The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

A full discussion with Chantal and Bruce about the new cabinet and what it could actually mean for Canadians; and whether Canadians could face soon what Brits are expecting -- higher taxes. And could the climate conference in Glasgow this coming week impact that question as well? And a pretty tough assessment of Jean Chretien's comments this week about Residential Schools.

Some insightful letters from listeners today on everything from Covid to the issue of history’s accuracy. But first an equally insightful interview with Ralph Goodale, long time cabinet minister now a brand new diplomat as Canada’s High Commissioner here in the UK.

Breaking down the new cabinet with Bruce Anderson.  Who are the winners, what does that actually mean and is this a group built for action or more of the same?  Also, did Jean Chretien misspeak about residential schools and will he regret it?

The new cabinet was sworn in today and as expected, half are women, and some of the top jobs in cabinet are filled by women.  So what is that really like?  What's remembered from day one through the often challenging times in cabinet.  Catherine McKenna had two senior positions in Justin Trudeau's first two governments but chose not to run this time.  Today she's our guest for the inside story of what that time in power was like, especially for a woman.

One of the great debates these days revolves around truth -- what is it, and are we being told the truth about the events that are happening right in our time? Take that to its logical extension and you can ask, is history accurate? And that's what we do today with one of my favourite historians -- Dan Snow.  Dan lives here in the United Kingdom but his Canadian roots run deep and as you will see roots he's very proud of.

Lots for Chantal and Rob Russo (filling in this week for Bruce) to talk about as we preview the decisions around and the optics around the cabinet that Justin Trudeau will unveil next Tuesday.  Also, what does mandatory vaccination mean for MPs to enter the House of Commons and does it create yet another problem for Erin O'Toole?  And then, inflation, and the Alberta plebiscite.  As I said, lots to talk about!

Setting up camp in the Scottish Highlands for a few weeks and starting with a sense of what my first international journey since Covid was like.  Bottom line -- it wasn't that bad at all.  And then a lookahead to what is in store in terms of some special programs in the next little while, something I hope for everyone.

The pandemic has apparently made many Americans consider quitting their jobs.  How about Canadians?  There has been a research study on exactly that question going on for the last two years and our guest today has been the person doing the researching.  All that plus an update on Scotland, The Bridge and Off The Record. 

Chantal is in Montreal, Bruce is in Scotland as we tackle three issues including should the next minister of defence, if there's to be a new one,  be a woman? Should whoever it is have military experience? All this in light of continuing allegations of sexual harassment in the military.  But we start with Quebec's decision to hold back on its plan to have started vaccine passports in the health care system --  could that have an impact across the country? 

Some of your thoughts and questions and comments about everything from politics to Covid.  And a little bit of me explaining what its like to launch a new book.