The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/11 at 23:00 EST

Episode Date: February 12, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/11 at 23:00 EST

In Scarborough, there's this fire behind our eyes. A passion in our bellies. It's in the hearts of our neighbors. The eyes of our nurses. And the hands of our doctors. It's what makes Scarborough, Scarborough. In our hospitals, we do more than anyone thought possible. We've less than anyone could imagine.

But it's time to imagine what we can do with more. Join Scarborough Health Network and together, we can turn grit into greatness. Donate at lovescarborough.ca. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Neil Herland. All 13 premiers were in Washington Tuesday, trying to convince the Trump administration

to rethink its plan to slap tariffs on Canadian goods. The new measures could come down even harder on Canadian steel and aluminum. As Kate McKenna reports, the White House says the tariffs on those products could be as high as 50%. Doug Ford left Ontario during an election to instead lobby in Washington. He told the US Chamber of Commerce, tariffs are bad for everyone. The two greatest countries in the world. Let's work together.

The premiers have kicked off a Washington visit. They're trying to dissuade Americans from slapping tariffs on Canadian goods. But there are growing fears the message isn't taking hold. This is the beginning of making America rich again. Donald Trump seems as set on tariffs as ever. Monday he introduced 25 percent tariffs on all imports of steel and aluminum, set to take effect March 10. Trump's also threatening a blanket 25 percent tariff on Canadian products for March 4.

Now a White House official says that tariff could be stacked with the aluminum and steel levies for a total of 50 percent. Federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc will also be in Washington meeting with the person tasked with Trump's tariff agenda, Howard Lutnick. Kate McKenna, CBC News, Washington. A new deadline is threatening to collapse a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump says the Palestinian militant group Hamas must release all Israeli hostages by noon Saturday or else. As Paul Hunter reports, Trump also reiterated his vision

of a U.S.-owned Gaza during a meeting with Jordan's king. It's an honor to have King Abdullah with us. As U.S. President Donald Trump sat down in the Oval Office with the King of Jordan up for discussion, Trump's jaw-dropping proposal to remove all Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and have the U.S. then redevelop Gaza into a so-called Riviera. We're going to have Gaza. We don't have to buy it. There's nothing to buy it.

Trump has insisted both Jordan and Egypt would have to provide land for Gazan, something both countries strongly oppose. On the suggestion if they don't capitulate, the U.S. would withhold aid money for those countries, Trump seemed to suggest he now expects he won't need to. I think we're above that. The king, who met privately with Trump after those comments, was circumspect. We have to look at the best interests of the United States, of the people in the region, especially to my people of Jordan.

All of it leaving the ceasefire in Gaza teetering, with Hamas having threatened to stop releasing hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying, if they're not out by noon Saturday, the ceasefire will end. Paul Hunter, CBC News, Washington. Bell Canada is offering buyouts to more than a thousand employees. The company says it's a cost-cutting necessity. Nisha Patel reports.

Bell Canada is offering voluntary severance packages to 1,200 union employees. The company says it's making changes to its business like moving customers to new fiber networks and that requires fewer positions. Unifor President Lana Payne represents the workers. There's a lot of worry and anxiety and it's constant because people working for BCE right now are just waiting for the axe to drop every day. If not enough employees take the biots voluntarily she expects layoffs. Positions across the country, from technicians to call center operators, will be affected.

Payne called the move short-sighted. They need to save money on labor costs in order to make sure that they've got money to turn over to shareholders. Bell maintains the telecom industry is facing unprecedented challenges. Less than a year ago, the company laid off 4,800 employees. Nisha Patel, CBC News, Toronto. The Public Health Agency of Canada says flu cases are on a sharp rise. Positive tests for the virus are up 17% from the previous week.

In the U.S., cases are peaking for a second time this season. And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Neal Hurland.