The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Good Talk -- Did Joe Biden Just Save Himself?

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is he just too old, stumbling and incoherent? Not last night it seems. Joe Biden's energetic State of the Union address last night is getting mostly...

Your Turn -- Who Was The Country's Most Consequential Prime Minister

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The passing of Brian Mulroney had many of you thinking about the country's prime ministers and suggesting who was the most consequential. We have yo...

Special Encore Edition - An interview with Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (2013)

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to Peter Mansbridge's chat with Former Prime Minster of Canada Brian Mulroney in South Africa in 2013 for the CBC. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ads...

Moore Butts Conversation #14 -- Brian Mulroney

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Brian Mulroney passed last week so did an era in Canadian politics. But did some of the lessons of leadership that he possessed carry on to new ...

Who Is Benny Gantz and Why Is Benjamin Netanyahu So Upset At Him?

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time since Oct 7, a split is open and obvious in the Israeli war cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz is heading ...

Good Talk -- Brian Mulroney, The Passing of A Giant

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 18th prime minister of Canada was a force, a huge force. He changed the country in many ways, some worked, some didn't. He was also a major forc...

Your Turn -- One Thing To Improve Health Care in Canada

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The question this week was this: Name the one thing you would do to improve health care in Canada". You obviously care about this issue as most rese...

Special Edition - Peter joins The Big Story Podcast

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When the longtime CBC news anchor began his career as a reporter in the early 1970's, giving people the news was among the most trusted and important ...

It's Only February But Fire Season Is Here Already -- Guess Why.

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The statistics are surprising to say the least. Wildfires are burning in different parts of the country already, some have been burning through the ...

What's Really Going On Inside the Gaza Peace Talks?

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

They've been going on for months now, but what's really happening inside the Gaza Peace Talks and are things close to resolution. We've been here befo...

Good Talk - Have The Liberals Given Up?

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Little things can make a difference is the old saying. And this week a little thing seemed to have some people wondering whether the Liberals have ...

Your Turn -- What's On Your Mind This Week?

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A potpourri of concerns this week as the question was pretty general -- What's On Your Mind? Most deal with concerns about the world stage and speci...

Encore Presentation - Bob Woodward: Is Trump a Crook?

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on January 2nd. Watergate and Richard Nixon brought him fame, and fifty years later...

Entering The Third Year of a War That Threatens The World

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This weekend marks the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Now experts worry whether this prolonged conflict could threaten the futu...

The Bridge Encore Presentation - What We Should Know About Black History Month

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Good Talk -- Governments face bad weeks and really bad weeks. This could be really bad.

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two potholes for the Liberals in their path to try and find recovery.  One serious. A scandal that could last a while. The other perhaps not so much....

Your Turn -- How You Would Improve Air Travel in Canada

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's question was simple -- what one thing would you do to improve air travel in Canada? Your answers certainly show what concerns you most an...

Encore Presentation - Do You Have The Freedom To Read?

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on January 30th. With issues surrounding what you are allowed to read in some Americ...

Black History Month -- A Feature Interview With Marci Ien

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marci Ien made her name as a Canadian television journalist anchoring some of CTV's most important programs. Today she's a federal cabinet minister ...

Are We Sleepwalking Into A Global Catastrophe?

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump's latest claim of what to expect from a second Trump presidency has the alarm bells ringing in NATO capitals around the world. Trump say...

Good Talk -- Dominic LeBlanc Moves To The Front

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Auto theft was the issue for the national political leaders this week and it's worth asking why. So we do on Good Talk this week including focusing...

Your Turn -- One Thing You'd Do To Fight Climate Change

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your answers to this week's question -- what's one thing you or your family do to fight climate change? Once again, there are lots of answers from a...

Encore Presentation - Ladies and Gentlemen, Rick Mercer

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 1st. An extended conversation with Canadian author, comedian and yes, icon, ...

Fluke - How Our World Is Swayed By Chance

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A feature interview with the author of an extraordinary new book that explores he world of chance, chaos and why everything we do matters. He's Brian...

The Wider War Has Arrived.

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The fear since October 7th has always been that this Israel-Hamas conflict could turn into a wider war. Well, it has and Dr Janice Stein joins us...

Good Talk -- Are We The World's Patsy on Spying?

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some new intelligence on Canada's vulnerability to foreign interference is worrying to say the least. It suggests that interference by foreigners is...

Your Turn -- Your Advice For New Immigrants

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Encore Presentation - Just How Do We Handle Our Secrets?

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 discu...

On The Road in South Sudan With Samantha Nutt

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 he...

Is A Deal Close on Gaza?

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ga...

Good Talk -- Is Trudeau wounded or emboldened?

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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.  Wha...

Your Turn - Winter's Best Thing

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Encore Presentation: "The Inside Story From The Frontlines of Ukraine"

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Moore Butts Conversation # 13 - How high does foreign policy rate when parties meet?

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 tak...

Is Netanyahu's Time Up?

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Good Talk -- Immigration Becomes The Issue

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Your Turn -- Your Solutions To Polarization

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Encore Presentation - Moore-Butts #8 -- The Politics of The Lie

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 15th. Our two political heavyweights, Conservative James Moore and Liberal Ger...

Is It Over Already?

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

Who Are The Houthis And Why Are We Bombing Them?

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Good Talk - The Passing of a Titan - The 90th Birthday of Another.

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

You Want Change In The Way The Media Operates -- Your Turn

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Encore Presentation - Disinformation -- What is It, Why Is it, and What Can We Do About It?

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 don...

Lisa Raitt With "A Pox On All Their Houses"

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The former senior Conservative cabinet minister takes aim at some of her former colleagues, both Liberal AND Conservative for wasting time on non-issu...

Can Tony Blinken's Mid-East Mission Stop The War From Spreading?

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Good Talk -- How Costly Are Holiday Slip-ups?

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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? Trude...

Your Changes To Canada's Political System

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Who Do The Year End Interviews Benefit Most?

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Will 2024 Lead To An Expanded War?

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Encore Presentation - Searching for Franklin with Ken McGoogan

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 Arcti...

Encore Presentation - Good Talk -- The 2023 Year Ender

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on December 22nd. It's that time of year when the Good Talk panel convenes to talk ab...

Encore Presentation - Moore Butts Conversation #12 -- The Impact of Polls

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on December 12th. James Moore and Gerald Butts are back with us for the Moore Butts C...

Encore Presentation - Moore Butts Conversation #11 -- Crisis Management

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on October 17th. What happens behind the closed doors when a government faces a crisi...

Encore Presentation - Moore Butts #10 -- Is Division a Winner, Unity a Loser?

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on September 11th. In the tenth instalment of what has become a very popular conversa...

Encore Presentation - Your Turn - Your Christmas Memories

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on December 21st. Your letters this week are very moving, your memories of holidays p...

Good Talk -- The 2023 Year Ender

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time of year when the Good Talk panel convenes to talk about the year-end position on the political landscape in Canada. Bruce and Chantal ...

Your Turn - Your Christmas Memories

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your letters this week are very moving, your memories of holidays past for family and friends. I thank you for all of them. I'll read as many as I ...

SMT - Justin Trudeau and The American Right

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's the final regular episode of Smoke, Mirrors and The Truth and we focus on some comments Justin Trudeau made in his annual year-end interview wit...

Can Just Anyone Fly A Jumbo Passenger Jet?

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's an end bit special today as we approach the holidays. Topic One is that old daydreaming habit many of us have when we fly on a passenger jet --...

Could The Hostage Shootings Lead To A Ceasefire in Gaza?

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The accidental killing of three Israeli hostages by Israeli troops has led to new calls, many from Israelis, for a ceasefire in Gaza.  Would Israeli ...

Good Talk -- It's Not Over Till It's Over

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the year closes some Liberals seem to have their bounce back, while some Conservatives are a bit anxious. The CPC still has a double digit lead in...

Your Turn -- The Great Fake Christmas Tree Debate

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hard to believe at a time with so many issues facing Canadians that the number one topic in your letters this week was the claim that 77 percent of X...

SMT - Is This The Plan To Solve The Housing Crisis?

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Going back to the future may be one way to look at Housing Minister Sean Fraser's latest announcement for a housing fix. Another way may be to liste...

THE MOORE BUTTS CONVERSATION #12 -- THE IMPACT OF POLLS

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James Moore and Gerald Butts are back with us for the Moore Butts Conversation #12. We talk a lot about polls but what happens behind the scenes when...

When Will The United States say "Enough"?

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The US government continues to be pressured to speak up louder against the continued Israeli invasion of Gaza and the thousands who have been impacte...

Good Talk -- The Latest on Trudeau, Is He Going or Staying?

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce and Chantal discuss what Justin Trudeau told the editorial board of one of the country's most influential newspapers. The key question is, is h...

The Random Ranter -- Advice for Pierre Poilievre

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another on-the-road edition of The Bridge, this time from Calgary. And this week the Random Ranter finishes his three-part series on his advice for e...

SMT -- The CBC in a Crisis of Cuts

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The CBC has decided to make up its budget shortfall of 125 million dollars with a series of cuts in personnel and programs. Is the public broadcaster...

Searching for Franklin with Ken McGoogan

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Brutal Middle East War Resumes -- What's Next?

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From Halifax today (on my book tour for "How Canada Works") we focus as we do every Monday on the two big wars affecting our world -- the Middle East ...

Good Talk -- Please answer my question in English not French.

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A committee exchange in Ottawa brings back a debate that we thought was long over. What's the real reason behind the affair? Plus we start with alleg...

Your Turn On Disinformation, and the Random Ranter on the NDP

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of your comments on this week's special episode on disinformation. Seems you loved it and want more. Plus the Ranter continues his three-part...

Should MP's Accept Free Trips To The War Zone?

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At least four members of Parliament accepted free trips to Israel last week to hear about the Israel-Hamas war. Members of the Liberal and Conservati...

Disinformation -- What is It, Why Is it, and What Can We Do About It?

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

Will The Israel-Hamas Pause Continue?

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are in the final day of a four-day pause in the Middle East war, but the question now is will the pause continue? The hostage for prisoner swap s...

Did The Real Pierre Poilievre Just Stand Up?

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Po...

Your Turn -- And The Random Ranter's Free Advice on Leadership

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The passing of a cultural icon prompted a lot of emotional reactions from across the country this week. A surprising amount considering many mentio...

SMT -- Do Debts And Deficits Even Matter Anymore

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

How Canada Works -- The Book

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Hostages, Tunnels, Hospitals - The Gaza Story Continues

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Janice Stein is with us again after a weekend of informative discussions at the Halifax International Security Conference. Janice shares with us so...

Good Talk -- This is Not Our Normal Conversation

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Your Turn -- Have We Given Up On Climate Change?

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 S...

The Changing Mood In Ottawa

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Why Is This War So Deadly To Cover?

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Israel-Hamas war is in its fortieth day and new information from the Committee To Protect Journalists says 44 journalists have been killed durin...

The Latest On The Hostages And A Ceasefire.

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Good Talk - Is The Liberal-NDP Deal Falling Apart?

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 po...

Your Turn -- Your Family Stories About Remembrance Day

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 epi...

How To Read Polls Versus Election Results

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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. W...

The Lesson of Winning The Battle But Losing The War.

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

Is It Stalemate For Both Ukraine and Gaza?

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How Deep Is The Unrest In The Liberal Party?

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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?  ...

Your Turn -- The Carbon Tax Flip

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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....

SMT - What’s The Price Of A Back Flip?

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Does Canada Have a New Foreign Policy

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A major speech by the foreign affairs minister yesterday prompts questions about whether this marks a shift in Canada's overall position on foreign po...

Behind The Headlines On The Middle East.

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Midd...

Good Talk -- The Liberals Back Flip on Carbon Tax

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 signatu...

Your Turn -- The Ranter on Donald Trump

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Canada Calls for "Humanitarian Pauses"

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Invasion or Ceasefire - What’s Next in The Middle East?

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Is a Full Scale Ground Invasion On Hold?

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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? ...