The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Lots to talk about today ...we lead with the story that's the lead almost everywhere in the world this weekend -- the Trump indictment.  But then the mess around the RCMP, the mess around Danielle Smith, and finally the NDP in a post-budget world. Chantal and Bruce continue their trash the host talk!

Listeners outdid themselves this week by answering in a big way their own methods of fighting climate change.  Some of the ideas are quite unique and perhaps worth considering.  Plus the Random Ranter drops by with his weekly commentary, this time on violence in our downtown cores.

Of course, it was Chrystia Freeland's budget but some could argue it was Jagmeet Singh's budget too.  Whatever the case the NDP was pretty happy and it sure seems the Liberal/NDP deal will stay intact meaning no election this year.  Lots to talk about and Bruce is up for some good back and forth.  Also the latest on the election interference story.

Brian Stewart is by for his regular Tuesday commentary and he's got more great observations, ranging from a new Nordic alliance forming to questions about Putin's latest nuclear gambit.  Plus some thoughts about the budget, and an "end bit" on how the pandemic has changed hotel service!

Professor Katharine Hayhoe is a Canadian atmospheric scientist living in Texas who is one of North America's leading academics talking about climate change.  She's calm. reasonable but still passionate that we aren't doing enough. She's our guest today.  Plus a new answer on the old question of why do journalists only cover bad news -- you're the answer!

At a time when trust in the media is at a low ebb, is the media's work on the China story helping or hurting its reputation? Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts, and then Chantal beats me up over the use of the term "traitor".  Just another day in the life of Good Talk!

You went after me this week for saying you'd had it with climate change talk as nothing is changing.  You want more talk not less and your many letters made that very clear.  And the Random Ranter is back with his take on AI, Artificial Intelligence.

Katie Telford is the prime minister's most senior staffer and his closest advisor.  And now she has agreed to testify before the parliamentary committee looking into the alleged Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.  If she could appear why can't the prime minister?  That and a lot more up for discussion with Bruce Anderson on SMT.  And we'll also discuss Joe Biden's visit to Ottawa this week.

Brian Stewart takes his hand at war gaming one of your questions.  A "what if" question.  What if Russia wins, what happens then?  What if Ukraine wins, what then?  The questions are easy but the answers are much more challenging.  Also today some thoughts on climate change on the heels of a blistering report from some of the world's leading scientists.

Do you remember those days of March 2020?  Looking back today it seems like a long time ago, and just how confused we were trying to understand how to live with a pandemic. How long would it last? Would we survive?  One of those who helped listeners of The Bridge through it all was Dr Isaac Bogoch and he joins us today to talk about what we went through and where we are now.  Plus, could this be the real story of the 400 highways?

David Johnston seemed to have it all when Stephen Harper picked him as Governor General in 2010. Everyone lined up from all parties to praise Johnston. The man with twenty-one letters AFTER his name was golden, until this week.  Chantal and Bruce on why some pretty heavy hitters don't think he's the right choice to look into the China story. And, do you have your party planned for Coronation Day?

How could I have forgotten about curling but I did and listeners pounded.  On that plus China, AI, submarines and a lot more. And then the Random Ranter wades into dangerous waters by taking on a subject that always causes controversy.

Last week Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre implied that Justin Trudeau was a traitor.  This week a different Poilievre emerged and Bruce was impressed -- to a degree. The China story keeps moving along but with the budget approaching there's also more turf, familiar for the Conservative leader, to tread on.

The leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia meet in California to discuss how to deal with China in the Pacific.  The pictures of the three standing in front of a nuclear sub were impressive, but is it worth asking "where was Canada?"  And then our regular Tuesday update with Brian Stewart on the war in Ukraine -- is a spring offensive on its way from Ukraine?

Today's program is all about regulation -- first in the banks and then in sports.   The latest bank crisis brings back memories of that classic "run on the bank" scene in everyone's favourite Christmas movie, "It's A Wonderful Life".  Meanwhile in sports, many athletes are railing against referees getting in the way of the game. Author Bruce Dowbiggin tells us what's happening.

Chantal is back from Iceland and along with Bruce its time to put the China story in context.  And, should someone pay the price for it all?  That, plus Pierre Poilievre -- are we now seeing what the opposition leader is really like?

Lots of comments this week on two of our programs this week -- how the PM has handled the election interference story, and our discussion with Michelle Rempel Garner on Artificial Intelligence.  Plus the Random Ranter worries about our American neighbours.

Pierre Poilievre has never been shy about levelling a charge but did he go too far by suggesting Justin Trudeau was guilty of treason?   Bruce and I weigh in on that one, plus more on whether Trudeau himself has botched the whole issue of election interference.  We don't call this segment Smoke, Mirrors and The Truth for nothing!

Why are the Ukrainians so desperate to keep the battle for Bakhmut going when every analyst says it's a battle they can't win?  Brian Stewart takes us behind the frontlines to try to understand the strategy.   Plus, the China angle -- what is Beijing up to on Ukraine.  And on Endbits, the resistance to the growth of Dollar Stores.

This is an important discussion about Artificial intelligence -- what you should know and why legislators seem so slow-footed on dealing with the issues AI brings.  Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner is trying to raise awareness on something that is happening very quickly in our world, perhaps too quickly.