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
Oct 31, 2024 • 22min
Why did Elon Musk go all in on Trump?
Trisha Thadani, a technology reporter for The Washington Post specializing in Elon Musk, unpacks Musk's surprising shift from criticizing Trump to wholeheartedly supporting his presidential run. They dive into Musk's rally appearances and hefty financial backing for Trump’s campaign, suggesting ideological alignments and strategic motivations. The conversation also touches on Musk's relationship with U.S. government contracts, potential conflicts of interest, and the broader implications of his influence on the political landscape as election season heats up.
Oct 30, 2024 • 33min
The state of the U.S. presidential race
In this insightful discussion, Alex Shephard, senior editor at The New Republic, analyzes the razor-thin margins of the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential race. He dives into the strategies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, highlighting critical battleground states and the pivotal role of Latino and Puerto Rican voters. Shephard also critiques the disparity between candidates' confidence levels and poll realities, while unpacking the electoral challenges Harris faces in uniting a diverse electorate. Prepare for a deep dive into the final days of a captivating political contest!
Oct 29, 2024 • 27min
Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach faces slew of sex assault charges
Mark Kelley, a veteran reporter for CBC’s Fifth Estate, delves into the shocking allegations against Frank Stronach, the billionaire and former CEO of Magna International. The discussion contrasts Stronach’s illustrious career with the mounting accusations of sexual misconduct involving multiple women. Kelley shares personal testimonials from survivors, revealing their harrowing experiences and the challenges they faced in confronting a figure of immense power. The narrative raises important questions about legacy, accountability, and the culture of silence surrounding such serious allegations.
Oct 28, 2024 • 30min
Lessons from the last federal Liberal mutiny
David Herle and Scott Reid, seasoned political strategists, reflect on the 2002 Liberal mutiny against Jean Chrétien. They dissect the behind-the-scenes maneuvers that led to leadership change and compare it to current tensions in Justin Trudeau's government. Herle and Reid discuss how party dynamics have shifted, making a potential ousting of Trudeau more complex. They explore the reluctant nature of politicians to step down and the landscape within the Liberal Party today, revealing how historical patterns influence present challenges.
Oct 26, 2024 • 30min
Front Burner Presents: The Flamethrowers Ep. 5
Explore the transformation of right-wing radio as it became a platform for outrage during the Obama era. Dive into how media narratives post-Katrina fueled negative perceptions while inciting racial paranoia. Unravel the birther conspiracy and its impact on political legitimacy, despite a lack of credible evidence. Learn about the birth certificate controversy and its implications for national discourse. Finally, discover how economic turmoil sparked the rise of the Tea Party and deepened polarization in America.
Oct 25, 2024 • 38min
Front Burner Presents Céline: Understood, Episode 1
Céline Dion, the powerhouse Canadian singer known for her remarkable vocals, shares her journey from a small Quebec town to global superstardom. She reflects on her iconic performances, including the impactful moments at the Olympics. Céline discusses her initial struggles, cultural complexities between Anglophone and Francophone audiences, and the evolution of her artistic identity. Her candid thoughts on navigating the music industry's challenges highlight her resilience and commitment to bridging cultural divides.
Oct 24, 2024 • 22min
The day Trudeau faced a Liberal revolt
Stephen Maher, a political reporter and author known for his insights on Canadian politics, dives into the turmoil facing Justin Trudeau as his leadership is questioned by numerous MPs within his own party. The discussion reveals intense divisions among Liberals and the implications of falling approval ratings. Maher analyzes the party's struggle to find a viable alternative leader and considers how external factors, like the upcoming U.S. election, might influence Trudeau's fate. It's a captivating look into a critical juncture for Canadian politics.
Oct 23, 2024 • 22min
Canada’s traffic is brutal. Can it be fixed?
Jennifer Keesmaat, the former chief planner of Toronto and a leading voice on urban issues, dives into Canada's traffic crisis. She discusses the contentious debate over bike lanes, highlighting their potential to ease congestion versus governmental constraints. Keesmaat emphasizes the necessity of integrated urban planning and examines successful global strategies like congestion charges. She also addresses changing perceptions around cycling infrastructure, showcasing how cities can learn from examples like Montreal to create efficient urban transport systems.
Oct 22, 2024 • 29min
How Donald Trump embraced the ‘manosphere’ for votes
Sam Wolfson, a Senior features writer for The Guardian U.S., dives into Donald Trump's clever strategy to woo young men through unconventional media. He discusses how Trump has aligned with influencers like Logan Paul to tap into the so-called 'bro vote.' The conversation highlights the widening political rift between young men and women, exploring cultural influences on this trend. Wolfson also touches on the rise of resentment among young men and how figures like Andrew Tate fuel this shift, reshaping political identities as the election approaches.
Oct 21, 2024 • 28min
Detailing India’s alleged global criminal conspiracy
Greg Miller, an investigative foreign correspondent for The Washington Post, and Gerry Shih, the India bureau chief, dive into shocking allegations of India's involvement in transnational repression. They explore claims of the Indian government's orchestrated violence against Sikh activists abroad, including targeted assassination attempts in Canada and other countries. The discussion highlights deteriorating diplomatic ties, the controversial role of Indian politicians like Amit Shah, and the U.S.'s frustrations with India's response to these allegations, painting a picture of escalating tensions.
