Your World Tonight — November 10, 2025

“Measles in Canada, bracing for bad flu season, Vimy cave secrets, and more”

Hosts: Susan Bonner, Stephanie Skenderis
Podcast: Your World Tonight (CBC News)

Overview

This episode spotlights urgent public health concerns in Canada—Canada's loss of measles elimination status, warnings of a dangerous flu season, and public transit strikes. It also covers nation-building infrastructure priorities, a major U.S. government shutdown development, COP30 climate conference tensions, an evocative look inside the Vimy Ridge tunnels, and an unforgettable Canadian soccer championship finale.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada Loses Measles Elimination Status

Segment Start: 01:13

• After nearly 30 years measles outbreak free, Canada’s elimination status has been revoked following uncontrolled outbreaks.
• Personal Impact: Morgan Burch shared her daughter’s dangerous case of measles at only four months old.

  “Her pediatrician has been a pediatrician for 40 years and Kimmy was her first case she's ever seen.” (03:01, Morgan Burch)

• The outbreak included over 5,000 cases across several provinces and two infant deaths.
• Expert Analysis:
  • Dr. Yarbos Barbosa (Pan American Health Organization) confirmed Canada’s status loss (03:42).
  • Dr. Natasha Crowcroft (Public Health Agency of Canada) emphasized systemic issues:

    “We do need to build trust and make sure our public health systems and immunisation programs are really as good as they possibly can be.” (04:33, Dr. Crowcroft)

  • Dr. Jesse Papenberg (Montreal Children's Hospital) called for increased government investment in raising vaccination coverage (04:51).
• To restore status: vaccination rates above 95% and at least 12 consecutive months without local measles transmission are required.

  “The Pan American Health Organization says Canada needs to address several gaps… including increasing vaccine coverage to reach herd immunity, which means 95% of the population is vaccinated with two doses.” (05:01, Alison Northcott)

Notable Quotes:

• “It is a sad day. I’m disappointed, but I’m not surprised.” (04:15, Dr. Natasha Crowcroft)
• “It’s definitely damaging to Canada’s reputation.” (04:39, Dr. Jesse Papenberg)

2. Warning Signs: Bad Flu Season Ahead

Segment Start: 05:23

• Southern hemisphere data shows Australia experiencing its worst-ever flu season.
• Canada is seeing flu positives rising, with H3N2 strain—known for severe illnesses—potentially dominant.
• Concern over H3N2 variants with mutations possibly reducing vaccine efficacy:

  “We started seeing some variants of the H3N2 influenza, a subtype that had mutations that may make the vaccine less effective.” (07:14, Dr. Papenberg)

• Dr. Danu Skronsky (BC Centre for Disease Control): even a partially effective vaccine can save lives, especially among older adults and the vulnerable.

  “Even if the vaccine is mismatched, [...] a small amount of protection can still be life saving.” (07:46, Dr. Danu Skronsky)

• National clinics are open, with a push for Canadians to get their flu shots, but officials won’t yet predict how severe the season will be.

Notable Moment:

• “Last year was probably the worst influenza season Canada had had in a decade and it seems like that could occur again this year.” (06:25, Dr. Papenberg)

3. Canadian “Buy Local” Infrastructure Push

Segment Start: 09:23

• PM Mark Carney’s government is promoting a "Buy Canadian" strategy for new infrastructure, starting with steel and lumber.
• $185 million dedicated to new procurement incentives.
• Industry leaders caution there could be increased costs and project delays.

  “Every time you add a policy… that would kind of put a hurdle in the normal process that would, that would need more cost.” (10:45, Roger, Canadian Construction Association)

• Industry Minister Melanie Jolie says the move is a response to foreign tariffs—seeking to “trump-proof” the economy.

Speculation:

• Announcement expected in Prince Rupert, BC, concerning major LNG projects (11:45).

4. Montreal Public Transit Strikes

Segment Start: 12:01

• More than 10 days of severe bus and subway disruptions; only rush hour services.
• Nonprofit worker Natalia Neptune and service user Brian Campbell describe the difficulties for vulnerable people and intense commuter hardships.

  “It's a held hostage situation.” (13:05, Brian Campbell)

• Multiple unions are striking ahead of a new provincial law that would allow ministers to forcibly halt strikes that are “harmful to the public.”
• Labour expert Barry Eidlin warns the law infringes on workers' rights.

  “The parties need to be able to meet on a relatively level playing field… Workers have one lever, which is the right to withdraw their labor.” (14:16, Barry Eidlin)

• Montreal’s incoming mayor is pressing for resolution.

5. U.S. Government Shutdown: Possible End in Sight

Segment Start: 14:54

• After 41 days, a bipartisan deal is poised to end the record U.S. government shutdown, though Democratic unity has fractured.
• Concessions include back pay for furloughed workers, but no assurances on health care subsidies.

  “If the tactic isn't working and there were no prospects that it was going to work, then let's move on, not make a lot of other people suffer...” (16:25, Senator Angus King)

6. Trump, BBC, and the $1 Billion Lawsuit

Segment Start: 17:56

• Donald Trump is threatening to sue the BBC over an election-period documentary that he says misrepresented his speech on January 6.
• Two top BBC executives have resigned over the editing controversy.

7. COP30 Climate Conference Kicks Off in Brazil

Segment Start: 18:31

• Conference begins with President Lula of Brazil warning against climate complacency and “denialists.”

  “Now. It's the moment to impose a new defeat to the denialists.” (19:35, President Lula)

• UN’s Simon Steele emphasizes the global “energy transformation”:

  “This is the growth story of the 21st century, the economic transformation of our age.” (20:38, Simon Steele)

• Fewer pledges than previous years—focus shifts to action, not just commitments.
• Global emissions have started to decline but not rapidly enough.

8. Vimy Ridge Tunnels: New Discoveries

Segment Start: 22:25

• Advanced scanning technology is revealing soldiers' carvings and messages in fragile chalk tunnels beneath Vimy Ridge.

  “It's like walking into a church alone... You see these carvings on the wall that these soldiers had done in some cases, right before they died.” (23:04, Dan Mansfield, Canada Group)

• Over 30 names have been documented, merging history with modern remembrance.
• The tunnels are unstable; preservation is an urgent race against time.

  “It is an unrecognized national treasure.” (25:00, Paul Culleton, videographer)

9. Canadian Soccer’s “Icicle Kick” Moment

Segment Start: 26:31

• The Canadian Premier League final in Ottawa becomes instantly legendary: teams play through a snowstorm; players help shovel the pitch.
• David Rodriguez scores with a dramatic, airborne “bicycle” (dubbed the “icicle”) kick, securing Ottawa’s first title.

  “Lasso... It’s a bicycle kick. In soccer jargon, they’re calling this one the Icicle Kick.” (27:27, Play-by-play) “This night was my night... Can’t wait to get to the locker room, be warm and celebrate.” (27:54, David Rodriguez)

• Ottawa advances to the Continental Championships; more chilly soccer may be coming in February.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “I didn't know if Canada knew what to do, if Alberta knew what to do with measles anymore.” — Morgan Burch (02:57)
• “To be able to reach agreement at the negotiating table, the parties need to be able to meet on a relatively level playing field.” — Barry Eidlin (14:16)
• “The world has succeeded in transforming energy patterns. Solar and wind are now the lowest cost power in 90% of the world.” — Susan Ormiston (19:57)
• “The chalk that is down there, it's very, very fragile… In my opinion, is a national treasure. It is an unrecognized national treasure.” — Paul Culleton (25:00)
• “Ottawa midfielder David Rodriguez leapt into the air for a stunning acrobatic goal… After a 40 minute snowplow break, Rodriguez scored the then winning goal in extra time, giving Ottawa its first ever Canadian Premier League title.” (27:29-27:54)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:13 — Canada loses measles elimination status
• 05:23 — Warnings on severe flu season
• 09:23 — National infrastructure & Buy Canadian policy
• 12:01 — Montreal public transit strike hardship
• 14:54 — U.S. government shutdown breakthrough
• 17:56 — Trump–BBC lawsuit threat
• 18:31 — COP30 climate summit analysis
• 22:25 — Vimy Ridge: secrets of the tunnels
• 26:31 — Canadian Premier League “Icicle Kick”

Tone & Closing Thoughts

Staying true to CBC’s informative, analytical, and Canadian-focused approach, the episode wove together news urgency (measles, flu), community impact (strikes, Vimy), and national pride (soccer) with international scope (U.S. politics, climate action).
Whether for those seeking the headlines or the human stories behind them, this installment provides both context and memorable moments from November 10, 2025.