The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

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.