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The Current

CBC Podcasts & Radio On-Demand

Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday. Some of the topics we’ve covered recently, include: the results of the Canadian Federal election — a minority Liberal government — and Canada’s new Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney. Also, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative party, who lost his seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton but also boosted Conservative popular vote share. Meanwhile, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who also lost his seat, has resigned following historically low results for his party, which lost official party status in the House. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet kept his seat in Beloeil–Chambly, but lost about a third of its seats. Elizabeth May’s Green Party held on to her seat but she also lost her co-leader Jonathan Pedneault. Also on our radar: Heather McPherson, the NDP’s re-elected MP for Edmonton Strathcona, who some observers are saying could be the NDP’s next leader. What Conservatives are thinking now about their leader Pierre Poilievre and the path forward for their party. And how Liberal Leader Mark Carney will govern for all Canadians in a politically divided country facing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. We’re still keeping an eye on: annexation and “51st state” threats, tariffs impacting Canadian jobs, especially farmers, truckers, auto workers, energy sector workers, construction workers and steel and aluminum workers; raising the cost of living, inflation, and unemployment in Canada; straining cross-border relationships, including the historic friendship between Windsor and Detroit. We also discuss “Team Canada,” interprovincial trade, and the rise of “elbows up” Canadian patriotism; Canadian sovereignty and backlash to ‘51st state’ threats; on the world stage, including our relationship with China, Ukraine, India; security and our status in the Five Eyes spy network, NATO and NORAD, and shifting global alliances in general. Other recent topics include: Filipino community reeling after Lapu Lapu street festival killings; “Grey divorce” and the rise of separation in late life; Canadians’ top vacation spots; migrants affected by Trump’s deportation push; the death of Pope Francis; landmark antitrust trials against Meta and Google; the sexual assault trial of five ex-world junior hockey players; the liquidation of Hudson’s Bay; the surge in measles cases, hair loss drug finasteride, extremist network 764, protests against Elon Musk and Tesla; Starlink and the rural internet; the turmoil around Israel and Gaza’s ceasefire; more adults with ADHD, Blue Ghost on the moon, genetically modified pig organs; aging well, wellness, dementia and long term care, as well as cancer and “commonsense oncology,” Greenland and Arctic sovereignty, cuts to USAID; Canada’s critical minerals; inflation; mortgages; opioids and Fentanyl, parenting, Canada’s best vacation spots, teens ditching social media; crypto power brokers in the White House; NASA’s new telescope and the making of a 3D map of the universe. The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.

Location:

Canada, ON

Description:

Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday. Some of the topics we’ve covered recently, include: the results of the Canadian Federal election — a minority Liberal government — and Canada’s new Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney. Also, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative party, who lost his seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton but also boosted Conservative popular vote share. Meanwhile, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who also lost his seat, has resigned following historically low results for his party, which lost official party status in the House. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet kept his seat in Beloeil–Chambly, but lost about a third of its seats. Elizabeth May’s Green Party held on to her seat but she also lost her co-leader Jonathan Pedneault. Also on our radar: Heather McPherson, the NDP’s re-elected MP for Edmonton Strathcona, who some observers are saying could be the NDP’s next leader. What Conservatives are thinking now about their leader Pierre Poilievre and the path forward for their party. And how Liberal Leader Mark Carney will govern for all Canadians in a politically divided country facing threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. We’re still keeping an eye on: annexation and “51st state” threats, tariffs impacting Canadian jobs, especially farmers, truckers, auto workers, energy sector workers, construction workers and steel and aluminum workers; raising the cost of living, inflation, and unemployment in Canada; straining cross-border relationships, including the historic friendship between Windsor and Detroit. We also discuss “Team Canada,” interprovincial trade, and the rise of “elbows up” Canadian patriotism; Canadian sovereignty and backlash to ‘51st state’ threats; on the world stage, including our relationship with China, Ukraine, India; security and our status in the Five Eyes spy network, NATO and NORAD, and shifting global alliances in general. Other recent topics include: Filipino community reeling after Lapu Lapu street festival killings; “Grey divorce” and the rise of separation in late life; Canadians’ top vacation spots; migrants affected by Trump’s deportation push; the death of Pope Francis; landmark antitrust trials against Meta and Google; the sexual assault trial of five ex-world junior hockey players; the liquidation of Hudson’s Bay; the surge in measles cases, hair loss drug finasteride, extremist network 764, protests against Elon Musk and Tesla; Starlink and the rural internet; the turmoil around Israel and Gaza’s ceasefire; more adults with ADHD, Blue Ghost on the moon, genetically modified pig organs; aging well, wellness, dementia and long term care, as well as cancer and “commonsense oncology,” Greenland and Arctic sovereignty, cuts to USAID; Canada’s critical minerals; inflation; mortgages; opioids and Fentanyl, parenting, Canada’s best vacation spots, teens ditching social media; crypto power brokers in the White House; NASA’s new telescope and the making of a 3D map of the universe. The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.

Language:

English

Contact:

The Current CBC Radio P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6 (877) 287-7366


Episodes
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Can parties work together to make Canada less reliant on U.S.?

5/2/2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to lay out his Liberal government’s priorities in Ottawa this morning, including details of an upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Matt Galloway talks to Conservative MP Jamil Jivani and Liberal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne about how Canada can become less reliant on the U.S. in the face of a trade war and threats of annexation — and whether their two opposing parties can work together for the good of all Canadians.

Duration:00:19:51

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The AI recipe website that told people how to make cocaine

5/2/2025
So-called vibecoding can turn anyone into a website creator, by getting AI to do the coding work based on your instructions. But experts are warning about the risks after a cooking website called RecipeNinja.ai suggested recipes for things like cyanide-laced ice cream, cholera-inspired chocolate cake and cocaine.

Duration:00:22:44

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Worried about travelling across U.S. border? Listen to this

5/2/2025
Canadians travelling to the U.S. have been warned to “expect scrutiny” at the border, including the possibility that border officials may search their electronic devices and detain them for questioning. Matt Galloway talks to immigration lawyer Heather Segal and cybersecurity expert Ron Deibert about what Canadians should think about before travelling, whether you should bring a burner phone — and what your rights are as a visitor to the U.S.

Duration:00:20:10

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Getting older is hard. Does doing it alone have to be worse?

5/1/2025
Getting older is difficult, but it can be even harder on your own. As part of our series As We Age, we look at the complications of aging without friends or family nearby — and where people can find the support they need.

Duration:00:27:13

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The top 10 vacation spots in Canada — voted by you!

5/1/2025
Where’s the best place to visit in Canada? For weeks, listeners have been voting for the vacation spots they love across this big, beautiful country to build The Current’s travel bucket list. Rick Mercer joins Matt Galloway to reveal the top 10. Did your favourite place make the list?

Duration:00:17:06

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RFK Jr. is dehumanizing autistic people, says writer

5/1/2025
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says autistic kids will never hold a job, write a poem or go on a date — but writer and autistic person Sarah Kurchak says that simply isn’t true. She explains why the autistic community is so alarmed by RFK Jr.'s statements, and by his pledge to find a “cause” for autism by September.

Duration:00:24:11

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What are other countries doing about Trump’s tariffs?

4/30/2025
How is the rest of the world responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs? We check in with reporters in Japan, South Africa and the EU to see what Canada could learn from negotiations around the globe.

Duration:00:20:06

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Can the Liberals and Conservatives find common ground?

4/30/2025
In their election night speeches, Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both pledged to find ways to work with other parties to protect Canadians against the threats of tariffs and annexation from U.S. President Donald Trump. Matt Galloway discusses what kind of common ground the parties can find, and whether they’ll differ on things like housing and the energy sector, with two newly re-elected MPs: Conservative Chris d'Entremont and Liberal MP Dominic LeBlanc.

Duration:00:19:57

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What this young designer learned, disguised as an 85-year-old

4/30/2025
Back in the 1970s, the young designer Patricia Moore travelled the U.S. disguised as an 85-year-old — and experienced the real struggle of navigating the world as an older person. Moore went on to become a leading figure in inclusive design, and finding practical solutions to create a world that doesn't leave seniors behind.

Duration:00:13:07

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How spirit of bayanihan is helping B.C. Filipinos after tragedy

4/30/2025
Four days after 11 people were killed at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver, there’s been an outpouring of support and caregiving among the Filipino community. We hear how this tight-knit community is coming together in the spirit of co-operation known as bayanihan, and visit a kitchen where local businesses are preparing food for victims and their families.

Duration:00:10:31

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What just happened? Everything you need to know about election night

4/29/2025
Liberal Leader Mark Carney will form Canada’s next government, though it remains unclear if he will lead a minority or majority parliament. Matt Galloway digs into what happened overnight, from where the Liberals won and lost, to the collapse of the NDP and Jagmeet Singh’s resignation, to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre losing his seat in the Ottawa riding of Carleton, but insisting he’ll stay on to steer the party. Then, former cabinet minister Sean Fraser said that he wouldn’t seek re-election, but changed his mind after a call from new Liberal Leader Mark Carney. He tells Galloway about the conversation that convinced him to change his mind, and Carney’s promise of a better work-life balance now that Fraser has retained his seat in Central Nova. Plus, how are the winners and losers feeling as the dust begins to settle on a tight race with plenty of surprises? Galloway talks to re-elected Liberal Wayne Long, who was among the first in his party to call for former prime minister Justin Trudeau to step down; Andrew Lawton, author of Pierre Poilievre: A Political Life and the newly elected Conservative MP for Elgin-St. Thomas-London South; and Heather McPherson, the NDP’s re-elected MP for Edmonton Strathcona, who some observers are saying could be the NDP’s next leader. We also check in with voters and political commentators we met on The Current’s election road show to hear how they’re feeling about the results. Also, what are Conservatives thinking this morning — and should Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre resign the party leadership? Galloway talks to Peter MacKay, a Conservative cabinet minister in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s government, who ran for party leadership in 2020. And Liberal Leader Mark Carney has said he’ll govern for all Canadians, but a tight race has laid bare some of the divisions he’ll face as he tries to unite Canada in the face of threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Galloway talks to three people experienced in the challenges of governing Canada: former NDP MP Matthew Dubé, former Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay, and Conservative Chris Alexander, who served as minister of citizenship and immigration under Stephen Harper.

Duration:01:10:20

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Grey divorce: Why more Canadians are separating later in life

4/28/2025
Marnie Wraith had a comfortable life with her husband, but as she got older she started to wonder if good enough was really good enough. Deciding she had more life to live, Wraith became one of an increasing number of Canadians getting a so-called grey divorce — and navigating all the social, personal and financial upheaval that came with it.

Duration:00:23:48

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Need vacation ideas? Canadians share their favourite spots

4/28/2025
Two more listeners make the case for their favourite vacation spots, hoping to win a place on The Current’s list of great Canadian travel destinations. Emilie English shares what she loves about the Cariboo-Chilcotin region in B.C., and Tania Millen takes us on a trip to Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. You can see the full shortlist and vote for your favourite on cbc.ca/thecurrent.

Duration:00:08:12

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Filipino community reeling after festival killings, says organizer

4/28/2025
RJ Aquino sat on the curb and wept Sunday morning, close to the spot where an SUV rammed into the Lapu Lapu street festival in Vancouver the night before, killing 11 people. Aquino, chair of Filipino BC, says his community is grieving and coming together to heal — and he’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from people who want to help.

Duration:00:20:55

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Why Sarajevo is rebuilding its luge track

4/28/2025
Sarajevo's luge track was the pride of the city during the 1984 Olympics, but now it’s overgrown with weeds and riddled with bullet holes from the Bosnian war. A new film called The Track, screening at the Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto, explores how a group of young athletes and their coach are trying to bring this piece of their city's history back to life.

Duration:00:18:32

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She found beautiful art in a bargain bin. How’d it get there?

4/25/2025
When Sonja Krawesky found a pair of bright and beautiful sculptures in a bargain bin at a Hamilton, Ont. store, she knew there had to be a story behind them. Her quest to find out where they came from led to a new friend — and a lesson about the kindness of strangers.

Duration:00:18:00

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Migrants living in fear of Trump’s deportation push

4/25/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump is making good on his pledge to conduct the "largest mass deportation in history,” sweeping up both undocumented migrants and people with work permits and legal protections. We discuss the master database that DOGE is building to track and surveil immigrants, and hear what it’s like to live under that shadow.

Duration:00:22:51

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The election is days away. Do voters have a surprise up their sleeve?

4/25/2025
This federal election has had its fair share of surprises, from who’s pulled ahead to how engaged Canadians have been. Matt Galloway discusses what we’ve learned on the campaign trail — and whether tightening polls suggest more surprises in store — with the CBC’s Rosemary Barton, Toronto Star’s Ryan Tumilty and the Globe and Mail's Stephanie Levitz.

Duration:00:19:50

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The ultimate travel list: Lake Laberge and Stratford

4/25/2025
Two more listeners make the case for their favourite vacation spots, hoping to win a place on The Current’s list of great Canadian travel destinations. Richard Smith shares what he loves about Lake Laberge in Yukon, and Sharon McKenzie celebrates the vibrant cultural life of Stratford, Ont. You can see the full shortlist and vote for your favourite on cbc.ca/thecurrent.

Duration:00:09:12

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Sexual assault trial of 5 ex-world junior hockey players begins

4/24/2025
The trial of five former world junior hockey players accused of sexual assault has begun in London, Ont., with the Crown telling jurors that the case will centre on what constitutes consent — and what does not. Matt Galloway talks to The Globe and Mail’s Robyn Doolittle, who is at the trial; and Landon Kenney, an educator who teaches hockey players about consent.

Duration:00:19:48