The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/01/21 at 14:00 EST

Episode Date: January 21, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/01/21 at 14:00 EST

Hi, I'm Jamie Poisson and I host CBC's daily news podcast, Frontburner. Every weekday we set out to have a conversation about the biggest Canadian and global issues that you want to know more about, from politics to culture to online stuff. We spend a lot of time on the show thinking about the best ways to have those conversations and searching for the smartest people to have them with. That's it. That's The Cell. I hope you'll tune in.

From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Tom Harrington. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada must stay calm in the face of a tumultuous 24 hours in Washington. President Donald Trump had promised to impose tariffs on Canada on his first day in office. He didn't, but then last night floated the idea again in the Oval Office. Tom Perry has details. We know that there is always going to be a certain amount of unpredictability and rhetoric coming out from this administration. As the Prime Minister sits down with his ministers on the final day of their cabinet retreat,

Trudeau is urging Canadians and Canadian politicians to keep calm when it comes to Trump and his persistent threat of tariffs. Donald Trump is as always a skilled negotiator and will do what he can to keep his negotiating partners a little bit off balance. Trump threw Canada and Mexico off balance last night when he mused to reporters in the Oval Office, he could impose a 25% tariff on both countries by February 1st. Trudeau says his government will keep working to avoid that. But if the U.S. goes ahead, he says Canada will retaliate,

with Trudeau saying he would be prepared to go as far as levying tariffs that match the U.S. dollar for dollar. Tom Perry, CBC News, Montbello, Quebec. Alberta's premier is doubling down on her diplomatic efforts to avoid punishing U.S. tariffs. Danielle Smith says she is not asking for a carve-out when it comes to oil and gas. Instead, she says she's stressing the special trade relationship between Canada and the United States. Julia Wong reports. I don't know that this particular administration and this particular

president responds well to threats. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she's sticking to diplomacy, not talk of retaliation, the day after US President Donald Trump suggested a 25% tariff could be slapped on Canadian goods starting February 1st. Smith, who is in Washington meeting with U.S. lawmakers, says she has never expected a carve-out for Alberta. She says she's been asking for an exemption for Canada as a whole. Other premiers have leaned into more aggressive language towards Trump, but Smith is confident about her approach. My interpretation of the president is he likes to win. So it's up to us to demonstrate how we can get a double win here and have a joint energy security strategy that leads to a national and international

security strategy. Smyth brushed off a question about how the province would respond if terrorists are brought in, saying she'll take a wait-and-see approach before deciding on the appropriate response. Julia Wong, CBC News, Edmonton. The inflation rate is on the decline again. It dipped to 1.8% last month from 1.9 in November. Statistics Canada says the biggest factor in the decline was the federal government's temporary GST break. Canada's environment minister is supporting Mark Carney to be the next Liberal leader. Stephen Gilbo says climate change is costing Canadians more every year.ne, he says, has the background and experience to help deal with the crisis.

I've known Mark for many years. We've worked together on issues of green energy, transition, fighting climate change and the role of the financial sector in fighting climate change. Mark has worked to mobilize actors all around the world. He's a special advisor to the UN Secretary General on the issue of climate change and green financing. Kearney also gained the endorsements of several other cabinet ministers, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu

and Crown Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangari. ["Take the Road Off Fanny"] Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of the band, has died. His keyboard work on such classics as The Weight was the group's connective tissue. Along with the organ and piano, Hudson also handled the accordion and the saxophone. He was born in Windsor, Ontario and grew up in London, one of four Canadians who made up one of the most influential acts in rock music. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Garth Hudson died at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York. He was 87.

And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Tom Harrington. My friend, what about young man Lee? He said do me a favor son, won't you stay and keep Antony company? Take a load off Antony!