The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge
Episodes
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? ...
Good Talk -- The Perils of Hinting At Blame
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Both some of the international media and some country's leaders found out this week what happens when you jump to conclusions on blame. Especially i...
Your Turn -- More of Your Thoughts on The Middle East Crisis
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After an intense two weeks of watching the Middle East on the edge of a full-blown crisis, you share your thoughts and feelings about what you've wit...
SMT -- Who To Believe
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Another horrific scene, this time in Gaza, and of all places a hospital. Who did it and why? That is the question today as accusations and counter...
Moore Butts Conversation #11 -- Crisis Management
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What happens behind the closed doors when a government faces a crisis -- who says what, and what are the do's and don'ts of crisis management? Former...
Why Did Hamas Do It?
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is a very complicated question and today we have Middle East expert and friend of The Bridge, Janice Stein, to help us answer that and some other ...
Good Talk -- Reflections on a Week of Horror
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How does one describe the past week -- the hatred, the images, the response, the fact all could go on indefinitely? Chantal is in Banff this week, Bru...
Your Turn -- On the Middle East Crisis
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your thoughts and your questions about the horrible events in Israel over the past few days. The shock is still settling in for many of us but you ...
SMT - Deep Fake is Deep Trouble
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our weekly chat with Bruce Anderson with disinformation the topic at hand. More examples, some quite sophisticated, are having an impact and the quest...
A Weekend That Will Go Down In History
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The weekend of horror witnessed in Israel and the retaliation that has followed in Gaza may continue for some time and the fallout could be even more...
Encore Presentation - Good Talk - Will The Grocery Price Ultimatum Work?
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on October 6th. Ottawa plays hardball with the grocery titans but will the strategy p...
Good Talk - Will The Grocery Price Ultimatum Work?
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ottawa plays hardball with the grocery titans but will the strategy pay off for consumers? Plus the latest on India and Ukraine. Hosted by Simplecas...
Your Turn -- Your Thoughts On The Pronoun Issue
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Listeners were busy at their keyboards on two issues this week -- Truth and Reconciliation, and Pronouns. They both take centre stage on this week's ...
SMT - WINNER, WINNER -- THE 120 DOLLAR TURKEY DINNER
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lots to talk about this week with Bruce Anderson on SMT from Wab Kinew's historic Manitoba election victory, to the challenge the new Speaker faces i...
Is The Media Finally Learning How To Cover Donald Trump?
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Was there a lesson in what we witnessed yesterday in a New York Courthouse? Maybe, we can hope anyway. Donald Trump is on trial for fraud and spewing ...
What Does Truth and Reconciliation Mean To You?
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For many in the country, today is a day of opportunity to consider our shared history and help determine the path forward. Some thoughts on that, and...
Good Talk -- The Impact Of The Last Two Weeks
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a headline-making two weeks for Canada on the world stage. First the India story, and then the Speaker's story. Was it damaging and if so, ...
Your Turn -- Parliament's Debacle
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A wide variety of opinions from across the country about recent events in Parliament, especially the debacle that led to the resignation of the Speak...
Has The Ex-Speaker Put The Liberals In An Even Deeper Hole?
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How much worse can things get for the Liberals? Does Justin Trudeau have a plan to recover from the "Nazi in the parliamentary gallery" story? If ...
Why Did No One Know Their History?
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Watching what happened in the House of Commons last Friday is still shocking. No one picked up on the Speaker's incredible blunder. Not MPs, not t...
Can The Speaker Survive His Blunder?
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Speaker of the House of Commons embarrasses himself and Parliament by honouring someone who fought for the Nazis. Does his eventual apology end ...
Good Talk -- Canada vs India: Where Does This Lead?
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is there a way out of this India story or are the two sides just too entrenched in their positions? Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on the sto...
Your Turn - The Ranter on Grocery Prices
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your thoughts on everything from the India story to the opening of Parliament to climate change. Even a letter calling the host's comments "juvenil...
SMT: Canada Versus India - What Now?
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will we ever get the questions swirling around the allegations against India answered? And if so, who will answer them? Bruce is here to try and s...
Assassinations and Atrocities - The Dark Side of War
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Two new investigations, one by journalists and the other by the UN, tell an ugly story. Brian Stewart joins us to carefully go through two stories w...
Are We Ready for AI?
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Six months after her first appearance on The Bridge, Michelle Rempel Garner is back with her latest update on Canada's positioning on AI -- artifici...
Did The Liberal Caucus Stop The Slide?
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Your Turn -- Your "Rants" on Housing
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
SMT -- Can Trudeau Survive?
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With an increasingly vocal caucus demanding answers to the Liberal's nosedive in the polls, Justin Trudeau faces his internal party critics. What does...
Do Biden and Zelensky Even Like Each Other?
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Moore Butts #10 -- Is Division a Winner, Unity a Loser?
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the tenth instalment of what has become a very popular conversation, former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former principal secretar...
Fourteen Points -- Now That's A Lead!
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 sto...
How Affordable Housing Could Actually Be Affordable
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
SMT -- DECONSTRUCTING TWO POLITICAL MOMENTS
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
We're Back -- Season Four of The Bridge Is Here!
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 P...