Podcast Summary: Your World Tonight (CBC)

Episode: Que. Lib leader quits, Carney on floor crossing, U.S. lures Canadian skiers, and more
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Susan Bonner & Stephanie Skenderis

Overview

This episode covers significant political upheaval in Quebec with the resignation of the Liberal Party leader amid corruption allegations, the stakes of floor-crossing MPs in federal parliament, mounting social and political division in the U.S. fueled by President Trump’s policies, how those policies are affecting Canadian tourism in Montana, climate-related chaos in B.C., the Italian women’s hockey team’s bid for Olympic credibility in Montreal, and a heartwarming discovery among polar bears in Hudson Bay.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez Resigns

[00:46 - 05:13]

• Background: Rodriguez resigns after only six months as leader following allegations of illegal vote buying and donor reimbursement, which have triggered an anti-corruption police investigation.
• Impact: Party thrown into crisis just 10 months before a provincial election, at risk of further decline, and separation from many voters, especially Anglophones and federalists.
• Expert Commentary:
  • Andre Pratt (Former Party Chair): “Our goal has to be to convince Quebecers that this, this is the deed of very few bad apples.” (02:44)
  • Daniel Bella (McGill): "It basically took a month for the leadership of Pablo Rodriguez to unravel and collapse." (03:20)
  • David Birnbaum (Former MNA): Stresses the need for a “meaningful and solid federalist option” amid rising sovereigntist sentiment.

2. Ottawa: Floor-Crossing MPs and Carney’s Majority Ambitions

[05:13 - 08:05]

• Situation: PM Mark Carney’s Liberals are now just one seat away from a majority, due to two Conservative MPs defecting.
• Carney’s Stance:
  • “I am comfortable commanding the confidence of the House of Commons.” (05:58)
  • Hints at more possible floor crossings but offers no specifics: “I think there is a spectrum of MPs with varying degrees of recognition of the serious situation the country is in…” (06:36)
• Conservative Response:
  • Pierre Poilievre accuses the Liberals of “dirty backroom deals” and calls for a proper mandate from Canadians:

    "If you want a costly majority government to drive up taxes and deficits, then you have to go to the Canadian people and have them vote for it, not do it by dirty backroom deals." (07:31)

3. U.S. Politics: Trump Addresses a Divided Nation

[09:01 - 14:54]

• Trump’s National Address:
  • Focus: Celebrates achievements (e.g., lower gas prices, reduced immigration numbers).
  • Timing: Attempts to pre-empt criticism ahead of the court-ordered Epstein file document release.
  • “We are told to expect an emphasis on gas prices... and how the number of people trying to illegally cross into the U.S. has dropped dramatically.” (09:24)
• Controversies:
  • Deepening cost-of-living crisis, cracks in the MAGA base, and criticism over foreign focus (Venezuela blockade and military activity).
  • “Trump wants to keep on blowing up boats until Nicolas Maduro cries uncle.” — Susie Wiles, Trump’s Chief of Staff (as reported by Vanity Fair) (11:44)
• Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown:
  • ICE sweeps (‘Metro Surge’) have targeted Somali communities after Trump’s inflammatory remarks, with mass arrests and high local tension.
  • Community protest is strong: “There’s a community of people who are ready to defend their neighbors.” (14:00)
  • Rep. Aisha Gomez: “This community is saying no. They’re saying that our neighbors are important to us and we’re not going to stand for their rights to be violated.” (14:33)

4. U.S.-Canada Tourism Tensions: Montana Feels a Canadian Chill

[14:54 - 17:48]

• Declining Canadian Visits:
  • Montana ski resorts and commerce have seen a 39% drop in credit card spending by Canadians, especially Albertans.
  • Local businesses offer special deals for Canadians: “We see the impact of Canadian tourism. Canadians are our customers.” — Gabe Merriman, Bias Brewing (16:44)
• Broader Trends: Weak Canadian dollar, contentious U.S. politics, and bad skiing weather compound the problem.
• Tourism Research Insight: “When presented between two destinations and one appears more hassle free, maybe more affordable, the traveler may choose in that direction.” — Amir Alon, Longwoods International (17:12)

5. B.C. Flooding and Calls for Better Emergency Alerts

[19:09 - 22:07]

• Crisis: Ongoing flooding, windstorms, and widespread power outages plague Fraser Valley and the B.C. interior.
• Community Impact: Residents and business owners struggle with recurring damage and uncertainty about rebuilding.
• Political Response:
  • Bruce Banman, BC Conservative MLA:
    “We have the technology, for crying out loud, let's use it… to triangulate on cell towers so only locals are warned there’s a flood coming.” (21:03)
  • Premier David Eby: Balancing panic with preparedness is “an imperfect science... we rely heavily on local knowledge.” (21:42)

6. Italian Women’s Hockey Team Trains in Montreal

[22:15 - 25:13]

• Olympic Prep: Italy’s women’s hockey team, host for the 2026 Olympics in Milan, is in Montreal for elite training ahead of the Games.
• Leadership:
  • General Manager: Danielle Sauvageau (Canadian hockey legend)
  • Head Coach: Eric Bouchard (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
  • Team Captain Nadia Metivi:
    “Being able to be here in Montreal and training in such an environment in Canada, the motherland of hockey, it's been great.” (23:02)
• Veteran Player:
  • Laura Fortino, former Team Canada Olympic gold/silver medalist:
    “Experiencing this journey is very special to me. This is representing my family and my roots.” (24:40)
• Goal:
  • “No one expects us to reach the levels that the Olympics have, but we are very confident that we’re gonna shock the hockey world.” — Defender Francisca Stoker (24:20)

7. Heartwarming Hudson Bay Polar Bear Adoption

[25:13 - 26:45]

• Discovery: Researchers in Hudson Bay observed a rare adoption of a polar bear cub. Since tracking began 50 years ago, this is only the 13th documented case.
• Expert Insight:
  • Alyssa McCall, Polar Bears International:
    “It’s just another reason why the species is so incredible... it gives you a lot of hope when you realize that polar bears maybe are looking out for each other out there, which is pretty neat.” (26:06)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Quebec Political Crisis:

  • "It basically took a month for the leadership of Pablo Rodriguez to unravel and collapse." — Daniel Bella (03:20)

• On Federal Floor Crossing:

  • "I am comfortable commanding the confidence of the House of Commons..." — PM Mark Carney (05:58)

• On U.S. Immigration Crackdown:

  • "There’s a community of people who are ready to defend their neighbors." (14:00)
  • “This community is saying no. They’re saying that our neighbors are important to us and we’re not going to stand for their rights to be violated.” — Rep. Aisha Gomez (14:33)

• On the Power of Community Action:

  • “I've been pepper sprayed twice today. I’m not deterred.” (14:25)

• On B.C. Emergencies:

  • “We have the technology, for crying out loud, let's use it.” — Bruce Banman, MLA (21:03)

• On International Sport and Identity:

  • “Experiencing this journey is very special to me. This is representing my family and my roots.” — Laura Fortino, Italy Hockey (24:40)

• On Polar Bears:

  • “It gives you a lot of hope when you realize that polar bears maybe are looking out for each other out there, which is pretty neat.” — Alyssa McCall (26:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Quebec Liberal Leader Resignation: 00:46 – 05:13
• Ottawa/Federal Politics – Floor Crossing: 05:13 – 08:05
• Trump’s Address and U.S. Divide: 09:01 – 14:54
• Montana Tourism and U.S.-Canada Relations: 14:54 – 17:48
• B.C. Flooding and Emergency Alerts: 19:09 – 22:07
• Italy Women’s Hockey in Montreal: 22:15 – 25:13
• Hudson Bay Polar Bear Adoption: 25:13 – 26:45

This episode provides a brisk but comprehensive snapshot of shifting political ground in Quebec and Ottawa, the human toll of U.S. domestic policy, the cross-border economic and social ripples of those policies, the resilience and ambition in minority sporting communities, and rare natural wonders, all through a Canadian lens.