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.

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.

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])

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])

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]

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.