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 person in the publishing world, Brad Martin, joins us to talk about the ins and outs of his business. Also a fabulous story about political opponents who show how things should happen.
Nov 21, 2022•42 min•Ep. 674
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 discussion, can the RCMP commissioner survive the convoy inquiry? And how seriously should we take the toe to toe "confrontation" between Justin Trudeau and Xi Jinping?
Nov 18, 2022•53 min•Ep. 673
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 over Twitter.
Nov 17, 2022•43 min•Ep. 672
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 both. And a seemingly simple idea from Pierre Poilievre may be just the way to make some people more comfortable with the Conservative leader.
Nov 16, 2022•41 min•Ep. 671
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 suggest no matter what happens in the near, the world might be better with Putin IN power. Also, a new health study on what happens in the moments after your heart stops.
Nov 15, 2022•43 min•Ep. 670
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, some authorities are suggesting that masks be put back on. No mandates, at least not yet. Dr Zain Chagla joins us. Plus, the world will be eight billion strong as of tomorrow. Good news or bad? And more with some pretty interesting "end bits".
Nov 14, 2022•45 min•Ep. 669
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 thoughts on what those US midterm results should mean to Canadian Conservatives. Plus whither Canada-China relations?
Nov 11, 2022•53 min•Ep. 668
Some truly wonderful and sometimes emotional letters from you, listeners to The Bridge, about what Remembrance Day means to you. Even the Random Ranter gets in on the act with his thoughts. It's a special show.
Nov 10, 2022•46 min•Ep. 667
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 thing is clear: the Republican rout some expected in the US midterms did not happen. Bruce tries to clear the smoke and mirrors from the story. Also Doug Ford changes his plans to use the notwithstanding clause -- what does that say about his leadership. And more on our theme this week about "remembering".
Nov 09, 2022•41 min•Ep. 666
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 victim to the strategy? Brian Stewart takes a look at the issue of deception, in another of his regular weekly columns. And Ted Barris drops by to talk about his new book, "The Battle of the Atlantic" as we continue our theme of "remembering" this week.
Nov 08, 2022•47 min•Ep. 665
With Remembrance Day coming up this Friday The Bridge devotes some time this week to "remembering". Beginning today with a feature interview with Tim Cook and the stories behind his terrific new First World War book, 'Life Savers and Body Snatchers". And among our end bits today, what do you think the most common dog name in Canada is?
Nov 07, 2022•47 min•Ep. 664
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 Canadians are feeling about the way the government handled the situation. And some pretty interesting testimony this week from the various convoy organizers. Then Doug Ford is using the notwithstanding clause to ensure that kids stay in strike-threatened schools in Ontario which could lead to a Supreme Court fight. And Ottawa drops its economic statement -...
Nov 04, 2022•53 min•Ep. 663
Your Turn, emails, comments, questions on a wide range of topics this week, and of course our regular Thursday commentary from The Random Ranter. Issues from Doug Ford, to the monarchy, to Ukraine, to voter turnout.
Nov 03, 2022•41 min•Ep. 662
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.
Nov 02, 2022•43 min•Ep. 661
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. Our regular Tuesday commentator on the conflict, Brian Stewart, weighs in with his thoughts. Also, as we all get older some a Tuesday end bit on how we can improve our health -- it's simple but apparently effective.
Nov 01, 2022•42 min•Ep. 660
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 threats to public officials on the rise, should there be more protection? Former RCMP Deputy Commissioner P-Y Bourduas is our guest. And then as we get ready for the holiday book season, author Steve Paikin joins us to talk about his new book on Canada's 17th prime minister, John Turner.
Oct 31, 2022•47 min•Ep. 659
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, the nuclear rebound, the monarchy in Canada and Elon Musk. A busy, busy lineup!
Oct 28, 2022•52 min•Ep. 658
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 thoughts, ideas and questions about the CBC headline the podcast today, and the Ranter pops by with his take on the Convoy.
Oct 27, 2022•48 min•Ep. 657
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?
Oct 26, 2022•45 min•Ep. 656
Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary looks at Russia's latest battlefield decisions that show an invader in a combination of retreat and brutal attack. But first some thoughts on what the CBC might learn from the BBC's assessment of where it is after 100 years. And an end bit you will find interesting, and maybe rewarding!
Oct 25, 2022•45 min•Ep. 655
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 things really stand on the latest Covid wave. Plus, some "Good Housekeeping" tips on pumpkin carving. Seriously.
Oct 24, 2022•48 min•Ep. 654
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. Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on that and a lot more including Chrystia Freeland's latest moves, and Pierre Poilievre's interview choices.
Oct 21, 2022•53 min•Ep. 653
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 the use of "Eh" or "Hey" gives us the answer! All this plus a new rant from the Random Ranter.
Oct 20, 2022•50 min•Ep. 652
Liz Truss comes out swinging in Westminster today but is it enough? Can the British prime minister survive an onslaught of double-digit inflation plus attacks from inside and outside her own party? Bruce Anderson is here with that and a lot more (Danielle Smith, Ukraine and the Arctic) on Smoke, Mirrors and the Truth.
Oct 19, 2022•43 min•Ep. 651
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 country. While the two armies face each other the resistance fighters operate at a very different level and it's having a major impact. And on "end bits" today, the world's oldest practising doctor!
Oct 18, 2022•46 min•Ep. 650
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 we are on covid. Dr Lisa Barrett from Dalhouse University joins us with her take and its one you should listen to. Then it's over to London for a chat with the former Director of Communications for Stephen Harper, Andrew MacDougall, and his analysis on what's happened to Liz Truss and whether she can even survive this week only a month after getting ...
Oct 17, 2022•44 min•Ep. 649
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 by comparison, the final committee hearing into the January 6th insurrection in Washington. And is federalism in Canada dead? And what's Chrystia Freeland up to? It's a full slate with something for everyone.
Oct 14, 2022•52 min•Ep. 648
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 he's from the west, has his thoughts on western alienation.
Oct 13, 2022•38 min•Ep. 647
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 on the commission looking into the use of the Emergencies Act, and are the Republicans making a comeback in the US midterms. Lots of smoke, mirrors and the truth in all of that!
Oct 12, 2022•45 min•Ep. 646
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? Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy thinks so and Brian Stewart agrees. Both are guests on The Bridge today.
Oct 11, 2022•42 min•Ep. 645