Your World Tonight — December 18, 2025

Main Theme:
This episode covers the latest developments in Canadian trade negotiations with the US (CUSMA), government efforts to fast-track resource development in Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire, political shakeups in Quebec, a new batch of Jeffrey Epstein images, responses to a deadly terror attack in Australia, BC’s atmospheric river flooding, the horse herpes virus, and the uncertain future of Marineland's beluga whales.

Key Discussion Points & Segment Breakdown

1. Canada-US Trade: Stalemate on Tariffs & CUSMA Review

With Susan Bonner, Olivia Stefanovich, and Mark Carney
[00:42–04:57]

• Negotiation Status:

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney expresses readiness for a sectoral agreement with the US if the opportunity arises.

    “We're very ready.” — Mark Carney [00:42]

  • Talks are stalled due to US demands; Canada not planning holiday tariff relief, waits for 2026 CUSMA review.

• US Demands:

  • White House's Congressional report demands more dairy market access and provincial bans lifted on US alcohol.
  • Ontario Premier Doug Ford resists changes, especially on alcohol imports.

    "When the prime minister and President Trump come up with a great deal... maybe we'll bring in some Kentucky bourbon. But until then, we're going to hold off." — Mark Carney [03:04]

• Advertising Scuffle:

  • Ontario’s anti-tariff TV ads featuring Ronald Reagan reportedly soured an October tariff deal.

    “That was the best ad that's ever been run. 12.4 billion views.” — Doug Ford (as recounted by Carney, with Carney rolling his eyes) [03:46]

• Outlook:

  • No immediate relief; Carney is eager but expects talks to “roll into the broader CUSMA negotiations,” likely meaning months of ongoing tariffs.

    “We have lots to do. We're ready to sit down on the weekend, negotiate any weekend, any time.” — Mark Carney [04:15]

  • Carney says Trump never explicitly threatened to end CUSMA.

    “He did not say any of those things.” — Mark Carney [04:40]

2. The Ring of Fire Deal: Fast-Tracking Resource Development

With Susan Bonner, Philip Lee-Shannock, and Mark Carney
[04:57–07:55]

• New Agreement:

  • Deal signed to streamline approval of “nation building projects” in Northern Ontario, specifically the Ring of Fire mineral region.

    “On our mission to unleash our economy, create jobs and build nation building projects.” — Mark Carney [01:20]

• Critical Minerals:

  • The area is rich in minerals (chromite, cobalt, nickel, copper), key for technologies like electric vehicles.

• Efficiency vs. Oversight Tension:

  • Streamlining means approvals for labor, Indigenous, and environmental issues will only need to be done once, rather than by two governments repeatedly.
  • Some, like Environmental Defense's Keith Brooks, worry Ontario is loosening environmental protections and First Nations rights:

    “There is a constitutional obligation for the federal government to consult First Nations and the province does not actually have that same constitutional obligation.” — Keith Brooks [06:45]

• First Nations Lawsuit:

  • Ten Treaty 9 First Nations communities suing for breach of treaty rights.
  • Calls for respecting free, prior, and informed consent for land use:

    “This is our sacred responsibility and we expect Canada to honor that.” — Chief June Black [07:24–07:32]

• Mixed Optimism:

  • Ford claims multiple agreements with First Nations are in place and an access road may be built by summer.

3. Quebec Political Turmoil: Two Major Resignations

With Susan Bonner and Charlene Rochard
[07:55–09:20]

• Health Minister Christian Dubé Steps Down:

  • Resigns from Cabinet and party amid doctor compensation law negotiations.

• Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez Resigns:

  • Amid campaign donation fraud allegations (which he denies), Rodriguez steps down “out of a sense of duty” for the party.

    “The Quebec Liberal Party is bigger than any of us. It has weathered storms... and it will rise again.” — Pablo Rodriguez [09:04]

4. Epstein Files: New Images Raise Tension Before Major Release

With Susan Bonner, Paul Hunter, and Charlene Rochard
[10:12–13:22]

• Content of Images:

  • Dozens of disturbing photos from Epstein’s estate, including passport images, text exchanges about girls, and images referencing Lolita.

• Anticipation & Concern:

  • Survivors, including London, Ontario’s Charlene Rochard, brace for what may be revealed:

    “If the names are actually shown and not redacted, I do believe the public will be very surprised. There are so many people that were involved in this.” — Charlene Rochard [12:19]

• Political Fallout:

  • US President Trump, a former Epstein acquaintance (with “no suggestion Trump did anything wrong”), only signed off on the release under pressure.
  • Democrats and Republicans dispute the handling and timing of the release.

    “This administration has gone to the greatest possible political lengths to conceal this information from the American people. There must be something awful in there.” — Senator Dick Durbin [13:10]

5. International: Ukraine War & Australia's Response to Terror

With Susan Bonner, Mark Carney, and Sasha Petrcik
[13:22–16:47]

• Ukraine Peace Talks:

  • Trump says Ukraine must move more quickly; Zelensky stresses US mediation is crucial.

    “Putin doesn't want to stop this war but he can if United States will pressure more.” — Zelensky (paraphrasing) [14:00]

• Australia:

  • PM Anthony Albanese is speeding up laws against anti-Semitism and hate speech after a deadly Hanukkah attack in Sydney.
  • Jewish community feels previous warnings were ignored:

    “We are burying innocent children. It's just appalling. It's a horror show.” — Sydney mourner [14:49]

  • Others warn against overreaction:

    “If the government rolls anything out too quickly, they will end up in a position where they isolate other members of the community.” — Kate Chalker, Sydney [15:41]

  • Gun Control Australia calls for closing gun loopholes after the attack.

6. BC’s Atmospheric River Flooding & Climate Change

With Susan Bonner, Yasmeen Raneya, and Environment Canada scientists
[17:02–20:17]

• Flood Risk:

  • BC is facing ongoing risks from "atmospheric rivers," with heavy rain, flooding, and previous damage in 2021.
  • Effects: local emergencies, livestock losses.

• Underlying Causes:

  • Scientists point to climate change intensifying these storms.

    "On the West Coast, a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor. That is a signature of climate change on Canada's climate." — Environment Canada [19:34]

• Calls for Resilience:

  • Infrastructure upgrades recommended to handle new flood realities.

7. Horse Herpes (EHV): Canadian Stables on Alert

With Halina Mihalek & Susan Bonner
[20:17–23:02]

• Prevalence & Response:

  • EHV is hitting some Canadian horses, prompting increased disinfection and quarantine in stables.

    “We quarantine horses when they come in, so they don't [spread EHV].” — Brianne Folkt [21:06]

  • Most cases are mild, but neurological forms can be fatal.

• Expert Caution:

  • Testing is critical; some horses euthanized when neurological symptoms are severe.

8. Marineland’s Future: Beluga Dilemma & Community Hopes

With Lisa Shing & Susan Bonner
[23:17–26:29]

• The Site:

  • Marineland in Niagara Falls is closed, large property remains with 30 beluga whales still onsite.

• Emotional & Economic Impact:

  • Community nostalgia and desire to see the site converted for public good.

    "Every time I drive by, it makes me really sad because I see it sitting empty and I feel like we could use that space for something really good." — Shelby Tomlinson, local realtor [24:10]

• Problem:

  • Whales can't survive in the wild; their presence complicates redevelopment.

    "They're all scared off by the liability of the creatures." — Mayor Jim Diodati [25:01]

• Proposals:

  • New Jersey investment group proposes $4 billion complex and whale sanctuary, funded by a data center; progress slow.

• Regulatory Obstacles:

  • Zoning, permits, approvals needed; future uncertain.

9. Robin Hood Santas: Social Commentary via Guerilla Action

With Susan Bonner & Lisa Shing
[26:29–end]

• Event:
  • Around 40 activists in Santa and elf costumes take $3,000 in food from Montréal grocery, donate it to those in need. No arrests, police investigating.
  • Robin Hood group frames it as a response to "Canadians struggling to afford food, supermarket chains raising prices and making huge profits." [27:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tough Tariff Talks:

  "We have lots to do. We're ready to sit down on the weekend, negotiate any weekend, any time." — Mark Carney [04:15]

• On Treaty Rights in the Ring of Fire:

  "This is our sacred responsibility and we expect Canada to honor that." — Chief June Black [07:24–07:32]

• On Epstein File Release:

  "If the names are actually shown and not redacted, I do believe the public will be very surprised." — Charlene Rochard [12:19]

• On Community Change around Marineland:

  "Every time I drive by, it makes me really sad because I see it sitting empty and I feel like we could use that space for something really good." — Shelby Tomlinson [24:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:42] CUSMA trade update & Carney interview
• [04:57] Ring of Fire deal & Indigenous perspectives
• [07:55] Quebec’s political resignations
• [10:12] New Jeffrey Epstein images & survivor reactions
• [13:22] Ukraine war update & Australia’s terror response
• [17:02] BC’s atmospheric river flooding & climate science
• [20:17] EHV (horse herpes) in Canada
• [23:17] Future of Marineland & beluga whales
• [26:29] Robin Hood Santas redistribute groceries

Tone:
The reporting balances urgency (on trade, Ring of Fire, climate events), sensitivity (Epstein survivors, Ring of Fire First Nations), and community focus (Marineland’s legacy, guerrilla Santas). There’s a consistent focus on Canadian public interest, with critical and human angles on each story.