Your World Tonight - Evacuee concerns, fires in B.C., Americans cut down Canadian travel, and more

Episode Date: June 10, 2025

Not enough information, and not enough financial support. Wildfire evacuees in Saskatchewan say the province just isn’t stepping up. They say they’re waiting too long for help, and some of it comes in the form of gift certificates for stores hundreds of kilometres away.And: Squamish, B.C., has declared a local state of emergency, and warned some residents to be on alert to evacuate. A fire nearby – caused by human activity – is out of control.Also: Fewer Canadians are travelling to the US as a protest against President Donald Trump’s trade threats. But fewer Americans are coming here too, fearing a less than warm welcome. We look at a plan to lure them and their tourist dollars back.Plus: School shooting in Austria, the military’s F-35 program faces skyrocketing costs and doesn’t have enough support or pilots, Canada joins several other countries to sanction Israeli cabinet ministers, and more.

If you want to hear daily news that doesn't hurt your soul and might even be good for your soul, check out As It Happens. I'm Chris Howden. And I'm Nielke Oksal. Every day we reach people at the center of the most extraordinary stories, like the doctor who restored a patient's eyesight with a tooth. Or a musician in an orchestra that plays instruments made out of vegetables. Take the scenic route through the day's news with As It Happens, and you can find us wherever you get your podcasts. This is a CBC Podcast. It was devastating. It's still hard to comprehend. Right now, we're using our savings. Those other necessities were spending out of pocket.

On the run and running low, Saskatchewan residents in need of food, basic supplies and a place to sleep, burning through their savings as wildfires rage and evacuation orders remain. Welcome to Your World Tonight. I'm Susan Bonner. It is Tuesday, June 10th, just before 6pm Eastern, also on the podcast. Their original estimate of 19 billion was based on outdated information. There was more recent information available that could have been used and factored into that. A Mayday call for Canada's F-35 fighter jets. The Auditor General finds Ottawa's plan to buy the planes is over

budget, behind schedule and some of the problems should have been on the government's radar and from elbows up to open arms. Where are you visiting from? I'm American. Ah, you are welcome. With tourism season ramping up in the middle of a trade war, Canadian operators are telling American travellers, it's not personal, just the president. They are out of their homes and looking for help.

Some people who've had to flee wildfires in Saskatchewan say they're reaching a breaking point and their complaints have now triggered an investigation into the province's response. The CBC's Alexander Silberman has the latest from Regina. It's really hard. Chantelle Moran and her family have been living in an RV in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. They evacuated their community of Dener Beach nearly two weeks ago and learned their home burned to the ground. It was devastating. It's still hard to comprehend it. Morin says getting help as an evacuee has been another nightmare.

The province has promised financial support, but she says it's been confusing trying to find who to call or where to go. Her family registered with Red Cross. So far they haven't received any help and they've spent the past few days just trying to do a load of laundry. Right now we're using our savings. Saskatchewan's ombudsman says her office has been flooded with similar stories. People are confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. Sharon Pratchler launched an investigation Tuesday and says the flooded with similar stories. People are confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. Sharon Pratchler launched an investigation Tuesday and says the government is failing to provide timely support.

She says she's hearing from people who are waiting for 8 to 9 days for help. People are hungry, people who are getting sick, they need an immediate response. She says toll-free phone lines need to start operating around the clock and be properly staffed so evacuees can get help sooner. Another concern, evacuees are being given vouchers for grocery stores but in some cases those stores are 300 kilometers away. In Saskatchewan's north municipal leaders are also criticizing the province's response. Julie Baschuk is mayor of the village of Ayrranj. We still have people sleeping in vehicles, sleeping in backyards, sleeping in really unsafe conditions.

Tim MacLeod, Saskatchewan's public safety minister, defended their response. We have teams on the ground. He says the Red Cross is supporting evacuees from First Nations and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is helping those from other communities. Everybody's doing their level best to make sure that people are directed where they should. The government is facing questions over why it hasn't called in the military to get extra help. Next door in Manitoba, the armed forces have helped airlift evacuees.

But McLeod says the military doesn't offer the type of help required, like highly skilled firefighters. We are asking for what we need, and they are offering what they have. Local leaders say the response was smoother in 2015, when the Red Cross was the only agency responsible for all evacuees and are demanding a clear and consistent plan as thousands are

expected to remain out of their homes for the coming days. Alexander Silberman, CBC News, Regina. In southern British Columbia, a local state of emergency has been declared for a wildfire north of Squamish. It's burning near the Sea to Sky Highway, a major north-south route where the area's strong winds could quickly push the flames into nearby communities. Georgie Smythe reports. A helicopter traverses a ridge on the Sea to Sky Highway in Squamish before dropping its water bucket on an out-of-control wildfire below.

The Dryden Creek fire discovered late yesterday is about an hour outside of Metro Vancouver but is growing alongside houses and a major thoroughfare that links Whistler, Squamish and Vancouver. Adam Levitt lives nearby. Everyone in the neighbourhood is kind of out on the street and everyone's definitely a little bit nervous. This suspected human-caused fire comes after days of record-breaking heat. It's been very eerily warm here, like everyone's enjoying the hot weather.

It's been probably over 30 for three days in a row right now, and very dry. More than a dozen houses are on notice to leave, even evacuation order is made. Right now we're all here defending our properties, defending our livelihoods. Like Ian McKay who's pumping water from a nearby creek to saturate his property. It's a beautiful place. Squamish has been my home. I'm born and raised in this neighborhood, so we're going to stick it out. Crews are working to contain the fire before the heat of the day makes that task even harder. Squamish is known for its striking mountains and blustery afternoon winds that whip up through Howe Sound and go north towards Whistler. Winds that could carry flames or embers far from the fire's current location and into the path of major

transmission lines and a railway corridor. Mark Simpson is a wildfire officer from the Pemberton Fire Zone further up the Cedar Sky Highway. Some people at night will see little blitz of flaring trees but it's being driven mostly by a west-facing steep slope. This is going to be the huge challenge for our crews on this fire. There's going to be places that are inaccessible to work which is going to make this a drawn out event. There are more than 80 active wildfires burning across BC, 10 have started in the last 24 hours. The three biggest most concerning fires are all in BC's northeast. One of them, the Kiskadenao fire, has burned east into Alberta. The likelihood of an active fire season is growing in regions of the province with persistent drought.

David Campbell from BC's River Forecast Centre says BC's future fires this season can already be predicted for regions with low snowpack, low rainfall and persistent drought. Georgie Smythe, CBC News, Squamish, BC. The fires menacing Saskatchewan and BC are among more than 200 across the country, forcing evacuations from the west through Ontario. And Environment Canada says to expect warmer than usual temperatures this summer, especially in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario and Northern Manitoba.

Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan will likely have less rain than usual. Those conditions are expected to worsen by August. One day after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a major increase in military spending, Canada's Auditor General says an existing deal to purchase F-35 fighter jets is proving far more expensive than planned and cost is not the only problem being flagged. Kate McKenna has the latest questions about a controversial program. We found that estimated costs of the future fighter capability project have significantly increased. Auditor General Karen Hogan says the cost of buying a fleet of F-35 fighter jets is ballooning from an estimated 19 billion dollars to more than 27 billion

dollars. Almost 50% more than the original estimate. And that's not all. Her audit found the Department of National Defense isn't on track to be ready to receive the jets. But what I can tell you is National Defense isn't on track to be ready to receive the jets. But what I can tell you is National Defense's current plan estimates that they will not have enough trained pilots by the time all of the CF-35s arrive in Canada. This is the latest turbulence in Canada's fighter jet procurement process. Even before today's audit, the Department of National Defense was reviewing whether Canada should scale back purchases on the US-made jets. Canada is legally obligated to buy the first set of 16 planes next year.

Whether it goes on to buy all 88 aircraft initially planned is being considered, as the Canadian government looks to disentangle itself from US supply chains in the middle of a trade war. The department was asked to conduct a review, and they are in the middle of that review and I think they said just a few days ago that they intend to make that review public sometime over the summer. New Defence Minister David McGinty says he accepts the Auditor General's recommendations and will work to implement them. He blames the cost overruns on what he calls external factors.

One was inflation. Obviously we've seen an inflationary pressure on materials, logistical chains, supplies, construction, engineering. The second was of course the pandemic. But Hogan says that only tells part of the story and that the past Liberal government used outdated numbers when telling the public the cost of buying the full fleet of the fighter jets. There was more recent information available about the cost of the actual fighter jets that could have been used and factored into that. In question period, Conservative MP James Buzan asked the Prime Minister whether anyone will take the fall for these mistakes. The ministers who are responsible for this debacle are still sitting in here. Will the Prime Minister hold them accountable for this mess?

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to know if the member opposite holds himself accountable for letting military spending fall below 1%? Prime Minister Mark Carney announced more than $9 billion in new defence spending yesterday, signalling to allies a retooling of Canada's military in an increasingly unstable world. Today's Auditor General's report has highlighted some of the real world challenges to achieving that goal. Kate McKenna, CBC News, Ottawa. Coming up on the podcast, the US President and the LA protests, the clash of reality and response. Canada joins countries sanctioning extreme members of the Israeli government and wooing wary American tourists north.

In US President Donald Trump's version, his tough reaction saved Los Angeles from destruction. But outraged officials in California tell a very different tale. They say the city was never in danger from peaceful protesters and Trump's actions are a waste of time, money and likely illegal. We get the details from Paul Hunter in Los Angeles tonight. We shall not be, we shall not be without you. With freshly posted U.S. National Guard soldiers watching them carefully, demonstrators marched and chanted outside the federal buildings in Los Angeles at the center of the protests

against Donald Trump's raids targeting undocumented migrants. Today's demonstrators peacefully making their point, those raids must stop. So too the forceful pushback against the demonstrators by the US president, who sent hundreds of US Marines and National Guard now in place or readying to be. The Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, enraged by Trump's use of those forces. By a president of the United States who's unhinged and has now crossed a red line in

this country. So here are my budget questions though. In Washington Democrats grilled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asking repeatedly what is the cost for sending the federal forces to Los Angeles. You asked about the situation in Los Angeles and we believe ICE agents should be allowed to be safe in doing their operations and we have deployed National Guard and the Marines to protect them in the execution of their duties. The Pentagon later put the price tag for that at $134 million.

Said the U.S. president. In effect, worth it. If we didn't get involved, right now Los Angeles would be burning just like it was burning a number of months ago with all the houses that were lost. Los Angeles right now would be on fire and we have it in great shape and not playing around. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass countered the truth is while there have been pockets of violence it's hardly as Trump describes. I do want to say especially for our national audiences that those of us in Los Angeles understand that the unrest that has happened are a few blocks within the downtown area. It is not all of downtown and it is not all of the city. Unfortunately the the visuals make it seem as though our entire city is in flames and it is not the case at all.

When there's no danger they'll leave. Trump today stood firm while his head of immigration enforcement Tom Homan underlined the raids targeting undocumented migrants will continue. They'll continue every day, not only in California and Los Angeles, they're going to continue in every city across the country. So all hell surrounds me and they shall not be gone. So too, say demonstrators, their opposition to all of it. Paul Hunter, CBC News, Los Angeles. Canada's top judge today was asked about the situation in Los Angeles

and how the White House is handling the protests there. While he did not single out the U.S., Chief Justice Richard Wagner did warn the rule of law in some countries is under attack. When you see governments attacking the media, attacking the judges, attacking the lawyers. Of course, that means that there's a good chance that you're in front of a dictatorship. Wagner added he believes Canada's legal system is still strong. Canada joins several countries imposing new sanctions on members of the Israeli government. Two senior cabinet ministers have been singled out. They are being accused of inciting violence against

Palestinians in the West Bank where hundreds have died since the start of the war in Gaza. Tom Perry reports from Ottawa. Today Canada joined with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Norway to announce further measures targeting extremist settler violence in the West Bank. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announcing joint action against two members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gavir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are senior members of cabinet. Both are staunch supporters of Israel's settler movement,

who have called for Palestinians to be expelled from Gaza and pushed to expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The measures are not directed against the State of Israel itself. Canada remains unwavering in its support to the state of Israel. These sanctions do, however, come after a series of public and private warnings to Israel's government. Canada, the UK and France last month issued a joint statement urging Israel to end its offensive in Gaza and stop building new settlements in the West Bank. Israel responded with continued bombing and an announcement of

22 new or expanded settlements. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammey says these sanctions are meant to send a message. This has to stop and we stand for a two-state solution and the settler violence that we've seen in the West Bank particularly is entirely unacceptable. But Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says what's unacceptable are these sanctions. It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures. The two ministers are now barred from entering or doing business in Canada

or any of the countries that have imposed the sanctions. To James Kaffeeh of the Palestinian-Canadian Congress, it's a start. It's not too late, but it is far too little when you look at what is actually happening on the ground. Kaffeeh says Canada and other countries cannot limit their actions to two ministers. He wants to see comprehensive economic and political sanctions that put real pressure on Israel's government, though Israel's most powerful backer is having none of it. In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today condemned the measures imposed

by Canada and its allies, arguing they won't help end the war in Gaza or bring Israeli hostages home, urging Canada and the rest to reverse their sanctions while underlining the U.S. stands shoulder to shoulder with Israel. Tom Perry, CBC News, Ottawa. It's being called a national tragedy and the deadliest school shooting in the country's history. Austria is grieving tonight after a gunman opened fire at a high school. 11 people are dead including the shooter. Police say he was a former student who never graduated. Briar Stewart has the latest. In a video posted to social media

gunshots can be heard at a high school in Graz, Austria. Another video shows a school hall lined with officers, directing students outside to safety. Officials say the rampage ended when the shooter took his own life in a bathroom. bathroom. There are no words to express the pain, the bewilderment and the grief felt by the whole of Austria said the country's Chancellor Christian Stalker. Officials have released few details about the victims just that there are seven females and three males who died. Around a dozen people were injured. It was bad said a student who goes by the first name Ada. We have so many injuries. Even our teacher died.

By afternoon a large crowd had gathered to roll up their sleeves and give blood, including 30-year-old Johanna. I wanted to do something. I felt helpless with the news. It makes me sad and really, really upset. Police say the gunman was armed with a pistol and a shotgun, both of which he legally owned. Mass shootings are exceedingly rare in Austria, but owning a gun isn't.

Austria has more guns per capita for example than say a country like Spain or France. Aaron Karp is a senior consultant with the Small Arms Survey, a research institute based in Geneva. According to its data, Austria has an estimated 30 firearms for every 100 people. Karp says hunting and sport shooting are very popular in the country and it's easy for someone to buy a rifle once they turn 18. But a pistol can't be purchased until age 21. Those require an owner license and in Austria they're all registered as well.

As police still investigate the motive behind the country's worst shooting in recent history, vigils and prayer services are being held as the country begins to mark three days of national mourning. Briar Stewart, CBC News, London. 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. American liquor is returning to store shelves in Saskatchewan. The province stopped the import and sale of US-made alcohol in March in response to President Trump's

tariffs. Officials say they want shoppers to buy Canadian, but people should have the option to choose. Restrictions on US liquor sales are still in place in a number of other provinces. Alberta ended its ban Friday. For the fifth straight month, Canadian travel to the United States is on the decline. That's according to Statistics Canada. At the same time, the number of Americans heading north is also dropping. But with summer season starting, there is an effort to change that. Sophia Harris explains.

We're starting in Cleveland here, going up Michigan, head north, you know, through Thunder Bay. Last December, Dan Davis and his friends started planning a summer motorcycle trip from their home in Cleveland to Northern Ontario. But then, in January, U.S. President Donald Trump took office, began a trade war, and threatened to annex Canada. It would really be a wonderful marriage. Canadians got angry, even booed the U.S. national anthem at hockey games. Can you see by the dawn's early light

So Davis had reservations about the trip. What were you worried Canadians might do? All it takes is one person to say, you know what, I'm going to show these guys a lesson, whether it's, you know, vandalizing a bike, you know, throwing a beer can at you. The number of trips Americans made to Canada has declined, according to Statistics Canada, down 11% in April and 8% in May for car travel. That's compared to the same time last year. Well then welcome to Canada's Eastern townships.

To encourage Americans to visit, several Canadian tourism operators have launched friendly ad campaigns in the U.S., including one set at a hotel in Quebec's Eastern township. Where are you visiting from? I'm American. Ah. At this point in the ad, the hotel clerk smiles knowingly and gives the American a big warm hug. Tourism Eastern Townships created the campaign.

Isabelle Charleboix is the general director. What kind of concerns were you hearing from Americans about coming? They are asking if they will be welcome if they come in Quebec. So this is why we wanted to send them a message to confirm that they are surely welcome, not to be scared to visit us.

Open arms, warm hospitality. In BC, more than a dozen businesses that specialize in bear viewing tours are sending Americans the same message in a YouTube video. You're always welcome. Marjolee Hayne is general manager of Great Bear Lodge in Port Hardy. She says American bookings are down by more than 25%. We're small operations, Every booking counts for us. We certainly don't want Americans to feel like they can't come up and share this beautiful wilderness with us.

You are welcome. The campaigns may be working. Last week, Davis saw an Ontario-funded billboard in Cleveland, inviting Americans to visit the province. He took it as a sign. Yeah, that definitely helps us know we're making the right decision. We're going forward with our trip. Yeah we all just need to come together as human beings on both sides of the border. And travel is one way to make that happen.

Sophia Harris, CBC News, Toronto. Finally tonight, the baby came three months early but the reunion took decades. When I was on the stage, the gravity of the fact that if it hadn't been for him, and none of what I went through in my life would have happened. Krista Barzik talking about the moment she presented an award to Dr. Donald Craig, who was honoured this spring for his many years of service in New Brunswick healthcare. Craig delivered Barzik at the St. John General Hospital in 1968. He was just an intern.

There was a snowstorm that night and the resident doctor was away. It was Craig's first time in the delivery room on his own. The baby was breech, three months premature, and staff expected a stillbirth. So five o'clock she screams at me, Craig, she's ready, she's pushing, and she's crying, let's go. So I'm in there, I remember what I read in the book, see where the little arms are,

if the arms are up over the head, still in the uterus, you have to break a clavicle. So I broke the clavicle. Rotate. Baby started to cry. I think my heart took off faster than the baby's heart, you know. The baby weighed just two pounds, but Craig remembered the hospital had recently hired a pediatrician who specialized in premature births. She was called in, took over care, and Barzik survived. She's now a mother herself, a grandmother, and forever grateful. If he hadn't have been there, you know, if he hadn't have reached out to that other doctor,

you can tell your birth story a hundred times, but when you're actually standing with the man who basically saved your life, it really hits you. Dr. Craig is now retired after five decades in medicine. He delivered many more babies over his career, but says his first still means the most. Thank you for joining us. This has been Your World Tonight for Tuesday, June 10th. I'm Susan Bonner.

Talk to you again.