The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/03/23 at 11:00 EDT

Episode Date: March 23, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/03/23 at 11:00 EDT

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. Welcome to a CBC Radio News special, Canada Votes 2025. I'm Susan Bonner. And I'm Pia Chattopadhyay. Pia, the Jenny, the 45th general election will be launched officially in the next hour

when Prime Minister Mark Carney visits the Governor General. He will ask Mary Simon to dissolve Canada's 44th parliament, triggering an election expected to be held on Monday, April 28th. And it will be up to Canadians, of course, to decide who is best to lead this country through these turbulent times. Canada faces big challenges and threats, economic and beyond, from our traditional closest ally, all the while trying to build new alliances with other countries. But of course there are other issues as well and Canadians have a lot on their

minds as we head into this campaign. I'm worried about the state of our economy and how we're going to deal with Trump like a lot of people. I'm very worried about the future of Canada and my grandchildren's future. Our Canada should be worried about the average common people having a hard time putting food on table. I see no end in sight for the housing crisis. I see nothing happening with health care. Our energy security.

I work in the oil field. So I see what potential we have there. The environment. Canadians have to rally around that because we have there. The environment. Canadians have to rally around that because we have such a beautiful country. I'll be looking for somebody that's not afraid to stand up to our buddy to the south. I also don't have a faith a lot of faith in anyone so I'm gonna have to do some research and really sit down and think about it. The new Liberal leader Mark Carney says he

needs a strong mandate to guide Canada through what he describes as dark days, a political and economic crisis. The pace of change in Canadian politics is unprecedented. We've seen a prime minister resign, his party facing what seemed like certain defeat just a couple of months ago, a leadership race to replace him unfolded within just weeks. It's all brought us to this moment. We are going to hear today from all the party leaders as they head to the microphones to make their pitch to Canadians

as this election campaign gets underway. Election 2025, Pia, one for the history books. Sure is. So, Canada, get ready for the door knocking. The text messages you weren't expecting, and, of course, all those political issues. Five PIA, one for the history books. Sure is. So Canada, get ready for the door knocking. The text messages you weren't expecting and of course all those political ads. We are so glad you are with us as it all begins. Our country is in for a ride.

A campaign that will last just over five weeks, 36 days to be precise. The shortest period allowed under Canadian law. And joining us throughout our special coverage today is the host of CBC Radio's The House, Catherine Cullen. Catherine, day one, here we go. Yeah, for an election, Pia, that is going to be important for the future of our country, one that is likely to be intense. And as you say, historic, in Mark Kearney and Pierre Poliev, we have two leaders who

have not fought a national campaign, both with very strong visions for the country, both arguing that they are best positioned to keep Canada strong or put Canada first, their campaign slogans, in the face of not only an economically debilitating trade war, but also direct attacks on Canada's sovereignty. With Pierre Poliev, you have a political street fighter. He had had something of a vice grip on public opinion for months. But that changed with Donald Trump's threats and the arrival of Mark Carney. Right now it does seem that Mark Carney has the momentum.

He is trying to embody change after the Justin Trudeau era, but he is untested. Thank you, Catherine. Thank you. And we'll be back to Catherine throughout the next few hours. Things will begin to move quickly. We've also assembled a stellar political panel to be with us throughout the next few hours.

Marcy Sirx was executive director for policy and cabinet affairs for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She is now the chief strategy officer at Compass Rose. Fred Delorey was national campaign manager for the conservatives during the last election. He is now chair and chief strategy officer at North Rose. Fred Delorey was national campaign manager for the Conservatives during the last election. He is now chair and chief strategy

officer at North Star Public Affairs. And Jordan Leichnitz has served in senior strategy positions for the NDP. She is currently Canada program manager for the Frederick Ebert Foundation.