Front Burner
CBC
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.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.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.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.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. 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
20 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 33min
Inside OpenAI’s zealous pursuit of AI dominance
Karen Hao, a tech journalist and author of "Empire of AI," dives into the intriguing and contentious journey of OpenAI. She discusses the company's meteoric rise and controversial shift from nonprofit to profit, raising ethical questions around AI development. Hao also examines the fierce internal debates on artificial general intelligence and the alarming environmental impacts of AI. Additionally, she highlights the tension between technological advancement and democratic values through the Stargate project, shedding light on the complex implications of these innovations.
8 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 22min
Why some young Israelis refuse to fight in Gaza
Soul Behar Tsalik, a 19-year-old conscientious objector from Tel Aviv, shares his journey of refusing to enlist in the IDF. He reflects on the moral dilemmas that led to his choice and discusses the significant societal pressures faced by young Israelis who oppose military service. Tsalik highlights the stark humanitarian crisis in Gaza, contrasting it with mainstream Israeli claims. His insights reveal the deep emotional cost of dissent and the diverse reactions within Israeli society to the ongoing conflict.
4 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 33min
Cold calls from one of the most horrific serial killers in Canadian history
Join Arlene Bynon, a seasoned journalist and radio broadcaster known for her work on Calls from a Killer, and Nathaniel Frum, a writer and producer for CBC's Uncover, as they recount chilling phone calls with Clifford Olson, a convicted serial killer responsible for the deaths of 11 children. They explore Olson's psyche during these unsettling conversations, revealing the eerie dynamic between a reporter and a criminal. This gripping discussion also touches on the ethical dilemmas of reporting on such troubling minds and the haunting realities faced by victims' families.
13 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 28min
Will Canada recognize Palestinian statehood?
Evan Dyer, a reporter for CBC’s Parliamentary Bureau specializing in foreign affairs, discusses Canada's shifting stance on recognizing Palestinian statehood. He delves into Prime Minister Mark Carney's proposed conditions for recognition, the complexities of demilitarization, and its potential fallout with Israel. The conversation also covers the controversies surrounding Canadian arms sales to Israel and the impact of these developments on international relations, amidst rising humanitarian crises in Gaza.
Jul 31, 2025 • 25min
Can the UK child-proof the internet?
Samantha Cole, a journalist with 404 Media, dives into the UK's new Online Safety Act aimed at shielding children from harmful content. She discusses the tricky balance between child safety and civil liberties, highlighting concerns over privacy and censorship. Cole shares insights from her coverage of similar U.S. measures and the challenges of age verification online. Moreover, she emphasizes the need for better education and tools for parents and children, rather than relying solely on automated systems to keep kids safe from the internet's darker corners.
10 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 28min
From Texas to South Sudan: ICE’s deportation pipeline
Hamed Aleaziz, an immigration reporter with The New York Times, sheds light on the radical shift in U.S. immigration policy, focusing on the offshoring of detainees to countries like South Sudan. He discusses the shocking case of Tuan Tan Fan and the emotional toll on families torn apart by these actions. The conversations highlight legal challenges faced by deportees and the alarming conditions in facilities like 'American Siberia' and 'Alligator Alcatraz.' Aleaziz further examines the implications of such policies on future migration and citizenship rights.
8 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 32min
Can RFK Jr. save B.C.'s death row ostriches?
Joining the discussion is Mark Fawcett Atkinson, a journalist from Canada's National Observer, who dives into the bizarre connection between a British Columbia ostrich farm and widespread anti-vaccine sentiments. He emphasizes the family’s emotional battle against a culling order due to avian flu concerns. The podcast explores how this local crisis catches the attention of right-wing media and conspiracy theorists, underscoring the interplay between public health, misinformation, and grassroots activism. It's a wild ride through the world of farm animals and vaccine skepticism!
30 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 28min
Why Trump can't shake the Epstein files
Anna Merlan, a senior reporter with Mother Jones specializing in disinformation, dives into the controversy surrounding Donald Trump and the Epstein files. She discusses the backlash from Trump’s supporters after the investigation was dropped, revealing a sense of betrayal. Merlan highlights new revelations about Trump's connections to Epstein, raises questions about what he knew, and examines how conspiracy theories intersect with political strategy. The podcast delves into the complexities of Trump’s relationship with Epstein and the ongoing implications for his political image.
18 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 24min
Breaking down the not guilty Hockey Canada decision
Dan Robson, senior enterprise writer for The Athletic, dives into the not guilty verdict for five former Hockey Canada players in a landmark trial that spanned seven years. He discusses the courtroom drama, including how defense strategies challenged testimonies and the complexities of consent in Canadian law. Robson highlights the emotional weight of the ruling on both witnesses and the community, urging a broader conversation about sexual violence and accountability within sports culture.
17 snips
Jul 24, 2025 • 23min
Inside Indigenous backlash to fast-tracking mega projects
Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation representing 49 Ontario First Nations, dives into the intense Indigenous backlash against recently passed laws aimed at fast-tracking mega projects. He discusses how these laws are seen as violations of treaty rights, sparking major concerns over consent and consultation processes. Fiddler emphasizes the urgent need for meaningful dialogue and genuine respect for Indigenous autonomy, highlighting the challenges and potential legal actions from First Nations to reclaim their rights in development decisions.
