The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/01/21 at 22:00 EST

Episode Date: January 22, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/01/21 at 22:00 EST

Every language is a note in the symphony of our heritage. Together, they create a harmony that cannot be silenced. Discover your voice on the new APTN Languages TV channel. From CBC News, the World This Hour, I'm Neil Herland. President Donald Trump is blaming Canada for a large number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. This evening Trump was asked once again about his plan for tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Canada, very much so. They've allowed millions and millions of people to come into our country that shouldn't be here. They could have stopped them and they didn't. And they've killed 300,000 people last year, my opinion, have been destroyed by drugs, by fentanyl. The fentanyl coming through Canada is massive. The fentanyl coming through Mexico is massive. And people are getting killed and families are being destroyed.

On his first day back in the White House, Trump said he's considering 25 percent tariffs against Canada starting February 1st. Here at home, the federal Liberal Cabinet has been briefed by representatives making Canada's case in Washington. As Marina von Stackelberg reports, Ottawa is trying to prevent those hefty tariffs and how to respond if they happen. I think you like semiconductors, you may want to be nice to us. Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says he keeps reminding Americans how much their industries rely on Canada. The US manufactures semiconductors, essential pieces and electronic devices, but depends on Canada

to test and package them. Champagne says without Canada, the U.S. would also need to go to China for critical minerals or Venezuela for crude oil. I said if you say no to Canada, be mindful who you're going to say yes to. Trump has ordered a study into America's trade relationships. Canada's ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, says it's a chance to make a case. We are able to engage with the Americans, the fact that we are their closest economic ally. Hillman says Trump's goal is for the U.S. economy to prosper, and Canada can help with

that. Marina von Stackelberg, CBC News, Ottawa. Meantime 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 car vote when it comes to oil and gas. Instead, she says she's pushing diplomacy, stressing the special trade relationship between Canada and the United States. Julia Wong has more.

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 US 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. JLMK Smith 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. And tonight, the Trump administration is directing that all U.S. federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave, and that agencies develop plans to lay them off. The decision comes in a memo from the U.S. government. Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of the band, has died. His keyboard work on such classics as The Wait resonated with music fans. Along with the organ and piano, Hudson also mastered the accordion and the saxophone. He was born in Windsor, Ontario and grew up down the highway in London, one of four Canadians who made up one of

the most influential acts in rock music. Garth Hudson died at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York. He was 87. And that is your World This Hour. I'm Neal Herland.