As tensions between Ukraine and Russia persist, we talk to Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš about anxiety in his and other neighbouring countries. Also, Janice Stein, founding director of University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs, unpacks Canada’s pledge to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons.

The Current

Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš on Russia-Ukraine tensions

Ottawa's police chief Peter Sloly resigned on Tuesday, amid the ongoing occupation around Parliament Hill. Matt Galloway talks to freelance investigative journalist Justin Ling, who is on the ground at the protest; and Michael Kempa, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa.

What does Peter Sloly’s resignation as police chief mean for ending Ottawa protests?

Writer and documentary filmmaker Cheuk Kwan has sought out Chinese restaurants in places like Cuba, Turkey and Outlook, Sask. He tells us what he learned about migration, identity and community from the travels documented in his new book, Have You Eaten Yet?: Stories from Chinese Restaurants Around the World.

Writer Cheuk Kwan on what Chinese restaurants tell us about the country’s global diaspora

Anna Maria Tremonti has been keeping her past a secret for over 40 years. As one of Canada’s most respected journalists, she has a reputation for being fearless. She’s reported from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. But there’s one story she’s never made public: when she was 23 years old, she married a man who became physically abusive. This is the first time Anna Maria has told anyone—including family or close friends—the details of what she endured. Working with her therapist, she reveals the intimate details of a past she’s kept to herself for most of her life. If you or someone you know is affected by intimate partner violence, you can find a list of resources at cbc.ca/WTPresources. More episodes are available at: hyperurl.co/welcometoparadise

The Current Introduces: Welcome to Paradise

Ottawa resident Andrea Harden tells us why she and her neighbours decided to confront protesters, amid frustration at what they saw as police inaction.

Meet the Ottawa resident who rallied with her neighbours to confront protesters

The federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act in a bid to end the protests that have gripped Ottawa and blockaded border crossings. Matt Galloway asks Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair why this step was taken now, and what happens next; and talks to Leah West, an expert on national security law, about whether the legal threshold to invoke the act has been met.

Emergencies Act invoked ‘with some regrets that it was necessary,’ says Public Safety Minister Bill Blair

After news that 15-year-old Olympian Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance, senior International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound discusses what to do about Russia and doping in sport.

IOC's Dick Pound on Russian Olympian Kamila Valieva’s positive test result, and what to do about doping in sport

In her new CBC Podcast Welcome to Paradise, Anna Maria Tremonti opens up about a long-held secret — that she was once married to a man who abused her. She tells us about confronting that past and how it shaped her career as a journalist.

Anna Maria Tremonti on confronting the abusive marriage she kept secret for decades

We talk to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser about Canada’s new immigration targets, and how to clear a backlog that has left some would-be immigrants in limbo for years.

Minister Sean Fraser on clearing Canada’s immigration backlog, and helping people left in limbo

There’s no end in sight to the Ottawa protest, despite Ontario declaring a state of emergency Friday. Matt Galloway discusses the ongoing crisis — and growing frustration with police — with Michael Kempa, associate professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa; and former Attorney General of Canada Allan Rock.

Growing frustration with police over Ottawa protest

Helene Thiesen was taken from her family in Greenland in the 1950s and sent to school in a residential school-like program in Denmark. She tells us what happened. We also discuss the survivors’ fight for truth with Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a Danish member of parliament representing Greenland; and Karla Jessen Williamson, an assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a member of the Greenland Reconciliation Commission.

Survivors are fighting for justice over residential school-like programs in Greenland

The pandemic has caused an immigration backlog and left people like Arian Ghobadi stuck in administrative limbo. He tells us more. We also discuss the impact on Canada’s competitiveness for skilled newcomers with immigration and refugee lawyers Laura Schemitsch and Warda Shazadi Meighen.

Immigration backlog leaves many in limbo and facing years-long delays

Canada enacted extra testing for travellers when Omicron hit — but with the variant widespread and cases dropping, some experts say it’s time to rethink those travel rules.

Doctor argues for rethinking COVID-19 travel rules

Ukraine is on high alert for a Russian invasion — and that has neighbours in the Baltics alarmed. The Estonian Minister Of Defence Kalle Laanet discusses Russian aggression and what his country is most concerned about.

Estonia Defence Minister Kalle Laanet on tensions with Russia

The Ambassador Bridge blockade in Windsor, Ont., has significantly disrupted U.S.-Canada trade, with supply chain issues forcing some manufacturing plants to send workers home. We talk to Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens about efforts to break the blockade; and John D’Agnolo, president of Unifor Local 200 in Windsor.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens on the Ambassador Bridge blockade

CBC Radio's The Current is a meeting place of perspectives with a fresh take on issues that affect Canadians today.

hubhopper

The Current

hubhopper