Cross Country Checkup from CBC Radio

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counselor Alyson Schafer have answers for families looking to navigate this new reality without friction, guilt or outdated expectations.

With insolvency filings up 8% over last year and essentials like gas and groceries squeezing household budgets, Canadians share how they're rethinking how they spend, save, and stay afloat. Financial educator Mark Kalinowski joins us with clear, practical advice on how to get help when budgets are tight.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to October of 1990 - a moment when Canadians were staring down soaring interest rates, spiking oil prices, and waves of layoffs at CN Rail, Imperial Oil and Air Canada. The Conference Board of Canada had just declared a recession, while Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Finance Minister Michael Wilson hesitated to say the word. Checkup callers share how they were surviving tough economic times with host Dale Goldhawk.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in about e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-mopeds and where they belong on city streets. An ER doctor reveals the collisions he's seeing and the fallout that follows. Plus, stories and perspectives from across Canada.

Today, ICYMI is going back to October of 2019. A federal election was looming, and Canadians were in a heated debate over the Liberal government's decision to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline and approve its expansion. The day before the election, Checkup held two town halls at either end of the proposed expansion. Host Duncan McCue was in Leduc, Alberta and Michelle Eliot was in Vancouver. Here's some of the highlights from the show starting with oil and gas worker Tim Cameron in Leduc.

Is Canada quietly drifting away from its climate goals? After a former environment minister accuses the federal government of backsliding on its climate commitments, Canadians tell us what they think matters more right now: protecting the planet or protecting the economy. Energy policy expert Warren Mabee unpacks the megaprojects at the centre of the fight — and what they reveal about Canada's path forward.

They're fast, they're everywhere — and cities are scrambling to keep up. As e‑bikes, e‑scooters, and e‑mopeds flood urban streets, governments are cracking down and riders are pushing back. An ER doctor and a personal injury lawyer reveal the collisions they're seeing and the fallout that follows. Then, urban planning expert Jeff Casello explains how some cities have already carved out space for these heavier, faster machines — and what Canada can learn.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in about why boys are struggling in school. This episode looks at a recent report that shows boys are more likely to drop out of high school, and hears why it's happening and what can be done.

A new report out of Quebec shows that boys are more likely to drop out of high school, and generally perform more poorly than female students. And this has apparently been going on for some time. So why is it happening? And why isn't something being done? We hear your stories, and the answers to those questions.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is giving people a choice this fall -- stay in Canada or begin the legal path toward a binding referendum on separation. Checkup has every angle covered including: reactions from Alberta, the rest of Canada, as well get expert analysis on the potential legal, and political ramifications to the premier's announcement this week.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in about the boxes, bins and forgotten belongings adult kids have left behind. This episode looks at how families negotiate inter-generational storage wars and how to decide what stays, what goes and who's responsible for it all.

Spring cleaning is stirring up a familiar family tension: the boxes, bins and forgotten belongings adult kids have left behind. This episode looks at how families negotiate these cross-generational storage wars and how to decide what stays, what goes and who's responsible for it all.

Flight cancellations, tight budgets and the US travel boycott are shaking up summer travel plans for many Canadians. This episode breaks down what's driving the turbulence - and provides smart summer travel hacks travellers should consider before booking.

We rewind to May 1994, when Ontario was on the brink of a major shift in LGBTQ+ rights. Days before the legislature debated a bill to grant same‑sex couples full legal recognition, Canadians called Cross Country Checkup to weigh in. This archive episode reveals how the country was thinking, arguing and evolving — and what it tells us about how far we've come.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in where we ask whether private menopause clinics are providing necessary treatments or promoting a two tier system? Private options are popping up across the country while many women face long wait-lists to find the right care.

As we mark Mother's Day this weekend, ICYMI digs back into the archives from a show that aired on Mother's Day back 1988. Many young women at the time were pushing back against the idea that they -- like their mothers -- would be at home with the kids and managing the household. Callers weighed in on the question: do all women eventually become their mothers?

Manitoba could become the first place in the world to ban AI chatbots for kids. While Australia has banned social media for youth under 16, Manitoba says regulation would include AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. We hear from experts, parents and young people about what they think of the idea.

A new Ipsos survey found that 1 in 3 women will have to wait for more than 2 years to find effective treatment for menopause. To fill that need, private menopause clinics are popping up across the country. We hear from patients and practitioners about the rise of these private options in a country known for public healthcare.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in where we ask whether a career in the trades, or a university degree is the way to go in 2026. The federal government wants to hire 100-thousand trades workers. Want some advice for the young person in your life? Our experts weigh-in on where the job market of tomorrow is headed.

The federal government says it will hire 100-thousand tradespeople to help build it's promised infrastructure projects. Canadians are twice as likely to advise young people to go into the trades -- but is the right call? We'll hear the arguments for both, as well as the advice of a career councillor.

The deadline to collect signatures has passed for the Stay Free Alberta petition. The leaders of the separatist movement say they have the support to force a referendum, but a court injunction may stop the process. Should Alberta hold a vote on separating from Canada? From separatists to federalists -- we hear the answer to that question from every possible perspective.

It was ten years ago this week that a wildfire started raging southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta. It would lead the largest wildfire evacuation in Canadian history. On ICYMI, from Checkup's show on May 8th, 2016, we hear from two evacuees shortly after they left the their homes behind.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in on sports betting ads. Former Canadian Olympian Bruce Kidd wants sports betting ads banned…but the Canadian Gaming Association says this will make things worse. Should they be completely banned? We'll hear from both sides of the debate.

Just as trade talks resume between Canada and the US, ICYMI features highlights from Checkup's 2018 show from Madison, Wisconsin. Canadians and Americans weigh-in on the trade war in the lead up to the final negotiations which lead to CUSMA/USMCA.

The Trump administration rekindled the cross-border crosstalk with Canada this week, as this summer's trade deadline looms. An economist and US trade expert decipher what's at stake for both countries as Canadians share the impact all this is having on their daily life.

Hockey and basketball playoff season is in full swing...and so are the sports betting ads. One-third of Canadians aged 18 to 29 gamble online. Former Canadian Olympian Bruce Kidd wants sports betting ads banned…but the Canadian Gaming Association says this will make things worse. Should they be completely banned? We'll hear from both sides of the debate.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford tabled legislation requiring high school teachers to factor attendance into final grades. Should students lose marks for missing class? This week academics, teachers and students weigh in from all sides of this debate.

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.

Global EV sales are also rebounding with rising oil prices. Our AMA expert answers caller questions about EVs, hybrids and everything in between.

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?