The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/02/17 at 07:00 EST

Episode Date: February 17, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/02/17 at 07:00 EST

It's the epitome of classical ballet, beloved the world over. The National Ballet of Canada invites you to experience Swan Lake, revel in Tchaikovsky's glorious score, and an unforgettable production directed and staged by Karen Kane, whose vision emphasizes the love story at the heart of the ballet. Presented by Nicola Wealth Management, on stage March 8th to 22nd, tickets are selling fast. Secure your seat now at national.ballet.ca. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Claude Fague.

The war in Ukraine is taking center stage at two high-profile meetings today. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia. He's holding peace talks with Russia. But that has drawn criticism from Ukraine and European leaders who say they're being left out. As Crystal Gamansing tells us, they're holding their own discussions today on Ukraine's future. The Europeans are very concerned about the terms on which it comes to an end. John Sars, the former head of the British intelligence service MI6, says Europeans need clear objectives and goals should fighting halt in Ukraine.

The American Secretary of Defense and Vice President recently admonished European leaders for not doing enough to ensure their own security. But we know that intertwined with the freedom and security and democracy for the Ukrainian people is British freedom. Representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Denmark, the EU Council, and NATO Secretary-General will be attending today's meeting in Paris. There is concern Europe will be left to police a deal it had no role in crafting.

One potentially favouring Russian President Vladimir Putin. Crystal Gamansing, CBC News, London. The leaders of Ontario's main political party square off tonight in Toronto. This election is about who's going to protect the people of Ontario. Where are the homes that Doug Ford said he was going to protect the people of Ontario. Where are the homes that Doug Ford said he was going to build? Where are the homes, Doug? You fly off in the middle of an election for photo ops in Washington with low-level advisors. What's the point? Ontario Greens will fight for fairness.

Doug Ford of the PC's, Marit Stiles of the NDP, Bonnie Combie of the Liberals, and Mike Schreiner of the Green Party will all take part in a province-wide televised leaders debate. This follows Friday's debate when they went head-to-head on issues that affected Northern Ontario. Voters go to the polls in the province. February 27th. Today is the deadline for Liberal leadership hopefuls to pay their final installment of the entry fee. Each candidate must pay $125,000 to stay in the race. The high cost to run has been criticized

as a barrier for candidates with grassroots support and it has forced at least one candidate to drop out of the race. CBC News has confirmed all five remaining candidates have raised the money that they need. As U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs, his actions have sparked a bi-Canadian movement. But are the calls for national pride spilling over to the film and television industry? Magda Gabrielsa has more. Online the call to support Canadian-made products makes the rounds. Now some in our nation's entertainment industry are tuning in too. Am I going to use it in a marketing campaign for an upcoming kids film? Absolutely.

Olivier Gaultier-Mercier is the president of Film Delete. The Canadian distributor is getting ready to release Ellie and Her Monster Team, a German-Canadian co-production. Mercier is calling on the industry to capitalize on this moment. The NFB and the CMF and telefilms, like they would be the organizations right now that should be stepping up with like incredible campaigns. The nation's film and TV production sector contributes more than 11 billion dollars to Canada's economy, and it's closely tied to Hollywood. Analysts suggest the industry could weather any potential tariffs

but the threat has some people feeling patriotic about Canadian productions. The question remains, will audiences and industry folk now answer the call? Makda Gebre-Sales, CBC News, Toronto. Canada faces a virtual must-win today to advance to the final of the inaugural Four Nations Face-Off Hockey Tournament. The Canadians need a victory over Finland in regulation to secure three points, ensuring their berth in the final against the Americans this Thursday. The U.S. locked up their place in the final after beating Canada 3-1 on Saturday night.

Puck Drop today is just after 1 p.m. Eastern Time in Boston. And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Claude Fague.