Your World Tonight - Carney and Trump meet in Washington, federal Conservatives select an interim leader, Cardinals prepare to elect a new Pope, and more

Episode Date: May 6, 2025

Prime Minister Carney visits Washington for his first face-to-face with President Trump. The two leaders talked about tariffs, and how their countries can work together. No decision was made on trade, but Carney pushed back on renewed '51st state' comments from Trump, adding Canada is 'not for sale.'Also: Pierre Poilieve reflects on last week’s election, as he speaks to the media for the first time since losing his Ottawa-area seat, and his Conservative caucus gets to work on picking an interim opposition leader.And: On the eve of the conclave to choose a new pope, as Catholics from Canada and around the world converge on Italy.Plus: Lawyers cross examine ‘E.M.’ at the sex assault trial of five former junior hockey players, the multi-day meltdown at Newark Airport, Alberta sovereignty, and more.

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sponsored by IG private wealth management. This is a CBC podcast. As you know, from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale. That's true. We're sitting in one right now and having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign last several months, it's not for sale, won't be for sale. Setting boundaries while walking a fine line. Prime Minister Mark Carney in Washington standing up for Canada and not stepping on any toes. Looking to reset Canada-U.S. relations in a high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump

covering trade, tariffs, defense, the talk about a 51st state that the president won't let go. Never say never. Never say never. Welcome to Your World Tonight. I'm Susan Bonner. It is Tuesday, May 6th, coming up on 6 p.m. Eastern also on the podcast. Well what we learned, I think we all learned is that the map has changed dramatically. Pierre Pauliev planning his next steps in the new geography of federal politics.

The conservative leader says he wants to spend the summer on the road, learning and listening, as his caucus meets for the first time since losing another election to the Liberals. Relations between their countries are at a low point, and Mark Carney just got elected on a pledge to stand up to Donald Trump. But what could have been another showdown in the Oval Office was more cordial than confrontational, with more jokes than jabs. Tom Perry begins our coverage from Washington. Thank you very much everybody. It's a great honour to have Prime Minister Mark Carney with us.

It was a meeting that could have gone off the rails at any moment. Mark Carney in the Oval Office next to Donald Trump, who from the start seemed to take a shine to Canada's new Prime Minister. A few days ago, he won a very big election in Canada. And I think I was probably the greatest thing that happened to him, but I can't say it full-time. The US president congratulating Carney on his election victory with what sounded like respect.

We were watching it with interest, and I think Canada chose a very talented person, a very good person. Carney repaid the compliment calling Trump a transformational president focused on the economy, American workers and securing the world. But then came a question about something that's been hanging over Canada-U.S. relations for months. Trump's fixation on turning Canada into America's 51st state. Well I still believe that but but you know takes two to tango right? The president went on again at length about all the reasons he thinks Canada should join the US in what he calls a beautiful marriage.

You know as a real estate developer you know I'm a real estate developer at heart. When you get rid of that artificially drawn line, somebody drew that line many years ago with like a ruler, just a straight line right across the top of the country. When you look at that beautiful formation when it's together, I'm a very artistic person. But when I looked at that beauty, I said that's the way it was meant to be. Carney's response, affirm no. As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale. That's true.

We're sitting in one right now, you know Buckingham Palace, you visited as well. And having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign last several months, it's not for sale, won't be for sale ever. There were disagreements as well over trade with Trump stating flatly there was nothing Carney could say to get him to lift tariffs on Canada. The president also unloading on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as his chief trade negotiator Christia Freeland who Carney named to his own cabinet. I won't say this about Mark but I didn't like his predecessor I didn't like a

person that worked. She was terrible actually. She was a terrible person. But none of Trump's vitriol was ever aimed at Carney who says today's meeting is the beginning of a long process. We have more, a lot more work to do. I'm not trying to suggest at any respect that we can have one meeting and everything's changed

but now we are engaged and very fully engaged. Carney says he and Trump did agree to begin talks on a renewed trade deal though he provided no detail about how and when that would happen. Carney's day ended up better than some other leaders who have found themselves in the Oval Office hot seat. His talks yielded few concrete results but no fireworks and with Trump things could have gone much worse. Tom Perry, CBC News, Washington. The CBC's Washington correspondent Richard Madden has covered several visits of world leaders to the Oval Office. Richard, how did Mark Carney's visit measure up? Yeah well Prime Minister Carney was clearly prepared for the substance, questions about tariffs, trade and annexation, but when it came to

interacting with the president, Carney appeared to have troubles injecting himself in the conversation. At times Carney couldn't get a word in. In fact there's this one camera angle when Trump was saying never say never to becoming the 51st state. You could see Carney trying to wave it off saying never, never, never, never, never, five times as Trump kept talking. Carney also tried to interject during the president's repeated false claims about a trade deficit, subsidies and his issues with the integrated auto sector, but couldn't get to it.

Now there was also not much interaction with Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio who were seated beside them. So Carney may have been quieter compared to other world leaders, but he also used their strategies to deal with Trump. French President Emmanuel Macron was respectful, focused, complementing the president's leadership. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was polite, formal and engaging, but all avoided what's known in political circles here as getting Zelensky. That's of course referring to Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky's disastrous meeting in the Oval Office, something Trump joked about in his meeting with Carney.

Listen. This is not going to be like we had another little blow up with somebody else. That was a much different. This is a very friendly conversation. So it's also worth noting the tone Trump took with Carney. Polite, respectful, with no insulting nickname. That's a stark contrast to how Trump treated Carney's predecessor. Listen to this. We had a great meeting today actually with the new Prime Minister, who's a terrific guy, and we had a very long session.

It went very well. No, we had a very great meeting and no tension. We want to do what's right for respective peoples. So after Carney left their meeting, the White House posted a photo of them giving a thumbs up with a statement saying, Regardless of anything, we are going to be friends with Canada. I have a lot of respect for the Canadians. It wasn't just Canadians and Americans watching this encounter closely today. What do we know about international interest in this? Yeah, well especially international interest heightened by Trump's global trade war that's put most of the world on the defensive against this White House.

So perhaps the president recognizes that if the US can't get along with its own neighbors, who can they get along with? Now, one of Carney's goals was to reset the strained relationship, and his timing comes just weeks before Canada hosts the G7 in Alberta. Carney confirming today President Trump will be attending. So perhaps this first meeting may have cooled tensions just enough to avoid a family fight on Canadian soil. Thank you, Richard.

Thank you. The CBC's Richard Madden in Washington. [♪upbeat music playing -♪》 Coming up on the podcast, conservatives meet to choose an interim leader since Pierre Polyev has no seat in the House. Alberta's premier has more to say about Western alienation and a look at the conclave to choose the new pope.

In Ottawa, federal conservatives are looking for a way forward after another election setback. They held their first caucus meeting today since last week's loss to the Liberals, the parties regrouping and in need of an interim leader as Pierre Poliev tries to get back into the House of Commons. Olivia Stefanovic reports. We didn't come out on top and that's disappointing but there is a lot to be thankful for. Defeated but defiant, Conservative leader Pierre Poliev addressing reporters for the first time since losing the federal election and his own seat to the Liberals.

The map has changed dramatically. Like if you had told me that, for one, that we would get 41% of the vote a couple years ago, I would have said wow that's ambitious. But if you told me that we would get 41% of the vote and still not win, I would have said you're crazy. The Conservatives indeed won 41% of the popular vote and gained 24 more seats than before. But it still wasn't enough. And now some Tories are demanding accountability. That he was, you know, anti-women's rights,

that he was anti-LBGDQ. David Brazel says that's what he heard about Poliev from voters at the doors in St. John's East. Arriving Brazel had hoped to win for the Tories but the seat stayed liberal. You know somewhere along the way somebody dropped a ball and didn't get the real information out about who Pierre Poliev was and what he stood for and that had an impact with people particularly in the urban areas. Behind closed doors some conservatives are

blaming campaign manager Jenny Byrne but publicly it'll be up to the leader to decide what he's going to do with his inner circle. MPs like John Broussard and Andrew Scheer are steering clear of finger-pointing. We had a fantastic campaign that fell short. Scheer who previously served as conservative leader selected by his colleagues to fill in as opposition leader. I'll be taking over the parliamentary leadership duties of the caucus until Mr. Poliev rejoins us in the House. While Poliev tries to regain a seat in an upcoming by-election triggered by the resignation of Conservative MP Damien Couric so Poliev can run in his safe rural Alberta riding.

The coalition that pure Poliev built is one that people feel can last and grow. Unlike his predecessors, conservative strategist Amanda Galbraith says she believes Poliev can hang on as leader even though his caucus adopted the Reform Act giving MPs the ability to trigger a leadership review. We've done it twice. It hasn't proven any proper results. That is better off for leaders to have a second chance to grow into the role and see if they can in fact achieve a victory in the second round, as Stephen Harper did from 2004 to 2006.

Regardless of whether caucus ever decides to use its new powers, Poliev will face a leadership review at the next Conservative Party convention. Olivia Stavanovich, CBC News, Ottawa. It's looking more and more like Alberta's future could involve a referendum on separating from Canada. And Danielle Smith says if people in her province want to make that decision on the referendum, she will let them. Julia Wong has more on the Premier's plan for Alberta to navigate another Liberal government in Ottawa.

In the fight for Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith is on the front lines, making four demands of Ottawa that mainly centre around energy policies. Yesterday I shared the bold steps that our government is taking to protect and stand up for Alberta's future with strength and resolve. But that future is being muddied by questions about Alberta separating from Canada. Through Bill 54, the province is lowering the bar for any referendum to be initiated by citizens, and separatist groups have been organizing.

Smith says she does not want Alberta to separate, but she supports people who want to sign a petition to trigger a vote. So until I see an actual question with 177,000 signatures of Albertans that are supportive of it, it's difficult for me to know what that looks like. But I honor the process. I'm creating a process so that citizens do have a right to identify an issue and be able to bring it forward with the support of their fellow citizens. Political analyst John Brennan says if Smith can get some movement from Prime Minister Mark Carney on some of her demands, there's no need for a referendum. But it could be too late by then, he says.

That's totally irresponsible because it's going to create all kinds of political instability in the province. Meanwhile, emotions are running high. Bill 54, this is what we think of you. You're garbage like that. At a press conference, Treaty Chiefs of Alberta pushed back against Bill 54, saying it breaches their treaty rights. Megasoo Cree First Nation Chief Billy Joe Tuckeroe throwing the bill onto the ground. This is treaty land and we stand on it today. All this comes on a day when unity is top of mind. Carney met face to face with the US president and Donald Trump continues to say Canada should be the 51st state. Carney offering these words when asked about a possible separatist referendum. Canada is stronger when we work together as an Albertan. I firmly believe that.

You can always ask a question but I know what I would respond clearly. Meanwhile mixed opinions about the conversations happening in Alberta. From Vancouver... Yeah no, Alberta's got the right idea separating. I think BC should definitely do the same thing. To Calgary. I think leaving should definitely do the same thing. To Calgary. I think leaving is the dumbest idea I've ever heard.

I think it'll just put this province in the worst position. As for Smith. She isn't addressing what she'll do if Alberta's demands are not met. Well I'm not going to walk into negotiations with the expectation that they're going to fail. I think that that's defeatist. Perhaps six months from now, if it's unsuccessful, we'll be able to have another conversation about what comes next.

And what comes next includes a vote on separatism that could come next year. Julia Wong, CBC News, Edmonton. Cross-examination of a key witness continued today at the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players, the alleged victim known as EM because of a publication ban answered more questions about the night of the alleged assault as the defense tried to cast doubt on her version of events which each of the defendants have denied. Katie Nicholson reports. Everyone! Justice! Everyone! Now!

Outside the courthouse for the third straight day, support for EM. Inside, tough questions as defense lawyer David Humphrey, representing former center Michael McCloud have his friends come to the room because she was interested in having some sexual interactions with them. E.M. replied, No, I don't think that's something I would have said. I'm shy. Humphrey pushed back saying, I suggest you said something like, get some of those guys back here. I want to have a wild night. E.M. told court, That doesn't sound like something I would say and I don't remember saying those words. I think that the counter narrative has to be, well, you know, she wanted the other people to be there

and they're clearly trying to build on that. Ingrid Grant is a Toronto based criminal defense lawyer. She isn't involved in the case, but says this may be the first glimpse of the defense strategy to develop a counter narrative, especially given how many players were allegedly in the room. So there's going to have to be an explanation for that.

And there's going to have to be an explanation that doesn't suggest that, you know, she was not consenting to this. Grant cautions questions alone aren't evidence and juries are told questions aren't evidence. Humphrey also questioned EM about her first statement to police in June of 2018 in which she said she liked the attention as she lay on the hotel floor on a sheet touching herself. EM responded it was something I was confused about. It was a weird thing to have happen to me. She said there were points where I wasn't okay with what was happening. It was attention I didn't ask for. Humphrey also repeatedly prodded EM on whether she was truly scared and why she didn't get dressed and leave the room. No one was

using physical force to keep you there, he prompted. EM responded, that's right, but testified they put their arms around her and let her back to the bed sheet. I felt like I couldn't leave, she said. I felt like I had no option. Humphrey pushed back and suggested she wasn't scared. EM likely has several more long days ahead of intense cross-examination from lawyers representing the other four players

charged in this case. Katie Nicholson, CBC News, London. With India and Pakistan edging closer to a military confrontation, India's military says it has carried out strikes in northeast Pakistan. Nine militant sites were reportedly targeted. There is no word yet on damage or injuries, but witnesses in the region report loud explosions and power blackouts. India blames Pakistan for backing militants suspected in attacks on tourists. Last month, 26 people

were killed. Chaotic delays and disruption at one of America's busiest travel hubs stretched into its ninth day and at Newark Airport there's no end in sight. Staffing shortages are causing widespread cancellations after a troubling air traffic control incident last week left many aircraft flying blind. Chris Reyes has more. We've gotten three delays so far, but we're not set to take off for a couple hours.

At one of the busiest airports in the United States, the delays and cancellations are piling up by the hundreds. The chaos at Newark International in New Jersey now entering its second week, all stemming from this. Roads lost all the radars, three of the four radar screens went black and they had no frequencies. Air traffic controllers for Newark lost radar and communications with planes under their supervision, according to their union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. A source told several news outlets that it lasted 90 seconds. A nightmare situation, explains Colin Skoggins, a retired

air traffic controller who worked on 9-11. When you're a controller, you want to be in control. When you take that away, it can be very traumatic. That outage at Newark led to several controllers going on medical leave. The list of problems gets longer. In recent weeks, some 20% of air traffic controllers walked off the job, according to a statement from United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, citing issues with outdated equipment and shortages that go back years, adding to the delays, runway construction and weather. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this about the situation on Fox News.

Were planes going to crash? No, they have communication devices. They can see other air traffic like GPS in the airplanes. But it's a sign that we have a frail system in place and it has to be fixed. For exasperated staff and travelers, the big question is when. Today, the FAA issued a ground delay for flights coming into Newark, warning passengers that they could be waiting on average four extra hours to take off. Dana Clark is just one of the travelers caught in the chaos. I was delayed getting in here on United and I'm getting delayed getting out of here on JetBlue.

I'm just a little annoyed because I've never been delayed so much in my life. Newark is the 14th busiest airport in the U.S., servicing some 48 million passengers last year. Delays and cancellations have rippled across the country, including to major airports in Miami, Los Angeles and Chicago. Porter and Air Canada say they're also affected. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer is calling for accountability. To say that there is just minor turbulence at Newark airport and the FAA, that would be the understatement of the year. We're here because the FAA is really a mess. This mess needs a real forensic look, a deep look into it. Secretary Duffy said he plans on announcing an overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system this Thursday.

Chris Reyes, CBC News, New York. People in Gaza's north wait for food at a charity kitchen. The UN says Palestinians are on the brink of a famine. Israel has blocked supplies into Gaza since March. A new proposal would allow aid to flow in through army-controlled hubs. UN spokesperson Jens Larka says this plan violates international law. It appears to be a deliberate attempt to weaponize the aid. Aid should be provided based on humanitarian need to whomever needs it. Israel's aid plan is part of a wider military operation in Gaza.

That includes the displacement of Palestinians. Israel says it wants a ceasefire hostage deal before President Trump's upcoming visit. Hamas has rejected any new negotiations. 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 conclave to elect the next Pope begins tomorrow. It is an ancient and secretive process that will be watched closely around the world. Many Catholics

are hoping the new Pope will continue Pope Francis' legacy of dignity, compassion and reconciliation, including for Indigenous people in Canada. Juanita Taylor has more on that story from the Vatican. There's a sense of anticipation here in Rome as the conclave begins. This morning, the College of Cardinals began entering Casa Santa Marta. People from around the world have come to witness the moment, including these Canadians. I want to see a Catholic Church where I'm proud to be a member of and that means that we're all loved and that we're all equal.

There are 133 cardinals from 71 countries voting, mostly selected by Francis himself the most diverse ever, like Cardinal Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib from Chile. He says he's grateful to be here. How can we have a new pope who also captivates us? Austin Ivory wrote two biographies of Pope Francis. And I think the world is looking for a peacemaker, a prophet, somebody who embodies, who's a friend of the poor, who is a prophetic sign of hope in a world which badly needs it.

For Indigenous followers there is also expectation and uncertainty. I want to see action. We Indigenous people are done with words. Evelyn Cork-Maz is a residential school survivor. She says the next pope needs to do more for Indigenous people, including releasing archival records from that legacy. Well, I want the pope that's going to be chosen to not have a record of any allegations of child sexual abuse. I also want the pope not to have any allegations of cover-up of other priests, bishops, nuns,

cardinals, whomever. Dene Elder Jerry Antoine led a delegation from the Northwest Territories to the Vatican to meet with Francis in 2022 and asked for an apology for the harms the church caused. So I'm really thankful for his compassion. Antoine is optimistic the next pope, like Francis, will be engaging. I hope that the next pope would be someone that would be progressive and looking at how we could be able to really work together. Someone that could be able to work with our people to create the relationships for. Geopolitics is likely to weigh more heavily in this conclave than those in the past.

And given the shape and size of this College of Cardinals, any outcome who will become the next Pope is possible. Voting begins Wednesday. Wynita Taylor, CBC News, Rome. Finally tonight, it was a good kind of turbulence on a jet heading for Winnipeg as the Winnipeg Jets took off in the NHL playoffs. It was Thomas as Pallardi desperate to get it. I think it was 3-2 when we were boarding and by the time we boarded they had tied it up.

The score! Can you believe it? My goodness! Roshona Hyman was on board a flight from Calgary to Winnipeg on Sunday night that departed in the middle of a dramatic winner-take-all game seven between the Jets and the St. Louis Blues. Everyone is scrambling to get their technology working. The pilot actually came on and said, okay I'm not gonna actually talk because you don't want to hear me talk.

We're all gonna cheer for the Jets. Have a great flight. Hyman and others huddled around the few passengers who had reliable Wi-Fi and watched as the Jets completed an incredible comeback win in double overtime. Inside Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre, the whiteout was going strong. That's when Jets fans wave white towels to get the team going.

On board the flight, passengers had to be more resourceful. The first WestJet whiteout! But at some point, I think someone closing the front of the plane, you know, pulled out the vomit bags and we all started waving them. Everyone was cheering and screaming. The flight attendants flashed the lights on and we all started waving them. Everyone was cheering and screaming. The flight attendants flashed the lights on and off. It was truly Canadian, truly Winnipeg. Our hearts were so full.

Thank you for joining us. This has been Your World Tonight for Tuesday, May 6th. I'm Susan Bonner. Talk to you again.