The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/05/27 at 15:00 EDT

Episode Date: May 27, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/05/27 at 15:00 EDT

From CBC News, the World This Hour, I'm Stephanie Scanderis. The true north is indeed strong and free. King Charles has laid out the government's agenda in the speech from the throne. He spoke of his admiration for Canada and outlined the government's plan to deal with the rising cost of living, climate change, and the Canada-U.S. relationship. It's only the third time a monarch has read the speech. The last was Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The speech was part of the visit to Ottawa by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Ottawa to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. Some waited for hours, but not everyone was happy with their visit. Olivia Stefanovic has more. I'm here to honour King Charles.

Royal watchers came from across the country, crowding the sidewalks of downtown Ottawa, starting in the early hours of the morning. I think it sends a really powerful message to President Trump that Canada will never be for sale and will never be the 51st state. Just amazing to see that they're here, that they came to Canada. Paige Keenan was almost lost for words after she shook hands with King Charles outside the Senate. Because we haven't had the monarch here to give a speech from the throne since 1977,

so long before I was born. But not everyone who lined up to see His Majesty gave a warm welcome. Down with the King! Down with the King! Angie Swanson organized a small protest outside his parade route. I mean it is really absurd that Canada has a monarchy. No matter the views, all now part of a moment in history. Olivier Stfanovich, CBC News, Ottawa. Wildfires are forcing hundreds of people across the prairies to leave their homes.

In northern Alberta, 1,400 residents of Swan Hills have been ordered to evacuate. Officials say the efforts of firefighters are being challenged by dry and windy conditions. In Saskatchewan, people living in Pelican Narrows have been ordered to leave immediately. Wildfires had been burning in the area for weeks. And in Manitoba, a mandatory evacuation order is in effect for 600 people in the town of Lynn Lake. Canada's oldest company will close its doors for good on Sunday. Thousands of Hudson's Bay Company employees will be put out of work, and most will walk

away empty-handed, Jamie Strashan reports. More than 8,000 Bay employees will be terminated when the company ceases operations on Sunday. It's the largest single job loss in Canada since Sears went out of business in 2018. Employee benefits, including long-term disability, will be mostly cut by the middle of June. Also, the Bay won't be paying its employees any severance directly. At a rally today, Margaret Henry, an employee for 12 years, says that makes the end even more painful. Employees are the ones bringing the company their money and yet we are left behind. Employees could collect some money through a government subsidy program.

The company filed for bankruptcy protection in March. After it was unable to secure funding to keep its nearly 100 stores afloat, it began a chain-wide liquidation process. Earlier this month, Canadian Tire purchased HBC's intellectual property, ensuring the company's iconic stripes and coat of arms will live on. Jamie Strash in CBC News, Toronto. A new and controversial effort to distribute aid in Gaza, backed by the US and Israel, to send it into chaos and panic today.

The Israeli military fired warning shots near an aid distribution centre after hundreds of desperate people stormed the site. The Israeli military fired warning shots near an aid distribution center after hundreds of desperate people stormed the site. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says it handed out 8,000 food boxes today, but its workers were quickly overwhelmed and withdrew. Many other aid groups, including the UN, criticized the foundation and its plan. The UN says it weaponizes aid, making it less accessible to a population at risk of famine after a nearly three-month-long blockade. Israel says the setup ensures supplies

do not get into the hands of Hamas. And that is your World This Hour. For news anytime, you can visit our website at cbcnews.ca. For CBC News, I'm Stephanie Scanderas.