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
16 snips
Jun 13, 2025 • 26min
Can the G7 find order in the chaos?
Aaron Wherry, a senior writer with CBC's Parliamentary Bureau, provides keen insights on the upcoming G7 summit in Kananaskis. He discusses the political ripple effects of Donald Trump's presidency and the unique dynamics it creates among world leaders. Key topics include the potential divides on climate change and trade, as well as rising defense budgets among allies. Wherry also highlights the significance of Indian Prime Minister Modi's invitation and its impact on Canada-India relations, showcasing the delicate balance of diplomacy at play.
40 snips
Jun 12, 2025 • 26min
What’s behind Mark Carney’s military splurge?
David Pugliese, a defense reporter with the Ottawa Citizen, dives into Canada's military spending surge led by Mark Carney, who plans to dish out an extra $9.3 billion. The discussion uncovers the flaws in Canadian military procurement, especially regarding the expensive F-35 jets. Pugliese critiques the implications of reduced reliance on U.S. defense, highlighting the challenges of recruitment and training within the armed forces. He also questions how genuine these spending commitments are amid evolving global threats from nations like China and Russia.
26 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 27min
Wildfires rage across Canada
David Monias, Chief of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, speaks about the dire resource shortages his community faces in combating wildfires and supporting evacuees. Sarah Law, a CBC reporter, shares insights on the emotional journey of evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation as they find refuge in Thunder Bay. They dive into the challenges of dislocation, the resilience among displaced families, and the complex implications for Indigenous communities while highlighting urgent needs for government support in a rapidly escalating crisis.
24 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 26min
Battleground L.A.: Fighting Trump’s ICE crackdown
Jeannette Zanipatin, a lawyer and the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), sheds light on the escalating tensions in Los Angeles amid ICE raids. She discusses the fear and chaos these actions have caused in the community, emphasizing the importance of knowing constitutional rights. Zanipatin also explores the significant role of local protests sparked by the National Guard's involvement and highlights the vital contributions of immigrants to L.A.’s economy, urging a compassionate approach to immigration policies.
56 snips
Jun 9, 2025 • 29min
Trump and Elon’s messy breakup
Dasha Burns, Politico’s White House Bureau Chief and host of "The Conversation with Dasha Burns", breaks down the explosive feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. She provides insights on Musk's fiery criticism of Trump's spending bill, and how Trump's retaliatory comments sparked a social media war. The discussion dives into the implications of this conflict on political alliances and the broader landscape, revealing who stands to gain or lose when such powerful figures clash.
8 snips
Jun 7, 2025 • 40min
Weekend Listen: How will Canadian film and TV change if streamers don't pay into it?
Join storyteller Jesse Wente, policy expert Vass Bednar, and screenwriter Anthony Q Farrell as they dive into the future of Canadian film and TV. They discuss the urgent need for updated CanCon regulations, especially with the rise of streaming giants like Netflix. The trio highlights the challenges of defining Canadian identity in film and preserving cultural narratives. They also explore how to promote authentic Canadian stories globally, ensuring that local talent thrives in a changing media landscape.
5 snips
Jun 6, 2025 • 23min
Cheap and deadly: How drones are reshaping war
Josh Schwartz, an assistant professor of international relations at Carnegie Mellon University and a noted expert on drone warfare, discusses the innovative impact of drones in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He highlights how cheap, commercially available drones are changing military tactics and strategies, rendering traditional military assets less effective. Schwartz also addresses the global implications of drone production, touching on countries like Turkey and Iran, and the potential risks of widespread drone accessibility, including misuse by non-state actors.
18 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 30min
Politics! Border bill blowback and 'Santa' Carney
Althia Raj is a Toronto Star political columnist known for her insightful analysis, while Aaron Wherry is a senior parliamentary reporter at CBC with a keen eye on Canadian politics. They delve into the controversial new border bill, discussing its implications for civil liberties and refugee claims, likening it to U.S. policies. Additionally, the duo explores the positive vibes from a meeting between Canada's premiers and Prime Minister, centered around a potential east-west pipeline, while questioning the longevity of this collaborative spirit.
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10 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 28min
Real estate, crypto, Middle East deals: Who is Steve Witkoff?
Isaac Stanley-Becker, a staff writer at The Atlantic, discusses the rise of Steve Witkoff, a former real estate mogul turned U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. The conversation delves into Witkoff's unexpected role in negotiating complex international conflicts, including the war in Gaza and potential nuclear deals with Iran. Stanley-Becker also highlights the intricacies of U.S.-Russia relations and how personal motivations influence high-stakes diplomacy. The episode sheds light on Witkoff’s journey from businessman to key geopolitical figure.
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12 snips
Jun 3, 2025 • 40min
When hunger is a weapon
In this discussion, Alex de Waal, the executive director of the World Peace Foundation and author of ‘Mass Starvation: The History and Future of Famine,’ sheds light on the grim reality of food weaponization in Gaza. He addresses the alarming humanitarian crisis, the psychological toll of starvation, and the historical context of famine as a political issue. De Waal also explores the resurgence of famine worldwide, illustrating how conflicts exacerbate food insecurity, and critiques the effectiveness of current humanitarian responses amidst complex geopolitical tensions.
