The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

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.

A provocative weekend column co-written by our Dr Janice Stein looks at Canada's impact in the United States and asks, Do We Even Matter Anymore? Also today, our regular check-in on Ukraine and the Middle East.

Pierre Poilievre ends up with a group of F-Trudeau flag wavers in the Maritimes. Really?  Whatever happened to the newly hired comms director for the Prime Minister? Has anything made a difference? And Mark Carney seems to finally enter the ring.

This week's question was about social media and whether you like or dislike it. Plus the Random Ranter is back after a week off and he's got some strong words for the rich!

An encore of Canadian author, comedian and yes, icon, Rick Mercer. If he was still doing his famous rants today what and whom would he be ranting about? But we start with an engaging story about a meeting between a young Prince Charles and an amazing woman from northern Scotland.

The latest version of our Moore Butts series has former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore, and former Trudeau principal secretary Gerald Butts on a topic of our times.

Our regular Monday conversation with Dr Janice Stein includes one of her specialties. The University of Toronto professor is an expert in conflict management so why can't the historic conflicts that have been a part of the middle east for centuries ever be resolved?

Lots to talk about this week and much of it connected to the fallout from the new budget. With some Liberals calling for a move to the centre did the budget simply go further left? Is Pierre Poilievre starting to answer questions about just what he would do if he got into government?

You wanted to ask questions of the Housing Minister, he agreed and you delivered. Dozens and dozens of questions poured in about immigration, affordability, mortgages, construction and a lot more.

An encore of 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.

A new book about the Ben Johnson story raises some interesting questions about the fairness of the way the Canadian track star was treated after he tested positive in the 1988 Olympics. Mary Ormsby, a well known and very respected sportswriter, has a new book about the controversy.

After a wild weekend of developments in the middle east this question looms large -- what now? Dr. Janice Stein joins us for her regular Monday session and gives us guidance on this story and all the connecting lines that intersect because of it -- Washington, Amman, Tehran, Beirut and more. Plus more information on our upcoming special Your Turn with Housing Minister Sean Fraser this Thursday.

On the day the NDP leader begins to back away from the Liberal's carbon pricing policy, we have a serious discussion about the pros and cons of having a televised conference to address the differences between the country's prime minister, premiers and territorial leaders.

Today the final list of your choices and they're pretty interesting. And they come from all over the world. Plus the Random Ranter with his thoughts on what is holding back Canadian productivity.

An encore of 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. The Canadian correspondent for The Economist, Rob Russo, gives us a history lesson on budgets but also takes us inside this year's process.

Helping us understand what is planned and whether it's adequate or even necessary is one of the country's leading defence analysts and someone who has written and lectured often on Canada's arctic policy as it relates to defence. He's Professor Rob Huebert from the University of Calgary.

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. Also in the conversation, Is Russia really as powerful as some NATO allies are making it sound?

Where is all the money coming from to pay for massive new housing and school lunch programs? With a budget now less than two weeks ago and multi billion dollar programs being dropped almost daily it's an important question. But so is the future of the NDP, with some high profile new departures from Jagmeet Singh's next campaign candidate list.

What Canadian TV show, past or present, has had the greatest impact on you as a Canadian? The answers tell us a lot about ourselves and our television industry. Also today the random Ranter with his own provocative take on the carbon tax.

An encore of a total solar eclipse will be witnessed in a specific path through Canada on April 8th, and in almost all of the rest of the country, a partial eclipse will be experienced. So what to do, where to be and how to safely watch the eclipse are all good questions and today Science Sam, Dr Samantha Yammine, joins us to answer them.

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. The Canadian correspondent for The Economist, Rob Russo, gives us a history lesson on budgets but also takes us inside this year's process.

While Israelis keep up the pressure for negotiations to free the hostages, there's another issue dividing Israelis. Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday appearance to explain this, plus new issues confronting Ukraine in its war with Russia.

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

Your choices for the question of the week -- name your favourite inside Canada but outside your own province, holiday spot. Some really terrific answers. Plus the Random Ranter with a really different rant -- don't miss it!

An encore of a feature interview with the author of an extraordinary new book that explores he world of chance, chaos and why everything we do matters. He's Brian Klaas a university professor in London, England.

A total solar eclipse will be witnessed in a specific path through Canada on April 8th, and in almost all of the rest of the country, a partial eclipse will be experienced. So what to do, where to be and how to safely watch the eclipse are all good questions and today Science Sam, Dr Samantha Yammine, joins us to answer them.

A horrific attack on concert goers in Moscow on Friday night has terrorized Russians and put some difficult decisions in front of Vladimir Putin. Janice Stein joins us to talk about the impact this can have on the Ukraine war; also the latest on Israel-Hamas and some encouraging news about Guatemala. Plus we unveil the question of the week.

From the Middle East to carbon pricing, but after all the positioning did anything really change? The latest mumbles about whether or not the NDP and the Liberals should get even closer. And some closing thoughts on Brian Mulroney.

So many entries in our "favourite Canadian book" contest  that we stretched things into a second week. Plus, this week the Random Ranter on "homelessness".

An encore of when Brian Mulroney passed last week so did an era in Canadian politics. Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerald Butts carry on their non partisan conversations on The Bridge, started in 2022, this week with the Mulroney legacy as the topic.

What are the challenges of covering a presidential race like the one underway in the United States? Keith Boag is with us again to explore those questions in a way that helps us understand the stakes.

Our regular Monday session with Dr Janice Stein of the Munk School at the University of Toronto. This week's focus starts on Israel and Hamas and the question implied in the title above. Plus an update on the question of the week!

Carbon Taxes, Carbon Rebates, Arrive Can, the Auditor General ....another week when the questions of who's protecting your money, how it's spent, how it's promised and who's accountable are all up front. That plus some new thoughts on Brian Mulroney.

This week's question was simple -- name your favourite Canadian book, one that would help Canadians understand their country better. Plus, Thursday's also mean the Random Ranter and he's in fine form on the issue of the Carbon Tax.

An encore of asking Dr Samantha Nutt of War Child Canada to break down her most recent trip to South Sudan, basically to take us with her.

It's said that half the countries in the world that have elections will have them this year. 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.

An exchange over the weekend has set the relationship between Benjamin Netanyahu and Joe Biden in a very hard place. Biden first gave an interview on Saturday night and then Netanyahu responded on Sunday. Today, Janice Stein deconstructs the interview with Biden that started the weekend back and forth.

Joe Biden's energetic State of the Union address last night is getting mostly positive reviews and may have given him at least temporary relief from the wolves that seemed poised to ruin his re-election bid.  Bruce and Susan (filling in for Chantal) start with that and quickly move into Canadian politics -- a convincing Conservative by-election win, and how long can the government sustain increased spending?

The passing of Brian Mulroney had many of you thinking about the country's prime ministers and suggesting who was the most consequential. Plus a very personal commentary from the Random Ranter this week, one many will identify with.

Peter Mansbridge's chat with Former Prime Minster of Canada Brian Mulroney in South Africa in 2013 for the CBC.

When Brian Mulroney passed last week so did an era in Canadian politics. Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerald Butts carry on their non partisan conversations on The Bridge, started in 2022, this week with the Mulroney legacy as the topic.

For the first time since Oct 7, a split is open and obvious in the Israeli war cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Benny Gantz is heading to meetings in Washington against his prime minister's wishes raising questions about Israeli government solidarity and what it means to the situation on the ground in Gaza.

The 18th prime minister of Canada was a force, a huge force. Today the full hour on Brian Mulroney with Bruce, and filling in for a vacationing Chantal, the Toronto Star's Susan Delacourt.

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.

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.

Wildfires are burning in different parts of the country already, some have been burning through the winter.  Are we prepared for what seems almost certain to come from fires to drought? Chris Hatch covers climate for the National Observer from Vancouver and he's our guest.

What's really happening inside the Gaza Peace Talks and are things close to resolution. Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday briefing.  Plus we reveal our question of the week!

Little things can make a difference is the old saying. And this week a little thing seemed to have some people wondering whether the Liberals have given up any chance of winning the next election.

A potpourri of concerns this week as the question was pretty general -- What's On Your Mind? Most deal with concerns about the world stage and specifically how desperate things look to many of you.

An encore of Bob Woodward is still doing the journalism that is chasing another U.S. President. A wide-ranging interview to kick off another year of The Bridge -- Woodward's take on everything from Donald Trump to the state of the media.

This weekend marks the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Now experts worry whether this prolonged conflict could threaten the future of world peace. Today a special edition of the Bridge that brings together two of our favourite foreign affairs experts.

An encore of an important and fascinating conversation with McGill University professor Debra Thompson, recognized around North America as an expert analyst on race politics.

Two potholes for the Liberals in their path to try and find recovery. The other perhaps not so much. Plus the ugliness surrounding demonstrations in Canada on both sides of the Israel-Hamas war -- what does it say about the country.

This week's question was simple -- what one thing would you do to improve air travel in Canada? Also the Random Ranter takes his swing at auto theft -- what he thinks the real problem is.

An encore of with issues surrounding what you are allowed to read in some American schools, some Canadians may be surprised there are similar issues in Canada. That's why next month will include "A Freedom to Read" week. An important discussion on that with the CEO of the Halifax Public Libraries, Asa Kachan.

Marci Ien made her name as a Canadian television journalist anchoring some of CTV's most important programs. Today she's a federal cabinet minister responsible for women and gender equality. Today a feature interview with Marci Ien about her path as a Black Canadian and how she reflects on Black History month.

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.

Auto theft was the issue for the national political leaders this week and it's worth asking why. Also today, who's buying Jagmeet Singh's threat to pull the plug on the deal keeping the Liberals in power? And BCE's latest slash at journalism in Canada and what it means.

Your answers to this week's question -- what's one thing you or your family do to fight climate change? Plus the Randon Ranter on what for some Canadians may be the country's biggest issue this year.

An encore of Canadian author, comedian and yes, icon, Rick Mercer. If he was still doing his famous rants today what and whom would he be ranting about? But we start with an engaging story about a meeting between a young Prince Charles and an amazing woman from northern Scotland.

A feature interview with the author of an extraordinary new book that explores he world of chance, chaos and why everything we do matters. He's Brian Klaas a university professor in London, England.

The fear since October 7th has always been that this Israel-Hamas conflict could turn into a wider war. Plus some surprising intrigue in Ukraine, and Janice delivers on her promise to also give us some "good news".

Some new intelligence on Canada's vulnerability to foreign interference is worrying to say the least. And Alberta's trans-gender decisions have not surprisingly become an issue too.

The question of the week was "If you could say one thing to a new immigrant to Canada, about Canada, what would that be?" Plus, the Random Ranter does his take on Question Period and more.

An encore of 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 we handle our secrets. Special guest is security and intelligence expert Stephanie Carvin.

A special edition today as we ask Dr Samantha Nutt of War Child Canada to break down her most recent trip to South Sudan, basically to take us with her.

Talks in Paris between Israel, Qatar, the US and Egypt began over the weekend and optimists feel they could lead to a deal to stop the fighting in Gaza within days. Also, Ukraine and North Korea add to today's agenda.

Strange week for Justin Trudeau --one day a member calls for a leadership review, and the next his caucus almost hoists him on their shoulders. What's going on? Bruce and Chantal on that and a lot more. Tucker Carlson in Alberta, convoy promoters get a court decision in their favour, and the ICJ rules on Gaza.

This week's question was struck a chord: name the one thing you like best about winter. It's a pretty soft question but you delivered again, lots of answers and many of them quite poetic in their description of what many think strikes to the heart and soul of being Canadian. Plus, it being Thursday, the Random Ranter is by with his latest take on EVs, electric vehicles.

Encore Presentation. 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 war.

For the most part the old saying that foreign policy isn't what Canadians vote on, but does that mean Canadian governments and political parties take a pass on worrying about foreign matters? Time for another great Moore Butts conversation, this time #13 of our series.

Benjamin Netanyahu's hold on power has been tenuous at best for the past year, but even more so after the past few days. Dr. Janice Stein has her weekly Monday take on the Middle East story, the Ukraine-Russia war, and a very bleak outlook from the new Defence Secretary in the United Kingdom.

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?

If you could name one thing to make us better communicate with each other, what would that change be? Do you have the answer to polarization?  Plus the Random Ranter in a way you've never heard him before. Literally.

An encore of Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerry Butts, move their latest non-partisan discussion to the question of lies and their growing place in modern politics. Like it or not the lie is in the toolbox of politics and Donald Trump isn't the only one using it. How did that happen and where does it lead?

Donald Trump wins the opening round in the race for the Republican nomination for the US presidency. But does that mean it's all over already?  Someone who has covered Trump, someone who understands politics and history and where the two intersect. He's Keith Boag former CBC Washington correspondent and former CBC Chief Political Correspondent in Ottawa.

Taiwan, the Houthis, and a two-state solution for the Middle East. It's a master class in geopolitics.  Also, we'll unveil this week's big question that you have a chance to answer and win a coveted prize!

Ed Broadbent and Jean Chretien.  Two giants on the country's political landscape, but are they symbols of an era long past? Plus how significant are the changes taking place in the prime minister's office? Also, does Canada have a position on genocide in the Middle East?

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.

An encore of Lee McIntyre an American philosopher and author who's written extensively on the issues of truth and disinformation. He's studied the impact of both and shares his thoughts about how best to deal with them.

The former senior Conservative cabinet minister takes aim at some of her former colleagues, both Liberal AND Conservative for wasting time on non-issues and ignoring the important ones, especially one issue in particular.

The United States Secretary of State is on a week-long dash through seven mid-east countries desperately trying to prevent a wider war than the one already underway between Israel and Hamas.

Both the Liberals and the Conservatives appear to have stumbled in the holiday season and the question now, is will they pay for the slip-ups? Trudeau in Jamaica, again -- and a Conservative frontbencher calls for Canada to withdraw from the UN.

The question to you was "Name the one change you would make to Canada's political system". And you had answers, lots of them and today we scan the mail and award one of the suggestions with a special prize.

After more than a dozen year end interviews by some of Canada's political leaders, who benefited most?  The leaders? The media? The public?

We ask the provocative question about whether the world is moving towards expanded conflict. Not just Israel-Hamas, not just Russia Ukraine but beyond. Dr Janice Stein is with us for her weekly discussion but this time she includes a segment she made popular in the past, "What are we missing?" touching upon an area she feels we just aren't talking about enough.

An encore of some of my favourite stories are about the history of Canada's Arctic and almost all of them have been written by Ken McGoogan. He's our guest today with his exciting new book Searching for Franklin.

An encore of it's that time of year when the Good Talk panel convenes to talk about the year-end position on the political landscape in Canada.

An encore of we talk a lot about polls but what happens behind the scenes when the polls are released? What do the public and the press not see when the numbers cause chaos in one party or another?

An encore of 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?

An encore of former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former principal secretary to prime minister Trudeau Gerald Butts focus on helping us understand political trends. Today, again burying their partisan feelings, the two look at the issue of how to campaign in an era of polarization.

An encore of your letters this week are very moving, your memories of holidays past for family and friends. And of course the Random Ranter with his take on this time of year.

It's that time of year when the Good Talk panel convenes to talk about the year-end position on the political landscape in Canada.

Your letters this week are very moving, your memories of holidays past for family and friends.  And of course the Random Ranter with his take on this time of year.

We focus on some comments Justin Trudeau made in his annual year-end interview with podcaster Terry DiMonte. The prime minister is clearly worried about the influence the American right is having on Canada.  Are we seeing a preview of the next election campaign? Bruce is here with his collector's edition of SMT!

It's an end bit special today as we approach the holidays. Topic One is that old daydreaming habit many of us have when we fly on a passenger jet -- if something happens to the pilots, could we takeover even with no real flying experience? A surprising number of us think we could.

The accidental killing of three Israeli hostages by Israeli troops has led to new calls, many from Israelis, for a ceasefire in Gaza.  Would Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agree, would Hamas agree? Plus, the latest from Ukraine.

As the year closes some Liberals seem to have their bounce back, while some Conservatives are a bit anxious. The CPC still has a double digit lead in the polls which is more than enough for a majority, but as Yogi used to say, it certainly "ain't over till it's over".

Hard to believe at a time with so many issues facing Canadians that the number one topic in your letters this week was the claim that 77 percent of Xmas trees sold in the USA this year are artificial trees. And of course the random Ranter -- this week again on housing and specifically, affordable land.