Your World Tonight — January 6, 2026

CBC News Podcast with Susan Bonner and Stephanie Skenderis

Overview

In this episode, Your World Tonight brings listeners a deep dive into several of the day’s most pressing global and Canadian news stories. Major topics include Canada’s diplomatic stance amid US ambitions toward Greenland, the fallout of Venezuela’s political crisis after US forces captured President Maduro, electric vehicle industry shakeups, safety lapses behind a deadly Swiss nightclub fire, a harrowing child injury at a Toronto trampoline park, new US vaccine guidelines causing confusion in Canada, and a delightful killer whale encounter on the BC coast. Throughout, the tone is factual, probing, and centered on Canadian perspectives in a fast-moving international news landscape.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. Canada’s Response to US Moves on Greenland (00:40–04:44)

• Context: The US, under President Trump, openly expresses ambition to acquire Greenland, pressing Denmark and signaling possible military action.
• Canadian Position:
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney, at a Paris summit with European leaders, firmly backs Denmark and Greenland while maintaining that Canada’s closest partnership is with the US.
    • Quote: “We stand with Denmark, we stand with Greenland. Our closest partnership is with the United States, and we'll work with everybody to make sure that we move forward together.” (04:06, PM Mark Carney)
  • Canada announces opening a consulate in Greenland, with high-level visits planned.
  • European NATO countries issue a declaration underscoring that Greenland’s future should be determined by its own people.
• US Stance:
  • Trump's team frames the push for Greenland as a national security imperative.
    • Quote: "The United States should have Greenland as part of the United States... There's no need to even think or talk about this in the context of a military operation." (03:11, US policy chief Stephen Miller)
  • Denmark’s Prime Minister warns that if the US attacks another NATO country, “everything stops, including NATO.”
    • Quote: “If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country, then everything stops, including NATO.” (03:26, PM Mette Fredriksen)

2. Venezuela in Turmoil After US Capture of Maduro (04:44–07:42)

• Aftermath of Operation:
  • Trump celebrates the US military operation, suggesting the US will have a long-term involvement in Venezuela, especially regarding its oil industry.
    • Quote: "I'm also meeting with oil companies... We've got a lot of oil to drill, which is going to bring down oil prices even further." (05:46, President Trump)
  • Senator Lindsey Graham expresses optimism about US profits from Venezuelan oil:
    • Quote: “So I'm excited about it.” (06:19, Sen. Graham)
• Venezuelan Response:
  • Attorney General Tariq Saab condemns the operation as "state terrorism" and demands Maduro's release.
  • The Canadian government remains confident in its own oil sector's competitiveness.
    • Quote: "That Canadian oil will be competitive because it is low risk." (06:48, Mark Carney)
• Repurcussions:
  • Concerns raised that Trump's rhetoric is fueling anti-American sentiment in both Venezuela and Canada.
    • Quote: “I can see how this will destroy goodwill in Venezuela the same way in Greenland and Canada it’s destroyed goodwill.” (07:05, CBC Anchor)

3. Venezuelans React at the Border (07:42–10:33)

• On the Ground at the Colombia-Venezuela Border:
  • Large numbers of Venezuelans try to cross into Colombia.
  • Families hope the US intervention might free political prisoners.
    • Quote: "America, please help us. Help us. Help is Colombia. Help us. Venezuela, we need help. Our family is destroyed." (08:52, John Giraldo)
  • Differing views from Venezuelan migrants on whether US actions will bring real change.
    • One migrant: “The US has taken only one person... The rest of those running Venezuela are still there. So I don't think they’ve done anything. Nothing’s changed.” (09:01, Saida Garcia)
    • Another: “It’s a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty, a violation of international law.” (09:36, Oscar Machado)
  • Tensions rising as Trump hints at possible US action toward Colombia, prompting President Petro to call Trump “senile” and triggering mass protests.

4. Canada’s Pipeline Politics in Light of the Oil Crisis (10:33–11:12)

• Debate Renewed:
  • Canada’s oil industry leverages Venezuela crisis to push for westward pipeline expansion.
  • BC Premier David Eby remains unconvinced, citing lack of private sector interest.
    • Quote: “What I don't support is taxpayers paying for another publicly owned pipeline across the... There is still no private sector proponent.” (10:54–11:06, Premier Eby)

5. BYD Surpasses Tesla: Chinese EV Revolution (12:25–15:56)

• Global Automotive Shakeup:
  • Chinese automaker BYD outsells Tesla in EVs worldwide.
    • BYD: 2.26 million EVs sold vs. Tesla: 1.64 million (9% drop in Tesla sales).
      • Quote: "BYD sold 2.26 million electric vehicles last year. It's dethroned Tesla from first place, which only sold 1.64 million." (13:39, Expert)
  • China’s massive domestic market and manufacturing advantages, alongside protectionist tariffs in the West, accelerate BYD's rise.
  • Canadian policy debate: Some argue admitting Chinese EVs is essential for mass adoption due to lower price points, but others warn it could threaten Canada’s auto sector competitiveness.
    • Quote: “Allowing some of the Chinese manufacturers in... we need to get more mass market adoption of EVs.” (15:21, Kenneth Bacor)

6. Swiss Nightclub Fire Tragedy: Lessons for Canada (15:56–19:20)

• Fire Details:
  • A New Year's Eve blaze at a Swiss bar kills 40+, triggered by sparklers igniting foam insulation.
  • Investigations reveal failures: last safety inspection in 2019; flammable materials not properly protected.
  • Past similar tragedies highlighted (Brazil 2013, Bucharest 2015).
  • In Canada, fire engineer stresses that such materials are allowed only with protective barriers; vigilance and inspections are key.
    • Quote: "Without a covering on it, it's very susceptible to easy ignition." (18:33, Gordon Routley)
    • Quote: "...anytime our inspectors encountered that kind of material, they immediately took action to have it removed." (18:45, Routley)
  • Swiss authorities address outrage, ban indoor pyrotechnics, and begin mass inspections.

7. Child’s Frightening Zipline Fall in Toronto (19:20–22:07)

• Incident Recap:
  • 11-year-old Rahman Azizi falls meters from a zipline at a trampoline park, sustaining injuries; parents say they received no follow-up from the park.
    • Quote: “I was crying too much and I thought I was going to pass away.” (19:57, Rahman Azizi)
    • Quote: “It's unimaginable that there was no secondary measure. No padding, no netting, no fail safe.” (20:55, Sadir Azizi, father)
  • Safety expert notes a lack of required backup measures and insufficient trained staff.
    • Quote: “I didn’t see a secondary carabiner that would be following him that would keep him from falling.” (21:12, Troy Richardson)
  • Ontario safety regulators were unaware of the zipline’s existence and did not license it.
    • Quote: “The operator had not notified TSSA that it had been installed and therefore it was not authorized.” (21:52, Amar Khan, TSSA)

8. Other Notable Briefings

U.S. Vaccine Policy Overhaul (22:28–26:18)

• Policy Change: Trump administration reduces recommended pediatric vaccines (from 17 to 11), dropping hepatitis A/B, flu, meningococcal, and Covid from routine shots.
• Canadian Reaction: Experts warn the move is ideological, not evidence-based, risking increased vaccine hesitancy.
  • Quote: “What worries her... is that seemingly there's no science behind them.” (23:52, Dr. Caroline Quach)
  • Quote: “The goal is to create fear and uncertainty about vaccines. You introduce a little bit of doubt into the decision making of parents and hesitancy rates go up, and that is bad.” (24:28, Timothy Caulfield)
  • Canadian officials reiterate their commitment to evidence-based vaccination policies.

Killer Whales Delight BC Coast Residents (26:18–27:51)

• Unusual Behavior: Pod of northern resident killer whales seen belly-rubbing along shallow, pebbly beach—rare, specialized behavior.
  • Quote: “Amongst all the different killer whale populations around the world, there's only a couple that have been observed doing this behavior. So it's very specialized, it's very unique.” (26:57, Jared Tower, marine researcher)
• Community Response: 20 locals, alerted by Facebook groups, rush down for a stunning, almost hands-on wildlife encounter.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Diplomatic Balancing Act:
  • “We stand with Denmark, we stand with Greenland. Our closest partnership is with the United States, and we'll work with everybody to make sure that we move forward together.” (04:06, PM Mark Carney)
• Venezuela Oil Ambitions:
  • “Let's go. You know what that's about. We've got a lot of oil to drill...” (05:46, President Trump)
• On Vaccine Changes:
  • “We used to be able to point to the CDC, to the FDA. We can't anymore. The good news is public health agencies in Canada do a good job.” (25:53, Timothy Caulfield)
• Child’s Truth:
  • “I was crying too much and I thought I was going to pass away.” (19:57, Rahman Azizi)

Episode Timeline (Timestamps)

• 00:40–04:44: Greenland tensions, Canadian/European response
• 04:44–07:42: Venezuela after US-led capture of Maduro
• 07:42–10:33: Human stories at the Colombia-Venezuela border
• 10:33–11:12: Canadian oil, pipeline debate
• 12:25–15:56: BYD overtaking Tesla, EV market shifts
• 15:56–19:20: Swiss nightclub fire and Canadian building code context
• 19:20–22:07: Zipline accident, safety gaps, regulatory response
• 22:28–26:18: US vaccine policy, Canadian expert reaction
• 26:18–27:51: BC killer whale sighting, marine science perspective

Conclusion

This episode of Your World Tonight offers a fast-paced, rich snapshot of world and national affairs, blending urgent geopolitical developments with everyday human stories. Strong Canadian analysis and real-time international reporting anchor each segment, ensuring listeners are both informed and connected to the broader global discussion.