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
34 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 28min
Politics! Carney so far, Poilievre’s second chance
Catherine Cullen, host of CBC’s The House and a seasoned journalist in Canadian politics, joins the discussion. They explore Prime Minister Mark Carney's ambitious economic promises and the implications of dropping the Digital Services Tax in trade negotiations with the U.S. Cullen shares insights on the challenges facing Pierre Poilievre in the byelection race and highlights the evolving leadership dynamics in Canadian politics. The conversation also touches on controversial legislation and military spending commitments amidst pressing economic and social issues.
13 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 30min
The end of birthright citizenship?
Isabela Dias, an immigration reporter for Mother Jones, dives into the contentious topic of birthright citizenship. She discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling that limits lower courts’ ability to challenge executive actions, a significant win for Trump’s agenda. The conversation reveals how changing definitions of citizenship and attempts to reinterpret the 14th Amendment could reshape the future for millions, especially undocumented families. What might a world without birthright citizenship mean for American identity and legal precedent? It’s a thought-provoking exploration.
Jul 1, 2025 • 50min
The repo man of the seas
Max Hardberger, a daring repo man known for infiltrating hostile territories to reclaim seized ships, joins Michael Bono, a maritime lawyer specializing in ship repossessions. They dive into the thrill and risks of maritime piracy, which often involves bureaucratic tactics rather than violence. The conversation highlights Hardberger's adventurous methods in dangerous locales, like Greece, while facing legal complexities and mafia threats. Their discussion also unveils the moral dilemmas and high-stakes challenges inherent in reclaiming lost vessels.
Jun 30, 2025 • 30min
Encore: ex-Raptors President Masai Ujiri
Masai Ujiri, former President of the Toronto Raptors, revolutionized basketball in Canada and is a champion for youth in Africa through his Giants of Africa initiative. He shares insights on his transformative 13-year tenure with the Raptors, culminating in their 2019 championship. Ujiri discusses the challenges of navigating leadership changes and his passion for fostering diversity in sports. He reflects on the impact of athletes advocating for social justice and emphasizes the power of grassroots basketball in Africa to empower the next generation.
40 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 29min
Canada’s energy minister on pipelines, Bill C-5 controversy
Tim Hodgson, Canada's energy and natural resources minister, brings years of financial expertise to the political arena. He dives into the contentious Bill C-5, which aims to fast-track energy projects but raises concerns about environmental protections. Hodgson discusses the urgency of job creation and the economic potential of pipeline developments, while also addressing the backlash from Indigenous groups regarding consultation. He emphasizes the need for a balance between economic interests and environmental stewardship as Canada navigates its energy future.
44 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 23min
The unanswered questions of the Iran strike
Gregg Carlstrom, a seasoned Middle East correspondent for The Economist and author of "How Long Will Israel Survive? The Threat From Within," delves into the fiery dynamics of the Israel-Iran conflict. He discusses Trump's recent frustrations and how they reflect the complex web of U.S.-Israeli relations. Topics include the delicate ceasefire, the lasting damage to Iran’s nuclear program, and the fallout from targeted strikes on nuclear scientists. Carlstrom provides insights into the challenges of U.S.-Iran diplomacy amid regional tensions.
14 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 38min
Bubble trouble: Do protest bylaws silence dissent?
Richard Moon, a legal expert and professor emeritus at the University of Windsor, dives into the heated debate over 'bubble zone' bylaws in Ontario. These laws restrict protests near sensitive areas like schools and hospitals, aiming to protect vulnerable groups amid rising extremism. Moon discusses the tensions between safeguarding public access and upholding free speech. He explores the historical context, implications for pro-Palestinian protests, and the broader impact these regulations have on civil liberties in Canada.
18 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 23min
The MAGA civil war over Iran
Adam Wren, a senior politics correspondent at Politico, dives into the growing rift among Trump supporters regarding military intervention in Iran. He dissects the contrasting views: hawks pushing for action versus isolationists advocating for restraint. Wren explores how personal loyalties intertwine with ideological divides and the historical roots of U.S.-Iran tensions. The conversation turns to the MAGA movement's shifting military perspectives, highlighting key figures and their conflicting opinions on foreign policy.
18 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 31min
Trump joins Israel's war in Iran
Negar Mortazavi, a Senior Fellow at the Center for International Policy and host of the Iran Podcast, joins to discuss the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites amid escalating tensions. She delves into whether Trump's actions are aimed at addressing Iran's nuclear capabilities or fostering regime change. The conversation unpacks the complex narratives surrounding military action, the impact on diplomacy, and the political uncertainty in Iran as it faces potential leadership changes. Additionally, they explore the repercussions for civilian populations caught in the crossfire.
18 snips
Jun 20, 2025 • 51min
In search of separatists in Alberta
In this insightful discussion, Jason Markusoff, CBC Calgary's political reporter, dissects Alberta's separatist sentiments alongside local realtor and retired politician Don McDonald, who shares the pulse of Three Hills. They explore the growing disconnection between rural communities and the federal government, highlighting the emotional frustrations driving calls for independence. A community member passionately discusses her concerns over federal neglect, illuminating the complex motivations behind Alberta's push for autonomy as it intersects with local political dynamics and upcoming elections.
