The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Is he just too old, stumbling and incoherent? Not last night it seems. Joe Biden's energetic State of the Union address last night is getting mostly positive reviews and may have given him at least temporary relief from the wolves that seemed poised to ruin his re-election bid.  Bruce and Susan (filling in for Chantal) start with that and quickly move into Canadian politics -- a convincing Conserv...

The passing of Brian Mulroney had many of you thinking about the country's prime ministers and suggesting who was the most consequential. We have your answers on this week's Your Turn. Plus a very personal commentary from the Random Ranter this week, one many will identify with. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal d...

Listen to Peter Mansbridge's chat with Former Prime Minster of Canada Brian Mulroney in South Africa in 2013 for the CBC. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Brian Mulroney passed last week so did an era in Canadian politics. But did some of the lessons of leadership that he possessed carry on to new generations of leadership? Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerald Butts carry on their non partisan conversations on The Bridge, started in 2022, this week with the Mulroney legacy as the topic.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm...

For the first time since Oct 7, a split is open and obvious in the Israeli war cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz is heading to meetings in Washington against his prime minister's wishes raising questions about Israeli government solidarity and what it means to the situation on the ground in Gaza. All this while a new temporary truce seems imminent. Janice Stein gives us her...

The 18th prime minister of Canada was a force, a huge force. He changed the country in many ways, some worked, some didn't. He was also a major force on the international stage for himself and for Canada. Today the full hour on Brian Mulroney with Bruce, and filling in for a vacationing Chantal, the Toronto Star's Susan Delacourt.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...

The question this week was this: Name the one thing you would do to improve health care in Canada". You obviously care about this issue as most research shows health care is one of the top items bothering Canadians, and your letters show that you have ideas for solutions.  Lots of ideas.  Plus the Random Ranter has the issue that's on his mind this week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. S...

When the longtime CBC news anchor began his career as a reporter in the early 1970's, giving people the news was among the most trusted and important occupations in the country. When he retired in 2017, it was the era of "fake news", as trust in the media was at an all-time low. Seven years later, it's even lower than that. So what happened? Did the media lose people's trust? Did the internet do i...

The statistics are surprising to say the least. Wildfires are burning in different parts of the country already, some have been burning through the winter.  Are we prepared for what seems almost certain to come from fires to drought? Chris Hatch covers climate for the National Observer from Vancouver and he's our guest. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

They've been going on for months now, but what's really happening inside the Gaza Peace Talks and are things close to resolution. We've been here before but never clinched a deal. Could this be different? Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday briefing.  Plus we reveal our question of the week! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collecti...

Little things can make a difference is the old saying. And this week a little thing seemed to have some people wondering whether the Liberals have given up any chance of winning the next election. Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on that and a lot of other things from Ukraine, Pierre Poilievre to walks in the snow.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informatio...

A potpourri of concerns this week as the question was pretty general -- What's On Your Mind? Most deal with concerns about the world stage and specifically how desperate things look to many of you. Letters from across the country today, plus a commentary you won't soon forget from the Random Ranter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on January 2nd. Watergate and Richard Nixon brought him fame, and fifty years later Bob Woodward is still doing the journalism that is chasing another U.S. President.  A wide-ranging interview to kick off another year of The Bridge -- Woodward's take on everything from Donald Trump to the state of the media. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

This weekend marks the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Now experts worry whether this prolonged conflict could threaten the future of world peace. Today a special edition of the Bridge that brings together two of our favourite foreign affairs experts. Veteran correspondent and author Brian Stewart and internationally respected analyst Janice Stein. Their thoughts on where we ar...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on February 6th. It's Black History Month in Canada but what do we really know about black history in our country?  And more importantly, what should we know? This is an important and fascinating conversation with McGill University professor Debra Thompson, recognized around North America as an expert analyst on race politics. Hosted...

Two potholes for the Liberals in their path to try and find recovery.  One serious. A scandal that could last a while. The other perhaps not so much. Plus the ugliness surrounding demonstrations in Canada on both sides of the Israel-Hamas war -- what does it say about the country. Plus a lot more with Bruce and Chantal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

This week's question was simple -- what one thing would you do to improve air travel in Canada? Your answers certainly show what concerns you most and it has to do with baggage. Lots of entries today competing for the first place prize! Also the Random Ranter takes his swing at auto theft -- what he thinks the real problem is. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for infor...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on January 30th. With issues surrounding what you are allowed to read in some American schools, some Canadians may be surprised there are similar issues in Canada.  That's why next month will include "A Freedom to Read" week.  An important discussion on that today with the CEO of the Halifax Public Libraries, Asa Kachan.  Plus, what...

Marci Ien made her name as a Canadian television journalist anchoring some of CTV's most important programs. Today she's a federal cabinet minister responsible for women and gender equality. She was born in Toronto of Trinidadian descent. Today a feature interview with Marci Ien about her path as a Black Canadian and how she reflects on Black History month. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company...

Donald Trump's latest claim of what to expect from a second Trump presidency has the alarm bells ringing in NATO capitals around the world. Trump says he'd abandon any NATO country that fell behind in defense expenditures and would tell the Russians to invade if they want to. Really?  What would that mean? Dr Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday appearance on this subject and a lot more...

Auto theft was the issue for the national political leaders this week and it's worth asking why. So we do on Good Talk this week including focusing on the minister of public safety, Dominic LeBlanc and why we should keep an eye on him for the future. Also today, who's buying Jagmeet Singh's threat to pull the plug on the deal keeping the Liberals in power? And BCE's latest slash at journalism in C...

Your answers to this week's question -- what's one thing you or your family do to fight climate change? Once again, there are lots of answers from across the country. Some expected, some innovative, some surprising. Plus the Randon Ranter on what for some Canadians may be the country's biggest issue this year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 1st. An extended conversation with Canadian author, comedian and yes, icon, Rick Mercer.  If he was still doing his famous rants today what and whom would he be ranting about?  But we start with an engaging story about a meeting between a young Prince Charles and an amazing woman from northern Scotland. All this as the excitem...

A feature interview with the author of an extraordinary new book that explores he world of chance, chaos and why everything we do matters. He's Brian Klaas a university professor in London, England. When you hear his stories and his theories you'll be thinking about how your own life has been impacted by  "flukes". I sure did. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for infor...

The fear since October 7th has always been that this Israel-Hamas conflict could turn into a wider war. Well, it has and Dr Janice Stein joins us to give us her take on what it now means.  Plus some surprising intrigue in Ukraine, and Janice delivers on her promise to also give us some "good news".  We'll also unveil the question of the week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi...