Front Burner

Anastasia Trofimova, a Russian Canadian filmmaker, discusses her controversial documentary, which follows Russian soldiers in Ukraine. She addresses backlash from critics, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who accused her film of 'whitewashing' the conflict. Trofimova explains her intention to present a different perspective while navigating the complexities of safety and objectivity. The conversation delves into funding issues and the impact of the Toronto International Film Festival's support amid public threats.

In this riveting conversation, Peter Nygard's son shares his journey from loyalty to accountability as he stands with his father's accusers. He reflects on the emotional scars of their complex family dynamics and the weight of confronting his father's legacy. Delving into the harrowing experiences of survivors, he explores the psychological toll of abuse and the courage required to break the silence. This personal narrative sheds light on the struggle for justice amidst years of trauma, revealing the messy intersection of family ties and moral duty.

Joshua Kaplan, a journalist specializing in militia movements, provides a gripping look into the American Patriots Three Percent (AP3). He discusses their motivations stemming from beliefs about election integrity and impending political strife. Kaplan explores the militia's complex history, connections to past events like the Oklahoma City bombing, and how they blend community elements with paramilitary training. As tensions rise leading up to the U.S. elections, he raises alarm over their potential for violence and the threats they pose to democracy.

Mark Carney, a distinguished former central banker and now special advisor on economic growth, adds intrigue to the Liberal Party's future. He discusses the challenges ahead for the Liberals as they grapple with declining support and potential leadership changes. The conversation touches on Carney's strategic role amidst internal tensions within the cabinet and how his economic expertise could sway public perception. Speculation about his political ambitions adds another layer to this dynamic discussion on Canadian politics.

In a heated debate, Donald Trump, the former president and current contender, faced off against Kamala Harris, the sitting vice president and challenger for the presidency. Keith Boag, a seasoned Washington correspondent, analyzes their strategies and the debate's key moments. They delve into economic issues like inflation, immigration controversies, and how the candidates positioned themselves against the backdrop of past administration policies. The complexities of media influence and public perception also play a pivotal role in the discussion.

A group of former international students with soon-to-be expired work permits in Brampton, Ontario are protesting a series of measures by the Canadian government meant to curb the number of temporary residents entering and staying in the country.We hear their stories and also from Syed Hussan, executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, talks about how growing anti-immigrant sentiment could be fuelling the government's actions and why linking migrants and international students to housing and jobs might not give the whole picture.For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

Freelance reporter Justin Ling dives into serious allegations against Tenet Media, accused of being financially tied to a Russian state-backed network. He discusses how the indictment reveals covert efforts to spread pro-Russian propaganda in North America. Ling also explores the implications for influencers misled about their financial backing and the ethical concerns of foreign funding in journalism. The impact of these revelations on upcoming U.S. elections and the growing paranoia among right-wing figures about their connections to Russia adds an intriguing layer to the story.

 Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the street in Israel, demanding a return of all remaining hostages in the custody of Hamas. The demonstrations are the largest seen in the country since the start of the Israel-Gaza war. We take a closer look at the changing nature of public opinion currently driving these protests in Israel, and why calls for a ceasefire are complicated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu's war aims. Our guest Dahlia Scheindlin is a political analyst, pollster, author, and columnist for Haaretz and The Guardian based in Tel Aviv.For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

Since 2022, Jagmeet Singh's New Democrats have backed Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal government with a confidence and supply agreement where the NDP would support the Liberals on confidence votes in exchange for the Liberals passing some of the NDP's policy priorities, like dental care and paid sick leave.That deal came to an end on Wednesday with an announcement from Singh, leaving the Liberals in a much more vulnerable position and opening up the possibility of an election as soon as this fall.Brian Platt, who covers Canadian politics for Bloomberg, explains the NDP's reasons for breaking up with the Liberals, why they've chosen to do it now, and why it could — but doesn't necessarily — mean an election well before September 2025.For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta, is shaking up the province's health care system with bold proposals to dismantle the Alberta Health Services. She advocates for a new structure featuring competition and the involvement of private companies, aiming to enhance care coordination. Smith explains her reasoning behind transferring hospitals to third-party services, raising questions about the implications of this shift. Jason Markusoff joins to discuss the political landscape, public sentiment, and the potential risks of fragmenting health care in Canada.