The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/09/30 at 19:00 EDT

Episode Date: September 30, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/09/30 at 19:00 EDT

The spirit of innovation is deeply ingrained in Canada, and Google is helping Canadians innovate in ways both big and small, from mapping accessible spaces so the disabled community can explore with confidence, to unlocking billions in domestic tourism revenue. Thousands of Canadian companies are innovating with Google AI. Innovation is Canada's story. Let's tell it together. Find out more at g.co slash Canadian Innovation. From CBC News, the world this hour, I'm Stephanie Scanderas.

We begin on Parliament Hill. I call on every Canadian to renew their commitment to reconciliation. Governor General Mary Simon spoke at the ceremony, marking the National Day for Truth in Reconciliation. It's dedicated to remembering the lasting impacts of the residential school system in Canada. Simon believes classrooms are beginning to embrace inclusive, history, and more indigenous children are learning their cultural practices and languages with pride. I see a present and a future where young indigenous people are embracing Canada without compromising their identity, where they can fully be themselves, pursue the professions

they aspire to, and give back to their communities. But the Governor General says, much more work remains and everyone shares the responsibility to address the remaining inequities. Alberta's premier condemns the decision by teachers in the province to reject the latest tentative agreement. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. Danielle Smith says the government's latest offer was the highest wage increase proposed in over a decade. Teachers are now on track to strike as of October 6th. Smith says if that happens, parents of kids under 12 will receive a hundred and $50 a week per child. We have taken steps to ensure that our kids can keep learning and parents are compensated for

expenses they may face from the union's actions. Our government will provide learning resources for students and compensation for added costs faced by their families. The Alberta Teachers Association members say the province has failed to address unsustainable class sizes and high inflation. And an Alberta government official is apologizing after remarks made to a teenager at the Premier's Town Hall in Calgary. But as Karina Zapata reports, both the teenager and the opposition say that isn't good enough. This is the comment that's caused an uproar on social media.

I know you'd love some chaos, but your parents should turn you over your knee. That's Bruce McAllister, executive director of the Premier's office and moderator of the Alberta Next panel. His comment was directed at grade 12 student, Evan Lee, who raised his voice to continue asking about the province's spending on private schools after his mic was cut off mid-quarter. question. Today, McAllister apologized on X, calling it an inappropriate remark. Lee tells CBC News he wants a direct apology in person, and he wants McAllister to step down. His actions, it was just completely unacceptable. Premier Danielle Smith was asked about this during an unrelated press conference today. I always take the view that you have to engage with people respectfully.

That's my expectation of my staff, and I've asked him to do better. The leader of the opposition NDP Nahed Nenshi is calling on the Premier to fire McAllister. Karina Zapata, CBC News, Calgary. Nigel Wright, the former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has died. He helped the Conservatives win a majority in 2011. He was also involved in the 2013 Senate Expenses controversy when he gave $90,000 to then-Senator Mike Duffy to repay some expense claims. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Wright was 62. The head of the newly renamed U.S. War Department is vowing to reshape the military. It's tiring to look out at combat formations or really any formation and see fat troops. One of many criticisms from Pete Hegseth. In an address to hundreds of generals and officers, the Defense Secretary denounced what he called toxic ideological garbage. He railed against the military's policies around diversity and pledged to raise the standard of physical fitness. Simply put, if you do not meet the male-level physical standards for combat positions,

cannot pass a PT test or don't want to shave and look professional, it's time for a new position or a new profession. Heggseth says the policy would not prevent women from serving, but it would require them to pass the highest male standard. He says promotions in rank would be merit-based with lethality considered the most important factor. And that's your world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Stephanie Scandaris.

Thank you.