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Cross Country Checkup

CBC
Wildfires
Tobacco
Emergency Preparedness
Justin Trudeau
Vaping
High Food Costs
Public Health Policy
Youth Unemployment
Youth Smoking Trends
Generational Ban On Tobacco
Loblaw
Food Price Inflation
Migraine
Evacuation Centers
Breast Cancer
Smoking Cessation
Career Coaching
Prince Edward Island
Health Risks Of Smoking
Remote Work

Cross Country Checkup is Canada's only national phone-in show, broadcasting live from coast to coast to coast. Checkup is Canada's weekly town hall — a place for raw, honest perspectives on the most pressing issues of the week. For over 55 years, it's where Canadians gather to listen to each other every Sunday afternoon. Call us: 1-888-416-8333.

PublishesDailyEpisodes62Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Cross Country Checkup

Latest Episodes

This isn't the first time that future of Canada's passenger rail system has been the centre of public debate. On August 17, 1980, Cross Country Checkup asked callers: "Should we abandon our passenger trains?" Here are some highlights from that show.

Canada elected a minority parliament - but five floor crossers have brought Prime Minister Mark Carney just 1 seat away from a majority government. Our question: Is floor crossing a fair path to a majority government?

A high speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City is on the table, promising jobs and billions in economic impact — but also raising concerns from communities and politicians. In this episode, we dig into what Canadians want to know about hig... more

Stephen Lewis passed away early on March 31st, 2026. He appeared on Cross Country Checkup multiple times throughout his career as a politician, ambassador, and activist. Here's a selection from an interview he did back in October of 1977 when he was ... more

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Recent Guests

Stephen Lewis
Politician, journalist, environmental activist, former ambassador to the United Nations
Former Ontario NDP leader / Canadian public service
Episode: ICYMI: Stephen Lewis on Cross Country Checkup
Erica Nesvold
Astrophysicist, author of Off Earth Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space
Washington University? (mentioned as based in Washington during segment)
Episode: Cross Country Spotlight: Is Space Exploration Worth It?
Adam Becker
Astrophysicist, journalist, and author
Berkeley, California (based panel)
Episode: Cross Country Spotlight: Is Space Exploration Worth It?
Bob McDonald
Science journalist, host of Quirks and Quarks
CBC/Quirks and Quarks
Episode: Why does space exploration matter to you?
Anthony Peruzza
Toronto City Councillor who proposed four city-run grocery stores in Toronto
City of Toronto
Episode: Are government-run grocery stores the fix for high prices?
Errol Schweitzer
Co-author of a report on government-run grocery stores
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Avi Lewis campaign
Episode: Are government-run grocery stores the fix for high prices?
Sylvain Charlevoix
Analyst referenced by guests; expert on food systems
Dalhousie University
Episode: Are government-run grocery stores the fix for high prices?
Nader Hashemi
Associate Professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics, Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Episode: Cross Country Spotlight - Q+A - War in the Middle East
Zane Velcey
Political strategist with North Weather
North Weather
Episode: Can Avi Lewis revive the NDP?

Host

Ian Hanumansing
Host of the show, well-known for leading conversations on diverse issues while inviting listeners to share their thoughts and experiences.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 201 ratings
  • Hear from Fellow Canadians

    Really interesting to hear from fellow Canadians across the country and feel connected to each other despite the distance. Ian is a great host and takes on tough topics with ease. He isn’t afraid to question callers and promote thoughtful discussion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Transit=Love1245679
    Canada9 months ago
  • Ridiculous podcast

    The liberals in Canada are pathetic anti democratic shivs. You used to be a great country. 3rd world country.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mokeyt3/35
    United States10 months ago
  • You need a fact checker

    I just listened to the Feb 23 podcast in which Kevin O’Leary claimed that the CAD lost 41% over the nine years that Trudeau has been in power. Did the math myself and it’s 8%. I don’t blame the host, but don’t you have producers who can check stuff like that and relay it to the host? I like the show, but I have to knock a star for that.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    BloodyFrustrated1111
    Canadaa year ago
  • Host Biased, pro Canadian annexation

    The host of this show promotes the annexation of Canada by the USA.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    gabs865
    Canadaa year ago
  • Great podcast

    Found this podcast through Spotify and have quickly gone through previous episodes. I love hearing perspectives from different parts of Canada. The episode on Covid 4-year anniversary was well done. It was a moment to reflect and felt like a collective acknowledgment of a confusing time. Great podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tech savvyish
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticism exists regarding perceived bias in discussions, prompting calls for added impartiality.
Listeners appreciate the opportunity to hear from Canadians across the country, fostering a sense of connection and community.
The host is praised for effectively handling difficult topics and ensuring an open dialogue.
Overall, many listeners express excitement for the variety of topics covered and the quality of the host's interviewing skills.
Feedback indicates a desire for more rigorous fact-checking and a push against political spin during discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#109
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#163
Poland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Are government-run grocery stores the fix for high prices?
Q: Are government-run grocery stores the fix for high prices?
Experts acknowledge potential savings but stress the need for scale, subsidies, and efficient management; the consensus is that a single policy cannot solve price pressures driven by climate, global supply chains, and revenue models, and that other approaches (like targeted subsidies and improving income) are also crucial.
Cross Country Spotlight - Q+A - War in the Middle East
Q: What would it take to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and how feasible is a ground invasion?
The discussion suggested that reopening the Strait would require a major naval operation backed by significant military action and political deals, while a ground invasion remains uncertain but is being prepared as an option by the US, though unlikely to target regime change in Iran.
Cross Country Spotlight - Q+A - War in the Middle East
Q: What is the United States pushing for to end the war in Iran?
The guest described the US position as pushing for a plan that amounts to near total surrender by Iran, including disarmament and loss of deterrence, which he argued is not acceptable to Tehran.
Is private healthcare fixing or fracturing medical care in Canada?
Q: What is the goal of allowing dual practice in Alberta?
To increase capacity for elective surgeries while maintaining a strong, publicly funded system, with guardrails to prevent negative impacts on public care.
Ask Me Anything: Radon in Canadian homes
Q: What is radon and why should Canadians be concerned?
Radon is a radioactive gas from soil that accumulates in buildings, and it is a leading cause of lung cancer, especially when concentrations are high indoors; testing and mitigation are practical ways to reduce risk.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Cross Country Checkup

What is Cross Country Checkup about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A national phone-in show that features candid dialogues on pressing Canadian issues while encouraging listener participation. Topics range from political situations to cultural discussions, reflecting the diverse opinions of Canadians on contemporary matters. The unique format of allowing live calls provides a genuine sense of community, fostering a deeper understanding of the varied sentiments shared across the country. With a history of over five decades, it stands out as a crucial platform for voicing regional concerns, exploring local grievances, and discussing national unity among Canadians of different backgrounds.

Where can I find podcast stats for Cross Country Checkup?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Cross Country Checkup. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Cross Country Checkup and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Cross Country Checkup get?

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What are the audience demographics for Cross Country Checkup?

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How many subscribers and views does Cross Country Checkup have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Cross Country Checkup has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Cross Country Checkup?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cross Country Checkup:

1. The Current
2. The Sunday Magazine
3. The House
4. As It Happens
5. Cost of Living

How many episodes of Cross Country Checkup are there?

Cross Country Checkup launched 18 years ago and published 62 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cross Country Checkup?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Cross Country Checkup?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Cross Country Checkup from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Cross Country Checkup?

Recent guests on Cross Country Checkup include:

1. Stephen Lewis
2. Erica Nesvold
3. Adam Becker
4. Bob McDonald
5. Anthony Peruzza
6. Errol Schweitzer
7. Sylvain Charlevoix
8. Nader Hashemi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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