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. Your thoughts on that seem to indicate you agree with the direction of tree purchases, plus lots of comments about the latest Moore Butts conversation which we aired on Tuesday. And of course the random Ranter -- this week again on housing and specifically, affordable land.
Dec 14, 2023•47 min•Ep. 914
Going back to the future may be one way to look at Housing Minister Sean Fraser's latest announcement for a housing fix. Another way may be to listen again to what the Random Ranter had to say on housing on September 7th! Bruce Anderson is here for SMT.
Dec 13, 2023•45 min•Ep. 913
James Moore and Gerald Butts are back with us for the Moore Butts Conversation #12. 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? These conversations are one of the reasons The Bridge continues to be ranked #1 by Apple in their lists of which Canadian political podcasts Canadians listen to.
Dec 12, 2023•49 min•Ep. 912
The US government continues to be pressured to speak up louder against the continued Israeli invasion of Gaza and the thousands who have been impacted by it. At the same time questions are being asked as to why the world is ignoring the sexual violence charged against Hamas during the October 7th attacks. Dr Janice Stein has strong views on both issues during her regular Monday appearance on The Bridge. Plus is Putin now winning the Ukraine war?
Dec 11, 2023•44 min•Ep. 911
Bruce and Chantal discuss what Justin Trudeau told the editorial board of one of the country's most influential newspapers. The key question is, is he staying in the job as Liberal leader and Prime Minister or is he going to step down? The role of an editorial board in how we get our news is the subtext of this discussion on Canada's number one political podcast.
Dec 08, 2023•53 min•Ep. 910
Another on-the-road edition of The Bridge, this time from Calgary. And this week the Random Ranter finishes his three-part series on his advice for each of the three main national political leaders. His focus this week is Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.
Dec 07, 2023•45 min•Ep. 909
The CBC has decided to make up its budget shortfall of 125 million dollars with a series of cuts in personnel and programs. Is the public broadcaster worth saving and if so how? Bruce is with us for SMT and he has some thoughts about all this and the way CBC management is handling it. Not surprisingly, so do I!
Dec 06, 2023•42 min•Ep. 908
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. If you think you know the Franklin story you'll want to hear this, if you don't know it. this just might get you hooked.
Dec 05, 2023•49 min•Ep. 907
From Halifax today (on my book tour for "How Canada Works") we focus as we do every Monday on the two big wars affecting our world -- the Middle East and Ukraine. Conflict analysis expert Dr Janice Stein from the Munk School at the University of Toronto is with us again as she helps guide us through both stories.
Dec 04, 2023•44 min•Ep. 906
A committee exchange in Ottawa brings back a debate that we thought was long over. What's the real reason behind the affair? Plus we start with allegations of rape and harassment inside CSIS and ask is this the last straw for CSIS leadership? If the spies aren't accountable who is? Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on this plus a series of other issues dominating talk in Ottawa.
Dec 01, 2023•52 min•Ep. 905
Lots of your comments on this week's special episode on disinformation. Seems you loved it and want more. Plus the Ranter continues his three-part series on advice for the party leaders -- this week it's for the NDP.
Nov 30, 2023•48 min•Ep. 904
At least four members of Parliament accepted free trips to Israel last week to hear about the Israel-Hamas war. Members of the Liberal and Conservative parties took the deal, and members of the NDP and the Bloc said no. The full delegation included 53 people. Some of those numbers are misreported in this podcast and will be corrected in episode 905.
Nov 29, 2023•46 min•Ep. 903
Some say it's the scourge of our times, but if so what can be done about it? Lee McIntyre is 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.
Nov 28, 2023•50 min•Ep. 902
We are in the final day of a four-day pause in the Middle East war, but the question now is will the pause continue? The hostage for prisoner swap seems to be going fairly well and there are now calls for it to be extended, but are the two sides willing to do so? Middle East analyst Dr Janice Stein is with us for her regular Monday conversation about the situation.
Nov 27, 2023•47 min•Ep. 901
After weeks, perhaps months, of being pummeled by the opposition, the media and Good Talk, Justin Trudeau got a bit of a break this week. Pierre Poilievre found his actions under the microscope, and to many, it didn't look good. Bruce and Chantal are all over this on Good Talk this week and they sure don't hold back.
Nov 24, 2023•53 min•Ep. 900
The passing of a cultural icon prompted a lot of emotional reactions from across the country this week. A surprising amount considering many mentioned they had never heard of the person whose memory was being marked. And the Ranter begins a three part series on advice for the nation's political leaders.
Nov 23, 2023•44 min•Ep. 899
It is the morning after the day before, or in other terms, the day after the FES, the Fall Economic Statement. Was it a good day or a bad day for the Liberals as they try to climb out of their double-digit deficit to the Conservatives in the opinion polls? Bruce is here for a spirited discussion about that.
Nov 22, 2023•44 min•Ep. 898
My fourth book, and my second co-authored with Mark Bulgutch is released by publisher Simon and Schuster today. It's called "How Canada Works" and to Mark and me is a testament to the people who quietly and without fanfare make the country work. Mark is my guest today as we explain how we found the jobs and the people who do them that are the centrepiece of our new book.
Nov 21, 2023•48 min•Ep. 897
Dr Janice Stein is with us again after a weekend of informative discussions at the Halifax International Security Conference. Janice shares with us some of what she heard and what she learned on both the Middle East situation and the war in Ukraine. The road ahead on both is not going to be easy or short.
Nov 20, 2023•46 min•Ep. 896
We have set the normal political conversation aside for the first segment of Good Talk this week. Instead an emotional discussion about the loss of a Canadian cultural icon. His name -- Karl Tremblay, and for many Canadians they may not have heard of him, but today we'll tell you why he's someone, if you didn't know about, you should. Chantal and Bruce have their memories. Plus more potential splits in both the Liberals and the NDP, and what to expect with Pharmacare next week.
Nov 17, 2023•52 min•Ep. 895
Is it the issue of our times or is it the forgotten issue of our times? Climate change. You had lots to say about comments we made yesterday on SMT and today you get the Bridge to air your thoughts. Plus the Random Ranter is by with his take on the "axing the taxing" debate. And some special letters about your feelings on last week's Your Turn on Remembrance Day.
Nov 16, 2023•48 min•Ep. 894
You only have to be away from Ottawa for a few weeks to sense things have changed. Like the mood and the tone of the Parliament Hill community. It seems the polls have had an impact on the feel of the place. Bruce joins for SMT and there's lots to talk about.
Nov 15, 2023•43 min•Ep. 893
The Israel-Hamas war is in its fortieth day and new information from the Committee To Protect Journalists says 44 journalists have been killed during that time period. Why is this war so dangerous for journalists? We'll touch on that plus a series of other wide-ranging issues from climate change to artificial intelligence.
Nov 14, 2023•44 min•Ep. 892
The debate around "pause" versus "ceasefire" continues but meanwhile, people are still dying in the Israel-Hamas war. Janice Stein is with us for what has become her regular Monday briefing on where the conflict stands. Plus her thoughts on a new a study into Canada's role in the Afghan war and why very few people can get their hands on the report.
Nov 13, 2023•48 min•Ep. 891
The Conservative's double-digit lead in the polls seems to have the NDP nervous about its deal with the Liberals which helps keep Justin Trudeau in power. Every week it seems the NDP is looking for more concessions from the Liberals to stay on board. How long can that last, how long will it last? Bruce and Chantal are with us with their thoughts.
Nov 10, 2023•52 min•Ep. 890
I asked for your stories about your family's connection to Remembrance Day. I wasn't sure what to expect but the emails just poured in. Today's episode is all you, and your stories. These represent some of the best of what you sent but there were lots more that could have easily made the cut!
Nov 09, 2023•53 min•Ep. 889
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. What to make of that is the topic for SMT today with Bruce Anderson.
Nov 08, 2023•43 min•Ep. 888
It’s an old saying but perhaps truer today than ever. Dr Samantha Nutt from War Child Canada has seen it all in sone of the most desperate corners of the world. And what frustrates her almost more than anything else if the fact that many countries just don’t learn the lessons of our history. She’s our guest for this conversation.
Nov 07, 2023•41 min•Ep. 887
Some stunning remarks from the head of the Ukrainian military have analysts around the world wondering whether Ukraine has decided no one can win its war with Russia. At the same time questions are now being raised about whether, in spite of its military advantage, Israel can "defeat" Hamas. Janice Stein is with us again for her regular Monday visit.
Nov 06, 2023•47 min•Ep. 886
It's been a disastrous week for the Liberals and equally so for Justin Trudeau. How deep does the problem go, and what may happen as a consequence? Some things that were held private are not being hidden anymore. What happens now? Bruce and Chantal are here to give their thoughts.
Nov 03, 2023•52 min•Ep. 885
