Shingles vaccine slows dementia, CUSMA hearings, Somali community reaction and more

Summary

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Your World Tonight – December 3, 2025

Podcast: Your World Tonight (CBC)
Hosts: Susan Bonner, Stephanie Skenderis
Main Themes: New research linking the shingles vaccine to dementia prevention, controversy around Canada’s new Culture Minister, BC Conservative Party leadership turmoil, CUSMA/USMCA trade hearings, reaction to anti-Somali rhetoric and ICE raids in Minnesota, Montreal port expansion resistance, and an innovative choir therapy for stroke survivors.

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Episode Overview

This episode delves into a wide array of major national and international stories, making sense of their impact for listeners. From hope for dementia patients with new shingles vaccine research, to political controversies in both Quebec and BC, high-stakes North American trade talks, U.S. anti-immigrant tensions, and a heartwarming study for stroke survivors—each segment is deepened with context and expert perspectives, capturing the pulse of the day.

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Key Segments & Insights

1. Shingles Vaccine Shows Promise in Slowing Dementia

Segment: 00:40–05:09

• Key Points:

  • New research from a large study in Wales suggests the shingles vaccine (specifically the older, live-attenuated version) not only helps prevent dementia but may also slow its progression and reduce dementia-related deaths.
  • The study observed over 300,000 people in a natural comparison due to an age-based rollout.
  • While this specific vaccine isn’t available in Canada, the newer Canadian version may provide similar benefits—more research is underway.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “We're showing that there's not just benefits from shingles vaccination for dementia prevention, but...that there also appear to be benefits among those who already have dementia.”
    — Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer (03:11)
  • “Being able to actually therapeutically change its natural history, its course, is something completely different.”
    — Dr. Donald Weaver (03:48)
  • “With my grandmother and my mother having it, now I have it. I worry about my kids. And if this vaccine could prevent or, you know, slow down, wouldn't that be amazing?”
    — Phyllis Fair, dementia patient (04:45)

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2. Culture Minister Mark Miller Faces Quebec Backlash

Segment: 05:09–07:52

• Key Points:

  • Mark Miller, Canada’s new Culture and Official Languages Minister, is embroiled in controversy for challenging the narrative that French is in decline in Quebec, instead saying it's "under threat" and "weakened in North America."
  • Quebec Premier François Legault sharply criticized Miller, while Miller defended his record on supporting French language policy.
  • The dispute spilled into Parliament, highlighting ongoing tensions around language and identity.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “No, I said what I said and...I think I've proved myself.”
    — Mark Miller (05:25, 06:25)
  • “Legault's comments hurt, but he says he has supported moves to protect the French language...”
    — Kate McKenna, CBC (06:27)

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3. B.C. Conservative Leadership Crisis

Segment: 07:52–10:56

• Key Points:

  • The B.C. Conservative Party claims to have ousted leader John Rustad, citing “professional incapacitation”—a term Rustad dismisses as unconstitutional.
  • The internal party strife is rooted in complaints about Rustad’s leadership and growing fragmentation within the caucus.
  • Uncertainty remains over the legality and future direction of the party as Rustad refuses to step down.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “You know, we're in some pretty incredible, unprecedented times. And what I have been calling for is stability.”
    — Trevor Helford, newly-appointed interim leader (08:59)
  • “I have not resigned, I have not been removed and I’m not going anywhere.”
    — John Rustad, via statement (09:15)
  • “Professional incapacitation. Give me a break.”
    — John Rustad (09:22)

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4. CUSMA / USMCA Trade Hearings: Uncertainty Ahead

Segment: 11:45–14:52

• Key Points:

  • Stakeholders from Canada, the U.S., and Mexico gather in Washington to discuss the future of CUSMA/USMCA as its review approaches amid U.S. political uncertainty.
  • U.S. business leaders advocate for stability, but several express concerns over Mexico’s low-wage competition.
  • President Trump hints at letting the agreement expire or renegotiating, heightening industry concerns about unpredictability.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “We believe that the USMCA should be renewed. That tariff free access between all three of our countries for produce is vital…”
    — Dennis Nuxalt, US fresh produce representative (12:39)
  • “We'll either let it expire or maybe work out another deal...Mexico and Canada have taken advantage of the United States like just about every other country.”
    — President Donald Trump (14:05)
  • “Many American businesses and industry leaders, they don’t want to have to deal with that kind of uncertainty.”
    — Katie Simpson, CBC (14:52)

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5. Somali Community Response to Trump’s Tactics and ICE Crackdown

Segment: 14:54–17:59

• Key Points:

  • Trump escalates rhetoric against Somali immigrants, falsely generalizing fraud and denigrating both Somalis and Somalia.
  • Community leaders and politicians in Minnesota condemn his messages, warning of increased danger and scapegoating.
  • ICE increases enforcement in Minnesota, but state and local officials, including Minneapolis’ mayor and police chief, pledge not to support mass roundups.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “It emboldens extremists and it puts real people in danger.”
    — Somali community leader (15:25)
  • “We know that our Somali community...have contributed immensely to our city, to our state, to our nation.”
    — State Senator Omar Fateh (16:17)
  • “Let’s be clear, it means that American citizens will be detained for no other reason than the fact that they look like they are Somali.”
    — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry (17:24)

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6. Montreal Port Expansion: Promise and Pushback

Segment: 20:08–23:12

• Key Points:

  • Montreal’s port, at capacity, plans a major container terminal expansion in Contrecoeur, sparking local resistance over increased traffic and loss of community character.
  • Port leaders tout access to infrastructure and markets, but shipping experts argue investment should have gone to Quebec City’s deeper water port, better suited for future megaships and Asian trade routes.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “This port’s full.”
    — Julie Gascoigne, Port of Montreal CEO (20:39)
  • “It will be dead. It’s going to become a huge industrial zone and it’s not going to be the beautiful little town on the St. Lawrence River.”
    — Ellen Reeves, citizen spokesperson (21:33)
  • “That project should have taken place 20, 30 years ago.”
    — Jean Paul Rodrigue, shipping expert (22:01)

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7. Stroke Survivors Singing to Regain Speech

Segment: 23:30–26:34

• Key Points:

  • Montreal researchers are exploring choir therapy’s effect on stroke patients with aphasia, hoping group singing aids language recovery and social reintegration.
  • The study, part of the SingWell network, includes sites across North America.
  • Early anecdotes suggest emotional and social benefits, though clinical impact is still being evaluated.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “We are hoping that this study will demonstrate that choir activity is really good for people, good for their language, but good for their social relations too.”
    — Edith Durand, speech-language pathology professor (24:29)
  • “I write because it gives me occasion to speak and to find my old voice.”
    — Serge Balancique, 81-year-old participant (25:25)
  • “When they start singing, you could just see the soul free up.”
    — Jennifer Young Mi Lee, choir director (26:11)

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8. Lighthearted Moment: Tipsy Raccoon at the Liquor Store

Segment: 26:34–28:16

• Key Points:

  • The episode closes with a humorous story about a raccoon breaking into a liquor store, passing out after drinking spilled whiskey, and being taken to animal control to “sleep it off”—unharmed.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Some call them trash pandas. This one was trashed, described by the responding officer as very intoxicated.”
    — Susan Bonner (27:34)
  • “I wish we had little handcuffs to put on him, you know?”
    — Jeffrey Parker, Animal Protection Chief (27:26)

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Timestamps for Segment Navigation

• Shingles & Dementia Research: 00:40–05:09
• Mark Miller’s Language Controversy: 05:09–07:52
• BC Conservative Turmoil: 07:52–10:56
• CUSMA Hearings: 11:45–14:52
• Somali Community in Minnesota: 14:54–17:59
• Montreal Port Expansion: 20:08–23:12
• Stroke Patients Singing Therapy: 23:30–26:34
• Raccoon Liquor Store Incident: 26:34–28:16

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For those who missed the episode: This summary provides a full picture—from frontiers in dementia prevention, to politics, trade, immigration, community resilience, and science in rehabilitation—all delivered with the CBC’s signature clarity, balance, and the occasional moment of levity.

Transcript

[Mo Ahri]

Hey, it's Mo Ahri, licensed marriage and family therapist and Hinges love and connection expert. You know what I keep hearing from daters lately? You all want deeper connections, but something keeps getting in the way. So our new Gen Z date report found 84% of Gen Z daters want to build deeper emotional connections, but they're 36% more hesitant than millennials to start them. So here's the thing. Vulnerability isn't weakness. It's what builds closeness. Find out more in Hinge's 2025 Gen Z day report. Now live at Hinge Co.

[Mark Miller]

This is a CBC podcast.

[Susan Bonner]

My grandmother and my mother having it.

[Tanya Fletcher]

Now I have it.

[Susan Bonner]

I worry about my kids. And if this vaccine could prevent or slow down, wouldn't that be amazing? The disease it's meant to guard against causes a painful rash on your skin. But new research suggests this common vaccine can also protect your your brain, the shingles vaccine and dementia. More data pointing towards a potential breakthrough and what that might mean for Canadians. Welcome to YOUR WORLD tonight. I'm Susan Bonner. It is Wednesday, December 3, just before 6pm Eastern. Also on the podcast, no, I said.

[Mark Miller]

What I said and I think I proved in my previous roles, you know, it's nice to talk but actions count and I think I've proved myself.

[Susan Bonner]

Standing by his words in both official languages. After weighing in on the debate over the decline of French Canada's new culture minister isn't backing down as Mark Miller's comments ignite controversy in Quebec.

[Mark Miller]

And we're in some pretty incredible, unprecedented times. And what I've been calling for is.

[Susan Bonner]

Stability, looking for stability and getting a political standoff. BC Conservatives say they've removed the party leader, but John Rustad says he's not going anywhere.

With millions of people around the world suffering from dementia, there is a global research push to develop ways to slow or prevent it. Tonight there's more hope in that effort and it's coming from a treatment used for something totally different. Jennifer Lagrassa explains.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

An arrow flies out of Phyllis Fair's hands. The 66 year old got into archery after finding out she had early onset Alzheimer's over a decade ago.

[Susan Bonner]

I'm just staying the way I am by staying active, staying involved.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

Pher is one of more than 700,000 Canadians estimated to be living with dementia.

[Mo Ahri]

We're extremely excited about this research.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

In my group, Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer is the lead author of a new study out of whales. This latest research builds on other findings from Geltzer from earlier this year that showed a shingles vaccine can reduce the risk of getting dementia. Now, his research shows that the vaccine may slow progression of the disease and reduce the risk of dying from dementia.

[Mark Miller]

We're showing that there's not just benefits from shingles vaccination for dementia prevention, but.

[Mo Ahri]

That there also appear to be benefits among those who already have dementia.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

The research looked at more than 300,000 people over nine years. In 2013, Wales rolled out a shingles vaccine. People younger than 79 were eligible, but anyone older wasn't. This cutoff gave researchers a unique chance to compare nearly two identical groups. One that was vaccinated and one that wasn't.

[Mo Ahri]

Preventing a disease is one thing.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

Dr. Donald Weaver is a neurologist in Toronto.

[Mo Ahri]

But being able to actually therapeutically change its natural history, its course, is something completely different.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. The vaccine used in this study is the live version. It uses a weakened form of the virus. It's still unclear why this might offer protection, but there's some theories.

[Mo Ahri]

The vaccine just globally decreases inflammation in the brain and anything that decreases inflammation in the brain is going to have a therapeutic benefit and therefore decrease the likelihood of dementia.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

The vaccine in this study isn't available in Canada, but the one on the market here is newer and more effective at keeping shingles at bay. And initial research on it has shown it may also lower the risk of dementia.

[Susan Bonner]

This study is so hopeful.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

To me, all of this promising for people like Phayre who already got her shingles vaccine.

[Susan Bonner]

With my grandmother and my mother having it, now I have it. I worry about my kids. And if this vaccine could prevent or, you know, slow down, wouldn't that be amazing?

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

The next step for experts here, more research on the vaccine available in Canada to see if it could have the same far reaching effects. Jennifer Legrassa, CBC News, Toronto.

[Susan Bonner]

Canada's new culture minister started his tenure by diving into a delegate debate in his home province. Now Mark Miller is defending his stance on the status of the French language after backlash from Quebec's premier. Kate McKenna has the details from Ottawa.

[Mark Miller]

No, I said what I said and.

[Kate McKenna]

I think official Languages Minister Mark Miller isn't backing down.

Yesterday, on his first full day in his new job as minister, he said he was fed up with how the debate about the French language is often about identity and politics. He refused to say the French language is in decline in Quebec, saying only it is under threat and that it's weakened in North America. This foray into a deeply sensitive topic yielded a quick reaction in Quebec.

Premier Francois Legault called Miller a disgrace for all Quebecers and questioned how the new Canadian Culture Minister will be able to attend any Quebec events. There was also political reaction from the leader of the parti Quebecois, Paul St Pierre Plamondon, who said Miller has worked very hard against Quebec interests in other cabinet portfolios he's held, including immigration.

[Mark Miller]

It's nice to talk, but actions count.

[Kate McKenna]

And I think I've proved myself today, miller said. Legault's comments hurt, but he says he has supported moves to protect the French language made by the previous Trudeau government, which he was part of.

[Mark Miller]

I've been part of a government that recognized the clan of the French language across Canada and modified the law on official languages as a result, plus the 4 million dollar investment and send $800 million to Quebec for franchisation of new arrivals.

[Kate McKenna]

Miller is an Anglophone Montrealer, but he's fluent in both languages, having done most of his schooling in French. He raised his children to speak it as well. Colleagues, including Government house leader Stephen McKinnon, stood by him.

[Mark Miller]

I don't have a lot to say about that, But I think Mr. Legault.

Has some interesting opinions sometimes.

[Kate McKenna]

But the controversy followed him into question period again today.

With Conservative MP Pierre Paulus needling Miller over how it took one day in the job for his comments to get him in trouble.

Miller hit back, saying no one in Canada thinks Conservative leader Pierre Poliev will protect the French language. For now, the new minister says he's staying the course, even if it means starting his tenure in the middle of a political firestorm. Kate McKenna, CBC News, Ottawa.

[Susan Bonner]

An unprecedented leadership battle is shaping up in bc. The provincial Conservative Party says it has removed its leader, but John Rustad says he's not leaving. The CBC's Tanya Fletcher is following the turmoil in the province's official opposition. Tanya, what is the status of the party's leadership right now?

[Tanya Fletcher]

Well, Susan, it's still unclear. The B.C. conservative Party says John Rustad has been removed as leader, but John Rustad himself says not a chance. Now, this all started this morning. The BC Conservatives say around 20 MLA signed a letter saying they had lost confidence in Rustad and that an interim leader had been selected. Now, the statement goes on to say that the party had a majority of caucus inform legal counsel that they no longer supported Rustad and that triggered a caucus vote selecting an interim leader. Now, the party's board says it has certified Rustad as, quote, professionally incapacitated under section 1102 of its constitution and formally appointed Surrey White Rock MLA Trevor Helford in his place. Now, he spoke briefly this afternoon. Here's what he said.

[Mark Miller]

You know, we're in some pretty incredible, unprecedented times. And what I have been calling for is stability. And I think it's paramount that we get stability inside of our caucus. I think it's paramount that we get stability with our party. I think it's paramount that British Columbians get stability.

[Tanya Fletcher]

Not long after that, John Rustad himself responded quickly with a social media post saying, quote, I have not resigned, I have not been removed and I'm not going anywhere. He goes on to say a political party's board can throw around whatever creative of terminology they like. Professional incapacitation. Give me a break. Let me be clear. He says that's not a constitutional mechanism.

[Susan Bonner]

Tanya, what's at the heart of this? What are the MLAs angry about?

[Tanya Fletcher]

Essentially, it's ineffective leadership, both internally, you know, not being able to mend cracks within the party and keep multiple MLAs now from breaking off and going independent, but also externally not being able to capitalize on the groundswell of small C Conservative momentum since the last provincial election. You know, Rustad was first chosen leader of the B.C. conservatives in 2023 after he crossed the floors from the B.C. liberals and the party did relatively well. It rose to official opposition. But lately there have been disputes for months now and pressure has been mounting for him to step down as leader.

[Susan Bonner]

So what happens now?

[Tanya Fletcher]

Well, that's the big question. A lot of unknowns about legally what's transpired here as well, a lot of questions about this latest caucus vote Today. Were all BC Conservatives MLAs in the room?

[Kate McKenna]

A lot?

[Tanya Fletcher]

We still don't know. The section of the party constitution cited by the B Conservatives reads the leader can only be removed from office by resignation, death, incapacitation or the leadership review vote resulting in less than 50% support. Now they cite incapacitation. They added the word professional in front of that. So it's yet to be determined what is legally valid here and how much Rustad will choose to continue to fight this.

[Susan Bonner]

Thank you, Tanya.

[Tanya Fletcher]

You bet.

[Susan Bonner]

The CBC's Tanya Fletcher in Vancouver.

Coming right up. First there was nafta, then kuzma. Now officials are planning what's next for North American free trade and Somali immigrants in the United States prepare for a crackdown the day after Donald Trump called them garbage. Later, we'll have this story.

[Alison Northcott]

I'm Alison Northcott in Montreal where researchers are turning to music to help people communicate again after a stroke.

Later on your WORLD tonight. I'll tell you about a study looking to see if singing in a choir can help people regain their voices.

[Susan Bonner]

Three days of high stakes trade talk have started in Washington. Government officials and industry stakeholders from across North America are in the US Capitol for Kuzma hearings. The the trade agreement is up for review next year and there are concerns about its future given that President Donald Trump isn't respecting the current agreement. The CBC's Katie Simpson was at today's meetings. Katie, what did you hear?

[Katie Simpson]

It was largely pro Kuzma or USMCA as it's called down here. A lot of arguments in favor of keeping the agreement in place as it provides stability and predictability for industries and businesses. So for example, part of this afternoon, the hearings focused on agriculture and there were representatives for all kinds of American farmers and grain producers. Have a listen to Dennis Nuxalt. He represents Western US Growers who farm produce.

[Mark Miller]

We believe that the USMCA should be renewed. That tariff free access between all three of our countries for produce is vital for American growers, Canadian growers, Mexican growers, and then consumers across North America. But we also believe that this review is an opportunity to look at the trade between our three countries in produce and try to make some improvements on the improvement angle.

[Katie Simpson]

A theme emerged. Several witnesses spoke about challenges when it came to Mexico, specifically complaints about how the low cost of Mexican labor, how in certain states cheap Mexican produce can undercut American products. One blueberry producer put it this way. He said the good partner is Canada. And when it comes to Mexico, we have a partner we need to work on. It's important to remember that these hearings.

[Alison Northcott]

Are a really big deal.

[Katie Simpson]

The testimony could help shape decisions made by the Trump administration when the formal review process begins next June.

[Susan Bonner]

And Katie, that formal review process, people are braced, expecting it to be difficult.

[Katie Simpson]

Yet Donald Trump frequently complains about trade with both Canada and Mexico and he wants concessions from both countries. The review set for June initially was seen as a procedural kind of thing. But with Trump signaling he wants change, it is expected to be a very intensive negotiation process. In the Oval Office today, Trump was asked about what he expects.

[Mark Miller]

We're, you know, that's just an ongoing thing. It expires in about a year and we'll either let it expire or we'll maybe work out another deal with Mexico and Canada. But.

Look, Mexico and Canada have taken advantage of the United States like just about every other country. In all fairness, it's not them. I'm not blaming them.

[Katie Simpson]

Now, Trump has previously floated the idea of leaving Kuzma or coming up with some new kind of agreement, though he's not really gotten into any sort of specifics. That clip might scare a lot of people. That's not the first time he's said something like that. He has frequently and casually said things like that in the past. But based on the testimony we heard today, that is something many American businesses and industry leaders, they don't want to have to deal with that kind of uncertainty.

[Susan Bonner]

Katie, thank you.

[Kate McKenna]

Thanks.

[Susan Bonner]

The CBC's Katie Simpson in Washington. In Minnesota, people are bracing for more U.S. immigration agents to arrive in the state, specifically targeting its large Somali population. That follows Donald Trump telling immigrants from the African country to go back to where they came from. Katie Nicholson reports.

[Mark Miller]

This language has consequences.

[Katie Nicholson]

And community leaders lined up this morning in the Twin Cities to condemn the US President's language.

[Mo Ahri]

It emboldens extremists and it puts real people in danger.

[Mark Miller]

What is happening in Minnesota?

[Katie Nicholson]

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump unleashed a tirade against Somalis.

[Mark Miller]

Their country stinks and we don't want them in our country.

[Katie Nicholson]

And referenced a fraud scandal which he laid at their feet.

[Mark Miller]

Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars and they contribute nothing.

[Katie Nicholson]

It is true that nearly 80 Minnesotans have been charged in connection to a fraud investigation of a multi million dollar Covid era child hunger fund and that dozens of those charged are Somali, though most of them were US Citizens and the alleged ringleader is white. State Senator Omar Fateh says Trump is wrong, that his community contributes nothing.

[Mark Miller]

We know that our Somali community, we have teachers, we have business owners, we have politicians, we have folks that have.

[Mo Ahri]

Contributed immensely to our city, to our.

[Mark Miller]

State, to our nation.

[Mo Ahri]

Not only are his words hurtful, but.

[Mark Miller]

It'S just flat out wrong.

[Katie Nicholson]

Trump also debased Somalia as a country, calling it garbage.

[Mark Miller]

With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know they have no anything run around killing each other.

[Katie Nicholson]

On the streets of Mogadishu, Somalis condemned those remarks.

Somali individuals in America hold significant dignity within their communities, says Abdisalana Ahmed. And his remarks were a grave mistake.

These remarks come as multiple agencies are reporting renewed ICE operations targeting Somali communities in Minnesota.

[Mark Miller]

And by the way, there are more than 80,000 Somali people living in Minnesota. Almost all of them are both documented and citizens.

[Katie Nicholson]

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry spoke out against the plans.

[Mark Miller]

Targeting Somali people means that due process will be violated, mistakes will be made. And let's be clear, it means that American citizens will be detained for no other reason than the fact that they look like they are Somali.

[Katie Nicholson]

The new ICE influx getting a frosty reception. Minneapolis police chief reminded the public his force won't help in any federal immigration crackdown, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walls called the action a PR stunt. Katie Nicholson, CBC News, Washington.

[Susan Bonner]

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Annan says Ottawa is not involved in the sale of Canadian made armoured vehicles to the immigration agency. Washington is ordering 20 armored vehicles from a company based in Brampton, Ontario, as part of its crackdown on immigrants in the U.S. the contract with Rochelle is worth $10 million to be delivered within 30 days. Anand was asked if the federal government needs to approve the deal first. At this time, the government is not involved in the transaction.

[Alison Northcott]

We have not received any questions or permit requests regarding this transaction and I will continue to reiterate that Canada and the United States have a strong bilateral.

[Susan Bonner]

Relationship with an open line of communication in which, if necessary, I will raise the issues with Secretary Rubio. Anand made the comments at the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. She also said Canada has pledged another $200 million for military gear for Ukraine and 35 million in non lethal a It's part of an international effort to share the burden in equipping Ukraine after the US said it would reduce its commitment. Canada has now promised more than $800 million. A nor' Easter is bringing heavy snow, rain and strong winds to much of the Atlantic region. The storm knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses, impacted travel and many schools were closed for the day. The center of the storm skirted along the coast of Nova Scotia and now headed for Newfoundland's east coast. The federal government's major projects plan is more than just a pipeline. There's also port expansion in Contrecoeur, near Montreal. But a proposal to invest billions of dollars on the international shipping terminal is getting local pushback and has experts wondering if it is the right move. Eli Glassner explains.

[Mo Ahri]

Afternoon at the Port of Montreal as shipping containers are picked up and sorted like children's toy blocks. The port handles 2,500 trucks per day, 80 trains a week and over 2,000 ships per year. Julie Gascoigne is a Montrealer who fell in love with the industry. Now she's the port's CEO. But her port has a problem. She says it's reaching capacity.

[Susan Bonner]

If you increase by 6% the cargo that used to go to us, that.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

Now goes to another destination.

[Susan Bonner]

This port's full.

[Mo Ahri]

It's full to create space. In September, Ottawa announced plans to fast track the expansion of a terminal in Contrecoeur, a project which Ottawa says will create thousands of jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars.

50 kilometers down the St. Lawrence river from Montreal, cranes are busy removing trees in Contrecoeur. Residents of the Quebec community say they're worried about their quality of life.

[Susan Bonner]

They moved here to be in a quiet and beautiful place. They did not move here to live.

[Kate McKenna]

In a port in an industrial zone for sure.

[Mo Ahri]

Ellen Reeves is a spokesperson for the citizens group for Kontokur. With an impact assessment report predicting an increase in truck traffic to as much as 1200 a day, she fears for her community's future.

[Susan Bonner]

It's dead. It will be dead. It's going to become a huge industrial zone and it's not going to be the beautiful little town on the St. Lawrence River.

[Mo Ahri]

But the Port of Montreal CEO says Contrecoeur makes sense.

[Susan Bonner]

You've got Highway 30, you've got the.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

Railway that's already there, you've got the.

[Susan Bonner]

Power with of course, hydro. We secured all the power for the.

[Jennifer Lagrassa]

Terminal and you have access to huge amount of markets.

[Mo Ahri]

So that project should have taken place 20, 30 years ago. Maritime shipping expert Jean Paul Rodrigue says this expansion is too little, too late. Meanwhile, the position of Montreal became increasingly, you could say marginalized in terms of the big trade because the ships were getting bigger. He points out the trend in container shipping is towards so called megaships, far too large to travel and dock on the St. Lawrence. Rodriguez says the federal government should have put its money into expanding the deep water port in Quebec City. Instead, there was investment committed by one of the largest terminal operators in the world, which was HPH and the largest Canadian rail line, cn. But that plan was scuttled by the federal government in 2021. While the port of Montreal says the Contacre expansion is a better site because of its access to markets and transportation systems. Rodrigue worries as Canada increasingly pivots to trade with Asia, Montreal could be shut out of the larger ship traffic. It depends on. Eli Glassner, CBC News, Montreal.

[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 podcast, just find the follow button and lock us in.

Every year, tens of thousands of Canadians suffer strokes. For many survivors, the long term effects include a loss of their ability to speak. But a groundbreaking study in Montreal is using song to help patients recover their voice. Alison Northcott explains.

[Alison Northcott]

Singing together gives of this small choir a chance to use their voices.

The four singers sitting side by side behind music stands in a Montreal community center have all suffered strokes and developed a condition called aphasia, which affects their ability to speak.

They're here as part of a study to see if singing together can help their recovery.

Edith Durand is a speech language pathology professor at the University de Quebec Artois Riviere and one of the researchers.

[Susan Bonner]

We are hoping that this study will demonstrate that choir activity is really good for people, good for their language, but good for their social relations too.

[Alison Northcott]

Durand says aphasia often comes with a drop in social participation because it's hard to communicate with friends and loved ones. The randomized controlled trial has sites in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Tampa Bay, Florida. It's part of the Toronto based initiative SingWell, a network of researchers studying group singing.

Serge Balancique has had trouble writing and finding his words since his stroke in 2022. The 81 year old scientist and former professor hopes this study leads to more treatment options.

[Mark Miller]

I write because it gives me occasion to speak.

And to find my old voice.

[Alison Northcott]

It will take time to go through the data collected and see if it helps improve participants language skills and quality of life. Previous research suggests music may help leverage the part of the brain not damaged by a stroke to improve communication. But stroke neurologist Alexander Thiel says the available evidence is limited and more studies like this one are needed.

[Mark Miller]

There is definitely evidence that these kind of therapies can work. Doing this in this broader choir like context, in the social context is something, something new and we will have to see how.

These trials will end up.

[Alison Northcott]

The choir's vocal director, Jennifer Young Mi Lee says participants get something out of it regardless when they start singing. You could just see the soul free up.

Balancique says it's been a positive experience for him and he hopes the study can help others with his condition in the future. Alison Northcott, CBC News, Montreal.

[Susan Bonner]

We end tonight with a party animal ransacking a liquor store outside of Richmond, Virginia, then passing out on the bathroom floor.

[Mark Miller]

My officer came in and told me I pretty much apprehended a suspect. I was like fantastic. What happened?

[Susan Bonner]

Jeffrey Parker says the call came in last Saturday morning after an employee showed up for work to find the store had been broken into, bottles smashed on the floor, the suspect sleeping right beside the toilet. Parker was called because he's Hanover County's chief of animal Protection. The drunk as a skunk suspect was actually a raccoon that snuck into the store through the ceiling, found face down on the floor. Some call them trash pandas. This one was trashed, described by the responding officer as very intoxicated.

[Mark Miller]

You can't make this stuff up it happens. And I actually gave him officer high five. I was like, fantastic. I wish we had little handcuffs to put on him, you know?

[Susan Bonner]

It's believed the raccoon sampled a little too much from some of the spirits spilled on the floor. Whiskey appeared to be the drink of choice. The animal was taken to a local shelter to sleep it off. Barker says the raccoon was not injured, maybe a headache. And after sobering up, it was released back into the wild. Thank you for joining us. This has been youn World Tonight for Wednesday, December 3rd. I'm Susan Boner. Talk to you again.

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