Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode Date: October 9, 2025
Hosts: Susan Bonner & Stephanie Skenderis
Episode Title: Ceasefire signed, Quebec constitution, Blue Jays win, and more

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a comprehensive wrap-up of major global and Canadian news events for October 9, 2025. The main focus is the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, featuring US-led diplomacy and international reactions. The episode also explores Quebec’s proposed constitution, a critical shortage of medical technicians, the latest in Canada’s housing market, the Toronto Blue Jays' playoff run, and a touching culinary retirement story from PEI.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Ceasefire Announced in Gaza

Segment begins at 00:59

• Historic Agreement: A ceasefire has been signed to end the two-year war in Gaza, with the initial phase involving the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed line and the release of 20 Israeli hostages within 72 hours.
• US Diplomacy: President Donald Trump claims credit for brokering the deal, based on his 20-point peace plan. He’s undertaken a rare mix of public pressure, regional diplomacy, and unconventional tactics.
• Reaction in Israel and Gaza: Relief and cautious optimism prevail. Tears of joy in public squares are tempered by grief for immense losses experienced during the conflict (over 67,000 Palestinian deaths cited).
• Hostage Families: Both Israeli and Palestinian families express a mix of hope and anguish, with many wary of premature celebration considering the immense cost and previous failures.

Notable Quotes:

• “Hopefully this will start a new era here in the Middle East, an era of peace in Gaza, in Israel and around the world… It's a turning point and a clear chance to stop the war, the worry and the suffering.”
  — Susan Bonner (01:03-01:26)
• "We ended the war in Gaza and really on a much bigger basis created peace. And I think it's going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace."
  — President Donald Trump (01:26-01:35)
• “It is a happiness mixed with blood and sadness… We lost entire families, our children, neighbors, friends, loved ones.”
  — Akram Jaranda, Gaza resident (04:06)
• “Everyone getting out of jail right now is coming out on my blood, on the blood of my siblings who were martyred with my father.”
  — Magdi Abu Ayada, Gaza resident (04:45)
• “I would say we are in kind of a limbo out of hell, but still not, not in the promised land.”
  — Yehuda Cohen, Israeli hostage’s family (05:07)

Expert Perspectives:

• Disarmament of Hamas is cited as a critical unresolved issue—future peace hinges on this (Jonathan Reinhold, Bar Ilan University, 05:45).
• Trump’s “unconventional approach” is both credited and critiqued; some praise the outcome, others point out unresolved complexities (Katie Simpson, 06:10–09:00).

2. Ceasefire Reaction in Canada & Diaspora Communities

Segment begins at 09:57

• Canadian Response: Prime Minister Mark Carney praises the deal and signals ongoing Canadian support for humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts.
• Diaspora Voices: Palestinian and Jewish Canadians share feelings spanning relief, skepticism, and hope, colored by heavy personal losses. Some stress the painful duality: the potential for peace and the weight of loss remains.
• Community Aspirations: Calls for accountability, justice, and basic dignity for Palestinians are heard.

Notable Quotes:

• “I am so happy that the killing stopped.”
  — Subi Al Zubaidi, Vancouver restaurant owner (10:05)
• “What I wish for my family, I wish it for every Palestinian family.”
  — Subi Al Zubaidi (10:16)
• “Hopefully the hostages are all coming home. It happens quickly and they can be reunited with their families and on the road to recovery.”
  — Noah Shaq, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (11:37)
• “We are human. We all deserve to be living in dignity and peace and prosperity and have the ability to kind of determine what our life looks like.”
  — Fadi Kudair, Ottawa realtor (12:06)

3. Quebec’s Proposed Constitution

Segment begins at 13:30

• Legislation Unveiled: Premier François Legault introduces a draft constitution to assert Quebec’s distinct national character and protect it from federal interference.
• Controversial Measures: One proposal would prevent organizations from using public funds to challenge provincial laws in court, sparking deep criticism from legal experts.
• Political Reactions: Opposition parties and constitutional scholars argue the bill is hastily prepared and potentially rights-infringing; some term it a bid for legacy rather than substance.
• Electoral Context: The move comes as Legault’s party trails in polls ahead of the 2026 provincial election.

Notable Quotes:

• “One that affirms the constitutional existence of the Quebec nation and protects aspects of the province's identity, including from the federal government.”
  — François Legault (14:15)
• “That's the worst thing I've seen in 30 years… You want to suspend fundamental rights for everyone.”
  — Frederic Berard, constitutional lawyer (14:56)
• “Our goal is to have a constitution of a country named Quebec. And then it becomes very interesting what you can change.”
  — Paul St Pierre Plamondon, Parti Québécois (16:09)

4. Canada’s Perfusionist Shortage

Segment begins at 16:28

• Nature of Crisis: Life-saving surgeries are impacted nationwide by a shortage of perfusionists—specialized professionals running heart-lung machines.
• Consequences: At least 80 deaths in Quebec over the past year and a half linked to surgical delays; the shortage is driven by low pay, an aging workforce, and poaching from the US.
• Calls to Action: Pushes for better conditions, higher wages, and expanded training.
• Human Toll: Daniel Feuster’s personal story of losing his mother on the cardiac surgery waitlist underlines the stakes.
• Systemic Response: The Quebec government pledges limited measures as medical associations escalate complaints.

Notable Quotes:

• “Eighty people have died in the last year, year and a half waiting for their surgery. So that is awful.”
  — Dr. Bernard Quintin, President, Association of Cardiologists of Quebec (17:25)

5. Canadian Condo Market Crisis

Segment begins at 19:30

• Market Slump: Housing sales plummet, especially in the condo sector—lowest since 2008. Developers cancel projects due to declining demand, high prices, and economic uncertainty.
• Industry Adaptation: Some firms pivot to rental buildings; experts warn canceled projects today will deepen housing shortages when the market rebounds.
• Expert Insight: Deputy chief economist Kevin Hughes predicts ongoing sluggishness albeit with potential buyer relief on prices.

Notable Quotes:

• "The conditions for demand has not necessarily gone back to where it was, so we are still in that period for probably at least a year.”
  — Kevin Hughes, CMHC (21:06)
• “Overall, we still need supply and more of it. And that need and that supply gap as we measure it is larger in the bigger cities.”
  — Kevin Hughes, CMHC (21:25)

6. Toronto Blue Jays Advance – A Nation Celebrates

Segment begins at 22:32

• Playoff Breakthrough: Blue Jays beat the Yankees to move within reach of the World Series—a triumph for a team few expected to contend.
• Celebration & Scarcity: Locker room jubilation meets fan frustration as ticket demand surges and resale prices soar.
• Team Focus: Players highlight team unity and resiliency; the upcoming round offers hope for an All-Star’s injury recovery and a country's continued celebration.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “This is why you play the game. I'm so happy for our city, our fans, the country. This is awesome.”
  — George Springer (23:16)
• “I was able to log on right at 10 o'clock and I went right for game seven… and I got it for the whole family.”
  — Fan’s ticket-buying story (23:54)
• “There’s always that kind of debate about do you want to stay sharp or do you want to get healthy? The opportunity to get everybody else healthy kind of reset. I think it really bodes well for the Blue Jays.”
  — Drew Fairservice, Blue Jays podcaster (24:55)

7. Farewell to PEI’s ‘Queen of Pies’

Segment begins at 25:33

• Local Hero: Joan Blanchard, dessert chef at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers, retires after 50 years. She recounts pride in her work, crafting “mile-high” lemon meringue pies, and watching generations of customers.
• Personal Reflection: Blanchard’s simple, heartfelt description of her work ethic and legacy closes the episode with warmth and nostalgia.

Quote:

• "I put a lot of pride in my work... I try to be happy. At the end, I'm hoping to be happier, but at the end of the day, I'm pretty sore. So that's why I decided 50 years was enough."
  — Joan Blanchard (25:42)

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Ceasefire in Gaza: 00:59 – 12:38
• Quebec Constitution: 13:30 – 16:28
• Perfusionist Shortage: 16:28 – 19:30
• Condo Market Crisis: 19:30 – 22:32
• Blue Jays Playoff Win: 22:32 – 25:33
• Joan Blanchard’s Retirement: 25:33 – 26:40

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The podcast maintains CBC’s hallmark balance of clear-eyed reporting, human-centered storytelling, and careful contextualization. The tone shifts from cautious hope (Middle East peace talks), to civic debate (Quebec), collective frustration with national challenges (healthcare and housing), surging national pride (Blue Jays’ run), and a heartwarming farewell.

Summary for New Listeners

Your World Tonight delivers an accessible, comprehensive, and deeply human account of the day’s top headlines—making sense of world-changing events, legislative controversy, systemic challenges, moments of national unity, and individual achievement from a distinctly Canadian lens.