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Cross Country Checkup

CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand

Cross Country Checkup is Canada's only national phone-in show, broadcasting live from coast to coast to coast. Checkup is Canada's weekly town hall — a place for raw, honest perspectives on the most pressing issues of the week. For over 55 years, it's where Canadians gather to listen to each other every Sunday afternoon. Call us: 1-888-416-8333.

Location:

Canada, ON

Description:

Cross Country Checkup is Canada's only national phone-in show, broadcasting live from coast to coast to coast. Checkup is Canada's weekly town hall — a place for raw, honest perspectives on the most pressing issues of the week. For over 55 years, it's where Canadians gather to listen to each other every Sunday afternoon. Call us: 1-888-416-8333.

Language:

English

Contact:

CBC Audience Relations P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada M5W 1E6 888-416-8333


Episodes
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Why are so many people single now?

7/21/2024
According to Statistics Canada there's been a drop in the number of people living together as couples over the last 30 years Why people are choosing to be on their own? What does that mean for their state of mind and financial bottom line? Are single people more or less happy on their own?

Duration:01:52:01

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Joe Biden steps down | Ask Me Anything

7/21/2024
Joe Biden is officially out of the 2024 presidential race. He posted a statement on X Sunday afternoon saying "I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on my duties as President" Moments later he offered his full support and endorsement for Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Paul Hunter is the Senior Washington Correspondent for CBC News. He answered your questions about the state of the U.S. presidential race.

Duration:00:20:08

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What's your reaction to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump?

7/14/2024
Last night Donald Trump was shot at during a rally in Pennsylvania. The FBI says it was an assassination attempt. The former President is fine according to his campaign and will still attend the upcoming Republican National Convention this week, but many believe that political discourse in the U.S. is not fine. What’s your reaction to what’s happening in the United States right now? What needs to be done to take the temperature down from here?

Duration:01:51:57

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Pre-nups | Ask Me Anything

7/7/2024
The question of whether or not to sign a prenup can be a touchy one for couples to navigate, but apparently the practice is becoming less taboo. An Angus Reid survey earlier this year found two-thirds of Canadians believe prenups are a good idea. Farzana Jiwani is a lawyer at Modern Family Law. She answered your questions about prenups and cohabitation agreements.

Duration:00:20:08

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When did you decide it was time to step down from a job or something important to you?

7/7/2024
Questions about whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden should step aside have been popular topics of conversation for months now, but you don't have to be a national leader to have faced the difficult challenge of having people suggest you give up something that you've worked hard to achieve. Maybe you felt you needed to step aside. What was that like? How did you make the decision?

Duration:01:51:41

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Should Justin Trudeau step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada?

6/30/2024
At least one current member of parliament and several former Liberal politicians are questioning the Prime Minister's leadership after a surprising by-election defeat in Toronto. The Prime Minister says he'll keep fighting for Canadians, and members of his cabinet have come out in his support. But what do you think should happen next?

Duration:00:19:52

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2-TOPIC SUNDAY: What's your favourite Canadian Sporting moment? | Should Justin Trudeau step down as Liberal leader?

6/30/2024
Cross Country Checkup is celebrating Canada Day weekend with two topics. First, in this post-Stanley Cup, pre-Olympic moment, we were thinking about the role sports plays in our national culture. Those events that bring us and bind us together, that don't just entertain... but inspire. Join Ian Hanomansing and long-time CBC Sports host Scott Russell as they hear your favourite Canadian sports moments. And some former Liberal politicians are calling on Justin Trudeau to step down as party leader. Do you think he should?

Duration:01:52:01

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MSNBC’s chief correspondent Ali Velshi | Ask Me Anything

6/23/2024
This Thursday is the first debate of this U.S. presidential election campaign. U.S. President Joe Biden will square off against former U.S. President Donald Trump. Ali Velshi is an award-winning journalist, chief correspondent with MSNBC, and host of the weekend program, "Velshi.” He answered your questions about his career, his new book, as well as the state of politics – and democracy – in the United States.

Duration:00:19:28

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When your city or community was faced with a crisis – what acts of kindness did you give or receive?

6/23/2024
At the moment, many Candians are going through crisis. We started the show with an evacuee from Churchill Falls, a town in Labrador. Hundreds of people were evacuated from that town because of a wildfire this week. As well, the residents of Calgary are being asked to conserve water after that water main break earlier this month. But in many catastrophes, there has also been an outpouring of kindness – often from total strangers. When your city or community was faced with a crisis – what acts of kindness did you give or receive?

Duration:01:51:37

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Minister of Housing Sean Fraser | Ask Me Anything

6/16/2024
For many Canadians housing affordability is the issue right now. The federal Liberals have promised to build 3.9 million homes by 2031. But recent warnings from CMHC say housing production in Canada is still lagging behind. Sean Fraser is the federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities He answered your questions about the housing crisis.

Duration:00:20:08

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Is working from home killing downtown cores?

6/16/2024
About 20 per cent of Canadians work most of their hours from home according to Statistics Canada. Some cities are now asking whether downtown cores need workers to return to the office. Is it fair for employers and politicians to push for workers to come back? Is working from home better for you? What's best for your community?

Duration:01:52:09

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Should future generations be banned from buying tobacco?

6/9/2024
Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador are considering banning future generations from ever being allowed to buy tobacco. Do you think this approach will work? And how did you manage to quit smoking?

Duration:01:51:50

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Ask Me Anything | So you've graduated... now what?

6/9/2024
If you or your child is wrapping up high school or university, you’ve probably got more questions than answers about what comes next. From diving straight into work, taking a gap year, or pursuing further education, there are plenty of options. Sabrina McTaggart is a career coach who helps young adults find their career paths. Rachelle Doucet is a high school guidance counsellor. They answered your questions about grads and what comes next.

Duration:00:20:08

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Breast Cancer Screening | Ask Me Anything

6/2/2024
For years, medical experts have been calling for the national guideline for routine breast cancer screenings to be lowered from 50-years-old. But last week, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care released a draft recommendation that said it’s not going to lower the recommended screening age to 40 for women with average risk – and that decision has been met with widespread disapproval. Our AMA guest this week was Dr. Jean Seely. She’s the head of the breast imaging section at the Ottawa Hospital and professor of medicine in the radiology department at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Seely answered your questions about screening for breast cancer.

Duration:00:19:15

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Does Canada’s airline industry need an overhaul?

6/2/2024
Canada's Competition Bureau is going to study the country's domestic airline industry. Many of us rely on airlines to stay in touch with family to conduct business and to explore this vast country but it can be expensive. How can we make it better? Does Canada’s airline industry need an overhaul? Are there enough travel options in your part of the country?

Duration:01:51:56

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Political journalist Paul Wells | Ask Me Anything

5/26/2024
Journalist Paul Wells has been covering federal politics for decades. He’s written about former Prime Ministers Stephen Harper and Paul Martin. His new book explores Justin Trudeau’s time in office since his government came to power in 2015. He answered your questions about federal politics.

Duration:00:20:08

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What's the solution to the toxic drug crisis?

5/26/2024
In British Columbia there were 25-hundred and eleven illicit drug deaths last year -- the majority of them involving the opioid fentanyl. Meanwhile, the provincial government announced it's banning illicit drug use in public spaces, a key feature of last year's pilot program which aimed to decriminalize drug use in many instances. Amidst the decriminalization debate, what's the solution to the toxic drug crisis? If you are in recovery -- what can we learn from your story?

Duration:01:51:30

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Are you prepared for another wildfire season?

5/19/2024
This week marked what could be the beginning of another dangerous wildfire season. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes because of fires throughout parts of western Canada. This is after last year's record breaking season which saw tens of thousands of people flee their homes, 15 million hectares of land burnt, and nearly the entire country blanketed in smoke for parts of the summer. Wherever you are in Canada -- are you ready for another wildfire season? And for our Ask Me Anything - it's Spring, which can be a vulnerable time for migraine sufferers. Hear from a neurologist to learn about migraine causes and prevention.

Duration:01:51:25

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Migraine headaches | Ask Me Anything

5/19/2024
Spring can be a vulnerable time for migraine sufferers. Our AMA guest this week was Dr. Christine Lay, a neurologist and the Founding Director of the Headache Program at the University of Toronto. Dr. Lay answered questions about migraine headaches, along with suggestions for migraine prevention and management.

Duration:00:20:14

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Lab-grown meat | Ask Me Anything

5/12/2024
Lab-grown meat has been making political news this week. Our AMA guest this week was Isha Datar. She is the executive director of New Harvest, a nonprofit research institute that funds cultured meat research. She answered your questions about lab-grown meat.

Duration:00:20:08