The passing of Brian Mulroney had many of you thinking about the country's prime ministers and suggesting who was the most consequential. We have your answers on this week's Your Turn. Plus a very personal commentary from the Random Ranter this week, one many will identify with.
Mar 07, 2024•52 min•Ep. 972
Listen to Peter Mansbridge's chat with Former Prime Minster of Canada Brian Mulroney in South Africa in 2013 for the CBC.
Mar 06, 2024•30 min•Ep. 971
When Brian Mulroney passed last week so did an era in Canadian politics. But did some of the lessons of leadership that he possessed carry on to new generations of leadership? 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.
Mar 05, 2024•51 min•Ep. 970
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. All this while a new temporary truce seems imminent. Janice Stein gives us her take on the situation.
Mar 04, 2024•48 min•Ep. 969
The 18th prime minister of Canada was a force, a huge force. He changed the country in many ways, some worked, some didn't. He was also a major force on the international stage for himself and for Canada. Today the full hour on Brian Mulroney with Bruce, and filling in for a vacationing Chantal, the Toronto Star's Susan Delacourt.
Mar 01, 2024•53 min•Ep. 968
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.
Feb 29, 2024•50 min•Ep. 967
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...
Feb 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 966
The statistics are surprising to say the least. 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.
Feb 27, 2024•43 min•Ep. 965
They've been going on for months now, but what's really happening inside the Gaza Peace Talks and are things close to resolution. We've been here before but never clinched a deal. Could this be different? Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday briefing. Plus we reveal our question of the week!
Feb 26, 2024•46 min•Ep. 964
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. Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on that and a lot of other things from Ukraine, Pierre Poilievre to walks in the snow.
Feb 23, 2024•53 min•Ep. 963
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. Letters from across the country today, plus a commentary you won't soon forget from the Random Ranter.
Feb 22, 2024•48 min•Ep. 962
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on January 2nd. Watergate and Richard Nixon brought him fame, and fifty years later 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.
Feb 21, 2024•52 min•Ep. 961
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. Veteran correspondent and author Brian Stewart and internationally respected analyst Janice Stein. Their thoughts on where we are entering the third year of a major European based war.
Feb 20, 2024•52 min•Ep. 960
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 black history in our country? And more importantly, what should we know? This is an important and fascinating conversation with McGill University professor Debra Thompson, recognized around North America as an expert analyst on race politics.
Feb 19, 2024•46 min•Ep. 959
Two potholes for the Liberals in their path to try and find recovery. One serious. A scandal that could last a while. 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. Plus a lot more with Bruce and Chantal.
Feb 16, 2024•52 min•Ep. 958
This week's question was simple -- what one thing would you do to improve air travel in Canada? Your answers certainly show what concerns you most and it has to do with baggage. Lots of entries today competing for the first place prize! Also the Random Ranter takes his swing at auto theft -- what he thinks the real problem is.
Feb 15, 2024•47 min•Ep. 957
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on January 30th. 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 today with the CEO of the Halifax Public Libraries, Asa Kachan. Plus, what you should actually believe about expiration dates? An end bit worth its name!
Feb 14, 2024•43 min•Ep. 956
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. She was born in Toronto of Trinidadian descent. Today a feature interview with Marci Ien about her path as a Black Canadian and how she reflects on Black History month.
Feb 13, 2024•46 min•Ep. 955
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.
Feb 12, 2024•50 min•Ep. 954
Auto theft was the issue for the national political leaders this week and it's worth asking why. So we do on Good Talk this week including focusing on the minister of public safety, Dominic LeBlanc and why we should keep an eye on him for the future. 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.
Feb 09, 2024•52 min•Ep. 953
Your answers to this week's question -- what's one thing you or your family do to fight climate change? Once again, there are lots of answers from across the country. Some expected, some innovative, some surprising. Plus the Randon Ranter on what for some Canadians may be the country's biggest issue this year.
Feb 08, 2024•49 min•Ep. 952
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on May 1st. An extended conversation with 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. All this as the excitement (not) builds towards Coronation Day on Saturday.
Feb 07, 2024•48 min•Ep. 951
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. When you hear his stories and his theories you'll be thinking about how your own life has been impacted by "flukes". I sure did.
Feb 06, 2024•48 min•Ep. 950
The fear since October 7th has always been that this Israel-Hamas conflict could turn into a wider war. Well, it has and Dr Janice Stein joins us to give us her take on what it now means. Plus some surprising intrigue in Ukraine, and Janice delivers on her promise to also give us some "good news". We'll also unveil the question of the week.
Feb 05, 2024•49 min•Ep. 949
Some new intelligence on Canada's vulnerability to foreign interference is worrying to say the least. It suggests that interference by foreigners is deeply embedded in Canadian politics on every level. But the unanswered question is are we any different than most western countries? And Alberta's trans-gender decisions have not surprisingly become an issue too. Bruce and Chantal have their say on this and electoral reform plus more.
Feb 02, 2024•52 min•Ep. 948
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.
Feb 01, 2024•47 min•Ep. 947
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 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.
Jan 31, 2024•44 min•Ep. 946
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. So get your maps ready because this will bring you into the heart of one of the most challenging places on earth -- thousands of dead, millions of displaced .. many facing civil war and starvation.
Jan 30, 2024•47 min•Ep. 945
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. Dr Janice Stein gives us her take on what's possible and what's not. Also, Ukraine and North Korea add to today's agenda.
Jan 29, 2024•50 min•Ep. 944
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.
Jan 26, 2024•53 min•Ep. 943