Front Burner

<p>It’s election day. The campaign has been short, but it’s been packed with plenty of drama. From annexation talk and economic chaos to stunning polls reversals to internal party blowups.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Today we’re speaking with host of the The House podcast Catherine Cullen to spend a bit of time marveling at what an eventful several months this has been and talk about how things could have been different.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>We’ll also get into what she’s looking for as the results come in.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Make sure to watch our election night livestream TONIGHT starting at 8pm Eastern. You can find it here on the CBC News YouTube channel and on the CBC News TikTok. </p>

<p>It's almost election day, and our colleagues at Power and Politics have been putting out a weekly wrap, where political strategists break down what the biggest federal election stories actually mean for the campaign.</p><p><br></p><p>This week, former Justin Trudeau adviser Laura D'Angelo, former Harper government staffer Michael Solberg and former Alberta NDP strategist Zain Velji talk platforms -- do they matter, at this stage in the campaign game? And especially for a party like the Conservatives, who keep polling behind the Liberals? The strategists also have thoughts on tensions between Pierre Poilievre and conservative premiers, and weigh in with what they think are the most under-the-radar election stories of the week.</p><p><br></p><p>To hear more of Power and Politics daily: https://link.mgln.ai/8DXaye</p>

<p>Within the last week, the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP have all released their costed platforms, detailing their plans for the country and how they will pay for them.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>While the question of who will be Canada’s next prime minister remains, it’s certain they’ll face a challenging economic outlook, with a Canada-U.S. trade war in full swing and a recession looming.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Who’s spending more and on what? How does the confusing math work? Today, we’re breaking down the details with Aaron Wherry, a senior writer with CBC's Ottawa bureau.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Make sure to watch our election night livestream on Monday, April 28 starting at 8pm Eastern. You can find it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxMOdfYba0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here on the CBC News YouTube channel</a> and on the CBC News TikTok.</p>

Elaine Chau, a senior producer who created a documentary on the toxic drug crisis, joins journalist Rob Shaw, who unpacks the political fallout surrounding harm reduction policies, and Sarah Blythe, director of the Overdose Prevention Society. They dive into the startling statistics of addiction-related deaths and the varying approaches from political leaders. The discussion highlights the human stories behind overdose prevention sites, the emotional toll on healthcare workers, and the escalating risks users face from increasingly potent street drugs.

Join Anis Heydari, a CBC senior business reporter, Mike Moffatt, an economist with a focus on housing challenges, and Peter Zimonjic, a senior writer specializing in crime and justice. They dive into the contrasting party platforms on crucial issues like housing and economic policies. Discover how the Liberals plan to tackle debt while the Conservatives promise tax relief. They also dissect crime strategies and essential service expansions proposed by each party, shedding light on their implications for everyday Canadians.

<p>Pope Francis brought a lot of firsts to the Catholic Church. He was the first from Latin America, and under him, the church became increasingly globalized and diverse. He spoke up for LGBTQ rights, for the people of Gaza, and for migrants and refugees around the world. In 2022, he apologized for the Catholic Church's role in Canada's residential school system.</p><p><br></p><p>But his death on Monday comes at a complicated time for the church. The Vatican is grappling with the new political direction in the United States, and the college of cardinals is bigger and more diverse than it has ever been.</p><p><br></p><p>Massimo Faggioli, a professor of historical theology at Villanova University, breaks down the legacy of Pope Francis and what the future of the Catholic Church could look like under his successor.</p><p><br></p><p>For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts</a></p>

Hilary McBride, a registered psychologist and host of 'Other People's Problems,' shares her insights on psychedelic therapy. She delves into the historical roots and resurgence of psychedelics in modern mental health treatment. Hilary highlights how these substances can unlock deeper emotional truths and aid trauma healing, illustrating her points with personal experiences. The conversation also addresses the importance of vulnerability among therapists, advocating for safety and proper training in psychedelic-assisted therapies.

<p>As the federal election reaches the homestretch, four party leaders squared off in Montreal Thursday evening in the only English-language debate of the campaign. Liberal leader and polling frontrunner Mark Carney took heat from all sides as the Conservatives' Pierre Poilievre, the NDP's Jagmeet Singh and the Bloc's Yves-François Blanchet kept the barbs coming his way all night.</p><p><br></p><p>Aaron Wherry is a senior writer with CBC's Ottawa bureau. He breaks down how everyone performed and what we learned from them — as well as the controversy surrounding the debate commission itself, and the drama that led to post-debate reporter scrums being canceled.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Make sure to watch our election night livestream on Monday, April 28 starting at 8pm Eastern. You can find it </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYxMOdfYba0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here on the CBC News YouTube channel</strong></a><strong> and on the CBC News TikTok.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong></strong></p>

David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, offers keen insights into the rapidly changing political landscape as Canada approaches election day. He discusses the tightening polls between the Liberal party and their opponents, highlighting the declining NDP support. Coletto sheds light on the differing motivations of demographic groups, particularly young men, who are increasingly leaning conservative. The conversation also touches on the educational divide in voting preferences, revealing stark contrasts between young men and women.

David Rennie, a columnist for The Economist and former Beijing correspondent, offers a deep dive into the fraught China-U.S. relationship. He reveals how Chinese officials see Trump as a revolutionary figure while asserting that tariffs will backfire on Americans. Rennie discusses China's confidence in facing U.S. trade actions, their push for de-dollarization, and the significance of the ongoing trade war as a moment of opportunity for China. He also draws intriguing parallels between Trump and Mao, highlighting cultural misconceptions shaping perceptions on both sides.