The Current

Oleh Zadoretskyy, a Ukrainian father who arrived in Halifax with his family after the invasion, shares his challenges of living on temporary permits. Elizabeth Wozniak, an immigration lawyer, discusses the complex pathways and bureaucratic obstacles many Ukrainians face while seeking permanent residency. They reveal the emotional toll of living in limbo, the mismatch between work permits and housing options, and potential solutions for a more streamlined immigration process. Both express hope for a future where families can find safety and stability.

Douglas Lute, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and former NATO ambassador, discusses the impact of Trump’s Greenland threats on NATO's unity. Juana Langescu, former NATO spokesperson, details a coordinated European response and military exercises aimed at Arctic security. Stephen Seidman, director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network, analyzes Canada’s cautious political stance and vulnerability to U.S. whims. Together, they explore how this crisis tests NATO’s credibility and calls for increased European and Canadian defense responsibilities.

In this conversation, Adrian Sutherland, a talented Cree musician and author from Attawapiskat First Nation, shares why he chooses to stay in his community despite its challenges. He talks about the deep connection to his ancestry and the land, the symbolism of daily water collection, and the inequities faced by Indigenous communities. Reflecting on his journey of healing through music and building a home, Adrian emphasizes the importance of understanding the true meaning of home and encouraging reconciliation in Canada.

In this discussion, Tom Clement, Executive Director of the Cooperative Housing Federation of Toronto, and Tom Armstrong, CEO of the Federation of British Columbia, explore the rising significance of co-op housing in Canada. They highlight the groundbreaking Kennedy Green project in Toronto, which will provide over 600 new units amid overwhelming demand. Armstrong emphasizes co-ops' affordability, community benefits, and their vital role in addressing the housing crisis, advocating for sustained investment and innovation to ensure lasting housing solutions.

The discussion dives into the implications of America's aggressive global posture under Trump. It explores whether 'America First' hints at a form of imperialism, particularly concerning Canada. The hosts analyze the recent U.S. operation in Venezuela and its repercussions, alongside the challenges of reporting amidst rapid news cycles. They also address concerns over U.S. ambitions in Colombia and discuss the potential long-term effects on Canadian trade and security, emphasizing the need for Canada to diversify its economic ties.

Last February, Liam Toman went missing in the resort town of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, while on a weekend ski trip with two friends. The 22 year-old from Whitby, Ontario, went out for dinner and drinks, after a day on the slopes, and never returned to his hotel room. Almost a year later, his family is still searching for clues, renewing calls for help from the public to find their son. The CBC's investigative programs The Fifth Estate and Enquête return to Mont-Tremblant with Toman's mother, Kathleen, to retrace Liam's final moments caught on surveillance footage before he vanished. We speak with investigative journalist and host of Enquête, Marie-Maude Denis, and his mother, Kathleen Toman.

As the U.S. moves into phase two of its plan for Gaza, many Palestinians say little has changed. Aid workers and doctors report that food, medicine, and medical equipment are still not reaching people at the scale needed. At the same time, Israel says it may revoke licences for dozens of international aid groups working in Gaza, including Doctors Without Borders. We speak with Sana Bég, executive director of Doctors Without Borders Canada, and Khaled Elgindy a senior research fellow in the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute at Georgetown University.

After nearly 2 decades of advocating for a National Portrait Gallery, Sarah Lazarovic decided to take things into her own hands and build one herself. The Current’s producer Shyloe Fagan visited ‘The National Portrait Gallery of Bloorcourt’ and spoke with Lazarovic about portraiture, its role in national building, and what faces can teach us about the places people come from.

Elon Musk and his platform X announced they are reigning in Grok after public outrage over the spread of sexualized deepfakes on his social media platform. We speak with tech analyst and journalist, Carmi Levy, about the backlash, Musk's response, and how governments need to keep up with emerging technologies to protect citizens from social media harms.

Merilyn Simonds and Beth Robinson are two friends from Kingston, Ontario, who decided during the COVID-19 pandemic to make it a priority to get together, once a week, for a walk. Since then, they've faced the challenges of aging and discovered the joys of deep connections. The Current producer Alison Masemann spent an afternoon with them, and found out about Beth's passion for sports cars, and how they handled the role reversal when Merilyn — the younger of the two — became ill.