The Current

Ottawa is hosting negotiations to hammer out a global treaty on plastic pollution, which is showing up in every corner of the earth — and even in human blood and breastmilk. Guest host Mark Kelley asks Nestle’s Jodie Roussell what her company is doing to curb the problem; and talks to scientist Pete Myers about what role consumers can play.

Ontario will bar employers from asking staff for sick notes, in an effort to decrease the administrative burden on doctors and give them more time with patients. Dr. Cathy Risdon says doctors face a lot of paperwork that’s necessary but doesn’t do much to help patients.

Steve Burgess loves to travel, but he also sees how tourists are taking a toll on the places they visit. He joins us to discuss his new book, Reservations: The Pleasures and Perils of Travel.

The federal government’s buyback program for assault-style firearms has hit a snag: Canada Post is refusing to collect the banned guns, citing safety concerns for its employees. We look at what Ottawa can learn from countries like Australia, which implemented a large-scale gun buyback program after a mass shooting in the 1990s.

NASA’s Voyager 1 started sending gibberish back to Earth a few months ago, after almost 50 years of communication from deep space. This week the space agency announced they’d fixed an error — at a distance of 24 billion kilometres. Astronaut Chris Hadfield talks to Matt Galloway about how they did it and what Voyager means to us here on this pale blue dot. 

Neuroscientist John Kounios has been studying the brains of jazz musicians, hoping to better understand the concept of flow. He tells us what he learned about flow, the state where a person becomes so immersed in an activity that time and complexity melt away.

More and more municipal politicians are leaving their jobs because of the abuse they face and the toll it takes. Matt Galloway talks to Waterloo, Ont., city councillor Jen Vasic; Calgary city councillor Jasmine Mian; and Montreal borough councillor Younes Boukala.

Artificial intelligence has its roots in Canadian research, but some experts worry the country risks being left behind as AI accelerates. David Skok, editor and CEO of The Logic, explores how to seize this moment in the new book, Superintelligence: Is Canada Ready for AI?

A bird flu virus, H5N1, has infected cattle in the U.S. It’s raising fears it could jump to other species like humans. We ask experts how concerned they are about the virus and whether it poses the risk of a fresh pandemic. 

Dr. Christopher Kerr has spent years interviewing dying patients about the dreams they have as the end of life gets closer. He tells Matt Galloway those dreams and visions can be profound for both the patient and their loved ones.

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau says family life can get messy since her separation from the prime minister — but they’ve still got each other's backs. She tells Matt Galloway about her new book, Closer Together, and why she wants to help Canadians build the emotional literacy needed to cope with the stresses of modern life. 

Elections are underway in India, with almost one billion people registered to cast their votes at a million polling stations. We discuss how Narendra Modi has shaped the country over his decade as prime minister and what’s at stake as he seeks a third term.

Defence lawyer Nader Hasan alleges three police officers committed perjury when they testified at the murder trial of Umar Zameer. The Toronto man was found not guilty Sunday in the death of Toronto police officer Det.-Const. Jeffrey Northrup, but Hasan says he’s not sure any criminal charges would ever have been laid if the victim had not been a police officer.

The climate is changing. So are we. On What On Earth, you’ll explore a world of solutions with host Laura Lynch and our team of journalists. In 1970, 20 million people showed up to fight for the environment on the first Earth Day. More than five decades later, is it time for this much tamer global event to return to its radical roots? 

OG organizer Denis Hayes recounts how – amidst other counterculture movements at the time – his team persuaded roughly one in ten Americans to take to the streets. As he approaches 80, Denis offers his singular piece of advice to the next generation of climate leaders. Then, environmental warriors Maria Blancas and Axcelle Campana share ideas on what a reinspired Earth Day could look like – including making it a public holiday.

More episodes of What On Earth are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/rtraABEv

We love to hear from our listeners and regularly feature them on the show. Have a question or idea? Email Earth@cbc.ca

Some Olympic winners will receive almost $70,000 on top of their gold medals this summer. But the move has sparked criticism for undermining Olympic values and favouring track and field over other sports.

Sikh separatists in Canada and the U.S. allege that the Indian government is attempting to assassinate its critics in other countries — people India considers terrorists. We hear about a Fifth Estate investigation into those allegations.

The U.S. has approved billions in aid for Ukraine after months of congressional debate. Chris York, a news editor for Kyiv Independent, tells us what that money will mean for the country and a war that shows no sign of ending.

The U.S. has introduced regulations to keep chemicals called PFAS out of drinking water. We look at what Canada is doing to deal with these “forever chemicals,” which are used in all kinds of consumer products but linger in our air, water and soil.

The writer Gary Shteyngart spent seven days on the largest cruise ship in the world, and hated it. He compares being on the Icon of the Seas — a ship twenty decks high with up to 10,000 people on board — to being trapped in a giant mall, adrift in the Caribbean.

The federal government says changes to the capital gains tax will only affect the very wealthiest, but tax expert John Oakey says the middle class may also be impacted in some circumstances.

Jenna Doak heard a lot of comments about her weight when she was growing up. She says it took years as an adult to “unbrainwash” herself and learn to love her body. Doak’s not alone: a new study suggests that comments about a child’s weight can have a lifelong impact.

African scientists are genetically re-engineering mosquitoes in hopes of eradicating malaria from the continent — but there are concerns about releasing those modified mosquitoes back into the wild. Matt Galloway talks to Abdoulaye Diabaté from Target Malaria Burkina Faso.

Work is underway on a new Canadian dictionary, which will be the first major update of the country’s lexicon in two decades. Editor-in-chief John Chew talks us through what makes a word truly Canadian.

Professional boxer Claire Hafner gets tested every year for signs of head trauma, by researchers studying hits to the head and long-term degenerative brain conditions. But there’s a personal factor for Hafner: she says if there’s evidence of decline, she’ll retire. The CBC’s Katie Nicholson went with Hafner for this year’s testing — and the results. 

Jasmin Paris tells us about becoming the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons in Tennessee, one of the most gruelling ultramarathons in the world.

A Quebec class action lawsuit is looking to hold 16 pharmaceutical companies responsible for their alleged role in the opioid epidemic. Matt Galloway talks to the lawyer leading the case and asks a pain doctor about how opioids are prescribed now.

Our national affairs panel convenes to break down the federal government’s 2024 budget, which proposes $52.9 billion in new spending over five years.

The show Bluey is ostensibly for kids, but it’s gained a significant following among adults for the way it handles moments like death and infertility — like in its recent season finale, in which Bluey and her family processed tough emotions about a potential move. Meryl Alper, an associate professor in communication studies at Northeastern University in the U.S., tells us more about this charming blue heeler dog.

Author Salman Rushdie was attacked with a knife on a New York stage in 2022, suffering severe injuries and losing his eye. He tells Matt Galloway about the book he’s written to move past the attack and what he intends to do with his “second chance” at life.

Jacob Opwapo, a humanitarian worker with Islamic Relief, gives us the latest on the civil war in Sudan that broke out about a year ago and has killed an estimated 14,000 people while displacing roughly eight million.

Former U.S. president Donald Trump is accused of falsifying business records in attempts to cover up an affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The presumed Republican presidential candidate also faces three other indictments. Washington Post columnist Philip Bump tells us more.

The drug Trikafta has changed the lives of many Canadians living with cystic fibrosis. But in many other parts of the world, the drug is either not available — or if it is, it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. That’s why Cheri Nel, who is based in Johannesburg, is suing American pharmaceutical company Vertex over its patent and price tag.

Former Thunder Bay, Ont., police chief Sylvie Hauth is facing charges of obstruction and breach of trust. Guest host Rebecca Zandbergen speaks with Willow Fiddler, a reporter for the Globe and Mail in Thunder Bay; and Thunder Bay Police Chief Darcy Fleury.

Some survivors of sexual assault, like Marlee Liss, are coming face-to-face with their assailants — not in court, but in rooms focused on something called restorative justice. The CBC documentary Marlee’s Circle explores that process, which emphasizes accountability and healing over punishment. 

Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend, in retaliation for Israel’s bombing of Iran’s embassy in Syria on April 1. Matt Galloway asks international affairs expert Thomas Juneau: what comes next?

A new report suggests there’s an “urgent” need to improve training for truck drivers, and that new drivers who have not received adequate training are making Canada's roads less safe.

Some dietitians online have adopted anti-diet messaging, pushing back against shaming people for the food they eat. But a Washington Post investigation suggests food manufacturers have co-opted that messaging and are sponsoring dietitian influencers to promote products like sugary cereal. We discuss what to watch for when you seek dietary advice online, as part of our series Well Founded.

Tamara Moir says her 93-year-old father-in-law was billed $5,200 after a hospital stay last year because he refused to move to a long-term care home that his family felt was too far away. The $400-a-day charge is allowed under a controversial Ontario law designed to free up hospital beds, but criticized for forcing older Canadians into care homes not of their choosing. 

Dan Pashman wants people to get inventive with how they cook pasta. The Sporkful podcast host and author of Anything's PASTAble tells Matt Galloway about inventing a new pasta shape, cascatelli, and bringing in influences beyond Italy.

O.J. Simpson died this week at age 76. We look at the cultural impact and racial tensions around his trial and acquittal for double murder in the 1990s — and how it foreshadowed celebrity culture, the 24-hour news cycle and reality TV.

More than 140 BMO customers say $1.5 million was transferred out of their accounts by hackers — but the bank is refusing to reimburse that money. Cybersecurity specialist John Wunderlich talks us through how to prevent this from happening to you.

How might climate change affect conditions like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's or epilepsy? We talk to researchers looking into how rising temperatures could impact our brains, in an emerging area of study called climatological neuroepidemiology.

Ed Yong has “birder derangement syndrome,” a condition that’s entirely made up but may be familiar to other birding enthusiasts. The science writer tells Matt Galloway how the joy of birding saved him from pandemic burnout and radically changed how he interacts with nature.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday at the public inquiry into foreign interference, which is looking into claims that China in particular meddled in Canada's past two elections. The Toronto Star’s Stephanie Levitz and former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole dissect what the prime minister said, and what’s needed to protect Canadian democracy.

Record-breaking wildfires devastated much of Canada last year, but there are warnings that this coming fire season could be equally catastrophic. We ask climate change expert Blair Feltmate how bad it might get and what should be done to protect Canadians. 

Scott Galloway says we need to shift how we think about masculinity, because loneliness is pushing young men into extreme belief systems. The business leader and podcaster tells Matt Galloway (no relation) that the problem is partly fuelled by young people's exclusion from the prosperity of previous generations, and having that prosperity shoved in their face every day via social media.

The parents of a Michigan teen who shot and killed four classmates in 2021 have been sentenced to at least 10 years after being convicted of manslaughter. The convictions are the first of their kind. Could they act as a deterrent to future school shootings?

The federal government has pledged more money for Arctic defence, including new support hubs that would allow a year-round military presence. We hear about the threats to Arctic sovereignty driving this investment, and what Inuit communities want officials down south to understand about their home.

Cardiologist Ethan Weiss has long advocated for intermittent fasting, the diet where people restrict eating to specific times during the day in an effort to lose weight. But when Weiss decided to conduct his own study on the benefits, the results surprised him.

Jane Philpott says every Canadian should have a legal right to a family doctor and primary health care, in the same way that every Canadian child has a right to an education. The physician and former health minister tells Matt Galloway about her pitch for a Primary Care Act, and what’s stopping politicians from rebuilding a health-care system that Canadians can be proud of. 

The Whitehorse Star has announced it will cease publication next month, after 124 years of chronicling the news in the North. Longtime editor Jim Butler tells us about some of the biggest stories over his 43 years at the newspaper — and breaking news about a last-minute chance to save it.

A DNA laboratory in Toronto knew its paternity tests were identifying the wrong dads — but it kept selling them, a CBC News investigation has found. Investigative reporter Jorge Barrera explains how those inaccurate results led to heartbreak, court battles and lives turned upside down.

A visit with his father ended in tragedy for Kendrah Wong's son when the 11-year-old boy was attacked and killed in the Edmonton home by two large dogs. The story is again raising questions about how to protect people from dangerous dogs. Another woman tells her story of being attacked; and we hear about the role of the owner and what some see as a sense of entitlement in the culture of dog ownership.

Wellness influencers online are increasingly encouraging women to stop using contraceptives like the pill or IUDs in favour of menstrual cycle tracking apps. As part of our series on wellness, we hear why doctors are alarmed and are pointing to a wider anti-contraception movement, online and beyond.

Many in Eastern Canada will be eagerly checking the skies this afternoon to catch a glimpse of the moon eclipsing the sun. This eclipse is, without a doubt, the astronomical event of the year and even perhaps of a lifetime. Matt Galloway speaks with Nathalie Ouellette, deputy director of the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets at the Université de Montréal; and Laurie Rousseau-Nepton, a professor of astronomy at the University of Toronto.

Researchers have noticed some surprising behaviour from animals during previous eclipses, from galloping giraffes to mating tortoises. Biologist Adam Hartstone-Rose tells us why he’ll be watching how the natural world reacts to Monday’s eclipse.

Ashley Casciato says juggling life as a single parent is like being a duck: calm and serene on the surface, but paddling madly underneath. Matt Galloway talks to single parents about navigating systems that were designed for two-parent families, how better government support could help their families thrive, and the stigma that persists around lone parents. 

Canadian eye surgeon Dr. Yasser Khan recently returned from a medical mission to Gaza. He shares an audio diary of what he experienced during that time, as he worked to save people’s sight against a backdrop of falling bombs.

A group of key leaders in Canada’s real estate sector has released a report calling for greater innovation to tackle the country’s housing crisis. REALPAC CEO Michael Brooks and R-LABS CEO George Carras discuss rethinking what and how we're building.

Israel’s killing of seven aid workers this week has left humanitarian organizations weighing the risks of delivering the help that Gaza desperately needs. Matt Galloway talks to aid workers Saddam Sayyaleh and Karyn Beattie about their fears for their safety, amid ongoing violence that has already claimed the lives of nearly 200 humanitarian workers.

Words like atom and electromagnetic are common in the fields of science and technology — but deaf academics say there sometimes aren’t specialized ASL signs for key words, which makes communication and collaboration difficult. We learn about efforts to represent that ever-expanding complexity, and how breaking down those barriers could help more Canadians forge successful careers in STEM.

Several Ontario school boards are taking the world's largest social media platforms to court, accusing them of damaging the mental health of children. We look at the concerns over kids using apps like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat — and ask what kind of change the schools want.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been on a pre-budget charm offensive this week, announcing support for renters, a national school food program and billions for housing and infrastructure. He joins Matt Galloway for a wide-ranging interview about why young Canadians feel like the system is stacked against them, why so many voters have a negative view of his leadership and what it would take to change his mind on the carbon tax.

Gambling controversies involving baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Raptor Jontay Porter have raised concerns about the depth of sports’ gambling problem. We hear from two sports journalists and Jeremy Luke, president and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, about these scandals.

An orca calf has been stranded — all alone — in a remote lagoon in northern Vancouver Island for the past 10 days. But a rescue team is trying to coax the young calf to swim to open water and reunite with its pod.

In Canada’s North, the affordability crisis hits differently due to climate change. In Norman Wells, N.W.T., the community depends on an ice road and river barges in the summer to bring in food and construction — but a melting road and a low river are impacting shipping and raising prices of goods. The Current’s producer Benjamin Jamieson went to Norman Wells to learn more about how climate change is reshaping life in the North; and host Matt Galloway speaks about managing the effects of climate change with Charlotte Menacho, an elder in Tulita in the North, and N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson.

Spring has come early to gardens across Canada, with some plants blooming sooner than expected after a record-breaking warm winter. Matt Galloway talks to experts about how climate change is changing the rules in their backyards, and how amateur gardeners can adapt. 

The federal carbon tax and its rebates went up Monday, after weeks of intensifying political debate and protest. We look beyond the politics to break down what the tax is meant to do — and whether it's hitting that mark yet.

Millions of people fall victim to human traffickers who promise a better life in a new country, but force them into jobs with long hours and little to no pay. In her documentary My Dad Ward, freelance journalist Jazzmin Jiwa brings us the story of a Ugandan mother tricked into moving to Iraq and what Vancouver activist Ward Reddick did to help her get home again. Correction: In this episode, we reported that Mary couldn't afford the bus fare to bring her daughter home, implying that they were living apart. In fact, after completing her reporting, journalist Jazzmin Jiwa drove Mary to meet with Ahdia and bring her home.

From South Africa to Mexico to western Canada, parts of the world are bracing for extreme drought and water insecurity. Host Matt Galloway speaks with Bart Guyon, a rancher in Brazeau County, Alta., where he also serves as the local reeve; and journalist Erica Gies, author of Water Always Wins.

Journalist Anderson Cooper lost his father when he was 10, and his brother when he was 21 — but it wasn’t until the death of his mother in 2019 that he confronted any of that grief. In a conversation from December, he talked to Galloway about how squaring up to death helped him feel greater joy in being alive.

There’s a lot to talk about in Manitoba’s biggest city, including a new wave of leadership and Indigenous-led transformations within the city’s core. In February, Matt Galloway hosted a live show in Winnipeg, with music from singer-songwriter William Prince, and a discussion of the province’s future with Premier Wab Kinew. Plus, we embrace Winnipeg’s unique food culture — anyone fancy a Fat Boy burger?

Cocoa prices have tripled in the last 12 months, driving up the price of chocolate by as much as 40 per cent in some stores. But some researchers are looking into new — and potentially less expensive — ways to make the sweet treat. University of Guelph professor Alejandro Marangoni tells us more.

Zach Edey grew up in Toronto, stands 7-foot-4 and is dominating the March Madness college basketball tournament. Guest host Duncan McCue talks to his mom, Julia Edey, about her own sporting career, the hard work that got her son to where he is, and what it’s like when people say Zach’s just tall — not talented. 

Rula Daood and Itamar Avneri are activists with Standing Together, a group of Israelis and Palestinians fighting to build a lasting peace. They talk to Matt Galloway about why that fight is more important now than ever, as bombs continue to fall on Gaza, and hostages remain in the clutches of Hamas.

Last summer a submersible called the Titan imploded during a dive to see the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five people on board, A Fifth Estate investigation has now found that safety warnings went unheeded, and asks why the experimental, uncertified sub was allowed to make that dive in the first place. 

Growth in the electric vehicle market is slowing, with some Canadians citing high prices and gaps in infrastructure as stumbling blocks to making the switch. We look at the growing political rhetoric around EVs both in Canada and the Biden-Trump race for the White House, and ask whether the federal government’s 2035 deadline is realistic.

Amie Archibald-Varley says that thinking of nursing as “a calling” makes it harder to speak out against the long hours, burnout and even physical abuse that nurses face. Archibald-Varley and Sara Fung are nurses who have become advocates for better supports in their profession. They talk to Matt Galloway about their new book The Wisdom of Nurses: Stories of Grit from the Front Lines.

Last week on The Current Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker called for more funding for national sports organizations. Former gymnast Kim Shore has been a long-time advocate against toxicity and abuse in Canadian sport. She joins us to respond to that funding call, and discuss what she believes would actually protect young athletes.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun will step down later this year, after a string of incidents renewed concerns about the safety of the company’s planes. Washington Post reporter Lori Aratani walks us through the crisis of confidence shaking the manufacturer.

Alicia Mathlin felt like her body was no longer hers after several rounds of debilitating cancer treatment — so she decided to stop, and focus on living her life. Matt Galloway talks to Mathlin about that decision, and asks medical experts about the push for “common-sense oncology,” which weighs the pros and cons of certain treatments against a patient's quality of life.

Some European grocery stores have adopted dynamic pricing — tinkering with food prices hundreds of times in a single day, based on competitor pricing or consumer demand. What would it mean for your wallet if you couldn’t be sure how much your groceries would cost at any given time of the day?

The cold plunge is championed by enthusiasts as physically and mentally rejuvenating — well worth the shock. As part of our series Well Founded, exercise scientist Nick Tiller talks us through the facts behind the frigid dip and other exercise trends.

An albatross versus a mouse might not sound like a fair fight, but on a remote South African island it’s the mice who are winning. We hear about an ambitious project to eradicate one million invasive mice on Marion Island, where the rodents are slaughtering seabirds at an alarming rate.

ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for killing more than 130 people in Moscow Friday, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has pointed the finger of blame at Ukraine. Matt Galloway asks why the extremist group would attack Russia and what threat it poses globally.

A 62-year-old man has become the first human to receive a new kidney from a genetically modified pig. Science writer Megan Molteni tells us how the gene-editing technology CRISPR made this possible, and the potential for xenotransplantation — the transplantation of organs from one species to another.

The federal government created a temporary visa program for Palestinians with family in Canada. The program aimed to bring 1,000 people to Canada, but only 14 have been approved so far. We hear from a Palestinian Canadian about the difficulty he’s experienced in getting his family to Canada, and from retired Canadian ambassador Gar Pardy about the challenges facing the government.

Amateur sports organizations have faced a reckoning after stories detailing abuse emerged in recent years. David Shoemaker, the CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee, tells host Matt Galloway a lack of funding is putting safe sports at risk and making it harder for Canadians to excel in international competitions.

TED curator Chris Anderson sees generosity as inherent in all of us. In his new book Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading, he explores how we can use the internet to change lives for the better.

Fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador are protesting restrictions on the sale and processing of their catch. On Wednesday, the province was granted an injunction to stop protesters from blocking the entrance to the provincial legislature. Host Matt Galloway hears what’s behind the demonstrations and the province’s response.

There are more than two million ocean species, but researchers have documented less than 15 per cent of them. Researchers with Ocean Census, a project that aims to identify 100,000 species in the next 10 years, just found 100 more off the coast of New Zealand.

‘Kategate’ has been fodder for group chats as people around the world question Catherine Middleton’s whereabouts. According to her office, the Princess of Wales is recovering from abdominal surgery, but celebrity conspiracies abound.

The World Happiness Report places Canada 15th on the world happiness index, but the global ranking’s data finds people under 30 here and abroad are not feeling so great. One of the report’s lead authors explains what makes us happy — and why it’s not just money.

Millions in parts of West and Central Africa have limited or no internet access after the underwater cable connecting the region was damaged earlier this month. We hear how those cables are repaired and the fascinating social history of the digital world.

Parts of Canada will be in the shadow of a solar eclipse on April 8. Host Matt Galloway hears from an eclipse chaser about the emotions that come as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, and an educator on how to safely look to the sky during the celestial event.

A new UN report says 1.1 million people in the Gaza Strip are experiencing catastrophic food insecurity as Israel limits aid into the region. Now, international governments are airdropping supplies into Gaza. With rare access to an aid flight, CBC’s Adrienne Arsenault describes the crisis from above.

An NDP motion on Gaza has divided some Liberals on Parliament Hill. Meanwhile, the Liberals are defending their signature carbon tax policy as it comes under fire from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Our national affairs panel discusses the week in Canadian politics.

New research from the U.S., Canada and China has found children cheat less if you show them trust. Kang Lee, a developmental psychologist and a professor at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, explains how to Matt Galloway.

Montreal-based consulting company Sweet Baby Inc. has become a target of anti-diversity activists claiming it’s trying to radically change the video game industry. We hear what’s behind the backlash as gaming becomes more diverse.