The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/08/29 at 13:00 EDT

Episode Date: August 29, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/08/29 at 13:00 EDT

Hi, everybody. I'm J.B. Poisson and I host Front Burner. 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 Mike Miles. You have the right to defend your family in your home. And right now, unfortunately, that is not the case. Conservative leader Pierre Polyev proposing an amendment to the criminal code that would make it legal to use force, including lethal force, to defend yourself against intruders. Right now, self-defense is allowed, but must be proportionate and reasonable. Polyev says that's too complicated and vague.

He's calling for a clearer definition. In my proposed bill, the two conditions. If someone enters your home illegally and uninvited, and two, you reasonably believe they're a threat to your family, then it is assumed that all the force you use against that person is reasonable and legal. Polyev says one of his MPs will present a bill this fall. This comes after a high-profile case in Ontario where a homeowner has been charged with assaulting an intruder. Canada's economy shrank 1.6% in the second quarter. Statistics Canada says U.S. tariffs are the cause, with a sharp drop in exports and business investment,

but higher household and government spending softened the blow somewhat. An evacuation order has been issued for the community of Wati in the Northwest Territories because of a wildfire burning about seven kilometers away and strong winds, pushing it towards the community. About 600 people have been told to drive to Bay Choco and Yellowknife. A local state of emergency has also been declared. Ottawa's Jewish community is shaken after a stabbing in a grocery store this week. A woman in her 70s was shopping in the store's kosher section when a man stabbed her. As Nathan Fung tells us, Ottawa Police Hate Crimes Unit is now investigating.

It's distressing that an act of violence like this would take place. Noah Shaq is a CEO for the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs. He grew up in Ottawa and says the College Square Law of Laws where a woman was stabbed Wednesday is a hub for the Jewish community with its kosher food section. Police say the woman in her 70s was attacked inside the store and sustained serious injuries. She remained in hospital overnight as a precaution. Police arrested a 71-year-old man who remained on the scene and was taken into custody without struggle. He has been charged of aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.

And police say he did not know to woman. Deputy Chief Trish Ferguson says the hate and biased crime unit is supporting the lead investigators. What we're looking for is to determine all potential motives to find out what led up to this. Ottawa Mayor Mark Suckcliffe says he's connected with members of the victim's family, as well as leaders in the Jewish community to express his support. Nathan Fung, CBC News, Ottawa. Quebec's government says it's going to pass a ban on praying in public spaces as part of its secularism policy. Paul A.T.N. Rainville is with Quebec's League of Rights and Freedoms. He says such a law would violate the charter.

Freedom of speech, of expression, freedom of religion. It targets really specific communities. All the discourse around the bill is, really focusing on certain communities and especially Muslim communities, which is in itself discriminatory. Premier Francois Lago says his government would not rule out using the notwithstanding clause. The day after Kiev was hit by a devastating Russian missile and drone bombardment, EU defense ministers are meeting in Denmark to discuss how to support Ukraine's war effort. Julia Chapman is more. EU officials are working to put more pressure on Moscow.

That could include placing secondary sanctions on Russia's trading partners. Radik Sikorsky is Poland's foreign minister. An invader only stops fighting when he thinks he cannot win. Putin still thinks he can win. But Europe can't end the war alone. Donald Trump has favored dialogue over weaponry, so far without any impact on the ground. The White House has now announced an $825 million sale of arms,

including missiles that can reach a distance of 450 kilometers. It's thought to be the first offer of new weapons to Ukraine under Donald Trump's administration. Ukrainian officials are in New York today for talks with Trump's team about possible security guarantees. Julia Chapman, CBC News, London. And that is your world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Mike Miles. Thank you.