This economist sees a big problem with Carney’s latest idea

This episode of As It Happens explores a range of global stories, beginning with a critical analysis of Prime Minister Mark Carney's newly announced Canada Strong Fund, a federal sovereign wealth fund. Economist Chris Reagan from McGill University expresses skepticism about the fund's branding as a 'wealth fund,' noting it will be financed through borrowing rather than surplus revenues like Norway's model. He raises concerns about redundancy, given existing financial crown corporations, but acknowledges the innovative aspect of allowing individual Canadians to invest directly. The episode then shifts to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where a gunman attempted to storm the event, sparking debate over security protocols. Washington Post reporter Emily Davies recounts the chaos and questions why the event wasn't designated a National Special Security Event, despite heightened threats. The segment also honors the legacy of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, whose death at 81 is mourned by musicians, including violinist Hena Corbett, who reflects on his transformative impact through the New World Symphony. The episode concludes with a deep-sea discovery: a mysterious golden orb found off Alaska’s coast, identified as a discarded cuticle from a deep-sea anemone, highlighting how much remains unknown in the ocean’s depths. Other segments cover El Salvador’s controversial mass trials of MS-13 members and the surprising peaceful succession of naked mole rat queens. Key takeaways include: 1) Sovereign wealth funds must be transparently funded to avoid being perceived as debt instruments; 2) Public trust in institutions depends on both security and accountability; 3) Cultural and scientific legacies—like those of MTT—can profoundly shape individual lives; 4) Innovation in governance and science often begins with curiosity and careful observation; 5) The deep ocean remains one of Earth’s last frontiers, full of undiscovered life; 6) The line between security and civil liberties is increasingly fragile in modern democracies; 7) Even in moments of crisis, human resilience and connection endure; 8) Legacy is not just in achievements, but in the people one inspires.