The Current

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Georgia, after the country’s incoming government halted talks to join the European Union. Eurasian expert Stephen Jones says the country is facing rising authoritarianism, and a choice between Europe or Russia.

The Canadian dollar is trading at its lowest level in almost five years. The CBC’s Peter Armstrong talks us through what’s going on, and what might lie ahead for the economy. 

Julie Nystrom was so worried that her teenage daughter would die from a drug overdose, she hired a private investigator to track down the man selling her drugs. She wants police to do more to protect teens against dealers and the toxic drug supply.

Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been nominated as Donald Trump’s health secretary, prompting concerns about rising vaccine hesitancy and misinformation — both in the U.S. and here in Canada. 

When Jessica Waite’s husband died, she found shocking secrets in a box of his belongings. She writes about the anger she felt — and what it meant for her grief — in her memoir The Widow's Guide To Dead Bastards.

The CBC’s Nora Young has been looking at how medical misinformation spreads online, and how influencers have brought fringe ideas into the mainstream. She shares what she found.

A family of orcas wowed a passenger ferry in Vancouver's False Creek this week. We hear why researchers are also delighted by their unusual adventure into the heart of the city.

As a child Bob McKeown dreamed of winning the Grey Cup and being a reporter like his dad — both dreams he achieved. As the Fifth Estate host prepares to retire after 53 years in journalism, he looks back at a career that includes being punched in the face at an interview, bitten by a shark on camera and threatened with prison time for his work.

Tim Rodger fought hard for compensation when his luggage was damaged on a WestJet flight. But when he won and posted about it online, he was told to take the post down. Some experts say there’s a worrying trend where passengers are being silenced by airlines, their lawyers and even the Canadian Transportation Agency.

People don’t think Graham Isador is losing his sight. They think he’s an asshole.

Short Sighted is an attempt to explain what vision loss feels like by exploring how it sounds.

Written and hosted by master storyteller Graham Isador, the show’s mini episodes are an intimate and irreverent look at accessibility and its personal impacts.

Get lost in someone else’s life. From a mysterious childhood spent on the run, to a courageous escape from domestic violence, each season of Personally invites you to explore the human experience in all its complexity, one story — or season — at a time. This is what it sounds like to be human.

More episodes of Personally are available at: lnk.to/NGDubIQS

Filmmaker Lauren Greenfield convinced a bunch of teenagers to give her full access to their phones, where she saw social media’s impact on young minds in real time. She shares what she saw, what teens told her — and what parents should be worried about — in the documentary series Social Studies.

Ricky Garcia struggled with addiction for years, and fought for laws that would allow people in crisis to be forced into involuntary treatment in his home state of Washington. As ideas around involuntary treatment gain traction in Canada, Julia Wong’s documentary Ricky’s Law explores how the approach is working south of the border.

The prime minister held an emergency meeting with provincial premiers Wednesday, to discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs threat. N.L. Premier Andrew Furey and N.B. Premier Susan Holt tell Matt Galloway what happened at that meeting. 

Saskatoon punches above its weight as a hub of creativity and culture, but is also grappling with the same problems roiling other Canadian cities. Matt Galloway hosts a special show at a packed Broadway Theatre to meet the people that make life great in the Paris of the Prairies.

First up, singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker performs some music from his new album Great Big Sky, and shares how he recently found out he has a new fan: King Charles III.

Then, literary power couple Yann Martel and Alice Kuipers only intended to live and work in Saskatoon for a year, but they fell in love with the “land of living skies” — and never left.

Plus, Saskatoon’s new Mayor Cynthia Block shares how she’s going to tackle a growing housing and homelessness crisis, and what it means to be the city’s first female mayor.

Also, some of Saskatoon’s biggest comedy stars share where they find their funny. Dakota Ray Hebert looks back at growing up in a trailer park for her new comedy album Trailer Treasure; and viral social media star Farideh lands some laughs about women’s health and being a (sometimes under-appreciated) mother. 

And Indigenous-led tourism is inviting the world to Saskatchewan, telling the story of this place through a distinctly Indigenous lens. Jenni Lessard and Honey Constant-Inglis tell us about the power and understanding that can come from sharing a story — and a meal.

Literary power couple Yann Martel and Alice Kuipers only intended to live and work in Saskatoon for a year, but they fell in love with the “land of living skies” — and never left.

Singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker performs some music from his new album Great Big Sky, and shares how he recently found out he has a new fan: King Charles III.

Some of Saskatoon’s biggest comedy stars share where they find their funny. Dakota Ray Hebert looks back at growing up in a trailer park for her new comedy album Trailer Treasure; and viral social media star Farideh lands some laughs about women’s health and being a (sometimes under-appreciated) mother. 

Saskatoon’s harsh winters are particularly difficult for the city’s homeless population. We meet some of the people grappling with how to help, from providing life-saving shelter to finding lasting solutions that get people back on their feet. 

We look at how farming is changing in Saskatchewan as farms get bigger, the climate shifts — and younger people fight to get a foothold, even as older farmers struggle to pass on their land. 

Steve and Mary Carroll set up the Saskatoon Diving Club 20 years ago, and this year they sent two divers to the Olympics. Matt Galloway heads to the pool to hear how this landlocked city built a world-class diving program — and take in the view from the 10-metre board.

Award-winning author Guy Vanderhaeghe takes us on a tour of Saskatoon to share what people love about the city, and explain why it’s long been a haven for writers and artists.

Nova Scotians go to the polls Tuesday, in a snap election called late last month. Guest host Peter Armstrong talks to voters about what’s shaping their decision, from health care to housing.

Finding a job is increasingly frustrating for young people in Canada, as youth unemployment hovers near a 10-year high. We look at what’s driving the problem, and how to turn it around.

Mats Sundin captained the Toronto Maple Leafs for 11 seasons, and still has more career goals, overtime goals and points than any other Leafs player. In a conversation from last month, he reflects on his NHL career — and why his family was important at every turn.

Former federal justice minister Irwin Cotler has revealed he was the victim of a planned assassination attempt, backed by the government of Iran. The human rights advocate talks to Matt Galloway about living under police protection — and why it won’t stop his outspoken criticism of the Iranian regime, or his efforts to help the people living under it. 

People in Saskatchewan have long trusted meteorologist Terri Lang to steer them through wild weather, from summer tornadoes to walloping snowfalls. She talks to Matt Galloway about retirement, armchair forecasters and why she doesn't tell people at parties what she does.

Rats can drive little cars — and not only that, getting behind the wheel seems to bring them joy. Researcher Kelly Lambert explains why she taught rodents how to burn rubber, and what it might teach us about ourselves. 

The Liberal government announced a GST holiday on everything from alcohol to Christmas trees, plus a $250 cheque for anyone earning less than $150,000. We look at who the temporary tax cut might help more — the public or the governing party — with the CBC’s Rosemary Barton, the Globe and Mail’s Stephanie Levitz and the Toronto Star’s Ryan Tumilty.

Meghan Fahey has shut down her online store selling greeting cards — at her busiest time of year — because the Canada Post strike means she can’t deliver to her customers. We look at the strike’s impact on small businesses; the sticking points between the two sides; and why some observers say it’s time for Canada Post to change its mandate.

Imagine powering your home by tapping into the relentless energy of the ocean’s waves. Scientists in Oregon are trying to make that dream a reality, testing devices that could turn the motion of the ocean into a staggering amount of electricity. 

International law has been replaced by the law of the jungle when it comes to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, says Palestinian human rights lawyer Raji Sourani. He wants the international community to hold Israel to account and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians.

The CBC's Susan Ormiston joins us from the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, where the clock is ticking for negotiators to reach a deal to finance years of climate pledges. 

Climate change is fuelling a spike in human trafficking in India's West Bengal region. The CBC's South Asia correspondent Salimah Shivji explains how dramatic shifts in climate are wreaking enormous change in peoples' livelihoods and safety.

Tracy Gomez says perimenopause turned her life upside down and eventually cost her her job — and she's not alone. A new B.C. study of more than 1,500 women looks at the economic impacts of menopause and perimenopause, and the barriers to getting treatment.

A new study says three quarters of adults in the U.S. are obese or overweight, while figures put two thirds of Canadians into the same category. We look at what’s contributing to our collective weight gain and how to tackle the growing problem of obesity. 

Some teachers say kids are just plain ruder these days, with a sharp increase in interruptions and outbursts in the classroom. We look at what’s driving that incivility, and what it means for these kids’ education and the adults they’ll become. 

Ukraine fired long-range, U.S.-made missiles into Russia for the first time, after outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden gave the green light. We look at how Russia might respond, and what Trump’s incoming presidency will mean for the war. 

Florida mother Megan Garcia believes an AI chatbot led her 14-year-old son to take his own life. Now she's suing Google and Character.ai, the company behind the digital companion.

From Harry Styles, to Dev Patel, to Jeremy Allen White — dozens of celebrity lookalike competitions have popped up in recent weeks. But why are doppelgängers all the rage, when they used to be a sign of bad luck? Nathaniël Siri and Edward Toledo are two lookalikes who say that they share similar interests and traits. However, a psychologist says not all doppelgängers share much in common aside from their looks.

As the addiction crisis continues to affect people and communities across Canada, some political leaders say that involuntary treatment can help those with severe mental illness or addiction get the care they need. Others say that getting help should always be a choice, made by individuals in consultation with their healthcare providers and loved ones. We hear from one mayor who wants his city to be considered for any future involuntary care pilot projects. 

Nine wealthy Canadian families and foundations have committed a total of $405 million over the next ten years to help with the climate change fight. The donors say that addressing the complex issue of climate change is multifaceted, and their funding is just the ‘one domino that gets things going.’ 

The Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz predicts economic chaos under Trump, but says he also understands why many people feel that the system isn't working for them — and why they voted for change. He talks to Matt Galloway about inequality, Elon Musk and a more progressive form of capitalism.

Shawndra Whaley says she cried and cried at Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto Thursday, overcome by the emotions of being with thousands of other Swifties. We look at why the singer inspires such passion in her fans — including Dawn Johnston, a professor who has lectured on the cultural importance of the singer, and is a bit of a Swiftie herself.

My Little Pony is being inducted into The National Toy Hall of Fame, along with Transformers and the card game Phase 10. Chris Bensch, chief curator at The Strong Museum of Play, explains why these vintage toys have had such a lasting influence. 

Millions of people shared their DNA with 23andMe, but now the company is in financial trouble and shedding 40 per cent of its workforce. What does that mean for all the genetic information the company holds?

A B.C. teenager is in critical condition with bird flu, in what's believed to be the first domestically acquired case of H5N1 avian influenza in Canada. With the source of the infection still unknown, we look at the possibility of a wider outbreak — and what people can do to reduce that risk. [CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said this was the first human case of avian influenza caught in Canada. In fact, the case is the first domestically acquired case of H5N1 avian influenza in this country. Two poultry farm workers in B.C.'s Fraser Valley fell ill with H7N3 avian influenza during an outbreak in 2004.]

We look at the rich history and allure of butter, amid news that thieves in Ontario are stealing it in bulk to sell on the black market. 

Last month the Assembly of First Nations voted down a draft agreement with the federal government on child welfare reform, worth $47.8 billion. Matt Galloway talks to Chief Derek Nepinak, who says his community needed this agreement; and advocate Cindy Blackstock, who says the goal isn’t a perfect deal, but a just one.

Christine Harron, a book-loving teenager from Hanover, Ontario, leaves for school in the spring of 1993 and is never seen again. A suspect emerges, confessing to her murder, but the case falls apart and Christine's family are left without answers.

In Season 9 of the award winning podcast Someone Knows Something, David Ridgen, along with Christine's mother, reopen the investigation and come face to face with the man who said he killed Chrissy.

Someone Knows Something is the investigative true crime series by award-winning documentarian David Ridgen. Each season tackles an unsolved case, uncovering details and bringing closure to families.

More episodes of Someone Knows Something are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/Agj3dQwc

Emily Quint waited months for the trial of the man she alleges sexually assaulted her, but the case was stayed after it took too long to be heard. That was based on the strict time limits laid out in the Supreme Court’s so-called Jordan decision, which Quint says is more concerned with the rights of accused perpetrators of violence than the rights of survivors. 

Christine Harron was 15 when she disappeared from Hanover, Ont., in 1993. Her mother Mary Ann has struggled to find answers ever since, and has now teamed up with investigative filmmaker David Ridgen to find answers in the new season of CBC podcast Someone Knows Something.

Adam Pettle has struggled with a gambling addiction since he was a teenager, eventually racking up debts that forced him to sell his family home. The recent boom in online sports betting made Pettle feel like he had a racetrack in his pocket 24/7, and a new report warns that the industry is creating a public health crisis that should be treated like alcohol and tobacco.

Jas Arora’s life was turned upside down by phone calls from strangers demanding money and threatening violence if he didn’t pay up. He’s not alone. The CBC documentary Our House explores threats and extortion targeting members of the South Asian community in Canada, and why the RCMP alleges the criminals have links to India’s government. 

Ten Indigenous people have been killed during interactions with police since August, prompting calls for a national inquiry. Matt Galloway talks to Nadalie Saddleback, whose 15-year-old grandson Hoss Lightning was fatally shot by the RCMP three months ago. 

At 91, the great Willie Nelson has released his 153rd album — and shows no signs of slowing down. Music journalist John Spong has ranked all 153 of those records and explores the artist’s story in the podcast, One By Willie.

Sonia and Guy d'Artois were part of a secret force that parachuted into occupied France to help fight Nazis during the Second World War. In May, Nahlah Ayed told the story of their love affair — and their mission behind enemy lines — in her book, The War We Won Apart.

About 30 veterans have graduated so far from Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Ottawa, thanks to a Veterans Affairs Canada education and training benefit. Graduates Frank Ouellette and Melissa Paris share how cooking has helped them heal, find purpose and move forward after their military service. 

The COP29 climate summit begins today, with uncertainty about the impact U.S. president-elect Donald Trump will have on climate change policy. Matt Galloway talks to a panel of climate experts about what could happen if the U.S. retreats from the fight, and what roles the international community should take on. 

There have been violent confrontations between Sikh separatists and Hindu nationalists outside temples in B.C. and Ontario. We look at what's behind the protests, how the diaspora here is responding and what it will take to turn down the temperature.

Some Ontario mayors are asking Premier Doug Ford to invoke the notwithstanding clause so they can clear homeless encampments in their cities. Matt Galloway talks to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who signed the letter; and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, who says the solution lies elsewhere.

Younger men voted for Donald Trump in big numbers, perhaps influenced by endorsements from ultra-popular podcasters like Joe Rogan and Lex Fridman. Journalist Rebecca Jennings explains how podcasters and influencers are shaking up the political ecosystem — and eclipsing mainstream media.

What is it about air travel that prompts so many people to behave so badly? As one airline tries measures to shame passengers who jump the boarding queue, we ask an etiquette expert about the dos, don’ts and absolutely nots of air travel.

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has promised an America-first approach to trade, with huge tariffs to back it up. What can Ottawa do to protect Canada’s economy?

A new audio project gathers the sounds of human migration, from the rhythm of a baby’s heartbeat to the sizzle of refugees cooking food, in a land far from home. Stuart Fowkes says his project aims to highlight the humanity in one of the most polarizing topics of our time.

What does Donald Trump’s victory tell us about the state of the United States, and its future? Matt Galloway talks to historians Carol Anderson and Jill Lepore about how the economy, class, race and gender played into this election — and where things go from here. 

What might the next four years hold? We talk to Connecticut Republican Party chairman Ben Proto and Keneisha Grant, an associate professor of political science at Howard University.

Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States, and in the end it wasn’t even close. Matt Galloway talks to political analysts about why voters weren’t put off by Trump’s criminal convictions and inflammatory rhetoric — and what Democrats misread about the mood of the electorate.

Tracey Danka is a staunch Trump supporter; her husband Ed voted for Kamala Harris. They tell us about the mood in their house the day after the election. And we check back in with voters we met in Michigan: Audrey Lance, an obstetrician who campaigned for Kamala Harris on reproductive rights; and Brian Pannebecker, founder of Auto Workers for Trump.

Political scientist Robert Spitzer talks us through the ongoing criminal cases facing Trump, and whether he will use his presidential powers to go after his “enemies.”

As election day finally arrives in the U.S., we check back in with three undecided voters in crucial swing states that could decide whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris become the country’s next president. What helped them make up their minds?

Anishinaabe senator and renowned lawyer Murray Sinclair died Monday, aged 73. Matt Galloway talks to Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Indigenous advocate Cindy Blackstock about the man they knew, and his legacy.

The world has “become incapable of making peace,” says UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi, allowing escalating conflicts to force more than 120 million people from their homes in places like Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan and Mexico. Grandi talks to Matt Galloway about the plight of those refugees and why he thinks the United Nations is failing to protect the victims of war. 

Sandra Demontigny was in her 30s when she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, a disease she watched eat away at her father and grandmother. Demontigny wants to one day access medical assistance in dying and has been fighting for people in her position to consent to the procedure in advance, while they still can. Now, the Quebec government has agreed to the change — we hear what that means to Demontigny and her fight for a good death.

Céline Dion returned to the global stage this summer after a rare illness forced her out of the spotlight and threatened her decades-long career. The new CBC podcast Celine: Understoodexplores her ascent from a small-town Quebec singer to a global pop icon.

Donald Trump has been ramping up his unfounded claims of election fraud, fuelling fears that this week’s U.S. presidential election could be contested or even become violent. We look at the brewing battle over casting those votes — and counting them fairly.

In her new book Going to Seed, Kate J. Neville reflects on the value of being idle. In September, she talked about the importance of escaping the busyness that builds up around family, work and social demands.

Ruaridh Nicoll, Cuba correspondent with The Guardian, tells guest host Susan Ormiston how the island’s multiple power shutdowns point to the overall decline of the government’s services — it has few true allies, is financially strapped and is at risk of becoming a failed state. 

Food bank usage has surged in recent years, with a new report from Food Banks Canada indicating over two million visits in March 2024 alone. Experts suggest that income support and making healthy food more affordable through price controls could help Canadians. 

As days get shorter and temperatures drop, flu season is upon us. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, tells guest host Susan Ormiston about what to expect this year. 

Fatbergs are causing costly plumbing issues and sewage overflow in Metro Vancouver. These rock-like masses of waste form when fat, oil and grease are mixed with non-biodegradable items like wet wipes – which is why wastewater experts want us to think twice about what we put down the toilet and drain.

Sarah Smarsh grew up on a wheat farm in Kansas, and in her new essay collection Bone of the Bone: Essays on America by a Daughter of the Working Class, she tackles the narrative that people from the heartland are just “backwards, bigoted, terrible folks.” 

Israel’s government passed a law on Monday to ban the UN’s Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA), the main source of aid for Palestinians. A spokesperson for the organization says it will cause deadly consequences for Palestinians who are already suffering.

They needed certainty. They got chaos. For over a decade, countless people from at least five different countries put their trust in a company offering prenatal paternity tests. It promised clients “99.9% accuracy” — but then routinely, for over a decade, identified the wrong biological fathers.

Investigative journalists Jorge Barrera and Rachel Houlihan track down the people whose lives were torn apart by these bad results, the shattered families and acrimonious court cases that followed, and the story behind the company that continues to stand by its testing and is still operating today.

About Uncover: Crime. Investigation. Revelation. Uncover brings you explosive, high-caliber true crime year-round. From CIA mind control to serial abuse, mysterious disappearances to wrongful imprisonment. Each season features a new host who is deeply connected to the story, committed to tracking down the truth. With new episodes weekly, and over twenty seasons to choose from, Uncover represents the best in true crime.

More episodes of Uncover are available at: https://lnk.to/bYdQKYS0

Conservation advocates at the UN’s biological diversity convention propose that fungi be categorized separately from animals and plants, as they can play a significant role in protecting the environment.

For over a decade, countless people’s lives were turned upside down when a Canadian company knowingly issued incorrect paternity tests — despite promising “99.9 per cent accuracy.” Investigative journalists Jorge Barrera and Rachel Houlihan tell this story in Bad Results, the latest season of CBC’s true crime podcast, Uncover.

It's been three years since Indigenous leaders in Kamloops, Cowessess and other First Nations revealed there were hundreds of unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools. Kimberly Murray, who was appointed special independent interlocutor for missing children and unmarked graves and burial sites associated with Indian Residential Schools, talks about her new report — and the 42 obligations Canadian institutions must meet.

In response to Canadians struggling to afford housing, the Conservative leader has pledged to remove the GST on newly-built homes sold for less than a million dollars. Economist Mike Moffatt likes the idea, but says that it needs to go further by building more homes. 

New Brunswick chose change, the Saskatchewan Party won a fifth straight majority, and the B.C. result was so close it took days to decide. Our national affairs panel looks at what these provincial results might mean for the next federal election — and whether “turbulence is all but guaranteed.”

Ukraine says more than 19,000 children have been taken into Russia since the war began — and most have not returned. Guest host Susan Ormiston talks to Mykola Kuleba, Ukraine’s former children’s ombudsman, who is urging the international community to help bring those children home.

In the face of human-made climate change, philosopher Todd May asks whether we even deserve to inhabit this planet in his book, Should We Go Extinct? In September, he told Matt Galloway that the question could force us to consider how to be better stewards of the Earth.

When journalist Tanya Talaga's great uncle requested government documents about his mother, he was told she didn't exist. In her book The Knowing, Talaga digs into how her family’s Indigenous identity was erased, and what that tells us about Canadian history.

Historian Timothy Snyder says thinking about freedom as “me against the system” is actually a trap that stops people from being truly free. The best-selling author of On Tyranny spoke with Matt Galloway at the Vancouver Writers Fest about his new book On Freedom, and why he’s now “100 per cent convinced” that there will be violence around the looming U.S. election.

Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach is facing allegations of sexual assault from 13 women, spanning decades. The Fifth Estate’s Mark Kelley spoke to some of those women, and put the allegations to Stronach in exclusive one-on-one interviews.

Mats Sundin captained the Toronto Maple Leafs for 11 seasons, and still has more career goals, overtime goals, and points than any other Leafs player. He reflects on his NHL career — and the importance of family at every twist and turn — in his new memoir Home and Away.

Journalist Bob Woodward's new book, War, takes us inside the White House to explore how the presidencies of Joe Biden and Donald Trump tackled global conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East to the fight for the American presidency itself.

Pauline Nickerson says it would be a miserable world without music. She and her husband Arnold, both in their 90s, host weekly kitchen parties in Nova Scotia, bringing music and joy to a faithful crowd of seniors who never miss a week.

Abortion is top of mind for many U.S. voters following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We talk to women in Michigan about what the issue means to them, and what this election means for health care and reproductive rights across the whole country.

Arab-American residents of Dearborn, Mich., have usually voted Democrat. But anger over the war in the Middle East is prompting many voters to turn away from Kamala Harris, and consider a protest vote for Donald Trump. In this crucial swing state, could that anger decide the outcome of this entire election?

Michigan has been called the state that put the world on wheels, but after weathering decades of decline the state’s auto industry is now reckoning with the transition to electric vehicles. We hear why one retired auto worker is backing Donald Trump, despite what he said about Detroit.