The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Another week of really smart letters from many of you that I get the pleasure of reading for everyone's benefit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

But first, is there actually serious talk in Ottawa about an election? Beware. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After two days of special podcasts on topics other than COVID-19 it's back to that matter at hand. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Looking for lessons in crisis leadership? Look no further than 1933. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seventy five years on, and why the Dutch never forget. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're into May now, and your letters keep on coming. My favourite pod of the week! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

News on the movement of PPE, Questions for you about school,And a deeply personal story that had me thinking a lot today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new way to thank our front line heroes -- by taking to the skies. Plus, the promised feature interview on whether COVID-19 has given us reason to redefine our relationship with the United States. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And will you ever get on an airliner again -- the difficult decisions ahead for the world's airlines. And how will the planet handle the virus when it hits the poorest countries in the world? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hockey Night in Podcastland -- a "bridge daily" special which shows just what a jock I am! Joined by my friends John Shannon and Gord Miller. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Another mailbag of great thoughts, comments and questions from you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

She does it again ... straight talk from Angela Merkel. We should all take note.Plus Saskatchewan outlines its reopen plan, and a feature interview on how the charities we depend on are in deep trouble because of the virus crisis. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is she the Poet Laureate of a 1869 cholera pandemic, the 1918 "Spanish flu" or Covid-19? That and thoughts About Returning To School. Plus what is it about "testing, testing, testing" that we still don't get? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A story of how small our world is will start tonight's podcast, and then a special interview on a very different issue that will affect us all. I'm joined by Heather Reisman who runs the Indigo retail chain with about 200 stores across the country. They're all in lockdown but when they and thousands of other stores finally reopen there's a lot at stake and Heather gives us a glimpse into the decisions that are being made right now. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The tragedy in Nova Scotia gives us pause for a moment before we continue our focus on the virus. Tonight, some thoughts on where the virus came from, and a feature interview on how the media has done and is doing its job. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I love your emails and there were lots of good ones again this week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight the inside story of a busy research lab in Saskatoon and its part of a world wide race to stop a killer. These people are heroes too. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A lot of people are trying to predict the future these days convinced that what we are witnessing now will change everything about the way we live. Tonight a special discussion about that with someone who studies forecasting, journalist and author Dan Gardner. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Half of the country's Covid-19 deaths have happened in long term care facilities exposing a serious problem in the way Canada cares for its elderly. Will this disaster force change?That's the primary focus tonight, but we'll also make room for some hope and a smile. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some leaders, including Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump, are appearing almost daily during the COVID-19 crisis. Others from countries around the world are appearing a lot less. What's appropriate and what do past crises tell us about past practice? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You never fail me with your great emails and the weekends are for you! Stay healthy, stay safe and stay at home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One of the first major studies of how we are reacting to the Covid-19 crisis sheds some interesting light on how we may be changing our attitudes towards the role of government.One of the study's main analysts is our guest tonight - Bruce Anderson, the chair of Abacus Data. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've all been looking at new and constructive ways to pass the isolation time. Who would have thought Albert Speer could pass along something useful?And its time to thank another profession -- think #ThankASeafarer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We are all sending our prayers to the London hospital where British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in intensive care fighting COVID-19. Some thoughts about the British prime minister tonight. And also, foreign trained health care workers -- should they be hired to help fight the virus? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lots of talk .. again today .. about face masks. A moment on the latest.And then time to talk about hospitality workers -- as they try to reposition from in-restaurant dining to take out. It's not an easy transition but many are trying to make it work and they want you to believe in them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I asked you this week what you're doing to get through these long periods of isolation -- some great ideas for all of us. Plus your comments on farmers, truckers and the other heroes of "essential services" and what they say about our society today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I had to go into Toronto early this morning .. a quick in and out but a revealing trip. And two anecdotes which just may give you hope, when hope is what we need. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Okay if we are in this for the long haul we have to do more than hide inside the house sitting on the couch watching Netflix. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last night we focused on truckers and the key role they are playing -- there were developments on that today I'll talk about. But the main focus on the podcast today is on farmers who have been there for us since 1867, and they still are today. #thankafarmer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For good reason we are thanking front line health care workers as well as police, fire and paramedics for their amazing work during this crisis. But here's why we shouldn't forget truckers --- they are critical to how this story will play out over the next weeks and months. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Another week that challenged our emotions and yet another week that filled The Bridge's mailbag with how you are responding to all this. Some of what you had to say is the highlight of this episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The numbers keep rising and as they do, new innovative ideas to fight the problem give us all hope. And, as we look for leadership we remember what a great leader in a past time of crisis had to say. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tens of thousands of 'Snowbird' Canadians are coming back to the country and are being told they have to self isolate for fourteen days. Right. How do you enforce that? It's the question the prime minister couldn't answer today and it has a lot of people very worried. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 103rd anniversary of Vimy Ridge is just two weeks away -- it's a part of our Canadian heritage. It's also a reminder of the courage Canadians can put together when the crisis hits. Also, COVID-19 is a terrible story, but let's try to keep some positive thoughts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Justin Trudeau didn't hold back today about what has to happen if COVID-19 is going to be slowed. "People have to stay in their homes". He wasn't alone with the blunt talk.And through it all, some thoughts on how to keep your sanity when all the news is so bleak. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We are all facing the challenge of COVID-19, but perhaps no country more right now than Italy. On a Sunday "Bridge" Special, we reach out to journalist MariaTeresa Santaguida in Milan for her first hand account of how Italians are responding. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We went daily five episodes ago on the "the bridge" and as a result you have responded with many, many insightful comments. I try to respond to as many as I can on this, the Friday night "bridge". Enjoy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The great idea comes at the end of tonight's "the bridge - Daily" but you can take a hint from today's cover art.The focus for tonight though is leadership -- something we all crave at a time of crisis. Where can we find it? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lots happened today and "the bridge - daily" focuses on a few to put them in some context. Also, the story of a real Canadian heroine who will never be forgotten. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A tweet by a leading Canadian businessperson today made me turn back the pages of Canadian history for inspiration. COVID-19 is going to cause massive disruption and despair but together we can and will beat it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Over the weekend some of you emailed asking that "the bridge" go daily for a while through the COVID-19 story. So I'll give it a try for a few days and see whether you find it helpful. I'll talk about one issue a day -- could be five minutes, could be fifteen (like today!) but I'll try to keep it to the point. Let me know how you feel - themansbridgepodcast@gmail,com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The COVID-19 story got personal this week for me and my family just like it is increasingly for tens of thousands of other Canadians. How a moment like the one captured in this picture, helped put me in self isolation! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For the health and political leaders dealing with COVID 19, the way to ease public fears is through calmness and confidence. Are we getting either? (Recorded Noon EST 06/03/20) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I've always been fascinated by air travel and this week some international air travel got me thinking about how it's been impacted by the "health crisis" of the moment. But it also showed me an example of real class by a captain just doing her job. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How a two day trip to southwestern Alberta this week reminded me about the importance of truth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the country in rail turmoil, with indigenous protestors blocking traffic, what's a globe trotting prime minister to do? He's getting lots of advice, but what should he do? And, another milestone for social media, breaking convention and setting the law. Should it? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Another wild week in the US and because of it, a "bridge" listener writes to [email protected] to ask what, if any, process exists to force the resignation of a prime minister? And with the Oscars just days away, more about "1917", with a very personal story to tell. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I swore I wouldn't watch the US Senate trial because we all know how it will turn out. I was wrong. Not about the outcome, but about watching it. Why? It's complicated.And how about this for a podcast series idea: So you want to be a Prime Minister? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What really happened to lead three of the top five leadership contenders for the CPC to drop out of the race, leaving Peter MacKay as the most likely winner at this point. It's intriguing and no one seems to know exactly what happened -- all in 48 hours, Plus a "bridge" first -- a movie review. 1917 - I loved it, will you? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A week which for me came down to a few hours in St John's Newfoundland and Labrador when the country said goodbye to the late, great John Crosby. Looking at the faces in the crowd was a story in itself. And two important letters in the Mailbag! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.