The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

It's the Thursday edition of The Bridge and that means your turn through the Bridge Mailbag.  Lots of comments on Ukraine, the Media and Covid. But we start with some tips on how to spot fake or misleading footage about the war. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bruce is back with his take on what we are witnessing as the day's news looks a lot like the old documentary newsreels of the past. Bombed out European cities, long lines of refugees fleeing to nearby borders, and a dictator seemingly out of control.  Are we doing enough? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

Many people think Vladimir Putin has, to put it mildly, lost his way, and he's become irrational in his actions.  One of the most internationally respected writers on the Putin legacy, Professor Timothy Frye of Columbia University in New York, joins us with his thoughts.  Then a different angle to the story that has the world's attention -- how the story is being covered.  My old colleague and one...

First up today, we go to Kiev to talk to the internationally known academic Olexiy Haran for an on-the-ground description of life in the embattled city.  And why morale remains so high.  But it's also Monday and we hold true to our weekly commitment to stay on the pandemic story with a focus this week on masks and the push to end use of them.  Science Sam, Dr Samantha Yammine is with us for that....

Bruce and Chantal are back with a full agenda.  Canada's position on Ukraine, Justin Trudeau revoking the Emergencies Act and the latest on the Conservative leadership race. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has juggled today's normal lineup around.  Dr Janice Stein, internationally recognized U of T professor of conflict management, joins me after a night of attacks in Ukraine.   Also, some of your best letters in our Mail Bag for the past week, all relate to the trucker's story.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...

Bruce Anderson and Smoke Mirrors and The Truth is all over the continuing fallout from the trucker's story.  From the US fascination with Justin Trudeau to the impact of Ukraine to the Conservative leadership race -- it's all here!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's our regular weekly (day later than usual because of yesterday's holiday) check-in on Covid.  But first some thoughts on the Ukraine story, and the trucker's story and the importance of words.  Epidemiologist Dr. Zain Chagla joins us with his take on yet another vaccine shot, and also how concerned we should be about the variant BA2 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com...

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on February 15th. This is a fabulous and important discussion to have with two normally political foes engaging in a thoughtful, for the most part non partisan discussion about current leadership patterns.  Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau Principal Secretary Gerry Butts. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad...

You'll never guess what the topic is for this week with Bruce and Chantal.  Has the government justified its use of the Emergencies Act -- a full show's back and forth on this one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More letters than ever sent in this week and today's Bridge highlights some of them.  Also lots of comments on our Gerry Butts/James Moore Tuesday episode -- seems like you loved it.  Plus some thoughts from you on the latest COVID situation.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bruce brings his latest data book with him and gives us a sense of how Canadians feel about the convoy mess.  Also the big question -- will this ever end and how will it end? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is a fabulous and important discussion to have with two normally political foes engaging in a thoughtful, for the most part non partisan discussion about current leadership patterns.  Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau Principal Secretary Gerry Butts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

Many provinces have started rolling back Covid restrictions. Right or wrong?  Epidemiologist Dr Lisa Barrett joins us from Halifax with her thoughts on this question that goes to the heart of the question of covid management.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you feel about the leadership of Justin Trudeau during the "convoy crisis"?  Is it strong or weak?  What could he be doing that he isn't doing? And what about the Conservative's huge flip flop -- going from cheerleaders for the protesting truckers to demanding they, stop their protest now?  Lots to discuss and Chantal and Bruce are ready for just that. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compa...

Lots of your thoughts, comments, questions and ideas about the various "protests" across the country as they are about to enter a third week.  And you haven't forgotten the pandemic, your emails on that too. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

American political strategist Steve Schmidt joins us with his theories on how and why the American far right is trying to influence the protests in Ottawa, and Bruce Anderson has his thoughts on that.  Its Smoke Mirrors and The Truth for another week of talk about a situation that has paralyzed parts of the country's political and economic base. Plus the latest on the Conservative leadership race....

Steve Schmidt is a top American political and communications strategist with bright red Republican credentials. He's fearful of what's happening in his country and is convinced it's bleeding over into Canada, witness the dark side of the trucker's convoy. Plus an extraordinary discussion with Anthony Germain of the CBC on what it's like inside Beijing in the midst of Covid and the Olympics. Hosted...

A lot of reasonable people are getting frustrated and are beginning to ask "Are we still in a pandemic?"  So that is among the big picture questions on our regular Monday edition of The Bridge this week with Dr. Isaac Bogoch of the University Health Network in Toronto. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for ad...

Three words: Truckers -- Erin O'Toole.   And then many more words and lively discussion from Chantal and Bruce! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A busy week in the Your Turn department, dozens and dozens of letters, mostly to do with the so-called "freedom" convoy and listeners haven't been shy. But also comments about electric vehicles and the pandemic make the list.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the voting was taking place on Erin O'Toole's leadership Smoke Mirrors and The Truth had these thoughts on the dilemma facing the Conservatives and their leadership.  Also, how are the people of Ottawa holding up to the protests in their city? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we focus on the big picture of electric vehicles.  While auto manufacturers have their foot on the pedal, just how ready is the country for the massive change that electrification will mean?  One of the country's leading experts on the auto industry -- Dr. Charlotte Yates, @uofgpresident is our guest. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...

Today's regular Monday look at where we are in the fight against COVID involves our discussion this week with Edmonton's Dr. Lynora Saxinger from the University of Alberta.  But first my thoughts on the weekend of protest on mandates.  And of course, a last thought on the weekend's NFL games. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...

As the so-called "Freedom Convoy" approaches Ottawa Chantal and Bruce offer their thoughts on a protest that has authorities more than a little worried.  And through it all Erin O'Toole does his weekly struggle looking for the middle ground. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.