The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/04/23 at 06:00 EDT

Episode Date: April 23, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/04/23 at 06:00 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, it's the World This Hour. I'm Joe Cummings. We go first to the federal election campaign, and with less than a week to go before voting day, the three main party leaders are all in agreement when it comes to one specific issue, Canadian defence spending. We have to continue to increase our spending

on Canadian security and military. To rebuild our military so that we are a truly sovereign and strong nation. What Donald Trump has done has really changed our relationship forever. It can no longer be that we are so vulnerable or so dependent. That's Mark Carney, Pierre Poliev, and Jagmeet Singh all saying that in the era of Donald Trump, Canadian national security is now a top priority.

Murray Brewster reports. I think there's far more similarity than there is difference. Defense expert Dave Perry, who says Canadians can be forgiven for not being able to distinguish which party promised what. The Liberals and the Conservatives, even the NDP, are promising greater presence in the Arctic. And the parties all agree Canada must spend 2% of its GDP on defense. Canadians need to be aware that we have landed on actually living

up to the set of commitments we promised to make and deliver on 11 years ago just as our allies move on to a new set of commitments. The upcoming NATO summit will likely see the benchmark raised to three or more percent of GDP. In terms of specifics the Liberals and Conservatives appear to be trying to outdo each other on points they agree on. How many Arctic bases are needed? How quickly to buy airborne early warning surveillance planes? How much of that there will be in the midst of a trade war remains to be seen.

Murray Brewster, CBC News, Ottawa. Meanwhile, diplomats from Britain, the US, the EU, and Ukraine are scheduled to meet in London today to push for a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev. British Defense Secretary John Healy says today's meeting will include, quote, what a ceasefire could look like and how to secure peace for the long term. Back to the election campaign on a wider scope of issues, we'll be hearing today from all the parties on various party platforms. The Green Party's Elizabeth May will be outlining the party's central economic framework.

That includes the introduction of a wealth tax and a financial transition tax. As for Conservative leader, Pierre Poliev... Some people have said that Mr. Carney's spending is even more irresponsible than that of Mr. Trudeau's. That's Poliev defending his newly released party platform. He's starting his day in Hamilton, Ontario, before heading east to Nova Scotia. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh will be spending his day campaigning primarily in Edmonton. The body of Pope Francis has now arrived at St. Peter's Basilica and will lie in state for the next three days ahead

of his funeral set for Saturday. Megan Williams has the latest. There are huge crowds now winding their way into St. Peter's Square from both sides of the colonnade. I just spoke with a young Canadian seminarian who is here from Hamilton. He said Pope Francis was a pope of the streets, somebody who really spoke to people in their own language. He's one of the thousands who are lining up to see the Pope's body. His coffin was escorted

in a short walk from his Santa Marta guest house into St. Peter's Basilica up the main stairs. It's now there. A simple wooden coffin open, red velvet. He did not want an elevated coffin. The cardinals were the first to pay their respects to the Pope, followed by bishops and now thousands of Catholics who have come here specifically today to get a final glimpse of Pope Francis. Megan Williams, CBC News, The Vatican. As for Canada's representation at Saturday's funeral, it doesn't appear at this point that Prime Minister Mark Carney will make the trip, but it is expected that Governor

General Mary Simon will attend. And that is The World This Hour. For news anytime, go to our website website cbcnews.ca. For CBC News, I'm Joe Cummings. ...