
Front Burner
<p>Front Burner is a daily news podcast that takes you deep into the stories shaping Canada and the world. Each morning, from Monday to Friday, host Jayme Poisson talks with the smartest people covering the biggest stories to help you understand what’s going on.</p><p><br></p><p>We’re Canada’s number one news podcast and a trusted source of Canadian news. We cover Canadian news and Canadian politics, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, the Donald Trump administration, provincial politics from Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and politicians Danielle Smith, David Eby and Doug Ford.</p><p><br></p><p>We cover Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary as well as other municipalities across Canada. In this Canadian election year, Front Burner will be focusing more on Canadian politics. We will take a close look at Mark Carney’s first few weeks as Prime Minister, the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre as well as the future of the NDP and Quebec’s Yves-François Blanchet from the Bloc Québécois during the 2025 Canadian federal election.</p><p><br></p><p>The podcast goes beyond Ottawa and digs deeper into major issues like U.S.-Canada relations, jobs, the economy, immigration, cost of living, housing and rental costs, taxes and tariffs, democracy and technology. The Front Burner daily podcast covers Canadian news from every province and territory: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.</p><p><br></p><p>We cover news from major cities like Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. When U.S. President Donald Trump declares he wants to make Canada the 51st state and decides to implement tariffs, Front Burner has an analysis into what is happening. We cover Elon Musk’s DOGE. We cover the latest in technology from the rise of bitcoin and crypto, the future of TikTok, Meta, artificial intelligence, influencers, and more. Look to our archives to see fact-checked stories about infrastructure, fascism, border security, immigration, Pierre Poilievre, the Republican Party, American politics, Canadian politics, India, China, Trump’s tariffs, Mark Carney, Elon Musk, Toronto, technology, artificial intelligence, international students, healthcare, and inflation. We cover global news like the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the ceasefire, the Ukraine-Russia war, the India-Pakistan conflict, and the U.S. economy and U.S. politics. </p><p><br></p><p>Front Burner is a part of your morning news routine. Whether you’re in Toronto or Vancouver or Washington, this is the news that matters to Canadians. We take a look at the economy and break it down from the budget to interest rate hikes to inflation to recessions to jobs to the cost of living. We look at the policy around housing, Canadian housing supply, and what this means for first-time home buyers, renters, and those with a mortgage. We look at technology, from AI to the manosphere to social media like Meta, Twitter, Facebook, and more. We look at influential newsmakers like Elon Musk and influential technology industries like crypto and AI.</p>
Latest episodes

Jun 6, 2025 • 23min
Cheap and deadly: How drones are reshaping war
Josh Schwartz, an assistant professor of international relations at Carnegie Mellon University and a noted expert on drone warfare, discusses the innovative impact of drones in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He highlights how cheap, commercially available drones are changing military tactics and strategies, rendering traditional military assets less effective. Schwartz also addresses the global implications of drone production, touching on countries like Turkey and Iran, and the potential risks of widespread drone accessibility, including misuse by non-state actors.

19 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 30min
Politics! Border bill blowback and 'Santa' Carney
Althia Raj is a Toronto Star political columnist known for her insightful analysis, while Aaron Wherry is a senior parliamentary reporter at CBC with a keen eye on Canadian politics. They delve into the controversial new border bill, discussing its implications for civil liberties and refugee claims, likening it to U.S. policies. Additionally, the duo explores the positive vibes from a meeting between Canada's premiers and Prime Minister, centered around a potential east-west pipeline, while questioning the longevity of this collaborative spirit.
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11 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 28min
Real estate, crypto, Middle East deals: Who is Steve Witkoff?
Isaac Stanley-Becker, a staff writer at The Atlantic, discusses the rise of Steve Witkoff, a former real estate mogul turned U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. The conversation delves into Witkoff's unexpected role in negotiating complex international conflicts, including the war in Gaza and potential nuclear deals with Iran. Stanley-Becker also highlights the intricacies of U.S.-Russia relations and how personal motivations influence high-stakes diplomacy. The episode sheds light on Witkoff’s journey from businessman to key geopolitical figure.
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12 snips
Jun 3, 2025 • 40min
When hunger is a weapon
In this discussion, Alex de Waal, the executive director of the World Peace Foundation and author of ‘Mass Starvation: The History and Future of Famine,’ sheds light on the grim reality of food weaponization in Gaza. He addresses the alarming humanitarian crisis, the psychological toll of starvation, and the historical context of famine as a political issue. De Waal also explores the resurgence of famine worldwide, illustrating how conflicts exacerbate food insecurity, and critiques the effectiveness of current humanitarian responses amidst complex geopolitical tensions.
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27 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 27min
U.S. Politics! Elon’s out, tariffs in court, and Trump vs. Harvard
In this engaging discussion, Alex Shephard, a senior editor at The New Republic, delves into the shifting landscape of U.S. politics. He highlights Elon Musk’s surprising exit from the Trump administration and its political fallout. The conversation shifts to the contentious legal battles surrounding tariffs, dissecting how these court decisions are reshaping Trump's strategies. Finally, Shephard explores the escalating clash between Trump and Harvard, revealing the stakes of funding threats and the broader implications for higher education in the political arena.
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40 snips
May 30, 2025 • 25min
AI cheating runs wild on campus
James Walsh, a writer for New York Magazine, delves into the startling rise of AI-assisted cheating across North American campuses. About 60% of students admit to using tools like ChatGPT for assignments, prompting a critical discussion on the future of academic integrity. Walsh shares insights from students navigating this new landscape, revealing their views on education and innovative AI tools. He explores ethical dilemmas educators face and the shifting perceptions of education as more students rely on technology, raising urgent questions about authenticity in learning.
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15 snips
May 29, 2025 • 23min
Will laws apply in Ontario’s ‘special economic zones’?
Mike Crawley, a Senior Reporter with CBC News specializing in Ontario issues, dives into the contentious Bill 5, which seeks to fast track mining projects and create 'special economic zones.' He unpacks the fierce opposition from Indigenous groups, who fear their rights and environmental protections are being undermined. The discussion highlights the balancing act between economic growth and respecting Indigenous concerns, along with the potential ramifications of exempting companies from existing laws amidst rising tensions reminiscent of the Idle No More movement.
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16 snips
May 28, 2025 • 25min
A royal visit and a high-stakes political moment
In this discussion, freelance reporter Ellie Hall, a former royal correspondent for BuzzFeed News, dives into King Charles' significant throne speech and its implications for Canada. The conversation explores how the monarchy can aid Canadian sovereignty amid U.S. tensions and addresses the evolving dynamics with President Trump. Hall also touches on King Charles' personal health challenges and the ongoing royal family rifts, highlighting the broader themes of legacy, reconciliation, and Canada's identity in a changing world.
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25 snips
May 27, 2025 • 30min
The ‘cover-up’ of Joe Biden’s decline
Alex Thompson, National Political Correspondent for Axios and author of "Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again," dives into the controversial discussions surrounding Joe Biden's cognitive and physical decline. He explores Biden's health issues, including his recent prostate cancer diagnosis, and the protective measures taken by close aides and family. The conversation also dissects media narratives and the political implications of Biden's age as he continues to run for office amidst growing public concern.
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56 snips
May 26, 2025 • 27min
Is Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ more fantasy than reality?
Mike Stone, a Reuters reporter specializing in the U.S. arms trade and defense industry, dives into Donald Trump's ambitious 'Golden Dome' defense initiative. He discusses the use of futuristic technologies like space lasers and satellites aimed at countering threats from adversaries such as China and North Korea. The conversation highlights Canada’s potential involvement in this trillion-dollar project and explores its implications for the global arms race. Stone also draws intriguing comparisons to Ronald Reagan’s Cold War defense strategies.