Your World Tonight - Campaign day two: tax cuts, affordability; violence in Gaza ramps up

Episode Date: March 24, 2025

Federal party leaders aren't wasting any time diving right in to an issue that defines the lives of many people in this country – the cost of living. The Conservatives have announced their plan to cut income taxes for the middle class, following a similar move from the Liberals. We have reports on what people are looking for, and what the promises will deliver.And: Israel's army says it has intercepted two projectiles that crossed into the country from Gaza tonight. And officials in Gaza say Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the last 24 hours. More on violence, and the complicated work of returning to a ceasefire.Also: Backlash to a U.S. plan to send a delegation, including the National Security Advisor, and the vice president’s wife, to Greenland.Plus: Hyundai announces billions in investment in the U.S., what the federal party leaders are up to, and more.

This is Michael Bublé, host of the Junos, Canada's biggest night in music. And trust me, this lineup is going to be everything. With performances by Akela, Baby No Money, Josh Ross, Nemesis, Snoddy Nose Rez Kids, a special final performance by Sum 41, and Michael Bublé. Now that's what I call a party. Don't miss the Junos, live March 30th at 8 Eastern on CBC and CBC Gem. And you're all invited.

This is a CBC Podcast. Canada first conservatives will cut income taxes by 15%. Yes, we want Canadians to have more money in their pockets. But at the same time, we have these supports for the most vulnerable. Yeah, we need to give a tax break to the middle class, but let's give it just the middle class, not to millionaires. One of the parties says we will cut, cut, cut the expenses. The other party says we will cut expenses and we will cut taxes.

How the hell do you intend to do that? Taxing questions as affordability takes over the conversation on the second day of the federal election campaign. Party leaders on the road with their plans to tackle the economic uncertainty on the minds of many voters. I don't want to be paycheck to paycheck but but I rent and my rent is $5,000 a month because I have two kids, I need a bigger house. Bring down the cost of living. Bring it right down. Like it's crazy.

Welcome to Your World Tonight. It is Monday, March 24th, just before 6 p.m. Eastern. I'm Susan Bonner. We have full election coverage for you from all the major campaigns and also on the podcast. Hyundai will be producing steel in America and making its cars in America. You know, there are no tariffs if you make your product in America. Donald Trump says a major U.S. investment from a South Korean automaker proves his tariff

is working. But not everyone is convinced the president can manufacture the remake of American industry that he's been promising. Federal party leaders aren't wasting any time diving right into an issue that defines the lives of many people in this country and may define this election affordability. The Conservatives are announcing their plan to cut income taxes for the middle class following a similar move from the Liberals. Catherine Cullen breaks down the promises and the reaction they're getting. And that is what income tax is. It is the fine you pay for the crime of working hard.

Two leaders, two very different views of taxes and two different plans to cut them. For conservative leader, Pierre Poliev taxes are a problem to be axed. Liberal leader Mark Carney argues that's an oversimplification. It's a fundamental difference in our approach. We have a balanced approach. He has a simple approach. The conservatives are offering a much bigger income tax cut. Once fully phased in, it would drop the tax rate in the lowest bracket by two and a quarter percent.

The Liberals would drop it by one percent. Concretely, the Conservatives say this would ultimately cut a person's taxes by up to about $900 a year, while the Liberals say they would cut them up to $412. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh argues both plans unfairly benefit the rich. That's a nonsensical plan. Yeah, we need to give a tax break to the middle class, but let's give it just the middle class, not to millionaires. Sahir Khan isn't convinced.

This is about as broad-based a tax cut as you can provide. He spent his career dispassionately crunching numbers, first with the Parliamentary Budget Officer, now with the University of Ottawa's Institute for Fiscal Studies and Democracy. He sees the upside of the proposed tax cuts. So that's oxygenated into the veins of the economy and into the pocketbooks of household budgets of Canadians. But he shares a question asked today by the leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet. Let me say something.

How the hell do you intend to do that? The Conservatives say their fully implemented plan would cost 14 billion dollars a year, but only spoke generally about spending cuts to fund all their plans. We will be cutting bureaucracy, cutting consultants, cutting back on handouts to insiders, and we will cut back on foreign aid to bring our money home to this country. The Liberals allege he'll have to cut more programs like $10 a day childcare and dental care. The Liberals own smaller tax cut is expected to cost nearly $6 billion a year. Carney is promising more restraint in government spending, but not at the level Poliev is pitching, though Carney didn't directly explain how he would pay for

his plan either. We are not changing the transfers to the provinces. We are not changing transfers to individuals. We are proud, and this is a huge difference between us and the Conservatives, we are proud of the programs that we have put in place. Kahn hopes there's more to come. We say early in the election we call it silly season, right? We don't know how the pluses and minuses kind of come together to figure out, you know, are we further ahead fiscally or not?

And do the measures really kind of meet the moment, the real challenges we have to our sovereignty and to our economy? Both the Liberals and Conservatives say they will release a costed platform during the campaign. Catherine Cullen, CBC News, Ottawa. So what do Canadian workers want to see? After all, they're the people the parties are trying to convince. Katie Nicholson has that reaction.

Mechanic Andrew Pimentel works 50 hours a week in a Toronto garage and even though his wife also works they are still barely squeaking by. We're paycheck to paycheck but we're surviving. I don't want to be paycheck to paycheck but I rent and my rent is five thousand dollars a month because I have two kids I need a bigger house. My wife has a good job but we're still penny-pinching. It's just too much. There's one major thing he wants from the next federal government whichever party ends up winning. Bring down the cost of living. Bring it right down. Like it's crazy. There's one major thing he wants from the next federal government, whichever party ends up winning. Bring down the cost of living.

Bring it right down. Like it's crazy. There's no reason it should be like that. Housing prices and rents in Toronto are among the most expensive in the country. Senior David Bateman lives in a co-op in downtown Toronto. He wants the federal government to invest more in affordable housing. I would say the two top priorities for me are more co-ops and more subsidized housing. Housing, a familiar riff in Richmond, BC where Scott Atkinson lives.

I started renting three years ago and the price of the rent on the same apartment as mine for a new person coming in is $700 more than what I'm paying. He wants to see what the parties have planned to make life easier for the middle class and worries about how younger generations will get by. They employ young people they don't pay them uh you know $40 an hour which is what I think that you're going to need to to afford rents and to be able to make a down payment. And I don't know how they're doing it. While Melinda Woznaczynski from Langley, further inland, can't get over the sticker shock at the checkout.

Groceries, I've probably fallen over looking at steaks and stuff going don't we have cattle in Alberta and BC? Roast beef, food is crazy. The Conservatives and the Liberals are specifically pledging to lower taxes and lower income brackets. Money that could conceivably help with groceries. But back in his Toronto garage, Andrew Pimentel isn't buying what the parties are selling. They'll say they'll cut this, cut that, but they'll get it back another way no matter what.

They always do. They promise one thing, oh here take this they'll get it back another way, no matter what. They always do. They promise one thing, oh here, take this, we'll cut the GST and then next thing you know here's a new tax. Or, oh we'll take it from here and charge you on this. Affordability? Not something this mechanic thinks a tax break alone will fix. Katie Nicholson, CBC News, Toronto. Tax cuts and affordability may be a big issue on the campaign today, but they aren't the

only issues. We have reporters travelling with the four major party leaders to bring you what's happening across all of the campaigns starting tonight in Newfoundland. I'm Tom Perry travelling with the Liberal campaign. I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me to Gander. Liberal leader Mark Carney touched down in a community famous for welcoming travelers from the US and other countries on 9-11 when America came under attack and American airspace shut down. You showed friendship to people who were

fearful and in crisis you showed character. Today, nearly a quarter century later, Carney says Donald Trump has put those bonds at risk with his tariffs on Canadian goods and threats to Canada's sovereignty. Unfortunately, President Trump's actions have put that kinship under greater strain today than at any time in our storied history. Carney has not spoken to Trump

since being sworn in as prime minister. The Liberal leader says he interprets that as Trump waiting to see who wins the federal election, adding he's ready to talk. I'm available for a call, but we're going to talk on our terms as a sovereign country, not as what he pretends we are. Carney now wrapping up his early campaign swing through Newfoundland and Labrador. Tom Perry, CBC News, Gander.

I'm JP Tasker with the Conservative campaign. Pierre Pauli have announced a major tax cut today at a packaging factory in Brampton, a suburb of Toronto. This is a tax cut that will put Canada first. It's a measure designed to appeal to middle-class voters that live in this sprawling region on the western edges of Canada's biggest city. These people have done everything right and yet during the last liberal decade they've been punished for their hard work. There are

six federal seats in Brampton alone and there's six more in neighboring Mississauga. There's a reason why Poliev made this place one of his first stops. It's a must-win area for the party if it wants to form a government after this election. Poliev's message to the people here. Giving liberals a fourth term will only drive debt, taxes and the cost of living higher. What we need is a new conservative government that will put Canada first." The Conservatives have taken these Peel Region seats before Stephen Harper cleaned up here

in 2011. But it's been solidly liberal territory for the past decade. Poliev's party hasn't punched through with voters in one of the most diverse parts of the country. The current leader hopes to change that on his path to a possible victory. JP Tasker, CBC News, Mississauga, Ontario. I'm David Thurton travelling on the NDP campaign bus. The first stop, Montreal, where leader Jagmeet Singh spent the morning making a housing announcement. A commitment to build only rent controlled units on vacant federal land. Our plan is when we see federal land we want to use all of it,

100% of federal land that's usable to build homes that are affordable, homes that are non-market housing, homes that are truly affordable where you can actually afford to call your own. Today's stops include an event in Toronto, a six-hour drive by bus. That's a long time, especially in a short campaign, when New Democrats are behind in the polls and other parties are using planes. I asked Singh whether spending so many hours on the road was the best use of his time.

I want folks to know wherever you are, whether you're in Toronto, whether you're in Montreal, East Coast, West Coast, North or South, you are better off when you've got a new Democrat fighting for you. The party does have a claim, but they are not using it this week, opting to strengthen its ground game in Quebec and southwestern Ontario. David Burton, CBC News, on a highway near Kingston, Ontario. I'm Rafi Moudjikanian in Quebec City, traveling with the Bloc Québécois, where leader Yves François Blanchet is struggling to stay relevant in an election campaign clearly defined by Canada's trade war with the U.S., reviving Canadian nationalist sentiment including in

Quebec. His pitch today, forcing Ottawa to prioritize domestic providers for federal government contracts. Last time around, Blanchet-Valte sent 40 MPs to the House of Commons, more than half the amount of seats up for grabs in this province. He didn't quite live up to that, and he was more guarded with journalists today. I believe you asked me the same question three and a half years ago, and I had the very bad idea of answering this question.

I will not. The Quebecers will decide if, at the end of the day, we end up with the balance of power, Quebec is safer than it could be in any other scenario. He will now have one less platform to make that pitch, with the French language network TVA canceling its debate. It had asked for a $75,000 participation fee from each leader, and liberal Mark Carney bulked. I don't know what he's not afraid of. This guy is supposed to be strong enough to face Donald Trump, which is one of the biggest

threats on democracy and freedom for a long time. That leaves the one French debate in mid-April, scheduled by coincidence on Blanchet's birthday, a rare gift for a leader during a campaign threatening to squeeze him out. Rafi Boudjikani on CBC News, Quebec City. Coming up on Your World Tonight, Greenland gets American political visitors and is not exactly throwing down the welcome mat. The US is welcoming an automaker

setting up shop in the country following Trump's terror threats. Is his policy working? Israel's army says it has intercepted two projectiles that crossed into the country from Gaza tonight. And officials in Gaza say Israeli strikes have killed at least 65 people in the last 24 hours, including at a hospital, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Sasha Petrasek reports on the escalation of violence and the complicated work of returning to a ceasefire. As an Israeli airstrike hit Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza Sunday night, a TV crew shouting, air raid, air raid, and a hospital wing on fire.

Inside the disabled emergency ward, medics and patients scramble. Dr. Mohammed Sacher calls it catastrophic. This is unbelievable and it's against international laws and we hope that this will stop soon. Among at least five Palestinians killed, say medics, was a 16-year-old boy and a senior Hamas finance official, Ishmael Baroum. The hospital says he was there for treatment. Israeli government spokesman David Menser disagrees. He was struck while hiding in Nasser hospital, once again exposing Hamas's use of human shields. Today Israel also

fired at a Red Cross building in Rafa to the south, putting offices out of service. It later said the strike was a mistake due to what it calls incorrect identification. But the danger to aid organizations has forced the United Nations to scale back operations. That included hits on UN facilities last week, which killed five UN relief workers, says spokesman Stephane de Jurek. As a result, the secretary general has taken the difficult decision to reduce the United Nations footprint in Gaza, even as humanitarian needs soar and our concern over the protection of civilians intensifies. The UN says Israel's blockade on aid supplies also influenced its decision.

The breakdown of ceasefire has caused a pulling loss of life. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaya Kalas pushed for a return to negotiation, not war, in Jerusalem. Israel's security is very important to the European Union, but also the rights of Palestinians need to be respected. Egypt is reportedly proposing a new deal which would see the remaining 59 hostages released in exchange for a permanent ceasefire.

The deal is said to have the backing of the U.S. and Hamas, but Israel has not responded. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sarr says its goals, including the elimination of Hamas, would be better through negotiation. But if that is not possible, we have no choice but continuing our military efforts. Indeed, the fighting continues with the red alert declared in southern Israel overnight as two rockets fired from Gaza were intercepted over communities close to the border. Sasha Petrosik, CBC News, Toronto. The Turkish government is ramping up its crackdown on protests and street clashes. It says it has arrested as many as 1,300 people and claims more than 100 police officers have been injured in the ongoing unrest.

Turkey is now being accused of trying to choke off news coverage by arresting journalists. Officials are also moving to block hundreds of social media accounts for news outlets and politicians. The protest broke out when the mayor of Istanbul was arrested one day before announcing his plans to challenge Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the next election. Erdogan in the next election. This is Your World Tonight from CBC News. If you want to make sure you stay up to date and never miss one of our episodes, follow us on Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your podcasts. Just find the follow button and lock us in.

The U.S. President calls it a friendly visit. Greenland's prime minister says it's a provocation. An American delegation is heading to the island this week and the trip is being met with fierce backlash. Paul Hunter reports on Donald Trump's desire to take control of the Danish territory. This is friendliness, not provocation. As US President Donald Trump would have it, the visit is just that, a visit. They're calling us, we're not calling them. And we were invited over there.

Speaking before a cabinet meeting outside the Oval Office, Trump highlighted a trip this week to Greenland by a delegation of senior U.S. officials, including Trump's National Security Advisor Mike Walz and Usha Vance, wife of Trump's Vice President J.D. Vance. Hello. I'm so excited to share that I'll be visiting Kalaliunaa, Greenland, next weekend. That's her on Instagram telling followers she wants to see a dog sled race and learn about Greenland's culture. And to express hope that our relationship will only grow stronger in the coming years. But on that relationship Trump, who's been strongly

suggesting the US may well annex Greenland, now faces strong pushback from Greenland, including its outgoing prime minister, who's calling the visit a highly aggressive provocation and is refusing to meet with the visiting Americans. Trump, today, seemingly unfazed by that. I think Greenland's going to be something that maybe is in our future. I think it's important. It's important from the standpoint

of international security. Indeed, Greenland's location, buffering Russia as shipping routes through the north open up, and its presumed mineral wealth below its frozen tundra, have long made the place appealing to US eyes, but especially so now for Trump. And I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland. Earlier this month in his address to Congress he underlined the US wants Greenland citing national security. We're working with everybody involved to try and get it. Even as Denmark which controls aspects of Greenland has underlined Greenland is not for sale. Sound familiar? As Canadians wonder how far will

Trump go in his suggestion Canada become the 51st state, Greenlanders now wonder what's up with this visit this week. As Usha Vance puts it on that Instagram post. I look forward to meeting many of you soon and alerting from you about your beautiful land, culture and traditions. See you soon. The trip begins Thursday. Paul Hunter, CBC News, Washington. As Trump's foreign policy plays out abroad, at home he's hoping foreign companies help with one of his domestic priorities, a retooling of American manufacturing, boosted by international investment. And Trump says a big one announced today proves his plan is

working. Paula Duhatschek reports. We are really proud to stand with you and proud to be build the future together. Thank you. Hyundai executive chair Jung-hee Soon speaking at a White House announcement. The South Korean company says it will invest $21 billion in U.S. manufacturing, including plans to build a $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana. This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work. The tariffs are bringing them in at levels that have not been witnessed. Today's news, the latest in a string of announcements,

companies promising big bucks to build American plants and hire American workers. In recent months, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company announced plans to spend $165 billion on American manufacturing. Japanese multinational SoftBank plans to spend $100 billion to build AI infrastructure. Trump can, by persuasion and bullying, get large companies to announce these big numbers of investment. But economist Gary Huffbauer says Trump's strategy could ultimately work against him. All this uncertainty, he says, making companies hesitant to actually spend the money. He thinks announcements like today's are largely a PR move. And so my guess is that on balance, we're not going to see a big surge in investment in the U.S.

because the uncertainty more than offsets the additional incentive of avoiding tariffs into the U.S. market. Auto analyst Sam Fiorani made a similar point. The manufacturing side of the United States has to set up something to make it look like the market is moving towards the United States and making the president happy that his plan has worked. But a press conference isn't the same thing as a shovel in the ground. During the first Trump administration, electronics maker Foxconn pledged $10 billion to build a facility in Wisconsin that would employ 13,000 people. At the time, Trump called it the eighth wonder of the world, but according to CNBC, the company only spent about $1 billion, hiring fewer than 1,000 workers. Phil English is a former

US congressman and a government relations expert with the law firm, Aaron Fox Schiff. I think it's fair to say that not every investment that is promised is actually going to materialize and not every policy is going to yield fruit. It's not even clear what tariffs companies will need to react to next. Trump promising another shot in the global trade war April 2nd. Paula Duhaczek, CBC News, Calgary. Finally tonight, half a century of official status for a humble and hardworking symbol of Canadian pride and the cross-border dispute that helped enshrine it in law.

The beaver built dams because he has to store his winter's food. The beaver has long been associated with Canadian identity. Its natural habitats can be found in every region of the country. For centuries, indigenous populations hunted the animal to make clothing and tools, and beaver pelts were central to the fur trade economy of European settlers. It was featured on Canada's first postage stamp and the nickel.

But back in 1975, our claim to the beaver was under threat. Colin Coates is a professor of Canadian studies. The campaign for the beaver as a Canadian symbol was in part an anti-American campaign. What precipitated the designation was an attempt by a state senator in New York who wanted to establish the beaver as the state animal of New York. That spurred Canadians into action. CBC Radio's As It Happens ran a campaign to give the beaver official status

and a private members bill was tabled in the House of Commons. Essentially people saying keep the beaver Canadian. Beaver's the hardest worker, it's got the biggest teeth. Thousands and thousands of letters and petitions were sent. And on this day, March 24th, 1975, the National Symbol of Canada Act received royal assent. By the way, New York State still went ahead with its beaver legislation a few months later. Another thing we have in common with our neighbours. Thanks for joining us.

This has been Your World Tonight for Monday, March 24th. I'm Susan Bonner. Talk to you again.