even days, and half a million Canadians leaving without being seen last year. Doctors warn the backlog is a symptom of a system struggling to meet basic needs, while callers describe long nights, ambulance delays and returning sicker after giving up. Our question: What's your ER wait time story? And how is it affecting your health?

From walk-ins to ER lines, millions of Canadians are navigating life without primary care. PEI is feeling it most — with more than one in four residents still waiting for a doctor, the lowest access rate in the country. A new medical school may help, but burnout is rising and Canada needs 23,000 more family doctors to close the gap. Our question: How are you coping without a family doctor, and what impact has it had on your health?

This week Federal MP Chris D'Entrement stunned Parliament by joining the Liberals - nudging them just two seats from a majority. It's a rare move, but not an isolated one. Tory MP Matt Jeneroux also resigned, after whispers of a defection. We unpack the political ripple effects, the timing, and what it all means for party loyalty and power in Ottawa.Our question: Is there anything wrong with floor crossing in Parliament? How important is party loyalty to you?

If you've ever flinched at the price of beef, coffee or chocolate lately, you're not alone. StatsCan says food prices are still climbing. And for many Canadians, the grocery bill is where the affordability crisis hits hardest. Prime Minister Carney said Canadians will judge his government by what they pay at the checkout. So what should Ottawa do?Our question: What's ONE thing the government should do to cut grocery prices? How are you cutting costs?

The Toronto Blue Jays came within two outs of a World Series win — before a crushing loss to the Dodgers in extra innings. From Bo Bichette's homer to Ernie Clement's tears, it was a run that united fans across Canada. Our question: What did this World Series journey mean to you, and how do you bounce back after defeat?

Doug Ford called it the most successful ad in North American history — but Donald Trump called it cheating. Ontario's anti-tariff ad campaign has been pulled after stirring debate on both sides of the border. Trade talks have halted and Mark Carney apologized to Donald Trump.Our question: Was Ontario's anti-tariff ad worth it? What conversations are you having with the Americans in your life?

The Toronto Blue Jays are chasing their first World Series title since 1993, facing the LA Dodgers with the series now tied at one game apiece. It's the story of underdogs who became “Canada's Team,” uniting fans from coast to coast.But this World Series isn't just about baseball. Politics are in play too, after Donald Trump froze trade talks and imposed new tariffs in response to Ontario's anti-tariff ads airing during Jays games.Our question: What does the Blue Jays World Series run mean to you?

When Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider dropped an F-bomb during a live post-game interview, the crowd cheered. Just days earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump used the same word on camera, when talking about Venezuela's leader.From politics to sports to pop culture, the F-word seems to be everywhere, In shows like Succession and The Bear, and even in everyday conversation. Some say it's a sign of authenticity and emotion. Others call it a decline in civility and respect.Our question: Do you judge someone who uses the F-word? How do you feel about more widespread acceptance of swearing?

For many people, the idea of cutting a parent, sibling or other relative out of your life goes against everything we hope family should be. But as you'll hear, and may know first-hand, it happens. Whether it is because of politics, abuse, money, or something else entirely, the choice to sever ties is a difficult one.Our question: Have you ever gone 'no contact' with a family member? Have you ever had to decide when to heal a relationship, or when to move on?

Softwood lumber, steel, auto manufacturing are some of the Canadian industries targeted by Trump's trade war. Stellantis recently announced it will be moving production of the Jeep Compass from Brampton, Ontario to Illinois. That multi-billion dollar investment and thousands of jobs are now headed south to Trump's America.Prime Minister Mark Carney says the president's tariffs are to blame. It's a reminder they're having a very real impact on Canadian workers, and the families and communities that depend on them.Our question: How is the trade war affecting your livelihood? Are you worried about your job?

Increasingly, online scammers are combining the old techniques of preying on people looking for love or a sure-fire investment with the latest technology. Have you ever come across a video of Prime Minister Mark Carney online promoting a money making venture? It may look real, but it's almost certainly created by a scammer looking for money -- often in the form of cryptocurrency. And Canadians are losing tens of millions of dollars every year to crypto scams according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.Our question: What's your scam story? Have you ever fallen victim to a crypto scam?

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas aims to end the war that started two years ago. As of this show's live recording, we're seeing an end to the fighting and the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces in the territory. And we are hours away from the return of the hostages taken prisoner during the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.Our question: What's at stake for you in the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas? And what questions do you have about what comes next?

Since 2016, more than 50,000 Canadians have died from toxic drug poisoning. That's roughly the population of Woodstock, Ontario or Penticton, BC. In May, Alberta passed the "Compassionate Care Act", a new law giving police, family members, and doctors the right to request mandatory addiction treatment for those deemed a danger to themselves or others. B.C. recently announced an expansion in its involuntary care program while other provinces are considering it. Supporters call it a last resort for those who can't help themselves. Critics warn it's a dangerous overreach with serious ethical risks.Our question: Is involuntary treatment for addiction ever justified? When - if ever - should it be mandatory?

Canada Post launched a nationwide strike after Ottawa unveiled sweeping reforms including scrapping door-to-door delivery and shutting some rural postal offices.Our question: How does the Canada Post strike affect you? Is it time to end home delivery?

The opposition party in Nova Scotia tabled a bill proposing a social media ban for anyone under 16. But the governing Conservatives say what the Liberal bill proposes "is not possible at the provincial level" and that "it would require federal action"to implement.Critics warn bans like these don't work and that kids will just find workarounds or possibly be pushed toward even riskier platforms.Our question: Should children under 16 be banned from TikTok or other social media apps?

More than half of Canadians own a pet and for many pet owners, their cat, or dog, or bird is part of the family. But, the cost of these furry friends have many people faced with tough decisions. According to a recent survey from Abacus Data, nearly three quarters of Canadian pet owners say their veterinarian fees are high and lead to stress. The same survey found that among pet owners 77 per cent support government rules or regulations on the fees that vet clinics can charge.Our question: What happened when you were faced with a sky-high veterinary bill? How did you cope?

A new Food Banks Canada report says 1 in 4 Canadians are food insecure. That's up 40% in just two years. We are going to hear what the rising cost of food looks like for you and what you're doing about it.Our question: How are high grocery prices affecting you? How are you making ends meet?

Parliament is back, And the gloves are off. Mark Carney's Liberals are leading in the polls, but voter satisfaction appears to be slipping. And Pierre Poilievre will step into the House for the first time since winning his Alberta byelection. But it's about more than the theatre of Question Period, decisions made in Ottawa this fall will affect your paycheque, your grocery bill, and maybe even your vote. The next election may be months or years away, but the battle for public trust starts now.Our question: Federal MPs are returning to Parliament. What do they need to fix first?

Speed cameras track how fast you're driving and create a ticket that's eventually sent to you. Something about them frustrates people so much, the cameras are being vandalized. According to Toronto police, 16 were hit in the city in one night. One speed camera in particular has been cut down seven times.Ontario Premier Doug Ford says they're a cash grab. City council says they save lives. But this isn't just a Toronto story. Speed cameras or photo radar has come and gone in several cities and provinces through the years. But speeding remains a problem coast to coast.Our question: Are speed cameras the answer to slowing drivers down? Why do you speed?

Some people love the structure, others say it wrecks work-life balance - new data from Angus Reid says nearly 50% of Canadians think federal workers should be forced back into the office. Nearly the same number of people disagree. This is after major major banks like BMO and RBC have mandated up to four days a week in-office. Ontario's public service is following suit, with full-time office returns expected by January. Employers say it's about collaboration, creativity and mentorship. But some workers aren't convinced. For them, remote work offers flexibility, autonomy and time with family. Our question: Should employers be able to force workers back into the office? What is lost when we work from home?

Toronto's new renoviction bylaw forces landlords to prove renovations are necessary before evicting tenants. Supporters say it protects renters from being pushed out illegally. Landlords say it's a bureaucratic mess that discourages building upgrades and will ultimately lead to higher rents. But, we're not just focusing on Toronto. Cities across Canada, like New Westminster, B.C., Hamilton and London all have renoviction by-laws in motion or in place. So wherever you are in Canada, this issue may affect you.Our question: Are renoviction bylaws a step too far or not far enough?

Students and teachers will be trying to navigate a new technology this year. Artificial intelligence is here to stay. And students have access to tools that can replace research and writing they should be doing. You could ban students using AI, but then how do we prepare kids for a future where they might very well need to use it?Our question: Has AI use in the classroom gone too far or not far enough? Is AI creating a generation of cheaters or achievers?

A recent online poll by Leger found that 85 per cent of people asked said that the government should regulate artificial intelligence. But 57 per cent of people asked said they'd used some kind of AI tool. That's one online poll, but it points to where many Canadians are with AI right now: they are using this technology, but have questions. Are you using AI to transform your daily life? Has it helped you overcome barriers? Or maybe you have questions about how it all works.Our question: How is AI changing your life? What questions do you have?

Our show on the Air Canada strike generated hundreds of comments at cbc.ca/aircheck, including stories about the unpaid hours you're working. It appears many of you are rethinking your own relationship with "unpaid work". A study by the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto found that about half of the study participants reported working either moderate or excessive unpaid overtime.Our question: Are you rethinking how much unpaid work you're doing for your employer? What questions do you have?

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he will match the United States by removing Canadian tariffs on US goods covered by CUSMA, starting September 1st. Following the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the move, saying it was "nice" and that he wanted to "be good to Canada." But, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Carney's trade decision was weak and that his elbows "have mysteriously gone missing". So, was this sudden turn in trade negotiations with Donald Trump -- elbow's up, elbow's down or elbows gone?Our question: What grade are you giving Mark Carney on negotiations with Donald Trump? Is he playing it smart or selling Canada short?

The Carney government has forced the airline and its flight attendants into binding arbitration just hours into a work stoppage. But flight attendants say their rights have been taken away, arguing the feds caved to Air Canada. And they are staying on strike despite action from the government. It's one of the busiest times of the year for travel, and many passengers still don't know when or how they'll get home.Our question: Should the government be forcing Air Canada flight attendants back to work? How have you been affected by the strike?

It's the dog days of summer, and for many families that means a tug-of-war between the iPad and the park. But who's really struggling more to unplug, is it the kids or the parents? How to set boundaries and reclaim real-world connection, the kind that replays as warm summertime memories with your family in the years to come.Our question: How's the fight to cut screen time going this summer? Are we expecting too much from kids or not enough from parents?

The US Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, says it's not personal but don't tell that to Ontario Premier Doug Ford. He told CNN that Trump is "probably the most disliked politician in the world." The same week Trump fired his Labour Statistics chief after weak job numbers, then posted on Truth Social that his tariffs are "boosting the stock market". Doug Ford says Canada will "outlast the Trump administration", but for many Canadians, the damage is already done.Our question: How is Trump's trade fight with Canada affecting you? What matters to you about the Canada-US relationship?

There's a war of words playing out at dinner tables, in the office kitchenette, on Instagram, TikTok and yes, Facebook too. Each generation armed with punchlines are poking at one another. Boomers with accusations of 'entitlement'. Millennials rolling their eyes #OKBoomer. Gen X wallowing in "middle child" syndrome. And have you been on the receiving end of the Gen Z stare?But the banter can cut deeper than it first appears: accusations of laziness, a lack of commitment, or even narcissism. But what if those stereotypes are just noise drowning out deeper conversations about work, values, economic fairness and resilience?Our question: What's the biggest misconception about your generation? How do generational stereotypes affect how you're seen and heard?

Two hundred and ten names, and one of them is Pierre Poilievre. The Battle River-Crowfoot byelection in Alberta isn't just about who wins one seat. It's about what kind of democracy Canadians want.The Conservative leader is trying to return to Parliament after losing his longtime seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton. But he's facing a record-breaking protest —hundreds of candidates, most are backed by an electoral reform group, trying to make a point about how our system works, or doesn't. Some call it a mockery. Others say it's a wake up call. Either way it's testing the rules, the voters, and the future of Canadian politics.Our question: Why does the Pierre Poilievre byelection matter to you? What does it say about Canadian politics?

"Buy Canadian", it's a patriotic pledge, and for many of us, a personal one. But, in the middle of a trade war with Donald Trump that pledge is getting harder to keep. Prices are rising. Grocery labels are confusing. And depending on what you're looking for, it can be almost impossible to find a purely Canadian-made product.What challenges are you facing while buying Canadian? What questions do you have about Donald Trump's tariffs?

You may be watching the bike lane debate unfold in your local council chambers, your provincial legislature or right outside your front door. Lately, provincial governments in Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia have been veering into what has always been a municipal issue. Bike lanes have become a lightning rod for urban planning, for safety for who gets space on our roads. Some see them as an important part of making cities livable. Others see them as an expensive nuisance that disrupts traffic and hurts local retailers. But whether you're behind the wheel, on two wheels or just crossing the street -- the pressure is on to pick a lane and fix it -- whichever one you're in. Our question: When it comes to bike lanes, do your streets have too many or too few?

There are lots of opinions and debate about the verdicts in the Hockey Canada trial in London Ontario. But we're not asking whether the judge got it right or wrong. Instead, we want to look at another important issue: how the intense attention on this trial is influencing a national conversation with our kids. Is this an opportunity for change? Our question: What conversations are you having about the Hockey Canada trial with the young people in your life?

There was an awkward "KissCam" moment at a Coldplay concert on Wednesday night. Two concertgoers, one with his arms around the other, and suddenly they were on the big screens in the stadium. Their shocked reaction was posted on social media and went viral. The online sleuthing escalated quickly, they were identified as a tech company CEO and the head of HR. There were allegations of an office affair, and ultimately a resignation. It's a soap opera that's gripped millions online, raising questions about what's public, what's private and the line between social media scrutiny and online bullying. Is this an example of accountability, transparency and holding people to high standards? Or, is it a worrying case of viral overreach, where personal privacy is being eroded by algorithms?Our question: What's your reaction to the viral Coldplay couple controversy?

They can fly by before you even hear them - those sleek two wheeled battery powered scooters. They are transforming city sidewalks, bike lanes and roads, often bypassing traffic jams and drawing riders with a quick zip to their destination. But beyond the breezy rides there's a growing concern. Emergency room doctors are sounding the alarm - injuries linked to e-scooters have surged 32% in just one year, according to the latest data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Head trauma, shattered bones, sudden emergency department visits from what seems like a quick, fun ride. Sales are booming, sidewalks are crowding, and city planners and politicians are scrambling to figure out where they belong. Our question: Are e-scooters revolutionizing your daily commute or are they an accident waiting to happen?

Mark Carney hasn't been on the job for long, but a lot has already happened during his time in office. The trade dispute with the U.S. continues. Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Thursday. He ended the consumer carbon tax, passed Bill C-5 - aimed at fast-tracking 'nation-building' projects, and he has made pledges to end barriers to interprovincial trade by Canada Day and to boost military spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035, an increase that could cost $150 billion per year.Our question: What grade are you giving Prime Minister Mark Carney, so far?

Political differences can be a minefield among family and friends, trade tensions. new tariff threats from Donald Trump. "Elbows Up' and calls to “Buy Canadian", there's a shift happening —not just policy, but how many Canadians relate to their neighbours south of the border. It's changing what many people buy, where we travel - even how we talk to American family, friends and coworkers.Our question: What conversations are you having with Americans? How are the Canada-US relationships going in your life?

According to a survey, four out of ten people said they were planning to leave their jobs earlier this year. So whether you decided to quit your job to follow your passion, left the corporate world for a more quiet life, or maybe you're weighing the decision to quit right now, how did you know it was the right time to leave your job? How did that decision change your path?

The job picture is bleak for young people right now. Canadian youth between the ages of 15 to 24 are facing the highest unemployment rate since the mid-90's, the only exception —the pandemic years. According to numbers from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the jobless rate for young people has been rising faster here in the past two years than any other major economy. How are you seeing this play out in your own life, or with your friends and family?Our question: How are you affected by youth unemployment? What's your summer job search story?