The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

It's only been 48 hours and opening impressions rarely last long, but what about these?  How damaging was Danielle Smith's US interview to Pierre Poilievre?  Bruce Anderson and Fred DeLorey are here with their spin.   

As the candidates scramble around the country, they have five weeks to impress voters.  And while its a national election its received interest on an international scale.  How much of that interest also involves interference?  More than most Canadians suspect according to our regular Monday guest, Dr Janice Stein of the University of Toronto's Munk School.

With the Canadian election just around the corner, the spotlight is on Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre as they battle for leadership. The risks of excluding journalists from campaigns are highlighted, illustrating its impact on democracy. The importance of genuine media engagement and storytelling, especially regarding Indigenous issues, is emphasized. Relationships matter in politics, and Poilievre's strained ties with Ontario's Doug Ford could pose challenges. Polling data reveals shifting public sentiments, hinting at an unpredictable landscape for Conservatives and Liberals alike.

Week Two of your letters under the title, "What's on your mind".  Mostly it's about our differences with our neighbor and long time ally The United States.  Plus the Random Ranter is here with his view on what Pierre Poilievre has to say.

Encore episode. We always get letters when we ask for them but never quite like this week.  The question was the old fallback --What's On Your Mind?  Well, you responded in record numbers, and in all cases they seem to deal with the situation Canada finds itself in with its neighbour, the United States, and specifically its President..

There seems to be a poll a day recently and while they're each a bit different, there is one common theme.  The Liberals are back and the race between them and the Conservatives is very tight.  So how are the political pros responding to this?  That's the question for Smoke, Mirrors and The Truth panelists Bruce Anderson from the Liberals and Fred DeLorey from the Conservatives.

Talk about a quick trip.  In less than 48 hours Prime Minister Carney will talk to Volodymyr Zelensky, meet with President Macron, Prime Minister Starmer and have an audience with the King.  Then an Arctic stop on the way home. What can be accomplished and will the pictures all be in campaign ads by week's end? 

Day One of the Carney administration reveals a much smaller cabinet, almost half the size of previous ones of late.  But is this all about optics or does it really mean a slimmer, more accountable and effective  "war" cabinet for the fight ahead?

We always get letters when we ask for them but never quite like this week.  The question was the old fallback --What's On Your Mind?  Well, you responded in record numbers.  The Random Ranter stays single focused too.

The Moore Butts combo is back with a big question -- how do you cut government waste and does Elon Musk have the answer?