The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/08/13 at 17:00 EDT

Episode Date: August 13, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/08/13 at 17:00 EDT

Hi, everybody. I'm J.B. Poisson and I host Frontburner. It's Canada's most listened to Daily News podcast. Just the other day, we were in a story meeting talking about how we can barely keep up with what's going on in Canada and the world right now. And like, it's our job to do that. So if you are looking for a one-stop shop for the most important and interesting news stories of the day, we've got you. Stop doom scrolling. Follow Frontburner instead. I'm Gina Louise Phillips. Police and St. John's are investigating a series of brush fires that were set overnight in downtown St. John's. The five fires were quickly extinguished, but all are considered suspicious. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary say they have a suspect. Constable James Cattigan says the investigation is ongoing and charges could be laid. Well, I mean, that falls under the criminal code under arson. So that is something that if we believe there are grounds to lay a charge, we'll proceed. seed and it's up to the courts to decide what happens to that individual through that process. The RNC is asking the public for information and any video. Manitoba Premier Wab Canoe is calling on Ottawa to support canola growers after China

slapped a 75% preliminary anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola. And let's see the federal government step up with the same sort of supports that you've seen for the steel industry, for the auto industry, and for the lumber industry. Canoe says what sparked the Chinese move was tariffs Canada put on Chinese electric vehicles. He wants some of that revenue that he estimates at $100 million used to support canola farmers. Air Canada will start canceling flights tomorrow ahead of a potential strike by its flight attendants. The union representing 10,000 workers issued a strike notice overnight. They could walk off the job this weekend.

The airline says the two sides have reached an impasse in negotiations, and Air Canada says it's offering refunds and will do its best to rebook travelers affect it. Anyone traveling between Friday and Monday can change their flight for free. The company says that disruption can affect about 130,000 customers a day. The conservative opposition wants to introduce changes to the criminal code. The proposed bill would stop judges from giving more lenient sentences to non-citizens. Kate McKenna explains. Today I'm announcing that conservatives will introduce.

legislation to amend the criminal code and restore the value of Canadian citizenship. Conservative MP Michelle Remple-Garner says she wants to change the law. So a person's citizenship status is not considered as a reason for leniency in criminal sentencing. Canada has essentially adopted a form of two-tier justice where judges can and have given lighter sentences to individuals who are non-citizens. She pointed to recent cases in Ontario and Alberta, where non-citizens were found guilty of sex-related crimes, but not. not given sentences that could affect their ability to get citizenship or permanent residency or lead to deportation. The vast majority of Canada's immigrants and temporary residents abide by our law.

But removing non-citizens who have been convicted of serious crimes is a no-brainer. Rampel Garner says the private members bill will be introduced this fall. Kate McKenna, CBC News, Ottawa. U.S. President Donald Trump is saying that the upcoming summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin could set the stage for a second meeting, one where Ukraine's president can take part, direct part, in peace talks. European leaders today voiced their concern

around Ukraine's future being decided without its involvement. Lisa Xing has the story. I would rate it at 10, you know, very, very friendly. U.S. President Donald Trump speaking about a call with European leaders focused on Ukraine's future. He says if all goes smooth on Friday, there could very well be a trilateral. meeting that would include both Russia and Ukraine.

The second meeting, which will be more productive than the first, because the first is I'm going to find out where we are and what we're doing. Trump appears to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's biggest demand. We'll hope that the central topic will be, that's his fire, immediate ceasefire. These talks coming amid growing concerns in Kiev and among European allies, Trump could try and broker a peace deal at the cost of territorial. concessions. On Wednesday, EU leaders made clear only Zelensky can negotiate Ukraine's territory. Lisa Shing, CBC News, Washington.

And that is the world this hour. Remember, you can listen to our podcast anytime. We update every hour, seven days a week. For CBC News, I'm Gina Louise Phillips.