The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Some new intelligence on Canada's vulnerability to foreign interference is worrying to say the least. It suggests that interference by foreigners is deeply embedded in Canadian politics on every level. But the unanswered question is are we any different than most western countries? And Alberta's trans-gender decisions have not surprisingly become an issue too. Bruce and Chantal have their say on t...

The question of the week was "If you could say one thing to a new immigrant to Canada, about Canada, what would that be?"  Once again you weren't shy about your advice, sending in many, many emails from across the country. We read some of the best and award the prize to this week's winner. Plus, the Random Ranter does his take on Question Period and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company....

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 29th. A week after the Johnston Report we leave the politics out of the discussion and talk only about what we learned, including what do we know about how we handle our secrets.  And when a top-secret report goes up to the Primer Minister how many people may have first seen it -- you might be surprised.  Special guest is secu...

A special edition today as we ask Dr Samantha Nutt of War Child Canada to break down her most recent trip to South Sudan, basically to take us with her. So get your maps ready because this will bring you into the heart of one of the most challenging places on earth -- thousands of dead, millions of displaced .. many facing civil war and starvation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm...

Talks in Paris between Israel, Qatar, the US and Egypt began over the weekend and optimists feel they could lead to a deal to stop the fighting in Gaza within days. Dr Janice Stein gives us her take on what's possible and what's not. Also, Ukraine and North Korea add to today's agenda. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of per...

Strange week for Justin Trudeau --one day a member calls for a leadership review, and the next his caucus almost hoists him on their shoulders.  What's going on?  Bruce and Chantal on that and a lot more.  Tucker Carlson in Alberta, convoy promoters get a court decision in their favour, and the ICJ rules on Gaza. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about o...

This week's question was struck a chord: name the one thing you like best about winter.  It's a pretty soft question but you delivered again, lots of answers and many of them quite poetic in their description of what many think strikes to the heart and soul of being Canadian.  Plus, it being Thursday, the Random Ranter is by with his latest take on EVs, electric vehicles. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

Encore Presentation. A young Canadian medic fighting with the Ukrainians takes us inside the story with his first-hand account of what it's like at the frontlines of the war.  His name is Brandon Mitchell and he's from Miramichi, New Brunswick.  His story is one that tells us what this war is really like.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...

For the most part the old saying that foreign policy isn't what Canadians vote on, but does that mean Canadian governments and political parties take a pass on worrying about foreign matters?  Time for another great Moore Butts conversation, this time #13 of our series.  Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former principal secretary to the prime minister Gerald Butts take us insid...

Benjamin Netanyahu's hold on power has been tenuous at best for the past year, but even more so after the past few days.  There's a sense that the prime ministership of Israel may be slipping away from him.  Dr. Janice Stein has her weekly Monday take on the Middle East story, the Ukraine-Russia war, and a very bleak outlook from the new Defence Secretary in the United Kingdom. Hosted by Simplecas...

John Kennedy used to say, aside from indigenous people, we are all either immigrants or descended from immigrants. That was true in the US and it's true in Canada. So how do we resolve what is becoming a major issue in Canada -- immigration?  Plus, the Liberals have a cabinet retreat next week, so what? Will it make a difference? And, what now for Rachel Notley? Bruce and Chantal on all these and...

This week's question was this: If you could name one thing to make us better communicate with each other, what would that change be? Do you have the answer to polarization? You sure offered a lot of possibilities and today we air them out. Plus the Random Ranter in a way you've never heard him before. Literally. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 15th. Our two political heavyweights, Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerry Butts, move their latest non-partisan discussion to the question of lies and their growing place in modern politics.  Like it or not the lie is in the toolbox of politics and Donald Trump isn't the only one using it.  How did that happen and where...

Donald Trump wins the opening round in the race for the Republican nomination for the US presidency. But does that mean it's all over already? One of the best analysts I know is our guest today. Someone who has covered Trump, someone who understands politics and history and where the two intersect. He's Keith Boag former CBC Washington correspondent and former CBC Chief Political Correspondent in...

It's our regular Monday discussion with foreign affairs expert Dr Janice Stein. On topic. today: Taiwan, the Houthis, and a two-state solution for the Middle East. It's a master class in geopolitics.  Also, we'll unveil this week's big question that you have a chance to answer and win a coveted prize! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collectio...

Ed Broadbent and Jean Chretien.  Two giants on the country's political landscape, but are they symbols of an era long past? Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on that, plus how significant are the changes taking place in the prime minister's office? Also, does Canada have a position on genocide in the Middle East? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abo...

This week's question was a popular one: "What one change would you make to Canada's news media?". People from coast to coast to coast wrote in with their thoughts and some pretty good ideas. Also today the Random Ranter makes the case for Canada's teachers -- what he thinks they need. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pers...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on November 28th. Some say it's the scourge of our times, but if so what can be done about it?  Lee McIntyre is an American philosopher and author who's written extensively on the issues of truth and disinformation. He's studied the impact of both and shares his thoughts about how best to deal with them.   Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad...

The former senior Conservative cabinet minister takes aim at some of her former colleagues, both Liberal AND Conservative for wasting time on non-issues and ignoring the important ones, especially one issue in particular. It's a kind of Lisa Raitt "unplugged" episode and she doesn't hold back. Plus, a look at six good news stories we've missed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ads...

The United States Secretary of State is on a week-long dash through seven mid-east countries desperately trying to prevent a wider war than the one already underway between Israel and Hamas. Janice Stein walks us through the challenges he faces, plus her latest assessment of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the importance of this week's upcoming election in Taiwan.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi...

Both the Liberals and the Conservatives appear to have stumbled in the holiday season and the question now, is will they pay for the slip-ups? Trudeau in Jamaica, again -- and a Conservative frontbencher calls for Canada to withdraw from the UN. Bruce and Chantal handle both of those issues and more as Good Talk kicks off the 2024 season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.c...

The question to you was "Name the one change you would make to Canada's political system". And you had answers, lots of them and today we scan the mail and award one of the suggestions with a special prize. It's a new format for the Thursday edition of the Bridge. But the Random Ranter remains in place! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

After more than a dozen year end interviews by some of Canada's political leaders, who benefited most?  The leaders? The media? The public?  That and more about the relationship between the media and the leaders with a former bureau chief at the Canadian Press and the CBC in Ottawa, Rob Russo. WE cover a lot of ground, so enjoy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inf...

In our first episode of a new year, we ask the provocative question about whether the world is moving towards expanded conflict. Not just Israel-Hamas, not just Russia Ukraine but beyond. Dr Janice Stein is with us for her weekly discussion but this time she includes a segment she made popular in the past, "What are we missing?" touching upon an area she feels we just aren't talking about enough....

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on December 5th. Some of my favourite stories are about the history of Canada's Arctic and almost all of them have been written by Ken McGoogan. He's our guest today with his exciting new book Searching for Franklin. If you think you know the Franklin story you'll want to hear this, if you don't know it. this just might get you hooke...