The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Chantal and Bruce go through the fallout from the Liberal caucus.  Can some new promises about housing, groceries and the HST save Justin Trudeau and his party? And are we on the verge of a cussfest between the Liberals and the Conservatives? Strong language is up for discussion! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal...

Last week, the Random Ranter had his solution for the affordable housing dilemma and this week you respond on what seems to be the issue of the day.  But also your thoughts on climate change, politics and the latest Moore-Butts conversation. Plus this week's Random Ranter take, this time on climate change. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...

With an increasingly vocal caucus demanding answers to the Liberal's nosedive in the polls, Justin Trudeau faces his internal party critics. What does he have to say and do to calm their fears, or is that even possible?  Bruce Anderson looks at the smoke, the mirrors and the truth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona...

A new book on Joe Biden has Brian Stewart talking about the relationship the US President has with the Ukrainian President. It may surprise you.  But first, we bring back Dr Lisa Barrett from Halifax to answer some of your questions about the apparent resurgence of COVID.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data fo...

In the tenth instalment of what has become a very popular conversation, former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former principal secretary to prime minister Trudeau Gerald Butts focus on helping us understand political trends.  Today, again burying their partisan feelings, the two look at the issue of how to campaign in an era of polarization.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compan...

As poll after poll drops showing the Conservatives with, in some cases, a huge lead, the party meets in convention in Quebec City.  Can anything stop what seems like a steamroller for Pierre Poilievre? Bruce and Chantal bring their thoughts to the Good Talk conversation. Also should premiers be lobbying the Bank of Canada on interest rates? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz...

The Random Ranter's return from the summer has him thinking about affordable housing and what may be needed to come up with an answer to a dilemma facing many Canadians. That in the middle of a Your Turn with lots of your thoughts on the housing situation.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bruce Anderson joins for an attempt to deconstruct two key political moments -- one in Ontario and one in Manitoba.  One happened here and what are the lessons for all of us who consider ourselves political junkies.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We kick off our latest season with Brian Stewart and his regular Tuesday take on where things stand in Ukraine.  Lots to catch up on from Putin to Pregozin. And my thoughts on the summer of 23 from wildfires to Lioness. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on June 5th. The latest from two political veterans is another winner.  Why do politicians say the things they say -- are they deliberately trying to mirror the views of potential supporters and if so is the message going through a generational change?  Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerald Butts are back for their last convers...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May30th. 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.  Brian Stewart also drops by for a co...

Chantal and Bruce drop by for a final summer. Good Talk and the topic is all politics.  After two months, did one leader get the political edge over the other?  What are the consequences of the debate over housing, inflation, and the mid-summer cabinet shuffle?  A classic who's up, who's down conversation.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...

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...

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...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 8th. After lots of talk on The Bridge about television journalism, today some thoughts on the struggle to keep print journalism alive.  A feature interview with Jordan Bitove the owner and CEO of TorStar, which controls the Toronto Star and 80 others newspapers in the country.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm...

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...

The dust has settled on one of the largest shuffles in Canadian political history but at the end of the day what really changed?  If anything.  Bruce and Chantal are here for a special mid-summer Good Talk and they don't hold back.   Also updates on Pierre Poilievre and some thoughts about that recent swarming and what it says about us. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on March 27th. Professor Katharine Hayhoe is a Canadian atmospheric scientist living in Texas who is one of North America's leading academics talking about climate change.  She's calm. reasonable but still passionate that we aren't doing enough. She's our guest today.  Plus a new answer on the old question of why do journalists only...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on March 6th. This is an important discussion about Artificial intelligence -- what you should know and why legislators seem so slow-footed on dealing with the issues AI brings.  Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is trying to raise awareness on something that is happening very quickly in our world, perhaps too quickly. Hosted by...

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...

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...

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...

For our final Good Talk of the season, Bruce, Chantal and I talk about the mood of the country and how it's changed in the last couple of years.  Then we talk about the politics of the country and how it has changed in the years of the Trudeau government. Lots for everyone in this conversation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and u...

The Random Ranter sure started something last week with his rant on bike lanes and you certainly responded both for and against what he had to say.   If his job is to provoke, it worked!  Also your comments on the Erin O'Toole exit interview. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Four byelections this week have some Conservatives worried about the future.  Should they be or is it all just smoke and mirrors? Brian Mulroney gives Justin Trudeau a rousing introduction -- what's up with that?   And are news organizations making the right call on their breathless reporting of the latest Titanic story?  Veteran journalist Rob Russo sits in for Bruce Anderson this week. Hosted by...