Poilievre on his leadership, Epstein emails, Canadian tourists avoid U.S., and more

Summary

Your World Tonight — November 12, 2025

Host: Susan Bonner (CBC)
Episode Focus: Canadian Conservative leadership turbulence, Trump–Epstein scandal, shifting immigration & travel trends, Ontario’s online gambling decision, global hotspots, and community stories.

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced summary and deeper analysis of the day’s critical stories. Major themes include political rifts in Canadian conservatism, new revelations tying Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, newly restrictive immigration policies’ effects on temporary workers, declining Canadian tourism to the U.S., and a significant legal victory for Ontario’s online gambling industry. The episode is framed from a Canadian perspective, offering expert commentary, data, and personal anecdotes to anchor the headlines in everyday experience.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pierre Poilievre’s Leadership Under Fire

• Context & Catalyst: After two Conservative MPs left his caucus (one floor crossing, one resignation), speculation swirled regarding Poilievre’s leadership style and the party’s unity.
• Poilievre’s Response: Firmly denies need for introspection or change:
  • "My plan is to continue to lead and be the only leader in the country that's fighting for an affordable Canada where our people who work hard can afford a home and food." (Poilievre, [00:43])
  • Uses words from ex-Conservative Chris d’Entremont lambasting Liberal policy, sidesteps critique of his own conduct ([02:42])
• Departed MP’s Critique: Chris d’Entremont compares the party atmosphere to "a frat house rather than a serious political party" ([03:11]).
• Party Dynamics:
  • Media accused of bias by Poilievre.
  • Pollster David Coletto:
    • "Public support for Poilievre has hit a ceiling, but among conservatives it's still strong." ([04:02])
    • Highlights risk in changing leaders: could lose Poilievre loyalists, but opens chance to broaden support.
  • Leadership review set for January.

2. Trump–Epstein Email Revelations

• New Evidence: 23,000 pages from Epstein’s estate implicate Donald Trump in closer acquaintance with Epstein and alleged knowledge of sex trafficking:
  • Emails reference Trump spending time with victim Virginia Giuffre.
  • Trump’s defenders call the story "a manufactured hoax by the Democrat Party" ([05:09]).
  • White House in damage control, asserting Trump's interactions with Epstein were innocuous.
• Intense Political Fallout:
  • Bipartisan petition in Congress now forces a vote on releasing all Epstein files ([06:41]).
  • Democrats call out White House foot-dragging:
    • "The president right now, today could release the Epstein files ... He refuses to do so. We believe this is a White House cover up." – Rep. Garcia ([06:32])
  • Issue unlikely to fade, with legal and political battles ahead.

3. Canadian Immigration Policy Shifts

• Sharper Restrictions: Federal government tightening immigration targets creates stress for temporary workers and students, many forced to seek refugee status or leave.
  • Saskatoon software developer Sabaya: "I bought a house as well, so that hit me so hard." ([08:44])
• Statistical Spike:
  • Saskatchewan asylum claims up 98% year-over-year ([09:12]).
  • National spike of 32% in asylum claims, now over 400,000 annually.
• Expert View:
  • Immigration lawyer Chris Veeman: "During COVID ... there was perceived to be labor market shortages, and we're like, okay, bring everybody in. And then now it's like, okay, get out." ([09:52])
  • Emphasizes delayed refugee case processing (up to 1.5 years).
• Policy Nuance: Provincial focus on retaining workers in healthcare, skilled trades, agriculture. Many left in limbo ([11:02]).

4. Ontario’s Online Gambling Victory

• Legal Ruling: Ontario wins right to link online gambling infrastructure internationally, despite objections from other provinces and First Nations.
  • Poker player Dhruv Dayel Gupta: "With just Ontario, at least 50% of the player pool I can recognize right away by their poker handle. Personally, don't see any logical reason to have that restriction." ([11:44])
• Industry Implications:
  • Paul Burns, Canadian Gaming Association: "We think this is a good day for the customers ... who like to play those peer to peer games." ([12:31])
• Risks & Concerns:
  • Prof. Andrew Kim: "The ease of gambling now ... all that increases the likelihood that people are going to experience some problems with gambling." ([13:13])
  • Potential for appeal, other provinces may follow.

5. Canada Imposes New Sanctions on Russia

• Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand: Announces new measures targeting Russian energy, drone/cyberattack backers.
  • "We are taking concrete action and sending a clear message. Those who enable Russia's war will face consequences under Canadian law." (Anand, [14:09-14:23])

6. U.S. Military Escalation Off Venezuela

• Deployment: USS Gerald Ford, world’s largest aircraft carrier, arrives in Caribbean as U.S. ramps up declared “war on drugs.”
  • Over 75 jets, 5,000 sailors ([15:09]).
  • At least 20 vessels struck since September, with 76 people killed—evidence on actual drug links scant.
  • Backlash: French & British allies criticize legality, British intelligence stops cooperating ([16:35]).
  • Trump suggests deeper conflict with Venezuela, accuses Maduro of dumping migrants and drugs; $50 million bounty for Maduro’s capture ([17:16]).

7. West Bank Settler Violence

• Israeli President Isaac Herzog: Calls for action after masked settlers attack Palestinian property ([17:54]).
• Palestinian business manager: Describes forced sheltering, property destruction:
  • "We instructed our employees to take shelter ... they've burned in total around five trucks, our distribution trucks, and they've burned two smaller cars for our employees." ([18:25])

8. Sonder Bankruptcy & Canadian Travellers Left Stranded

• Short-Term Rental Collapse: Montreal-founded Sonder, once partnered with Marriott, goes bankrupt leaving guests evicted mid-stay and employees jobless.
  • Customer Carol Tai: "The first reaction is that—I mean, I shouldn't swear on—it's really like, what the hell, like is this a joke?" ([19:36])
  • Ex-employee Amina Balde: "We were all completely shook." ([21:16])
  • Lawyer Wasim Tadlawi: Refund claims possible but "clients are far from being the first priority." ([21:05])

9. Canadian Tourism to U.S. Plummets

• Political Chill: Trump-era policies blamed for big drop in Canadian visits.
  • Air travel -24%, land travel -30% year-over-year ([22:47]).
  • Canadian snowbird Rena Hans: "Yeah, why would I want to give money into a country whose president has stated that they want to annex my country and has put in massive trade barriers?" ([24:23])
  • 70% of Canadians polled say uncomfortable with U.S. travel this winter ([24:33]).
• U.S. Response: Businesses launch discount programs, struggle to counter billions lost ([23:09]).

10. Human Interest – Epic Trail Hike & New Friendships

• Jessica Guo’s 5,700 km journey from Mexico to BC snowmobile country ends with warmth and connection.
  • Snowmobile club member Greg Redmond: "It was different. Yep, quite enjoyable talking to somebody that's hiked all over the country. Definitely was surprised that she still wanted to walk at night with all the bears and stuff like that." ([25:53])
  • Guo: "I thought it was gonna be a very boring roadwalk out for 60 miles and 100 k's, and you all made that very special for me, so thank you." ([26:49])

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Notable Quotes by Segment

Pierre Poilievre & Conservative Crisis

• Poilievre:
  • "No. We are. My plan is to continue to lead and be the only leader ... fighting for an affordable Canada." ([02:21])
• Chris d’Entremont:
  • "It was a part of a frat house rather than a serious political party." ([03:11])

Trump–Epstein Document Release

• White House’s Caroline Levitt:
  • "These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong." ([05:09])
• Rep. Garcia:
  • "We believe this is a White House cover up." ([06:32])

Immigration Woes

• Sabaya (temporary worker):
  • "So we're just exploring other options. If nothing works out, then ... we have to think about the other opportunities." ([09:03])
• Lawyer Chris Veeman:
  • "During COVID ... bring everybody in. And then now it's like, okay, get out." ([09:52])

Gambling Expansion Concerns

• Paul Burns (Canadian Gaming Association):
  • "This is a good day for ... customers who especially like to play those peer to peer games." ([12:31])
• Andrew Kim (psychology professor):
  • "All that increases the likelihood that people are going to experience some problems with gambling." ([13:13])

Canadian Travelers Avoiding U.S.

• Rena Hans (snowbird):
  • "Yeah, why would I want to give money into a country whose president has stated that they want to annex my country and has put in massive trade barriers?" ([24:23])

Friendship in the Wild

• Greg Redmond (snowmobile club):
  • "Quite enjoyable talking to somebody that's hiked all over the country." ([25:53])
• Jessica Guo:
  • "You all made that very special for me, so thank you." ([26:49])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Poilievre’s Conservative Leadership — [00:43]–[04:46]
• Trump–Epstein Email Scandal — [04:46]–[07:44]
• Canadian Immigration Policy’s Impact — [08:26]–[11:22]
• Ontario’s Online Gambling Ruling — [11:22]–[14:09]
• Canada Sanctions on Russia, Venezuela Tensions — [14:09]–[17:54]
• West Bank Settler Violence — [17:54]–[18:58]
• Sonder Bankruptcy and Guest Struggles — [18:58]–[22:09]
• Canadian Tourist Decline in U.S. — [22:09]–[25:04]
• Continental Divide Trail Story (Human Interest) — [25:04]–[27:02]

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

Direct, crisp, and human—CBC’s hosts and reporters blend succinct news writing with authentic, on-the-ground voices and expert insights. There’s a pragmatic but empathetic thread throughout, especially in personal stories illustrating complex political or economic news.

This episode is essential listening for those seeking a clear, nuanced catch-up on Canadian and global headlines, with thoughtful context for pressing issues of leadership, justice, migration, commerce, and community connection.

Transcript

[Jacob Silverman]

Who was Elon Musk before he was so loved and so hated. He saved free speech. He created so many different great things. Before the billions, before the rockets, before the never ending headlines. I'm Jacob Silverman and my new podcast explores the prequel to the Elon Musk era. Let me tell you what you don't know about the world's most notorious billionaire.

[CBC Reporter]

Understood the Making of Musk.

[Jacob Silverman]

Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

[Susan Bonner]

This is a CBC podcast.

[Jacob Silverman]

My plan is to continue to lead and be the only leader in the country that's fighting for an affordable Canada where our people who work hard can afford a home and food. That is my agenda.

[Susan Bonner]

A floor crossing doesn't mean soul Searching for Pierre Poiev. The Conservative leader is staying firm after losing two mps focused on confronting the liberal government and not considering changes to his leadership style. Welcome to youo World Tonight. I'm Susan Bonner. It is Wednesday, November 12, just before 6pm Eastern. Also on the podcast, these emails prove.

[CBC Reporter]

Absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong. And what President Trump has always said is that he was from Palm beach and so was Jeffrey Epstein.

[Susan Bonner]

The White House trying to distance Donald Trump from Jeffrey Epstein's victims. As new emails suggest, the US President spent hours with one at the home of the convicted sex offender.

[Jacob Silverman]

Also, there was perceived to be labor market shortages and we're like, okay, bring everybody in. And then now it's like, okay, get out.

[Susan Bonner]

Newcomers to Canada trying to stay but getting caught in the middle of shifting immigration targets. Foreign it's the first we've heard from Pierre Pauliev since two Conservative mps sent messages of their own. After one floor crossing and one resignation, Poiev is pushing back on criticism of the way he's leading the party and how that could be to blame for its recent struggles. Olivia Stefanovic reports.

[Jacob Silverman]

Have you maybe reflected on your leadership style moving forward? No. We are. My plan is to continue to lead and be the only leader in the country that's fighting for an affordable Canada.

[CBC Reporter]

Conservative leader Pierre Poliev makes no apologies for his leadership. Instead, he used the words of the MP who crossed the floor to defend it.

[Jacob Silverman]

And I will just quote Mr. Dontremont when he speaks about Mark Carney Poiliev.

[CBC Reporter]

Read four times from an anti liberal statement Chris Dontremont made just two months before the Nova Scotia MP left the Conservative benches for the Liberals.

[Jacob Silverman]

And I quote, since I first elected here in 2019, the cost of living has skyrocketed.

[CBC Reporter]

In an interview with CBC News, Don Tremont said He crossed the floor last week on Budget Day because of Poliev's leadership.

[Jacob Silverman]

Quite honestly, a lot of times I felt it was a part of a frat house rather than a serious political party.

[CBC Reporter]

When that was put to Poiliev, the conservative leader again referred back to Don.

[Jacob Silverman]

Tremont's previous statement where he said that liberal food price inflation was inhumane. And you know what? He's right.

[CBC Reporter]

He also accused the media of favoring liberals by ignoring criticism of the federal budget by a liberal mp.

[Susan Bonner]

I know you'll be.

[Jacob Silverman]

You're camped outside his office right now waiting to get comment from him.

[CBC Reporter]

I know Polly have pushing back after a week where he saw his caucus shrink by 2amid increasing questions about his.

[Jacob Silverman]

Leadership is he believes that he doesn't need to change anything about the way he leads or the way he approaches his job as leader of the opposition and leader of the Conservative Party. And to some extent he may be right.

[CBC Reporter]

David Coletto is the CEO of Abacus Data. The pollster says public support for Pauliev has hit a ceiling, but among conservatives it's still strong.

[Jacob Silverman]

The risk is, you know, if you replace him with somebody else, they may be able to open new eyes and ears to the conservatives, but do you lose some of those supporters who are attracted to him? And that's, that's the dilemma that conservatives are facing right now.

[CBC Reporter]

Dontramal responded to Poiev's remarks in a statement calling the conservative leader's comments spin and claiming they prove his point about Poliev's leadership. The party will vote on whether they still support Poliev style when he faces a leadership review in January. Olivia Stanovic, CBC News, Ottawa.

[Susan Bonner]

According to Donald Trump, they were just casual acquaintances. But it's getting HARDER for the U.S. president to expl his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. New emails suggest Trump was aware of Epstein's sex trafficking of young victims and that he even spent time with one of them. Katie Simpson has the latest from Washington.

[CBC Reporter]

This is truly a manufactured hoax by the Democrat Party on the attack. White House Press secretary Caroline Levitt defending the president as his name is again linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Donald Trump referenced several times within 23,000 pages of documents provided by Epstein's estate to a congressional committee which were made public today. These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong. Democrats highlighted what they saw as damning exchanges, including an apparent email Epstein wrote about Trump to journalist Michael Wolff saying of course he knew about the girls. As he asked Ghislaine to stop another allegedly written by Epstein to his co conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, says the dog that hasn't barked is Trump and that Trump spent hours at Epstein's house with a victim later identified as Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. She maintained that there was nothing inappropriate she ever witnessed, that President Trump was always extremely professional and friendly to her. Trump and Epstein were friends until they had a falling out in the early 2000s, before Epstein was charged with sex offenses the first time. For months now, the White House has failed to stop the damaging drips of information giving Democrats, including Congressman Robert Garcia, a deeply personal line of attack.

[Jacob Silverman]

The president right now, today could release the Epstein files and fulfill his campaign promise, but he refuses to do so. And we believe this is a White House cover up.

[CBC Reporter]

The White House is fighting this challenge on multiple fronts as a petition in Congress now has enough signatures to force a vote to compel the federal government to release all Epstein files. Justice cannot wait another day. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in today as a new member of Congress and she represents the 218th signature on that petition, the last one needed. A handful of Republicans also signed on despite an intense pressure campaign from the White House that included emergency interventions in the Situation Room. The vote in the House won't come up until early December, and if it passes, it would also need to be passed by the Senate before any sort of legislation reaches Trump's desk and he could use veto power to stop it. But this forces lawmakers to be on the record about where they stand on releasing Epstein files and ensures this issue isn't going away. Katie Simpson, CBC News, Washington.

[Susan Bonner]

Coming right up, Canada is allowing fewer immigrants into the country, a shift that's causing big problems for some who are already here. And Ontario is hoping to cash in after winning a legal fight to expand online guests gambling. Later, we'll have this story.

[CBC Reporter]

Some Canadians are taking the trade war personally.

[Jacob Silverman]

I have no intention of going down there.

[CBC Reporter]

As elbows go up, trips to the US Are down. We've missed them. We've noticed the, the difference and we've missed them. I'm Nisha Patel in Toronto. What American businesses are doing to lure Canadian tourists back, that's coming up on YOUR WORLD tonight.

[Susan Bonner]

As Canada continues to tighten its immigration targets, new data suggests the policy shift is starting to have a big impact. Temporary workers and students who desperately want to stay in the country are now being forced to make tough decisions. Halina Mihalek explains.

[Jacob Silverman]

I bought a house as well, so that hit me so hard.

[CBC Reporter]

Sabaya is a software developer working in Saskatoon. He's just finished two years of Canadian work experience, a milestone that should have opened the door to permanent residency. Now, because of recent changes to the federal immigration policy, he's left questioning the future he dreamed of.

[Jacob Silverman]

So we just wanted to focus upon our future. So we're just exploring other options. If nothing works out, then, yes, we have to think about the other opportunities.

[CBC Reporter]

Sabaya, who has asked us to protect his identity out of concern for his permanent residency application, is one of many temporary workers in Saskatchewan now caught up by those policy changes. Some are now applying for refugee status in the hopes of finding a different path to remain in Canada. New data from Statistics Canada shows claims across the province are up 98% between April and June of this year compared to the same period last year, a jump from 680 to more than 1300. Chris Veeman, an immigration lawyer in Saskatoon, says people who come to Canada aren't getting the opportunities they were promised.

[Jacob Silverman]

Yeah, there certainly was a during COVID where there was perceived to be labor market shortages, and we're like, okay, bring everybody in. And then now it's like, okay, get out.

[CBC Reporter]

Wieman says cuts to immigration numbers by the province and the previous federal government that took effect this year are having a swift impact in Saskatchewan. But other provinces are facing a similar situation. In Manitoba, asylum claims increased by 87%, 57% in Alberta and 53% in B.C. nationally, the spike was 32%, from just over 300,000 to over 400,000. Wieman says asylum claims that were once a last resort are now the only solution for some to keep their job or continue pursuing their education in Canada.

[Jacob Silverman]

This is where, like, fast processing of refugee cases is important, because right now, if you made a refugee case today, you would probably not get a hearing for about like a year and a half.

[CBC Reporter]

Saskatchewan's Deputy Immigration Minister, Drew Wilby says the province is only putting an emphasis on retaining foreign workers in specific sectors.

[Jacob Silverman]

The three key sectors that we've looked at for international recruitment over the course of the last year are health care. No surprise, the skilled trades as well as the agriculture value add chain. So it's not in my control, basically.

[CBC Reporter]

With Sabaya's work permit almost up, he's left worried about where he and his family will go next. Halyna Mihalik, CBC News, Saskatoon.

[Susan Bonner]

Ontario is a step closer to winning a big bet to boost its coffers. It won a court case today that will allow international players to participate in online gambling. The change has the potential to bring in a lot more revenue, but with it comes more risk. Colin Butler reports.

[Jacob Silverman]

Dhruv Dayel Gupta is an online poker player. For him, the decision changes everything. With just Ontario, at least 50% of.

[CBC Reporter]

The player pool I can recognize right.

[Jacob Silverman]

Away by their poker handle. So I know right away that, you know, this guy plays like this, this guy plays like this. Personally, don't see any logical reason to have that restriction. Now he can potentially sit at virtual tables with opponents from around the world, not just from Windsor to Ottawa. It means bigger games, bigger pots and bigger prizes. But not everyone's cheering. A coalition of provinces in a first nation challenged Ontario's approach in court. They argued the system breaks from Canada's cooperative model for gambling regulation and warned it could open the door to chaos between jurisdictions. The court didn't agree. The judges ruled four to one that Ontario can maintain legal control on the domestic side while still allowing international links without the consent of other provinces. We're extremely pleased with the ruling today. Paul Burns is the president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association. We think this is a good day for, for the customers who especially like to play those peer to peer games in daily fantasy, pooled sports products, peer to peer, like poker, for players it's a jackpot. But for critics, it's a risk because what's good for the customer isn't always good when the customer can't walk away. Of course, when you increase accessibility, in a sense, there's potential for harm. Andrew Kim is a psychology professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. He says all those players and all that money for some is a temptation too far. The ease of gambling now, right? So you have a casino in your pocket. All that increases the likelihood that people are going to experience some problems with gambling. It could also be appealed, says Don Bourgeois, a lawyer and an expert in gambling law. I expect it will be appealed, but.

[CBC Reporter]

There may be dynamics at play that.

[Jacob Silverman]

Say, okay, move on. He adds the decision is open to other provinces, noting Alberta could choose to join. For now, though, gambling in Ontario at least has undergone a major shift. The game is bigger, the money is bigger, and for some, the gamble is now more dangerous than ever. Colin Butler, CBC News, London. Ontario.

[Susan Bonner]

Canada is imposing new sanctions on Russia. We are taking concrete action and sending a clear message. Those who enable Russia's war will face.

[CBC Reporter]

Consequences under Canadian law.

[Susan Bonner]

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Annan made the announcement at a G7 meeting in Ontario. The new sanctions target Russia's energy sector and the people behind its drone and cyberattacks. On Ukraine. Annand says the sanctions support efforts by the G7 to ramp up economic pressure on Russia. The tropical waters of the Caribbean are turning into a military hotspot as tension escalates between the United States and Venezuela. The US Navy's largest aircraft carrier is now stationed off the coast of the South American country. Sasha Petrcek has more on how the buildup could reshape regional security.

[Jacob Silverman]

Its runways handle more than 75 fighter jets. Its decks hold 5,000 sailors. And Wednesday, USS Gerald Ford, the biggest aircraft carrier in the world, arrived in the Caribbean. It's the most dramatic escalation yet in what the White House calls a military campaign against suspected drug runners. Spokeswoman Caroline Levitt it is going to.

[CBC Reporter]

Continue and the president has made it very clear he's not going to allow terrorists to, to bring illegal drugs that kill American citizens into our great country.

[Jacob Silverman]

With that justification, the US has launched airstrikes against at least 20 vessels off the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of South America, killing at least 76 people since September. But Washington has provided little evidence that the targets actually carry drugs, prompting a growing international backlash given that those military operations are not compliant with international law. From the French Foreign Minister meeting G7 counterparts in Ontario and from British intelligence agencies which have cut off their cooperation with the U.S. this is a very significant break in that relationship. Cedric Layton is a former deputy director of the U.S. national Security Agency. So this lack of intelligence support from Britain is going to have a significant impact on the accuracy of the intelligence that the US uses in prosecuting the so called war on drugs. So this is a major, major issue. But President Donald Trump has suggested it's not all about drugs, that he blames Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for sending immigrants to the US They've been treating us very badly, not only on drugs. They've dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our, that we didn't want people from prisons, they emptied their prisons into our country. US Officials are reportedly proposing an attack on Venezuela, though Trump has publicly rejected it. Still, the US Has Maduro in its sights, accusing him of being a narco trafficker, offering a $50 million reward for his capture. Says Attorney General Pam Bondi.

[CBC Reporter]

Maduro will not escape justice and he.

[Susan Bonner]

Will be held accountable for his despicable crimes.

[Jacob Silverman]

Maduro shot back Tuesday, ordering military and civilian forces in Venezuela to be ready for war. Sasha Petricik, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

Israel's President Isaac Herzog is calling for decisive action to stop violence by settlers in the occupied West Bank. On Tuesday, dozens of masked Israeli settlers hurled stones and set fire to homes and dairy trucks. In a new surge of violence in the occupied west bank, four Palestinians were injured. Video shows people swarming a dairy and setting fire to four trucks. Manager Munjad Al Junaidi says his workers had to take shelter during the midday attack.

[Jacob Silverman]

We instructed our employees to take shelter and look after their safety. Our employees locked themselves inside of our premises and then the settlers started attacking the premises from the outside, throwing stones on the windows and then started burning our trucks which were outside. They've burned in total around five trucks, our distribution trucks, and they've burned two smaller cars for our employees and some private cars also for our employees.

[Susan Bonner]

This is yous World Tonight from CBC News. If you want to make sure you stay up to date and never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts, just find the follow button and lock us in. Many travelers were left scrambling and stranded after the surprise bankruptcy of a Canadian founded short term rental company. Sonder started up in 2014, but the end of its deal with a leading hotel chain has upended the company and its clients. Sarah Levitt reports.

[CBC Reporter]

I literally freaked out. Carol Tai's vacation to London didn't go exactly as planned. She'd secured a Saunder apartment with her husband, but two days into an eight day booking she got an email saying she had to leave. The first reaction is that I mean I shouldn't swear on, you know, but it's really like what the hell, like is this a joke? An abrupt end to the stay and she's not alone. Social media soon filled with similar stories. We just got evicted from our hotel here in Montreal.

[Jacob Silverman]

Your existing reservation is no longer in effect. You need to move out immediately.

[CBC Reporter]

Sonder, founded in Montreal, offered short term apartment and hotel like stays, almost 10,000 units in 10 countries. In 2024 it teamed up to offer its services through Marriott, but that deal has ultimately led to its undoing. In a statement, Saunders says Marriott terminated their licensing agreement with the hotel company, saying it was due to Saunders financial problem. The company, now based in San Francisco, says it's winding down operations and will file for bankruptcy. As for clients who are hoping to.

[Jacob Silverman]

Be reimbursed so they can actually file a proof of claim within the process of the bankruptcy and try to get back whatever money they've paid.

[CBC Reporter]

Wasim Tadlawi is a partner and lawyer at the Montreal law firm Lavery. He says clients do have recourse, but they are far from being the first priority.

[Jacob Silverman]

Most companies have secured creditors which are most of the time banks or financial institutions. They get paid before any other client that has not has a security.

[CBC Reporter]

As For Saunders, approximately 1500 employees, they are now out of a job. We were kind of like aware a bit as employees that, like, the company was going through difficulties, but I think we didn't know how much or how deep the difficulties were. Amina Balde worked for Saunder in Montreal for the past two years. She says the first major red flag came last week when she was told not to refund any guests. Then on Sunday, not only did the guests have to leave, but she wasn't employed anymore. We went to the front desk. A bunch of guests were coming in, very frustrated. Hey, why am I receiving this email? And we're all telling them, we just learned at the same time as you. We're just like, what is this a joke? I thought I was going to faint. We were all completely shook. Saunders, interim CEO, is calling the business's demise devastating, but necessary. Sara Levitz, CBC News, Montreal.

[Susan Bonner]

Some American companies are worried about their own demise because of the ongoing decline of Canadian tourism. Visits south of the border have plummeted since January, and it's forcing some business owners to find new ways to bring back old friends. Neesha Patel has the details.

[Jacob Silverman]

We're just not crazy about going over.

[CBC Reporter]

From her home near Windsor, Ontario, Jacqueline Rolland used to cross the border to Detroit to go shopping or visit the airport. Lately, she's been staying close to home.

[Jacob Silverman]

We're just supporting Canada and just doing local stuff and doing things that are within our community.

[CBC Reporter]

She's not alone. Since US President Donald Trump took office, many Canadians have been boycotting trips south of the border. New data from Statistics Canada shows air travel was 24% lower in October and land travel dropped 30% compared to the same time last year.

[Jacob Silverman]

Regardless of anything, we're going to be friends with Canada. Canada is a very special place.

[CBC Reporter]

While Trump has downplayed the reaction, it's clear Canadians are taking the trade war personally. We've missed them. We've noticed the difference. Diane Medler leads the tourism agency for Kalispell, Montana, just five hours south of Calgary. It's a popular destination for shopping and skiing and a frequent host to youth sports tournaments.

[Jacob Silverman]

It's always been a real reciprocal, neighborly relationship.

[CBC Reporter]

We enjoy going up there. Canadians own second homes down here. This year, border crossings from Canada to Montana, a state that voted 58% Republican in the last presidential election, have tumbled, Medler says. In Kalispell, credit card spending by Canadians is down 40% now her organization is launching a discount pass to lure visitors back. Our welcome mat is out and they are welcome when they're ready to come and Visit. The National U.S. travel association is feeling the strain. Its latest report suggests international tourism spending will fall nearly $6 billion this year, mostly thanks to the decline in Canadian tourists.

[Jacob Silverman]

I have no intention of going down there.

[CBC Reporter]

Toronto Snowbird Rena Hans owns a condo in Florida, but this winter she's packing her bags for Costa Rica instead.

[Jacob Silverman]

Yeah, why would I want to give money into a country whose president has stated that they want to annex my country and has put in massive trade barriers?

[CBC Reporter]

A recent poll from Angus Reed found 70% of Canadians surveyed would be uncomfortable traveling to the U.S. this winter. One top concern, heightened security at the border during Trump's immigration crackdown. Hahn says she won't return to the US until he's out of office.

[Jacob Silverman]

I can't vote, but I can vote with my dollars.

[CBC Reporter]

Even then, she worries America is changed for good. She may sell her Florida property and find a new snowbird home. Neesha Patel, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

We close tonight in the British Columbia backcountry with the end of an epic journey and the start of an unlikely friendship.

[CBC Reporter]

If you're watching this, I hope that you get outside in any way that makes sense for you. And if there's something out there that calls to you, I hope you listen.

[Susan Bonner]

Jessica Guo is a 30 year old American outdoor enthusiast and social media influencer who recently hiked the entire Continental Divide and Great Divide trails, more than 5,700 km from the Mexican border across the US to the BC Rockies. She documented it all online, encountering dozens of species of wildlife along the way. Then, on her very last day, an encounter with Gary, Bob Lee and Greg.

[Jacob Silverman]

It was different. Yep, quite enjoyable talking to somebody that's hiked all over the country. Definitely was surprised that she still wanted to walk at night with all the bears and stuff like that.

[Susan Bonner]

Greg Redmond is a member of the Kakwa Park SnowMobile Club. About 20 years ago, the group built a cabin in the mountains.

[Jacob Silverman]

We got buddies in the mills around here and we got lumber donated from like Dunckley's. It's been good. It's a very nice cabin.

[Susan Bonner]

Last month, after Guo had reached the end of the trail, she hiked past the cabin. It was late and Redmond and his friends said continuing on would not be safe. They insisted she stay and they'd give her a ride out in the morning. The group shared dinner and spent the night talking about the outdoors. Guo may be a hiker. Redmond and his friends stick to snowmobiles and ATVs, but they share and love the same trails.

[CBC Reporter]

I thought it was gonna be a very boring roadwalk out for 60 miles and 100 k's, and you all made that very special for me, so thank you.

[Jacob Silverman]

Thanks, Jessica. Pleasure meeting you and spending the night with you.

[Susan Bonner]

Crossing paths while hiking between countries and stumbling into new friendships. Thank you for joining us. This has been youn World Tonight for Wednesday, November 12th.

[CBC Reporter]

Health.

[Susan Bonner]

I'm Susan Bonner. Talk to you again. For more CBC podcasts, go to CBC CA podcasts.