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'Menstruation is just health': Scotland becomes the first country to make period products freely available
On Tuesday, Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products freely available. Matt Galloway spoke to Monica Lennon, the Member of Scottish Parliament who first introduced the bill, and Jana Girdauskas, founder of The Period Purse, about the bill and what Canada can take from it.
The Current for Nov. 26, 2020
Today on The Current: Is Canada at the back of the line for COVID-19 vaccines? Charities shouldering burden as food insecurity grows, Scotland makes period products free for all, Canary Islands becoming route to Europe for large number of migrants and refugees.
Small businesses question whether closing them will help control COVID-19 spread
New lockdown orders across the country have come at a crushing time for small business owners told to close — while big-box stores stay open.
Don't put COVID-19 grief 'on the back burner,' says therapist calling for national strategy on mourning
Therapist Andrea Warnick says the pandemic has meant many people who lose loved ones can’t come together to grieve. She's part of an organization calling for a national grief strategy.
The Current for Nov. 25, 2020
Today on The Current: National affairs panel on rising COVID-19 numbers and how long Canadians might wait for a vaccine, Calls for a national grief strategy to help people cope with impact of pandemic, New lockdown orders come at a crushing time for small businesses.
N.L., P.E.I. premiers say Atlantic bubble was a beacon of hope, but preventative measures had to be taken
The Atlantic bubble has popped. As COVID-19 cases rise in the Maritimes, Matt Galloway talks to Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and P.E.I. Premier Dennis King about the situation in their provinces.
How astronomy has provided stress relief and a sense of community during pandemic
As COVID-19 continues to separate communities, people have looked to the stars and used astronomy as a way to maintain and build new connections.
The Current for Nov. 24, 2020
Today on The Current: Alberta Premier Jason Kenney absent as province tops national number of COVID-19 cases, Boom in amateur astronomy during pandemic, Approaching lockdown like an endurance sport, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and P.E.I. Premier Dennis King on leaving Atlantic bubble
Barack Obama reflects on 'outsized' expectations of his presidency, and convincing Michelle he should run
In his new book, former U.S. president Barack Obama reflects on the “outsized expectations” of his election as the country’s first Black leader, as well as how living up to those expectations wasn’t always possible.
Obama calls Trump era an 'anomaly' in Canada-U.S. relations
Barack Obama says he's confident that after four turbulent years, Canada-U.S. relations will be restored to a more stable course under president-elect Joe Biden. Obama made the comments in a wide-ranging interview in which he also discussed whether the current president is a racist and the need to repair the U.S. image internationally.
Barack Obama on a Biden presidency, racism in the Trump era and what he misses about being president
Former U.S. president Barack Obama says the biggest challenge for president-elect Joe Biden will be to bridge the vast political divide that exists in the country and find areas of potential compromise with those who continue to support Donald Trump, without whom he can't govern. Watch excerpts from his full interview with The Current.
The Current for Nov. 23, 2020
Former U.S. president Barack Obama on racism in the Trump era, U.S.-Canada relations, a Biden presidency and his new book A Promised Land. Plus, an investigation from CBC's The Fifth Estate reveals new details of the shooting rampage that started in Portapique, N.S., and what law enforcement knew.
Chris Nikic smashes record — and stigma — as 1st person with Down syndrome to finish Ironman triathlon
It’s hard enough to complete the Ironman competition as is, but Chris Nikic did something that had never been done before — he became the first person with Down syndrome to finish the triathlon. Guest host Rosemary Barton spoke to him and his father about the achievement.
The Current for Nov. 20, 2020
Today on The Current: National affairs panel on winter and rising COVID-19 cases in Canada, Chris Nikic becomes first person with Down Syndrome to complete Ironman triathlon, The pros and cons of Sweden’s approach to the pandemic, André Picard on the possibility of school closures.
'Cold comfort to be offered the choice to die' when not offered support to live, says disability advocate
Proposed changes to Canada’s medical assistance in dying law have been described as an existential threat to dignity by some disability advocates, who argue their communities need greater assistance in living instead. But others see it as a necessary balance between autonomy and security.
Q&A
This chess master says it's 'pretty cool' The Queen's Gambit is encouraging young girls to take to the board
Netflix chess show The Queen's Gambit is familiar to Dorsa Derakhshani. She was 18 when she was awarded the title Woman Grandmaster and International Grandmaster by the World Chess Federation in 2016.
The Current for Nov. 19, 2020
Today on The Current: Medical assistance in dying and people living with disabilities, Jessica J. Lee wins $60,000 award for memoir Two Trees Make A Forest, Gates Foundation CEO on vaccine access, Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit and women in chess.
Joe Murphy's fall from NHL champion to homelessness — and brain trauma's role
Author and journalist Rick Westhead on the story of Joe Murphy, the former Edmonton Oilers player who went from winning the Stanley Cup to living homeless. Westhead says Murphy’s story is part of a bigger discussion about brain injury and mental illness — one the National Hockey League must address.
The Current for Nov. 18, 2020
Today on The Current: Could ‘COVID Zero’ be possible for Canada?, Concern over delay to White House transition, Odeuropa project aims to bring you the smells of the past, How former Edmonton Oilers player Joe Murphy went from winning the Stanley Cup to living homeless.
'New climate denialism' is stopping Canada from approaching crisis with WWII-level effort: Seth Klein
In his new book, public policy expert Seth Klein argues Canada must mobilize to fight climate change in the same way the country did to fight climate change.
Crowded houses, isolation fatigue among concerns as Nunavut enters COVID lockdown
As Nunavut prepares to enter a two-week lockdown period, Lorne Kusugak, the territory’s health minister, is positive residents will overcome the disease. But despite his confidence, concerns prevail among some Nunavummiut.
The Current for Nov. 17, 2020
Today on The Current: Nunavut entering lockdown as COVID-19 cases spike; Seth Klein on fighting climate change like it's WWII; Dr. David Fajgenbaum details the drugs treating COVID-19; Edmonton illustrator Kyle Charles on drawing for Marvel Comics’ Indigenous Voices.
As COVID-19 surges in Canada, 'half-hearted' measures leave ICU staff with sense of 'dread': doctor
Dr. Darren Markland, an intensive care physician in Edmonton, says the measures to fight the spike in COVID-19 cases 'are half-hearted and not effective,' despite the fact the second wave was predicted months ago.
Who was this mysterious ballerina from the viral Swan Lake video?
A recent viral video shows a former ballerina — living with memory loss — coming to life as she hears music from Swan Lake. But who is she? Alastair Macaulay, former dance critic for the New York Times, looked into her life.
The Current for Nov. 16, 2020
Today on The Current: Doctors and nurses describe ‘dread’ as COVID-19 cases risk overwhelming hospitals; Is devastation of spring’s first wave repeating itself in long-term care homes?; Mystery behind viral video of woman with dementia dancing to Swan Lake; Fears over growing conflict in Ethiopia.
