Your World Tonight – CBC

Episode Summary: Quebec’s Premier Resigns, Greenland Annexation Tensions, Rising Telco Complaints, and More

Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Susan Bonner, Stephanie Skenderis

Episode Overview

This episode of Your World Tonight offers a fast-paced, in-depth rundown of major global and Canadian stories making headlines in mid-January 2026. Key topics include Quebec Premier Francois Legault’s abrupt resignation, dramatic escalations over Greenland's sovereignty with the U.S., intensifying crackdowns and uncertainty in Iran, the Canadian prime minister’s diplomatic mission to China, alarming trends in climate, business opportunities in post-coup Venezuela, and Canadians’ rising frustration with telecom providers.

1. Quebec Premier Francois Legault Steps Down

(00:40 – 05:01)

Key Discussion Points

• Public Reaction and Change:

  • Montage of Quebecers expressing mixed feelings at Legault’s resignation and hope for positive change.
    • "Writing was on the wall and it was time for him to go." (00:40)
    • "Most Quebecers are asking for a change." (00:47, public vox pops)

• Legault’s Legacy:

  • Brought the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) to power in 2018, breaking a 50-year Liberal/PQ duopoly.
  • Passed Bill 21 (secularism law), popular yet highly controversial and facing court challenges.
  • Had high approval ratings during the COVID-19 pandemic, earning a second majority in 2022.

• Recent Troubles:

  • Lost popularity amid fights with doctors, a public spending scandal, and ministers resigning.
  • PQ resurgence; polls show 75% now view Legault unfavorably.
    • "Even a referendum promised by the PQ is not making anyone budge." – Philippe Fournier, pollster (04:18)
    • "Many voters...are not scared of a referendum. So this fear...will not work that much in a campaign." (04:41–04:50)

Memorable Quotes

• "He shook things up right away. Legault passed Law 21 in his first mandate." (02:41)
• "They were trying to double down on issues...as a way to maybe jump back." – Emilie Nicolas, Le Devoir (04:06)

2. U.S. Greenland Annexation Threat

(05:01 – 08:03)

Key Discussion Points

• Diplomatic Split:

  • U.S. President Trump not backing down on threats to take over Greenland; Denmark and Greenland firmly push back.
  • High-level meetings in Washington fail to resolve tensions; U.S. rhetoric described as “imperialistic.”
    • "Ideas that would not respect territorial integrity are of course totally unacceptable." – Denmark’s FM Lars Løkke Rasmussen (05:56)
    • "We want to strengthen cooperation...but that doesn't mean we want to be owned." – Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt (06:34)

• Military Security Talk:

  • Trump insists U.S. needs Greenland for national security and disparages Denmark’s defense capabilities (06:45).
  • European allies pledge modest support for Greenland.

• NATO/European Response:

  • Ursula von der Leyen (EU) reaffirms support for Greenlanders and alliance unity.
    • "We respect the wishes of the Greenlanders...they can count on us." (07:29)
    • "The glue between the allies is...one for all, all for one." (07:45)

Memorable Quotes

• “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.” – Lars Løkke Rasmussen (05:51)
• “Trump diminished the military capabilities of Denmark and NATO at large...” (06:49)

3. Iran – Executions Amid Protests

(08:03 – 11:32)

Key Discussion Points

• State Violence and Public Response:

  • Iranian authorities continue harsh crackdown—over 3,000 protesters confirmed dead; mass funerals for security forces killed in demos.
  • Fast-track trials and executions demanded; reports that executions might be on hold (per Trump, 10:38), but skepticism remains.

• International Dynamics:

  • Trump signals possible U.S. response if executions proceed but is critiqued for inaction.
    • "You know these words will lose their significance." – Mahmoud Amiri-Moghadam, Iran Human Rights (11:06)
  • Western military personnel withdraw from Qatar and Tehran embassies close temporarily.

Memorable Quotes

• "People who shoot others from their own country are not one of us." – Young Iranian woman at funeral (09:05)
• "Right now, a major concern is the possibility of hasty executions..." – Mahmoud Amiri-Moghadam (10:05)

4. Canadian PM’s High-Stakes Trade Mission to China

(13:00 – 16:02)

Key Discussion Points

• New Context for Diplomatic Reset:

  • PM Mark Carney in Beijing for first official visit since 2017, seeking to diversify trade amid growing American isolationism under Trump.
    • Trump’s new tariffs, U.S. threats towards Canada and Greenland, and military adventures have shifted Canadian strategy.

• Canada-China Relations Reboot:

  • Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand: "This is a new government with a new prime minister, a new foreign policy and a new geopolitical environment... necessary for us to diversify our trading partners." (14:47)

• Trade Challenges:

  • Main sticking point: reciprocal tariffs on autos, canola, pork, seafood, and Chinese EVs.
  • Balancing act for PM: Canadian producers want relief; auto sector and Ontario’s Doug Ford push to keep some tariffs.

Memorable Quotes

• “It is necessary for us to diversify our trading partners.” – Anita Anand (14:47)

5. Hottest Years on Record—A Climate Update

(16:03 – 19:01)

Key Discussion Points

• Global Heat and Real-World Impacts:

  • 2025 was the third-hottest year on record, with devastating consequences for crops and communities worldwide.
    • In Tajikistan, rapid glacier melt led to “a decrease of the yields... minus 50%, so half of the harvests.” – glaciologist Arnold Keserman (17:33)
  • Canadian cities like Toronto and Lytton, B.C. saw record-breaking heatwaves.

• Science and Solutions:

  • Wide scientific agreement: fossil fuel combustion is the “heaviest thumb on the scale.”
    • "We certainly are in the hottest decade at the moment." – Florian Papenberger (18:26)
  • Renewables investment outpacing fossil fuels but not yet at needed speed.

Memorable Quotes

• “We are convinced that renewable is the future and we can phase out fossil fuel.” – Fahad Said, Climate Analytics (18:47)
• "It is making economic sense, but the scale and the speed at which it is needed, that is not happening." – Fahad Said (18:53)

6. Post-Coup Venezuela: Canadian Business Eyes Oil Boom

(19:01 – 21:55)

Key Discussion Points

• Canadian Connections:

  • Venezuelan expats and Canadian oil execs weigh the possibility of investing post-U.S. intervention.
    • "We in Alberta have...knowledge in heavy oil and the viscosity...is similar [to Venezuela]." – Amit Munkaker (20:25)

• Challenges and Cautions:

  • Years of violence and uncertainty linger; Canadian experts insist stability and legal protections are needed first.
    • "It's going to be difficult to feel safe in Venezuela." – Pedro Pereira Almao (21:19)
    • "You have family that have died, people that bore with you and were killed." – Pereira Almao (21:32)

Memorable Moments

• The emotional cost of decades of dictatorship for Venezuelan Canadians.
• Surge in business interest post-Maduro, but optimism tempered by caution.

7. Telecom Complaints in Canada Hit Record High

(21:55 – 25:01)

Key Discussion Points

• Consumer Frustration:

  • 17% rise in complaints to the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-TV Services (CCTS): sky-high, opaque bills lead the list.
    • "It's quite frustrating. Consumers should definitely be more taken care of." (22:29)

• Structural Issues:

  • Mergers (notably Rogers-Shaw 2023) have reduced competition, pushing prices higher.
    • "The mergers that we've seen may have the effect of less competition, not more." – Michael Geist, U Ottawa (24:02)
  • Rogers received more complaints than any other provider last year.

• Calls for Reform:

  • Experts highlight need for real competition without making new entrants duplicate massive network investments.
    • "We really need to focus on how do we bring more competitors into the mix..." – Keldin Bester, Canadian Anti-monopoly Project (24:29)

Memorable Voices

• Everyday Canadians: "The cost really is like a lot. Everybody should just have cheaper plans." (22:43)
• Telecom industry retort: Only 0.1% of Canadians complained last year, says Canadian Telecommunications Association.

8. Made-in-Canada Car Wins Top Detroit Auto Show Prize (Closing Note)

(25:01–26:26)

Key Discussion Points

• U.S. President Trump dismisses need for Canadian-made cars:
  • "We don't need Canada product... I want to build the cars here, not in Canada." (25:10)
• Dodge Charger, built in Windsor, Ontario, wins North American Car of the Year—praised as testament to Canadian workers and trade agreements.
  • "A Canadian assembled car, but the parts in that car are made all across North America… the trade agreements are what allow that to happen." – James Stewart, local autoworkers president (26:05)
• Ford Maverick Lobo (made in Mexico) wins Truck of the Year .

Notable Quotes – At a Glance

• "Many voters in Quebec, even though they're against sovereignty, are not scared of a referendum." – Philippe Fournier (04:41)
• "It's clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland." – Denmark’s FM Lars Løkke Rasmussen (05:51)
• "We want to be owned by United States." – Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt (06:34)
• "We certainly are in the hottest decade at the moment." – Florian Papenberger (18:26)
• "We in Alberta have strong amount of knowledge in heavy oil... obviously a change is coming, we're just not sure what it is yet." – Amit Munkaker (20:25)
• "It's going to be difficult to feel safe in Venezuela." – Pedro Pereira Almao (21:19)
• "The mergers that we've seen may have the effect of less competition, not more." – Michael Geist (24:02)
• "A Canadian assembled car, but...parts are made all across North America and the trade agreements are what allow that to happen." – James Stewart (26:05)

For Listeners Seeking More

This episode packs an international punch, analyzing both stories of historic magnitude (Greenland crisis, major geopolitical shifts) as well as the everyday (rising phone bills, the price of Canadian cars). Real voices, expert insight, and a lively pace make this a signature CBC news roundup—sharp, balanced, and relevant.