Your World Tonight – December 21, 2025

CBC News with hosts Susan Bonner & Stephanie Skenderis

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a fast-paced, in-depth news roundup from a Canadian perspective, covering high-profile international and national stories. Highlights include the aftermath of the Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting, the impact of U.S. actions against Venezuela on Canada’s oil industry, young Canadians’ struggle with debt, the cultural phenomenon of the TV show Heated Rivalry, and innovative efforts at autism inclusion in Italy. The episode maintains a tone that’s both informative and compassionate, often punctuated by heartfelt moments.

Key Segments and Insights

1. Reflecting on the Bondi Beach Hanukkah Shooting

• [02:30–09:00]

• Scene of Remembrance: Thousands gather at Bondi Beach, Sydney, marking one week since the attack that left 15 dead.
• Community Solidarity: Quotes and speeches from Jewish community leaders emphasize resilience and hope.
  • David Ossip: “Like the grass here at Bondi was stained with blood, so too has our nation been stained.”
  • Ahmed Al Ahmed (victim and shopkeeper): “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted today. I stand with you, my brothers and sisters.” [04:40]
• Security & Defiance: Increased police presence; victims’ families refuse to be intimidated.
  • Victoria Teplitzki: “We are done running and we are done hiding.” [05:25]
• Political Criticism: Anger directed at the Australian government for failing to address violent rhetoric and prevent the attack.
  • Michael Shoebridge (Strategic Analysis Australia): “Letting a whole lot of community anger and violent language grow over the last two years was a mistake.” [06:15]
  • Alan Kessel (former Canadian government official) warns Canada has a “doppelganger effect” with Australia when it comes to handling extremist threats. [07:00]

2. International: U.S. Crackdown on Venezuelan Oil

• [09:10–17:35]

• Recent Events: U.S. seizes multiple oil tankers that allegedly break sanctions, intensifying pressure on Venezuela and stirring regime change talk.
• Political Motives: Conflicting statements from U.S. officials raise questions about true intentions—combatting drug trafficking vs. seeking oil and regime change.
  • Senator Tim Kaine: “These boat strikes were initially justified on the ground that we’re fighting against narco trafficking. But then the president pardons some of the biggest narco traffickers ... Then ... it’s about regime change. ... Then President Trump tells you and others it it's about oil. They took our oil and we want our oil back. What is it?” [12:50]
• Canadian Oil Impact:
  • Industry experts suggest a friendlier U.S.–Venezuelan relationship could threaten Canadian energy exports, fueling the case for a new west coast pipeline.
  • Dane Gregoris (Envirus): “Political change can happen very quickly. Industrial change takes a long time.” [16:45]
  • Rory Johnston: “The only real security we can have in any future eventuality is optionality ... a doubling of that non-US route export optionality.” [17:05]

3. Canadian Politics: Climate Targets and Pipelines

• [17:36–20:28]

• Government Commitment: Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirms climate action but faces criticism for not presenting a viable plan to meet 2030 emissions targets.
  • Mark Carney: “We have too much regulation, not enough action.” [19:40]
• Pipeline Disputes: Support for a new Pacific pipeline sparks internal political rifts, including the resignation of environmental minister Steven Guilbeault over included tax credits (perceived as oil subsidies).
  • Elizabeth May (Green Party): “I won’t make the mistake ever again of thinking I can take Mark Carney on trust.” [20:08]

4. Young Canadians & Growing Debt

• [20:29–23:51]

• Financial Hardships: Significant uptick in young adults (under 35) seeking debt relief; unique pressures from student loans, auto loans, stagnant wages, and buy-now-pay-later plans.
• Mental Health Toll:
  • Mark Kalinowski (Credit Counselling Society): “They’ll come in and sometimes they’ll cry, sometimes they’ll be angry. They don’t know why their life's on hold.” [20:52]
• Changing Attitudes: Young people more likely to seek help and confront their debt directly.
• Compounding Factors: Buy-now-pay-later plans obscure the totality of debt, complicating solutions.
  • Jodi Letkavich (Financial behavior researcher): “They’re buying things on buy-now-pay-later, making installments but then missing those installment payments.” [21:54]
• Credit Trends: Higher rates of missed payments among under-25s.
  • Rebecca Oakes (Equifax): “The old consumers still seem to be struggling and still seem to be increasing their missed payments.” [23:01]

5. Breakout Success: Heated Rivalry TV Series

• [23:52–26:30]

• Cultural Phenomenon: Canadian series about two gay pro hockey players’ secret romance becomes a breakout hit with international distribution.
• Authentic Representation:
  • Casey Saunders (Toronto Gay Hockey Association): “It's giving representation for the sport, right? It's really cool to see queer people in hockey because just look at our league, we exist.” [24:18]
• Highlighting Struggle:
  • Denis Lemieux: “I think it gives a good visibility to the truth that’s out there. There’s probably some players that can’t come out because of the toxic masculinity environment or just the hockey culture.” [25:00]
• Broader Significance:
  • Francis Dominic: “These stories feel so tangible ... Love is so transcendent.” [26:15]
• Massive Appeal: The latest episode achieves one of the highest IMDb user ratings ever and the show is greenlit for Season 2.

6. Jane Austen’s Modern Relevance – 250th Anniversary

• [26:31–29:54]

• Ongoing Popularity: Jane Austen’s social satire and female-centered narratives still connect deeply with readers and audiences worldwide.
• Cultural Impact:
  • Penny Stickland (Austen fan): “I think she’s terribly relevant today. I think she’s marvellous.” [27:50]
• Enduring Themes: Modern readers—especially women—see parallels with contemporary experiences and challenges.
  • Anne Hughes: “This sort of coming out into the world, not really knowing what you’re doing or where you belong, but also feeling like you do and should.” [29:43]

7. Innovative Autism Inclusion in Italy’s Restaurants

• [29:55–33:45]

• Model Pizzerias: In Monza and Milan, Nico Accampura has designed restaurants around employees on the autism spectrum—reimagining workspaces to maximize dignity and support.
  • Lorenzo (staff, former institutionalized): “I love recommending my favorite antipasti and Montalcino red wine.” [30:55]
• Sensitive Design: Calm environments, clear routes, no cell phone distractions, and kitchen tech that ensures consistency—all tailored for neurodiverse needs.
• Personal Mission:
  • Nico Accampura: “We need to start a restaurant for those with autism. ... My greatest hope is that one day so many restaurants hire people on the spectrum that pizza out won’t be needed anymore.” [32:05]
• Ripple Effect: The model inspires others in Italy and sparks Canadian Senate discussion on similar inclusion initiatives.

8. Avatar: Fire and Ash – Music for an Epic

• [33:46–End]

• Cultural Note: Miley Cyrus’ theme and composer Simon Franglin’s intricate score for James Cameron's latest Avatar film is highlighted, with playful commentary on the fictional instruments created for the film’s Na’vi.
  • Stephanie Skenderis: “Luckily, Franklin is better at music than naming things.” [34:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A single act of courage, a single flame of hope can give us direction.”
  — David Ossip, Bondi Beach vigil [03:50]

• “Letting a whole lot of community anger and violent language grow over the last two years was a mistake.”
  — Michael Shoebridge on antisemitism in Australia [06:15]

• “There’s almost a doppelganger effect. Canada is very similar to Australia, not only in its makeup but in its laws.”
  — Alan Kessel, warning for Canada [07:00]

• “Political change can happen very quickly. Industrial change takes a long time.”
  — Dane Gregoris, oil analyst [16:45]

• “I won’t make the mistake ever again of thinking I can take Mark Carney on trust.”
  — Elizabeth May, Green Party leader [20:08]

• “They’ll come in and sometimes they’ll cry, sometimes they’ll be angry. They don’t know why their life's on hold.”
  — Mark Kalinowski, on young Canadians and debt [20:52]

• “It’s giving representation for the sport ... we exist.”
  — Casey Saunders, Toronto Gay Hockey Association, on Heated Rivalry [24:18]

• “This sort of coming out into the world, not really knowing what you’re doing or where you belong, but also feeling like you do and should.”
  — Anne Hughes, on Jane Austen’s relevance [29:43]

• “We need to start a restaurant for those with autism.”
  — Nico Accampura, founder, PizzaAut [32:05]

Conclusion

The episode offers a thoughtful blend of breaking news, cultural trends, and stories of resilience—interweaving international crises, policy debates, social struggles, and cultural triumphs. The diverse stories are anchored in real voices, providing context and connection to listeners navigating complex times.