Cross Country Checkup

The New York Times published an article detailing the Tumbler Ridge shooter's online activity which included regular exposure to extremely violent content online. The shooter's digital footprint reflects a broader pattern where youth are being drawn into what some researchers call "nihilistic violence." To unpack what this means, Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Canada Bureau Chief for The New York Times, and Steven Rai, Senior Research Manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, joined us for a special Ask Me Anything.

The small town of Tumbler Ridge, B.C. is trying to cope after eight people, including six children were killed in Tuesday's mass shooting. Friends and neighbours, and neighbouring towns have been stepping in to help as the tight-knit community grieves. The devastating loss isn't just the stuff of headlines, many Canadians have had to figure out a path forward in the aftermath of unexpected, personal losses too. How did you get to the other side of a tragedy?

Alberta separatists are now gathering signatures for a referendum they hope will force a province-wide vote on leaving Canada. Just last week, the Alberta Prosperity Project revealed they met with Trump officials, an act BC Premier David Eby called “treason”. What does it actually mean for a province to “separate from the country”? Are you worried about the Alberta separatist threat? What's one thing Ottawa should do to make Canada more unified?

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney has been critical of efforts by separatists in his own province, calling the push for a referendum on leaving Canada "deeply divisive." Last week, after separatist leaders claimed they had backing from members of the UCP. Kenney warned that MLA's from his former party should not be signing a petition that promotes separation. As the separatism debate heats up,Jason Kenney joined us for a special Ask Me Anything.

From connecting with customer service online, or asking for health advice, chances are you've already been interacting with an AI chat bot. AI is everywhere, helping us save time, learn new things, and juggle daily tasks, while also raising serious concerns about jobs, education, and trust. As companies like Amazon invest billions in generative AI, and cutting thousands of jobs. How are you using AI? Is AI making our lives better or worse?

Canada has lost a comedy legend. Tributes continue to pour in for Canadian comedy icon Catherine O’Hara, whose career spanned five decades. From her early sketch comedy days on SCTV to unforgettable roles in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, The Studio, and Schitt’s Creek, she was beloved by Canadian fans and admired around the world. Her extraordinary body of work left a comedic influence that stretched far beyond our borders. What was your favourite Catherine O’Hara moment? What does she mean to you?

Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed back without ever saying President Donald Trump’s name, and it didn’t go unnoticed. After Carney’s remarks in Davos declared the rules-based international order a "fiction" ruptured by superpowers, Trump fired back with taunts and tariff threats. Carney responded to Trump’s tariff threat by confirming that Canada never had any intention of securing a free-trade deal with China. Is it better to stand up or cozy up? What are your thoughts on Mark Carney and his handling of Donald Trump?

A lot of theories, and a lot of speculation, until January 23,2026, when Ryan Wedding was taken into U.S. custody after a decade on the run. How does a Canadian Olympian end up in handcuffs, with U.S. authorities comparing him to “El Chapo” and Pablo Escobar? And what’s the real story behind the seized art, luxury cars, and motorcycles?

We've got a special episode today courtesy of our friends at As It Happens. The show airs weeknights at 6:30 pm ET and covers everything from complex stories, to the weird and wacky. It's a unique and intimate take on the news. We've got three shows chosen from this past week's episodes of As It Happens. You'll hear the Globe and Mail's Robert Fife on how the Canadian Armed forces have modelled a response to the unthinkable -- a hypothetical U.S. military invasion of Canada. A man names Ted Smith tells the show about his journey to exonerate his father, Tommy Lee Walker, 70 years after Walker was found guilty of raping and murdering a white woman name Venice Lorraine Parker. And Canadian hip-hop artist Michie Mee is going to celebrated with a stamp for Black History Month.

Just nine months ago, Mark Carney said China is Canada’s top security threat. On January 16th, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his first major trade deal—one that could reshape what’s in your driveway. The agreement opens Canada’s doors to a wave of Chinese electric vehicles, while Beijing slashes tariffs on key Canadian exports through 2026. So what changed—and what does it mean for Canadian jobs, consumers, and the road ahead?

For many people, retirement isn’t the finish line; it’s a turning point. Whether it’s learning something new, giving back, or redefining daily life, finding purpose after work can be deeply personal, and sometimes unexpectedly hard. Where did you find purpose after retirement or are you still searching?

Since the first Monday of January 2026, Ontario’s public service workers have returned to the office five days a week, with Alberta set to follow on February 1. A new report from Statistics Canada shows hybrid workers are spending more time in the office and less time working from home. It’s a shift that has left many people frustrated. Our question: Should workers be forced back into the office? Has returning to the office changed your work for better or worse?

It’s been just over a year since Donald Trump began suggesting that Canada should become part of the United States. Now, with US intervention in Venezuela and renewed threats to take over Greenland, Canadians are starting to wonder, and worry. From Venezuela to Greenland, what questions do you have about US foreign policy, and what Canada should do about it?

American forces stormed Caracas and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is “going to run” Venezuela for the time being. Our question: What’s your reaction to the U.S. strike on Venezuela? What questions do you have?

The World Health Organization conditionally recommended glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapies for obesity treatment in December 2025. Canada could soon become the first country in the world to offer a cheaper version of Ozempic and Wegovy to people with prescriptions. Our question: Would you take a drug to lose weight...or have you already?

2025 gave Canada no shortage of news — political shocks, global conflict, cultural moments, and a year that pulled emotions in every direction. In Cross Country Checkup’s annual Year in News Special, guest host David Common sits down with a panel of CBC journalists: Paul Hunter, Susan Ormiston, and Aaron Wherry, reflecting on the biggest stories, the missed ones, and the conversations Canadians carried through it all. Our question: What was the most important news story of 2025? Which one didn’t get enough attention?

The holidays are here; and that usually means cookies, egg nog, cheeses, deli meats and plenty of indulgence. But new research is renewing concerns about ultra-processed foods and their links to higher risks of disease.What exactly counts as an ultra-processed food? Why are they so hard to stop eating? And does eating better over the holidays mean cutting out all your favourites, or are there realistic alternatives? Our question: From egg nog to deli meats — what questions do you have about ultra-processed foods and eating better over the holidays?

You’re making that big holiday dinner; juggling vegetables, a turkey, stuffing and sides. But with all the distractions, food safety can easily slip. Dinner rolls sitting where the raw turkey thawed? Was that knife used for meat or vegetables? And does it really matter? This holiday season also comes with active food recalls, including salmonella concerns linked to pistachio products and listeria risks in prepared salads and snack trays often served at gatherings. Our question: E. coli, listeria and salmonella; what questions do you have about meal prep and food safety over the holidays?

From whiteout conditions to multi-car pileups, winter driving across Canada can turn dangerous fast. Nearly 400 crashes were reported in southwestern Ontario during a recent storm, and a youth hockey team bus crash in northern Alberta has raised fresh concerns about road safety. Our question: From black ice to blizzards, what’s your winter accident story? Do you feel safe driving on Canada’s roads and highways?

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has a “tremendous” relationship with Canada — but for many Canadians, the bond with American friends and family might feel strained. Political divisions have led to awkward gatherings, muted conversations, and in some cases, skipping holiday visits altogether. Our question: Are you gathering with American friends or family over the holidays? How are the Canada–U.S. relationships going in your life?