After lots of talk on The Bridge about television journalism, today some thoughts on the struggle to keep print journalism alive. A feature interview with Jordan Bitove the owner and CEO of TorStar, which controls the Toronto Star and 80 others newspapers in the country.
Chantal and Bruce analyze the pros and cons of Thursday night's major speech from Justin Trudeau to Liberal delegates in Ottawa. Does he still have the royal jelly to lead. the liberals against Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives? Plus does the Michael Chong story just keep the drip, drip, drip going against the government on the China election interference issue.
Lots of your mail on the passing of Gordon Lightfoot and today I highlight a few with great stories to talk about the impact the legendary singer had on our lives. Then the Ranter comes by with his take on the monarchy. Cover your ears if you want it to survive!
The New York Times has looked at how Presidents in the last thirty years have been doing fewer and fewer news conferences and one on one interviews. Is that becoming the new normal and is it spreading to Canada? If so what do we lose?
He became a legend and an icon for the stories he told and the songs he wrote about them. Gordon Lightfoot loved Canada and loved singing about our story. And we loved listening. Some thoughts about Gordon and what he meant to us and to me. And then our regular Tuesday commentary with Brian Stewart about the war in Ukraine.
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.
It was supposed to be a throwaway two-minute chat, but we ended up talking about PM Trudeau and the Coronation for 12 minutes. Why? You might want to listen! Chantal and filling in for Bruce, our friend Rob Russo. Also some substantial talk about the biggest strike in Canadian history and why its taking so long to settle. Plus the Liberals meet in convention next week where among other things, lowering the voting age is on the agenda.
Your Turn - Love and Hate on the CBC. There are few things that generate more discussion from Bridge listeners than the debate about the CBC and this week is another example of that. Lots of comments about the national public broadcaster's future. Plus the Random Ranter on whether Joe Biden is just too old to keep being President.
Joe Biden announces his re-election bid and his most likely contender, at least at this point, is Donald Trump. Bruce looks at the opening volleys in the 2024 US election campaign and we wonder if this is the best they can do. An 80 something Democrat and a multi-indicted Republican who could be perp walked and in an orange jumpsuit before the voting begins. Plus the PSAC strike and new talk of a new arena in Calgary.
If NATO Is Considering a New Strategy, Where Does Canada Fit In? On Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary, his thoughts on what a lot of NATO countries are considering - a new strategy for the defense of Europe. And just as important, if there is going to be a new strategy how does Canada fit in, especially in light of Prime Minister Trudeau's reported comments about how much the country is prepared to contribute. That plus my thoughts on hockey and Fox.
Russia may be losing the war in Ukraine, but are they, and China, winning the wider war for global influence? War Child Canada's Dr. Samantha Nutt joins us to talk about just that with her on-the-ground experience. Plus we start with another climate change update that should interest anyone who travels by air.
Bruce has just completed a deep dive on the CBC and how Canadians feel about it. The results aren't pretty and along with Chantal and me, we have some thoughts on whether the nearly 100-year-old national public broadcaster will even make it to the centennial in 2036.
A chance comment the other day on retirement prompted a fair amount of mail from young and old listeners, forming the opening act of today's Your Turn. Plus The Random Ranter has his take on the popularity of lithium and why we should think twice about it.
Fox pays almost 800 million dollars to shut down a lawsuit against the news network for fabricating stories. No apologies, no firings -- Bruce wonders whether democracy was served by that decision. Was the prime minister right or wrong to take a holiday in Jamaica at a wealthy friends resort? And the latest on the CBC, all on this week's Smoke Mirrors and The Truth.
After almost 15 months of war in Ukraine, Brian Stewart's regular Tuesday commentary on The Bridge suggests there could be a possibility for peace negotiations just around the corner. It's far from certain but Brian makes the argument that certain pieces which could lead to talks are starting to fall in place.
Have we grown accustomed to taking the Canada-US relationship for granted? If so, is it time to rethink that assumption? Former Trudeau principal secretary Gerald Butts and former Harper cabinet minister meet again for Moore-Butts #7 and there's lots to think about after hearing their take on the old "best friends" scenario.
It was ten years ago this month that Justin Trudeau became leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. He's been prime minister for almost eight of those years. Is it time to go or is there still "gas in the tank"? Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on the meaning of the anniversary, plus some comments on Pierre Poilievre's latest attack moment with the media.
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 does his deepest dive yet on Canadians' attitudes towards Pierre Poilievre, and the numbers are good for Poilievre and not good for Justin Trudeau. This is not your ordinary party preference poll, its much different and is quite telling about where Canadians are today in how they feel about leadership in Canada.
Brian Stewart uses that comparison to talk about the latest bit of skullduggery and intrigue we discover inside the story of the Ukraine war. Plus BR Ian's take on the latest version of the Pentagon Papers -- what happened and what did we learn? Plus, an endbit on the power of the nap.
She's back! The Munk School's founding director joins for her regular look at those parts of the world we should keep an eye on. Among those for discussion today: Northern Ireland, Finland, France, Israel and Mali. Also today, who is Flight Sgt Peter Brown and why is his story one you won't forget. And one more thing, this time about The Beatles.
Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on April 6th. For years this has been a topic of conversation for political junkies. It drives some partisans on both sides crazy, but not Good Talk. Chantal and Bruce are all in for the discussion about whether it's time the two parties made their current arrangement a little more permanent.
For years this has been a topic of conversation for political junkies. It drives some partisans on both sides crazy, but not Good Talk. Chantal and Bruce are all in for the discussion about whether it's time the two parties made their current arrangement a little more permanent.
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"?
Brian's commentary on the Ukraine War this week has it all from questions about whether there are cracks in the alliance's commitment, to China's positioning on the war, to stories of spies, mercenaries and deserters. Plus on Endbits, this shocker - is 24 Sussex Drive full of dead rats?
The Mass Casualty Commission in Nova Scotia reported last week on its findings on the 22 murders that happened in that province in April of 2020. The results of the report were highly critical of the RCMP and on The Bridge today a return appearance from Paul Palango, author of the best-seller "22 Murders". Plus some opening thoughts on Canada's space history given today's announcement of Canada's first lunar astronaut.
Lots to talk about today ...we lead with the story that's the lead almost everywhere in the world this weekend -- the Trump indictment. But then the mess around the RCMP, the mess around Danielle Smith, and finally the NDP in a post-budget world. Chantal and Bruce continue their trash the host talk!
Listeners outdid themselves this week by answering in a big way their own methods of fighting climate change. Some of the ideas are quite unique and perhaps worth considering. Plus the Random Ranter drops by with his weekly commentary, this time on violence in our downtown cores.
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.
Brian Stewart is by for his regular Tuesday commentary and he's got more great observations, ranging from a new Nordic alliance forming to questions about Putin's latest nuclear gambit. Plus some thoughts about the budget, and an "end bit" on how the pandemic has changed hotel service!
