The Current

"The Canadian sports system is in crisis." That was the message from Justice Lise Maisonneuve, head of Future of Sport in Canada Commission, which released 71 preliminary recommendations that aim to address a number of issues, including mental, physical and sexual abuse in sports. We also speak to former elite athlete and abuse survivor, Amelia Cline, who says the ball is now in the Fed's court to act.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is under fire for upending American healthcare and undermining vaccine science. At a Senate hearing last week, he faced a barrage of criticism from both sides of the aisle. And former leaders of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are urging action, warning Kennedy is threatening the health of every American. Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC Director, joins us to talk about why she and eight other former leaders of the top U.S. health agency are calling for urgent action to protect public health in America. And the fears are being felt by doctors in Canada. Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease doctor from Alberta, talks about how she's seeing Kennedy's influence undermine faith in vaccines in her province.

Ken Dryden is best known for his hockey career, but his memoir The Class: A Memoir of a Place, a Time, and Us, tells the story of living in post-war Canada — through the lens of his high school graduating class. Ken Dryden died of cancer last week, at the age of 78. We revisit his conversation with Matt Galloway.

Giorgio Armani was one of the most recognizable names in fashion. Jeanne Beker shares stories of who he was as a person and the legacy he leaves behind after his death. And what happens at Vogue now that Anna Wintour steps down as editor-in-chief?

Major Canadian employers are investing in fancy office spaces and paying a premium to get in-demand workers back to in-person work. But many workers still aren't sold on getting out of their pajamas and into hard pants . We hear from a commercial real estate expert about rising demand for top tier office spaces, and a recruiter who says major employers are paying top dollar for experienced staff — if they will come to work in person.

For Inuit elders in Nunavut aging in their community is what they want. For years — elders were relocated south, to receive care. But now members of the community are leading the charge for a new elders residence to be built in the next few years here.

It feels like tipping culture has gotten way out of hand. We used to be tipping once or twice a week at restaurants and cafes — and now, we're being asked to tip every day, from getting our oil changed to self-serve cafeterias. There's a growing number of Canadians frustrated about the state of tipping right now, and some people are wondering — why do we still tip?

A California family says ChatGPT acted as a “suicide coach” for their teenage son, Adam Raine, in a lawsuit filed against Open AI and and its CEO Sam Altman. Adam turned to ChatGPT initially for help with schoolwork. What developed was a disturbing and dark relationship, hidden from his parents. New York Times technology reporter Kashmir Hill talks about meeting Adam's parents and the troubling exchanges they found between ChatGPT and their son. We also hear from Meetali Jain, the tech lawyer who helped file the lawsuit and is on a mission to hold big tech accountable.

Canada's public education system has been recognized globally for decades, ranking in the top 10 countries according to the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA. But, since 2006, this country has seen its overall scores drop in all three areas: reading, science and especially math — leaving experts, and parents, worried. In The Current's new series, Learning Curve, we are taking a closer look into what's leading to this drop — and can our education system be improved for everyone involved.

Politicians and industry both in Canada and afar have their sights on the arctic. For the Inuit who have called this place home for centuries, there's real concern on what the future holds. Natan Obed is the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and acting President of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada and Jeremy Tunraluk is the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. They speak with Matt Galloway about their dreams for this place and its people and why “the colonial days are over - and it is time for Nunavut to be included.”

Google is one of the first big tech companies to go public with how much energy it takes to use its AI tools.. AI's carbon footprint is big - so how does Canada balance the energy guzzler with AI sovereignty?Tech reporter Casey Crownhart digs into the massive electricity demands of an AI future, and what it means for the climate. Plus, we talk with Phil Harris, President and CEO of Cerio, and Kate Herland of the Canadian Climate Institute, about what Canada can do to make AI data centres here more sustainable.

Librarians are relieved the province has paused its order to remove sexually-explicit titles, which swept up Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale, but some parents say some books need to be banned and the government should act. John Hilton-O'Brien , Executive Director of Parents for Choice in EducationLaura Winton, board member of Library Association of Alberta, join host Matt Galloway.

People who read the fiction of Miriam Toews might think they know a fair bit about her life story. She's written about sister relationships, suicide, and her conservative Mennonite upbringing. Now her highly anticipated new memoir does away with the mirror of fiction — shining a light on why she writes, and the power of family.

Inuit leaders and communities speak about everything from Arctic Soverienty, food insecurity, and an ongoing suicide crissis, in a special edition of The Current from Nunavut. This is a hard place to live, but also a beautiful and joyful one, and it's having a moment. Hear from artists and youth about hope for the future and sharing Inuit knowledge and culture with global audiences.

Many small communities across the country are struggling to survive, as people age and their children chase big city life. Powell River, B.C. is trying to keep its own numbers up with the help of a conductor who's worked with some of the world's biggest orchestras. In her documentary War and Peace, the CBC's Liz Hoath hears from locals who say Arthur Arnold is bringing a lot more than music to their town of 13,000 people

The PSYOPS that the US has been carrying out in Greenland could easily come to Canada and we are woefully unprepared. That's according to author Stephen Marche. He says that trade negotiations and boycotts and national pride are not enough. He says everything from manipulating US elections, to sending spies overseas to mandatory military service - should be on the table. Stephen Marche's books include The Next Civil War, and The Last Election and he's also host of a new podcast called Gloves Off .

Prime Minister Mark Carney is back from Europe, where he pitched new trade deals and military projects. But back home, he faces Pierre Poilievre's return to Parliament, a trade fight with Donald Trump, and pressure to deliver on housing and nation-building projects. Our national political panel — Ryan Tumilty of the Toronto Star, CBC's Aaron Wherry, and Kathleen Petty from West of Centre— weigh in on what Carney accomplished abroad and what's at stake this fall.

Do you silently judge someone who says “less” when they mean “fewer”? Do you have very strong feelings about the Oxford comma? You may want a word with Ellen Jovin. For years, the author of Rebel with a Clause has been setting up a folding table on the street to talk to people about grammar which she says can actually bring us together in divisive times.

Managing money is always challenging, and it's even trickier when you're a teenager. In her new book Making Bank, Money Skills for Real Life, certified financial planner Shannon Lee Simmons offers advice for teens: from budgeting and saving for things you enjoy, to dealing with the constant wave of influencers trying to sell them something.

The UN says famine has officially taken hold of Gaza city, with more than half a million people starving. Aid groups say starvation is spreading because of war, blocked aid, and the collapse of health systems. We hear from Joel Onyeke of Save the Children about what families are enduring on the ground. And CBC senior international correspondent Margaret Evans joins us from Jerusalem to talk about growing protests inside Israel, mounting settler violence in the occupied West Bank, and the latest on a ceasefire proposal.

Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov says doctors shouldn't just focus on diseases or sick body parts, but get to know the person behind the patient. He talks to Matt Galloway about his mission to improve the doctor-patient experience for all of us.

U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops onto the streets of Washington, D.C., saying it's necessary to tackle crime. Now he's warning Chicago could be next. His critics say it's unconstitutional and a power grab move that creates a militarized environment without solving the root causes of crime. Martin Austermuhle, a journalist with The 51st, a local Washington, D.C. news outlet, talks about what life is like in the capital with National Guard troops on the ground. Then Illinois Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García and Ed Yohnka of the ACLU of Illinois weigh in on Trump's threats to send the National Guard into Chicago.

Malcolm Gladwell says he got some things wrong in The Tipping Point, his 25-year-old bestseller about what drives social change — so he's written a follow-up, Revenge of the Tipping Point. He talks to Matt Galloway about revising some of those theories for a different time, the power of a compelling narrative and the weirdness of Miami.

Grocery bills keep climbing. Young people are finding it hard to find work. And Trump's trade war has had experts bracing for the worst for months now. But so far, the Canadian and U.S. economies are holding up better than expected. We'll hear from RBC Chief Economist Frances Donald on what's happening here at home and from Ernie Tedeschi, director of economics at the Budget Lab at Yale University, on what Trump's trade war has meant for the US economy.

Barry Blanchard and Chic Scott are two world-renowned mountaineers who have just been appointed to the Order of Canada. They tell us about feeling like they were put on this earth to climb, and surviving a death-defying ascent with an avalanche that continued for 27 minutes.

Across Canada, 71 per cent of the country is abnormally dry or experiencing moderate to severe drought, according to the Canadian Drought Monitor. That includes places like Sunnyside, Newfoundland and Labrador, where the taps ran dry earlier this month. And in Nova Scotia, Farmer Amy Hill in Nova Scotia shares how the dry conditions are straining her farm. John Pomeroy, Director of the Global Water Futures program at the University of Saskatchewan, explains what's driving these conditions and what Canada must do to prepare for a hotter, drier future.

Knitting isn't just for grannies anymore. From quilting to pickling to crocheting, “grandma hobbies” are making a comeback, especially among Gen Z. Clinical psychologist and therapeutic knitting instructor Mia Hobbs explains why these old-fashioned pastimes soothe the nervous system, help people unplug, and may even rewire our brains for better mental health.

AI slop is everywhere - and now it's hitting libraries. AI-generated books are slipping into library catalogues and even landing on physical shelves. Some are so polished that even librarians are fooled. We hear from journalist Emanuel Maiberg on how this industry is exploding, and from Laura Winton, Vice-Chair of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations, and Jennie Rose Halperin, executive director of Library Futures, on how this could erode trust in libraries – and what readers need to look for.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he'll crack down on labs using cats and dogs in experiments after revelations that beagles were subjected to heart attack studies at St. Joseph's Health Care in London, Ontario. The case has ignited debate over the role of animals in science. We hear from animal bioethicist Andrew Fenton, Western University researcher Arthur Brown, and Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods, Charu Chandrasekera, who advocates for replacing animal testing with new technologies.

Israel is weighing a ceasefire proposal that could pause nearly two years of war in Gaza, but it's also preparing to send tens of thousands of troops into Gaza City. Among those waiting anxiously are the Abushbak family, Canadian permanent residents trapped in Gaza. Karim Abushbak shares what daily life is like for his family as they plead for help from Ottawa. Plus, journalist Emmanuelle Elbaz-Phelps joins us from Tel Aviv on the pressures facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israelis protest for the release of hostages.

After three days of grounded flights, Air Canada has reached a tentative deal with its 10,000 flight attendants. The agreement includes pay for work done on the ground. Labour studies professor Alison Braley-Rattai joins us to explain why this strike could set a precedent for other workers, and what Ottawa's quick move to end the walkout says about back-to-work laws.

Four years after the Taliban retook Kabul, Afghan refugees are facing deportation from countries where they sought safety. Ottawa resident Noorullah Hakemi fears his mother could be forced back to Afghanistan, where she was beaten by Taliban guards and left with broken bones. He tells us about his family's fight to bring her to Canada before it's too late. Plus, Asma Faizi of the Afghan Women's Organization explains how deportations from Tajikistan, Pakistan and Iran are putting thousands of women and girls at risk and what she wants Canada to do now.

Weighted vests are everywhere from TikTok to walking trails and sidewalks in your neighbourhood. Advocates say they burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and even protect bone density. But are they really worth the hype? We hear from fitness trainer Kalli Youngstrom on why she loves them, and muscle physiology researcher Lauren Colenso-Semple on what the evidence says.

Got bad phone habits? We know being on our phones too much isn't good for us, especially for kids. Yet we all keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. Kaitlyn Regehr, author of Smartphone Nation, explains how our devices are designed to be addictive, and shares practical, effective tips for what parents can do to help kids build healthier habits.

U.S. President Donald Trump says peace in Ukraine is “very attainable” after hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House just days after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Trump has floated security guarantees for Ukraine, but also suggested Kyiv may need to give up territory. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, a Ukrainian MP, tells us why many in her country fear being forced into concessions. Plus, Brookings Institution foreign policy expert Michael O'Hanlon and Atlantic Council's Peter Dickinson on what Trump, Putin and Zelensky each stand to gain, and what a deal could mean for Ukraine's future.

Air Canada flight attendants say they will defy a federal back-to-work order and remain on strike, as more than 100,000 passengers face cancellations and disruptions. We hear from passenger Laurie Panagiotou, who spent thousands rebooking a family vacation, and aviation expert John Gradek on what's at stake for workers, the airline, and the government.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is anticipated to win today's byelection in Alberta's Battle River–Crowfoot, one of the safest Conservative seats in the country. But with more than 200 independent candidates on the ballot and separatist sentiment simmering in the province, analysts say the campaign offers clues on what to expect when Parliament returns this fall. We hear from former Conservative cabinet minister Monte Solberg and former Alberta NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips.

Researchers are uncovering new reasons why more women are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease than men and it's not just because they live longer. We hear from Fe Wyma, who cared for her mother with dementia for over a decade, about how that experience has changed her own approach to brain health. Plus, University of Toronto's Gillian Einstein and Toronto Metropolitan University's Natasha Rajah on how biology, menopause, and social factors all shape women's risk, and what can be done to prevent cognitive decline.

Southern Europe is in the grip of another summer of extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to record highs and wildfires burning across the region. The Guardian's Ajit Niranjan explains why Europe is heating faster than other continents, and what that means for people on the ground. Then, University of Waterloo's Daniel Scott on how the tourism industry is adapting to rising temperatures and why more travellers are booking “cool-cations” in cooler destinations.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine. We hear from Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, a Ukrainian MP who says leaving her country out of the talks is a win for Putin and ignores those living under Russian occupation. Plus, Brookings Institution foreign policy expert Michael O'Hanlon and Atlantic Council's Peter Dickinson on what the two leaders might hope to gain, and whether the talks could bring the war any closer to an end.

With drought gripping the U.K., the government is urging people to delete old emails and photos to cut the water used by data centres. Civil engineering professor Venki Uddameri explains the link between cloud storage and water consumption, why individual actions have limits, and how to better manage resources as AI and other data-heavy technologies expand.

Air Canada will begin cancelling flights today ahead of a possible weekend strike by more than 10,000 flight attendants. We speak with union leader Natasha Stea about the breakdown in negotiations over pay, work rules and unpaid hours — and what's at stake for passengers if no deal is reached.