Cross Country Checkup

More than half of Canadians own a pet and for many pet owners, their cat, or dog, or bird is part of the family. But, the cost of these furry friends have many people faced with tough decisions. According to a recent survey from Abacus Data, nearly three quarters of Canadian pet owners say their veterinarian fees are high and lead to stress. The same survey found that among pet owners 77 per cent support government rules or regulations on the fees that vet clinics can charge.

Our question: What happened when you were faced with a sky-high veterinary bill? How did you cope? 

A new Food Banks Canada report says 1 in 4 Canadians are food insecure. That's up 40% in just two years. 

We are going to hear what the rising cost of food looks like for you and what you're doing about it.

Our question: How are high grocery prices affecting you? How are you making ends meet?

Parliament is back, And the gloves are off. Mark Carney's Liberals are leading in the polls, but voter satisfaction appears to be slipping. And Pierre Poilievre will step into the House for the first time since winning his Alberta byelection. But it's about more than the theatre of Question Period, decisions made in Ottawa this fall will affect your paycheque, your grocery bill, and maybe even your vote. The next election may be months or years away, but the battle for public trust starts now.

Our question: Federal MPs are returning to Parliament. What do they need to fix first?

Speed cameras track how fast you're driving and create a ticket that's eventually sent to you. Something about them frustrates people so much, the cameras are being vandalized. According to Toronto police, 16 were hit in the city in one night. One speed camera in particular has been cut down seven times.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says they're a cash grab. City council says they save lives. But this isn't just a Toronto story. Speed cameras or photo radar has come and gone in several cities and provinces through the years. But speeding remains a problem coast to coast.

Our question: Are speed cameras the answer to slowing drivers down? Why do you speed?

Some people love the structure, others say it wrecks work-life balance - new data from Angus Reid says nearly 50% of Canadians think federal workers should be forced back into the office. Nearly the same number of people disagree. This is after major major banks like BMO and RBC have mandated up to four days a week in-office. Ontario's public service is following suit, with full-time office returns expected by January. Employers say it's about collaboration, creativity and mentorship. But some workers aren't convinced. For them, remote work offers flexibility, autonomy and time with family. 

Our question: Should employers be able to force workers back into the office? What is lost when we work from home?

Toronto's new renoviction bylaw forces landlords to prove renovations are necessary before evicting tenants. 

Supporters say it protects renters from being pushed out illegally. Landlords say it's a bureaucratic mess that discourages building upgrades and will ultimately lead to higher rents. But, we're not just focusing on Toronto. Cities across Canada, like New Westminster, B.C., Hamilton and London all have renoviction by-laws in motion or in place. So wherever you are in Canada, this issue may affect you.

Our question: Are renoviction bylaws a step too far or not far enough? 

Students and teachers will be trying to navigate a new technology this year. Artificial intelligence is here to stay. And students have access to tools that can replace research and writing they should be doing. You could ban students using AI, but then how do we prepare kids for a future where they might very well need to use it?

Our question: Has AI use in the classroom gone too far or not far enough? Is AI creating a generation of cheaters or achievers?

A recent online poll by Leger found that 85 per cent of people asked said that the government should regulate artificial intelligence. But 57 per cent of people asked said they’d used some kind of AI tool. That's one online poll, but it points to where many Canadians are with AI right now: they are using this technology, but have questions. Are you using AI to transform your daily life? Has it helped you overcome barriers? Or maybe you have questions about how it all works.

Our question: How is AI changing your life? What questions do you have?

Our show on the Air Canada strike generated hundreds of comments at cbc.ca/aircheck, including stories about the unpaid hours you're working. It appears many of you are rethinking your own relationship with "unpaid work". A study by the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto found that about half of the study participants reported working either moderate or excessive unpaid overtime.

Our question: Are you rethinking how much unpaid work you’re doing for your employer? What questions do you have?

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he will match the United States by removing Canadian tariffs on US goods covered by CUSMA, starting September 1st. Following the announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the move, saying it was "nice" and that he wanted to "be good to Canada." But, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Carney's trade decision was weak and that his elbows "have mysteriously gone missing". So, was this sudden turn in trade negotiations with Donald Trump -- elbow's up, elbow's down or elbows gone?

Our question: What grade are you giving Mark Carney on negotiations with Donald Trump? Is he playing it smart or selling Canada short?