Cross Country Checkup from CBC Radio

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?

A new CBC Marketplace investigation has named the worst commute in Canada, the stretch west of Toronto from the 905 into the downtown core. But we're not just talking about one city. Our question: What's your nomination for Canada's worst commute? What impact is it having on you, and your family?

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?