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
30 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 26min
Why has Trump taken over D.C.?
Alex Shephard, a Senior Editor at The New Republic, explores Donald Trump's military takeover of Washington D.C., raising questions about its true motives given the low crime rates. He discusses the political implications of deploying the National Guard amidst claims of lawlessness and the historical context of military intervention. Shephard critiques the blend of racial and gender biases in Trump's disdain for the city and how this could set a precedent for federal overreach in other cities. The dialogue sheds light on the ongoing tensions between governance and authority.
Aug 12, 2025 • 29min
Cannabis megastores stoke tensions in Oka Crisis First Nation
Jorge Barrera, a CBC investigative reporter with two decades of experience covering Ganesadage, delves into the complex legacy of the Oka Crisis and its impact on the community today. He reveals how unregulated cannabis megastores are fueling tensions and fears of organized crime, threatening ancestral lands. The conversation highlights governance crises stemming from historical disputes and the struggle for cultural identity amidst economic pressures. Barrera illuminates the community's path forward as they navigate these critical challenges.
9 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 31min
The Canadian army's long history of extremism
Jonathan Montpetit, a Senior Investigative Journalist with CBC News, delves into the unsettling issue of extremism in the Canadian Armed Forces. He discusses the recent RCMP charges involving military members plotting an anti-government militia, marking a troubling trend. The conversation uncovers historical instances of far-right extremism in the military, particularly the Somalia Affair, and the deep-rooted issues of racism and accountability. Montpetit highlights the ongoing challenge of fostering diversity in a still-traditional military culture, stressing the urgent need for reform.
8 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 29min
Can the Bad Bunny effect save Puerto Rico?
Petra Rivera-Rideau, an Associate Professor of American Studies at Wellesley College and author of Remixing Reggaeton, discusses the powerful impact of Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico. She highlights how his music connects young Puerto Ricans to their heritage while addressing critical social issues. The conversation delves into the role of music as a cultural bridge, the longing for identity among the diaspora, and how Bad Bunny champions social justice. His contributions are shaping conversations around resilience, tourism, and the political landscape on the island.
11 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 27min
Politics! Poilievre's crucial byelection, Carney's tariff tightrope
Aaron Wherry, a senior reporter with CBC's Ottawa Bureau, delves into the current political landscape involving Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Wherry discusses the challenges Poilievre faces in a crucial byelection in Alberta, including pushback from locals and quirky protest candidates. The conversation shifts to Carney's struggles with looming U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, emphasizing the need for strategic negotiation over rash retaliation to protect Canadian industries.
28 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 33min
Inside OpenAI’s zealous pursuit of AI dominance
Karen Hao, a tech journalist and author of "Empire of AI," dives into the intriguing and contentious journey of OpenAI. She discusses the company's meteoric rise and controversial shift from nonprofit to profit, raising ethical questions around AI development. Hao also examines the fierce internal debates on artificial general intelligence and the alarming environmental impacts of AI. Additionally, she highlights the tension between technological advancement and democratic values through the Stargate project, shedding light on the complex implications of these innovations.
16 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 22min
Why some young Israelis refuse to fight in Gaza
Soul Behar Tsalik, a 19-year-old conscientious objector from Tel Aviv, shares his journey of refusing to enlist in the IDF. He reflects on the moral dilemmas that led to his choice and discusses the significant societal pressures faced by young Israelis who oppose military service. Tsalik highlights the stark humanitarian crisis in Gaza, contrasting it with mainstream Israeli claims. His insights reveal the deep emotional cost of dissent and the diverse reactions within Israeli society to the ongoing conflict.
4 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 33min
Cold calls from one of the most horrific serial killers in Canadian history
Join Arlene Bynon, a seasoned journalist and radio broadcaster known for her work on Calls from a Killer, and Nathaniel Frum, a writer and producer for CBC's Uncover, as they recount chilling phone calls with Clifford Olson, a convicted serial killer responsible for the deaths of 11 children. They explore Olson's psyche during these unsettling conversations, revealing the eerie dynamic between a reporter and a criminal. This gripping discussion also touches on the ethical dilemmas of reporting on such troubling minds and the haunting realities faced by victims' families.
13 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 28min
Will Canada recognize Palestinian statehood?
Evan Dyer, a reporter for CBC’s Parliamentary Bureau specializing in foreign affairs, discusses Canada's shifting stance on recognizing Palestinian statehood. He delves into Prime Minister Mark Carney's proposed conditions for recognition, the complexities of demilitarization, and its potential fallout with Israel. The conversation also covers the controversies surrounding Canadian arms sales to Israel and the impact of these developments on international relations, amidst rising humanitarian crises in Gaza.
Jul 31, 2025 • 25min
Can the UK child-proof the internet?
Samantha Cole, a journalist with 404 Media, dives into the UK's new Online Safety Act aimed at shielding children from harmful content. She discusses the tricky balance between child safety and civil liberties, highlighting concerns over privacy and censorship. Cole shares insights from her coverage of similar U.S. measures and the challenges of age verification online. Moreover, she emphasizes the need for better education and tools for parents and children, rather than relying solely on automated systems to keep kids safe from the internet's darker corners.
