Cross Country Checkup

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?

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.

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. 

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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?