It’s a little money saving trick Canadians who live near a provincial border know well. They drive to another province to save a bit because products are cheaper there. It’s the kind of thing you’d do without giving it a second thought. However, for Gerard Comeau, driving from New Brunswick to Quebec to buy a case of beer resulted in a ticket and a constitutional challenge that made it all the way to the Supreme Court.

In her documentary, “A Case of Beer …. and Borders,” CBC producer Jodie Martinson explores how Comeau’s beer run became a high-stakes legal battle over interprovincial trade barriers in Canada. The case pittled those who wanted to maintain provincial control of some industries against others pushing for free trade.

The documentary was produced by Jodie Martinson, Liz Hoath, and Joan Webber, with assistance from Mary-Catherine McIntosh. The doc originally aired on The Sunday Magazine. This episode of Storylines first aired in March 2025.

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit

In West Sacramento, California, an unlikely team of firefighters is helping save homes from wildfire. They have four legs, love to eat, and bleat when they're happy. If you haven’t guessed already, we’re talking about goats!

When flames raced toward a condo complex in 2022, the fire suddenly stopped. Residents credit the goats who had recently cleared the area of dry grass and brush. Tim Arrowsmith owns over 4,000 goats that graze across northern California. His herds devour fire fuels that would otherwise help blazes spread.

In his documentary producer John Chipman explores how this novel approach to wildfire prevention works. He also asks why goat grazing isn't more common in Canada, where officials are skeptical of these cute furry firefighters.

Produced John Chipman and Joan Webber with help from Catherin Rolfsen / Originally aired on What on Earth

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit

In 2014, Shams Erfan was pulled off a bus by members of the Taliban who accused him of being a traitor. A bystander intervened, saving his life, but Shams knew he was no longer safe in Afghanistan.

This threat set Erfan on a treacherous eight-year journey. He hoped to find a safe haven in Indonesia. Instead, he spent years stuck in a refugee prison camp. When he finally reached Canada, Shams vowed to help bring others like himself to safety — and he found the people who could help him do it.

On this week's Storylines, Alisa Siegel follows three strangers from vastly different worlds, united in a single mission: to rescue refugees trapped in Indonesia and help them begin new lives.

Produced by Alisa Siegel and story editing by Liz Hoath. This program originally aired in March 2024

Storylines is part of the CBC Audio Doc Unit