The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

We all have bad weeks but the Russians have just had a VERY bad week and Brian Stewart is here to tell us why.  Plus what is Volodymyr Zelensky up to as he globe-trots to some of western Europe's key capitals? And some quick end bits on polls, four day school weeks, and a bizarre US space program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection an...

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 does it lead?  Those are the questions we tackle in Moore-Butts #8. Hosted by...

It's a simple issue but one that gets people talking and today some "good talk" with Chantal and Rob Russo filling in for Bruce. Images of Canadian history or drawings of  Canadiana -- what do you think best reflects our passports?  Plus a new challenge for Conservatives, and a controversial return of Donald Trump.  All talkers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inf...

A  wide range of opinions on various issues today are headlined for the most part by things triggered by the Random Ranter.  Last week he tore into the monarchy, some of you agreed but others argued for the tie to be kept.  And then the Ranter heads off in a new direction - China. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal...

Look out, he may be on his way back.  The People's Party leader is said to be about to enter a byelection. race for a federal seat in Manitoba.  If he does what impact would that have not only on his party but on the Conservative party as well.  Bruce is off this week, but Toronto Star columnist Althia Raj is here with her take on that story and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...

For Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary, this week we profile the man who has brought mercenary armies to the forefront of discussion. Yevgeny Prigozhin operates the Wagnedr group and while we have talked about him before, today we take a wider look at the issue because mercenaries are operating in a lot more than just the battle for Ukraine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pc...

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.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data fo...

Chantal and Bruce analyze the pros and cons of Thursday night's major speech from Justin Trudeau to Liberal delegates in Ottawa.  Does he still have the royal jelly to lead. the liberals against Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives?  Plus does the Michael Chong story just keep the drip, drip, drip going against the government on the China election interference issue. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz c...

Lots of your mail on the passing of Gordon Lightfoot and today I highlight a few with great stories to talk about the impact the legendary singer had on our lives.  Then the Ranter comes by with his take on the monarchy.  Cover your ears if you want it to survive! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adverti...

The New York Times has looked at how Presidents in the last thirty years have been doing fewer and fewer news conferences and one on one interviews.  Is that becoming the new normal and is it spreading to Canada?  If so what do we lose? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

He became a legend and an icon for the stories he told and the songs he wrote about them.  Gordon Lightfoot loved Canada and loved singing about our story.  And we loved listening. Some thoughts about Gordon and what he meant to us and to me.  And then our regular Tuesday commentary with Brian Stewart about the war in Ukraine.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for info...

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 excitement (not) builds towards Coronation Day on Saturday. Hosted by Simplecast, an...

It was supposed to be a throwaway two-minute chat, but we ended up talking about PM Trudeau and the Coronation for 12 minutes.  Why? You might want to listen!  Chantal and filling in for Bruce, our friend Rob Russo.  Also some substantial talk about the biggest strike in Canadian history and why its taking so long to settle.  Plus the Liberals meet in convention next week where among other things,...

Your Turn - Love and Hate on the CBC. There are few things that generate more discussion from Bridge listeners than the debate about the CBC and this week is another example of that.  Lots of comments about the national public broadcaster's future.  Plus the Random Ranter on whether Joe Biden is just too old to keep being President. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...

Joe Biden announces his re-election bid and his most likely contender, at least at this point, is Donald Trump.  Bruce looks at the opening volleys in the 2024 US election campaign and we wonder if this is the best they can do. An 80 something Democrat and a multi-indicted Republican who could be perp walked and in an orange jumpsuit before the voting begins. Plus the PSAC strike and new talk of a...

If NATO Is Considering a New Strategy, Where Does Canada Fit In? On Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary, his thoughts on what a lot of NATO countries are considering - a new strategy for the defense of Europe.  And just as important, if there is going to be a new strategy how does Canada fit in, especially in light of Prime Minister Trudeau's reported comments about how much the country is...

Russia may be losing the war in Ukraine, but are they, and China, winning the wider war for global influence?  War Child Canada's Dr. Samantha Nutt joins us to talk about just that with her on-the-ground experience. Plus we start with another climate change update that should interest anyone who travels by air. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

Bruce has just completed a deep dive on the CBC and how Canadians feel about it.  The results aren't pretty and along with Chantal and me, we have some thoughts on whether the nearly 100-year-old national public broadcaster will even make it to the centennial in 2036. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adv...

A chance comment the other day on retirement prompted a fair amount of mail from young and old listeners, forming the opening act of today's Your Turn.  Plus The Random Ranter has his take on the popularity of lithium and why we should think twice about it.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fox pays almost 800 million dollars to shut down a lawsuit against the news network for fabricating stories. No apologies, no firings -- Bruce wonders whether democracy was served by that decision.  Was the prime minister right or wrong to take a holiday in Jamaica at a wealthy friends resort?  And the latest on the CBC, all on this week's Smoke Mirrors and The Truth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsW...

After almost 15 months of war in Ukraine, Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary on The Bridge suggests there could be a possibility for peace negotiations just around the corner.  It's far from certain but Brian makes the argument that certain pieces which could lead to talks are starting to fall in place. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...

Have we grown accustomed to taking the Canada-US relationship for granted? If so, is it time to rethink that assumption? Former Trudeau principal secretary Gerald Butts and former Harper cabinet minister meet again for Moore-Butts #7 and there's lots to think about after hearing their take on the old "best friends" scenario. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informa...

It was ten years ago this month that Justin Trudeau became leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.  He's been prime minister for almost eight of those years.  Is it time to go or is there still "gas in the tank"? Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on the meaning of the anniversary, plus some comments on Pierre Poilievre's latest attack moment with the media. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz comp...

After an Easter break you are back with your emails about the issues of the day from coalitions to Pierre Poilievre to the CBC.  And the Random Ranter makes his return by joining the discussion about Climate Change.  It's a packed episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bruce does his deepest dive yet on Canadians' attitudes towards Pierre Poilievre, and the numbers are good for Poilievre and not good for Justin Trudeau.  This is not your ordinary party preference poll, its much different and is quite telling about where Canadians are today in how they feel about leadership in Canada. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information a...