The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Bruce brings his latest data book with him and gives us a sense of how Canadians feel about the convoy mess.  Also the big question -- will this ever end and how will it end?

This is a fabulous and important discussion to have with two normally political foes engaging in a thoughtful, for the most part non partisan discussion about current leadership patterns.  Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau Principal Secretary Gerry Butts.

Many provinces have started rolling back Covid restrictions. Right or wrong?  Epidemiologist Dr Lisa Barrett joins us from Halifax with her thoughts on this question that goes to the heart of the question of covid management. 

How do you feel about the leadership of Justin Trudeau during the "convoy crisis"?  Is it strong or weak?  What could he be doing that he isn't doing? And what about the Conservative's huge flip flop -- going from cheerleaders for the protesting truckers to demanding they, stop their protest now?  Lots to discuss and Chantal and Bruce are ready for just that.

Lots of your thoughts, comments, questions and ideas about the various "protests" across the country as they are about to enter a third week.  And you haven't forgotten the pandemic, your emails on that too.

American political strategist Steve Schmidt joins us with his theories on how and why the American far right is trying to influence the protests in Ottawa, and Bruce Anderson has his thoughts on that.  Its Smoke Mirrors and The Truth for another week of talk about a situation that has paralyzed parts of the country's political and economic base. Plus the latest on the Conservative leadership race. 

Steve Schmidt is a top American political and communications strategist with bright red Republican credentials. He's fearful of what's happening in his country and is convinced it's bleeding over into Canada, witness the dark side of the trucker's convoy. Plus an extraordinary discussion with Anthony Germain of the CBC on what it's like inside Beijing in the midst of Covid and the Olympics.

A lot of reasonable people are getting frustrated and are beginning to ask "Are we still in a pandemic?"  So that is among the big picture questions on our regular Monday edition of The Bridge this week with Dr. Isaac Bogoch of the University Health Network in Toronto.

Three words: Truckers -- Erin O'Toole.   And then many more words and lively discussion from Chantal and Bruce!

A busy week in the Your Turn department, dozens and dozens of letters, mostly to do with the so-called "freedom" convoy and listeners haven't been shy. But also comments about electric vehicles and the pandemic make the list.