The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge
Episodes
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...
A Mix of John Le Carre and The Marx Brothers
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart uses that comparison to talk about the latest bit of skullduggery and intrigue we discover inside the story of the Ukraine war. Plus...
What Are We Missing? -- Janice Stein's Take On Our World
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
She's back! The Munk School's founding director joins for her regular look at those parts of the world we should keep an eye on. Among those for d...
Encore Presentation - Is It Time For The Liberals' And The NDP To Talk About A Joint Future?
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on April 6th. For years this has been a topic of conversation for political junkies. ...
Is It Time For The Liberals And The NDP To Talk About A Joint Future?
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For years this has been a topic of conversation for political junkies. It drives some partisans on both sides crazy, but not Good Talk. Chantal a...
SMT: "America Is Going To Hell" Says Donald Trump, and Maybe He's Right.
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Its been a wild forty eight hours in the United States so how much did you watch? Bruce puts the Smoke Mirrors and The Truth microscope on the me...
Spies, Mercenaries, Deserters -- Brian Stewart on Ukraine This Week
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brian's commentary on the Ukraine War this week has it all from questions about whether there are cracks in the alliance's commitment, to China's posi...
What Did We Really Learn Last Week About The RCMP?
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Mass Casualty Commission in Nova Scotia reported last week on its findings on the 22 murders that happened in that province in April of 2020. ...
Good Talk - What Does The Trump Indictment Say About America?
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lots to talk about today ...we lead with the story that's the lead almost everywhere in the world this weekend -- the Trump indictment. But then the...
Your Turn on Your Way to Fight Climate Change
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Listeners outdid themselves this week by answering in a big way their own methods of fighting climate change. Some of the ideas are quite unique and...
SMT - Whose Budget Was It Anyways?
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Of course, it was Chrystia Freeland's budget but some could argue it was Jagmeet Singh's budget too. Whatever the case the NDP was pretty happy and ...
Putin and Nukes -- Is This Another Bluff or Is He Serious?
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart is by for his regular Tuesday commentary and he's got more great observations, ranging from a new Nordic alliance forming to questions ...
Climate Change -- Let's Talk About It
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Katharine Hayhoe is a Canadian atmospheric scientist living in Texas who is one of North America's leading academics talking about climate...
Good Talk -- How Responsible Is The Media On The China Story?
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At a time when trust in the media is at a low ebb, is the media's work on the China story helping or hurting its reputation? Chantal and Bruce have th...
Your Turn -- You Want More Talk On Climate Change!
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You went after me this week for saying you'd had it with climate change talk as nothing is changing. You want more talk not less and your many lett...
SMT - If Telford Can Testify, Why Can't Trudeau?
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Katie Telford is the prime minister's most senior staffer and his closest advisor. And now she has agreed to testify before the parliamentary commit...
What If Putin Wins? What If He Loses?
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart takes his hand at war gaming one of your questions. A "what if" question. What if Russia wins, what happens then? What if Ukraine ...
Three Years Later, What Did We Learn?
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you remember those days of March 2020? Looking back today it seems like a long time ago, and just how confused we were trying to understand how t...
What Does It Say When The Most Trusted Person in Canada Isn't Trusted?
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
David Johnston seemed to have it all when Stephen Harper picked him as Governor General in 2010. Everyone lined up from all parties to praise Johnston...
Your Turn on Curling (My Bad!) and The Ranter.
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How could I have forgotten about curling but I did and listeners pounded. On that plus China, AI, submarines and a lot more. And then the Random Ra...
SMT -- Is Poilievre Finding His Footing?
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre implied that Justin Trudeau was a traitor. This week a different Poilievre emerged and Bruce was imp...
Nice Photo Op -- Where's Canada?
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia meet in California to discuss how to deal with China in the Pacific. The picture...
Yikes, Not Another Bank Failure
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's program is all about regulation -- first in the banks and then in sports. The latest bank crisis brings back memories of that classic "ru...
Good Talk -- Should Someone Walk The Plank for The China Mess?
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chantal is back from Iceland and along with Bruce its time to put the China story in context. And, should someone pay the price for it all? That, ...
Your Turn on Election Interference, AI and The Ranter!
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of comments this week on two of our programs this week -- how the PM has handled the election interference story, and our discussion with Michel...
SMT - Is Implying The PM Is A Traitor Over The Top?
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Pierre Poilievre has never been shy about levelling a charge but did he go too far by suggesting Justin Trudeau was guilty of treason? Bruce and...
The Battle For Bakhmut
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why are the Ukrainians so desperate to keep the battle for Bakhmut going when every analyst says it's a battle they can't win? Brian Stewart takes ...
Should Artificial Intelligence Be Regulated?
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is an important discussion about Artificial intelligence -- what you should know and why legislators seem so slow-footed on dealing with the is...
Good Talk -- The China Story That's "Eating The Government"
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The pressure keeps mounting for some sort of real inquiry into how China tried to influence Canadian elections, and what if anything the Trudeau gover...
Your Turn and The Random Ranter on, wait for it, HYDROGEN!
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A potpourri of opinion from you on Your Turn - everything from China to the RCMP to declawing cats! And then the Ranter steps forward as the hype s...
SMT - Are The Liberals Botching The China Issue?
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did the Chinese interfere with the Canadian elections in 2019 and 2021 and did Canada know they were doing so? Those two questions continue to hang...
Provocative Words From Michael Ignatieff on Ukraine
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
He's been gone from Canadian politics for almost a decade, but Michael Ignatieff's insight on international affairs is read around the world. His ...
What Are We Missing? (2)
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
International Affairs analyst Janice Stein joins us again for the latest installment of "What Are We Missing". We look at countries that should be i...
Is The Doug Ford Story As Bad As It Looks?
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is it as bad as it looks or not as bad as it looks? That's the question being asked of the Doug Ford wedding party thrown for his daughter and atte...
Your Turn on The RCMP, And The Ranter on Jagmeet Singh
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of your comments about whether the RCMP needs to be reorganized following our Tuesday interview with Paul Palango on his book 22 Murders. And th...