As It Happens

As It Happens: Thursday Edition

July 9, 2020

Full Episode Transcript

Part One

Trudeau WE Payments
The Prime Minister says he wanted to inspire young Canadians to contribute. But Conservative MP Michael Cooper says handing a big contract to a charity that paid speaking fees to Mr Trudeau's mother and brother was not an inspired choice.

Polynesia People Study
A new study suggests the Polynesians and Native Americans made contact 800 years ago -- long before the Europeans. Our guest tells us DNA analysis gives hints about an epic voyage across the Pacific, and helps us better understand the history and culture of both groups.

Covid Public Toilets
Stalled…  We hear from Canada's leading public-toilet-ologist about what the pandemic has revealed about just how far we have to go to get public washrooms right.

Part Two

Spirit Bear Genetics
We already knew British Columbia's majestic white Spirit Bears were elusive and mysterious. But new research from the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation now shows just how rare they are and what needs to be done to preserve them. 

Unresponsive Patient Study
Health care workers have long asserted that unresponsive patients are comforted by the words of loved ones. Now a UBC study shows that while we still don't know if they're conscious, there's evidence that they can hear.