Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode Date: November 22, 2025
Hosts: Stephanie Skenderas, Susan Bonner
Main Topics: G20 Summit in South Africa, COP30 climate deal, bear attacks in BC, healthcare labour negotiations in Alberta, ER wait times across Canada, Toy Story’s 30th anniversary, and Ticketmaster ticketing issues

Episode Overview

This episode unpacks the world’s major news stories with a Canadian lens, zeroing in on geopolitics, climate negotiations, domestic health care, public safety, cultural milestones, and consumer issues. The hosts deliver a brisk, in-depth digest focusing on what’s urgent, unresolved, and most debated—anchored by on-the-ground reporting and candid interviews.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. G20 Summit: Peace Plan for Ukraine and Canada’s Trade Focus

[00:40 – 05:25]

• US-Driven Ukraine Peace Plan:

  • A dozen world leaders (UK, France, Germany, Canada) met to discuss a leaked US proposal for peace in Ukraine.
  • The plan mirrors Russian positions and would impose limits on Ukraine’s armed forces, seen as risky for Ukrainian security.
  • Joint statement: The peace plan “requires additional work; borders must not be changed by force.”

• Canada’s Position:

  • Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand emphasized: “To ensure just and lasting peace for Ukraine … to make sure that Ukraine is at the table and that its core interest—its sovereignty, for example, its territorial integrity, for example—are protected.” [03:04]
  • Canada is seeking closer trade with countries beyond the US, whose president is absent from the summit.

• Expert Analysis:

  • Michael Bociurkiw (Eurasia Centre):
    “If any Ukrainian leader were to sign up for even a part of this so-called plan, it would be the end of Ukraine as we know it. Game over for a sovereign Ukraine.” [03:44]
  • Trump's absence noted for allowing different diplomatic dynamics, but he “casts a long shadow” with the peace plan and US set to assume the G20 presidency.

2. COP30 Climate Conference: Compromises and Disappointments

[05:30 – 09:27]

• Deal After Disagreement:

  • COP30 in Brazil concluded with only a fragile agreement; contentious debate centered on omitting an explicit fossil fuel phase-out.
  • Colombia objected: “The COP of the truth cannot support an outcome that ignores science.” [06:57]
  • Climate Action Network and others express disappointment over lack of a committed fossil fuels roadmap.

• Host Response:

  • Brazilian COP president André Corrêa do Lago: “I… will create two roadmaps: one on halting and reverting deforestation, another to transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner.” [07:25]
  • These are voluntary and not binding.

• Wins & Setbacks:

  • Successes included record indigenous participation and a pledge to triple climate finance for vulnerable countries.
  • Ed Miliband (UK): “More than 190 countries have recommitted to the Paris Agreement… to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees.” [08:13]
  • But the gap between ambition and action remains large, and the episode questions whether consensus is even possible.

3. Bear Attacks & Wildlife Management in BC

[10:43 – 13:13]

• Grizzly Attack Investigation:

  • Three bears sought after attack on NewHalk Nation school group in Bella Coola (11 people injured).
  • Community leader: “There’s probably 40 to 50 incidents where houses have been broken into … porches where there’s dog food or cat food.” [11:57]

• Calls to Lift Hunting Ban:

  • BC Wildlife Federation: Ban on grizzly hunt (since 2017) lacks “scientific rationale,” claims rise in conflicts.
  • BC Government: No current plans to lift ban.

4. Public Safety: Prince Rupert Murder-Suicide Investigation

[13:14 – 16:39]

• Background:
  • 2022: Border Services officer used a state-issued weapon (accessed after hours from a poorly secured lockup) to carry out a murder-suicide.
  • Faulty security: Cameras weren’t working, access controls failed, weapon not missed until after the tragedy.
  • Victim’s friend, Jewel Jerstad: “She had made a call in regards to feeling unsafe and was worried that… he had access to weapons.” [15:28]
  • Calls for public transparency and accountability.

5. Alberta Health-Care Labour Deal: A Strike Narrowly Averted

[16:39 – 19:33]

• Strike Threat:

  • 16,000 Alberta hospital workers nearly struck over pay and staffing.
  • Agreement reached minutes after official start time; Union says deal includes 12–24% wage increase over four years to align wages with other provinces.

• Unresolved Issues:

  • Staffing shortages persist: “We still have a 12% vacancy rate and those are the things that we continue to push for.” – Sandra Azikar, AUPE president [18:57]

6. ER Wait Times: Systemic Crisis Across Canada

[19:33 – 23:36]

• CBC Marketplace Data:

  • 500,000 Canadians left ERs before being seen in 2024.
  • Case study: Finley Van der Werken, 16, waited over 8 hours with severe symptoms, died after eventually being seen.
    • Hazel (Finley’s mother): “It’s eight hours and 22 minutes that Finley had to suffer.” [20:57]

• Key Factors:

  • Median ER stay increased to 5.5 hours nationally; some stretched past 13 hours.
  • Main culprit: “Boarded patients” prevent inflow and cause ripple delays.
    • Dr. Fraser MacKay: “It’s rare that a shift will go by where… a patient… couldn't handle the wait and left. Now they come back and they’re that much sicker.” [22:35]

7. Toy Story at 30: Pixar’s Legacy and the State of Animation

[24:46 – 27:29]

• Cultural Impact:

  • Toy Story’s debut in 1995 revolutionized animation with a “visual language… no one had ever seen on the big screen.” – Daniel Gies, animator [25:33]
  • Pixar’s recent struggles: flops like The Good Dinosaur, weak showings for new originals; modest box office for Elio (2025).

• Industry Shifts:

  • Competition from Sony (Spider-Verse) and international/indie animation.
    • “They're embracing stylization … that looks more artistic and painterly versus something that completely reflects real life.” – Petrana Radilovich, Polygon [26:24]

• Pixar’s staying power:

  • Big successes continue (Inside Out 2, Toy Story 5 upcoming), though field is more crowded than ever.

8. Ticketmaster Fiasco & Olivia Dean Tour

[27:39 – End]

• Issue:

  • Ticketing typo for Olivia Dean’s North American tour led to balcony seats being listed at $753 USD (13x intended price).
  • Tickets sold for hundreds, with many scooped up by bots/scalpers.

• Artist Response:

  • Olivia Dean: “Service is disgusting, resale prices are vile, and [ticketing platforms should] be better.” [28:07]
  • Ticketmaster subsequently capped resale prices at face value.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “As I sometimes say, Ukraine should be at the table, not on the table.”
  — Karina Roman [00:40]
• “Game over for a sovereign Ukraine.”
  — Michael Bociurkiw, Eurasia Centre [03:44]
• “There’s probably 40 to 50 incidents where houses have been broken into….”
  — NewHalk Nation Chief [11:57]
• “The tears have dried up on a day-to-day basis, but the memories are still alive and well. Some people still have a hard time entering the building; the sense of safety has been shook.”
  — Julie Furlano, former colleague of murder victim [14:16]
• “I have 12 years’ experience and I make $8 less an hour than an RN fresh out the gate.”
  — Alberta LPN [17:59]
• “It’s eight hours and 22 minutes that Finley had to suffer.”
  — Hazel Van der Werken [20:57]
• “It was a magic trick.”
  — Daniel Gies, Montreal animator, on early Pixar [25:40]
• “Resale prices are vile, and to be better.”
  — Olivia Dean [28:07]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:40 – G20 Summit & Ukraine Peace Plan
• 05:30 – COP30 climate deal in Brazil
• 10:43 – BC bear attacks and wildlife management
• 13:14 – Prince Rupert murder-suicide & border services investigation
• 16:39 – Alberta healthcare strike averted
• 19:33 – ER wait times data, Finley Van der Werken case, national trends
• 24:46 – Toy Story’s 30th anniversary, Pixar’s trajectory
• 27:39 – Olivia Dean’s ticketing controversy

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a brisk, frank, and compassionate tone, weaving expert analysis and personal stories to illuminate policy decisions and their human consequences. The hosts favor directness and a focus on accountability, in trademark CBC fashion.

This summary covers all major content, providing a reliable guide to the episode for listeners seeking in-depth understanding or unable to listen firsthand.