Cross Country Checkup

For decades, adulthood followed a familiar script: finish school, land a job, move out, build a life. But today's economy is rewriting that story. With youth unemployment at 13% and more young adults living at home longer, the old milestones of "adulting" are shifting...for young Canadians and the parents supporting them. Career advisor Devon Turcotte and family counselor Alyson Schafer have answers for families looking to navigate this new reality without friction, guilt or outdated expectations.

With insolvency filings up 8% over last year and essentials like gas and groceries squeezing household budgets, Canadians share how they're rethinking how they spend, save, and stay afloat. Financial educator Mark Kalinowski joins us with clear, practical advice on how to get help when budgets are tight.

This ICYMI episode takes you back to October of 1990 - a moment when Canadians were staring down soaring interest rates, spiking oil prices, and waves of layoffs at CN Rail, Imperial Oil and Air Canada. The Conference Board of Canada had just declared a recession, while Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Finance Minister Michael Wilson hesitated to say the word. Checkup callers share how they were surviving tough economic times with host Dale Goldhawk.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in about e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-mopeds and where they belong on city streets. An ER doctor reveals the collisions he's seeing and the fallout that follows. Plus, stories and perspectives from across Canada.

Is Canada quietly drifting away from its climate goals? After a former environment minister accuses the federal government of backsliding on its climate commitments, Canadians tell us what they think matters more right now: protecting the planet or protecting the economy. Energy policy expert Warren Mabee unpacks the megaprojects at the centre of the fight — and what they reveal about Canada’s path forward.

Today, ICYMI is going back to October of 2019. A federal election was looming, and Canadians were in a heated debate over the Liberal government's decision to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline and approve its expansion. The day before the election, Checkup held two town halls at either end of the proposed expansion. Host Duncan McCue was in Leduc, Alberta and Michelle Eliot was in Vancouver. Here's some of the highlights from the show starting with oil and gas worker Tim Cameron in Leduc.

They’re fast, they’re everywhere — and cities are scrambling to keep up. As e‑bikes, e‑scooters, and e‑mopeds flood urban streets, governments are cracking down and riders are pushing back. An ER doctor and a personal injury lawyer reveal the collisions they’re seeing and the fallout that follows. Then, urban planning expert Jeff Casello explains how some cities have already carved out space for these heavier, faster machines — and what Canada can learn.

This is the abbreviated version of Checkup's call-in about why boys are struggling in school. This episode looks at a recent report that shows boys are more likely to drop out of high school, and hears why it's happening and what can be done.

A new report out of Quebec shows that boys are more likely to drop out of high school, and generally perform more poorly than female students. And this has apparently been going on for some time. So why is it happening? And why isn't something being done? We hear your stories, and the answers to those questions.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is giving people a choice this fall -- stay in Canada or begin the legal path toward a binding referendum on separation. Checkup has every angle covered including: reactions from Alberta, the rest of Canada, as well get expert analysis on the potential legal, and political ramifications to the premier's announcement this week.