The former Conservative leader is leaving politics softly but not quietly. He's making appearances, speeches and giving interviews and they all are chock full of his concerns about the current state of politics and some hints of what went wrong for him in his short term as leader. It's a straightforward and honest look at himself and his party.
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?
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 letters. Also a fair amount of comment about last Friday's Good Talk segment about whether here is a growing backlash against Pride in Canadian Politics. And the Random Ranter has his thoughts about bike lanes.
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 thoughts on everything from the courtroom to the newsroom. Also today Erin O'Toole's farewell speech to the House of Commons where there were lessons for everyone.
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 the fight is going. Brian Stewart explains why and assesses what we know so far.
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 stories of the day. On today's list, among others, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Poland, Israel and Haiti. And then if you are a frequent flier, an "endbit" worth keeping in mind for your next flight.
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 organization representing LGBTQ rights. The question is just how different are we compared to our US neighbours? Plus a rundown of where the five political parties are on the national landscape as the summer of 23 begins.
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 political messaging. There were also some climate change thoughts brought up with comments on the wildfires, and some memories about D-Day. Plus the Random Ranter drops by with some sage advice for all politicians.
As the smoke from Canadian wildfires descends on major parts of the United States the debate intensifies about the impacts of climate change. Bruce is by with his thoughts on that plus the David Johnston affairs, and is Donald Trump about to shed whatever is left of his Teflon image?
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 look back to another famous June 6 and that of course was in 1944, D-Day. Both Brian and I have been to the Normandy beaches many times and today is all about remembering.
The latest from two political veterans is another winner. Why do politicians say the things they say -- are they deliberately trying to mirror the views of potential supporters and if so is the message going through a generational change? Conservative James Moore and Liberal Gerald Butts are back for their last conversation before the summer break.
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.
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 that region could get a lot worse before it gets better. Also thoughts about our guests this week and one very much in particular.
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 Singh himself, came up with a great line to get himself to safe ground. Bruce does his SMT analysis on that plus the Alberta election and artificial intelligence too. Lots to listen to this week.
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. His name is Brandon Mitchell and he's from Miramichi, New Brunswick. His story is one that tells us what this war is really like. Brian Stewart also drops by for a condensed Stewart Report on the latest developments in the war.
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. And when a top-secret report goes up to the Primer Minister how many people may have first seen it -- you might be surprised. Special guest is security and intelligence expert Stephanie Carvin.
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 have their say on that plus, who is Michael Sabia and why does he matter to so many people?
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 in many ways the different views we witnessed on Parliament Hill when the report was released. And the Random Ranter has his take as well focusing on how this week has impacted the state of political leadership in the country.
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 person with a controversial report, an opposition party not buying it, a government trying to defend it and the media caught in the middle. Bruce has his thoughts and so do I.
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 plans for world peace. The controversial former US Secretary of State forms part of what Brian Stewart's weekly Ukraine commentary is all about this week.
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 15th. Our two political heavyweights, 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? Those are the questions we tackle in Moore-Butts #8.
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 Alberta's Ethics Commissioner came down with a report on the behaviour of Premier Danielle Smith. There was a lesson in her report that could and maybe should affect all politicians in Canada. Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on that. Also some good talk on Pierre Poilievre's decision not to meet with special rapporteur David Johnston.
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 feelings on this issue and also on the passport issue that surfaced last week. And then there's our regular Thursday feature, the Random Ranter.
Artificial Intelligence was on the minds of Washington legislators yesterday and the discussion was not only important it was for the most part non-partisan. Some important points are being made and one wonders whether Ottawa will soon do the same. It was more than two months ago on this program that Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner rang the bell on the issue and could more be around the corner? Bruce Anderson is back with his thoughts on this and more.
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 as he globe-trots to some of western Europe's key capitals? And some quick end bits on polls, four day school weeks, and a bizarre US space program.
Our two political heavyweights, 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? Those are the questions we tackle in Moore-Butts #8.
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 history or drawings of Canadiana -- what do you think best reflects our passports? Plus a new challenge for Conservatives, and a controversial return of Donald Trump. All talkers.
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 the monarchy, some of you agreed but others argued for the tie to be kept. And then the Ranter heads off in a new direction - China.
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 he does what impact would that have not only on his party but on the Conservative party as well. Bruce is off this week, but Toronto Star columnist Althia Raj is here with her take on that story and more.
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.
