The Current

An unprecedented plan to ban kids from using AI chatbots

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he plans to ban kids 16 and under from using AI chatbots. If the legislation passes, the province could be the first jurisdiction in the world to do this. But not everyone agrees that a blanket ban is the most effective way to keep kids safe. We speak with Sara Austin,the founder and CEO of Children First Canada, and Mahtab Laghaei, a policy analyst with The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she researches AI chatbots, data and privacy.

Solar and wind energy, a big opportunity for Canada

At a time when the world is facing an energy crisis, solar power grew by 30 percent in 2025, with China leading the charge in harnessing the power of the sun. And yet, Canada has fallen behind other G7 nations when it comes to renewable energy from solar and wind. We speak with Nicolas Fulghum, senior data analyst with the international energy research agency, Ember, about that group’s latest report, and Mark Winfield, professor of Environmental and Urban Change, and co-chair of the Sustainable Energy Initiative at York University, about what has held Canada back, and the potential of renewable energy.

Michael Pollan on the labyrinth of human consciousness

Why is it so hard for us humans to come to grips with what it means to be conscious? Bestselling author Michael Pollan talks to Matt Galloway about how scientists have tried - and often failed - to unlock the mysteries of consciousness, whether plants could be considered conscious, and why he believes that we need to "defend" human consciousness against those who may try to simulate it with computers and AI.

Closing the skilled trades gap

The federal government wants to address worker shortages in the skilled trades. At the spring economic update they announced a 5 year plan -- worth 6 billion dollars -- to help recruit, train and hire young people into the skilled trades.

Ex-Homicide Inspector calls out the Toronto police

For decades, Hank Idsinga led some of Toronto's most high-profile murder investigations. In his new memoir, 'The High Road: Confessions of A Homicide Cop', he talks about what he says is rampant racism, anti-semitism and corruption in the largest police force in Canada.