Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode: Building affordable housing, Parliament returns, Students reflect on international student cap, and more
Air Date: September 14, 2025
Hosts: Susan Bonner & Stephanie Skenderis

Episode Overview

This episode delivers an incisive roundup of the day’s pressing stories, zeroing in on major Canadian and global developments, including:

• The launch of a new federal agency aimed at solving the Canadian housing crisis
• The political landscape as Parliament returns, with Pierre Poilievre leading the opposition
• The impact of Canada’s cap on international student permits
• Extraordinary stories from the international stage, including the shooting of US activist Charlie Kirk and the launch of Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam
• An exploration into British Columbia’s emergent seaweed industry
• Remembering Canadian journalist Beverly Thompson and the legacy of Terry Fox

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada’s Affordable Housing Plan

[Segment begins 01:00]

• Announcement:
  Prime Minister Mark Carney launches "Build Canada Homes," a federal agency initially allocated $13 billion to fast-track affordable housing construction.

• Aims:

  • Focus on building homes for moderate and median income households.
  • Utilization of federal lands in six cities: Dartmouth, Longueuil, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.
  • Promotion of cost-effective construction methods (e.g., factory-built and modular homes), sourcing materials domestically.
  • New "Buy Canadian" policy to bolster national supply chains and create well-paying jobs.
  • Factory-built homes projected to cut costs and emissions by up to 20%.

• Expert Analysis:

  • Carolyn Weitzman, University of Toronto: “The fact that the initial $13 billion budget is going to be focused on non-market housing and using a definition of affordability that makes sense.” [05:10]
  • There is a $1 billion commitment for transitional housing, particularly supporting women escaping violence (commentary from Minister Rishi Valdez).

• Notable Quote:

  • Mark Carney: “Young Canadians are doing everything right... yet for too many of them, rent is unaffordable and home ownership feels entirely out of reach.” [02:40]

2. Parliament Returns: Political Winds Shifting

[Segment begins 08:15]

• Opposition Readies:
  Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre celebrates a by-election win and vows to pressure the Carney government:
  • Focus on reducing costs, fighting crime, revisiting immigration, increasing employment, and advancing housing.
  • “He promised that after 10 years of Liberal government driving up costs and crime and chaos...” [09:15]
• Current Dynamic:
  Political strategist David Coletto notes Poilievre’s remarkable ability to harness public opinion and set the agenda.
  • The Liberal government seeks bipartisan cooperation to enact their legislative agenda in a minority Parliament.
• Budget Watch:
  Government House Leader Stephen McKinnon signals upcoming budget cuts and “hard choices,” with deficits looming as the economy sputters.
• Quote:
  • Mark Carney: “If we can do it with all the provinces, with the unions, with the private sector, with the innovators, with Canadians, surely the opposition parties can cooperate with us.” [11:20]

3. Richmond Hill Daycare Crash and Calls for New Safety Laws

[Segment begins 13:00]

• Incident:
  A public memorial is held for 1.5-year-old Liam Riazzetti, killed after an SUV crashed into a daycare, injuring others.
• Family’s Response:
  • Aunt Mina Riazzetti: “Liam’s Law — that daycares are safe, safe for everyone.” [14:30]
  • Community urges legislative action, beyond “thoughts and prayers.”
• Policy Response:
  Ontario’s Education Minister and the mayor of Richmond Hill advocate for safety assessments and possible legislative reforms.
• Operational Challenges:
  Calls to streamline and improve enforcement across government levels.
  • Krista O’Connor: “Meeting all the requirements...they don’t all work together.” [15:55]

4. International Student Cap: Student Voices and Campus Impacts

[Segment begins 28:45]

• Student Perspective:
  • University of Toronto student Emmanuel Pasternak notes concerns about funding for programs and mounting pressures.
    “Some programs could be at risk of just...having to struggle a little bit more to access the same amount of resources.” [29:40]
  • Other students notice shifting attitudes, with some international students feeling less welcome.
    • Anonymous student from India: “There have been changes in mindset and the way people look at people from India. I would say there’s a lot of ‘just people don’t want us here.’” [31:22]
• Institutional View:
  • Daniela Yomolere (Regina): Reports tuition hikes and tougher payment plans.
  • Peter Halpin, Council of Atlantic Universities: Emphasizes international students' key role for Canada’s future.

5. Global Stories

a. Charlie Kirk’s Murder and US Political Tensions

[Segment begins 18:05]

• Suspect Profile:
  Utah authorities provide background on Tyler Robinson, accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, highlighting internet radicalization and complex personal circumstances.
• Mourning and Division:
  Community reactions show both sorrow and schism, with references to online celebrations of the murder.
  • “There are people actually celebrating his murder online, and that tells you everything you need to know about that side.” [21:38]
• Security:
  US leaders debate increased protection for lawmakers and judiciary.

b. Israel-US Relations and Middle East Tensions

[Segment begins 23:00]

• Backdrop:
  In the wake of an Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar without US notification, Prime Minister Netanyahu affirms US-Israel ties as "unshakable," while regional and diplomatic tensions escalate.

c. Gaza: Music as Balm Amid War

[Segment begins 24:32]

• Human Angle:
  Teacher Ahmad Abuamsha uses music to help displaced children cope in Gaza.
  • “We never stop and we try our best to make heaven inside hell.” [24:50]
  • Student Ahmad Dawood: “We are a people who deserve life like other people. We are a people who deserve to live in peace.” [26:08]
  • Many residents, including Abuamsha, reluctant or unable to relocate south amid ongoing conflict.

d. Africa’s Largest Dam: Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance

[Segment begins 34:45]

• Promise & Controversy:
  Ethiopia inaugurates Africa’s biggest hydroelectric project, promising a transformative energy future.
  • Moses Crispus Okello: “This dam is a history changing piece of infrastructure...” [34:55]
  • Egypt sees the dam as a potential existential threat due to water dependency on the Nile.
  • Professor John Makumamabaku (Weber State): “A lot of Africans are saying Ethiopia has accomplished something that most African countries have never been able to do.” [37:48]

6. Other Headlines

• Richmond Hill Plane Crash: Four people dead, pilot critically injured (16:50).
• Ontario Liberal Leader Steps Down: Bonnie Crombie resigns after a narrow leadership review (40:22).
• Canadian Journalist Beverly Thompson Dies: Veteran broadcaster and cancer awareness advocate passes at 61 (32:10).

7. BC’s Seaweed Gold Rush: Environmental Promise and Pitfalls

[Segment begins 42:00]

• Industry Exploration:
  Researchers and First Nations in BC scale up experimental seaweed aquaculture at sites like former salmon farms.
  • Applications: food, fertilizer, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, construction (e.g., sound-absorbing panels).
  • Annie DeHaan (Secorq Studio): “The goal for us isn’t to make just a product. It’s to make a product that’s good for the planet and that’s good for humans and that’s useful.” [43:32]
• Concerns:
  Environmental groups caution against rapid, large-scale expansion.
  • Chris Roberts (Wei Wai Kum First Nation Chief): Focus on native species, sustainable growth, and community benefit.
  • David Suzuki Foundation: Warns against unchecked industrialization of BC’s coastline.
• Outlook:
  Public funding is driving research; sustainable, community-led models aim to avoid ecological disruption.

8. Legacy: Remembering Terry Fox

[Segment begins 47:50]

• 45 Years Since Marathon of Hope:
  The Tragically Hip’s “Courage” featured for the Terry Fox Run, commemorating the iconic Canadian’s continued legacy in cancer research fundraising.
• Quote:
  • Michael Matt Matza (Terry Fox Foundation CEO): “You know, unfortunately, we’re all touched by cancer. ... Everyone has a personal reason for being here.” [48:32]

Selected Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• Prime Minister Mark Carney:
  “Young Canadians are doing everything right... yet for too many of them, rent is unaffordable and home ownership feels entirely out of reach.” [02:40]
• Carolyn Weitzman (U of T):
  “The fact that the initial $13 billion budget is going to be focused on non-market housing and using a definition of affordability that makes sense.” [05:10]
• Pierre Poilievre:
  “He promised that after 10 years of Liberal government driving up costs and crime and chaos that he would be different. And yet, sadly, everything is worse.” [09:15]
• Minister Rishi Valdez:
  “A home can mean the difference between living in fear or building a future for their family.” [06:45]
• Ahmad Abuamsha (Gaza music teacher):
  “We try our best to make heaven inside hell.” [24:50]
• Emmanuel Pasternak (U of T student):
  “Some programs could be at risk of just...having to struggle a little bit more to access the same amount of resources.” [29:40]
• Student from India:
  “There have been changes in mindset and the way people look at people from India. I would say there’s a lot of ‘just people don’t want us here.’” [31:22]
• Peter Halpin (Council of Atlantic Universities):
  “We need international students. They are our future citizens, our business leaders, our health care professionals, our community leaders.” [33:02]
• Moses Crispus Okello (Ethiopia; Grand Renaissance Dam):
  “This dam is a history changing piece of infrastructure.” [34:55]
• John Makumamabaku (Weber State):
  “A lot of Africans are saying Ethiopia has accomplished something that most African countries have never been able to do.” [37:48]
• Chris Roberts (Wei Wai Kum First Nation):
  “It produces a product that we’re proud to stand behind, that it’s, you know, responsible, socially, environmentally, and it’s employing our people.” [46:02]

Episode Structure & Key Timestamps

• 00:01 – Episode intro & headlines
• 01:00 – Housing crisis: Build Canada Homes, federal initiatives, expert reactions
• 08:15 – Parliament returns: Carney vs. Poilievre, minority government dynamics
• 13:00 – Richmond Hill daycare crash & calls for safety legislation
• 16:50 – Manitoba plane crash
• 18:05 – US: Murder of Charlie Kirk, suspect profile, political implications
• 23:00 – Israel-US tensions, Gaza music program under siege
• 28:45 – International student cap: campus impacts and student experiences
• 32:10 – Beverly Thompson obituary
• 34:45 – Africa: Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, Nile water disputes
• 40:22 – Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie steps down
• 42:00 – BC’s emergent seaweed economy: promise and environmental risks
• 47:50 – Terry Fox remembered through music

Summary Takeaway

The episode weaves together substantial national policy stories—the housing crisis and Parliament’s reopening—while offering human perspectives on the impacts of political decisions, both in Canada and abroad. Listeners are invited to contemplate the ripple effects of new policies on housing, education, and immigration, witness the healing power of music in conflict zones, and consider the promise and challenges of sustainable innovation from coast to coast. The podcast’s tone is clear, measured, and deeply attentive to both policy and people alike.