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
24 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 25min
Did the Texas floods have to be this deadly?
Emily Foxhall, a climate reporter at the Texas Tribune, dives into the devastating Texas floods that claimed over 100 lives. She discusses the emotional toll on survivors and the community’s ongoing search for loved ones. The conversation highlights the shortcomings of emergency responses, particularly due to significant budget cuts to key federal agencies. Foxhall raises concerns about the effectiveness of flood alerts and the critical need for better preparedness as Texas faces increasing extreme weather events.
19 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 29min
Netanyahu in Washington, and a Gaza ceasefire?
Meron Rappaport, a seasoned journalist with 35 years in the Israeli news scene and former head of Ha’aretz, discusses Netanyahu's contentious visit to Washington. He delves into the complexities of negotiating a potential 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting the pressures on Netanyahu from both sides. Rappaport uncovers the troubling dynamics of aid distribution in Gaza, and critiques the ethical implications of the current humanitarian crisis. Internal debates within Israeli society about military actions in Gaza reveal a significant shift in public sentiment.
32 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 31min
Medicaid cuts and RFK Jr’s MAHA mission
Nicholas Florko, a staff writer at The Atlantic focusing on the MAHA movement, joins to discuss its significant healthcare implications. He outlines how recent legislation, backed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., could cut Medicaid and leave millions uninsured. The conversation dives into MAHA’s controversial stance on vaccines and public health funding. Florko examines the impacts these policies might have not just in the U.S., but globally, shedding light on the struggle for public health amidst rising misinformation.
48 snips
Jul 4, 2025 • 29min
How the Diddy case fell apart
Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty, a BBC journalist and host of the podcast Diddy on Trial, dives into the dramatic verdict surrounding Sean Diddy Combs. She discusses the complexities of the charges against him, including racketeering and sex trafficking, and how the jury's decision may impact the #MeToo movement. Mutanda-Dougherty reveals insights about the defense's strategy to frame relationships as consensual and shares the emotional atmosphere within the courtroom versus the public’s reaction outside. It's a captivating exploration of law, media, and social implications.
34 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 28min
Politics! Carney so far, Poilievre’s second chance
Catherine Cullen, host of CBC’s The House and a seasoned journalist in Canadian politics, joins the discussion. They explore Prime Minister Mark Carney's ambitious economic promises and the implications of dropping the Digital Services Tax in trade negotiations with the U.S. Cullen shares insights on the challenges facing Pierre Poilievre in the byelection race and highlights the evolving leadership dynamics in Canadian politics. The conversation also touches on controversial legislation and military spending commitments amidst pressing economic and social issues.
13 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 30min
The end of birthright citizenship?
Isabela Dias, an immigration reporter for Mother Jones, dives into the contentious topic of birthright citizenship. She discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling that limits lower courts’ ability to challenge executive actions, a significant win for Trump’s agenda. The conversation reveals how changing definitions of citizenship and attempts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment could reshape the future for millions, especially undocumented families. What might a world without birthright citizenship mean for American identity and legal precedent? It’s a thought-provoking exploration.
Jul 1, 2025 • 50min
The repo man of the seas
Max Hardberger, a daring repo man known for infiltrating hostile territories to reclaim seized ships, joins Michael Bono, a maritime lawyer specializing in ship repossessions. They dive into the thrill and risks of maritime piracy, which often involves bureaucratic tactics rather than violence. The conversation highlights Hardberger's adventurous methods in dangerous locales, like Greece, while facing legal complexities and mafia threats. Their discussion also unveils the moral dilemmas and high-stakes challenges inherent in reclaiming lost vessels.
Jun 30, 2025 • 30min
Encore: ex-Raptors President Masai Ujiri
Masai Ujiri, former President of the Toronto Raptors, revolutionized basketball in Canada and is a champion for youth in Africa through his Giants of Africa initiative. He shares insights on his transformative 13-year tenure with the Raptors, culminating in their 2019 championship. Ujiri discusses the challenges of navigating leadership changes and his passion for fostering diversity in sports. He reflects on the impact of athletes advocating for social justice and emphasizes the power of grassroots basketball in Africa to empower the next generation.
40 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 29min
Canada’s energy minister on pipelines, Bill C-5 controversy
Tim Hodgson, Canada's energy and natural resources minister, brings years of financial expertise to the political arena. He dives into the contentious Bill C-5, which aims to fast-track energy projects but raises concerns about environmental protections. Hodgson discusses the urgency of job creation and the economic potential of pipeline developments, while also addressing the backlash from Indigenous groups regarding consultation. He emphasizes the need for a balance between economic interests and environmental stewardship as Canada navigates its energy future.
44 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 23min
The unanswered questions of the Iran strike
Gregg Carlstrom, a seasoned Middle East correspondent for The Economist and author of "How Long Will Israel Survive? The Threat From Within," delves into the fiery dynamics of the Israel-Iran conflict. He discusses Trump's recent frustrations and how they reflect the complex web of U.S.-Israeli relations. Topics include the delicate ceasefire, the lasting damage to Iran’s nuclear program, and the fallout from targeted strikes on nuclear scientists. Carlstrom provides insights into the challenges of U.S.-Iran diplomacy amid regional tensions.
