The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

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...

Encore Presentation - Moore-Butts #9 -- Is The Medium The Message?

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on June 5th. The latest from two political veterans is another winner.  Why do polit...

Encore Presentation - The Inside Story From The Frontlines of Ukraine

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May30th. A young Canadian medic fighting with the Ukrainians takes us inside the s...

Good Talk -- Who Did The Summer Benefit Most Politically - Poilievre or Trudeau?

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Encore Presentation - Just How Do We Handle Our Secrets?

21 Aug 2023

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...

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

14 Aug 2023

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...

The Bridge Encore Presentation - Is Print Journalism Dying Or Even Dead?

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Bridge Encore Presentation - Ladies and Gentlemen, Rick Mercer

31 Jul 2023

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, ...

Good Talk -- Did The Right Person Get Shuffled?

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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.  Bru...

The Bridge Encore Presentation - Climate Change -- Let's Talk About It

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on March 27th. Professor Katharine Hayhoe is a Canadian atmospheric scientist living ...

The Bridge Encore Presentation - Should Artificial Intelligence Be Regulated?

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on March 6th. This is an important discussion about Artificial intelligence -- what...

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

10 Jul 2023

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...

Encore Presentation - Do You Have The Freedom To Read?

03 Jul 2023

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...

Encore Presentation - Bob Woodward: Is Trump a Crook?

26 Jun 2023

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...

Good Talk - The mood of the country is...

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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.  Th...

Your Turn - For and Against Bike Lanes

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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.  ...

SMT - From By-Elections to The Titanic

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

From the Frontlines - Uganda and Ukraine

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two of our favourite people join The Bridge today.  War Child Canada's Dr. Samantha Nutt is not far from where the weekend's horrendous attack on Uga...

The Erin O'Toole Exit Interview

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The former Conservative leader is leaving politics softly but not quietly.  He's making appearances, speeches and giving interviews and they all are ...

Good Talk - Are The Liberals In Serious Trouble?

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the verge of four federal byelections on Monday, there's a lot of Ottawa bubble talk about the problems facing the Liberals.  Bruce and Chantal wo...

Your Turn -- On Everything from Tipping to Pride Politics

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The other day on a short "end bit" we had a story about some backlash to tipping and that got some of our listeners writing.  Today we have their le...

SMT - THE TRUMP CIRCUS HITS MIAMI

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a serious indictment against a former US President, but like almost everything that involves Donald Trump it turns into a circus.  Bruce has his...

The Counter-Offensive Begins - But How's It Going?

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With Trudeau by his side, Ukraine's Zelensky says his country's counter-offensive against Russia has begun.  But very little is known about just how ...

What Are We Missing?

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Janice Stein is with us again on our regular spin around the world to note the stories we are missing when our focus is consumed only by the major ...

Good Talk -- Pride and Politics

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

June is Pride month in Canada but is the story different this year.  Especially when it comes to the link between politics and Pride, the organizatio...

Your Turn -- on Political Messaging, Wildfires and D-Day.

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It was a busy week managing the incoming letter's file as you had a lot to say about Moore-Butts Conversation #9 and particularly the issue of politi...

Wildfires as Politics

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the smoke from Canadian wildfires descends on major parts of the United States the debate intensifies about the impacts of climate change.  Bruce ...

A Bridge Special - Remembering D-DAY

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The great correspondent Brian Stewart has been with us almost every Tuesday for the past year.  His commentary has been about Ukraine but today we ...

Moore-Butts #9 -- Is The Medium The Message?

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The latest from two political veterans is another winner.  Why do politicians say the things they say -- are they deliberately trying to mirror the v...

How Serious Is The Threat to Our Politicians?

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The RCMP is going to set up special units to protect politicians and senior civil servants. What has the country become that has led to this? Bruce an...

Your Turn -- From Forest Fires to Ukraine to The Johnston Dilemma

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of issues from your letters this week starting with an important warning from my trucker friend in the Maritimes.  The forest fire problem in t...

SMT - Jagmeet Singh Gets The Line Of The Week

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It looked like the NDP leader was in a political jam criticizing the government while at the same time propping it up.  But someone, maybe Jagmeet Si...

The Inside Story From The Frontlines of Ukraine

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

Just How Do We Handle Our Secrets?

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Good Talk - Is It Just "all politics"?

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You could be excused if you thought all the posturing this week from the two major parties was all "just politics".  But was it?  Chantal and Bruce ...

Your Turn -- Very Different Views on The Johnston Report

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of emails with your views in the first twenty-four hours after the release of the Johnston Report on Election Interference. Those views reflect i...

SMT - Who Do You Trust?

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The classic example of the morning after the day before.  It all boils down to one question, who do you trust? Yesterday had it all, a respected pers...

At 100, Kissinger Has A New Peace Plan

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You could be excused if you didn't realize Henry Kissinger was still alive, but he is and as he turns 100 this week, he's still actively proposing pla...

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

22 May 2023

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...

Good Talk - Teaching Politicians to Be Politicians

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thursday night was a big night in Alberta politics.  It was debate night in the province's election campaign.  But it was also the same day that A...

Your Turn On The Politics of The Lie

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of letters this week reacting to The Moore Butts Conversation #8 which focused on the power in politics of the lie.  You have some pretty strong...

SMT -- The A.I. Warnings Hit Washington

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial Intelligence was on the minds of Washington legislators yesterday and the discussion was not only important it was for the most part non-pa...

The Russians Have Had A Very Bad Week

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our two political heavyweights, Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerry Butts, move their latest non-partisan discussion to the question of lies an...

Good Talk - Should Passports Reflect Canadian History?

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 hi...

Your Turn on The Monarchy and The Ranter on China

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SMT - Whatever Happened to Max Bernier?

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Who Is Yevgeny Prigozhin and Why Should We Care?

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary, this week we profile the man who has brought mercenary armies to the forefront of discussion. Yevgen...

Is Print Journalism Dying Or Even Dead?

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After lots of talk on The Bridge about television journalism, today some thoughts on the struggle to keep print journalism alive.  A feature intervie...

GOOD TALK -- "Wokism versus Brokenism"

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Your Turn On Gordon Lightfoot

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SMT - Is The End Near for Leader News Conferences and Interviews?

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Death of a Legend -- Gordon Lightfoot Passes

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Ladies and Gentlemen, Rick Mercer

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An extended conversation with Canadian author, comedian and yes, icon, Rick Mercer.  If he was still doing his famous rants today what and whom w...

Good Talk - Does It Matter If Trudeau Goes To The Coronation?

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Your Turn - Love and Hate on the CBC

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SMT - Is It Really Going To Be Biden vs Trump Again?

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

If NATO Is Considering a New Strategy, Where Does Canada Fit In?

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 cou...

The Bridge - Where Russia And China are Winning The Struggle For Influence

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Good Talk -- Is Support For The CBC Collapsing?

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 so...

Your Turn on The Age of Retirement, Plus The Random Ranter

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Tur...

SMT - Was Democracy Served By The Fox Settlement?

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fox pays almost 800 million dollars to shut down a lawsuit against the news network for fabricating stories. No apologies, no firings -- Bruce wonders...

Is It Time To Talk About Peace Negotiations?

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ne...

Moore Butts #7 - Has the Canada-US Relationship Become a "very unstable molecule"?

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have we grown accustomed to taking the Canada-US relationship for granted? If so, is it time to rethink that assumption? Former Trudeau principal secr...

Ten Years of Trudeau -- Will There Be Eleven?

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Your Turn on Coalitions and Poilievre, and the Ranter on Climate Change

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Ra...

SMT - What Do You Really Think About Pierre Poilievre?

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bruce does his deepest dive yet on Canadians' attitudes towards Pierre Poilievre, and the numbers are good for Poilievre and not good for Justin Trude...