Your World Tonight (CBC): Episode Summary – January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Your World Tonight brings listeners an in-depth look at current events shaping Canada and the world. Main topics include the emergence and risks of stablecoins, Canada’s shifting climate policies and mining boom, the realities of intravenous (IV) therapy trends, groundbreaking dementia care models involving farm environments, and new technology uncovering soldiers’ stories at Vimy Ridge. Balancing analysis and on-the-ground reporting, the episode offers both context and fresh perspectives on these developing stories.

Key Segments and Insights

1. The Rise (and Risks) of Stablecoins

Reported by Jenna Benchetrit
[02:09 – 05:49]

• Stablecoins Explained:
  • Digital currencies pegged to real-world assets (like the Canadian dollar), intended to offer the speed of crypto without its volatility.
  • Touted for efficiency; useful for cheaper global money transfers and business transactions.
• Expert Skepticism:
  • Brent Arnold, cybersecurity lawyer:
    • Highlights enduring risks due to lack of regulatory oversight:

      "Where I come from, anything in crypto, the main business case is funding crime and avoiding taxes. I've still yet to see a really good, compelling explanation for why this is necessary..." ([03:46])

    • Demands proof that reserves truly back these assets:

      "Prove to me you actually have the assets to back this..." ([05:12])

• Global Context:
  • Major economies (US, Japan, UK, EU, China) are moving quickly to regulate stablecoins in pursuit of "digital sovereignty."
  • Most stablecoins are USD-backed, but other nations aim to increase their own digital currency footprints.
• Canada’s Efforts:
  • Catching up with new regulations; an Alberta company (backed by major investors) is soon to launch a regulated, dollar-backed stablecoin.

2. Canada’s Climate Policy U-Turns & Copper Push

With CBC Science & Climate Reporter Anand Ram
[05:49 – 14:02]

Climate Rollbacks and Pipeline Politics

• Political Shift:
  • PM Mark Carney, once a climate action champion, now supports an oil pipeline to Asia—triggering accusations of abandoning green promises.
  • Anand Ram:
    • Describes a wider "clawback on climate action" under both Canadian and US policy reversals:

      "It's a story of clawback on climate action. And it starts with an unmistakable voice that's back in the room." ([06:33])

• US Influence:
  • Donald Trump, US President again, downplays climate issues:

    "Climate change. It's the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion." ([06:47])

    • Orders federal agencies to avoid climate change language.
  • US rollbacks create economic and regulatory uncertainty for Canada.
• Canada’s Response:
  • Carney pledges to remove the carbon tax and EV standards, repositioning policies as about "climate competitiveness."
  • Critics see a walk-back from robust climate actions; key agreements signed to expand fossil fuel production, with hopes pinned on unproven carbon capture technology.
• Global Scene:
  • With US withdrawal from climate leadership, China leads renewables manufacturing.
  • Ongoing international tensions over commitments to phase out fossil fuels.

The Copper Boom – Resource Strategy

• Copper’s Importance:
  • Essential for renewables, EVs, AI, military tech.
• Major Projects:
  • Fast-tracking of two copper mines—the McElvena Bay project (Saskatchewan) and expansion of Red Chrismine (BC).
  • Corey Eastman, Flin Flon Chamber:

    "These 400 direct jobs then lead to obviously more population." ([11:54])

  • Votini Koutsavlis, Mining Association:

    "We've seen approximately 25% decline in copper production in Canada." ([12:15])

• Indigenous Relations & Environment:
  • Concerns over local First Nations opposition and environmental impact for some projects.
  • Jonathan French, Voran Mining:

    "Our big focus there was building these relationships." ([13:39])

• Warning of Supply Crunch:
  • Despite booming demand, slow permitting and building may lead to shortages.

3. Health Trends: IV Therapy & Regulatory Gaps

Reported by Lauren Pelley
[14:56 – 17:47]

• Rise of IV Clinics:
  • Vitamin and supplement IVs are trendy but lack solid evidence; often cost hundreds of dollars.
  • Poor regulatory oversight:
    • Dr. Joseph Ross, Yale:

      "The growth that you're seeing probably is in part because there is so little regulatory oversight." ([15:38])

      • Less than one-third of clinics require professional consultations.
    • Cross-contamination, infections, and other risks go unmonitored.
• Canadian Context:
  • Clinics regulated variably; Health Canada oversees products, but professional oversight varies by province and practitioner.
  • Naturopath Yelena Deshko:
    • Emphasizes importance of high standards:

      "We are regulated by the college and we go through inspections with the college prior to providing this treatment." ([16:51])

    • Shares a cautionary tale of another facility’s negligence.
• Skepticism from Experts:
  • Timothy Caulfield, University of Alberta:

    "The biggest issue is there's often no evidence backing up claims about IV therapies." ([17:17])

    • Calls for red-flagging unproven health products.
  • Medical advice: Seek a doctor if ill; healthy people generally don’t need IV therapy.

4. Innovative Dementia Care: Farms, Animals, and Outdoors

Reported by Yasmin Renea
[17:47 – 20:52]

• Care Farms Model:
  • Village Langley (BC) offers dementia care with chickens, goats, gardens to improve residents’ mobility, cognition, and overall well-being.
  • Based on successful European models—increasingly supported by research.
  • Gail Dial, family caregiver:

    "I know that she's in a safe environment and she's happy and she's active and is comfortable." ([19:02])

  • Dr. Howard Churcho, cognitive neurologist:

    "It's not a cure. It's not going to prevent them getting worse." ([19:16])

    • But says social engagement slows decline, reduces depression and agitation.
• Barriers & Potential:
  • High costs ($13,000/month) and absence of public funding limit access.
  • Researchers at SFU and McMaster seeking ways to scale for broader affordability and access.
  • Facility co-founder Elroy Jesperson:

    "There is no government money going to support people living here." ([20:15])

5. Preserving Soldiers’ Stories at Vimy Ridge

Reported by Colin Butler
[20:52 – 23:44]

• Historical Discovery:
  • Beneath Vimy Ridge, Canadian soldiers carved names and messages before the fateful WWI battle.
  • 3D scanning technology now captures and preserves these carvings in vivid detail—even linking some to the soldiers who made them.
  • Dan Mansfield, Canadame Group:

    "It's like walking into a church alone... these soldiers had done [the carvings], in some cases right before they died." ([21:19])

• Urgency and Fragility:
  • The tunnels are unstable—some have collapsed; conservation is a race against time.
  • Paul Culleton, videographer:

    "It is a national treasure. It is an unrecognized national treasure." ([22:56])

  • Efforts are underway but need more recognition and support.

Memorable Quotes

• On Crypto Skepticism:

  "Where I come from, anything in crypto, the main business case is funding crime and avoiding taxes."
  — Brent Arnold ([03:46])

• On Climate Policy Rollbacks:

  "It's a story of clawback on climate action. And it starts with an unmistakable voice that's back in the room."
  — Anand Ram ([06:33])

• On IV Therapy Trends:

  "The growth that you're seeing probably is in part because there is so little regulatory oversight."
  — Dr. Joseph Ross ([15:38])

• On Dementia Farm Care:

  "I know that she's in a safe environment and she's happy and she's active and is comfortable."
  — Gail Dial ([19:02])

• On Vimy Ridge Carvings:

  "It's like walking into a church alone... these soldiers had done [the carvings], in some cases right before they died."
  — Dan Mansfield ([21:19])

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Stablecoins & Digital Currencies: [02:09] – [05:49]
• Canadian Climate Policy & Pipeline: [05:49] – [10:43]
• Copper Mining Boom: [10:43] – [14:02]
• IV Therapy Trends and Risks: [14:56] – [17:47]
• Dementia Farm Care: [17:47] – [20:52]
• Vimy Ridge Soldiers’ Carvings: [20:52] – [23:44]

This episode balances skepticism and innovation across finance, climate, health, and memory—leaving listeners informed and ready for what 2026 may bring.