“Service first,” the motto of Canada’s elite team of secret soldiers, the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR). This elite organization specializing in dangerous operations has been shrouded in secrecy…until now. Premiering Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV GO, and CTV News GO, W5’s “SECRET WARRIORS” offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at CSOR soldiers on a training mission deep in the heart of the Sahara Desert, as they provide counter-terrorism training to African soldiers in Niger – Al Qaeda’s newest breeding ground. CTV News’ Mercedes Stephenson, on special assignment for W5, travels alongside the CSOR team in the African region currently facing a dangerous tipping point, where violent extremists are organized, well-funded, and well-armed. Also in this episode, W5shares the story of FEAT – a Canadian organization that provides support for families of the incarcerated, including transportation for children to visit their parents behind bars.
The top secret missions of the CSOR, considered among the best special forces in the world, span the globe – on land, sea, and air. W5 delivers an up-close look at their operations in Niger, as they train soldiers from some of the world’s poorest African nations to fight their own wars against the growing threat of a new base for terrorism. CSOR training exercises – including mock raids, ambushes, and surprise attacks – are complemented by capacity-building efforts, such as organizing local health clinics and building relationships with the community. W5’s rare glimpse inside Canada’s Special Forces regiment shares the CSOR story for the first time – a story about the men and women who serve and represent Canada with excellence, intelligence, and pride.
Also in this episode, W5’s “FAMILY TIME” examines FEAT, a non-profit organization that offers support to children of incarcerated parents. CANADA AM’s Beverly Thomson leads the story, speaking with organizers and members of FEAT – which stands for “Foster, Empowering and Advocating Together” – about the services they offer to children, including counseling and transportation to visit their parents behind bars. There are approximately 180,000 Canadian children whose parents are currently incarcerated – parents unable to provide a positive and active presence in the lives of their children. FEAT’s goal is to keep the family unit together during prison sentences, making it easier for these parents to eventually integrate back into society and for the children to maintain strong family bonds.
W5 also repeats on CTV on Sundays at 4 p.m. ET, and can be seen on Investigation Discovery on Tuesdays at 11 p.m. ET, and Wednesdays 12 noon ET; on demand at CTVNews.ca/W5; the CTV GO App and CTV News GO App, the CTV Mobilechannel on Bell Mobile TV, and through video on demand partners, such as Bell Fibe TV (visit CTV.ca for local listings). W5 is also simulcast in Toronto on CFRB NEWSTALK1010.
