Your World Tonight – CBC

Episode: Food prices climb, children’s flu cases up, Mexico’s FIFA stadium, and more
Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Susan Bonner

Overview

This episode dives into the most urgent headlines of the day from a Canadian perspective, covering the surge in food prices, mounting children’s flu hospitalizations, looming uncertainty over North America’s key trade pact, community struggles near Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup, a controversial Canadian hate speech law, Russian government accountability in a British death, evidence of Syrian war crimes, turbulent political leadership changes in B.C., Eurovision divisiveness, and Winnipeg’s unique “carving forest.” The show mixes hard news, expert insight, and on-the-ground voices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Soaring Food Prices in Canada

Timestamps: 00:25–04:30

• Impact on Canadians: Many are struggling to afford groceries, some reducing meat intake, others relying on food banks.
  • “I work a full time job in a factory and I'm barely scraping by. I live paycheck to paycheck.” – Grocery shopper (03:16)
• Data & Projections:
  • Food inflation at 4% in 2025, predicted to rise 4–6% in 2026.
  • Meat prices may rise up to 7%.
  • Family of four expected to spend $17,600 on food in 2026 – nearly $1,000 more than 2025.
• Factors Driving Prices:
  • Declining numbers of cattle ranchers, ongoing US trade wars, climate change affecting crops like coffee and cocoa.
• Food Bank Use:
  • “The average food bank client, after paying their rent and their utilities, has $8.03 a day to survive on. Nobody can survive on that.” – Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank (03:33)
  • Use jumped 13% in a year.
• Coping Strategies:
  • “Maybe change diet. I think I might just cut off the meat a little bit, make it a weekend thing.” – Shopper Sabra Al Harthy (04:05)

2. North American Trade Pact Threatened

Timestamps: 04:31–07:14

• US Administration’s Stance: President Trump reiterates threat to exit the USMCA/CUSMA trade agreement, demanding concessions.
• Business Community’s Response:
  • “It would be a mistake to break up such a proven partnership.” – US Business Leader (01:01, referenced)
  • “I think it'd be an economic catastrophe for all three countries, though.” – Kevin Brady, Coalition for North American Trade (06:05)
• Canadian Reaction:
  • “It’s classic negotiation tactics.… Like saying the Maple Leafs will win a Stanley Cup one year, but doesn’t mean it’s going to happen anytime soon.” – Goldie Heider, Business Council of Canada (06:17)
• Steel Dumping Concerns:
  • “We cannot allow North America to continue to be a dumping zone for excess capacity for steel.” – Brandon Ferris, Steel Manufacturers Association (06:43)
• Leaders' Upcoming Meeting:
  • Prime Minister Carney, President Trump, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to meet in Washington for the FIFA World Cup draw.

3. Surge in Children's Flu Cases

Timestamps: 07:59–10:35

• Spike in Pediatrics: Uncommonly high ER visits—up to 300 children a day at Ottawa’s CHEO, a 20% year-over-year increase.
• Virus Details:
  • H3N2 influenza strain is circulating, notable for severe disease and possible resistance to vaccines.
  • Over 40% of pediatric flu tests now positive.
• Doctor’s Advice:
  • “The vaccine regardless will have benefit. To prevent the severe diseases is what we all end up caring about the most.” – Dr. Harley Eisman, Montreal Children’s Hospital (09:56)
  • Families urged to get the flu shot as more surges are expected across the country.

4. Hate Speech Law Showdown in Canada

Timestamps: 10:36–13:36

• Legislative Turmoil: Bloc Quebecois demands removing religious exemptions from hate speech laws (Bill C9); threatens to withdraw support otherwise.
  • “It is absolutely clear that without the removal of the religious exception from the criminal code, there's no way the Bloc Quebecois will even look at this law anymore.” – Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet (11:42)
• Pushback:
  • Religious and conservative groups argue the amendment would criminalize expression of faith and erode freedoms.
  • “This is an amendment… to take aim at religious freedom, to erode longstanding safeguards for religious expression.” – Andrew Lawton, Conservative MP (12:41)
• Stalled Progress:
  • Justice Committee meeting canceled due to high tension; future of Bill C9 now uncertain.

5. B.C. Conservative Party Turmoil

Timestamps: 13:36–14:32

• Leadership Change:
  • John Rustad resigns as leader following caucus loss of confidence, but remains MLA.
  • Trevor Halford appointed as interim leader, promises "the next chapter ahead" and a fresh leadership race.

6. Russia Implicated in British Novichok Killing

Timestamps: 14:32–17:35

• Inquiry Conclusion: A British public inquiry finds President Vladimir Putin authorized the assassination attempt on ex-Russian agent Sergei Skripal, which led to the death of bystander Dawn Sturgis.
  • “The operation to assassinate Sergei Skripal must have been authorized at the highest level. Indeed by President Putin.” – Inquiry findings (15:26)
• International Impact:
  • UK imposes sanctions; Russia denies involvement.
  • “We can finally put her to peace.” – Stanley Sturgis, Dawn’s father (16:44)
  • Ongoing Russian hybrid attacks in Europe further highlighted.

7. Shocking New Syrian Atrocity Evidence

Timestamps: 17:35–20:38

• Emerging Evidence: CBC, in partnership with ICIJ, verifies thousands of photos showing torture, starvation, and killings in Assad’s prisons.
  • “The case building process is extremely easy if you have the primary source materials. Everything was documented to the nth degree.” – Canadian war crimes investigator Bill Wiley (19:42)
• Challenges Remain:
  • No dedicated tribunal; vast troves of evidence still untapped.

8. Eurovision Split Over Israel

Timestamps: 21:14–22:16

• Divisions Surface:
  • Broadcasters from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia withdraw from Eurovision, seeking Israel’s ban over the Gaza war.
  • EBU refuses to ban Israel, citing "rules and values and impartiality of public service media.” – Katja Wildermuth, EBU Director General (21:55)
• Contest Mission vs. Reality:
  • Tensions raise questions about values, diversity, and the contest’s global image.

9. Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium: Water Conflict Amid FIFA Hype

Timestamps: 22:16–25:32

• Community vs. Stadium:
  • The indigenous residents near Mexico’s Azteca Stadium suffer chronic water shortages, while the nearby stadium accesses an exclusive well.
  • “We’ve had two World Cups and the people have not benefited.” – Ruben Ramirez, Community leader (23:26)
• Corporation’s Role:
  • Televisa Group, owner of the stadium and water rights until 2027, claims most water is funneled to city system, a claim locals mistrust.
  • “The water’s for the people.” – Maria Estela Alejandro, local resident (24:18)
• Escalating Protests:
  • Community paints over advertisements, threatens to disrupt World Cup events unless access is addressed.

10. Winnipeg’s “Magical Forest” Wood Carvings & New Rules

Timestamps: 25:32–27:00

• City’s Balancing Act:
  • For 20 years, Winnipeg’s Bois des Esprits has hosted whimsical wood carvings on dead trees, but recent expansion and damage to live trees led to new city regulations.
  • “It started off as this nice tradition… then it kind of got out of hand and people started to complain.” – Brian Mays, local councilor (26:07)
• Rules Now In Place:
  • Only skilled artists, city permission required, natural themes only, no text allowed.
  • “I don't think it's a bad idea...You want to preserve the forest. It's a living, breathing thing.” – Resident (26:44)
• Community Mixed:
  • Some feel restrictions are fair; others fear stifling of creativity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The average food bank client, after paying their rent and their utilities, has $8.03 a day to survive on. Nobody can survive on that.” – Neil Hetherington, 03:33
• “I think it's classic negotiation tactics.… Like saying the Maple Leafs will win a Stanley Cup one year, but doesn’t mean it’s going to happen anytime soon.” – Goldie Heider, 06:17
• “It is absolutely clear that without the removal of the religious exception from the criminal code, there's no way the Bloc Quebecois will even look at this law anymore.” – Yves-François Blanchet, 11:42
• “The operation…must have been authorized at the highest level. Indeed by President Putin.” – British inquiry, 15:26
• “We’ve had two World Cups and the people have not benefited.” – Ruben Ramirez, 23:26
• “I don't think it's a bad idea...You want to preserve the forest. It's a living, breathing thing.” – Winnipeg resident, 26:44

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Start | End | |-------------------------------------------|----------|----------| | Food prices & grocery struggles | 00:25 | 04:31 | | CUSMA/USMCA trade pact tensions | 04:31 | 07:14 | | Kids’ flu surge, hospital strains | 07:59 | 10:35 | | Canadian hate speech law, amendment fight | 10:36 | 13:36 | | B.C. Conservative leadership change | 13:36 | 14:32 | | Russia/Novichok poisoning inquiry | 14:32 | 17:35 | | New Syrian war crimes revelations | 17:35 | 20:38 | | Eurovision split over Israel conflict | 21:14 | 22:16 | | Mexico City Azteca Stadium, water issues | 22:16 | 25:32 | | Winnipeg forest carvings new rules | 25:32 | 27:00 |

This episode offered a snapshot of high-impact issues at home and abroad, with a blend of expert commentary and real-world perspectives, maintaining CBC's accessible yet probing tone.