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'Time has come for those barricades to come down,' Bill Blair says of Wet'suwet'en blockades
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair joins The Current's Matt Galloway to discuss when the RCMP will leave Wet'suwet'en territory in B.C., and the prospect of lifting the anti-pipeline blockades that have paralyzed much of Canada’s rail system.
The Current for Feb. 21, 2020
Today on The Current: After nine people were shot dead at two shisha bars in a suspected far-right attack in Germany, questions are swirling about rising Islamophobia in the country and the political power of the extreme right. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair discusses when the RCMP will leave Wet'suwet'en territory in B.C. Amazon boss Jeff Bezos says he'll spend $10 billion US to fight climate change — but big-money philanthropy can be full of controversy. And the investigation into the assassination of civil rights activist Malcolm X has been re-opened; we speak to Pan-African studies scholar Ricky L. Jones about what this means, and Malcolm X's legacy.
Diamond Princess coronavirus quarantine was 'fundamental failure,' says Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer
Some Canadians who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship are preparing to fly home, but dozens more are infected with coronavirus and staying in Japan for treatment. Did the quarantine on the ship just make things worse?
The Current for Feb. 20, 2020
Today on The Current: Some Canadians are flying home, but some are staying behind — did the coronavirus quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship just make things worse? Plus, we hear how efforts to clean up the ocean are being helped by a generous donation from the family of Lindsay Petten, an experienced diver who died late last year. Then, a doctor in Syria warns of a looming humanitarian crisis as hundreds of thousands of civilians flee bombing. And finally, we hear from farmers and business people under pressure because of the ongoing rail blockades.
Rail blockade protesters 'dragging our name through the mud,' says Wet'suwet'en woman
The Wet'suwet'en protests against a proposed pipeline have drawn support across the country, but are solidarity protesters always welcome? Two Wet'suwet'en members give their perspectives.
The Current for Feb. 19, 2020
Today on The Current: Our national affairs panel discusses how the Liberal government is handling rail blockades over a proposed pipeline on Wet'suwet'en territory; and two Wet'suwet'en members give us their perspectives on whether solidarity protesters should join the demonstrations. Plus, the Human Screenome Project wants to find a better way to track our screen time, and the impact it has. And finally to recline, or not to recline? That is the question after a video of a man hitting the reclined airplane seat of a woman in front of him went viral, and kicked off a debate about air travel etiquette.
Little concrete action in Trudeau's blockade speech, says Indigenous policy analyst
Russ Diabo, an Indigenous policy analyst and member of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnesatake, said he was disappointed in the lack of action in Trudeau's speech in the House of Commons about the Indigenous rail blockades.
The Current for Feb. 18, 2020
Today on The Current: In the second week of rail blockades over a proposed pipeline on Wet'suwet'en territory, what should the Liberal government do to resolve the stand-off with protesters? Plus, as pressures mount over class sizes and the quality of education, we'll look at why some parents are now choosing private over public schools. And finally, documentary The Believers looks at religious charity Gospel for Asia, which is facing allegations that money raised for the poor in India isn't going where it's supposed to.
In a fast-paced world, walking is a 'radical' act, says Norwegian explorer
Norwegian author and explorer Erling Kagge believes walking is a radical act that can unleash your creativity, help you know yourself better, and even help you to create more time in your life.
Experts call for global ban on live animal markets, wildlife trade amidst coronavirus outbreak
China issued a temporary ban on wild animal last month as it works to contain the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. But some scientists and experts say it doesn't go far enough and are urging governments around the world to take action.
Talk to your sons about sex the way you would about table manners: often, says author
Author Peggy Orenstein has spent decades researching and writing about girls and sex. In her latest book, she turns her attention to boys.
The Current for Feb. 17, 2020
Today on The Current: In the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, many scientists are calling for China to make their ban on the wild animal trade permanent. Then, author and philosopher Erling Kagge explains why, in a world of running, we need to learn to slow down and walk. Plus, a conversation with journalist Peggy Orenstein on her book, Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity.
Canada's track community calls for accountability, change in wake of misconduct allegations against top coach
Long-distance runners and Olympic hopefuls Rachel Cliff and Krista DuChene say more must be done to empower and safeguard athletes following sexual misconduct allegations against a prominent Canadian track coach.
'It was everything': Vancouver non-profit offers a new vision for Hogan's Alley
The Strathcona area was once a hub for Vancouver’s black community, including Jimi Hendrix’s grandmother
'You just spiral': UBC president who overcame mental health crisis determined to help Canadian students
UBC president Santa J. Ono was afraid to speak out about his mental illness; now, he’s a champion for mental health on campus.
The Current for Feb. 14, 2020
Today on The Current: Why are so many students suffering from anxiety and depression? We talk to UBC president Santa Ono, who knows the issues both professionally and personally. Then, our national affairs panel brings us the latest on protests, pipelines, and blockades. Next, we explore Hogan’s Alley, which used to be a hub for the black community in Vancouver. And finally, members of Canada's running community are reeling because of misconduct allegations made against a top coach.
'I found my purpose': Haisla man working to save his own from Vancouver's opioid crisis
Haisla Outreach worker James Harry forges a unique connection with fellow Haisla members struggling with addiction get to get them off the streets and into treatment — and in some cases, even get them home to Haisla.
Watch Vancouver pro wrestlers teach Matt Galloway how to run, grapple and bump in the ring
The Current's Matt Galloway laced up his sneakers and stepped into the ring at Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling's training facility in Surrey, B.C., to learn about the local wrestling scene firsthand.
Infused with burlesque, drag and queer culture, these wrestlers are turning the genre 'on its head'
Wrestling shows like Vancouver's Glam Slam are subverting old stereotypes that abound in the genre by mixing in burlesque, drag and queer culture, along with women wrestling just as well as the men. But pro wrestling writ large still has more growing up to do, says one podcaster and critic.
The Current for Feb. 13, 2020
Today on The Current: Businesses in Vancouver are suffering because of the coronavirus outbreak and experts say they’re not alone — there’s significant economic fallout in Canada and beyond. Plus, a former addict from Kitimat, B.C., now works on Vancouver's downtown eastside looking for members of the Haisla First Nation who are struggling. Then, wrestler Scotty Mac explains the Vancouver wrestling boom and teaches Matt how to wrestle.
Changing Chinatown
'The physical legacy of struggle and sacrifice': How Chinatown is part of Vancouver's past — and its future
The Current's Matt Galloway set up shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown and talked with planners, restaurateurs, business leaders and more about what’s happening in the changing neighbourhood, and what’s next
Changing Chinatown
How a new wave of businesses in Vancouver's Chinatown is 'bringing people back through food'
In Vancouver's Chinatown, heritage preservation isn’t only about the buildings. Food is at the centre of businesses that want to revitalize the historic neighbourhood and preserve its rich culture.
Changing Chinatown
How these 'bright stars' are 'creating space for the community' in Vancouver's changing Chinatown
Vancouver's Chinatown started seeing a new wave of young activists and advocates in the historic neighbourhood around the time a controversial condo proposal was being considered at 105 Keefer St., an empty parking lot next to a meeting spot for many seniors.
The Current for Feb. 12, 2020
Today on The Current: We discuss the opposition of the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation to the Coastal GasLink pipeline in B.C., and the protests that have spread across the country. Plus, we bring you highlights of our town hall forum in Vancouver, a wide-ranging discussion on the challenges faced by the city’s Chinatown.
There are ways out of the problems with Big Tech — and they already exist, says author
In a new book, Ramesh Srinivasan, a professor of Information Studies at UCLA, argues that the power that big Silicon Valley companies have over people's lives is not inevitable — and that examples of small, community-based tech worldwide show that other possibilities exist.
