The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Good Talk -- Made in China.

23 snips
Jan 16, 2026
Mark Carney's recent trip to China raises questions about the nature of Canada's deals and its posture towards China amidst U.S. pressures. The panel dives into the implications of Quebec Premier's unexpected resignation and its potential impact on provincial politics and referendum dynamics. They also discuss security measures related to surveillance during the China visit. As tensions shift within the Conservative party, the discussion highlights Pierre Poilievre's strategic maneuvers. Lastly, the modest Canadian role in Greenland is examined.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Pragmatic Reset With China

  • Canada must "take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be," accepting trade-offs with China.
  • Chantal Hébert warns engagement won't automatically change China's values and requires clear red lines.
INSIGHT

U.S. Policy Pushed Canada Eastward

  • Bruce Anderson says U.S. pressure pushed Canada toward re-engagement with China.
  • He argues realism forces medium powers like Canada to seek economic opportunities despite value conflicts.
ANECDOTE

Burner Phones For Beijing Trip

  • Delegation members swapped phones for burner phones before landing in China to avoid surveillance.
  • Chantal Hébert cited this as proof Canada's "eyes are wider open" now than in past missions.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app