The Current

The Current for Jan. 13, 2021

Today on The Current: Historian Jill Lepore on whether the U.S. needs a post-Trump truth and reconciliation commission; Conservative strategist Ken Boessenkool on rooting ‘casual Trumpism’ out of Canadian politics; Survivors of Irish mother and baby homes receive state apology; Pandemic gives Toronto woman push to launch her dream business
Matt Galloway is the host of CBC Radio's The Current. (CBC)

Episode Transcript

Today on The Current:

Harvard professor, historian and New Yorker writer Jill Lepore joins Matt Galloway to discuss last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol, and whether the country needs a truth and reconciliation commission on Trump's presidency.

Then, longtime Conservative strategist Ken Boessenkool says he's often tolerated "casual Trumpism" in his political and personal life, but no more. He explains why he wants his party to address populism and voter anger with policy, not allow candidates to stroke it for votes.

Plus, our national affairs panel, Charelle Evelyn and Kelly Cryderman, discuss populism in Canadian politics, and the chance of a spring election.  

Also, the Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin will offer a state apology today to survivors of mother and baby homes, where unwed women were forcefully separated from their children, kept in terrible conditions, and thousands of babies died. We discuss trauma and change with survivor Anne Harris, and Colm O'Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International in Ireland.

And after Toronto's Jamie Rajf lost her job in the pandemic, she launched her dream business selling vintage home goods. She tells us about turning her passion project into a side hustle.