Trade deals with China, Emergencies Act use, bye bye Bichette, and more

Summary

Your World Tonight (CBC) – Episode Summary

Date: January 16, 2026
Hosts: Susan Bonner, Stephanie Skenderas

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Overview

This episode of Your World Tonight explores several major stories impacting Canadians and the world:

• Canada’s new trade deal with China and the mixed reactions from across the political and economic spectrum
• An appellate court’s decision on the use of the Emergencies Act during the 2022 convoy protests
• Continued unrest in Iran under an internet blackout
• Heated immigration enforcement protests in Minneapolis
• The emotional departure of Blue Jays star Bo Bichette
• A heartwarming community hockey rink story from Happy Valley-Goose Bay

The mood is journalistic, analytical, and at times poignant, encapsulating both hard news and human interest stories.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada–China Trade Deal: Relief for Farmers, Tensions for Auto Sector

[00:40–07:50]

• The Agreement:
  Mark Carney, Prime Minister, secures a trade deal with China, ending tariffs on Canadian canola seed, lobster, crab, and more. In exchange, Canada drops tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), allowing up to 49,000 vehicles per year at a 6.1% tariff rate.
  • "Canada has agreed to allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market with the most favored nation tariff rate of 6.1%." – Mark Carney [03:23]
  • Deal marks a significant thaw after years of tensions.
• Regional Impact:
  • Prairies (farmers): Relief and celebration.
    • "It's very, very good news. Good news for my farm. It's good news for canola farmers across Canada." [01:25]
  • Ontario (auto industry): Worry and frustration at competition and lack of consultation.
    • "No consultation at all. He always preaches partnership. This is anything but a partnership." [01:36]
• Political Fallout:
  • Split between premiers—Saskatchewan supports, Ontario opposes.
  • U.S. trade relations hang in the balance; American trade officials warn of future regrets.
    • "I think in the long run they're not going to like having made that deal." – U.S. trade rep [01:47]
  • Donald Trump, U.S. President, voices approval for the trade deal:
    • "Well, that's okay. That's what he should be doing. I mean, it's a good thing for him to sign a trade deal." [09:43]
• Human Rights & Realpolitik:
  Carney asserts that human rights concerns remain, but stresses “values-based realism”:
  • “The need to take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.” [04:17–04:48]

Auto Sector Perspective

• EV Association:
  Andrew Bell, EV owner, supports the increased competition:
  • "I think it's going to stimulate competition. The competition has been very sluggish, slow, unnecessarily so." [05:18]
• Auto Industry Concerns:
  Industry voices fear the deal opens the door to growing Chinese EV market share that could threaten domestic jobs.
  • "They may come in in very small amounts in year one, maybe year two, but what it's doing is it's going to allow that to continue to grow, probably." – Auto union rep [06:10]
  • Flavio Volpe of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association wants government to reconsider if Chinese investment in Canadian auto production doesn’t materialize.
    • "If that doesn't materialize here, we're going to strongly encourage the government to reconsider." [06:36]

Long-Term Strategy

• Diversification:
  The deal is seen as a move to make Canada less reliant on the U.S. and diversify markets, preparing for a more turbulent global order.

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2. Emergencies Act Use Overturned by Appeals Court

[12:08–14:55]

• Court Ruling:
  The Federal Court of Appeal upholds a ruling that the Trudeau government's invocation of the Emergencies Act during the 2022 convoy protests overstepped legal bounds.
  • "We had a government that panicked and that used emergency powers when it didn't need to." – Sujith Choudhary, lawyer [12:29]
  • "I think the lesson here is that we need courts and the rule of law to keep our governments in check because there is an inherent risk with emergency powers..." [13:03]
• Legal and Political Fallout:
  • Contrasts with the 2023 public inquiry, which mostly supported the government's decision.
  • Michael Kempa, criminology professor, urges Parliament to update the Emergencies Act for clarity on balancing rights and public order.
    • "Because we actually need clarity on what the balance is... between our charter rights to assembly and expression and the government's right to suppress these things when they threaten public order and safety." [14:26]

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3. Iran: Violence Amid Internet Blackout, Leadership in Exile

[14:55–17:57]

• Situation:
  • Eighth day of blackout as regime suppresses protests, making independent reporting almost impossible.
  • Reports of morgues filling, lethal force, and families paying for loved ones' bodies.
    • "We have received reports that show authorities transport dead bodies with pickup trucks." [15:36]
    • "They go out and they face bullets and they die and nobody can find them." – Sarah, Iranian-Canadian [17:14]
• Leadership and Hope:
  • Exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi offers himself as transitional leader.
    • "I will return to Iran. I am uniquely positioned to ensure a stable transition." [16:28]
  • Experts believe hope for regime change remains despite current fear and repression.
    • "I expect less than three years, we have another wave of protests in this scale and even much bigger." – Soran Mansournia [17:48]

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4. Minneapolis Protests After ICE Shooting, Political Response

[18:05–21:04]

• Trigger:
  Fatal shooting of a protester by an ICE officer during an immigration enforcement operation.
  • Ongoing confrontations with tear gas and increased scrutiny of “abuse of force.”
    • "The message really needs to be to our government, to border patrol, and to the related agencies that are here terrorizing and traumatizing both protesters and immigrants alike. They need to tone it down." – Anonymous protester [19:04]
• Political Reaction:
  • Congressional field hearing launched; Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey accuses federal government of political retribution.
    • "This is about sowing chaos on the streets of Minneapolis. This is about political retribution..." [19:54]
  • Trump stands behind ICE tactics, threatens use of the Insurrection Act.
    • "If I needed it, I'd use it. I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it. It's very powerful." – Trump [20:31]

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5. Bo Bichette Leaves the Blue Jays for Mets: End of an Era

[21:04–24:26]

• Bichette’s Departure:
  Bo Bichette leaves Toronto for the New York Mets, signing a $126 million deal after a near World Series win with the Blue Jays.
  • "Word today that fan favorite Bo Bichette is headed to New York, reportedly signing a three year deal with the Mets worth $126 million." [21:50]
  • Fans are heartbroken: “Feels like a gut punch.” – Ronald C., fan [21:50]
• Bichette’s Legacy:
  • Drafted as a teen, evolved into a star player and nearly secured a World Series title for Toronto.
  • Rob Longley, Toronto Sun: "So many people that follow this team grew up expecting Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to be the cornerstones of a championship team and they were that close to it." [22:59]
  • Bichette expected to return to Toronto for Canada Day with the Mets.

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6. Community Spotlight: A Backyard Hockey Rink in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

[24:26–25:47]

• Heartwarming Local Story:
  Young fan Jackson Callahan Giffen’s wish for his own outdoor rink comes true thanks to family and community effort.
  • "His company owns a steam truck and they come by each morning to help make the ice... there's even a washroom. Jackson and his friends approve." [25:44]
  • Plans for expansion already underway; a moment of simple Canadian joy.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Canada can thrive in a new system, but to do so, we must be ambitious. We must work at speed and scale to find new partners.” – [00:40]
• “Canada has agreed to allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market with the most favored nation tariff rate of 6.1%.” – Mark Carney [03:23]
• “We had a government that panicked and that used emergency powers when it didn't need to.” – Sujith Choudhary [12:29]
• "I expect less than three years, we have another wave of protests in this scale and even much bigger.” – Soran Mansournia [17:48]
• "Feels like a gut punch." – Ronald C., Blue Jays fan [21:50]
• “I think it's pretty nice. I think it's a pretty good setup.” – Jackson Callahan Giffen, regarding his new hockey rink [25:44]

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Important Timestamps

• Canada-China trade deal breakdown: [00:40–07:50]
• Emergencies Act appeals court ruling: [12:08–14:55]
• Iran protest/blackout context: [14:55–17:57]
• Minneapolis ICE protests: [18:05–21:04]
• Bo Bichette leaves the Blue Jays: [21:04–24:26]
• Happy Valley-Goose Bay community rink: [24:26–25:47]

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This episode encapsulates the evolving dynamics in Canadian trade, ongoing debates over civil liberties and government powers, international crises, and bittersweet sports news, all from a distinctly Canadian perspective.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[CBC Reporter/Host]

This is a CBC podcast.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Canada can thrive in a new system, but to do so, we must be ambitious. We must work at speed and scale to find new partners.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The partner the prime minister has found isn't that new. Not the United States. China, a country Mark Carney recently called a threat, has now agreed to what he calls a landmark deal. China will drop punishing tariffs on canola seed, lobster, crab and other agricultural products. In return, Canada drops its tariffs on Chinese E vehicles. This is YOUR WORLD TONIGHT. I'm Stephanie Skenderas. It's Friday, January 16th, coming up on 6:00pm Eastern. And reaction to the deal depends on where you live and what pays the bills on the prairies.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

It's very, very good news. Good news for my farm. It's good news for canola farmers across Canada.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

In Ontario, where auto is king, not so much.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This wasn't thought of.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

No consultation at all. He always preaches partnership. This is anything but a partnership.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

And in the United States, a warning from one trade representative.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

The Canadians were trying to get some tariff relief on their own to get ag into there. I think in the long run they're not going to like having made that deal.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

But a different message from Donald Trump. We'll have details on the deal and the reaction. We begin with Tom Perry, who's been traveling with the prime minister.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, flanked by a line of senior officials sitting across a long wooden table. From Prime Minister Mark Carney and a team of cabinet ministers.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

I'm extremely pleased that we are moving ahead with our new strategic partnership.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

The two leaders heralding what the Chinese president calls a turnaround in Canada China relations. The two countries agreeing to cooperate more closely and put aside their differences over trade.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

And I am very pleased to announce that we have made significant progress in a number of key areas.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Speaking to reporters later, Carney outlined what he calls a preliminary but landmark deal to ease a simmering trade dispute. China, Carney says, is expected to dramatically reduce tariffs on Canadian canola seed as of March 1, Beijing is also expected to eliminate tariffs on Canadian canola meal along with Canadian lobster and crab until at least the end of the year. China imposed tariffs in response to Canada slapping a 100% levy on Chinese electric vehicles, effectively shutting them out of the Canadian market. Carney today reopening that door.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Canada has agreed to allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into the Canadian market with the most favored nation tariff rate of 6.1%. This is a return to the levels that existed prior to recent trade frictions.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Carney once called China the greatest threat to Canada's security. Now he's courting Beijing as part of a larger policy to diversify Canada's economy and make it less vulnerable to the turbulent trade policy policies of US President Donald Trump. Carney says Canada is seeking stability, suggesting China in some ways is a better bet.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

In terms of the way that.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Our.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Relationship has progressed in recent months with China, it is more, it is more predictable and you see results coming from that.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

But part of China's predictability stems from the fact it's governed by an authoritarian regime that curtails free speech and is accused of abusing human rights. Carney says both those issues are still important to Canada, that human rights were discussed during his meeting with Chinese officials. But Carney also spoke about what he calls values based realism, the need to take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. Tom Perry, CBC News, Beijing.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Now that defense of the deal from Mark Carney is getting mixed reactions from politicians in the auto industry. Some are welcoming the competition and wider choices for consumers. Others are accusing the prime minister of undermining the industry and putting it at risk. Lisa Shing has that story.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

I want one more, the higher end ones. You know, the bells and whistles.

[Andrew Bell]

Andrew Bell, an EV owner and director of the Electric Vehicle association of Alberta, is applauding Canada's new deal with China.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

I think it's going to stimulate competition. The competition has been very sluggish, slow, unnecessarily so.

[Andrew Bell]

Bell has been critical of the 100% tariffs since they were implemented. He's hoping Canada allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EVs into the country each year, taxed at 6.1%, will give drivers like him more choice and cheaper options. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has long objected to this move, said so again.

[Narrator/Announcer]

They'Re heavily subsidized, totally against all the auto workers here.

[Andrew Bell]

The cap represents only about 3% of the Canadian new vehicle market and about 18% of all new EV purchases in the country. Despite that, some in the auto industry say it opens the door to more down the road. Jeff Gray represents auto workers in Oshawa, Ontario.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

They may come in in very small amounts in year one, maybe year two, but what it's doing is it's going to allow that to continue to grow, probably.

[Andrew Bell]

On the other hand, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised the deal kickstarts discussions around Chinese investment in Canada to produce vehicles over time. But that isn't a certainty, says Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

If that doesn't materialize here, we're going to strongly encourage the government to reconsider.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Access that we gave another consideration.

[Andrew Bell]

Canada's auto industry is inextricably linked to that of the United States, and there's fear this deal could jeopardize that relationship. But the Chinese EV market is so dominant it's now impossible to ignore. Even US industry groups say as much, including Glenn Stevens, executive director of Mish Auto in Detroit, Michigan.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

They are part of the global presence, one of the largest, if not the largest producer.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

It's not if it's when they are in other countries.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

And I think we're wrestling with that now.

[Andrew Bell]

These considerations wrapped up in what is widely seen as a strategy by Carney to be less reliant on the US Gil Lan is an associate professor in business law at Toronto Metropolitan University.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

There's the short term and then there's the long term. The long term diversification of our trading partnerships, I think is the.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Is what was probably on the Prime Minister's mind.

[Andrew Bell]

This reset with China, potentially the first step in Carney's bigger plan to forge trade relationships with other countries in Asia. Lisa Sheng, CBC News, Toronto.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

So the Prime Minister is walking a political tightrope with this deal, balancing protection of Canada's auto industry with relief for the agriculture sector and navigating internal political relationships. And there's also the delicate relationship with the U.S. canada's primary trading partner, Catherine Cullen, is in Ottawa to help us unravel this. So, Catherine, we just heard how unhappy the Ontario Premier is with this deal. But some premiers are, are happy. What kind of a split are we seeing?

[Catherine Cullen]

There's definitely a difference of opinion on this. Stephanie, Saskatchewan. Scott Mo joined the Prime Minister in China because Canola is big multi billion dollar business in his province. He says this is a positive day, a step forward. Asked about the fact that Ontario is taking a hit, he explained the trade.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Offs like this, it is, you know, I think a far smaller impact, minute impact relative to what was happening over the last number of months with the tariffs that we saw on, you know, canola, pulses, seafood, pork, those types of things.

[Catherine Cullen]

Now, Manitoba's premier has been calling for a deal. I just interviewed him for the House, and I asked if this was a good deal. He says that's complicated. Good on canola, but it's not clear whether pork will get a break on tariffs. And he worries about Ontario's auto sector, too. There's talk the federal government might offer more supports to that sector. Bob Kanu says he could get behind that, but he wants to see more investment in Manitoba as well. Fundamentally, though, he says it is still a Team Canada approach, not a focus on infighting.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Okay.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Moving beyond this country, a big question hanging over all of this is whether the United States will be upset by Canada's growing closeness with China. What are we seeing there?

[Catherine Cullen]

Well, President Donald Trump told reporters he supports Mark Carney's move.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Well, that's okay. That's what he should be doing. I mean, it's a good thing for him to sign a trade deal. If you can get a deal with China, he should do that.

[Catherine Cullen]

But I have to say, everyone I've interviewed today on this has said, wait and see. In fact, Premier Canoe went so far as to say that he thinks that perhaps the president hasn't been fully briefed on this deal yet. He also says the deal does make Canada less reliant on the US in the sense that this could be a bit of leverage to say, well, we don't need to take the worst possible new Kuzma deal with the United States. We have other markets we can sell to, too. It's also worth noting that Trump has his own visit coming up with President Xi later this year. Trump likely wants a deal of his own. Maybe this is a useful example. Maybe it's competition.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Very interesting. Okay, what about the Canada China relationship itself? Because this is a pretty big shift from the days of the two Michaels and the foreign interference inquiry. How do we make sense of this?

[Catherine Cullen]

Well, the prime minister and many others say it comes down to Trump shaking up the trade relationship. Carney even talked about a new world order in China, which he says means new trading relationships when the old ones have been undercut. But the prime minister does say Canada has red lines on security it will not tolerate, like foreign interference, and that this country has been very clear about that.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Catherine, thanks so much.

[Catherine Cullen]

Thank you.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Katherine Cullen, host of CBC Radio's the House, speaking with us from Ottawa. Coming right up. The federal government invoked the Emergencies act to help clear protesters from the streets of Ottawa. That was in 2022. A judge ruled last year that Ottawa had overstepped its bounds. Today, an appeals court agreed. Also, protests continue inside Iran, but with an Internet blackout, it's hard to confirm the the scale of violent government crackdowns. Later, we'll have this story.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

I'm Thomas Dagg in Toronto, where baseball fans are reeling from another gut punch.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

It's sort of a sad ending for.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

The Blue Jays and for Blue Jays fans. Fan favorite Boba Shet is walking away from the team after coming oh so close to winning the World Series. Ahead on youn World Tonight, a look at what it means for the Jayson as they fight for another shot at winning it all.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

The federal government has lost an appeal in court over Justin Trudeau's use of the Emergencies act during the pandemic. He invoked it to clear convoy protests in the nation's capital. Three appeal court judges agreed with the lower court ruling, saying the protest did not meet the threshold of a national security threat. Katherine Tunney has more.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

We had a government that panicked and that used emergency powers when it didn't.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Need to for years.

[Sujith Choudhary]

Lawyer Sujith Choudhary argued the Liberal government didn't meet the strict legal threshold when it invoked the Emergencies act during the convoy protests in 2022. Today, vindication, in our view, it's sort.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Of a hands down victory.

[Sujith Choudhary]

Choudhary represented the Canadian Constitution foundation before the Federal Court of Appeal, which ruled in their favor Friday. The justices felt that while the convoy blockades and protests were disturbing and disruptive, they fell short of a threat to national security.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

I think the lesson here is that we need courts and the rule of law to keep our governments in check because there is an inherent risk with emergency powers that they will be abused by governments of any political stripe against any type of political protest.

[Sujith Choudhary]

Today's decision to uphold a lower Court's ruling from 2024 puts the convoy protests back in the spotlight four years after the first trucks rolled into Ottawa, gridlocking the nation's capital for weeks and blocking key trade routes. After weeks of simmering tension, then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies act for the first time in its history. It gave authorities unprecedented powers to crack down on the blockades and freeze bank accounts. The mandatory public inquiry that followed came to a different conclusion in the courts in early 2023. Commissioner Paul Rouleau said the federal government for the most part responded appropriately.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

There was something that was becoming for many people's perspective out of control. And they used an imperfect tool. Imperfectly.

[Sujith Choudhary]

Michael Kempa is a professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa. He says while the legal findings are a mark on Trudeau's legacy, many Canadians agreed with his decision to clear the convoy and were concerned about fringe elements linked to the movement. It's why Kempa is hoping to see Parliament update the Emergencies act, which hasn't been touched since the late 80s.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Because we actually need clarity on what the balance is, final clarity on what the balance is between our charter rights to assembly and expression and the government's right to suppress these things when they threaten public order and safety.

[Sujith Choudhary]

So far, the federal government has only said it's reviewing Friday's decision ahead of next Steps. Most watchers think it's heading to the Supreme Court. And so it means the final word in this controversial chapter in Canadian history is still to come. Catherine Tunney, CBC News, Ottawa.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

In Iran, the Internet blackout is now in its eighth day. Questions linger about the scale of violence on the ground. Washington appears to have stepped back from earlier threats of intervention after Iran canceled the execution of hundreds of political prisoners. Senior international correspondent Margaret Evans has more on the fear gripping families from afar.

[Margaret Evans]

Broadcast images allowed out of Iran show quiet streets in the capital. An Internet blackout remains in place for an eighth day, one that activists believe will reveal unprecedented levels of violence once lifted.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

We have received reports that show authorities transport dead bodies with pickup trucks.

[Margaret Evans]

In Kermanshah, Soren Mansournia monitors what does make it out like video of regime forces using lethal force and morgues filling with bodies. US President Donald Trump is seen by many to have stood down from earlier pledges to intervene in Iran if protesters were killed, apparently accepting Iranian assurances.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Nobody convinced me. I convinced myself. You had Yesterday scheduled over 800 hangings. They didn't hang anyone. They cancelled the hangings.

[Margaret Evans]

In Washington, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the former Shah of Iran, put himself forward as a future leader.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

I will return to Iran. I am uniquely positioned to ensure a stable transition. That's the verdict delivered loudly and clearly by the people in the face of bullets.

[Margaret Evans]

He has a constituency, although it is by no means universal. Sarah, a 35 year old Iranian woman studying in Ottawa, is a supporter.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

He is a unifying figure in a sense that he would take over to form a transitional government and create three elections and then we will see.

[Margaret Evans]

She's one of the few to receive word from relatives inside Iran. In a brief phone call, my mother.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Said people are afraid.

[Margaret Evans]

People have nothing in their hands.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

They go out and they face bullets and they die and nobody can find them.

[Margaret Evans]

There are credible reports of authorities demanding money from families for the release of their loved ones bodies, and of security forces gathering up CCTV footage to build cases against protesters. Even so, Soran Mansournia says anti regime demonstrations will return, but it's only a question of when.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Even if the Islamic Republic suppress these.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Movements again, I think in the near.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Future, and I expect less than three years, we have another wave of protests in this scale and even much bigger.

[Margaret Evans]

Than there is fear, he says. But it hasn't extinguished hope. Margaret Evans, CBC News, London.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

In Minneapolis, it has been another day of demonstrators confronting federal immigration agents after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman last week. This comes as US Lawmakers hold hearings into agents tactics, with some calling the operations an abuse of force. Paul Hunter reports.

[Narrator/Announcer]

On the streets of Minneapolis, it was another night of tear gas, protest, confrontation and mayhem. Demonstrators again pushing back at federal immigration agents sent in to arrest, detain and deport those deemed undocumented immigrants. The agents under intense fury for the way they've been doing that, often pulling people out of cars even as they underline they are US Citizens. And all of this in the days after an agent shot and killed one of the demonstrators in her suv. Said one demonstrator today, the message really.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Needs to be to our government, to border patrol, and to the related agencies that are here terrorizing and traumatizing both protesters and immigrants alike. They need to tone it down.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Two Minnesotans, thank you for your courage, for your bravery.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Elsewhere in the city, US Lawmakers held what's known as a field hearing into what's been happening, underlining a congressional investigation into the tactics being used may follow. Here's Democrat Pramila Jayapal.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

We've got your back and we will do what we need to do in Congress to advocate fiercely for you.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

We are so grateful to have you here today.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was among those testifying, calling it all an unnecessary abuse of force directed by Donald Trump at a state that failed to support Trump in the last election.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

This is about sowing chaos on the streets of Minneapolis. This is about political retribution, and we in Minneapolis are suffering the brunt of it right now.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Trump campaigned on a pledge to deport undocumented migrants, and countless Americans voted for him on that basis. And the White House has defended the actions of immigration agents as justified, labeling many of the protesters Radical left lunatics. Mr. President Trump himself today confirming he's prepared to use the US Insurrection act of 1807 and send in the US military if he so chooses.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

It's been used a lot and if I needed it, I'd use it. I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it. It's very powerful.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All of this a day before supporters of the immigration agents are expected to themselves march through Minneapolis with no end in sight. Now to the ever growing fury on all sides. Paul Hunter, CBC News, Washington.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

You're listening to your World tonight from CBC News. And if you want to make sure you never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts, just find the follow button and lock us in. You can now call him baseball's $126 million man Boba Shet, A beloved Blue Jay who's called Canada home for 10 years and a key player in Toronto's epic run to the World Series last season. He is now heading to New York to play for the Mets. As Thomas Dagla tells us, fans across the country are sad to see him go.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

In the dead of winter in downtown Toronto, dedicated baseball fans felt drawn today to the merchandise shop at the Blue Jays home stadium. That's why I came to get some Bichette merch. Hopefully he's been an integral part of this Blue Jays organization. Ronald C. Says it feels like a gut punch word today that fan favorite Bo Bichette is headed to New York, reportedly signing a three year deal with the Mets worth $126 million. Seeing him leave for a different team, it sucks. Bichette is said to be moving from shortstop to third base while saying goodbye to the club that drafted him as a teenager a decade ago. Watching him evolve into a two time big league all star.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

A blast from Bo Bichette for number 19 on the season and the Blue.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Jays have the lead in less than than 24 hours. Bichette is the second high profile free agent to sign a contract elsewhere after being pursued in the off season by the Jays. Last night it was outfielder Kyle Tucker reportedly joining the big spending LA Dodgers. Yes, those Dodgers.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

It's sort of a sad ending for.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

The Blue Jays and for Blue Jays fans only. This past fall L A defeated Toronto in extra innings in a memorable Game seven of the World Series. Now Toronto sun baseball writer Rob Longley considers this the end of an era with the club losing one half of its beloved dynamic duo. So many people that follow this team grew up expecting Vlad Guerrero Jr. And Bo Bichette to be the cornerstones of a championship team and they were that close to it. With a three run homer that night in November, Bichette very nearly won the World Series for the Jays. After the game, he told reporters he hoped to stay with the team.

[CBC Reporter/Host]

Does losing this game in such a.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Painful way make you want to stay in Toronto more?

[CBC Reporter/Host]

I said I want to be here from the beginning.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

Just last week, Jay's general manager Ross Atkins sought to temper expectations for any further signings. This after the club committed more than $300 million US this offseason on new acquisitions, including pitcher Dylan Cease and slugger Kazma Okamoto. We've made it better, so we do feel good about our team. As for Bichette, he'll be back in Toronto in time for Canada Day with his new team traveling to his old stomping grounds. Thomas Dagg, CBC News, Toronto.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Finally, let's drop in on the newest hockey rink in Happy Valley, Goose Bay. Oh, and on a breakaway, he shoots and he doesn't score. What a good chance by Nolan there. That's Jackson Callahan Giffen doing some impromptu play by play during a shinny game on his favorite Christmas present, his mom, Chantel Callahan explains he's been playing hockey now for about seven years. In the last two to three, he's really expressed interest in wanting to have his own outdoor rink where he can gather with his friends and play a couple scrimmages after hockey practice. So around Christmas time, we were kind of asking him what it was he wanted for Christmas. He did say that he wanted a rink. Chantel's dad works in construction and he pulled out all the stops. He used framing lumber and strong plywood, so it's basically as solid as a house and about half the size of an NHL rink. His company owns a steam truck and they come by each morning to help make the ice. Plus they had an extra shipping container lying around, so they pulled that over, added seating, cut out some windows and made a change room. There's even a washroom. Jackson and his friends approve. I think it's pretty nice. I think it's a pretty good setup.

[Margaret Evans]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

Yeah, it's really nice.

[Interviewee/Expert/Commentator]

I like it.

[Stephanie Skenderas]

It's really nice. Nice ice. Good name for a rink. Callahan is pretty sure her son and dad are already looking ahead to next year's wish list. This is the start. I'm sure next year there's already talks that it's probably going to be bigger and potentially have a roof over it. So this starts the first ring dad has ever put in. So just excited to see where it's going. To go from here. This has been youn World Tonight for Friday, January 16th. I'm Stephanie Skenderas. Thank you for being with us. Good night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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