The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/01/28 at 19:00 EST

Episode Date: January 29, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/01/28 at 19:00 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 Tom Harrington. Ontario voters will head to the polls in just under a month. The provincial election is scheduled for February 27th.

Premier Doug Ford making the move more than a year ahead of schedule. Thomas Dagla reports. Your Honour. Meeting the Lieutenant Governor to formally dissolve Ontario's provincial parliament, progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford is asking voters for a third straight majority government. They want a leader that's going to protect jobs, protect the people's livelihoods. Ford insists he needs a strong mandate to face the threat of tariffs proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

But his opponents suspect the PC leader is instead aiming to distract from a list of controversies surrounding his government, including a land development scandal under police investigation. Andrew Brander is a former adviser to the Ford government. Anytime you are leading in the polls is a good time to call an election. He points out polls put Ford's party well ahead of Bonnie Cromby's Liberals and the New Democrats led by Marit Stiles. Thomas Daigle, CBC News, Toronto.

Ottawa has a multi-billion dollar aid program in the works if Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian products. Radio Canada is reporting the plan is similar to economic measures taken during the pandemic. David Thurton has details. This is who we are as Canadians and we're going to win we have to be confident. Francois-Philippe Champagne with that message while visiting Linnemore, a manufacturing company in Ontario. What he didn't say though is this, the federal government is preparing a multi-billion dollar aid package

if Trump proceeds with his tariffs. While the precise amounts aren't confirmed yet, the measures would target workers and businesses, possibly companies like Linamar. The manufacturer conducts significant cross border trade, one of its execs, Linda Hasenfratz, underscored what's at stake. So in my opinion, if a significant tariff is imposed, it'll bring the industry to its knees.

Some of the government's planned measures could be adopted on their own. Many require parliamentary approval, a challenging task when opposition parties have vowed to bring down the government. David Thurton, CBC News, Ottawa. Marie-Josée Ogg has tabled her final report into foreign interference in the last two federal elections. The inquiry's commissioner found no evidence of traitors in Parliament. She does say Canada's democracy has held up against attempted meddling. But Ogg also found shortcomings in investigating interference.

At the outset of our work, I pledged that the Commission will carry out its mandate independently, impartially, fairly, and transparently. I will also add with rigor, proportionality, and speed. I believe it has done just that. Just before UGG's news conference, Ottawa announced new measures to combat potential meddling. They include $44 million to get the Chief Electoral Officer more resources to investigate interference and disinformation. Medical associations are slamming a report on COVID-19 by the Alberta government, calling it anti-science. Some experts say the whole thing should be retracted.

Josh McLean reports. The contents are very troubling. The new pandemic report calls into question the effectiveness of masks and vaccines, and argues doctors should have more leeway to provide alternative treatments for COVID. But physicians are raising questions about the science in the report. Dr. Shelley Duggan is the president of the Alberta Medical Association. Misinformation is a huge problem.

And misinformation kills people. And that's why it's important that we're speaking out about it. The $2 million report was commissioned by the Alberta government. UCP MLA Eric Bouchard is defending the report's findings. I'd like to see, at the very least,

a pause on mRNA vaccinations for children immediately and until we find out more. The province has not announced any plans to act on the report. Josh McLean, CBC News, Calgary. The leader of the BC Greens is stepping down. Sonia Fuerstinao has led the party since 2020 and was an MLA from 2017 until last year. She failed to be re-elected in the October Provincial election. And that is Your World This Hour.

For CBC News, I'm Tom Harrington. Thanks for listening.