The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

The mess in the British parliament opens the door to a discussion about leadership, and how leaders are picked whether in Britain or in Canada.  Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on that and a lot more including Chrystia Freeland's latest moves, and Pierre Poilievre's interview choices. 

Vaccines, masks and Covid were central to a lot of your comments this week, but so were thoughts about how we define the "west" in Canada.  Maybe the use of "Eh" or "Hey" gives us the answer!  All this plus a new rant from the Random Ranter.

Liz Truss comes out swinging in Westminster today but is it enough?  Can the British prime minister survive an onslaught of double-digit inflation plus attacks from inside and outside her own party?  Bruce Anderson is here with that and a lot more (Danielle Smith, Ukraine and the Arctic) on Smoke, Mirrors and the Truth.

Brian Stewart uses his weekly commentary to give us a sense of just what the Ukrainian resistance is doing to thwart the Russian invasion of their country.  While the two armies face each other the resistance fighters operate at a very different level and it's having a major impact.  And on "end bits" today, the world's oldest practising doctor!

Covid Monday is back at least for this week on The Bridge.  Many of you have been asking to bring one of our doctors back for an assessment of where we are on covid.  Dr Lisa Barrett from Dalhouse University joins us with her take and its one you should listen to.  Then it's over to London for a chat with the former Director of Communications for Stephen Harper, Andrew MacDougall, and his analysis on what's happened to Liz Truss and whether she can even survive this week only a month after getting the British PM's job.

Chantal and Bruce with their thoughts on the new commission in Ottawa town, and what day one told us about how this investigation will unfold.  Also by comparison, the final committee hearing into the January 6th insurrection in Washington.  And is federalism in Canada dead? And what's Chrystia Freeland up to?  It's a full slate with something for everyone.

Your comments on everything from EV's (still!) and Danielle Smith to freedom, plus the latest from the Random Ranter. This week the RR and remember he's from the west, has his thoughts on western alienation.

Bruce has new Abacus data on how Canadians feel about Covid including what they would do if a new wave threatens the country. That plus the latest on the commission looking into the use of the Emergencies Act, and are the Republicans making a comeback in the US midterms.  Lots of smoke, mirrors and the truth in all of that!

With the situation in Ukraine tense and Russia’s threats of using nuclear weapons still on the table, could Canada be taking a more active role? Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy thinks so and Brian Stewart agrees. Both are guests on The Bridge today.

Today an encore presentation of an episode that originally aired on September 14th. Pierre Poilievre's first meeting with the media didn't go that well for either Poilievre or the media.  What should be taken from the encounter?  And can anyone win the political long game by attacking the media?And what would an SMT be without a little Donald Trump?