Your World Tonight – Episode Summary

Date: November 18, 2025
Hosts: Susan Bonner & Stephanie Skenderis
Podcast: CBC – Your World Tonight
Episode Title: Fighter jets, Epstein vote, MBS goes to Washington, and more
Duration: ~26 minutes

Overview

On this episode, hosts Susan Bonner and Stephanie Skenderis guide listeners through the day’s top global and Canadian news stories. The key topics include the brewing debate over Canada's fighter jet fleet, political and economic tensions impacting Canada-US relations, a pivotal U.S. Congressional vote on the Jeffrey Epstein files, the Saudi Crown Prince’s high-profile visit to Washington, rising violence in the West Bank, and Alberta's legal maneuvering over transgender laws. The episode closes with a fascinating discovery of wolves using tools in British Columbia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Debate Over Canada's Next Fighter Jets (00:52–05:02)

• Context: Swedish officials and executives from Saab lobby Ottawa, offering to build fighter jets in Canada, promising about 10,000 jobs, as an alternative to the existing $27B F-35 deal with the U.S.
  • Industry Minister Mélanie Jolie expresses openness to leveraging procurement for greater local benefits.
    • "I don't believe that we've had enough jobs created and industrial benefits done out of the F35 contract." – Reporter Julia Wong (02:26)
    • "We can use military procurement to get more. And that is why we're looking indeed at the Gripen." – Mélanie Jolie, paraphrased (02:48)
• Swedish Royal Visit: Swedish King and Queen, along with defense and corporate leaders, make a formal pitch for the deal.
  • "It is my hope that this state visit will contribute to further deepening our excellent bilateral relations." – King Gustav (03:30)
• Analysis: Former defense official Alan Williams suggests a mixed fleet could provide savings.
  • "I would be shocked if, in fact, the cost analysis didn't say, Prime Minister, you can save a ton of money by having two fleets." – Alan Williams (04:27)
• Pushback: Senior defense officials—and some former military leaders—are reportedly pushing against reconsidering the F-35 deal.

2. Canada, U.S., and Finland Join Forces on Arctic Security (05:02–06:24)

• Agreement: The three nations plan to bolster their icebreaker fleets and share expertise to defend the increasingly strategic Arctic.
  • "If we give up that high ground, then we will condemn future generations to permanent insecurity and we're not going to let that happen on our watch." – Host Susan Bonner (05:27)
• U.S. Role: Washington to build new icebreakers with Canadian and Finnish input; Canada will build for its Coast Guard.

3. Budget Vote and Political Tensions in Canada (06:24–09:13)

• Update: Prime Minister Mark Carney passes a crucial budget confidence vote—a first major hurdle for his economic agenda.
  • "Very pleased that we passed the budget vote... but [there are] more votes to come." – PM Mark Carney (06:45)
• Political Drama: Conservatives criticize excessive spending; Bloc Québécois feels ignored and issues a warning.
  • "They exploited the momentary weaknesses of everybody and this is not how our policy should be done. So I believe it will come bite their ass." – Bloc leader Yves François Blanchet (08:30)
• No Backroom Deals: No opposition was offered concessions, raising stakes for future votes.
  • "If you want to be comfortable, don't enter federal politics." – Government House Leader Stephen McKinnon (08:53)

4. Saudi Crown Prince Visits Washington Amid Khashoggi Backlash and Business Deals (10:12–13:19)

• High-Profile Visit: Mohammed bin Salman’s first U.S. visit since journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder draws attention, but Trump shields him from tough questions.
  • "A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about... things happen, but he knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that." – Donald Trump (11:21)
• Business & Security: Saudis expand investments in U.S. to $1 trillion; F-35 jet sales to Saudis raise Israeli concerns about maintaining their military edge.
  • "Now you're saying to me now that the $600 billion will be $1 trillion." – Donald Trump (12:01)
• Middle East Peace: Trump pushes for Saudi participation in Abraham Accords; bin Salman links this to Palestinian statehood.
  • "We want peace for the Israelis, we want peace for the Palestinians. We want them to coexist peacefully in the region." – Susan Bonner paraphrasing diplomatic messaging (12:50)
• Memorable Moment: Trump contrasts his show of respect with Biden’s:
  • "And Trump doesn't give a fist pump. I grabbed that hand. I don't give a hell where that hand's been." – Donald Trump (13:05)

5. Violence and New U.S. Peace Plan in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (13:19–16:19)

• Incident: An attack in the West Bank (ramming and stabbing) leaves one Israeli dead; heightened Israeli settler violence against Palestinians.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu: Condemns settler violence, but critics say authorities permit impunity.
• UN & Peace Plan: UN Security Council endorses Trump's demilitarization and stabilization plan for Gaza; Hamas flatly rejects the international force proposal.
  • "Regarding Gaza and the deployment of security forces, it doesn't meet the needs of the Palestinian people or their rights." – Hazem Qassem, Hamas (15:26)
• Mixed Local Reaction:
  • "This agreement will stop conflict and stop war... I'm totally agreed with this." – Inas Jabour, Gaza resident (15:41)
  • "I don't like it because the decision brings foreign troops into Gaza to use force." – Mohamed Al Turk, Gaza resident (15:53)

6. U.S. Congress Votes to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files (16:19–19:36)

• Historic Vote: Lawmakers approve release of all Epstein files, following Trump’s last-minute reversal under party pressure (427–1 vote).
• Victims’ Reactions: Emotional press conference from survivors; calls for Trump to show leadership and empathy.
  • "It is not about you, President Trump. You are our president. Please start acting like it. Show some class. I voted for you. But your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment." – Jennalisa Jones, survivor (18:11)
• Trump’s Response: Blames Democrats, insults reporter, and threatens ABC’s license.
  • "You just keep going on the Epstein files and what the Epstein is, is a Democrat hoax." – Donald Trump (18:34)
  • "You're a terrible person and a terrible reporter. I think the license should be taken away from ABC..." – Donald Trump (18:45, 18:53)
• Next Steps: Bill moves to White House; if signed, a 30-day timer starts for the files’ public release.

7. Alberta’s Notwithstanding Clause to Shield Anti-Trans Laws (19:36–22:26)

• Bill 9: Alberta proposes use of “notwithstanding clause” to prevent court challenges to laws targeting transgender people—restricts medical treatments, pronoun changes, and sports participation for youth.
• Pushback: Critics warn this erodes democratic rights.
  • "When a government uses the notwithstanding clause to strip away rights, it is not just targeting one group, it's attacking the very foundation of our democracy." – Marni Panas, trans advocate (20:24)
• Government Stance: Premier Danielle Smith frames the move as responsive to majority opinion and accountability.
  • "We're keeping these decisions in the hands of those who are directly accountable to Albertans." – Danielle Smith (21:04)

8. Canadian Snowbirds Changing Their Migration (23:11–25:47)

• Trend: Fewer Canadian retirees (“snowbirds”) are wintering in Florida; top reasons include political tensions after Trump’s re-election and unfavorable exchange rates.
  • "My little thing to do was change my winter vacation." – Joanne Roe, retiree (23:39)
  • "I'm not gonna let one individual dictate what makes us happy." – Silvio Conte, Ontario (24:04)
• Economic Impact: Florida sees 20% drop in Canadian tourism; businesses feel the pinch.
  • "Over a half a million jobs in Florida that are directly contributed to that economic presence of Canadian snowbirds." – Josh Levy, mayor of Hollywood, FL (24:30)
  • "All you hear is we're missing the Canadians. We are trying to fill the gap..." – Amy Faulkner, hotel sales director (24:53)
• Future Outlook: Local leaders hope the diplomatic chill will thaw.

9. Wolves Use Underwater Fishing Traps as Tools – A Scientific First (25:47–end)

• Discovery: On BC’s central coast, researchers document wild wolves using ropes to pull up crab traps—a potential breakthrough in understanding animal cognition and tool use.
  • "Our jaws dropped. It was not what we were expecting to see, to say the least." – Researcher (26:02)
  • "They're putting two and two together to get four that if I do something with this rope, I'll be able to pull the cage and get a crab." – Mark Bekoff, animal behaviorist (26:40)
• Importance: First known instance of wild wolves using tools; may have learned from observing humans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump on Khashoggi’s murder:
  "Things happen, but he knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that." (11:21)
• Victim’s plea to Trump:
  "It is not about you, President Trump. You are our president. Please start acting like it. Show some class. I voted for you. But your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment." – Jennalisa Jones (18:11)
• Alberta’s Danielle Smith:
  "By invoking it, we're keeping these decisions in the hands of those who are directly accountable to Albertans." (21:04)
• Florida business on missing Canadians:
  "All you hear is we're missing the Canadians. We are trying to fill the gap..." – Amy Faulkner (24:53)
• Wolf research breakthrough:
  "Our jaws dropped..." (26:02)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Fighter Jets Deal & Saab Proposal: 00:52–05:02
• Canada-U.S.-Finland Arctic Pact: 05:02–06:24
• Canadian Budget Vote & Political Fallout: 06:24–09:13
• Saudi Crown Prince in Washington: 10:12–13:19
• Israeli-Palestinian Violence & Peace Plan: 13:19–16:19
• Epstein Files Congressional Vote: 16:19–19:36
• Alberta Notwithstanding Clause: 19:36–22:26
• Canadian Snowbird Migration Trends: 23:11–25:47
• Wolves and Tool Use Discovery: 25:47–end

In Summary

This episode of Your World Tonight navigates global diplomacy and domestic tensions—covering the scramble over Canada’s next jet fleet, the politics of defense and economic policy, sensitive international alliances, big moves on justice for Epstein’s victims, legislative battlegrounds for transgender rights, and the surprising adaptability of wild wolves. Through prominent voices, notable quotes, and on-the-ground reports, the podcast offers a comprehensive, insightful, and uniquely Canadian take on today’s world.