The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/11/19 at 17:00 EST

Episode Date: November 19, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/11/19 at 17:00 EST

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From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Kate McGilfrey. Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce that Canada is starting free trade talks with the United Arab Emirates. Carney arrived in the Gulf State today, and Karina Roman has more from Abu Dhabi. Canada, UAE talks towards an expedited free trade pact

would aim to ease trade around AI, aerospace, intellectual property and labor mobility. A senior government official speaking on background says that Prime Minister Mark Carney will announce the talks by the end of his visit. Karnie is also expected to sign an investment agreement with the UAE. The Gulf State is home to some of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, and Karnie's growing list of major projects needs capital. But human rights groups say Karnie is putting profits before principle, unhappy with allegations that the UAE funds a paramilitary group committing atrocities in Sudan. The senior government official says Carney will raise a number of security issues in his meetings

and points out Canada is currently the third largest humanitarian aid donor to Sudan. Karina Roman, CBC News, Abu Dhabi. The U.S. Justice Department is now offering $15 million for information leading to the arrest of alleged Canadian drug lord Ryan Wedding. The 44-year-old is a former Olympian who competed for Team Canada at the 2002 games in Utah. He's currently on the FBI's top 10 most wanted list and thought to be hiding out in Mexico. Attorney General Pam Bondi says Wedding is believed to be responsible for several murders. He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug trafficking organizations in this world.

He is currently the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada. RCMP have also arrested seven Canadians in relation to this drug trafficking probe. Among them, a man wanted for allegedly murdering a key witness against wedding. Alberta is moving to allow doctors who work in the public health care system to also work in private clinics. Premier Danielle Smith is promising the so-called dual practice model will increase the number of surgeries being done. in Alberta and decrease wait times. And she stresses no Albertan will need to pay out of pocket to see their family doctor or receive medically necessary treatment.

The Alberta Medical Association says the government needs to speak with physicians and patients before making this kind of change and ensure the public system does not suffer as a result. A new bill in Ontario is giving the education minister much more power over school boards. The province can now more easily sideline elected school board trustees and replace them instead with appointed supervisors. The government insists this is a necessary step, while opponents call it a power grab. Megan Fitzpatrick has the story.

Premier Doug Ford's government rushed Bill 33 through the legislature, limiting debate and skipping public hearings. On Wednesday, it passed a final vote, and education minister Paul Calandra is celebrating. Today is a very good day for students. It's a very good day for parents and an exceptionally good day for teachers who just want the best for their kids. Bill 33 allows the government to more easily take control of a school board,

appointing a supervisor to run it and stripping power away from elected trustees. Kalander says it will enable him to quickly get school boards back on track that have fallen off the rails. The legislation also requires boards to use police officer resource programs if they're offered by a local police force. There have been multiple protests in response to that measure in particular. Critics say the bill is anti-democratic and does little to address real challenges in classrooms. Fitzpatrick, CBC News, Toronto.

And Montreal and Quebec City have been named the top two cycling cities in North America. The statistics come from the global ranking of bicycle-friendly cities. Overall, Montreal placed 15th in the world in Quebec City 29th. Montreal was recognized for its express cycling lanes, its bike share service, and its support for cyclists as a form of active transportation year-round. Quebec City made the list for its rapid expansion of the bike path network. And that is the world this hour. For CBC News, I'm Kate McGilfrey.