The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge Good Talk - "Despair versus Hope -- Despair is Winning"
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Jan 9, 2026 The panel dives into Canada's concerns about US actions in Venezuela and Trump's aggressive rhetoric towards neighbors. They discuss the potential destabilization of NATO if territories like Greenland are seized. The importance of a strategic, diplomatic response from Canada is emphasized, alongside the risks of foreign interference in provincial referendums. As tensions rise, the dynamics of Canada-China relations are examined, with a focus on balancing values and economic interests. Ultimately, the conversation grapples with the overshadowing theme of despair prevailing over hope.
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U.S. Muscularity Redraws Hemisphere Rules
- Bruce Anderson warns that recent U.S. actions reveal an ambition to exert military control across the Western Hemisphere.
- He says this shift from promoting democracy to exercising power threatens NATO and destabilizes Canada’s security calculus.
Greenland Sets A Dangerous Precedent
- Chantal Hébert stresses Greenland matters because seizing territory of a NATO member would undermine the alliance.
- She warns such precedents could erase the logic of collective defence and make NATO obsolete.
Alberta Referendum Could Become A Liability
- Chantal flags Alberta separatism as a specific vulnerability Canada must manage amid U.S. rhetoric.
- She notes that referendum dynamics and U.S. sympathy could be exploited to destabilize the federation.