640 Toronto — CFIQ

Toronto(ON)

Logo 640 Toronto

FormatNewsTalk

LanguageEnglish

Now playing Ben Mulroney - The Ben Mulroney Show ~ - .

on air128 kbps

Recommended

About

640 Toronto (CFIQ) is the voice of the “fed-up taxpayer” in a city where construction on Eglinton Avenue feels never-ending. While social media buzzes with unverified rumours, this station has remained a reliable — and often sharp-edged — source of news for the Greater Toronto Area since 1957.

According to Numeris (see report here) data for 2025–2026, the station holds a strong audience during both morning and evening drive times. It’s radio for listeners who’ve outgrown “hits and weather” and want to understand where their tax dollars are actually going — and why Highway 401 is backed up again.

Best for: Driving through the 401 during rush hour when you need a sharp, unfiltered perspective on city politics and GTA gridlock.


Key Programming: Accountability in Action

The station is defined by its refusal to ask "polite" questions. Here is why their lineup stands out:

Mid-day with Alex Pierson

With over 20 years of experience, Alex Pierson is known for her "cross-examination" style. She is the leading voice for accountability regarding Eglinton LRT delays and city budget transparency.

Toronto Today with Greg Brady

Leveraging his deep background in sports media, Brady connects the dots between city politics and the logistics of major sports events at Scotiabank Arena.

The Ben Mulroney Show: Why It’s Worth a Listen

This isn’t just another news recap—Ben Mulroney’s show mixes personality, sharp humour, and real insight. It stands out for its two-layer format, starting with hyper-local GTA and Ontario issues, then expanding to national conversations with top experts and political figures. The result is a balanced, engaging listen that works just as well for office workers as it does for people on the road.

Listening Tip: How to Find the Show Online Missed a live show? You can stream full episodes of The Ben Mulroney Show or Alex Pierson on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or watch studio highlights on the official YouTube channel.

Comparison of 640 Toronto and Newstalk 1010

While both dominate the talk format, 640 is traditionally seen as more hard-hitting and critical of government from a taxpayer’s perspective (especially with Alex Pierson), while 1010 is often viewed as the voice of the establishment—more moderate, polished, and restrained in tone.

Feature 640 Toronto (CFIQ) Newstalk 1010 (CFRB)
Best For Those who want straightforward discussions about taxes, housing, and "common sense" without political correctness. Those who want to know the official agenda, listen to top interviewers and national-level analysis.
Traffic Reports Every 15 minutes (on the :15, :30, :45, :00) "Frequent" during rush hour
Ownership Corus Entertainment Bell Media
Tone Edgy, blunt, and provocative. Polished, measured, and traditional.
Persona Your "blunt neighbor." Your "conservative grandfather."
Focus Hyper-local (garbage pickup, local closures). More national and broad-scope.
Key Audience Blue-collar workers, commuters, small business owners. Government officials, corporate professionals.
Political Leaning Center-right / Populist. Focuses on taxpayer accountability. Establishment Center / Moderate. Reflects traditional institutional views.

Sports & Technical Specs

Since 2013, 640 hasn't been a play-by-play station for the Maple Leafs. Instead, it covers sports from a city perspective—analyzing the economic and social impact of "Jurassic Park" and downtown logistics rather than just the final scores. Technically, its 50,000-watt signal from Lincoln, Ontario, ensures clear reception from Buffalo to Rochester, making it a vital emergency resource for the GTA.

Life Hack: Navigating the Ad Breaks

AM radio carries significant ad loads (up to 18 minutes per hour). For longer uninterrupted listening, you can use the Global News podcast archives. The Alex Pierson segments are a popular option if you'd like to catch up on previous discussions at your own pace.

At a Glance

Frequency: 640 AM

Slogan: «Smart. Local. On Air.»

First air date
July 1, 1957
Region
Ontario
Call sign
CFIQ
Frequency
640 AM
Owner
Corus Entertainment
Broadcast area:
Greater Toronto, Southern Ontario

Network stations

Sister stations

Shows

  • The Alex Pierson ShowThe Alex Pierson ShowMonday - Friday 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM · 1:00 AM (replay)
  • The Employment Law ShowThe Employment Law ShowMonday – Thursday 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM · Saturday 10 AM - 11:00 AM · Sunday 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • No B.S. with Brad SmithNo B.S. with Brad SmithWeekdays 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Toronto Today with Greg BradyToronto Today with Greg BradyMon. - Fri. 5:30 AM - 9:00 AM
  • The Ben Mulroney ShowThe Ben Mulroney ShowMonday - Friday 3:00 PM - 6:00 P.M.

Contacts

Official Website
https://globalnews.ca/radio/640toronto/
Address
25 Dockside Dr, Toronto, ON M5A 1B6
Phone number
On-air calls: 416-870-6400
Main Reception: 416-479-7000
Newsroom: 416-646-8640
E-mail
News Tips: 640News@corusent.com, General Comments & Inquiries: comments@640toronto.com

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