The Current

The Current for Oct. 21, 2020

Today on The Current: Our national affairs panel on a possible snap election, pandemic fatigue and Nova Scotia fisheries dispute, Tim Robbins on his new satirical podcast, Debating the value of exams, André Picard on the latest in fight against COVID-19
Matt Galloway is the host of CBC Radio's The Current. (CBC)

Full Episode Transcript

Today on The Current:

Our national affairs panel discusses the possibility of a snap federal election, pandemic fatigue amid reports of a second wave around the country, and violence against Indigenous fishers in Nova Scotia. We take stock of those issues with Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair, Canadian Press reporter Mia Rabson, and the Globe and Mail's Marieke Walsh.

Then, award-winning actor, writer and director Tim Robbins has a new satirical podcast, Bobbo Supreme, which follows a fictional, tyrannical U.S. president in a frantic re-election bid. He says that while U.S. President Donald Trump may have killed parody, he has not killed satire.

Plus, amid an academic year unlike any other, some school boards in Ontario are opting to cancel exams entirely this year. We ask Grade 12 students Luca DiPietr and Bridget Salamon to debate whether or not it's time to ditch the exam. We also speak with Joel Westheimer, a professor with the University of Ottawa's faculty of education, and Richelle Marynowski, from the University of Lethbridge.

And the Globe and Mail's health columnist, André Picard, is here with the latest on the fight to curb COVID-19.