Veteran journalist Paul Wells interviews the leaders and thinkers tackling the world's big problems — war and peace, democracy and dictatorship, making governments and communities work. Paul draws on decades of experience as a reporter and columnist at Macleans, the Toronto Star and elsewhere to bring you smart, intimate conversations with newsmakers and people who deserve a higher profile.
Wednesday, August 20th 2025
The year since Wayne Eyre retired as Chief of Defence Staff has seen unprecedented change in Canada's national-security environment. Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to boost Canada's defence-related spending from less than 2% of GDP to 5%. The United States has become an unsteady ally. What do those big changes mean for the future of Canada's military? An in-depth conversation.
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Wednesday, August 20th 2025
A national strike by Air Canada flight attendants ended on Tuesday morning, three days after it began. One of the key issues that Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees were fighting over was "ground pay," the amount flight attendants are paid for their work before takeoff and after landing.
Jason Kirby is a business reporter for The Globe and Mail. He’s on the show to talk about what we know about the deal so far, and what impact this strike could have on future labour disputes.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Wednesday, August 20th 2025
This summer is on track to being the second-worst wildfire season in Canadian history. It started earlier than usual with emergencies declared in the spring in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and is hitting locales that aren't typically fire-prone like Vancouver Island and the Maritimes. Meanwhile, fires from neighbouring provinces gave parts of southern Ontario some of the worst air quality in the world.
So what does this mean for the Canadian summers of our childhood, spent mostly carefree and outdoors? What needs to be done for us to adapt to the prospect of more fires and heat to come — especially for kids growing up in this new reality? Denise Balkisson, executive editor of The Narwhal, joins us to talk about how to navigate the ambient dread of our country's changing climate.
Denise published a piece today about this in the Narwhal, which you can read here: www.thenarwhal.ca/seasonal-depression-summer-climate-change/
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Wednesday, August 20th 2025
Our lead story: days after her image was made public, an unknown woman found deceased in a Winnipeg hotel last August is identified as Melanie McKay, said to be from northern Manitoba’s Island Lake region.
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Wednesday, August 20th 2025
Canada is slowly starting to become desensitized to crime involving youth - not because it's no longer worrisome, but because it happens more often than not.
Why are 13 year old's finding themselves at the centre of homicide investigations? Why are 17 year old's being held on remand and not picking out what post-secondary educational program they want to go into? Are the headlines telling a different story than that of the data?
Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Kim Varma, a criminology professor at Toronto Metropolitan University to discuss what we can make of this growing trend of crime headlines surrounding youth teens, and how all corners of society are responsible from keeping youth from getting acquainted with the justice system.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Saba Eitizaz and Raju Mudhar talk to experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.
Tuesday, August 19th 2025
Listen here or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. If you would like to support the journalism of the Toronto Star, you can at thestar.com/subscribe.
Guest: Nathan Bawaan, Toronto Star reporter
Youth unemployment in Toronto is at its highest level in decades outside of the pandemic and it’s not just a tough job market. A new report reveals that discrimination based on race, age, gender, language, and even postal code is one of the biggest barriers keeping young people from getting hired. Some recent grads are giving up on job hunting altogether and turning to grad school, not out of ambition, but because they feel stuck. We break down what’s behind the crisis.
Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Paulo Marques
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Tuesday, August 19th 2025
Since Wikipedia was founded nearly 25 years ago as a free, online encyclopedia, it has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 most visited websites globally. In an era when so much of the internet is full of misinformation, polarization, and social media platforms designed to keep you doomscrolling for hours, you could argue that Wikipedia – free of ads, and maintained by volunteer editors – is one of the last good places online.
Samantha Edwards is the Globe’s online culture reporter. She’s on the show to talk about what motivates these editors to volunteer, how AI is threatening the site’s future, and why going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole might actually be good for you.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Tuesday, August 19th 2025
Over the last few days, US President Donald Trump has hosted a series of high-stakes talks to further the effort to end the war in Ukraine.
First, on Friday, there was the summit in Alaska — Russian president Vladimir Putin’s first time in the US in nearly 20 years. Then on Monday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House for his first time since his brutal confrontation with Trump in February. This time, he was accompanied by a group of European leaders, including French president Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Land swaps and security guarantees were all discussed — but are we any closer to actually seeing an end to the war in Ukraine? What is Ukraine being asked to give up in exchange for peace? And where do things stand with the war now? We’re joined by Francis Farrell, reporter with The Kyiv Independent.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Tuesday, August 19th 2025
Our lead stories: a violent weekend for two prairie First Nations, with an 18-year-old male dead in Pelican Narrows (SK) after a firearms incident, and the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy on Pimicikamak Cree Nation (MB).
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Tuesday, August 19th 2025
Amanda Carrasco lived through a childhood full of deep, complex trauma.
She endured sexual abuse by her brother, her family was violently murdered and she was left to pick up the pieces. Instead of burying her pain, she did the opposite: Amanda sat face-to-face with her abuser and the man who killed her loved ones. Her goal? The pursuit of truth, accountability and a path to healing.
Host Melanie Ng speaks with Amanda about her shocking new memoir “Becoming The Brave One” and the transformative potential of restorative justice as a way to help survivors and communities.
You can learn more about Amanda's stories here:
Website - https://amandacarrasco.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amanda_the_brave_one
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Monday, August 18th 2025
A Globe and Mail investigation has revealed the extent to which Canadians have been caught up in U.S. President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Analysis of data, obtained through a federal lawsuit, shows nearly 150 Canadians have been detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since the beginning of this year. These Canadians range from 2 years old to 77 years old.
Kathryn Blaze Baum, an investigative reporter for The Globe, joins The Decibel to break down the exclusive reporting, explains what the Canadian government says it’s willing to do and whether advocates think that’s enough.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Monday, August 18th 2025
It was a chaotic weekend for anyone flying with Air Canada. The airline canceled hundreds of flights after 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job. Less than 12 hours later, federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu had ordered them back to work — but the union took the unusual step of defying that order and continuing the strike.
The main sticking points for the union had been wages and "ground work" — that is, pay for time spent working when the plane is not moving, which most airlines don't do. But now, some experts argue it's become the latest example of the federal government rushing to tip the scales in labour disputes and undermining the bargaining process.
CBC senior business reporter Anis Heydari explains how the situation got so messy, and why other airlines across North America — and their workers — are so invested in the outcome.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Monday, August 18th 2025
Our lead story: almost a year since her killer’s sentencing, a Manitoba Court of King's Bench judge grants the family of the late Ashlee Shingoose the rare opportunity to share victim impact statements.
> Interstitial: zapsplat.com
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Monday, August 18th 2025
Data centres are being used to power tech companies all around the world.
In the U-S alone, there are more than 5-thousand facilities.
And the facilities use up valuable resources, which could leave some communities without things like water – according to a new report.
Host Kris McCusker speaks to Miguel Yanez-Barnuevo and Dan Bressette with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute about the second of 3 reports, which take a deep dive into the environmental impacts of technology and things like artificial intelligence.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Sunday, August 17th 2025
Being a farmer in Canada isn't easy at the best of times, and there's a new big challenge ahead.
This week, China announced a hefty tariff on our canola products, which happens to be this country's largest agricultural export.
Billions of dollars are at stake - so how damaging could this be?
Host of In This Economy?! Mike Eppel speaks with Mike von Massow, a professor in the Department of Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Saba Eitizaz and Raju Mudhar talk to experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.
Friday, August 15th 2025
Guest: Kevin Jiang, Toronto Star reporter
Nearly one in five Canadians who had COVID—more than more than 3 million people—went on to develop long COVID, also called post COVID 19 Condition (PCC). Symptoms can include fatigue, brain fog, breathing problems and heart damage, sometimes lasting for years. In Ontario there is still no coordinated plan for care. Funding for specialized clinics has disappeared, rehab services often have to be paid for out of pocket and most patients report getting little to no treatment. Toronto Star’s Kevin Jiang takes a look at what it is like to live with the long tail of a pandemic that is far from over for those still living with it.
Produced by Sean Pattendon, Paulo Marques and Saba Eitizaz
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Friday, August 15th 2025
For decades, scientific research at the Great Lakes has meant close partnership between Canada and the U.S., but President Trump’s latest job cuts may be changing that. In March, the U.S. agencies overseeing the health and conditions of oceans, lakes and rivers became the latest target of the Trump administration’s federal job-cutting spree.
Patrick White reports on water issues for The Globe. Today, he explains how the partnership around the Great Lakes is changing, why there are new negotiations about water sharing, and why these conversations about freshwater are not just issues of environmental concern – but also of national security.
This episode originally aired March 27, 2025.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Friday, August 15th 2025
This week, Canada's housing department released a document with more details on the Liberal government's plans to scale up affordable housing in the country. It's now seeking feedback from the public about it.
Back in March, Prime Minister Carney vowed that his government would double the number of homes built annually in Canada to nearly half a million. This would be done through an entity called Build Canada Homes, which would spur construction with a focus on affordability and a 'made in Canada' approach.
But these plans are coming together in a challenging environment. A new report from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) forecasts a drop in housing starts over the next few years. That's against a backdrop of rising costs and other factors that are squeezing developers.
So, can Carney's plan work, and can it work fast enough?
Mike Moffatt, a founding director of the Missing Middle Initiative at the University of Ottawa and the co-host of the Missing Middle podcast, joins the show.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Friday, August 15th 2025
The West has long sought to make Vladimir Putin a pariah over the bloodshed in Ukraine.
But the Russian leader will break out of international isolation and step foot on U.S. soil, welcomed by an American president eager to fulfill his promise of stopping the war.
European leaders who held a virtual conference with Donald Trump earlier this week, say he agreed ceding land can only be negotiated by Kyiv.
But behind closed doors, without the war-torn country represented in the room, anything can happen.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with history professor Elizabeth Wood about what Putin and Trump each want, and why there are still lingering fears their summit could end up selling out Ukraine like one of Trump’s real estate deals.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Friday, August 15th 2025
Our lead story: supporters of wildfire-threatened York Factory First Nation rally at the Manitoba legislature, claiming residents are stranded due to a lack of road access and low river levels making their ferry inoperable.
A bi-weekly podcast from The Breach featuring sharp commentary on politics and movements in Canada.
Thursday, August 14th 2025
As it becomes harder to ignore Israel’s genocide, the political and media class is changing their tune.
But El Jones and Desmond Cole discuss how Mark Carney and the establishment media’s complicity continues unabated.
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Thursday, August 14th 2025
In late July, French President Emmanuel Macron said France would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The U.K. then said it, too, would recognize a Palestinian state if Israel did not agree to a ceasefire. Canada and then Australia soon committed to recognizing Palestine.
Dr. Mira Sucharov is a professor of political science at Carleton University in Ottawa. Much of her work focuses on Israeli-Palestinian relations. Today, she joins us to talk about why we’re seeing this change in policy after 22 months of war in Gaza, what this shift means for people on the ground, and what solution she sees could realistically bring peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Thursday, August 14th 2025
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for journalists in recent history. Among those killed was Anas Al-Sharif — one of the last remaining reporters in Northern Gaza, and one of the most recognizable media voices in the strip.
In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists said that the public smear campaign against him, led by the Israeli military, was part of an effort to manufacture consent to kill him. Just weeks later, this past Sunday, he and three colleagues were killed in a targeted Israeli strike near a Gaza City hospital.
The Israeli military has publicly admitted to the killing, calling Anas an operative connected to Hamas’ military wing: a charge that those who know him, along with organizations like the United Nations, deny.
Sharif Kouddous is the Middle East editor at Dropsite News, and a longtime reporter on and in the region. He joins us today to talk about the killing of Anas Al-Sharif, who refused to leave Gaza, his home, despite months of threats against his life, and the cost of journalism in Gaza.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Thursday, August 14th 2025
Air Canada is overhauling how travelers earn points and qualify for frequent flyer status in its Aeroplan loyalty program. The changes? Points will be based on dollars spent rather than distance flown. Spoiler alert? Jetsetters aren't too thrilled about what that means for the programs perks. Host Richard Southern speaks with travel, point, and personal finance expert Barry Choi about what the changes mean for your Aeroplan points, & why some Air Canada aficionados are hopping mad about the overhaul. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Thursday, August 14th 2025
Our lead story: four First Nations sign a memorandum of understanding with Manitoba regarding the twinning of a portion of the Trans Canada Highway, an expansion to be carried out in accordance with Anishinabe laws.
Wednesday, August 13th 2025
Air Canada to start cancelling trips after flight attendants’ union issues strike notice, Vanmala Subramaniam, Globe and Mail (Aug. 13)
As Trump takes over Washington, the city watches for potential fallout, Adrian Morrow, Globe and Mail (Aug. 12)
U.K. Secretly Spent $3.2 Million to Stop Journalists From Reporting on Data Breach, Lizzie Dearden, New York Times (Aug. 13)
Sudanese RSF fighters kill more than 40 people in Darfur camp, Al Jazeera (Aug. 12)
Veteran journalist Paul Wells interviews the leaders and thinkers tackling the world's big problems — war and peace, democracy and dictatorship, making governments and communities work. Paul draws on decades of experience as a reporter and columnist at Macleans, the Toronto Star and elsewhere to bring you smart, intimate conversations with newsmakers and people who deserve a higher profile.
Wednesday, August 13th 2025
Veteran foreign correspondent Scott Anderson, who's written for the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair and Esquire, has a new book, King of Kings, about the fall of the Shah of Iran and the rise of the ayatollahs in 1979. He opens with a big claim: that the Iranian revolution changed the world as much as the revolutions in France, the United States or Russia. He tells Paul about the failure of two leaders — the Shah and President Jimmy Carter — to understand what was happening in Iran.
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Wednesday, August 13th 2025
The conversation around sleep is shifting. Hustle culture views sleep as a waste of time. But in a culture increasingly focused on health and wellness, sleep is seen as something to be optimized and even perfected. Sleep hygiene trends are taking over social media, but experts warn that fixating on rigid routines and products may do more harm than good.
Dr. Rebecca Robillard is a neuropsychologist at the University of Ottawa and co-chair of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium. Rebecca writes for The Globe’s The Sleep Whisperer, a short series of columns offering advice and insights on sleep health. She’s on the show to talk about the science behind insomnia, explain sleep hygiene trends and the treatments proven to work, and remind sleep perfectionists why keeping a simple bedtime routine is best.
For more information on insomnia in adults and treatments, read here.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Wednesday, August 13th 2025
National Guard troops descended on Washington D.C. after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to take back the nation's capital and clear the streets of what he calls "crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor". It comes after the President spent the better part of the last week taking aim at D.C.'s leadership, homeless population and how crime there is "out of control" – a statement that stands in sharp contrast to official figures showing that violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low. Since then, in addition to deploying the National Guard, Trump has also taken control of the district's police force.
Given that crime is on the decline in D.C., what is this takeover really about? And what could it signal to other cities in Trump's crosshairs? Alex Shephard from The New Republic joins us to make sense of it all.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Wednesday, August 13th 2025
Our lead story: with growing global interest in the Arctic, a new report highlights how First Nations in the Yukon can contribute to Canada’s northern security.
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Wednesday, August 13th 2025
The numbers say it all — Canadians want flexibility when it comes to where they do their jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic opened the door to new possibilities and offered a different approach to work life balance.
Fresh data from the Angus Reid Institute shows three in five Canadians would prefer to spend the majority of their time working from home, while 79 per cent say they want a schedule that allows for some remote work.
However, many Fortune 100 companies are now mandating a return to the office for the majority of the work week — so how are employees planning to respond?
Host Melanie Ng breaks down the numbers and the sentiments with Dave Korzinski, Research Director at Angus Reid.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Saba Eitizaz and Raju Mudhar talk to experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.
Tuesday, August 12th 2025
Guest: Andy Takagi, Toronto Star transportation reporter
Premier Ford says he’s pitching an unprecedented plan to tackle one of the GTA’s biggest headaches; gridlock on Highway 401, the busiest road in North America. His vision is a single three-level tunnel running under the highway, which could stretch from Brampton to Scarborough. He outlined the concept at an unrelated press conference this week, but he’s been talking about it for nearly a year. Ford says this will serve people for decades to come, but a two-year feasibility study has just begun, and experts are raising questions about the costs, the timelines and whether this would actually ease traffic congestion.
We take a look at what Ford is proposing, why experts say it might not work and what it could mean for commuters and communities along the 401.
Audio sources: CP24
Produced by Saba Eitizaz and Sean Pattenden
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Tuesday, August 12th 2025
Popeyes Chicken is one of the most well-known fast food franchises in North America. But its reputation could be tested by a lawsuit alleging that some of the chain’s franchise owners purchased meat from an unauthorized seller. The accusations from a former chicken supplier – which Popeyes’ parent company refutes – include “unsafe” and “rotten” meat, according to the statement of claim.
Susan Krashinsky Robertson, The Globe’s retail business reporter, breaks down the allegations, recounts the corporate surveillance and explains what it could mean for the chicken you’re eating.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Tuesday, August 12th 2025
35 years ago, the Kanien'kehá:ka of Kanehsatà:ke squared off with the Canadian army to defend their territory, culminating an armed standoff now known as the Oka Crisis, or the Siege of Kanehsatà:ke.
Now, some community members worry that same territory is being threatened by an out-of-control boom of unregulated cannabis megastores with alleged connections to organized crime. And a governance crisis exacerbated by that siege in 1990 has left the community with no clear way of resolving the growing tensions.
CBC investigative reporter Jorge Barrera — who has covered the community extensively — explains how the deep history of Kanehsatà:ke has led to this pivotal moment, and what it could mean for its future.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Tuesday, August 12th 2025
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Tuesday, August 12th 2025
Our lead story: members of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation in southern Manitoba vote to reject a share in a proposed silica sand mine—said to be potentially worth as much as $20M a year—with the Alberta-based Sio Silica company.
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Monday, August 11th 2025
An Afghan family fleeing the Taliban and attempting to join relatives in Canada have been held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention for months. Their lawyers say they’re stuck in a “legal trap.” Due to the sweeping immigration crackdown and migrant detentions in the U.S., people trying to claim asylum in Canada face a very different reality than they would have a year ago.
Sara Mojtahedzadeh is a reporter on the Globe’s investigative team, with a focus on immigration issues. She’ll talk about how this family ended up in this situation, how others are affected by changes to U.S. immigration policy, and the policy changes experts are calling for in Canada.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Monday, August 11th 2025
Last month, RCMP charged four people for their alleged involvement in a plot to forcibly take land north of Quebec city in what Mounties called an incident of "ideologically motivated violent extremism". Three of the men were denied bail last week.
The accused, they charged, had planned to create an anti-government militia, but even more startling: two of the four people charged by RCMP are active members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
While it's the first time an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces has faced terrorism-related charges, extremism in the military isn't new.
Jonathan Montpetit, a senior Investigative Journalist with CBC News, chronicles the Forces' uneven track record on extremism, and how deeply this issue has infiltrated the ranks over the years.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Monday, August 11th 2025
Despite a long list of critical policy issues facing Washington today, the Jeffrey Epstein saga has dominated the national conversation for weeks, grinding the legislative business of Congress to a halt.
Since Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in jail in 2019, unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about his death and who was connected to him have swirled around right-wing media circles, fanned by Donald Trump himself.
But obsession with the case has evolved beyond conspiracy and now consumes Capitol Hill, where the president’s broken promise to release new details about the investigation has sparked outrage among his most vocal supporters in the MAGA movement.
Host Caryn Ceolin speaks with investigative journalist Dave Levinthal about the fallout from the Epstein files, whether Epstein’s imprisoned co-conspirator, Ghislane Maxwell, can shed any new light on the case, and why the controversy has staying power.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Monday, August 11th 2025
Our lead story: chiefs from four First Nations express their collective disapproval of the way the Manitoba and federal governments have responded to this summer’s wildfires, calling for more preventative investments.
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Sunday, August 10th 2025
As we approach the end of the summer, how is the economy actually doing and what can we expect for the rest of 2025?
What does the data tell us about the impact of tariffs and what's really going on for Canadian businesses and households?
Host Mike Eppel speaks to Don Drummond, economist and Staufford-Dunning Fellow at Queen's University and fellow in residence at the C.D. Howe Institute.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Saba Eitizaz and Raju Mudhar talk to experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.
Friday, August 8th 2025
Guest: Dr. David Barber, Chair OMA’s General and Family Practice
Two million people in Ontario do not have access to a family physician, and that number is expected to more than double by 2026. At the same time, many doctors are stepping away from comprehensive care, citing burnout, bureaucracy, and financial strain.
In this episode, Dr. David Barber shares what is happening inside the system through his own lived experience. He is a family physician in Kingston and chair of the Ontario Medical Association’s Section on General and Family Practice. He explains what it looks like to stay in the profession as the pressures mount, why so many of his colleagues are walking away, and what it means for patients who are being left behind.
Produced by Saba Eitizaz, Paulo Marques and Sean Pattendon
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Friday, August 8th 2025
At 18 years old, Andean Medjedovic was a math prodigy, finishing his master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Waterloo before most young Canadians can legally drink. Medjedovic was involved in cryptocurrency trading – and according to the U.S. Department of Justice – engaged in “cryptocurrency hacking schemes” that allegedly netted him US$65-million in digital tokens. Now, he’s on the lam.
Alexandra Posadzki, The Globe’s financial and cybercrime reporter, is on the show to talk about how Medjedovic allegedly pulled off the trades, the cases against him, and how the controversial philosophy of “Code is Law” in the world of decentralized finance plays into his story.
This episode originally aired May 2, 2025.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Friday, August 8th 2025
Bad Bunny, one of the most-streamed artists on the planet, is in the middle of his 30-concert residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico titled No me Querio Ir de Aqui, or "I don't want to leave here". Much like his latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, it is both a celebration of Puerto Rican culture and heritage but also a statement against the political and economic forces that have worked against the well-being and livelihoods of people on the island.
With Petra Rivera Rodeau, Associate Professor of American Studies at Wellesley College and the author of Remixing Reggaeton: The Cultural Politics of Race in Puerto Rico, we take a look at the message of Bad Bunny's album and concert residency, the political and historical context behind the work and how he fits into a generation of young Puerto Ricans hungry for change.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Friday, August 8th 2025
Our lead story: The Carney government’s Métis major projects summit on Bill C-5 proceeds despite absence of the Manitoba Métis Federation, which boycotted the event due to its inclusion of the Métis National Council and Métis Nation of Ontario.
> Interstitial: zapsplat.com
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Friday, August 8th 2025
It started as an activity to release frustrations in the wake of the pandemic, and ended with an accomplishment that only three dozen Canadians can lay claim to.
On July 26th and 27th, Toronto high school teacher Sam Garrison defeated the odds and made a solo swim across the English Channel.
It was no easy task, as Sam faced hurdles that included jellyfish and oil tankers as he made the 58km swim.
But messages from friends and family served as inspiration, as well as his goal to raise money for the Daily Bread Food Bank ( https://dailybread.donorsupport.co/page/FUNKBNCLLJY?fundraiser=NHKKLDSE&member=SGFCCZBL )
Host Cormac Mac Sweeney speaks with Sam about his journey from the pool to the channel, and just how sore his arms and legs are.
We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:
Through email at [email protected]
Context is everything. Join us Monday to Friday for a Canadian daily news podcast from The Globe and Mail. Explore a story shaping our world, in conversation with reporters, experts, and the people at the centre of the news.
Thursday, August 7th 2025
Canada failed to secure a trade deal with the U.S. by the Aug. 1 deadline. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on certain Canadian goods to 35 per cent. And while other trading partners announced agreements with Trump, Ottawa enters its sixth month of negotiations. But recently, both Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump have doubted whether a deal can be made without some tariffs in place – or if a deal’s coming at all.
Today, Globe columnist Tony Keller joins the show. He’ll share what we know about the negotiations, what Trump wants, where Carney’s “elbows up” mentality has gone, and as more countries accept deals with blanket tariff rates, whether avoiding a deal could be Canada’s best strategy.
Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at [email protected]
Your essential daily news podcast. We take you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Hosted by Jayme Poisson. Every morning, Monday to Friday.
Visit https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner for show descriptions, links, and transcripts.
Subscribe to Sounds Good: CBC's Podcast newsletter for the finest podcast recommendations and behind-the-scenes exclusives.
Thursday, August 7th 2025
Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot is about as safe a riding as Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre could hope for as a place to regain a seat in the House of Commons in a byelection later this month. But he's facing pushback from some locals who feel they're being used as a means to an end by someone who won't represent their interests in Ottawa. The riding is also the latest target of the Longest Ballot Committee protest movement — including one dinosaur-obsessed candidate, Nicola Zoghbi, who promises to move the national capital to Drumheller and rename the riding "Raptor River-Crowfoot."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing growing pressure to secure some sort of trade deal with the United States after Donald Trump made good on a promise of 35 percent tariffs on all Canadian imports not covered by CUSMA. How much political runway does Carney have left?
CBC Ottawa senior reporter Aaron Wherry breaks down both of these stories.
For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
Daily update on what’s making headlines in Indigenous country across Canada and beyond.
Thursday, August 7th 2025
Our lead story: upset the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Métis National Council were also invited, the Manitoba Métis Federation rejects a meeting with the Carney government about its major projects fast-tracking law, Bill C-5.
An in-depth look at the issues, culture and personalities shaping Canada today.
Thursday, August 7th 2025
If you've ever wondered what it's like to make money while travelling the world, you're not the only one. Digital nomadism is the kind of lifestyle that many dream of, and now more than ever, actually live, and that's thanks to the rise in remote work opportunities. You take your laptop with you from airport to train station to uber to bus, and you decide where and how you work, for whom and sometimes, at what rate. But the unlimited beach-front resorts or vast cafe options don't necessarily fill the void of isolation or lack of routine, and not to mention the never-ending spending that comes with life on the go. Host Maria Kestane speaks to Sonia Dheer, a digital nomad who's hit 40 countries under the age of 30, to discuss the real truth behind the digital nomad lifestyle, and whether or not you're cut out for the glitz and glam of the up-and-go.We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter
