Your World Tonight – December 10, 2025 (CBC) Summary & Episode Breakdown

Overview:

On this episode of Your World Tonight, hosts Susan Bonner and Stephanie Skenderis offer a comprehensive daily news digest, with a Canadian perspective on pressing global and national stories. The show dives into the possible unraveling of CUSMA (the Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement), ongoing economic headwinds, political drama in Quebec, Canada's toxic drug crisis, and a moving profile of beloved children’s author Robert Munsch facing the reality of his final days. The episode is marked by candid interviews, expert analysis, and engaging storytelling that balances hard news with memorable human moments.

1. Rethinking CUSMA: U.S. Floats Bilateral Deals

[01:05–07:50]

• Theme: U.S. reopens debate on the future of North America’s trade agreement, suggesting a possible shift from trilateral (CUSMA/USMCA) to bilateral deals.

• Key Points:

  • U.S. Trade Rep. Jameson Greer, under President Trump, signals the U.S. may break up CUSMA and pursue separate agreements with Canada and Mexico.
  • Greer’s reasoning: "Our economic relationship with Canada is very, very different than our economic relationship with Mexico. The labor situation is different. The import export profile is different. The rule of law is different." (Jameson Greer, 01:05)
  • Moderator follows up for clarity: the U.S. could “end up with separately, two rather than one agreement.”
  • Speculation persists on whether Trump’s approach is a tactic to gain leverage in negotiations.
  • Stakes for Canada are high—upcoming months will shape the next generation of Canada–U.S. relations.
  • Trade consultant Eric Miller warns: "What happens in the next few months will determine bilateral relations between Canada and the U.S. for the next generation. And so, buckle up." (Eric Miller, 06:30)
  • Uncertainty looms: U.S. must submit a report to Congress by January 2; withdrawal would mean “even more uncertainty for Canadian businesses, workers, and the economy.”

2. Canada’s Economy: Resilient but Fragile

[07:51–10:51]

• Theme: The Bank of Canada holds its interest rate steady at 2.25%, but underlying weakness and uncertainty persist amid global trade friction.

• Key Points:

  • Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem acknowledges resilience but anticipates “modest growth.”
  • “The Canadian economy is going through a difficult structural adjustment that is going to take some time,” says Macklem, noting businesses are cautious about investment and hiring. (Peter Armstrong paraphrasing, 09:13)
  • The current economic resilience is mainly due to:
    • Stronger-than-expected pre-trade-war data.
    • Tariff exemptions in sectors like steel and aluminum, which have so far limited broader economic damage.
  • Rate outlook remains uncertain; "markets are now betting rates will stay where they are for quite some time,” but Catherine Judge (CIBC) says that depends on trade outcomes, particularly “if Kuzma gets renewed.” (Catherine Judge, 10:28)

3. Federal Politics: Liberal Minority Stalemate

[10:51–11:53]

• Theme: With Parliament adjourning for the winter, the Liberal minority government (led by Mark Carney) struggles to advance its legislative agenda.

• Key Points:

  • Carney’s government has announced big changes but “only passed a handful of new laws.” (Olivia Stefanovic, 11:11)
  • Both government and opposition blame each other for gridlock.
  • NDP interim leader Don Davies: “You can't get anything done, nothing in this House of Commons unless the Liberals have the support of another party.” (Don Davies, 11:35)
  • Speculation that Carney could seek a majority in a spring election.
  • Carney was elected primarily to manage relations with a turbulent U.S.—trade resolution remains elusive.

4. Quebec Liberals Face Corruption Probe

[11:53–14:40]

• Theme: Quebec’s Liberal Party is rocked by a criminal investigation into alleged misuse of public funds and bribery in the leadership race.

• Key Points:

  • Allegations arise of vote-buying (“vote for cash”) with leaked text messages implicating party members.
  • Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez vows transparency: “If people did anything wrong… they’ll pay the price. They'll suffer the consequences.” (Pablo Rodriguez, 12:42)
  • PQ opposition: “It's a Liberal party that has a culture of corruption in the organization.” (Alex Boissonault, 13:10)
  • Political scientists note the allegations reinforce old narratives and further damage the Liberals’ reputation, possibly pushing supporters to call for Rodriguez to resign.
  • Rodriguez refuses: “There's nothing that I've done wrong.” (Pablo Rodriguez, 14:26)

5. Toxic Drug Crisis: Animal Tranquilizer Hits Canadian Streets

[14:40–18:56]

• Theme: Medetomidine, an animal tranquilizer, is increasingly found in street drugs, causing unpredictable and dangerous overdoses.

• Key Insights:

  • Overdose prevention workers observe “people do tiny amounts… and they’re losing consciousness almost immediately.” (Amy Evans, 15:26)
  • Naloxone doesn’t counteract metetomidine, making interventions less effective.
  • “Its implications, its effects on human beings are really not fully understood.” (Amy Evans, 15:56)
  • Dr. Paxton Bach highlights risk of high heart rates, seizures, even death.
  • "These completely unregulated markets… are just changing the recipe at will." (Dan Werb, 17:09)
  • Over 50,000 Canadian lives lost since 2016; now, with a “new ingredient flooding the streets,” risks escalate.

6. Briefs: Alberta Recall & U.S.–Venezuela Oil Tensions

[14:40–19:13]

• **Alberta Premier Danielle Smith faces a recall petition, although she disputes claims she’s ignoring her riding.
• U.S. seizes an oil tanker near Venezuela amid sanctions and alleged ties to terrorism. President Trump orders military buildup in the region.

7. Eurovision Boycott over Israel

[19:13–19:45]

• Iceland becomes the fifth country to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s war conduct and attempts to influence the contest’s voting, joining Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands.

8. In Memoriam: Sophie Kinsella (Madeleine Wickham, 1969–2025)

[19:45–21:58]

• Theme: Celebrating the late British novelist Sophie Kinsella, famed for her Shopaholic series.
• Kinsella’s writing “gave women permission to be their entire selves—messy, imperfect, hurting, grieving, angry, confused.” (Elise Murray, 21:13)
• Her last book drew on her cancer journey: “I could turn this extreme event into something that was hopeful and optimistic and full of love because my journey has been full of love.” (Sophie Wickham, ITV interview, 21:56)

9. Robert Munsch’s “Last Hurrah”

[21:58–26:40]

• Theme: Robert Munsch, Canada’s beloved children’s author, gives what he calls his “last hurrah” interview, reflecting candidly on illness, mortality, and creative legacy.

• Key Moments & Quotes:

  • Humor & Honesty:
    • Adrienne Arseneault: “You said you were shopping for a coffin, which was…”
    • Munsch (laughing): “A little dark, yes.” (23:35)
  • Vulnerability on Life with Dementia & Parkinson’s:
    • “I tell people I’m fine. I’m not fine.” (24:13)
    • “I fall down, I forget words. I can’t open anything… Every time it happens, I think, well, I won’t do such and such. But it keeps happening.”
  • Creative Endurance & Legacy:
    • “There’s about 50 stories in that. When I’m dead, they’ll still be putting out Robert Munsch books.” (24:56)
    • On his mind: “In my brain? The stories are all stacked, they’re locked. I can’t trust the rest of my thinking. But the stories are my friends.”
  • On MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying):
    • “Both of us feel that that’s a choice that is valid and legitimate. Fortunately for both of us, maybe especially me, it’s a long ways away.” (Munsch’s wife, Ann)
    • Munsch’s message: “Don’t worry. I’ll be okay no matter what. Right?” (26:30)
  • Tone: The interview is a delicate blend of silliness and poignancy, honoring Munsch’s unique voice and resilience.

10. Culture & Technology: McDonald’s Pulled AI Christmas Ad

[26:40–28:58]

• Theme: Backlash erupts over McDonald’s Netherlands’ AI-generated Christmas ad, pulled after just three days.
  • Viewers found it “creepy and inauthentic.”
  • Despite criticism, the creators insist “it was a lot of real work,” taking “a team of 10 people seven weeks” and “even exceeded some of its traditional film shoots.”
  • McDonald’s response: The episode is “a learning moment.”

Notable Quotes – Quick Reference

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:05 | Jameson Greer | "Our economic relationship with Canada is very, very different than our economic relationship with Mexico. ..." | | 06:30 | Eric Miller | "What happens in the next few months will determine bilateral relations ... So, buckle up." | | 10:28 | Catherine Judge | "Our forecast depends on customer largely getting renewed, but perhaps some sectoral tariffs remaining in place."| | 12:42 | Pablo Rodriguez | "If people did anything wrong ... they'll pay the price." | | 13:10 | Alex Boissonault | "It's a Liberal party that has a culture of corruption in the organization." | | 15:26 | Amy Evans | "We've seen people do tiny amounts ... and they're losing consciousness almost immediately." | | 17:09 | Dan Werb | "What we're seeing are these completely unregulated markets ... just changing the recipe at will." | | 21:13 | Elise Murray | "She gave women permission to be their entire selves ... to be vulnerable, to be real, to be authentic." | | 24:13 | Robert Munsch | "I tell people I’m fine. I’m not fine." | | 24:56 | Robert Munsch | "There’s about 50 stories in that. When I’m dead, they’ll still be putting out Robert Munsch books." | | 26:30 | Robert Munsch | "Don’t worry. I’ll be okay no matter what. Right?" |

Conclusion

This episode of “Your World Tonight” offers not just a news round-up, but a vivid snapshot of a complex and changing Canada—where the future of trade, politics, public health, and cultural identity are all in flux. Balancing the serious and the sentimental, the podcast connects headlines to the lives they impact, making it essential listening for those seeking clarity and context.