The Current

While being in an ER is tough for patients and their families, it's no easier for doctors. A new study reveals that Canadian ER doctors are at their limits with burn out, stress, and fatigue.  Many are leaving the profession altogether. We speak with three doctors who have worked in ER, including the lead author of the study, to hear what they're experiencing and what needs to change.

The Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires were already roaring out of control near Clinton, British Columbia. But over the weekend, they merged, threatening communities northwest of Kamloops.We speak with Bernice Weihs-Anderson, a longtime resident of Clinton, B.C., and a former member of the village's volunteer fire department about her evacuation on Friday, and what her community needs right now.

A multi-billion dollar bridge between Canada and the U.S. was supposed to strengthen North American supply chains and ease bottlenecks on the nearby Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel. We hear from mayors on both sides of the Detroit River about whether tariffs are putting that investment at risk.

More and more adults are heading back to summer camp, hoping to disconnect from their phones and responsibilities and recreate childhood summer magic. These camps come in all shapes and sizes, from a retreat in a chateau in the south of France to a book club camp in Maine. Shelby Sanford, the co-founder of Camp Rewind in the East Kootenays, B.C, talks about why she thinks people are increasingly searching for this kind of childhood fun.

Natural bodies of water are embedded in many Canadian cities, but are we taking full advantage of them? We speak with Neil Egsgard, President of the Alberta Surfing Association, about a proposed redevelopment at Calgary's Bow River, and Larissa Holman, Director of Science and Policy with Ottawa Riverkeepers, about the importance of swimmable waters in our cities.  And Ian Young, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, about what municipalities have been getting right when it comes to urban beaches.

Tens of thousands of young people in India are on the streets protesting as part of the country’s  “cockroach” movement. They’re calling for education reform, and a bigger system change after recent university entrance exam leaks forced millions of students into rewrites — and led to several suicides. We talk to Shourya Kumar, who’s been at the protests every day this week in Delhi, and Amrit Dhillon, a freelance journalist based in New Delhi, explains what this moment means for the country.

Longer, warmer summers mean those tiny, blood-sucking arachnids are spreading throughout southern Canada, hitting Ontario and Nova Scotia especially hard. We hear about emerging illnesses, and speak with emergency physician Dr. Raghu Venugopal about the symptoms to look out for and how to protect yourself.

Iran-aligned Houthis have threatened to blockade the Red Sea, raising concerns about global oil supply and a broadening of the Iran War. Gregg Carlstrom, The Economist's Middle East Correspondent, talks about how we got to this point. Thomas Juneau, an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, discusses why the Houthis are engaging in this maritime blockade.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt joins us from PEI where provincial and territorial leaders have put aside their annual meeting agenda to focus on the threat of new 50 per cent tariffs from the US. She tells us how this could impact her province and what leaders will ask of the Prime Minister as they set to meet with him later today.

More and more young Canadians want to play soccer after watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But is there enough room on the field for all of them? Soccer was already the fastest growing youth sport in the country, and local club organizers say interest has only grown since hosting the World Cup — and in some cases, resources were already stretched thin. We speak with two Canadians who organize local soccer clubs about how the World Cup is transforming their communities, and then take a look at the future of the sport on a national level with Mark Cohon, the Board Chair of the Northern Super League .

Monday afternoon, Donald Trump announced a long list of Canadian goods that will be slapped with a 50 percent tariff as of August 19th. We talk to Katie Simpson, CBC’s foreign correspondent based in Washington, DC, about what’s going on.

As almost 2,000 people in Ontario flee wildfires, the U.S. president repeated his tariff threat against Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Trump’s comments “rubbish.” Wildfire experts say the U.S. criticism is unfair, but some are urging leaders here to mitigate wildfires.

With youth unemployment on the rise in Canada, is a national service year the answer to get young people working? A growing number of Canadians say yes, but what does that look like in practice and who will pay for it?

The Royal Canadian Geographic Society along with a crew of researchers have been on a voyage in the Labrador Sea to investigate two shipwrecks of the last Antarctic explorers dating back 100 years. CBC's Peter Cowan has been on board the research ship for the last few weeks and tells us about what they found.

Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from over a dozen communities in northern Ontario over the past week, as nearly 200 wildfires continue to burn. We speak with Chief Lawrence Wanakamik of the Whitesand First Nation about what support his community needs, and why some say the Ontario government hasn't done enough to help.

US and Mexican trade officials are meeting this week in Mexico City, and Canadian negotiators are not at the table. We hear from Mexican journalist Eduardo Garcia about what’s at stake for Mexico, and from Goldy Hyder of the Business Council of Canada about how to approach negotiations now that the US says it does not want to extend the agreement as it is now. 

In a primetime address, the U.S. president claims the American voting system is deeply flawed. CBC Washington correspondent Paul Hunter and Atlantic magazine writer David Graham discuss why Trump keeps hammering that message and how it might play as the U.S. midterms loom.

The Odyssey hits theatres today and we’ve got you covered. Christopher Nolan’s widely anticipated adaptation of the 3000 year old text is selling out cinemas. Guest host Piya Chattopadhyay gets the Odyssey 101 from Thom Roach, a professor of History and Literature, and hears why the epic story’s themes resonate today.

Canada is on track for a historic tornado season, both when it comes to funnel clouds making land fall, and the number of warnings sent out to Canadians. Dave Sills of the Northern Tornado Project explains what's causing the summer storms, and what needs to change to make tracking them more accurate.

Parts of southern Ontario are blanketed in thick wildfire smoke with air quality warnings in place. In the northwest of the province, dozens of wildfires are burning forcing many people to evacuate. Courtney Howard, an emergency physician and Chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, talks about how to stay safe from the smoke. Ed Struzik, a fellow at the Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen's University, talks about what the rest of the wildfire season could look like.

Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey is expected to bring audiences to movie theatres this weekend. We revisit a conversation with The Current Producer Meli Gumus on the magic of cinema and what we should be watching together.

If you wake up wanting to smother your partner with a pillow because their snoring or unconscious acrobatic routine kept you awake all night, experts say you might want to consider a sleep divorce -- sleeping separately from your partner so you can get a better night's sleep. Guest host Piya Chattopadhyay talks to two people who've had sleep divorces -- and hears why it's actually helped their marriages. And we hear from a sleep expert about why sleeping apart can be good for your health. We'll hear from some of them about their experience, and speak to a sleep expert about what a sleep divorce is, what it means for your relationship (don't worry, it isn't all doom and gloom), and how to know if you might need one.

There are calls for accountability after men in Florida, Texas and Maine were killed during incidents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents. Peter Mina, a former lawyer at ICE and a former deputy officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at the Department of Homeland Security, discusses concerns about ICE becoming the highest law enforcement agency in the country.

All around the world, the official Panini FIFA World Cup 2026 stickers are flying off the shelves as fans race to trade and buy more stickers than ever before - over 900 - to complete their albums. Greg Lansdowne, a collectibles expert and the author of "Stuck on You: The Rise & Fall...& Rise of Panini Stickers," talks about what's driving the craze and why this is such an enduring FIFA tradition

The Seal Island lighthouse sits on a remote island of the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia. The lighthouse has served as both a welcome and a warning to mariners who travel along the coastline since 1831. But now its future is uncertain, as a new steel tower is being built to replace it. Chris Mills is a former Seal Island lighthouse keeper. He talks to guest host Piya Chattopadhyay about the fight to save the Seal Island lighthouse.

Who controls the Strait of Hormuz? Escalation continues between the US and Iran with attacks launched on both sides. President Donald Trump says the US will be the "guardians" of the strait and charge tolls. Iran says the US has no role in how the strait is run. Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent for the Economist takes us through the latest. Behrouz Bakhtiari, assistant professor of operations management at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, explains the impact on supply chains, and the potential price increases on energy and goods.

Do you remember when you first saw Jurassic Park? Actor Sam Neill played the role of paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant – and inspired a generation of dinosaur lovers. Guest host Piya Chattopadhyay talks to François Therrien, a paleontologist and curator at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta, about the legacy of Sam Neill, who died this week.

Scientists at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre are using an emerging blood test technology to look for small traces of cancer in a patient's bloodstream. It will make it easier and faster to detect recurring cancer in its earliest stages but more research needs to be done before it can be used confidently or on people without cancer. Guest host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with Dr. Lillian Siu is a senior scientist at UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a scientific lead at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Early Cancer Detection Research about the potential of this breakthrough research.

Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival came to an abrupt end on Saturday night, after a shooting that left two people dead and several others injured. Police say there was an "exchange of gunfire" between two suspects. We get the latest from CBC reporter Lorenda Reddekopp who was enjoying the festival on her day off when the chaos erupted.

Canada is planning to spend close to half a trillion dollars on weapons and defence infrastructure over the next decade. So where should that investment go? Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole warns the government may still be stuck in the old way of thinking -- and should be learning lessons from the Ukraine war fast. We also hear from the former Deputy Minister of Defence Jody Thomas about what years leading the bureaucracy taught her about what's wrong with how Canada buys military equipment.

Ukraine is hitting key energy targets inside Russia. And US President Donald Trump says the US will give Ukraine licence to make Patriot missiles, saying Volodomyr Zelenskyy has "done an amazing job", praising his recent attacks inside Russia. Tim Mak, a journalist based in Kyiv and the founder of The Counteroffensive, joins guest host Catherine Cullen, for a look at Ukraine's battlefield gains. And Alexander Titov, a Lecturer in Modern European History, at Queen's University Belfast, who specializes in Russian foreign policy and politics, discusses whether attitudes about the war inside Russia are shifting -- and what it could mean for when and how the war ends.

"POV: you live alone, have no friends, this is how you spend a Friday night". These types of videos have taken off on social media. The creators behind them are called 'loneliness influencers'. Guest host Catherine Cullen speaks with content creator Lana Isa aka @LanaSoloLife about why she makes these videos and with Atlantic writer Faith Hill about what their popularity tells us about the moment we are in.

Hamas announced this week it was ready to dissolve its government after being in charge of Gaza for more than a decade. Israel says it's a trick move because the military group will be in charge as long as it stays armed. Guest host Catherine Cullen speaks with Diana Buttu, Palestinian Canadian lawyer, who tells us what this means for Palestinians. And  Aaron David Miller, breaks down the role of the Board of Peace and if there's a way for the stalled peace plan to move forward.

It's been a wild ride so far this World Cup. With the quarterfinals underway we’ve got your World Cup roundup. The highs, the lows, the final games to come. And the controversy – Could US President Donald Trump's call to Gianni Infantino cost the FIFA head his job? And has VAR (Video Assistant Referee) contributed to questionable calls? Guest host Catherine Cullen speaks with Laurent Dubois, author of Soccer Empire and The Language of the Game and Tim Elcombe, Professor of Kinesiology at Wilfred Laurier University, who is currently writing a book on FIFA and its role as a geopolitical body.

U.S. President Donald Trump says the interim agreement to end the war in Iran is over after Tehran carried out attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf. The U.S. meanwhile launched military strikes against Iran in response to earlier attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East correspondent for The Economist Gregg Carlstrom speaks to guest host Catherine Cullen about the escalation of the war.

Politicians of all stripes are out in full force at the Calgary Stampede, squeezing into jeans and cowboy boots. This year's focus: The upcoming referendum on Alberta separatism. Federal politicians are there in droves making their case for national unity. Independent pollster Janet Brown and CBC writer and producer Jason Markusoff join guest host Catherine Cullen to talk Stampede politics. And we'll hear what some Albertans are thinking when it comes to their province's future in the federation.

Why do we procrastinate? Joseph Ferrari, a Professor of Psychology at DePaul University, has spent his career studying why we put things off, and says while some of us do it once in a while, 20 per cent of the population has a problem with serious, chronic procrastination. The good news: his research shows it's not genetic, or "natural" -- and Joseph Ferrari says there are steps you can take to turn things around and start getting stuff done.

 NATO members are gathering in Ankara, Turkey at a fraught time. The wars in Ukraine and Iran are ongoing and there are questions about how the alliance will reimagine itself as the US reduces support. Guest host Catherin Cullen speaks with Kerry Buck, Canada's ambassador to NATO from 2015 to 2019, Gönül Tol, the founding director of the Middle East Institute's Turkish Program, and Oana Lungescu, NATO's principal spokesperson from 2010 to 2023 about the future of NATO and Canada’s role in the alliance.

When you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair – it can sometimes be hard to know for sure if the treatment being recommended is really the right one. Dr. Brandon Doucet, from the Coalition for Dentalcare, joins guest host Catherine Cullen to talk about why he's worried about dental overtreatment in Canada, and what patients should look out for. And while he says most dentists are caring professionals, health lawyer and former dentist, Gary Srebrolow, joins us to explain when overtreatment crosses the line.

The Eurovision Song Contest is famous for bringing us major musical artists, plus healthy doses of kitsch -- and politics.  Now Canada is joining the competition next year. But what does it mean for another non-European nation to take part? And what can Canadians expect from the wildly popular competition? Guest host Catherine Culled talks to Karen Fricker, of Brock University, and William Lee Adams, a culture reporter at the BBC who also runs a Eurovision YouTube channel.

Is your job at risk, can you afford your home and when will things stop being so expensive? Guest host Catherine Cullen speaks to Deloitte’s Chief Economist Dawn Desjardins about the risks to the Canadian economy in the face of rising energy costs, trade tensions and low business and consumer confidence. Plus McGill University business prof Robert Nason has advice for entrepreneurs on how to find opportunity in the midst of an economic storm.

It's being called the 'Flamingo Revolution' – Albanians have taken to the streets in record numbers for more than a month, protesting their government's approval of a mega resort backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Freelance reporter Alice Taylor joins guest host Catherine Cullen to explain what flamingos have to do with the protests, what the protestors want, and why the government is digging in.

This 4th July marks a big milestone in U.S. history, with 250th anniversary celebrations taking place across the country. But with political division high in much of America, how are people marking this anniversary and reflecting on their nation's history? We talk to Beverly Gage, a history professor at Yale University, and author of "This Land is Our Land: A Road Trip through U.S. History."

Yesterday, B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a multi-billion B.C.-Ottawa agreement, including investments in the province's shipping, mining, and forestry industries. Then, Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a formal proposal for a pipeline that would run through southern B.C. We speak with Tyler Dawson and Rob Shaw, two long-time B.C. and Alberta correspondents, about how this deal was made, what each province gets out of it, what they had to give up, and what it means for the future of Alberta's contentious West Coast pipeline.

More people, especially people under 45, are turning to sewing their own clothes. Globally, sewing machine sales are on the rise, expected to double by 2035, representing a nearly 2 billion dollar industry. The Current producer, Amanda Grant, explores the common threads in sewing culture, why people are embracing it, how to find modern patterns, and how sewing is part of slow fashion.

Yesterday, the Trump administration declined to renew the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Without an agreement to extend the deal between all three countries, CUSMA is set to expire in 2036, although it can be renewed at any point in the next ten years if all parties reach an agreement. We speak with Stephen Vaughn, a former acting U.S. Trade Representative, about the decision and current U.S. trade policy. Then, we hear from Carlo Dade, the Director of International Policy and the New North America Initiative, at the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, about what this means for the Canadian economy.

With today's CUSMA deadline, we speak with three business leaders — one in Canada and two in the US — who give their differing perspectives on why CUSMA needs to be renewed or reworked.

In honour of Canada Day, we’re highlighting some favourite conversations with prominent Canadians from the last season. Rick Mercer and country music icon Terri Clark talk to us about what it means to be Canadian today.

In an increasingly polarized world, Dr. Lafontaine says the best time to work through our outrage was yesterday. A close second, however, is right now. His new book, "The Outrage Cure," is about what happens when we let unresolved anger metastasize — and how we can best confront it. If you've had a falling out with someone you love that you're struggling to make sense of, this conversation is for you.

The Canadian celebrity investor wants to build a massive data centre in rural Utah. People in the Republican-dominated state, like Rhonda Anderson Lauritzen are fighting back. The clash is emblematic of how AI is scrambling U.S. politics in the leadup to the midterms, says Heatmap News senior reporter Jael Holzman.