Bondi Beach memorials, Rob Reiner death, food inflation in Canada, and more

Summary

Your World Tonight (CBC)

Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Susan Bonner, Stephanie Skenderis

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Main Theme / Purpose

This episode of "Your World Tonight" delivers in-depth coverage of urgent global and Canadian news, including the aftermath of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, the murder of legendary Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner, Canada’s rising food inflation and flu deaths, disrupted terror plots, and local environmental crises. The show tackles headlines through personal stories, expert analysis, and memorable voices, reflecting both grief and resilience.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Bondi Beach Hanukkah Shooting in Sydney (00:31–05:23)

• Incident recap: Two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people, among them a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi, and a Holocaust survivor (02:43).
• Community impact: Australian Jews are devastated; officials and witnesses recount the trauma and ongoing fear.
  • Quote: “It feels almost like we were unheard, almost invisible.” – Daniela La Cob, Jewish community (03:03)
• Heroism: Fruit seller Ahmed Al Ahmed tackled one of the gunmen, possibly saving many lives (04:14).
  • Quote: “He saved so many people. If it wasn't for him, who knows how long it could have kept on going.” – Jamie Williams (04:35)
• Government and Security Response:
  • Australian PM Anthony Albanese vows to tighten gun laws (04:58).
  • No evidence attack involved a terrorist cell; suspects acted independently.
• International Fallout:
  • Jewish communities and synagogues across Canada and globally under heightened security.

2. Canadian Security Response and Threats (05:23–08:17)

• Heightsened security: Police vehicular and officer presence increased at Jewish events across Canada.
• Threat assessment: CBC obtained an intelligence report warning of realistic threats against Canadian Jewish communities; 108 reported antisemitic incidents in Toronto alone this year.
  • Quote: “The question isn't about whether there's a threat... The question is about when one of them is going to be successful.” – Noah Schach, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (06:39)
• Community resolve: Despite threats, Hanukkah events proceed.
  • Quote: “We don’t go ahead and cave into terror, God forbid.” – Rabbi Chaim Hildesheim (08:12)

3. Foiled Terror Plans in Los Angeles (08:17–11:14)

• Arrests made: Four alleged left-wing extremists from the Turtle Island Liberation Front arrested for planning multi-site bombings on New Year's Eve, “Operation Midnight Sun” (08:49).
  • Quote: “We disrupted this terror plot before buildings were demolished or innocent people were killed.” – Bill Asale, U.S. District Attorney (08:30)
• Context and motives: Detailed use of social media and test bombs; FBI suspects more associates but says major players in this plot are in custody.

4. Rob Reiner and Wife Murdered (12:05–15:49)

• Hollywood mourns: Rob Reiner and wife Michelle found dead; their son Nick in custody for the killings.
  • Quote: “He had one of the kind of greatest unparalleled runs as a Hollywood filmmaker.” – Barry Hertz, Globe and Mail (13:44)
• Life and legacy: Reiner’s work in film/TV highlighted (“This is Spinal Tap,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “A Few Good Men”); his activism, especially support for same-sex marriage rights.
• Political Reaction:
  • President Trump criticized Reiner in a controversial statement, drawing bipartisan condemnation.
    • Quote: “A tortured and struggling but once very talented movie director… who suffered from Trump derangement syndrome.” – Donald Trump, via social media (15:13)
  • California Governor Newsom and others criticized Trump's remarks as insensitive.
• Personal struggles: Details about Reiner’s complicated relationship with his son Nick and their creative collaboration (“Being Charlie”).

5. International News Briefs (15:51–17:55)

• Ukraine peace prospects: President Trump claims a breakthrough is near; US security guarantees to Ukraine under negotiation.
• British political dissident: Jimmy Lai convicted in Hong Kong amid severe restrictions, raising international legal concerns.

6. Surging Flu Deaths Among Children in Ontario (17:55–20:32)

• Public health crisis: Three children aged 5–9 have died recently of influenza-related complications. Hospitals like CHEO in Ottawa report a massive surge in flu cases (18:05).
  • Quote: “The amount of influenza circulating among school aged kids is really tremendous right now.” – Dr. Jesse Papenberg, pediatrician (18:57)
• Vaccine advice: Despite partial match to circulating strains, health professionals urge vaccination, especially for the vulnerable.
• Personal story: Jill Premoli, who lost her child to flu, advocates for universal vaccination as an act of protection.
  • Quote: “Everybody who gets the flu gets it from somebody else.” – Jill Premoli (20:14)

7. Fraser Valley Flooding in British Columbia (20:32–22:54)

• Severe weather: Heavy rainfall and snowmelt lead to rising rivers, over 1,000 evacuation alerts and orders (21:21).
• Government response: Significant federal funding released for flood victims, but delays and lack of U.S.-Canada mitigation action cause frustration.
  • Quote: “What we're looking to do is cover people who are not insurable or for whom affordability is an issue.” – Eleanor Olsefsky, Minister of Emergency Management (22:20)

8. Canada’s Inflation and Escalating Food Prices (23:09–25:58)

• Current state: Official overall inflation steady at 2.2%, but food inflation and rent costs remain much higher: beef up 17.7%, lettuce 25%, coffee 28% annually (23:34).
  • Quote: “The volatility at the cash register is going to be the reality going forward.” – Mike Van Maassel, U. Guelph (23:58)
• Underlying causes: Supply chain issues, extreme weather, tariffs, and biological production factors.
• Macro-economic impact: Even modest inflation rates mean much higher price levels year-on-year, squeezing consumers' abilities to afford basics.

9. Toronto Transit vs. Runner – Public Transit Woes (26:09–27:32)

• Viral experiment: Runner Mac Bauer beats the new $3.5 billion Finch West LRT by 18 minutes running its entire 10 km route.
  • Quote: “It is so obviously painfully slow and, frankly, that community deserves higher order transit.” – Andrew Pulsifer, TTC Riders (27:20)
• Transit advocacy: Public outcry over slow travel times spurs city response to improve transit signal timing.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It feels almost like we were unheard, almost invisible.” – Daniela La Cob, Bondi Beach shooting segment (03:03)
• “He saved so many people. If it wasn't for him, who knows how long it could have kept on going.” – Jamie Williams on hero fruit seller (04:35)
• “[He] had one of the kind of greatest unparalleled runs as a Hollywood filmmaker.” – Barry Hertz on Rob Reiner (13:44)
• “A tortured and struggling but once very talented movie director…who suffered from Trump derangement syndrome.” – Donald Trump on Rob Reiner’s death (15:13)
• “The question isn't about whether there's a threat to Jewish Canadians. The question is about when one of them is going to be successful.” – Noah Schach (06:39)
• “The volatility at the cash register is going to be the reality going forward.” – Mike Van Maassel, food inflation (23:58)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bondi Beach mass shooting: 00:31–05:23
• Canadian community and security response: 05:23–08:17
• Foiled LA New Year’s terror plot: 08:17–11:14
• Rob Reiner and wife murdered: 12:05–15:49
• International news: Ukraine/Hong Kong: 15:51–17:55
• Ontario children’s flu deaths, Canada’s flu season: 17:55–20:32
• Fraser Valley floods: 20:32–22:54
• Food inflation in Canada: 23:09–25:58
• Toronto runner vs. LRT, public transit debate: 26:09–27:32

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Tone & Language

The episode maintains CBC’s signature mix of sober news delivery and accessible analysis. The hosts and reporters blend empathy—especially in tragedy-related segments—with analytical clarity and a sense of urgency when addressing public safety and economic challenges. Community voices and experts add emotional resonance and context.

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Conclusion

This episode distills a world in flux, shaped by tragedy, resilience, and urgent questions about public safety, cost of living, and justice. The voices—from grieving parents to activists, medical experts, and transit advocates—flesh out headlines with humanity and context, making the episode compelling for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of both global and Canadian current events.

Transcript

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[Susan Bonner]

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[Sasha Petrcik]

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[Thomas Daigle]

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[CBC News Reporter]

This is a CBC podcast. Just the most beautiful family event with kids running around and you know, it's a celebration. And to think that people were there with heavy weapons picking off children and the elderly. It's just grief. Utter grief.

[Susan Bonner]

The joy of a Jewish holiday gathering on the warm sands of a popular beach. The shattered by what authorities call an act of pure evil. A mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. The heartbreak in Australia and security fears around the world. Welcome to youo World Tonight. I'm Susan Bonner. It is Monday, December 15, just before 6pm Eastern. Also on the podcast, he was, as.

[CBC News Reporter]

They say in Hollywood, a mensch. A trustworthy and friendly and stable and reliable person that it was fun to be with.

[Susan Bonner]

A master of Hollywood stories gone in a shocking real life tragedy. Legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife murdered in their home. The couple's son under arrest as tributes pour in from entertainers and political leaders. Donald Trump uses the moment to attack.

[CBC News Reporter]

And the amount of influenza circulating among school aged kids is really tremendous right now.

[Susan Bonner]

As communities across Canada struggle with a strong and sudden start to flu season. The illness is being blamed for the deaths of three children in Ontario. They came to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Now candles are being lit in mourning. At least 15 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire on a group of people on Bondi beach in Australia, a mass shooting provoking public conversation about extremism, antisemitism and stricter gun control. Sasha Petrcik has more.

[Sasha Petrcik]

Near the site of yesterday's shooting, Flowers for those killed remembering a 10 year old girl named Matilda. A rabbi from Britain, a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine. Australia's Jewish community is in disbelief, says Daniela La Cob, blaming her government.

[Medical Expert]

And it feels almost like we were unheard, almost invisible.

[Sasha Petrcik]

That's echoed by Abril Khan.

[Paul Hunter]

We're a heartbroken community.

[Susan Bonner]

We feel absolutely shattered.

[CBC News Reporter]

This is a horrific act of anti Semitism.

[Sasha Petrcik]

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia won't submit of violence or hatred. Officials say both Suspects have links to the militant group Islamic State.

[CBC News Reporter]

It's extreme perversion of Islam that has.

[Susan Bonner]

Resulted in these catastrophic consequences. And my heart goes out to the grieving families tonight.

[Sasha Petrcik]

The shooting started yesterday evening on one of Sydney's busiest beaches, Bondi. As the Jewish community gathered at one end to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah, Canadian Riley Stranahan fled.

[CBC News Reporter]

I just remember running, running down the street and seeing kids cry, families running. It's terrible. I don't think I've still really processed it, to be honest.

[Sasha Petrcik]

Australian media have identified the gunman as 50 year old Sajid Akram and his 24 year old son Navid. They owned multiple registered guns. Sajid Akram was tackled by a bystander, fruit seller Ahmed Al Ahmed. He's now nothing short of a hero, says Jamie Williams.

[Medical Expert]

He saved so many people.

[CBC News Reporter]

If it wasn't for him, who knows how long it could have kept on going.

[Sasha Petrcik]

The older Akram was shot dead by police. His son is in critical condition in hospital. Albanese suggests they were acting independently.

[Susan Bonner]

There's no evidence of collusion.

[CBC News Reporter]

There's no evidence that these people were part of a cell.

[Sasha Petrcik]

His government says it will now tighten gun laws, making it harder for Australians to own firearms. Tonight, as a Hanukkah menorah was projected on the Sydney Opera House and long lines formed to donate blood for the injured, many in Australia are still in shock. Sasha Petrusic, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

Tributes to the victims aren't limited to Australia. Neither is the fear around the world. And here in Canada, police are increasing their presence around synagogues and Jewish schools. And as Thomas Daigle tells us, an intelligence report obtained by CBC News warns about new threats of an extremist attack in Canada.

[Thomas Daigle]

At a menorah lighting ceremony north of Toronto at dusk, police cars are parked near the crowd as officers keep watch. All of it sure to be a familiar scene across Canada over the eight nights of Hanukkah.

[CBC News Reporter]

Beefing up security. It's not exactly what anybody wants, but it's the reality of our lives right now.

[Thomas Daigle]

That's Rabbi Yisrael Bernath in Montreal, another city where police say they're stepping up patrols to keep Jews safe. CBC News has learned Canada's security and intelligence community has found that the threat of an extremist attack targeting the Jewish community here is a realistic possibility. The Integrated Threat Assessment center stops short of calling it an imminent, credible danger. But the risk will come as no surprise to advocates who've been warning of a dangerous rise in antisemitism since the October 7 Hamas rampage in Israel than the war in Gaza.

[CBC News Reporter]

The question isn't about whether there's a threat to Jewish Canadians. The question is about when one of them is going to be successful.

[Thomas Daigle]

Noah Schach leads Canada's center for Israel and Jewish Affairs. He points to the ISIS inspired mass murder plot that police said they foiled last year by arresting a father and son near Toronto. What's more, from Vancouver to Montreal, there have been shots fired outside Jewish schools and firebombs thrown at synagogues.

[CBC News Reporter]

All of the ingredients that were present that led to this attack, Sydney, are present here in Canada as well.

[Thomas Daigle]

Toronto police say they've received one hundred and eight reports of anti Semitic incidents this year. In Calgary as well, investigators say they've noticed an alarming trend. Staff Sergeant Rod McNeil, absolutely.

[CBC News Reporter]

Our hate crimes unit deal with those types of complaints on a weekly basis.

[Thomas Daigle]

At a Hanukkah event in Ottawa, Prime Minister Mark Carney said it's not enough for Jewish Canadians to just feel safe.

[CBC News Reporter]

Canada is not Canada unless all members of the Jewish community can fully participate in all aspects of Canadian life.

[Thomas Daigle]

Back at the Menorah lighting in Vaughan, north of Toronto.

[CBC News Reporter]

The only option that we have is to be stronger and to bring more light into this world.

[Thomas Daigle]

Rabbi Chaim Hildesheim, who knew one of the victims at Bondi beach, says his community won't be cowed and Hanukkah celebrations will go ahead. And the alternative, he says, would be unthinkable.

[CBC News Reporter]

We don't go ahead and cave into terror, God forbid.

[Thomas Daigle]

Thomas Dagley, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

Federal authorities in Los Angeles say they have foiled a planned terrorist attack allegedly involving left wing extremists who were preparing to strike on New Year's Eve. Paul Hunter has that story.

[CBC News Reporter]

We disrupted this terror plot before buildings were demolished or innocent people were killed.

[Paul Hunter]

Bill Asale, who leads the U.S. district Attorney's office for Los Angeles with the news of the arrests of four people, all from the LA area, all hailing from a group that brands itself fearsomely.

[CBC News Reporter]

The defendants are all radical anti government members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, which according to their own social media, is an anti capitalist, anti government movement that calls for their associates to rise up and fight back against capitalism.

[Paul Hunter]

The alleged plan, foiled by a paid confidential police source, was apparently dubbed Operation Midnight sun and if carried out, would have stunned the US Multiple bombings on multiple targets timed for one of the biggest nights of the year two weeks from now. Here's Akil Davis with the FBI's Los.

[CBC News Reporter]

Angeles Division the subject arrested envisioned planting backpacks with improvised explosive devices to be detonated at multiple locations in Southern California targeting US Companies. These bombs were to blow up at the same time on midnight this New Year's Eve.

[Paul Hunter]

Included among the group's broader targets, say authorities, U.S. immigration agents and their vehicles who'd have been attacked, it's alleged, early next year with pipe bombs. The investigation was aided, they say, by US President Donald Trump's recent directive to step up investigations into groups deemed left wing and extremist.

[CBC News Reporter]

What they are starting to do is.

[Paul Hunter]

Put shown at the news conference video of a campsite in the desert outside Los Angeles depicting, say authorities, components for an apparent test bomb. All of it at a time of heightened concerns on multiple fronts throughout the country. Three weeks ago in Washington, D.C. two National Guard soldiers were shot, one killed, in what was described as an ambush style attack. And as the FBI's Davis reminded Americans at the briefing on the alleged LA bomb plot, referencing Rhode island and Australia.

[CBC News Reporter]

As we're all aware, we've had a busy weekend in this country and abroad with bad news incidents one after another.

[Paul Hunter]

Authorities say there are more members to the group involved with the alleged plans for Los Angeles, but that they believe they've arrested all of those directly associated with that specific plan. Still, said the sheriff of LA County, Robert Luna, I encourage everyone to stay alert, trust your instincts and report suspicious activity. Police say they expect more charges in this case will follow. Paul Hunter, CBC News, Washington.

[Susan Bonner]

Coming right up, a legendary director murdered alongside his wife, mourned around the world and criticized by Donald Trump. Also, as cases surge, health officials in Ontario say three children have died from flu related complications. Later, we'll have this story.

[Peter Armstrong]

I'm Peter Armstrong in Toronto. The latest inflation numbers show price growth last month came in just about on target. But don't tell that to anyone struggling to keep up with relentlessly higher food prices.

[Paul Hunter]

The volatility at the cash register is going to be the reality going forward.

[Peter Armstrong]

The items in your cart that keep costing more and why experts say those higher prices aren't going away anytime soon. I'll have that story coming up on YOUR WORLD tonight.

[Susan Bonner]

His films made audiences laugh and cry. His death is pure tragedy. Los Angeles police say American filmmaker Rob Reiner was murdered together with his wife Michelle in their home on Sunday. Tonight, their son is in custody. Mourners are processing his death alongside his legacy as one of Hollywood's greatest. Cameron McIntosh has more.

[CBC News Reporter]

On the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Roses lay atop Rob Reiners star. Los Angeles police confirm he and his wife Michelle were found dead in their home. Our hearts go out to the family.

[Susan Bonner]

And friends of the reiners.

[CBC News Reporter]

Chief Jim McDonald says Reiners 32 year old son Nick is in custody. He was subsequently booked for murder. Reiner, 78, was the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner. Aren't we on the same side? He got his start as an actor portraying Archie Bunker's son in law, Meathead on the 70s sitcom all in the Family. And when you got a home of your own, you'll be king. In the 80s he moved behind the camera and excelled directing hit after hit movie.

[Peter Armstrong]

We are Spinal Tap for the uk.

[CBC News Reporter]

Including the mockumentary this is Spinal Tap.

[Susan Bonner]

I'm never gonna get out of this town.

[CBC News Reporter]

Amigorey, the coming of age story Stand.

[Susan Bonner]

By Me and before I knew it, we were kissing.

[CBC News Reporter]

Romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally and the military thriller A Few Good Men.

[Paul Hunter]

The truth.

[CBC News Reporter]

You can't handle the truth. Reiner easily crossed genres, even earning the nickname Mayor of Hollywood.

[Peter Armstrong]

Rob was like a father to me.

[CBC News Reporter]

Actor Jerry O' Connell was 11 years old when Reiner cast him in Stand By Me. He would just like feed us lines and new lines that weren't written.

[Paul Hunter]

He had one of the kind of.

[CBC News Reporter]

Greatest unparalleled runs as a Hollywood filmmaker. Barry Hertz is chief film writer with the Globe and Mail. Like Rob Reiner, I felt was very much about serving the story that he was handed and he could work across genre and across budget to deliver something that would really be an all around crowd pleasing hit. Michelle Reiner was an accomplished photographer and producer. She met Rob during production of When Harry Met Sally and helped inspire that movie's happy ending. The Reiners were also politically active, supporting liberal and progressive causes. Rob Reiner co founded the American foundation for Equal Rights, which fought for same sex marriage rights in California and was one of Hollywood's biggest critics of US President Donald Trump.

[Paul Hunter]

There has been this undercurrent of racism in America.

[CBC News Reporter]

This is from a 2016 red carpet interview with CBC News at the Toronto International Film Festival.

[Paul Hunter]

When you see Donald Trump basically giving.

[CBC News Reporter]

Voice to this white supremacist notion, police are not offering any details on what led up to the killings. In 2015, Nick Reiner and his father made a film called Being Charlie, based loosely on Nick Reiner's struggles with addiction. Rob Reiner had spoken publicly about having a volatile relationship with his son as Reiner is being remembered as one of America's greatest filmmakers.

[Susan Bonner]

Susan Cam so many people responding to this news, including the President of the United States, tell us what he said and how people are responding, responding to him.

[CBC News Reporter]

Yes, the president getting a shot in with a bit of a rambling post on his truth social media site, calling Reiner a tortured and struggling but once very talented movie director and comedy star who suffered from Trump derangement syndrome. Now this is getting plenty of criticism from Trump's opponents. California's Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump a sick man and even some conservatives are condemning it. U.S. house member Marjorie Taylor Greene, who's been at odds with the president lately, called this a family tragedy politics should not be involved with. Trump went on to say in the Oval Office later he thought that Reiner was, quote, bad for the country.

[Susan Bonner]

Thank you, Cam.

[CBC News Reporter]

My pleasure.

[Susan Bonner]

The CBC's Cameron McIntosh in Winnipeg. President Donald Trump says an agreement aiming at ending Russia's war in Ukraine is closer than ever. U.S. officials say Washington has agreed to give Ukraine unspecified security guarantees as part of a peace deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Berlin today speaking with European leaders. They have pledged a European led multinational force supported by the U.S. the United Kingdom is condemning the conviction of British citizen Jimmy Lai by a court in Hong Kong. Lai was accused of violating a national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing. He has been a strong voice for democracy in Hong Kong. His son, Sebastian Lai, said the family had expected a guilty verdict, but still finds it devastating. He also says there was no evidence of his father's guilt and the legal system has been compromised by politics.

[CBC News Reporter]

As you know, the trial has been of a destruction of the Hong Kong legal system. I mean, allegations of witness being tortured, no jury, three government appointed judges, judges that mind you, shout at my father on multiple occasions during the trial.

[Susan Bonner]

Lai has spent five years in custody, much of it in solitary confinement. His family says the 78 year old's health has declined rapidly. He faces life in prison. This is yous World Tonight from CBC News. If you want to make sure you stay up to date and never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts, just find the follow button and lock us in. For weeks, there were warnings this flu season would be difficult. Tonight there's a reminder of how dangerous the illness can be for some. Health officials in eastern Ontario say three children there have died from flu related complications. Lauren Pelly has more.

[CBC News Reporter]

We know that pediatric deaths due to influenza occurrence every year in Canada. But it is unusual to see this number of deaths over such a short period of time.

[Medical Expert]

While few details are being released, Ottawa's top doctor says all of the children were between the ages of 5 and 9 years old. Dr. Trevor Arneson also says cheo the children's hospital in Ottawa has seen a surge of flu patients since November.

[CBC News Reporter]

And this is atypical and reflects a a rapid rise of serious flu illness in our region.

[Medical Expert]

That hospital says more than 300 tests came back positive for influenza in the first 10 days of December, a striking spike compared to the same period last year when there were just 11. And there's a similar trend across Ontario. Province wide data shows more than half of flu tests are now coming back positive among kids and teens.

[CBC News Reporter]

That's sky high.

[Medical Expert]

Dr. Jesse Papenberg is a pediatrician and flu researcher based in Montreal.

[CBC News Reporter]

That means the amount of influenza circulating among school age kids is really tremendous right now.

[Medical Expert]

He says. It's a grim numbers game. So much flu among kids means there could be more dire outcomes. And he worries that holiday gatherings will spread influenza into age groups at an even higher risk.

[CBC News Reporter]

What I'm seeing down the road is that we might have a really bad, bad influenza season for our most vulnerable population, which is our elderly.

[Medical Expert]

Doctors say Canadians of all ages still have time to get vaccinated. This year's season is dominated by H3N2, a strain that's known for sending more people into hospital. While the latest flu shot isn't an ideal match for the strain's latest mutations, it offers protection against serious illness from several types of influenza A and influenza biology.

[Susan Bonner]

Nobody wants anyone to go through this.

[Medical Expert]

Mississauga, Ontario, mother Jill Premoli lost her two year old son Jude to influenza B in 2016. His case was relatively rare. Jude was both healthy and vaccinated. Now a flu shot advocate and school board trustee, his mom calls on Canadians to protect each other. Since you never know who's at risk.

[Capital One Advertiser]

I don't want other people to be in our shoes.

[Susan Bonner]

And I think it's important that we keep in mind that everybody who gets the flu gets it from somebody else.

[Medical Expert]

The latest federal numbers show flu outbreaks and hospital admissions are rising across the country. Medical experts say Canada's season might peak in the next few weeks. Lauren Pelley, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

British Columbia's already soaked. Fraser Valley is getting hit with more rain and more flood warnings just as some residents are starting to clean up. Rivers are rising and there's an increased risk of landslides. Caroline Bhagoot has the latest.

[CBC News Reporter]

This is quite high for what we're used to.

[Capital One Advertiser]

David McBride lives across from the rising Chilliwack River. He's been monitoring water levels, hoping his home stays safe.

[CBC News Reporter]

It's going to overflow in some places and it might overflow here, but I don't think being worried about it helps because we chose to live here.

[Capital One Advertiser]

Environment Canada issued rainfall warnings for parts of the Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack and Abbotsford. Up to 80 millimeters of rain could fall on Monday, and warm temperatures are melting snow at higher elevations. Kelly Green is BC's Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.

[Medical Expert]

As of this afternoon, there's approximately 100 properties under evacuation order and 1,200 properties under evacuation alert. This remains a dynamic and evolving situation.

[Susan Bonner]

And the risks are real.

[Capital One Advertiser]

There is some good news. The overflow from the Nooksack river, which caused the flooding in the Fraser Valley, has stopped coming across the US border into British Columbia. But there's growing frustration about the lack of flood mitigation plans from the federal government, which was promised after historic floods in 2021. More than a thousand homes were flooded.

[Susan Bonner]

Really, my heart goes out to all of those in the province of British Columbia that are affected by this most challenging time.

[Capital One Advertiser]

Eleanor Olsefsky is the federal Minister of Emergency management. She says $1 billion in financial assistance has been paid to BC and 4 billion more is coming for claims made after the 2021 flood. She says the process takes time because the government doesn't want to duplicate what private insurance companies already cover.

[Susan Bonner]

What we're looking to do is cover people who are not insurable or for whom affordability is an issue.

[Capital One Advertiser]

Premier David Eby says the federal government needs to work with the US to make sure they do more to stop the Nooksack river from flooding properties north of the border.

[CBC News Reporter]

Well, it's an incredibly challenging issue, I think, because the, the retrofits that are required on their side really don't benefit Americans. They benefit British Columbians and Canadians. And so we really have to find a way to get past that and encourage them or support them in doing the work on their side of the border that can make our life better on this side.

[Capital One Advertiser]

In the meantime, concerns are rising in North Vancouver, which is now under a flood warning. The province says the additional rain could cause landslides, washouts and debris on the roads, cautioning residents to be alert. Caroline Bargut, CBC News, Vancouver.

[Susan Bonner]

New economic data shows Canada's inflation rate was unchanged compared to a month ago, holding steady at 2.2%. It's a snapshot into the cost of living, but not the whole story. A deeper dive reveals prices are still going up in the categories Canadians rely on most. Peter Armstrong reports.

[Peter Armstrong]

Please place item in the it's not your imagination. Everything really is getting more expensive. Leading the charge Food and rent compared to a year ago. Frozen beef prices are up 17.7%. A head of lettuce cost 25%, more coffee up nearly 28%. And experts confirm what we've all been feeling. This isn't a one off.

[Paul Hunter]

The volatility at the cash register is going to be the reality going forward.

[Peter Armstrong]

That's Mike Van Maassel with the Department of Food and Agriculture and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph. He says a whole series of issues, from supply chains to volatile weather and tariffs have driven up food prices. The problem, he says, is that food inflation is a difficult category.

[CBC News Reporter]

Food is different than many other things.

[Thomas Daigle]

Because it is produced in a biological process. So we have much less control.

[CBC News Reporter]

You know, we can respond to demand for computers and demand for cars differently. It's easier for us to respond.

[Peter Armstrong]

Food inflation soared into the double digits during COVID It's come down since then. And month to month, the increases often don't seem too much. But if you compare how much costs have changed over a year or two or three, they quickly become a problem. Even when the headline rate of inflation is at or near the bank of Canada's target of 2%, the it doesn't tell the whole story.

[Susan Bonner]

The 2% CPI measures the rate of growth of prices. It doesn't measure the level change in prices that has happened.

[Peter Armstrong]

Bank of Canada's senior deputy governor Carolyn Rogers highlighted that in last week's decision to leave interest rates unchanged as a.

[Susan Bonner]

Result of CPI being higher than our target in the past. And Canadians are still feeling that. The other thing they're feeling is that where prices are still under a bit of pressure is food and shelter, things that you really can't avoid.

[Peter Armstrong]

Rents aren't increasing quite as fast as they were, but they're still rising. And that leaves many Canadians struggling to keep up. And JP Gervais, chief economist at Farm Credit Canada, says that struggle offers insight into a bigger problem.

[CBC News Reporter]

But the bottom line is that consumers are seeing higher prices and that's going to be that's going to reflect on their ability to purchase other goods as well, because they have to deal with significant food inflation right now.

[Peter Armstrong]

In other words, households have less money to fuel consumer spending and drive any economic recovery in the weeks and months ahead. Peter Armstrong, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

Finally tonight, it's a question you may have asked yourself while stuck in traffic watching people on the sidewalk move faster than the vehicles on the road. Would it be quicker to get out and make the trip by foot. Well, a Toronto man is putting that question to the test. Running alongside public transit routes recently, he went up against the city's brand new LRT line and it wasn't even close.

[CBC News Reporter]

When the LRT was able to go and the stops were a little bit further apart, it was able to make some headway on me. But as we got closer to Finch west, it seemed like the stops were getting closer and closer together. It just really like bogged everything down.

[Susan Bonner]

Mac Bauer is a runner and a public transit user. His man versus machine experiment started last summer, racing Toronto streetcars and posting the results on social media. Bauer obeys the rules of the road, stops at red lights and still has a perfect record. His latest challenge was Toronto's three and a half billion dollar Finch west lrt. It opened last week and a few days later, Bauer ran the entire 10 kilometer route, starting at the same time as the train and arriving 18 minutes faster.

[CBC News Reporter]

It is so obviously painfully slow and frankly, that community deserves higher order transit. They deserve quick vehicles. It was originally promised to take 34 minutes end to end.

[Susan Bonner]

Andrew Pulsifer is the executive director of the advocacy group TTC Riders. He follows Bauer's footwork closely and says it helps draw attention to where Toronto's public transit lags behind. People who ride the new LRT have also been complaining about slow travel times. The mayor says the city's working on giving the trains better traffic signal priority, which will make trips much faster, just in case Bauer wants a rematch. Thank you for joining us on youn World Tonight for Monday, December 15th. I'm Susan Bonner. Talk to you again.

[CBC News Reporter]

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