The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/04/20 at 03:00 EDT

Episode Date: April 20, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/04/20 at 03:00 EDT

When they predict we'll fall, we rise to the challenge. When they say we're not a country, we stand on guard. This land taught us to be brave and caring, to protect our values, to leave no one behind. Canada is on the line and it's time to vote as though our country depends on it. Because like never before, it does. I'm Jonathan Pedneau, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada. This election, each vote makes a difference. Authorized by the Registeredleader of the Green Party of Canada. This election, each vote makes a difference. Authorized by the registered agent of the Green Party of Canada.

From CBC News, the world is sour. I'm Neil Kumar. On the campaign trail, two of the federal parties have released their full costed platforms. Liberal leader Mark Carney is promising billions of dollars in new spending, and he's also promising a deficit that shrinks in four years. CBC's Carina Roman has the details. The biggest expenditures in the liberal platform are the previously announced income tax cut, the scrapping of the capital gains tax changes and the Build Canada Homes plan for affordable housing. There's new

defense spending of18 billion that the liberals say would get Canada to the 2% of GDP spending target before 2030. Overall, nearly $130 billion over four years in new measures, with a deficit projected downwards from nearly $62 billion this year to $47 billion in 2029. Mark Carney says the numbers add up. We're in an enormous crisis so we have to be able to do two things. One, pull down on that wasteful spending which we will do but

much more than that we need to be bold and drive investment in the economy. Carina Roman, CBC News, Peterborough, Ontario. The NDP is promising a new tax on the wealthy if it forms the next government. Leader Jagmeet Singh made the pledge as he unveiled his party's platform in Burnaby, BC. The CBC's Marina von Stalagberg reports. With less than 10 days until election day and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh having already voted in advance polls, the New Democrats have released their platform. Now it provides details on previous and new promises and how much they will cost over the next four years. In total the NDP wants to spend more than 227 billion dollars for new

programs. It says a large chunk of that spending can be paid for by taxing the rich. When it all shakes out the NDP plan would still increase Canada's deficit by 48 billion dollars. That's on top of the existing deficit the Liberal government has been running. In a difficult time which a recession and a trade war represents some of the most difficult times you can't cut your way out of those things. You actually have to make investments. The New Democrats want to expand pharmacare to cover all essential medications

and bring in a new multi-billion dollar mental health program. Marina von Stackelberg, CBC News, Burnaby, British Columbia. Well on the campaign trail in B.C., conservative leader Pierre Poliev proposed allowing judges to order mandatory drug treatment instead of sending some drug offenders with minor convictions to jail. JP Tasker has more details. This policy is not about punishment, it's about redemption. Conservative leader Pierre Poliev is pitching mandatory drug treatment for convicted criminals with an addiction, saying some drug offenders should go to rehab, not jail.

We will give judges the power. We will take action. And we will save lives. It's the latest in a string of conservative tough on crime policy proposals. Poliev has also promised to invoke the notwithstanding clause to push through policies that will keep some murderers in jail for life. People in B.C. are terrorized and afraid to go outside. Critics say Poliev is pushing a cruel, American-style agenda that just doesn't work.

The Tories, meanwhile, say a spike in violent crime and drug use demands a crackdown. JP Tasker, CBC News, Richmond, B.C. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky says the Russian army has made attempts overnight to advance and inflict losses on its forces along the front line. All this despite President Vladimir Putin's declaration of an Easter ceasefire. Saturday March 30 years since the biggest act of domestic terrorism in the US, the bombing of a federal government building in Oklahoma City. One hundred and sixty people died, including 19 children.

Then President Bill Clinton spoke at a memorial commenting on how today's divisive politics could lead to a similar tragedy. The country has grown more polarized and on that awful day 30 years ago you were the center of the polarization. America needs you and America needs the Oklahoma standard. And if we all live by it, we'd be a lot better off. And that is World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Neal Kumar.