Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode: Another Tory MP out, ostrich farm cull, U.S. cuts flights, finding cancer in your genes, and more
Date: November 6, 2025
Hosts: Susan Bonner, Stephanie Skenderis

Overview

This episode covers major news stories of the day with a focus on Canadian and global events. Key stories include the resignation of another Conservative MP amid tight budget votes in Ottawa, the court-mandated cull of ostriches at a BC farm due to avian flu, U.S. flight reductions from the ongoing government shutdown, breakthroughs in genetic cancer screening, Quebec's controversial doctors bill, climate action at the COP30 summit in Brazil, and updates on national school food programs. The episode also concludes with a heartwarming story featuring a moose and some classic Canadian kindness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Another Conservative MP Resigns Amid Turmoil in Ottawa

Segment: 00:48–06:07

• Matt Genarou, MP for Edmonton Riverbend, announces resignation.
  • Genarou’s letter expresses disappointment but admiration for colleagues:

    "I ran in the last election hopeful that Canadians would put their faith in a team led by Pierre Polievre's conservatives... Although the outcome was not what I anticipated...earlier today I spoke with our opposition whip to inform him of my decision to resign as a member of Parliament." — Tom Perry quoting Genarou (02:37)

• Significance:
  • Follows another Tory MP, Chris Don Tremont, crossing the floor to the Liberals, tightening margins on upcoming budget confidence votes.
  • Liberal government now within two votes of majority; New Democrats hold power to sway outcome.
• Leadership Impact:
  • Raised questions about Pierre Polievre’s future as Conservative leader, especially ahead of a leadership vote in Calgary.

2. Supreme Court Allows BC Ostrich Farm Cull to Move Forward

Segment: 06:08–09:17

• Background:
  • Canada's Supreme Court declines to hear a final appeal; culling of ~300 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farm proceeds after avian flu discovered in two birds last year.
• Emotions Run High:
  • Protests and supporters at the farm, international attention, and high-profile support (including Dr. Oz and U.S. billionaire John Catsimatidis).
• Arguments:
  • Advocates argue the remaining birds likely have antibodies and could be used for research.

    "I think there should be a thorough investigation... I am concerned about bureaucracies that don't have... checks and balances." — John Catsimatidis (07:45, 08:01)

  • CFIA states that under international treaty, culls are necessary to prevent spread; "Canada had to proceed this way." — Prof. Jean Pierre Vayancourt (08:29)
• Community Impact:
  • Farm owners lose rare, named animals; compensation capped at $3,000/bird, but "they've already lost everything."

3. U.S. Cuts Flights Amid Prolonged Government Shutdown

Segment: 09:17–12:05

• Situation:
  • FAA reducing flight capacity by 4–10% at 40 airports due to lack of air traffic controllers working without pay during ongoing shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history.
• Key Quotes:

  "We’re not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating." — Brian Bedford, FAA administrator (09:56)
  "The stress is the pressure. The fatigue is setting in." — Nick Daniels, National Air Traffic Controllers Association president (10:20)

• Implications:
  • 3,500–4,000 flights/day cut, international flights currently exempt. Travelers are anxious, with family plans at risk for holidays.
• Advice:

  "The thing I always personally like to do is book directly with the airline... You'll always get better support." — Paul Bernardini, Flighty marketing director (11:39)

• Public Sentiment:

  "They need to figure this stuff out." — Traveler reaction (11:51)

4. Genetic Testing to Catch Cancer Before It Spreads

Segment: 13:01–15:55

• Major Initiative:
  • Princess Margaret Cancer Centre launches a study to genotype 100,000 Canadians to identify cancer and disease risk early.
• Patient Story:
  • Leslie Born discovered a BRCA2 gene mutation after late-stage ovarian cancer diagnosis:

    "That is the one piece of information... I wish I had known." — Leslie Born (13:32–13:39)

  • She would have taken preventative action if she had known.
• Scientific Vision:

  "The whole genetics community is actually looking at how to roll out genomic sequencing across larger populations." — Dr. Richard Kim (14:12)

• Counselor Perspective:

  "Our traditional methods of referral of high risk families are definitely missing the majority of at risk individuals." — Laura Palma, genetic counselor (15:05)

• Challenges:
  • Need for more resources and specialized professionals to expand testing.
• Success:
  • Early knowledge gives patients more options — Leslie Born now screens frequently, remains cancer free.

5. Quebec's Doctor Bill Triggers Backlash and Resignations

Segment: 15:55–18:34

• Contentious Legislation:
  • Law links physician pay to performance metrics, threatens fines for certain protest tactics; doctors call it draconian and challenge it in court.
• Personal Toll:

  "It's just disrespectful and essentially just trying to pass the buck for their failings in terms of providing the resources necessary." — Dr. Trevor Hennessy (16:27)

  • Dr. Hennessy resigns leadership post in protest.
• Patients Impacted:

  "Me and my two young children... we’re going to lose our doctor." — Camille Cosette Girard (17:37)

• Recruitment Drive:
  • Other provinces (e.g., Ontario) actively recruiting Quebec doctors:

    "With the recent changes in Quebec, people had already been reaching out to us looking for opportunities." — Lebe Numecavor, Brant Community Healthcare (18:12)

6. COP30 Climate Conference Opens in Brazil Without U.S. Presence

Segment: 19:50–22:48

• Global Context:
  • COP30 opens in the Amazon for the first time, but U.S. absent as Trump administration boycotts, PM Mark Carney also absent due to domestic budget crisis.
• UN Message:

  "We have failed to ensure we remain below 1.5 degrees... Every fraction of a degree means more hunger, displacement and loss, especially for those least responsible." — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (19:56–20:25)

• Host Country’s Ambition:
  • Brazil launches "Tropical Forest Forever Facility" for rainforest preservation, but struggles to secure initial funds.
• Expert Analysis:

  "Belen will test the capacity for international collaboration at a time of divisive politics, trade disputes and economic pressures." — David Wasco, World Resources Institute (22:04)

• Climate Urgency:
  • Recent superstorms and intensified hurricanes exemplify the intensifying climate emergency.

7. National School Food Program — Progress, Gaps, and Needs

Segment: 24:53–27:07

• Program Update:
  • Federal government to make school meal funding permanent if the new budget passes.
• On the Ground:
  • Implementation varies; some communities lack adequate funding despite federal promises.

  "To be honest, we are still waiting to get our funding... portion being increased." — Khudeja Shaikh, Albion Neighbourhood Services (25:34)

• Impact in Newfoundland:
  • Federal funds help reach more children but only about half of students benefit so far.

    "We anticipate reaching approximately half of the 63,000 students in this current school year." — John Finn, School Lunch Association (26:10)

• Expert Wish:

  "I would encourage... increased investment across all levels of government so that kids can more equally access school meal programs." — Amberly Ritz, University of Saskatchewan (26:44)

• Need:
  • Advocates call for doubling federal investment to ensure every child gets fed.

8. Other Notable News

• Sports:
  • Professional Women's Hockey League: Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent debut; first matchup on November 21 (22:48).
  • Toronto Blue Jays: Post-season run brings national unity and pride despite loss.

    "Not just to raise spirits, but to unite people... to give people a reason to feel better about everything going on in the world right now." — Mark Shapiro, Blue Jays president (24:03, 24:15)

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• "There’s no respect here for an agency that’s gone rogue and has gross amounts of freedom." — Katie Pasitney, ostrich farm spokesperson (06:51)
• "They need to figure this stuff out." — Anonymous U.S. traveler on government shutdown flight chaos (11:51)
• "That is the one piece of information... I wish I had known." — Leslie Born, cancer patient discovering BRCA2 (13:36–13:39)
• "It's just disrespectful and essentially just trying to pass the buck for their failings in terms of providing the resources necessary." — Dr. Trevor Hennessy on Quebec’s doctor bill (16:27)
• "People cannot understand what are emissions or metric tons of carbon, but everybody knows how they fuel pollution." — Brazil's President Lula (21:24)
• "Not just to raise spirits, but to unite people... to give people a reason to feel better about everything going on in the world right now." — Mark Shapiro, Toronto Blue Jays president (24:03–24:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tory MP Resignation & Ottawa Politics: 00:48–06:07
• BC Ostrich Farm Cull Decision: 06:08–09:17
• U.S. Flight Reductions / Shutdown: 09:17–12:05
• Genetic Testing for Cancer: 13:01–15:55
• Quebec’s Doctor Bill & Fallout: 15:55–18:34
• COP30 Climate Summit, Brazil: 19:50–22:48
• National School Food Program: 24:53–27:07

Closing: Canadian Kindness (Moose Story)

Segment: 27:07–29:02

• Shawna McAllister of Clinton, BC finds a moose in her horse paddock; with calm kindness—and a Canadian flag—the animal is gently guided back to the wild.

  "So then I walked back to him... and I said, come baby, follow Auntie, let's go... and he walked right out the street and the police officer said, 'We got it from here.'" — Shawna McAllister (28:37)

• Host Susan Bonner concludes:

  "The moose then slipped into the woods. And what could be more Canadian than that?" (29:02)

This episode delivers news both urgent and heartwarming, highlighting political developments, public health actions, scientific strides, social programs, and climate urgency, all with the distinctive Canadian perspective and empathy the hosts promise.