About the Show

Cross Country Checkup is Canada's only national open-line radio program, broadcast live across Canada every Sunday afternoon on CBC Radio One, on Sirius satellite radio channel 159, and around the world on the Internet.

Each week broadcaster and writer Rex Murphy presides over a lively discussion on an issue of national interest or importance, and invites listeners to call in with their opinions and thoughts.

Checkup is a Canadian tradition. We have been on the air most Sundays for 47 years. The program was first broadcast May 16, 1965, during the bitter debate over whether there should be a national publicly-funded health-care system (hence the somewhat medical name of the show!).

See: The history of the birth of Cross Country Checkup

It has proven to be a mainstay in CBC Radio's mandate to reflect Canada to all Canadians. More than half-a-million listeners tune in every Sunday afternoon to hear a lively exchange of ideas between callers and invited guests, and a broad cross-section of opinion on the topic of the day. On average, 5,000 to 10,000 people attempt to call the program during the broadcast to join the discussion.

Toll-free number (during the broadcast only):
1-888-416-8333

Send us your views by using the Contact Form

E-mail is monitored during the program and Rex will read several messages throughout the show. Please put the topic in the subject line of your message, and include your name and location at the end.