The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge
Episodes
Is China interfering in our elections to benefit the Liberals'?
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Globe and Mail has been all over this story for a week now and leaves many things to be discussed. Bruce takes up the challenge on SMT today. Also...
Is It Time To Remake The RCMP
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week the Commissioner of the RCMP said she would not seek a reappointment to the Mountie's top job, so the question becomes should a new Commi...
The Bridge Encore Presentation - What We Should Know About Black History Month
20 Feb 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...
Are The Polls Tied, Or Is The CPC Way Ahead?
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some polls say the Conservatives are up by seven points, but some say the CPC and the Liberals are all tied up. What to believe? Chantal and Bruce...
Your Turn and The Ranter on Justin Trudeau
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last week the Ranter took of Pierre Poilievre, this week he focuses on Justin Trudeau. And on Your Turn, lots of your thoughts on the CBC, Ukraine, ...
John Tory, Doug Ford and The "Aliens"
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Toronto and Ontario are rocked by two scandals while at the same time, much of the country gets focused on unidentified flying objects. Bruce Anders...
Ukraine One Year Later
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we approach one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, Brian Stewart looks at nine commonly asked questions about the war and gives his thoughts on th...
MOORE-BUTTS #6 -- How Leadership Works
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Moore-Butts conversations are like poli-sci 101, using anecdotes to explain politics. The former Conservative cabinet minister, now a senior ad...
Do Conservatives Really Hate The CBC?
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On a week where the President of the CBC attacks the Conservative Party of Canada and its leader, Pierre Poilievre, Chantal and Bruce wonder about the...
Your Turn, and Then The Ranter Rates The Leaders
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The first of a trilogy by the Random Ranter with his take on the national party leaders. First up CPC leader Pierre Poilievre. Your letters range...
What Happened To Buy North American?
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There were so many angles to last night's State of the Union address by President Joe Biden, but one line may have an impact on Canada. Meanwhile, i...
Why Does Putin Keep Mentioning Stalingrad?
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Putin keeps us guessing. Why are no crowds visible at his public appearances? Why did his honour guard go on parade without weapons? Brian Ste...
What We Should Know About Black History Month
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's Black History Month in Canada but what do we really know about black history in our country? And more importantly, what should we know? This ...
Good Talk -- Erin O'Toole's Two Log Theory
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chantal and Bruce have a lot to talk about this week starting with the former Conservative leader's not so flattering description of the split with...
Your Turn and the Random Ranter
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our regular Thursday episode features your thoughts on everything from the NHL to doctors to the cause of freedom to read. Plus the Random Ranter h...
SMT -- Are The Liberals Corkscrewing To The Ground?
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Liberal's polling numbers are not good, in. fact they are bad. Can they recover? Bruce brings the SMT thermometer to the program and has his ana...
Who Is That Guy Next To Putin?
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart breaks down the story on General Valery Gerasimov --- who is he? why do his opponents respect him? and could he make a difference in t...
Do You Have The Freedom To Read?
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With issues surrounding what you are allowed to read in some American schools, some Canadians may be surprised there are similar issues in Canada. ...
Good Talk - Is Canada Really Broken?
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For months, Pierre Poilievre has been saying Canada feels like it's broken and it's all Justin Trudeau's fault. Is it? Chantal and Bruce have their...
Your Turn and The Random Ranter on Hockey
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your take on a variety of this week's issues from trust in media, to the Dominc Barton interview to the Ranter's Rant on doctors. And then the Rant...
What Will The Liberal Cabinet Group Hug Accomplish?
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Liberal Cabinet meets in retreat to plan the year ahead - what's the plan and can it work? Bruce is by with that and a lot more from tanks to co...
Will Canada Send Its Leopard 2 Tanks To Ukraine?
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In his regular Tuesday commentary on Ukraine, Brian Stewart details why the Ukrainian army so covets the German-made Leopard Two tank and whether Cana...
Dominic Barton on China, Good and Bad.
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
He's the internationally known Canadian at the centre of two big stories -- the negotiations that led to the release of the two Michaels, and the cont...
Good Talk -- A Global Liberal Icon Resigns
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Russo sits in for Bruce this week as he joins Chantal for more on health care, and an intriguing suggestion of what Justin Trudeau may be up to wi...
Your Turn and the Ranter on Taxes and Doctors
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You were still on this week about the Ranters suggestion that we all pay higher taxes. But he's moved on by going after doctors. Seriously. Also y...
SMT - Pierre Poilievre Unplugged
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It happened a few days ago but some interesting moments during an interview Pierre Poilievre had on Winnipeg regional television. He talks about his...
Some Encouraging News in Covid
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's our regular Tuesday commentary from Brian Stewart on the Ukraine-Russia war with new insights on the disarray inside the Russian military. But ...
What Are We Missing?
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With all the attention placed on Ukraine and Russia In the past year, "what are we missing" with developments in the rest of the world? Foreign affa...
Good Talk - Could There Be Real Movement on the Health Care Front?
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chantal and Bruce explore the new hints that there could be progress between Ottawa and two key provinces on finding a deal on health care for the fut...
Your Turn -- You Obviously Listen Closely!
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You pounce on my inability to remember a movie title by pouring in the mail with the answer. Your Turn on everything from taxes to F-35s, and then ...
SMT - Is the F-35 Purchase Worth the Multi-Billion Dollar Price
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Anderson grab-bag from cameras in the House, to the F-35 huge price tag, to Nexus cards to Danielle Smith. Smoke Mirrors and The Truth and lot...
Ukraine -- It's All About Tanks Now.
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Six months after we thought the era of the tank was over, tanks are now what the Ukrainians are begging for .. and it looks like they're about to ge...
From Covid to Harry We've Got It All!
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We may be titillated by Prince Harry but will we be infected by a new wave of Covid? Two interesting topics and you can count on The Bridge to do the...
Good Talk -- The Re-Emergence of Erin O'Toole
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The former Conservative leader is back and he's got people talking. Bruce and Chantal have their views on that. Plus, are government-paid consulta...
Your Turn on Bob Woodward and The Random Ranter on Taxes
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of reactions to the Bob Woodward interview on Monday's The Bridge. Plus more of your thoughts on a variety of issues on this week's Your Turn. ...
SMT - When Overconfidence Backfires
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Anderson has his take on the Kevin McCarthy mess in the United States. Far from the lock he thought it was McCarthy may have blown his chance t...
New Examples of How Sports Can Bring The World Together
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A terrifying moment on Monday Night Football last night left players in tears and embracing their opponents. And in a little village in Brazil a nat...
Bob Woodward: Is Trump a Crook?
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Watergate and Richard Nixon brought him fame, and fifty years later Bob Woodward is still doing the journalism that is chasing another U.S. Presiden...
Good Talk Encore Presentation - Good Talk Year Ender
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on December 16th. A different kind of year-ender as Bruce and Chantal focus on how 2...
Good Talk Encore Presentation - Did The Public Follow The Convoy Inquiry?
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on November 25th. Journalists spent a lot of the past weeks covering the convoy commi...
The Bridge Encore Presentation - Moore Butts #5 - The Year Ender
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on October 12th. Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau ...
The Bridge Encore Presentation - The Moore Butts Conversation #4
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on October 3rd. They’re back! James Moore and Gerald Butts are back by popular dema...
The Bridge Encore Presentation - Who Is The Real Danielle Smith
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on October 24th. Kathleen Petty joins us from Calgary to talk about the new Alberta P...
The Bridge Encore Presentation - Good Talk Year Ender
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on December 16th. A different kind of year-ender as Bruce and Chantal focus on how 2...
The Bridge: Encore Presentation - Your Turn On Remembering
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on November 10th. Some truly wonderful and sometimes emotional letters from you, list...
The Bridge: Encore Presentation - Inside The Book Buying Business
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on November 21st. With the holiday season unfolding in front of us, these are the bus...
The Bridge: Encore Presentation - SMT - Is The Media The Enemy?
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on September 14th. Pierre Poilievre's first meeting with the media didn't go that wel...
The Bridge: Encore Presentation - The Final Goodbye
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on September 19h. The long goodbye for Queen Elizabeth is over with her body now on ...
Good Talk -- The Year Ender
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A different kind of year-ender as Bruce and Chantal focus on how 2022 may have changed our sense of democracy, leadership and country. And yes, w...
Your Turn and The Random Ranter -- The Year End
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Its year-end time both for you through Your Turn and through the Random Ranter. And this is a very different Ranter, so get ready! Hosted by Simpl...
SMT — The Clash Between Opinion Polls and Voter Polls
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce’s take on the by election outcome versus the reality of national opinion. Also should the first ministers sit down on camera and do battle o...
What's Brian Stewart's Favourite Book On The Origins Of War?
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With the year-end in sight, Brian Stewart's regular weekly commentary on the war in Ukraine takes a twist: questions for him from you. Including my ...
Moore Butts #5 -- The Year Ender
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau principal secretary Gerald Butts pick up their conversation again, this time on a ...
Good Talk - Is Poilievre Rethinking His Media Strategy?
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce and Chantal discuss the decision by Pierre Poilievre to scrum with the parliamentary press gallery after months of ignoring them. Why? And deba...
Your Turn And The Random Ranter on Guns
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Ranter (should he be formerly known as "Random") has his take on the gun issue and so do you with Your Turn. Plus a lot of other issues from why...
SMT - Is The Gun Legislation a Wedge Play?
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Liberals have introduced amendments to their Gun Legislation that have caused major opposition -- was that the plan all along? The Democrats win G...
The Return of Trench Warfare
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you thought trench warfare was something for the history books, think again. Just look at Ukraine. Brian Stewart brings us his regular Tuesday...
What's Going On Inside The Royal Family?
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will and Kate versus Harry and Meaghan. How serious is the royal battle and what damage will it cause? And can King Charles do anything to fix it....
Good Talk - "The Permanently Unhappy But Not Moving Out" Bill
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce takes liberties and renames the Alberta Sovereignty Act in a lively discussion about the latest apparent blunder by Alberta's new government. ...
Your Turn on Drugs, and The Random Ranter on Justin Trudeau
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of different issues on your mind this week from the convoy inquiry to safe injection sites to the tasty benefits of SPAM. And the Random Rante...
SMT - The War of Words Between Alberta and Ottawa
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is the Alberta Sovereignty Act all hat and no cattle? Is Ottawa's response just performative? A classic Smoke, Mirrors and The Truth as Bruce Ander...
Could Poland Become Europe's New Superpower?
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What a difference a year makes. Remember when autocracies had the edge on democracies -- that was in January. What about now? And then Brian St...
Something is Happening in China
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There's a story behind that title above and you'll hear it on today's podcast. As for China, how serious is the situation for China's President Xi a...
Good Talk - Did The Public Follow The Convoy Inquiry?
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Journalists spent a lot of the past weeks covering the convoy commission but was the public actually following the story? Chantal and Bruce have a ...
Your Turn and The Ranter --- Books, Protests and Safe Injection Sites
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of your thoughts on the book business following our episode earlier in the week. Plus the convoy inquiry. And then The Random Ranter returns w...
SMT - Do We Now Know What The Tipping Point Was For Ottawa On The Convoy?
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino tells the convoy inquiry about the moment that was key for him as the Emergencies Act was about to be introduc...
A New Challenge for Ukraine In Its War With Russia
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary on the war in Ukraine and a new challenge from Russia that has the potential to change the balance of the c...
Inside The Book Buying Business
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With the holiday season unfolding in front of us, these are the busiest days for the book-buying business. The man who used to be the most powerful ...
Good Talk - Is Twitter Dying?
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After a night of bizarre Twitter goings-on, Bruce and Chantal hold court on the future of Elon Musk and his 44 billion dollar gamble. Also up for disc...
The Ranter Versus Elon Musk
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of your letters on Your Turn on a variety of Issues from masks, to maps, to immigrant doctors. Plus the Random Ranter stands up to Elon Musk o...
Can Trumpty Dumpty Be Put Back Together Again?
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So he's in the race for 2024 but what are his chances? Bruce Anderson joins for SMT with thoughts on Donald Trump and Mike Pence on a big week for bo...
The Argument To Keep Putin In Power
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart's weekly commentary on Ukraine has a twist. After months of calls for Putin to be overthrown, Brian reports on new theories that sugge...
Are Masks On The Way Back?
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Covid is still with us but what has health experts worried is the spread of respiratory disease especially among youngsters in school. As a result, so...
Good Talk -- What Should Conservatives Learn From How The Republicans Messed Up Midterms?
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It wasn't what Donald Trump and his band of deniers expected and they are still trying to figure out what happened. Bruce and Chantal have their ...
Your Turn On Remembering
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some truly wonderful and sometimes emotional letters from you, listeners to The Bridge, about what Remembrance Day means to you. Even the Random Ra...
So Much For That Red Wave.
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
At the time of this recording the results were still being counted and in fact may still be counted for a few days, or even weeks, yet. But one thin...
Deception -- What Will Happen Next in Ukraine, Or Will It?
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's a centuries-old tactic in war, to deceive your enemy. Is that what the Russians are up to in Ukraine? And if so are the Ukrainians falling v...
Time To Remember
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With Remembrance Day coming up this Friday The Bridge devotes some time this week to "remembering". Beginning today with a feature interview with Ti...
Good Talk -- Notwithstanding What Exactly?
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Three main topics on tap with Bruce and Chantal in this episode. First up, new data after the initial few weeks of the Convoy Inquiry, on how Canadi...
YOUR TURN ON DOUG FORD AND "FREEDOM", AND THE RANDOM RANTER
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Your Turn, emails, comments, questions on a wide range of topics this week, and of course our regular Thursday commentary from The Random Ranter. I...
SMT -- The Power Struggle Inside The Convoy
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The "smoke" is clearing inside what seems to have been a chaotic scene inside the convoy that shut down Ottawa earlier this year. Bruce Anderson has...
Could The Russian Federation Be On The Verge Of Collapse?
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It was unthinkable a year ago but after what seems to have been a botched invasion of Ukraine, some Russian experts feel Russia could be on the brink....
Should We Be Giving More Protection To Public Officials?
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The attack on Paul Pelosi in the US raises new questions about the level of public protection public officials get. In Canada, with examples of thre...
Good Talk - Emergencies Act, Interest Rates, Elon Musk
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce and Chantal with their take on this week's hearings at the Commission of Inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act; how to fight inflation, th...
Your Turn on the CBC -- and The Random Ranter on the Convoy.
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dozens and dozens of emails answering the question posed the other day -- if there's one thing you would do to the CBC what would it be? Your thought...
SMT - Why Is Ford Saying No?
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Anderson and Smoke Mirrors and the Truth deal with the issue of Doug Ford and why the Ontario premier doesn't want to appear at the Commission ...
For Russia, Desperate Times Mean Desperate Measures
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary looks at Russia's latest battlefield decisions that show an invader in a combination of retreat and brutal ...
Who Is The Real Danielle Smith?
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kathleen Petty joins us from Calgary to talk about the new Alberta Premier and Dr Isaac Bogoch calls in from his hospital job to talk about where thin...
Good Talk - Is It Time To Rethink How Leaders are Picked?
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The mess in the British parliament opens the door to a discussion about leadership, and how leaders are picked whether in Britain or in Canada. Bru...
Is It "Eh" or "Hey"? Your Turn and The Random Ranter
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vaccines, masks and Covid were central to a lot of your comments this week, but so were thoughts about how we define the "west" in Canada. Maybe t...
SMT: "I'm A Fighter, Not A Quitter"
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Liz Truss comes out swinging in Westminster today but is it enough? Can the British prime minister survive an onslaught of double-digit inflation ...
Inside The Ukrainian Resistance
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Stewart uses his weekly commentary to give us a sense of just what the Ukrainian resistance is doing to thwart the Russian invasion of their cou...
There's A New Wave Coming -- Should You Care?
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Covid Monday is back at least for this week on The Bridge. Many of you have been asking to bring one of our doctors back for an assessment of where ...
Good Talk - The Emergencies Act - The Investigation
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chantal and Bruce with their thoughts on the new commission in Ottawa town, and what day one told us about how this investigation will unfold. Also ...
Your Turn and The Random Ranter
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Your comments on everything from EV's (still!) and Danielle Smith to freedom, plus the latest from the Random Ranter. This week the RR and remember h...
SMT - Would You Lock Down Again For Covid?
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce has new Abacus data on how Canadians feel about Covid including what they would do if a new wave threatens the country. That plus the latest o...
The Nuclear Threat - Could Canada Do More?
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With the situation in Ukraine tense and Russia’s threats of using nuclear weapons still on the table, could Canada be taking a more active role? For...
The Bridge: Encore Presentation - SMT - is the media the enemy?
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on September 14th. Pierre Poilievre's first meeting with the media didn't go that wel...
Good Talk -- Can Hockey Canada Survive? Should it?
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chantal and Bruce on Danielle Smith's win in Alberta and what it means for Canada. Plus, is Pierre Poilievre's social media out of control and if...
The EV Empire Strikes Back -- And the Random Ranter
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last week the RR had his say on the issue of electric vehicles, EVs, and this week we hear the fallout, both good and bad, on Your Turn. But the Rant...