The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

After weeks, perhaps months, of being pummeled by the opposition, the media and Good Talk, Justin Trudeau got a bit of a break this week.  Pierre Poilievre found his actions under the microscope, and to many, it didn't look good. Bruce and Chantal are all over this on Good Talk this week and they sure don't hold back. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ab...

The passing of a cultural icon prompted a lot of emotional reactions from across the country this week. A surprising amount considering many mentioned they had never heard of the person whose memory was being marked. And the Ranter begins a three part series on advice for the nation's political leaders. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

It is the morning after the day before, or in other terms, the day after the FES, the Fall Economic Statement. Was it a good day or a bad day for the Liberals as they try to climb out of their double-digit deficit to the Conservatives in the opinion polls? Bruce is here for a spirited discussion about that. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...

My fourth book, and my second co-authored with Mark Bulgutch is released by publisher Simon and Schuster today.  It's called "How Canada Works" and to Mark and me is a testament to the people who quietly and without fanfare make the country work.  Mark is my guest today as we explain how we found the jobs and the people who do them that are the centrepiece of our new book. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

Dr Janice Stein is with us again after a weekend of informative discussions at the Halifax International Security Conference. Janice shares with us some of what she heard and what she learned on both the Middle East situation and the war in Ukraine. The road ahead on both is not going to be easy or short. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our colle...

We have set the normal political conversation aside for the first segment of Good Talk this week. Instead an emotional discussion about the loss of a Canadian cultural icon. His name -- Karl Tremblay, and for many Canadians they may not have heard of him, but today we'll tell you why he's someone, if you didn't know about, you should. Chantal and Bruce have their memories. Plus more potential spli...

Is it the issue of our times or is it the forgotten issue of our times?  Climate change.  You had lots to say about comments we made yesterday on SMT and today you get the Bridge to air your thoughts.  Plus the Random Ranter is by with his take on the "axing the taxing" debate. And some special letters about your feelings on last week's Your Turn on Remembrance Day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWiz...

You only have to be away from Ottawa for a few weeks to sense things have changed.  Like the mood and the tone of the Parliament Hill community.  It seems the polls have had an impact on the feel of the place.  Bruce joins for SMT and there's lots to talk about. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertisi...

The Israel-Hamas war is in its fortieth day and new information from the Committee To Protect Journalists says 44 journalists have been killed during that time period.  Why is this war so dangerous for journalists?  We'll touch on that plus a series of other wide-ranging issues from climate change to artificial intelligence.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform...

The debate around "pause" versus "ceasefire" continues but meanwhile, people are still dying in the Israel-Hamas war. Janice Stein is with us for what has become her regular Monday briefing on where the conflict stands. Plus her thoughts on a new a study into Canada's role in the Afghan war and why very few people can get their hands on the report. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm...

The Conservative's double-digit lead in the polls seems to have the NDP nervous about its deal with the Liberals which helps keep Justin Trudeau in power. Every week it seems the NDP is looking for more concessions from the Liberals  to stay on board. How long can that last, how long will it last?  Bruce and Chantal are with us with their thoughts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm...

I asked for your stories about your family's connection to Remembrance Day. I wasn't sure what to expect but the emails just poured in. Today's episode is all you, and your stories. These represent some of the best of what you sent but there were lots more that could have easily made the cut! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...

A very strange couple of days for Joe Biden.  Weekend polling was disastrous for the Democrats, but last night's voting results were anything but. What to make of that is the topic for SMT today with Bruce Anderson. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s an old saying but perhaps truer today than ever. Dr Samantha Nutt from War Child Canada has seen it all in sone of the most desperate corners of the world. And what frustrates her almost more than anything else if the fact that many countries just don’t learn the lessons of our history. She’s our guest for this conversation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for in...

Some stunning remarks from the head of the Ukrainian military have analysts around the world wondering whether Ukraine has decided no one can win its war with Russia. At the same time questions are now being raised about whether, in spite of its military advantage, Israel can "defeat" Hamas.  Janice Stein is with us again for her regular Monday visit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...

It's been a disastrous week for the Liberals and equally so for Justin Trudeau. How deep does the problem go, and what may happen as a consequence?  Some things that were held private are not being hidden anymore.  What happens now? Bruce and Chantal are here to give their thoughts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of person...

Why am I not surprised? You had a lot to say about the Trudeau government's decision to change course, for three years anyway, on its carbon tax plan. The Random Ranter joins in too. Plus your thoughts on the Middle East, the CBC, and a lot more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The reverberations of the Trudeau carbon tax decision continue inspite of the PM’s own denial that there will be more changes in other areas. Was this a really bad move on the part of the government or one from which they can recover? Bruce is here for that. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A major speech by the foreign affairs minister yesterday prompts questions about whether this marks a shift in Canada's overall position on foreign policy.  While most of the attention the speech received was about what Canada wants to see in the current Middle East conflict, there is more to talk about. So we spend a few minutes with former diplomat Colin Robertson on what he takes from what was...

Janice Stein is with us again for an important conversation that goes beyond the headlines in the Israel-Hamas war. Context is everything in the Middle East and that’s the goal of this week’s discussion. We start on the mic talked about hostages for prisoners swap. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advert...

The carbon tax has been a signature part of the Liberal's climate change policy but last night may have been the beginning of the end of that signature.  Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on the prime minister's latest move on the energy front and wonder what might be next. That plus another good discussion on the national implications already coming out as a result of Alberta's plan for its o...

Well, the Random Ranter has ignored Donald Trump since he debuted on The Bridge in September 2022.  But not today.  He's all in on debunking the former US President and he doesn't hold back.  That plus another wide range of opinions from you on Your Turn -- from the Middle East, to EV's, to the CBC, to Alberta's pension plan idea. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for i...

After a day of meetings in Ottawa, the prime minister has announced that Canada is joining the call for "humanitarian pauses" in the Israel-Hamas war so civilians in Gaza can receive aid. Is there a distinction between humanitarian pauses and ceasefires? Does it matter? Bruce Anderson joins to discuss on this week's SMT. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

Is the pressure shifting to a ceasefire in the Middle East? France and the EU are now pushing for a ceasefire. The US and the UK remaining supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself after the October 7th attacks. Meanwhile, what is the thinking on the Arab street to all this?  Dr Samantha Nutt is just back from Yemen and Jordan and joins us to talk about what she’s seen and heard. Hosted by Sim...

Israel has been saying a full scale ground invasion was imminent and while some elements have been underway “full scale” has yet to happen. Why? Janice Stein is with us again with a wide ranging discussion on the latest of what is happening in the Middle East. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising...