Cross Country Checkup

"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?

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?

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?

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 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?

Raghu Venugopal, an emergency physician from Toronto, shares alarming statistics about the surge in e-scooter injuries, highlighting head trauma and emergency visits. Larry Wartels, an urban planner, discusses the integration of e-scooters into city infrastructure. They explore the dual nature of e-scooters as eco-friendly transport while addressing safety concerns, the need for better regulations, and the challenges posed by speeding riders. Together, they ponder whether e-scooters are a revolutionary transport option or a growing public safety menace.

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?