The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge (Manscorp Media Services)

This is another keeper.  Mark his words!  Dr. Isaac Bogoch takes us through, point by point, variant by variant, vaccine by vaccines, where we are on Covid 19. It's pretty good.

Plus in another segment, how anti-vaxers are trying to undermine and destroy the customer base of restaurants and bars asking for vaccine confirmation from its customers.

Our weekly roundup of your letters, comments and questions.

Part two of our Smoke, Mirrors and The Truth two-part series on how our personal use of energy is changing.  This week the explosion in "EV's", electric vehicles.

Robert Lockhart is an EV hobbyist and he helps Bruce and me navigate the EV story.   

We also start SMT with a discussion about vaccines and ask why Canada is so far behind the US in putting vaccines in arms.

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 and Chantal have their thoughts on that plus the latest on the David Johnston story and whether he can carry on with his job. Also what to believe about the latest poll showing the Conservatives may have reason to be concerned about their position in their fight for power.

The new cabinet was sworn in today and as expected, half are women, and some of the top jobs in cabinet are filled by women.  So what is that really like?  What's remembered from day one through the often challenging times in cabinet.  Catherine McKenna had two senior positions in Justin Trudeau's first two governments but chose not to run this time.  Today she's our guest for the inside story of what that time in power was like, especially for a woman.

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 this a really bad move on the part of the government or one from which they can recover? Bruce is here for that.

Your thoughts, comments and questions and there are lots of them this week.  

Special emphasis on your take on electric vehicles, but still lots of other issues as well.

The Random Ranter tries to explain how and why his political views have changed in recent years. 

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 then later a a new report on climate change and a chat with one of the world's leading authorities on sea ice and the massive loss of sea ice currently underway in both the Arctic and Antarctica. And then a bonus edition of End Bits!

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on June 3rd. With the 80th anniversary of perhaps the greatest military gamble in history upon us this week, we look at D-Day.  Canada played a significant role that day, one in which we can be extremely proud.  Today we invite the well-known and much respected British historian James Holland onto The Bridge to guide us through the highlights of a day that changed the Second World War.

The Scottish First Minister resigns, the British PM is being pushed by his own party, the polls are brutal for Justin Trudeau, and Joe Biden can't seem to pull away from a court bound Donald Trump. What's the problem here? Bruce Anderson makes a on-off return to mid-week commentary to have a chat about the mood of the electorate.

We're looking back at The Bridge in 2021.  Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on December 17th.  It is Good Talk: Top Picks 2021.

Lots of variety and even a classic year end poem in this week's mailbag collection of your thoughts, questions and comments.

So many entries in our "favourite Canadian book" contest  that we stretched things into a second week. Lots here from Berton to Atwood of course, but dozens more that we've established a catalogue of richness from Canadian authors. Plus, this week the Random Ranter on "homelessness".

You've been writing a lot to themansbridgepodcast@gmail.com in the last two weeks about the election campaign, and about my Arctic travels.  Today is your turn and as long-time listeners to The Bridge know, I love reading your mail.  So enjoy.

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 have their say on that, plus ethics, Branda Lucki and balloons all up for discussion on a busy Good Talk. 

We are into the third year of China's detention of two Canadians -- time for some blunt talk about options.  Former diplomat and Vice President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute Colin Robertson joins us.  Plus, How different countries have different lockdown rules on Covid.

The question this week was this: Name the one thing you would do to improve health care in Canada". You obviously care about this issue as most research shows health care is one of the top items bothering Canadians, and your letters show that you have ideas for solutions.  Lots of ideas.  Plus the Random Ranter has the issue that's on his mind this week.

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on November 8th 2023. 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. What to make of that is the topic for SMT today with Bruce Anderson.

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on April 25th. If there are two guys who can "bring it" in a non-partisan conversation about Canadian politics it’s these two. One Conservative, one Liberal.  Today's topic is Canada on the world stage - is there a common approach and should there be a common approach no matter who is in power? 

Some thoughts about the greatest goalie in the world.  Plus the controversial pandemic issue of vaccine passports.  Should we or shouldn't we?  One of the country's leading privacy experts weighs in.

A busy week in the Your Turn department, dozens and dozens of letters, mostly to do with the so-called "freedom" convoy and listeners haven't been shy. But also comments about electric vehicles and the pandemic make the list.  

There's no doubt that many Canadians are buying Canadian when they hit the grocery, hardware or clothing stories.  But where do you draw the line?

An encore of Inauguration Day for Trump and all eyes are on the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas. 

New data from Nanos and the Globe and Mail suggests Canadians find neither Justin Trudeau or Pierre Poilievre credible -- quite a statement about Canadian politics today. But first on today's program, Bruce and Chantal discuss whether Trudeau is making one last swing at trying to change the numbers that show Poilievre with a huge lead.  

It's said that half the countries in the world that have elections will have them this year. But it seems that in many of those countries the incumbent party is in trouble and set to lose. Why? Our guest, Andrew MacDougall, knows politics as a former Director of Communications for Stephen Harper while Harper was prime minister, and is now a consultant for the Trafalgar Strategy Group in London, England.

The topics were hot, from the Middle East to carbon pricing, but after all the positioning did anything really change? Chantal and Bruce are here and they have their thoughts on these and other issues including the latest mumbles about whether or not the NDP and the Liberals should get even closer. And some closing thoughts on Brian Mulroney.

The convoy organizers are back in Ottawa town, and one in five Conservative MP's were there to greet them.  What does that mean and how does that play out this summer?  Chantal and Bruce are all in for that discussion, plus chatter as Michelle Rempel Garner makes her decision, and the Liberals summer mess continues. 

One of the great debates these days revolves around truth -- what is it, and are we being told the truth about the events that are happening right in our time? Take that to its logical extension and you can ask, is history accurate? And that's what we do today with one of my favourite historians -- Dan Snow.  Dan lives here in the United Kingdom but his Canadian roots run deep and as you will see roots he's very proud of.

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.  And then the Random Ranter with his #1 new year's resolution.

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 well for either Poilievre or the media.  What should be taken from the encounter?  And can anyone win the political long game by attacking the media? And what would an SMT be without a little Donald Trump?

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 wonder just how serious things are and if the byelection results will tell us anything meaningful on that question.  Also, what really led to the layoffs at CTV News?

So is it safe or not?  That is the question after yet another "pause" in the Astra Zenica rollout, this time led by Ontario.  

Bruce Anderson is on board the SMT train today where we tackle the vaccine questions and a new poll on how social media is dividing us.

That's the focus of this week's Your Turn and your letters aren't shy. Neither is the Random Ranter.

Some thoughts on London, Ontario and Kamloops first, then our feature segment today on the debate around the US-Canada border -- should it be reopened?

There was a time when Canada lost the best and the brightest in a "brain drain" to the United States. Is the reverse beginning to happen now?

Feature interviews with the Minister of Indigenous Services and the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  How to navigate the road forward.  And how to discover the truth.

The question of the week was "If you could say one thing to a new immigrant to Canada, about Canada, what would that be?"  Once again you weren't shy about your advice, sending in many, many emails from across the country. We read some of the best and award the prize to this week's winner. Plus, the Random Ranter does his take on Question Period and more.

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 their thoughts and some pretty good ideas. Also today the Random Ranter makes the case for Canada's teachers -- what he thinks they need.

Today, it's a nailbiter in the final hours before Americans decide on the outcome of their presidential election.

Bruce brings his latest data book with him and gives us a sense of how Canadians feel about the convoy mess.  Also the big question -- will this ever end and how will it end?

Your letters, comments and questions - on everything from vaccines to Bruce Springsteen to journalism's core values! Quite the mix.

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 can today and I'll pick one to be the recipient of the new book by Mark Bulgutch and myself, "How Canada Works". And of course the Random Ranter with his take on this time of year. 

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 media and the way its covered the Trump indictment.  And then on the same theme, what is happening at "60 Minutes"?

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 with his thoughts on safe injection sites.  He doesn't hold back on a topic that often causes strong feelings.

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on October 17th. 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 Harper cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau principal secretary Gerald Butts take us inside with their latest "conversation".

Ottawa plays hardball with the grocery titans but will the strategy pay off for consumers? Plus the latest on India and Ukraine. 

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on October 6th. Ottawa plays hardball with the grocery titans but will the strategy pay off for consumers? Plus the latest on India and Ukraine. 

For Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary, this week we profile the man who has brought mercenary armies to the forefront of discussion. Yevgeny Prigozhin operates the Wagnedr group and while we have talked about him before, today we take a wider look at the issue because mercenaries are operating in a lot more than just the battle for Ukraine.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has juggled today's normal lineup around.  Dr Janice Stein, internationally recognized U of T professor of conflict management, joins me after a night of attacks in Ukraine.   Also, some of your best letters in our Mail Bag for the past week, all relate to the trucker's story. 

Chantal and Bruce start off 2022 with two big topics. We discuss the at times divisive politics of the pandemic in Canada; and then if Joe Biden is right and democracy is vulnerable in the United States, how ready is Canada?

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 it sure seems the Liberal/NDP deal will stay intact meaning no election this year.  Lots to talk about and Bruce is up for some good back and forth.  Also the latest on the election interference story.

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 episode is all you, and your stories. These represent some of the best of what you sent but there were lots more that could have easily made the cut!

Mark Carney is the front runner in the race to replace Trudeau & finally dropped his plans to abandon the carbon tax.

Donald Trump's latest claim of what to expect from a second Trump presidency has the alarm bells ringing in NATO capitals around the world. Trump says he'd abandon any NATO country that fell behind in defense expenditures and would tell the Russians to invade if they want to. Really?  What would that mean? Dr Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday appearance on this subject and a lot more - Ukraine, Israel, Pakistan.  

When the longtime CBC news anchor began his career as a reporter in the early 1970's, giving people the news was among the most trusted and important occupations in the country. When he retired in 2017, it was the era of "fake news", as trust in the media was at an all-time low. Seven years later, it's even lower than that.

So what happened? Did the media lose people's trust? Did the internet do it for them? How does a legendary face of Canadian news grapple with the fact that, if he were in the chair today, less than half of Canadians would trust the news he delivered? Can anything be done to fix it? Or is it already too late?

GUEST: Peter Mansbridge, former anchor of CBC's The National, host of The Bridge podcast

Lots of different questions, comments and ideas this week.  Plus the Random Ranter takes a shot at a very popular Bridge topic: EV's!

He called it quits and now the race is on to see who leads the Liberals to either possible extinction or surprise recovery.

It's a wide open Thursday with your answers to the question, what's on your mind? From across the country, you're not shy, from forest fires to work schedules in the public service, to highway safety during crop planting season we hear from you. Plus the Random Ranter is here with his thoughts for the week.

Brian Williams is a long-time friend and colleague and when he announced his retirement this weekend it left many people wondering how to imagine how an Olympics would ever be the same.  In tribute, I read one of the stories in my new book which is all about Brian.  Before that, some thoughts about a critical meeting on a very important topic that is just two weeks away.

It's crunch time for Israel and Hamas. This could be the week that a ceasefire is reached in the bloody war between both sides in the Gaza conflict. If there isn't a deal, the fear is the war could get a lot worse. Dr Janice Stein is with us again for her regular Monday discussion about the Middle East and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.  

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 28th. An interview with Andrew Lawton the author of the new book on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Who is the man who wants to be Canada's 24th prime minister and what does he actually stand for? The answers to those questions and more are the focus to today's program.

Most cabinet ministers are endorsing an outsider not an insider. How damaging is this for Chrystia Freeland?

Across the country, 5-11-year-olds are starting to get their shot which will make Canada's vaccination rate, already a world leader, even better.  That and a lot more, including some of your comments, ideas and questions on our dip into The Bridge mailbag.

Last week's phone call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu marked a new chapter in US-Israel relations and is not a good one. What will happen now? Is the rift fixable? Dr Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday discussion. Also in the conversation, Is Russia really as powerful as some NATO allies are making it sound?

This is an important discussion about Artificial intelligence -- what you should know and why legislators seem so slow-footed on dealing with the issues AI brings.  Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is trying to raise awareness on something that is happening very quickly in our world, perhaps too quickly.

It's our regular Monday pandemic checkup, this week with Toronto epidemiologist Dr. Isaac Bogoch.  The good doctor is a straight shooter and he doesn't hold back as the quote above in today's title clearly shows!  But there's a football twist in today's episode as well -- go figure.

An encore of  a feature interview with celebrated Canadian military historian Tim Cook about his latest book hitting the shelves.

Some opening thoughts on the latest tragic news from our history of residential schools.

Then a mini Thursday Potpurri --- the devices that monitor your health, and the man behind the Zapruder film.

For many Canadians, it all comes down to this -- how do the candidates perform in tonight's debate?

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 into the Emergencies Act.  Does he have something to hide? Plus what about Jagmeet Singh and his statement that even if Ottawa did something wrong in introducing the Act, he is unlikely to pull the NDOP support of the government?  Plus, why such low voter turnout in local politics?

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on April 2nd. There used to be a time when the finance minister's budget speech was the most closely guarded secret on the parliamentary agenda.  Not so much anymore. These days many budget policies are released weeks before the speech. That's certainly the case this year. The budget speech isn't for another few weeks but daily we seem to learn more about what will be in the speech. The Canadian correspondent for The Economist, Rob Russo, gives us a history lesson on budgets but also takes us inside this year's process. 

A new study looks at. the differences between journalists and the people it serves.  And then there's the issue of context in. the age of Covid. Plus more on our Thursday potpourri podcast

Is all news bad news?  Why isn't there more good news? Is it all bad for your health?  Just one of the questions for today in our Thursday combination of the stories we've missed and the letters you've sent.  Great way to help kick off our first week of 2022.

The Moore Butts combo is back with a big question -- how do you cut government waste and does Elon Musk have the answer?

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 Anderson joins for our regular Wednesday SMT. Plus Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

The third and final in our series of interviews with the major national political party leaders.  NDP leader Jagmeet Singh talks about everything from the pandemic to the indigenous issue, and also his request of the Governor General not to allow Justin Trudeau an election this summer.

Then Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson offer their take on the NDP leader's comments.

Bruce and Chantal discuss the decision by Pierre Poilievre to scrum with the parliamentary press gallery after months of ignoring them. Why? And debating the Auditor General's power and impact.  Plus when is a Greenbelt green and not grey?

The Ukraine story this past few days has been intriguing.  Have we reached a turning point?  Brian Stewart is back with his insight and research on what's really happening in the war with Russia.

Plus, will doing thousands of steps a day help counter dementia? A new study says "yes".

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.  And, who cares anyway?  Royal commentator Bonnie Brownlee is our guest.

But first a story about Carey Price you probably did not know.

Bruce and Chantal join in with some Good Talk about whether the summer has changed anything on the national political landscape. There were great expectations back in June about what needed to happen, but did anything?  Also a feisty conversation about the growth of conspiracy theories and their impact on the political dialogue.

There were so many entries by you for the answer to this question that it will likely fill three episodes of Your Turn.  What you expect of the parties and their leaders as the campaign countdown continues.  Plus the Random Ranter and his thoughts for this week.

Bruce is off for this week's Good Talk but Rob Russo fills in with Chantal.  Is there reason for optimism with progress on Truth and Reconciliation? And in a fight between climate change and inflation who wins? Plus the Quebec election is next week and so is the search for a new premier in Alberta.

Trump threatens tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless both countries clean up their border issues and stop dumping migrants and fentanyl into the US.

An encore of today's topic revolves around the relationship between politicians and reporters.

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.  But first, we bring back Dr Lisa Barrett from Halifax to answer some of your questions about the apparent resurgence of COVID. 

The passing of a cultural icon prompted a lot of emotional reactions from across the country this week. A surprising amount considering many mentioned they had never heard of the person whose memory was being marked. And the Ranter begins a three part series on advice for the nation's political leaders.

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 Ranter makes his return by joining the discussion about Climate Change.  It's a packed episode.

Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey go head to head on the tariff issue. Then Keith Boag with his non partisan take.

 The trade war between Canada & the US is on, & suddenly, two long-standing friends seem like hard-core enemies.

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 your thoughts on a wide range of issues from Ukraine to Centurions.

Chantal and Bruce join Peter on location from Carleton University in Ottawa answering their questions!

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on February 15th. This is a fabulous and important discussion to have with two normally political foes engaging in a thoughtful, for the most part non partisan discussion about current leadership patterns.  Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau Principal Secretary Gerry Butts.

This is the 500th episode of The Bridge and what better way to celebrate than by listening to some of your latest letters, your ideas, thoughts and comments.  

The lessons from dealing with international flights and going to an NHL game in an era of Covid.  Plus just how much of the misinformation being peddled about Covid is being believed - you might be surprised.  And, the old hometown, Churchill Manitoba gets special treatment from the NY Times. 

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 true in Canada. So how do we resolve what is becoming a major issue in Canada -- immigration?  Plus, the Liberals have a cabinet retreat next week, so what? Will it make a difference? And, what now for Rachel Notley? Bruce and Chantal on all these and more. 

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 his take on the latest testimony from protestors themselves.  And also, the latest soundings of what Canadians feel about inflation and Covid.  

With Russian attacks on a Ukrainian nuclear power plant, indiscriminate bombings of civilians, and no end in sight, Bruce and Chantal weigh the very controversial question of just how far Canada should go to support Ukraine.  Plus, should Max Bernier run for the leadership of the Conservative Party? 

Will any other provinces follow Quebec's plan to tax the unvaccinated?  Bruce puts the SMT lens on that one.  Plus the calls for Boris Johnson to resign intensify.  And then of course there's the question underlined by the Australian Open -- is there one set of rules for the famous and then the rules for the rest of us?

Author Ted Barris joins us today to discuss his latest book, Battle of Britain - Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour. Once again Ted recounts stories from our history we had forgotten or simply didn’t know. You won’t just enjoy this conversation, you’ll learn from it.