Cross Country Checkup

This ICYMI episode takes you back to September of 1992. Kids were headed back to school, but there were concerns that Canadian students were falling behind -- spurred by a recent international report on education. There was plenty of blame to go around, but on this day Checkup asked whether parents were part of the problem. Here are voices from Checkup callers from September 6th 1992, reacting to the question: “Are parents failing the school system?”

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on a new law in Quebec that would ban the purchase of energy drinks for kids under 16 years of age. We'll hear what Canadians think about the law. And we'll hear from both sides of the debate -- a registered dietitian who helped push the law forward, and a representative from the Canadian Beverage Association will weigh in.

This summer, Quebec became the first jurisdiction in North America to ban energy drinks for kids under 16 years of age. Hear both sides of the debate, from registered dietician and researcher who helped push for the ban, and a representative from the Canadian Beverage Association. And, of course, we hear your views and stories about energy drinks and caffeine.

The US-Canada trade war is on... and the war of words is getting heated. Canadians weigh-in on what is becoming a nasty dispute with the United States. Content creator Tod Maffin has advice on how to up your "buy Canadian" game. And the Alberta premier's chief of staff will explain why they're not interested in putting an export tax on oil heading to the US.

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on the breakdown in trade talks between Canada and the U.S. Without an agreement, agreement, a new round of 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods are now in place, and Prime Minister Carney is vowing to fight back with retaliatory tariffs to come. We hear from business owners and experts on both sides of the border about what happens next, and Canadians share how this never-ending trade dispute is affecting them.

Trade talks collapsed on Friday night and the U.S. imposed massive new tariffs on some Canadians goods. We hear how Canadians are processing the news -- and how ready they are for a renewed trade war. Is Canada still 'elbows up'? From economics to politics... our experts break down what this means and where this relationship is headed.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to May of 2016. The Tragically Hip's Gord Downie shocked Canada when he announced he had terminal brain cancer at the age of 52. The Hip also announced they would embark on what would end up being the band's final tour. Here are voices from Checkup callers on May 25, 2016, reacting to Gord Downie's diagnosis, and the question: “Is the Tragically Hip Canada’s band?”

This is an abbreviated version of Checkup's topic on close calls while swimming. Hundreds of people die every year from drowning in Canada. And parts of the country are already seeing a spike in accidental drowning deaths so far in 2026. We'll hear how Canadians learned to swim, scary moments they've faced while submerged, and hear tips about how to stay safe in open waters.

From bears, to moose, to snakes, animal interactions have been making the rounds in the news this summer. Canadians share the encounters that made for fun stories later on, and the scary ones that changed the way they think about being in nature. Plus, a wildlife expert shares safety tips on how to deal with close calls.

This year, parts of Canada are noticing an increase in accidental drowning-related deaths. And one survey finds that 50% of newcomers in the country say they are weak swimmers at best. From the beach to the pool, Canadians share their swimming close calls. Plus, a swimming instructor shares tips for how to protect yourself in open waters.