The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/05/31 at 20:00 EDT

Episode Date: June 1, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/05/31 at 20:00 EDT

At Desjardins Insurance, we know that when you're a building contractor, your company's foundation needs to be strong. That's why our agents go the extra mile to understand your business and provide tailored solutions for all its unique needs. You put your heart into your company, so we put our heart into making sure it's protected. Get insurance that's really big on care. Find an agent today at Desjardins.com slash business coverage. From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Gina Louise Phillips. Saskatchewan's premier is warning of more evacuations in the coming days. Scott Moe says a lack of rainfall means

a high risk of new wildfires, and high winds are making it difficult for fire crews to fight the ones already burning. Alexandra Silberman has the latest. The next four to seven days are absolutely critical. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says hot, windy conditions are helping fires spread. He says fire crews are working to contain 16 active fires but desperately need help from the weather. Without rain, Moe says more people will likely be forced to evacuate and housing them will be a challenge.

But it's going to be an all-hands-on-deck using every available resource at the community, provincial and federal level. More than 8,000 people have now left their homes in Saskatchewan, many of them evacuees from remote First Nations in the far north. Four thousand people have left Pelican Narrows, the largest community under an evacuation order. Hot, dry conditions and gusty winds are making conditions on the ground challenging. Water bombers are helping from Yukon, Quebec, Alaska and Oregon.

Alexander Silberman, CBC News, Montreal Lake, Saskatchewan. Industry leaders and Canadian politicians are condemning US President Donald Trump's plan to double steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%. Keenan Loomis is president of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. He warns the hike creates new uncertainty for companies and their workers. I know, for example, here in Hamilton, DeFasco has been very, very adamant. We have not laid off anybody yet and we will try to do everything we can to avoid job losses. So that was under 25%. I don't know how that calculus changes for them under a regime in which they are

now faced with 50% tariffs at the border. It's going to be very difficult. Trump announced the plan at a steel plant near Pittsburgh. Those new tariffs are slated to take effect this coming Wednesday unless Trump changes his mind. In Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth says the Indo-Pacific region is a priority for the Trump administration and it wants to build alliances while calling China a clear and present danger.

Any attempt by communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world. There's no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real and it could be imminent. We hope not, but it certainly could be. Hegseth added that Asian countries wouldn't be stranded in the face of economic and military threats from Beijing. But he also urged countries to start spending more on their own defense, just as NATO members

are being urged to ramp up their defense spending. China is calling Hegseth's speech full of provocation. After 355 years in operation and months of liquidation sales, Canada's oldest company is closing on Sunday and some shoppers are looking for last minute bargains at Hudson's Bay. David Fraser has the story. It's the end of the bay. Canada's oldest company in its four locations in the capital region closing this Sunday. Its final sales and a chapter in Canadian history almost over.

It's a shame. It's a shame we're losing the oldest company in the country. It's terrible. At the Rideau Centre location, bittersweet shopping. Maria Ford has been buying at Hudson's Bay since she came to Canada in 1962. For history and for Canadians in general, we think of traditions. This is the biggest tradition, it's historical. Very little merchandise is left at the Rideau Street location, but everything that is, is for sale. Even the mannequins, shelves, clothing racks.

Vera Billich is looking to score some deals while she still can. Carpets, regular $460 or $40. while she still can. Carpets, regular $460 or $40. Huge signs advertising double-digit discounts. Inside, crowds at the cashiers. The last gasps of a giant in the market falling. More than 8,000 employees are losing their job. David Fraser, CBC News, Ottawa. And that's The World This Hour.

Remember you can listen to us wherever you get your podcasts. The World This Hour is updated every hour, seven days a week. Thanks so much for listening. For CBC News, I'm Gina Louise Phillips.