The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

SMT is one of the first shows we used to do when the podcast started all those years ago; Bruce Anderson would join me and we'd lay an SMT verdict on various issues and quotes. So as we lounge through the summer of 2026 Bruce wondered whether we should try a special holiday edition of SMT. Why not? So here it is. Everything from the Gordie Howe Bridge to the latest Donald Trump utterings.

How do two former Ottawa pros see the Trump, Carney, Ford story -- does it really matter? will it make a real difference? Former Harper cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau advisor Gerald Butts get together for their Conversation #26. In the program's second segment, they also talk about the importance of debt and deficit as we approach the upcoming federal budget.

It's our first Summer of '26 special Good Talk and there's lots to talk about. This week it's wildfires and the smoke they cause, upsetting the Canada/U.S. relationship. Not to mention the renegotiated Gordie Howe Bridge deal. For Pierre Poilievre its whether his leadership can survive much longer with internal fights breaking out all the time. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson take a break from their summers to discuss.

Encore Episode. The country was founded on the principle that it's a confederation where both federal and provincial levels of government have powers and responsibilities. It's worked for 158 years, but does it still work? Another fascinating Moore-Butts Conversation, especially relevant to the times Canada is living in today.

Encore Episode. For the last fifteen years different governments in Ottawa have known tough choices were going to have to be made about the Post Office. But those choices were delayed or postponed. Now it's tough-choice time again. Is there a better way to deal with situations like this? Just one of the angles faced in today's Moore-Butts Conversation encore.

Encore Episode. After soul searching in the United States and beyond, James Moore and Gerry Butts take on the question of how to "disagree better." Society is trying to understand if there is an answer to this dilemma of disagreeing with respect and not hate. In the 23rd of their conversations on The Bridge, two top political minds, from different parties, look for a way of achieving non-partisan talk.

Today is a big deal for The Bridge.  First, it's the 1500th episode of our program/podcast, and second, it's our last show before we begin our summer hiatus.  Content-wise, we lead with a special AI report that focuses on the things where AI still can't replace us, the qualities that only we as humans can offer.  That and a lot more on our Wednesday End Bits special.

It's a very difficult decision to make whether you are a professional athlete or a practising politician. When to retire. But the time comes for everyone, so how do you decide the time has come for you? That's one of the main questions for James Moore and Gerald Butts during their latest "conversation" right here on The Bridge.

Mondays with Dr. Janice Stein are always a learning experience, and it sure has been since the end of February, with the war in Iran. And in spite of alleged "peace deals," we're still wondering if the conflict will ever end. It's complicated and that's why Dr. Stein is with us again this week. Also, because it's her last episode before the summer break, we'll touch on what to expect over the holidays.

Sometimes sport can be such a nice distraction. Like last night. Canada's first-ever win in World Cup Soccer. Nice distraction for the PM, who was in attendance, after what some felt was a bended-knee performance for Donald Trump at the G7 in France. What was that all about? Chantal and Bruce are here.

The final AMA before the summer break brings lots of new questions from our listeners about the podcast, journalism, politics, and me.

Encore Episode. She's the BBC's Chief International Correspondent, a great storyteller and a proud Canadian. Lyse Doucet has her first book out , and it's the story of Afghanistan. Her book is called "The Finest Hotel in Kabul."

What's with the Conservatives using AI-created Canadians in their latest ad campaign? Plus, in this final Raj-Russo Conversation before the summer break, Althia and Rob suggest what each of the main parties needs to do over the holidays.

A deal is a deal, but what kind of deal was this? Did Donald Trump accomplish anything in his nearly four-month war with Iran? Dr. Janice Stein is here for her regular Monday conversation. Also, a political resignation in Britain is considered a warning not just for that country but for all NATO countries -- it's time to prepare for a confrontation with Russia.

Lots of good talk on Good Talk this week, starting with Chantal and Bruce on Mark Carney's trip to Paris today and his talks with Emmanuel Macron. France is hosting the G7 next week, but for many, it's really a G6 with Donald Trump's America, no friend of the group. That and CUSMA and social media bans top the discussion agenda today.

I wasn't sure when we asked this question just how many respondents we'd get. The World Cup of Soccer (Football) is being played in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. this month. It starts tonight. The question was basically, how do you feel about the World Cup. Well, we got answers, lots of them. And FIFA won't be happy!

It's an End Bits Wednesday and some good ones again today. Lots of them. Like an ocean cruise ship that will house 80 thousand people. The battle over orange juice - is it good for you or not? And the one in our headline which may well be my favourite.

Apparently, some in Mark Carney's caucus don't like the way their leader treats them. He "yells at us" claims one. It's a small majority government, but if these stories are true, does this warrant concern? That's one of the topics for James Moore and Gerald Butts today in their latest conversation.

Israel has always spied on the U.S., and the reverse is true as well - the U.S. spies on Israel. But there are claims that the spying has stepped up; the question is, why? Dr. Janice Stein from the Munk School at the University of Toronto joins us with her regular Monday appearance. She touches on many other issues today as well, including the Canadian drone issue.

First up this week, Prime Minister Carney summed up a critical week in the Canada-US trade discussions with the phrase, "some progress." So what does that mean? Plus the AI strategy. Then both Bruce Anderson and Chantal Hebert discuss the fall of an iconic broadcast network - CBS, and the "60 Minutes" debacle.

How do you define yourself? How do you self-identify? Do you define yourself by your country, your province, your city? Or is there something else you use to describe yourself? That's the question this week, along with the Random Ranter who goes after a regular target of his.

It's an End Bits Wednesday, and leading the program today is a follow-up to the story about Sweden declaring itself smoke-free. If that's the case, what's Canada? And which country in the world is far from smoke-free? And is Pan Am Airways about to make a comeback? That and more!

Althia Raj and Rob Russo share what they're hearing on everything from Dominic LeBlanc's visit to Washington and what it says about Canada's latest stance on the relationship with the United States; Stephen Harper; AI; and what's happening inside the Liberal caucus and what that could mean for the NDP.

We start our weekly Monday conversation with Dr. Janice Stein of the Munk School at the University of Toronto, with another segment on the war in Iran - will it ever end? We also touch on the situation in the Caribbean, where the Americans keep blowing up boats they claim are drug boats. No proof and no accountability. And then we share thoughts on D-Day 82 years after the June 6, 1944, invasion along the Normandy coast.

How do you MAGA - Make America Great Again? According to Mark Carney, the answer is, MCS, Make Canada Strong. That was part of the message the PM gave American business leaders in New York yesterday and guess who was clapping? Pete Hoekstra, one of Donald Trump's leading Canadian critics, is the U.S. ambassador to Canada. It's been quite a week. Bruce and Chantal are here to discuss and put it all in context.

The last week of the month means it's an "ask me anything" Thursday, and once again, lots of questions from across the country. Questions about journalism, about politics, about everything from Snowbirds to Donald Trump. Plus, the Random Ranter takes on Artificial Intelligence.

It's a Wednesday End Bits Special, and that means some news you can use. Especially as we all get ready for summer, this little nugget about mosquitoes is worth a listen. Also, do you really need to drink eight glasses of water every day? And a lot more.

To be clear, both James Moore and Gerald Butts are die-hard hockey fans - James for the Canucks, Gerry for the Habs. Like hockey fans across the country, they are following the Stanley Cup finals very closely - does that make Montreal, Canada's team? Don't worry, we do move to more traditional Moore-Butts territory -- the politics behind Alberta's referendum mess.

Donald Trump is not a good liar. Everyone knows when he lies, and it's not a good look. These days, he's claiming a huge victory in Iran, and as the two sides stumble toward a peace deal, it's clear that victory is not a word any casual observer would use. It's a Monday on The Bridge, and Dr. Janice Stein is here to give us her take on what is really happening.

As weeks go by, this couldn't have been worse for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith It's one thing to get in a fight with Ottawa, even a neighbouring Premier, but your own party? Your own cabinet? Or both? Over a referendum. That's just one of the topics up for discussion with Chantel Hebert and Bruce Anderson. Also on tap, Breaking News - Donald Trump still doesn't like Canada.

After months of heavy-duty Your Turns, time for something a little lighter this week. Do you believe in superstitions, and if so, what's your own superstition? Plus, the Random Ranter drops by with some surprising thoughts about the homeless issue.

Althia Raj is on holidays this week and the host of West of Centre, friend and colleague Kathleen Petty joins us from Calgary. There is so much happening in Alberta these days and almost all of it has national implications from referendums to pipelines. So today is designed to get a much better feel from on the ground. Rob and Kathleen are old friends too so this should be a good session.

In the past week, there were ceasefires announced in Russia/Ukraine, Iran and Lebanon. But did that stop the fighting in any of those locations? Dr. Janice Stein from the Munk School at the University of Toronto joins us for her weekly conversation about our changing world, and there’s lots to talk about this week. Including aside from the above, China, Cuba and Greenland.

Encore Episode. Mark Carney says Canada can become an energy superpower, given its potential in oil, gas, electricity, solar, and wind. But as we are seeing now, to get there, some old promises need to change. Is that price too high? Is the Liberal Party's unity at stake? Just some of the questions and one of the issues for Chantal and Bruce on today's Good Talk.

Mark Carney says Canada can become an energy superpower, given its potential in oil, gas, electricity, solar, and wind. But as we are seeing now, to get there, some old promises need to change. Is that price too high? Is the Liberal Party's unity at stake? Just some of the questions and one of the issues for Chantal and Bruce on today's Good Talk.

There's a multibillion-dollar plan for high-speed rail in central Canada, and it's facing stiff opposition from many of those who would be affected locally. But as a so-called nation-building project, is it a good thing? You have your say today. Plus, the Random Ranter with words of empathy for Pierre Poilievre.

It didn't take teachers long to realize how some students were doing their essays at home by using AI - things were just a little too perfect. So, the solution? Pretty simple, actually. It's just one of the stories we tell in this week's End Bits special. Among the others, how Jack and Rose could live happily ever after after the Titanic sank.

The former Alberta Premier wants Canadians to wake up and realize they have to speak out to show Albertans that being in Canada matters. Is he right and what does our past tell us about what needs to be done? Plus, James Moore and Gerald Butts also have something to say about Canada's increasing ties to Europe.

The question above seems almost ridiculous, that we would even consider believing the world's worst terrorist government before believing the country we once thought of as the leader of the free world. But that's where we are with the latest news from the Iran War. Dr. Janice Stein joins us from the Munk School at the University of Toronto for her latest Monday conversation.

Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the federalist side is dragging its feet in organizing for a likely referendum on separation in Alberta. Are they, and if so, why? There's a lot happening on the Alberta story, and it seems to get messier by the week. Bruce and Chantal have their Good Talk thoughts on this and more.

Inspired by one of our listeners to ask this question, we were rewarded with an incredible deluge of letters that inspired us and, in so many ways, tell the story of Canada. Also today, the Random Ranter picks a topic that impacts local, regional and national politics from coast to coast to coast.

It's an end bits Wednesday special and the lead item really is shocking. A new study shows that some infants are using screens up to eight hours a day. Experts say this could be disastrous for their development. Also today, cars that will make the decision whether you should drive; why do AI companies want you to be afraid of them; and first class airline suites that offer their own bathrooms.

Watching some US television today after yesterday's European summit has left some commentators asking about a major Canadian role in a post-America world. Plus a weekend article in the Toronto Star was, and still is, a real talker. It asked whether Mark Carney was drifting away from some of the Liberals who had helped him win the leadership and the election. It was written by Althia Raj and she's here with The Economist's Rob Russo. Should be an interesting conversation!

After the German leader criticizes the U.S. over Iran, Donald Trump starts pulling thousands of American troops out of Germany. Germany is often considered the first line and the front line of defence against Russia. So what should we make of this? Dr. Janice Stein spends her regular Monday commentary on that today. Plus we talk about the latest from Ukraine.

The message from Mark Carney to Conservative MP Jamil Jivani was very clear -- there's only one player on the Canadian team negotiating with the US and that's his government. But is there? Jivani is in Washington again saying he's working for Canada. The plot thickens. Plus, Avi Lewis passes up another opportunity to run for the party he leads in an upcoming byelection - should he? And the King in the US. Bruce and Chantal have their say.

This month's Ask Me Anything program focuses on your questions on everything from challenging interviews, to challenging competition. Hope journalists do their job in general, and what experiences I had that may help you understand what's involved in putting newscasts together. Plus our regular Thursday feature -- the Random Ranter, this week on China.

It's an End Bit Wednesday special with a series of news you can use stories: from a new caution on health advice originating from AI, to a two-minute program to add longevity to your life, and the latest from Florida and the impact of a lot fewer Canadian snowbirds. That and more on today's episode.

Amid much fanfare the government announced last week that it has established a new advisory council on trade with emphasis on the challenging situation with the United States. Looks impressive with some big names and a non partisan flavour. But do these work or are they just a gimmick? Former Harper cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau PMO adviser Gerald Butts have their thoughts.

The Iran War enters its ninth week, but the fighting has been over for a while. Does that mean the war is over? Dr. Janice Stein is with us as she always is on Mondays and that's the topic today as the two sides, the United States and Iran, try to find ways to meet and negotiate. And Janice also has news about Gaza, a glimmer of hope that a new era may be coming for the people of Gaza.

The Prime Minister keeps his cool in public, but he's said to sometimes lose that cool in private. Doesn't suffer fools well and demands action not foot dragging. This week we saw him come close to bluntly telling the Americans to back off with the demands and get with the program on trade talks. That's just one of the things up for some Good Talk with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson this week.

There's a lot to worry about these days but this week we ask you to be specific. What worries you most is the question. Once again you weren't shy with your answers. We heard from so many of you, and so many of you for the first time, that we've had to be very specific as well, in getting as many new folk in as possible. Plus the Random Ranter is here with a totally new topic. It might shock you.

It's an end-bits Wednesday and some great little stories to tell. Starting with some articles about how Chinese vehicles could soon be overtaking our roadways, not just because they're cheaper but in some cases they are better made than their competitors. That's just one of the stories we'll be telling this week on your Wednesday episode of The Bridge.

YouTube is now the pre-eminent TV channel for those watching television. And now it also stars the latest attempts by both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre to try to influence Canadians. What's behind their dueling videos? Also Doug Ford's jet - here today gone tomorrow. Could there be more to this story? Althia Raj and Rob Russo are here with their take.

When the Iran War started it was hard to know why Donald Trump ordered the attack. He kept changing the reasons why he'd taken the action. Lately he's settled on just one reason and had all his people parrot the same line. Nuclear. So what do we really know? Dr. Janice Stein has her thoughts on that in her regular Monday discussion.

Almost two months ago, Pierre Poilievre seemed to have rounded a corner. The "attack dog" politician became, or so it seemed, the friendly one, talking about respect and a time for unity. Well those days are gone, long gone, after a week where the old Poilievre seemed back in full force. Bruce and Chantal are back with their assessments of what all this means.

The question this week was all about airline service by Canadian air carriers. Let 's just say most of you are not happy, at least most of the many who wrote in to The Bridge. The Random Ranter is here as well and on his mind this week is Mark Carney's success in putting together a majority government. What will that actually mean?

You know or you should know that nothing is private anymore. Whatever you load into your desktop, your laptop or your phone can be accessed by someone else or so is the warning tech experts give all the time. One of our End Bits today deals with your email messages and who can access them. That and a lot more today!

For a year the Liberals have been trying to cobble together a majority out of their election night minority. Now they seem to have attained one. What's the big deal? James Moore and Gerald Butts have their say on that, plus AI, and how we are simply just not ready for what is already here.

It's a great question and it comes from one of our listeners for our regular Monday conversation with Dr. Janice Stein from the Munk School at the University of Toronto. Donald Trump has ruined his country's reputation in much of the world but does it change the facts about the U.S. position in the world? That and a lot more, including how the Pope has entered the discussion about Trump.

This has to be the worst of times for Donald Trump - nothing is going right, and the US President looks increasingly unhinged on a daily basis. Even some of his base are abandoning him. With Chantal away, former Washington correspondent Keith Boag joins Bruce for some serious Trump talk. Plus, another Conservative crosses the floor, making a Liberal majority now seem certain, but at what cost?

It's been a week of marvel watching the pictures of earth and the moon downloaded from space. Some were taken by Canadian Jeremy Hansen, one of the four astronauts on board Artemis 2 on its spectacular voyage to the moon and back. This week's question: "Is It Worth It?" You have a variety of answers! Also today, the Ranter is back and you won't be surprised to learn he's focused once again on Donald Trump.

It's a Wednesday End Bits special you won't want to miss. Starts with a story where a British judge calls an Uber eats delivery system to get drugs into prisons. And there's lots more including Canada's spot on the latest list for the most beautiful places in the world.

Donald Trump has often said he's a fan of King Charles, and Charles, about to embark on a visit to the United States, clearly feels something for Trump. So how does Canada fit into this? A new book suggests Charles has had an impression on making Trump back off his plans to annex Canada. If you buy that then you better listen to Raj and Russo today. That and a lot more on today's episode from Conservative inside issues to the latest on floor crossings.

We've entered the sixth week of the Iran war, and despite threats and counter threats, talks of ceasefires, there's still no end in sight. Is anyone winning this war? Dr. Janice Stein joins us again for her regular Monday talk about our changing world. As the war continues, deaths and injuries mount, the economy is shaken by the near doubling of the oil price, what's the end game?

Encore Presentation. The opposition leader's first interview on The Bridge is a fascinating one to quote the Toronto Star. Recorded in March, we are happy to re-air it today.

The NDP is mired in the basement of Canadian politics, but is there new hope for the country's traditional third party? That was our question to you this week in the days after the NDP picked Avi Lewis as their new leader. Can he make a difference? Plus Thursdays mean the Random Ranter who drops by with his thoughts about Donald Trump after his prime time speech last night.

Some personal opening thoughts today on the death of Stephen Lewis, a public figure who made a difference for Canada and for the world. And then, what has become a regular Wednesday topic on The Bridge - end bits. Today from AI and how professors are challenging students, to what to do with old coins. And news you can use like how to make an apology that works. All that and more.

There was a time when immigration was seen as not only important to Canada but something that was a major part of what made Canada great. Has that time passed, why and at what cost? Former Harper cabinet minister James Moore and former Trudeau senior advisor Gerald Butts have their thoughts on those questions in this, their latest "conversation."

So much to catch up on today and once again Dr. Janice Stein of the Munk School at the University of Toronto is more than a match for the questions. Questions on the Iran War, Donald Trump and "how it's all about oil." Plus, what makes a dirty bomb, and what's the latest situation on that other war -- the one in Ukraine.

A terrible crash of an Air Canada jet in New York becomes a language crisis at the top of the country's national airline. The airline employs more than 35 thousand people, about a third of them in Montreal. But their Montreal based CEO speaks only English and this week that became painfully clear. Bruce and Chantal have their thoughts on what this says about Canadian bilingualism. Plus final thoughts on the NDP race.

It's our last week of the month's Ask Me Anything episode. This segment has become quite popular with you grilling me, and me trying to answer! Questions today about how the podcast gets put together, questions about journalism, and questions about my career. All fun to deal with, and of course as he does every week the Random Ranter's rant of the week, this time about the NDP.

It's another of our popular End Bits Wednesdays - stories ranging from how to gain access to Donald Trump's cell phone, to a serious downside to certain autonomous cars, to new dangers from not brushing your teeth. But before that some thoughts of mine about the heroes of the Sunday night plane crash in New York City.

By the end of this week, the NDP will have a new leader but what will that signal? Comeback, rebuild, or continue to disappear from the national stage? Are we missing something about Canada without the NDP's voice? That's one of the topics for Althia Raj and Rob Russo on this Tuesday's installment of Reporter's Notebook. That and a lot more.

It's now Week Four of the Iran War and Trump delays one threat but things remain very tense. How bad could things get? Nuclear? WW3? We ask those questions of Dr Janice Stein from the Munk School at the University of Toronto as she makes her regular Monday Bridge appearance.

The Conservative leader went on the most popular podcast in the United States yesterday and kept the conversation going for more than two hours and twenty minutes. And if you believe Bruce and Chantal he did very well. Will it make a difference? Also on Good Talk, the Iran war and America's allies, just where do they, including Canada, stand? And more.

Two weeks ago Your Turn focused on your thoughts about the Canada/US Relationship and whether it will ever be the same again. There were so many letters from across the country we promised we would return to your thoughts. After a week on the Iran war, that return is this week. Plus the Random Ranter drops by with his latest rant on the American president.

The Bridge is available through SiriusXM satellite radio, through podcasts and through some episodes are available as well on YouTube. We started in the fall of 2019 and today marks a milestone -- twenty million downloads. We're proud of that number and toot our own horn a bit today because of it. That plus a few end bits as well.

There have been four floor crossers in four months. That's not a record, but it does have people talking. One poll shows about 75 percent of Canadians want floor crossers to seek re-election, sit as independents, or quit after abandoning the party they ran for during the election. James Moore and Gerald Butts have their thoughts on that and more during their latest "conversation."

Donald Trump keeps saying the US and Israel are ahead of schedule in their war against Iran. There's no doubt they have the muscle but do they have the strategy? So far that seems in doubt. Dr. Janice Stein from the Munk School at the University of Toronto has her take on where things stand into the third week of the war during her regular Monday segment on The Bridge.

Donald Trump's miscalculations on the impact of a war in Iran go well beyond the price of oil, and if the war doesn't end soon, we're all, Canada included, going to feel it. Bruce Anderson and Chantal Hebert join for the regular Friday Good Talk, where we'll also discuss: more floor crossings, more dilemmas for the NDP, and a strange answer from a prominent Conservative.

The politicians had their say during a House of Commons debate this week about the war in Iran. Today on The Bridge you get Your Turn on the same subject, and as always Bridge listeners are not shy about their feelings. Plus the Random Ranter goes back almost forty years guided by his childhood memories of a National Film Board documentary that may well make more sense today than it did then.

It's a Wednesday End Bits Special with a lead item that should have you talking. Could night become day with new technology to harness the light power of the stars and reflect them back to Earth? And more stories about Americans leaving the U.S. including nurses, lots of them, leaving for Canada.

Monday night was debate night in Ottawa about the country's position on the Iran War. The Conservatives called for the debate but it was the Liberals who have had some disagreement on what the country's position should be. Rob Russo and Althia Raj talk about that and lots more in this week's Reporter's Notebook.

His father, mother, and wife were among those killed in the opening moments of the Iran War. Now he's the new Supreme Leader -- will his term be all about revenge? That's how we start this week's regular Monday commentary from Dr. Janice Stein of the Munk School at the University of Toronto.

Within hours of the US and Israeli attack on Iran, Mark Carney was out with his initial thoughts on the conflict. Since then there's been some clarification on what he meant but there's also been some concern in Liberal circles. Chantal and Bruce have their thoughts on this and a lot more on this week's Good Talk.

So is the rupture a forever thing, or could Canada and The U.S. ever return to the way things used to be? We asked this question on Monday and by the end of the day we already had enough answers to fill a show. You feel strongly about this, and both ways. Plus today the Random Ranter is with us, and as always he's not shy about his feelings.

We all were reminded of something last week when the Olympics ended with Canada's overtime loss to the United States in the gold medal hockey game. When you mix politics and sports, things can get ugly. So what was the lesson? That's one of the questions for James Moore and Gerald Butts in this latest installment of the Moore Butts Conversations.

It's been four days since the attack by Israel and the United States on Iran, and the reason for why keeps changing. Today, with her weekly commentary Dr. Janice Stein of the Munk School at the University of Toronto, shares her assessment of what's going on, why and who is calling the shots.

The opposition leader's first interview on The Bridge is a fascinating one to quote the Toronto Star. Done late last week we are happy to run it today. For Janice Stein fans, she will be here tomorrow having given up her regular Monday spot for this week's feature interview. Tomorrow Janice will give us her thoughts on the continuing story of the weekend attack on Iran.

Pierre Poilievre is getting generally pretty good reviews for his major speech yesterday outlining his vision for Canada-U.S. relations. Before a pretty Conservative business audience in Toronto, he also went after Donald Trump -- something he hasn't done in the past with so much vigour. It wasn't just what he said but the way he said it. Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson have their thoughts on this week's Good Talk.

It's the last week of the month and this is the week we have "Ask Me Anything" as our topic on Your Turn. And you do just that with letters about journalism, sourcing, bias, books, history and a lot more. Plus the Random Ranter is here with his thoughts about what to do with CUSMA.

It's a Wednesday End Bits special with lots on the menu. Starting with concerns about AI -- how many jobs will be lost, are you in the right job lane for technology that's changing everything. Are Meta glasses ruining your dinner? Wacky sports. It's all here and more on today's Bridge!

Both the Liberals and the Conservatives suggested a few weeks ago that they would try to find ways to work together to advance the issues facing Parliament. We've heard that kind of talk before and nothing has happened, but what about now? A hint yesterday that maybe, just maybe, there could be progress. Rob Russo of the Economist and Althia Raj of the Toronto Star have their thoughts on this week's Reporter's Notebook.

While the U.S. won't use the word "blockade" it sure looks like that's what it's doing to anyone trying to ship oil into Cuba. The situation is dire and Cuba seems to be teetering on the edge of a humanitarian crisis. Should Canada help? That's one of the topics for Dr. Janice Stein on her regular Monday commentary.

A new poll in the United States has Americans being told that there's a real chill from Canadians about their southern neighbours, and the word "hate" is used. Feelings are strong, but that strong? Bruce and Chantal on that, plus Alberta calls for a referendum on October 19th, but no question yet on separation. Plus more on leadership challenges for the Conservatives and the NDP.

A wide variety of thoughts and opinions on Your Turn this week. From the Olympics, to Donald Trump, to health care, to all the snow this year, you've written about them all this week. And then there's the dropping price of gasoline at the pump -- the Random Ranter has his thoughts on that.

The latest of our Wednesday End Bits Specials has everything for everyone today. From counting heads on planet Earth to charging heads at Rome's Trevi Fountain. All that and a lot more on this week's collection of news you can use.

How do you handle an MP who goes rogue from his own party? That's a question for this week's Moore Butts conversation. But first, Gerry Butts on the world's new security order. Gerry has just returned from the Munich Security Conference and the former principal secretary to Justin Trudeau, and former Stephen Harper cabinet minister James Moore discuss how Canada can fit into the new Europe versus the US picture.

Encore: Remember that old saying "Stick a fork in him, he's done"? Some people are beginning to say that about Donald Trump, which may well work in Canada's favour. A little early or no? Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson on that, and also more on the possible Alberta referendum and Washington's supposed involvement.