CBC News: The National | Wildfires trigger airlifts and anger

Tonight, fear and frustration as wildfires force hundreds more from their homes.

It was a feeling I can't describe.

A family comes to terms with incredible destruction as more communities remain under threat.The calls for help keep growing.Spain takes home the World Cup.Fans loved it.But after a historic tournament, did co -host Canada score off the pitch?Game show host, comedian, and sitcom star, at least in Canada.

As soon as I cross the border or leave the country, it's nothing.

Why Jerry Dee says his fame doesn't travel.And why he's now taking on a very personal cause.

Sorry.From CBC News, this is The National with Ian Henamenting.

Hundreds of people are fleeing their homes tonight in northwestern Ontario, forced out by the growing threat of nearby wildfires.About 200 are burning in the province's north.Residents of one First Nation are being airlifted as a fire burns near their community.While through smoke and worry, the devastation wrought by another fire is becoming clearer.The Prime Minister says more than 5 ,000 firefighters with hundreds of aircraft are battling wildfires across the country.They're burning in nearly every region, most of them in the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.

There are nearly a thousand active fires in total.Chien Desjardins starts our coverage from Thunder Bay tonight and Chien, frustration is growing there among some of those most affected.

Yeah, we've certainly been hearing a lot of frustration around the province's handling of these wildfires from First Nations telling us that they feel as if they've been left in the dark to evacuees who told us they've had to protectproperties on their own.I can't believe this.

Scorched and still smoking.Raw emotion as the family who lives here sees this for the first time.It was a feeling I can't describe.The Vanderhoof's home and lodging business.A perfect paradise in the family for decades, now devastated by a raging wildfire.

You can see where the house was, where the garage was, where all my trailers lined up, were all just little puddles of melted metal on the ground.

This is what they and their guests fled on Tuesday.Hours later, their security cameras captured flames creeping towards the property.

It wasn't our loss, it was theirs too.

Then the property itself was on fire.

I was driving and my son kept saying, don't watch mom, don't watch.I said, I have to watch, I can't help it.

We finally got here and I watched it finish burning here on the ground.The lodge is 150 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, where the Fort Francis 14 fire is burning.It's one of the biggest of nearly 200 across the province.Another one did this.Much of the Whitewater Lake First Nation wiped out.And on this flight, some of the 600 people fleeing their home further north in Emmetung First Nation.

The Canadian Armed Forces helping to get them out.One of several Ontario First evacuated in the last week.Many are speaking out, saying they are disappointed with government response.During a trip to Thunder Bay on Saturday, Ontario's premier maintained...

By no means have we even stalled for a minute on this.

But some chiefs see it much differently.

They're trying to say that everything is good and everything's good.We've done the best we can, but I don't find that happening at all.

Like nobody came to help.This could have been prevented.The Vanderhoofs agree, saying they soaked what they could alone.And incredibly, not all is lost.Some cottages are still standing.Lost so much, but then you see these pieces that you still have.

Well, that makes it rebuildable.

And even though that's going to mean rebuilding from literal ash, it's still something for a family who thought they lost everything.

And what about the weather?Any sign of relief?

Yeah, so Environment Canada tells us that there are thunderstorms in the forecast, which could mean lightning, so that is a concern.But good news Tuesday is it appears rain could be heading towards this region.Now, as for the smoke, that could linger in northern Ontario, potentially for a few days.

Cheyenne Desjardins in Thunder Bay tonight.Mark Carney says extreme heat and dry conditions have made this one of the most intense Canadian wildfire seasons ever.And as Caroline Bargute explains, here in B .C.you can add lightning to that list.

The sprinklers are going non -stop at Barb Edmondson's ranch.Not only is she trying to save hundreds of acres of hayfields and livestock, she's also looking after her neighbour's horses.

We have horses from two different ranches that are under order to evacuate.And so we're holding them here and have a contingency plan if things get worse.

Threatening her ranch, this wildfire near Big Bar Lake Provincial Park.One of more than 120 new fires sparked last weekweekend by thousands of lightning strikes.Jason Luterman was camping nearby with friends.

One minute you're just swimming in the lake and the next you're driving out a road that's on fire.It's really changed out our way.And it's just so dry in the backcountry.

The new fires adding to the dozens that were already burning across the province.As of Sunday afternoon, there were 105.The two causing the most concern known as the Brunswick Complex, which has forced the evacuation of Boston Bar and two nearby First Nations.

For our family, it's the first time that we've had a mass evacuation and been threatened by a natural disaster in this way.And so, you know, you always kind of know that.it's a possibility but I guess you know we hadn't really anticipated that it would come quite so soon.

The Brunswick complex has destroyed at least seven buildings including four homes or cottages.The BC wildfire service says the weather cooperated on the weekend but the province expects that to change.

We're expecting Monday conditions to get to get hotter and drier again which will elevate fire behavior.

The BC Wildfire Service says the winds are expected to shift on Monday which could bring smoky conditions to the Vancouver mainland.

And Caroline, what can you tell us about those who have been forced to leave?

Ian, there are 401 evacuees that are receiving supports across British Columbia.580 properties are on evacuation order and about 1 ,800 on evacuation alert.

Caroline Bargute, here in Vancouver.There's some welcome news on the wildfire fight in Nova Scotia.The Mooseland Road fire northeast of Halifax is now considered held.After growing very little on Saturday, a mandatory evacuation order for the area has been rescinded.But officials warn the fire is still active and still being fought.

Oh my God.Oh my God.

You're looking at a tornado touching down yesterday in Alberta's Clearwater County.That's about 290 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.There were no injuries reported but there was significant damage to buildings and homes.Donald Trump says he spoke to Prime Minister Mark Carney about the wildfires in Canada after both leaders attended the World Cup final in New Jersey.

I have a good relationship with Mark Carney but you know we got to stop the fires up there.If we can help them, we'll help them.But maybe they should pay us some damages or something or we should do some tariffs.

Trump and Carney watched the game together along with the Mexican president Claudia Shainbaum.Afterward, for the trophy ceremony, all three were on the pitch as they presented awards.Trump received loud boos from the stands when he took the field.It was Spain that took home the top prize at the World Cup.The team winning their match against Argentina by the narrowest of margins.Ending a historic tournament for Canada.

Jennifer Yoon shows us the celebrations for the winners and the impact on this country.

Sweet victory for Spain fans, heartbreak for supporters of Argentina.Those emotions after a nail -biter final at the FIFA World Cup.In the end, Spain won 1 -0, needing extra time to take home their second championship ever.The moment not lost on fans in Madrid.That win, the culmination of a historic tournament for Canada, with Toronto and Vancouver hosting 13 games.

I'm going to tell my kids about how the World Cup was in Toronto.In Toronto!And we were there to witness it.

In Toronto!That excitement reached across the country.

My family always grew up watching it, but you know what, like, this year since it was hosted in Canada, I was like, man, I gotta, I gotta show up.

Canada spent over a billion dollarsdollars to co -host.Now that it's over, was it worth it?

You know, we're looking forward to this paying off for years and years to come.

Canada's Secretary of Sport, unequivocal.

Expect increased tourist revenue in the years to come as well.Some of the things can't be quantified.Some of them have a dollar value, but certainly I think it was a prudent investment.

Organizers in Vancouver agree, seeing that money ended up supporting Canadian workers who helped make the tournament a success.

It was local jobs.We had over 6 ,200 jobs just locally here generated through the activities inside of the Vancouver host committee.

But experts say the true benefit is hard to measure.

So if people visit Toronto next year, a city that already has a very robust annual tourist industry, how do we discern that those are people who saw the World Cup and said, you know what, I think we should go to Toronto.

One thing that is certain, the men's team made it further into the tournament than ever before, and young soccer dreams are lit anew after Canada's record run.

Honestly, it's I think it wouldn't be as much certain without the World Cup, only because I get to see these amazing players, amazing nations compete at the highest level.So I don't think I would have had the same connection with soccer that I have right now.

While the World Cup is over, as you can see, many fans are not ready to let it go just yet.

And just after the game ended, the Canadian government touted more funding for sports across the country, Jennifer.

Yeah, a billion dollars to go towards repairing stadiums and fields, supporting our athletes training and performing at the highest levels, and to attract more major sporting events like this.

Jennifer Yoon at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.Thanks.The Canadian government says it will soon deny entry to foreign nationals who have beento the Democratic Republic of Congo in the past 21 days.The temporary measure is in response to the Ebola outbreak in that country.The UN says there are more than 2 ,100 confirmed cases in Congo and more than 800 deaths from the disease.

This is the largest known outbreak on record of a rare strain of Ebola that has no vaccine or treatment.The temporary entry ban comes into effect Monday at 11 .59 p .m.Eastern.Public health officials say the risk to Canadians is low but that the measures align with similar moves from the U .S.

and Mexico.The U .S.military says it's carrying out more strikes on Iran tonight, this as it announced another American service member was killed.Julia Wong explains how the deaths threatened to push the conflict back to an all -out war.

The U .S.conflict with Iran becoming deadlier by the day.This video, verified by AFP, appears to show an Iranian projectile hitting the base in Jordan, where at least two U .S.service members were believed to be killed Friday.

The U .S.military now confirms another service member was killed Saturday in Iraq during a controlled explosion from a downed Iranian drone.

This is the first time we've had American troops killed since March.That, in many ways, is a red line to the administration and to President Trump.

The U .S.responding with force, targeting Iranian troops responsible for the deaths in Jordan.For more than a week, both sides have carried out daily strikes.I would say they're already back at war.This expert says the U .

S.

administration is swinging between negotiating and intensifying attacks, hoping that will get the Iranians to the table.Thus far, it has not been successful, but I think we're going to beto see the same pattern.

Both sides are digging in.

We control the straight.They don't control anything.

And Iran's foreign minister says he believes this conflict has shown Iran's power, describing closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, as its atomic bomb.To some, a peace deal looks increasingly unrealistic.

reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran sees that as leverage and doesn't seem to be at all interested in that.

Trump is already facing pressure domestically from Congress and the American public over an unpopular war and these recent deaths could amplify that.Julia Wong, CBC News, Washington.

Another Russian drone and missile attack killed at least five people across Ukraine and exposed Kyiv's shortage of air defences.The onslaught on the capital lasted hours tearing through homes and businesses.At night there was no time to run says this Kiev resident.It was just missile after missile.That included an unusual number of ballistic missiles which rocket up into the atmosphere plummeting to their target at supersonic speeds.A weapon Ukraine struggles to stop.

Yesterday, based on the reporting, only 30 percent of them seems to be intercepted.

And they're showing up in larger numbers.In addition to drones, Russia has fired massive salvos of missiles on three separate nights so far this July alone.On each of those nights, that included dozens of ballistic missiles.

When I look at the numbers, and I've been tracking this war for a while, this is theof ballistic missiles attack were slowly increasing.So, last year, we saw around 500 ballistic missiles.This year, we are expecting maybe close to 800.

Ukraine has advanced systems like Patriots from the United States that can intercept ballistic missiles, but ammunition for them is increasingly scarce, a gap in Kyiv's defenses that Russia is exploiting.Controversial social media influencers, Andrew and Tristan Tate, are facing dozens of new charges in the UK, including rape and sex trafficking.

I want to make it clear, there is no place for male violence against women and girls in our society.

The brothers were arrested yesterday in Miami on an extradition request.They're expected to make a court appearance in Florida this week.The dual American and British citizens have a large online following and are known for their misogynistic views.They face criminal investigations in three countries.As many Canadians hit the outdoors this summer, officials here in BC are urging people to do that safely after a spike in deaths related to recreational activities.Jessica Chung with the warnings after a deadly start to the summer.

The first piece that we talk about is wearing your life jacket or your PFD.

Safety is priority number one for this rental shop, but the general manager says only half the paddlers he sees actually have the required gear.

We get the question is, do I have to wear this?And the answer is yes.

Data shows recreational deaths have spiked this year.At least 30 people have drowned in B .C.so far in 2026, a 50 percent jump from last year.Meanwhile, there's been 14 motorcycle related deaths in the spring alone, a 280 percent hike.That's nearly triple the five seen the year before.

Guys, it literally looks like an abandonedLike this fatal motorcycle crash that shut down the Sea to Sky Highway for hours.In June, a charter boat sank off the coast of Richmond where six people drowned.None of them were wearing a life jacket.A month earlier, a young couple died while paddle boarding near Squamish.This is the lake where two paddle boarders drowned in May.

It's really accessible right off the Sea to Sky Highway.Now search and rescue crews say this is a prime example of how some terrain can look harmless but can still pose dangerous risks.

I'm not sure people are understanding just how dangerous some of those spots are.

Squamish Search and Rescue says they've received 82 rescue calls so far this year, a jump from 51 last year.And one major factor is social media.people are seeking out these places that they're seeing on social media and just because they're being recommended on social media doesn't mean they're safe.We have programs.Advocates say they are trying to shift the culture.

We're seeing people being proud to be prepared.They're sharing that on social.So that shift in safety culture I think is visible and happening and still has ways to go.

And if you're heading out, Riches says remember the three T's.Trip planning, training and taking the essentials.Jessica Chung, CBC News, North Vancouver.

New limits on havoc fishing have led to steep price hikes in parts of Canada.

This is probably the biggest biggest raise I've ever seen and I've been doing this for 30 years.

The reason behind the restrictions and how much it could cost you plus.Recognition for a daring rescue.This first -hand view of how it went down.And eternalizing a World Series winning moment.

Seeing all of these old ball players, you get kind of starstruck.

We're back in two.Vehicle engulfed in flames, the door handle breaking off as an officer tries to open it.This dramatic rescue in Texas captured by police cameras.He eventually breaks the window and pulls the driver out.Police Department has given the officer an award for the rescue.In the Maritimes, that order of fish and chips will likely cost you more this summer.

Kayla Hounsell looks at what's behind the sticker shock and why restaurants say they're being forced to raise their prices.

Here at the Pleasant Street Diner, they fry up a thousand pounds of haddock every week.The white flaky fish makes up more than half of the diner's business.Traditionally, it's been the affordable fish, not anymore.

This is probably the biggest biggest raise I've ever seen and I've been doing this for 30 years.

Stephen Futuros and his brothers say their haddock expenses have shot up $5 ,000 a week.It forced them to put everything on the menu up 10%.The issue is one of supply and demand.In April the federal government cut the total allowable catch of haddock by up to 57 percent in some areas citing declining stocks.That means fewer fish are coming out of the water but demand remains high.At least in the Maritimes if you're eating fish and chips you're probably eating haddock.

In Newfoundland and Labrador the preference is cod.

It has typically been in the Maritimes the cheapest item on our menu.menu.It's going to become a bit of a luxury item.

They're also crunching the fish figures at this Toronto restaurant where they offer haddock, halibut and cod but they haven't passed the cost on to customers yet.

Every part of running a restaurant has increased since COVID so for us, yes, it's just another increase.

The owner of the Chip Shack on Prince Edward Island has had to raise prices but won't consider switching to another fish.I don't think people would buy it.They really love the haddock.The type of fish preferred in various parts of the country can be as rooted in culture as the family ties that built the restaurants.The Futuros brothers have taken over from their father whom they've since lost.

I always think of what he would do and so I had no choice.

Hoping customers will understand and keep showing up for fish and chips.Kayla Hounsell, CBC News, Halifax.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are mourning their captain, linebacker Jaden Dahlke, who died in a car crash Saturday evening.A moment of silence was held at a CFL game in Ottawa tonight as the league paused to remember the 30 -year -old.Last November, Dahlke led the Roughriders to its fifth Great Cup.In a statement, the team said Dahlke was, quote, the true definition of what it means to be a Saskatchewan Roughrider.And the Toronto Blue Jays are remembering their star relief pitcher, Dwayne Ward.He was part of their back -to -back World Series wins in 92 and 93.

The Jays said he had arrived in Toronto on Friday to take part in a celebration of those championship teams, but he died of natural causes at the age of 62.In Italy this summer, a celebration to mark 80 years of the Vespers.Megan Williams went to the streets of Rome to show us how it became an Italian icon.

They came from some 70 countries.Flags fluttering, swarming through Rome on a scooter that turns 80 this year.The buzzy narrow -waisted Vespa, Italian for wasp.

This is your hall of fame.

Down a flight of stairs near the Colosseum the full story is on display.Eight decades of the Vespa.More sculpture than machine.

The Vespa was all about freedom.I snuck my first ride on my aunt's Vespa in a small town.Vespa!

And sold as freedom.A way to turn a commute into an act of style.It was also from the start about inclusion designed so that women in skirts could ride with ease at a time when Italian women had only just won the right to vote.

The first ads for the Vespa featured a woman not a man.

Then with the 1950 film Roman Holiday the appeal went global.This feels so good.Out on the streets of Rome, that appeal hasn't faded.What started out as something affordable, a way for Italians to get around fairly easily in post -war Italy quickly became a cultural icon.

The Vespa encapsulates Italy and Rome.

It's a lifestyle.You go a little bit slower, you enjoy life a little bit more.

80 years after it was born from the ruins of war, the wasp is still buzzing with life.Megan Williams, CBC News, Rome.

Some Mozambique users say they're seeing unexpected benefits.tied to their use of the drug.

This is a can I've had now for four years on the shelf and that wouldn't have happened in the past.

The research being done to support those claims.From stand -up to a sitcom and now hosting Family Feud Canada.Jerry D's done a lot and he has advice for those looking to break out.How he carved his path to Canadian fame and the sacrifices along the way.Gerry Dee's known for making people laugh as a stand -up comic and a TV star.But he recognizes he's a particular kind of celebrity.

A Canadian celebrity.He and I discussed that on the set of his hit Fox TV show, Animal Control.

I've had such amazing success, luck, opportunity in Canada and I'm so proud of that.But as soon as I cross the border or leave the country, it's nothing.You know, literally like I'll do 2 ,000 people here in Canada at a venue.

Took kinesiology in university, which is a big word for gym if you're not sure what I'm talking about.

And I'll go to the States and do third and five.That's exact numbers.

I'll tell you there's a lot of differences between a Canadian celebrity and a celebrity.

First of all, it should just be celebrity.

There shouldn't be like, let's put his country in front because he's not Cherry D has charted a successful and unusual career path in Canada, doing stand -up and comedy clubs while still a high school gym teacher, pursuing music.creating a sitcom.And he did it.Mr. D ran for eight seasons on CBC.Now he's a game show host, bringing his comic touch to Family Feud Canada.And he has a side gig, a role on the Fox sitcom Animal Control.

Some U .S.exposure for a quintessentially Canadian success story.We caught up with Dee on Animal Control's Vancouver set.

It's very different than like creating a show and running a show like Mr. Dee, so you have to know that boundary too.

Yeah, absolutely.

But they're so, like everybody's so accommodating with everything about, you know, if you have a line you want to try or joke, they're all great.

Yeah, it's kind of arbitrary though, right?There's no reason why you shouldn't be as successful in the States as you are here.

I have done well here, and I'm very proud of that.And I've chosen to live in Canada because I want to.I'm very proud of that, too.My family's first and everything.But the little joke in it is I still answer my own emails.I don't show up to gigs with an entourage or a manager.

I'm amazed people know how to reach me.That's Canada.

I think you just look up my email, and it's like, there he is. I'll just email him.Maybe I'll go visit his house.It's just the way it is, and I kind of enjoy it.

So I was going to say, to be a Canadian celebrity, which feels a bit like an asterisk, right, to say that, as opposed to...

Yeah, you don't usually put the...I'm sure there's Norwegian celebrities and Russian celebrities that no one knows in their countries.Quebec has a star system.I would walk by the biggest star in Quebec and not know.Yeah.And we don't have a star system, really.

I mean, most celebrities in Canada are athletes or they're musicians.Yeah.So for a comedian to even be in that category is hard, rare.

Yeah.So let me tell you some of the things I think being a Canadian celebrity either is or takes.First of all, you have to be talented, and you are talented.But I think you also have to be adaptable.And look at you, like sitcom, game show, stand -up, Netflix special.But am I on the right track?

Do you have to be adaptable to eke out a living here?Is there more than eko?Make a living here?

Yeah.I would say well -rounded is another good word.Adaptable.For me, I always had a challenge for myself every year from day one of stand -up.Try to do better every year.Try to get something more.

There's luck involved, there's no question.I mean, there's people funnier than me in Canada and I always handled the business side of it well and I was always promoting myself and I always thought that was a big part of it.

So let's talk a little bit about your resume.I'm going to throw a few things out and just tell me anything that kind of comes to mind.And we have to start with Mr. Deep.

Right, I'm Mr. Duncan.Actually, the unken is unnecessary.

Call me Mr. Deep.But we call Mr. Dwyer, Mr. D. That's going to be confusing, then.

Mr. Dwyer.Mr. D was the dream, right?It was, you know, I grew up watching so many sitcoms that were based on comedians, you know?You look at Brent Budd here in Canada, was the first I'd seen kind of take his act and have great success.Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Ray Romano.I was very strategic in the sense when I started this at 30, which is old, I'll talk about teaching because that seems to be a different lane.

It was a strategy like talk about teaching and then if it goes well and you're doing it well, because I was still teaching full time.That wasn't like a substitute.I was a full time teacher.And I said, and then just have a story to tell.Stand up for me when I started was to get a sitcom.Situational comedy is very hard.

Sitcoms are hard, hard.I think we got a lot of the funny right.

I do and I can tell that by the clips this week is the parent teacher meet and greet what you want to get your game face on for that.

And every time I was in a scene or writing a scene or directing a scene with my team because it was a group effort even on the day of filming I was like this isn't funny, I know we thought it was but it's not and I was vision myself as the viewer I still do it, I look at myself, I got to watch this and laugh.Or is this just words that kind of we thought were funny?So it was very on the fly like that.

Family Feud, you're killing it on that.

Name something that might be included in a game show host starter kit.I would say, very fast.That's OK.Wow.Well, that's a lot.That show, Mr. D had ended.

And I was in a little bit of a state in my own head of like, wow, was that it?And then I got a call from CBC.It wasn't, it was just, we think you'd be great for this.And it was like this rejuvenation again of like this amazing job, amazing job.And the best part of it are the families.And I'm just navigating with them.

But to meet the people I've met now across Canada and the cultures and the diversity.The traditions that we have from coast to coast and culture to culture and group to group has been educational.It's been really amazing.

Let's talk about the Netflix special.You know, polished floor, bright lights, the massive stage of Netflix.What has that changed for you?

I go, how did you let me do that?Weren't you worried about like predators and pedophiles?He goes, no, they weren't.They weren't a thing.You had big teeth.He goes, I'm not gonna lie.

I don't really know what has changed.I don't know if people know me because of it.The difference with Netflix is I'm going on there, hoping people find it, watch it and like it.I'm not going on as an already star, global star.So, you know, three days later, Kevin Hart's special went up.I was probably the end of watching my special for a while, right?

So, I was really pleased with it.There's a lot more pressure on you on the day.No one realizes how serious care is until they have to do it themselves.It's not just helping out, it's full -time love, stress and sacrifice.

In 2025, Dee took on a serious topic, advocating for the importance of support for caregivers amid his own mother's struggle with dementia.She passed away later that year, a loss he still feels deeply.I saw an interview where you talked publicly, obviously, about your mother's journey with dementia and your dad's role as a caregiver.Not exactly comedy gold.I mean, how do you fit that into your public persona in terms of advocacy?I mean, it's an important issue, right?

That's okay.I didn't want to make you uncomfortable.

It was tough with my mom, for sure.She went through a lot.And you're so busy.You have your own three kids.It's that sandwich generation.You're so busy.

you know you forget you know to kind of add that it just sometimes the times not there the travel you do.I mean you know it's there, but you always wish you were there more I think I'm a little sad because now I'm going to with my kids and I look back like why they so right why don't they hang out.I'm like that probably wasn't any better right and then they're gone so caregiving is I don't know how some people do it.I hear people my age, your age, that their parents live with them and they care for them and then they go to work.Some of them have three jobs.They're single mother.

It's a full -time, it's a full -time thing.It's a tough, tough world.So I'm glad I was able to work and shed some light on that because I probably didn't realize how tough it was on my dad.But he refused help.I don't know if it's a Scottish thing, if it's a generational thing that our parents are stubborn.But yeah, my mom, She was funny too.

I just don't think you ever get over losing your mom.Your dad too, but your mom's your mom.

Let's finish where we started.Canadian celebrity.I mean, you embody it.It shouldn't be seen as something that's diminished.There are a lot of people in Canada who would love to have the kind of life you're having.

No, I'm not diminishing at all.That's where it's tough to explain to people.There's no woe me here.I've been successful.I know that.

So for that person who dreams in Canada of being a Canadian celebrity in comedy, what do you tell them?

I always look at my life, I'm like, thank God I tried it.Thank God I went on stage.Because we all bail.We all think, what are the odds?I think if you're watching this and you have something, you're like, I think I could do this.You've got to try it.

You have to know in your head and be honest with yourself.I think I got something here.And I always had that belief.

You are a Canadian celebrity, and we're very proud of you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.And you are too.Part of being a Canadian celebrity, in Jerry Dee's case, is you walk into an interview like that by yourself, no publicist, no makeup person, no entourage.You answer whatever questions get thrown your way.And he toured us around the set.Just a really down -to -earth, interesting, but above all, funny guy.

When we come back, can popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic curb more than your desire for food?

What's really exciting about these GLP -1 agonists is that they seem to be helpful for a variety of substance use disorders.

What the emerging data shows about the drug's potential as a treatment option for addiction.Next.Researchers are exploring whether ozempig and other popular GLP -1 drugs already used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes could also be used to treat addictions.Back in the fall, Jennifer Yoon looked at the emerging research and the potential risks.

This is a can I've had now for four years on the shelf, and that wouldn't have happened in the past.

On average, Mike McCluskey says he used to drink between four to five drinks a night, sometimes up to 10.But all that changed when he started taking Lozempic for weight loss.Along with 110 pounds, he lost his appetite for alcohol.

There's no desire.That's just it.There's no desire.Like, there's never like, gee whiz, I should have a beer.No, it just doesn't even enter my mind.

He's not alone.You may have heard this before.It's so crazy.Like, I no longer get that desire to want to go get a margarita.It appears that these medications also help reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine, even opioids.

My husband didn't want to drink anymore.Researchers sifting through past patient data have found people taking drugs like Ozempic, GLP -1 receptor agonists, tend to take less of all kinds of vices.Alcohol, cannabis, opioids, even things like caffeine consumption and compulsive shopping tend to decrease.But they're not sure what exactly is happening.And they're working on solving that puzzle, some here in Canada.So is ozempic an anti -desire drug?

What do we know and what don't we know?One thing we know, these drugs have an impact on our brains.To get to the bottom of this, we need to understand how desire works in the brain.And for that, we need to talk about dopamine.It's a neurotransmitter that gets released when you do something that feels good, like eating a bite of this cake.That dopamine release is essentially telling me that felt great.

Do it again.And it's giving me a surge of motivation to repeat the action.That system, the reward system, is what researchers think is being affected by drugs like Ozempic.This researcher just finished a phase 2 clinical trial looking at how GLP -1s affect this reward system.He's having me do the same cognitive test he gave to 72 study participants.Some on a GLP -1, others on a placebo.

He's measuring how much energy I'm using as I follow complicated directions.

Do you want to do something hard and potentially gain more, or do you want to do something easy and earn less?

How hard are you willing to work for a cash prize?And does that change when you take GLP -1s?He's studying this in those with depression who suffer from low energy and motivation.

We need to understand better what drives these problems with motivation in people with depression and we need better treatments for it.

He thinks his findings could be helpful to understand what GLP -1s do to our brains more generally.That could also help treat addiction.How central is motivation in addiction?

It's critical.So this is our bar laboratory.

If GLP -1s target motivation, desire, and pleasure, that could make it a game -changer, says this addictions researcher.

Addiction is complicated, and that's why the existing medications we have are generally drug -specific.So opioid drugs for opioid use disorder, nicotine drugs for tobacco use disorder.What's really exciting about these GLP -1 agonists is that they seem to be helpful for a variety of substance use disorders.

To know if GLP -1s could help treat addiction, we need good randomized controlled trials.But there are very few testing that link so far.

The hype is outpacing the evidence.

In one recent study, researchers at the University of Southern California gave heavy drinkers a choice.Take a drink at a fake bar that's actually a research lab, or get some cash.Researchers also kept track of how much people were drinking at home, comparing a group of people on the GLP -1 in a Zempig to another group on a placebo.

People who were taking semaglutide reported reductions in their weekly alcohol craving relative to placebo.And we also found that the medication group reported reductions in quantity consumed per drinking day.

And while the emerging data is promising, researchers are hungry for long -term data to make sure these drugs are effective and will work.harm.

There are receptors in the brain.

This psychiatrist says there are already several studies proposed at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health looking at GLP -1s for nicotine and alcohol use disorders.

Just making sure that we have the solid evidence base to understand not just that they work but how they work and the potential side effects.

Some side effects are already well known.Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, vomiting.Others are just starting to be understood.

There's some concern that these drugs may also reduce motivation for other things like motivation for physical activity, motivation for socializing.They may be sort of anti -pleasure or anti -desire drugs.And that's not necessarily a good thing in terms of promoting a healthy recovery.

Since we first brought you this story, Health Canada has approved several generic GLP -1s.Two of them to treat type 2 diabetes and a third for weight loss.Coming up, honouring the Toronto Blue Jays World Series championships and the player that put them over the top.

I hope they look at it and they feel like it looks like Joe Carter and it properly reflects the moment.

The statue unveiling and the story behind it is next in our moment.You're looking at a new statue of Blue Jays legend Joe Carter right outside Rogers Centre in Toronto.After about a year of production, the sculptor Lou Sella and his team finished the project and brought Bronze Joe to Toronto.And the unveiling, well that makes our moment.

We had the honour, Omri, Amrani and I, of sculpting a statue of Joe Carter.Suddenly finding that we weregoing to be sculpting this, it was very vivid in my memory.In 1993, in the sixth game of the World Series, won their second World Series in a row.The Blue Jays really did a marvelous job of creating this event to celebrate this.Seeing all of these old ball players, you get kind of starstruck.

All of these guys are being recognized.Their names are carved in stone and it's not a tombstone.This is a very happy living monument there.I hope they look at it and they feel like it looks like Joe Carter and it properly reflects the moment.

Touch them all, Joe.So that sculptor, by the way, has created a bunch of other statues of baseball players.So let me see.Frank Thomas, the Slugger.Edgar Martinez, a star for Seattle.Fergie Jenkins, the pitcher from Canada.

All of them Hall of Famers.Maybe a chance, a slight chance, that Joe Carter, now that he has this statue, will join that group.We'll see.From all of us here at The National, thanks for being with us.I'm Ian Hanna -Mansingh in Vancouver.You can also join me on CBC News Network weeknights at 7 p .

m.Eastern.I hope to see you there.