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
10 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 27min
Robert Munsch’s decision to die
Katie Engelhart, a journalist known for her insightful feature writing, discusses the profound choice of beloved children’s author Robert Munsch to pursue medically assisted death. They explore the impact of dementia on Munsch's creativity and storytelling abilities. Engelhart delves into the complexities surrounding MAID in Canada, including who qualifies, the ethical dilemmas it raises, and the evolving legislation. Munsch's legacy as a cherished writer is also highlighted, showing how his personal struggles resonate with many.
31 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 29min
Danielle Smith on Carney, Kirk and pipelines
Danielle Smith, the Premier of Alberta, dives into pressing issues facing her province, emphasizing the importance of energy development for national unity. She critiques the Carney government's plans for major projects and underscores the economic stakes tied to pipeline strategies. The conversation takes a poignant turn as Smith addresses the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, advocating for safe campus debates. Additionally, she discusses the controversial use of the notwithstanding clause in relation to laws affecting transgender youth, balancing parental rights with youth care.
Sep 19, 2025 • 29min
The era of meme shooters is here
Aidan Walker, a journalist and content creator, explores the disturbing link between meme culture and online radicalization. He sheds light on how bullet casings have become canvases for memes, revealing a performative 'shitpost' element in violent acts. Walker discusses the evolution of Pepe the Frog and the Groypers, tracing their rise on platforms like 4chan and Discord. He also examines societal factors driving meme-linked violence, such as loneliness and economic despair, illustrating how irony fuels a troubling new wave of extremism.
16 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 25min
Politics! Farewell Freeland, hello mega-projects
In this engaging discussion, Rosemary Barton, CBC's chief political correspondent, shares her insights on the political shifts in Canada. She explores Chrystia Freeland's departure from cabinet and her new role focused on Ukraine's reconstruction, highlighting her impact on Canadian politics. The conversation dives into the government's ambitious national projects and the tensions surrounding climate commitments. Additionally, listeners get an inside scoop on the intense dynamics between Pierre Poilievre and Mark Carney during their first faceoff in question period.
38 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 29min
Can Canada’s housing minister make homes cheaper?
Gregor Robertson, Canada’s Housing Minister, dives into the pressing housing affordability crisis affecting Canadians today. He shares insights on the Liberal government's $13-billion initiative, Build Canada Homes, aimed at boosting housing construction. Robertson discusses the need for diverse housing options and streamlined bureaucracy to enhance efficiency. He also highlights challenges in cities like Vancouver, where home prices skyrocketed, and emphasizes innovative policies to recalibrate the housing market. Can his plans make homes more affordable? Listen to find out!
20 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 32min
The return of political violence
Bruce Hoffman, a Senior Fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council for Foreign Relations, dives into the alarming rise of political violence in the U.S. He connects online extremist rhetoric to real-world violence, examining the normalization of aggressive speech among political figures. Hoffman discusses the romanticization of vigilante acts and cultural acceptance of violence, warning of its implications for democracy and social cohesion. Historical parallels enhance the conversation, highlighting the urgent need for unity in addressing these challenges.
13 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 27min
Donald Trump’s war on drug cartels
In this discussion, Alexander Aviña, an associate professor of Latin American history, dives into Donald Trump's aggressive tactics against drug cartels, framing them as foreign terrorist organizations. He highlights the controversial U.S. military actions and their ethical implications, including a recent drone strike on a Venezuelan boat. The conversation critiques the effectiveness of these strategies, examines the historical context of U.S. interventions, and reveals how these actions influence nationalism and sovereignty in Latin America.
25 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 28min
Fear, fury and Charlie Kirk’s killing
Will Sommer, a senior reporter at The Bulwark, dives into the recent shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. He unpacks the escalating rhetoric surrounding the incident and its ties to political violence. The discussion touches on how right-wing narratives are shaping responses to such violence, the normalization of aggressive rhetoric, and the implications for civil discourse in America. Sommer also addresses gun control debates in the wake of this tragedy, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the current political landscape.
Sep 11, 2025 • 31min
Will Trump declare ‘war’ on Chicago?
Natalie Moore, a seasoned Chicago journalist and author, delves into the contentious relationship between President Trump and the city. She analyzes the media's portrayal of Chicago as a crime-ridden metropolis, challenging the racial narratives at play. The discussion reveals how local leaders and communities are responding to federal threats while advocating for comprehensive solutions to violence. Moore emphasizes the resilience within Chicago's neighborhoods, highlighting cultural pride amidst adversity and the need for a more nuanced understanding of systemic issues.
44 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 23min
Politics! Carney government ramps up
Aaron Wherry, a Senior parliamentary writer for CBC, brings keen insights into the challenges facing Prime Minister Carney as Parliament reconvenes. They discuss new economic measures aimed at fortifying Canada against U.S. tariffs and rising unemployment. Wherry highlights the need for reskilling initiatives and the implications of pausing the electric vehicle mandate on climate goals. The conversation shifts to recent polling trends, revealing a growing public focus on domestic issues like healthcare and affordable housing.
