The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Ask Me Anything 2 and The Random Ranter

Episode Date: January 22, 2026

More, in fact a lot more, of your questions in our latest attempt at an Ask Me Anything program. Again I try to get to as many of your questions about country, politics and career, but there are still lots left to go through. Plus the Random Ranter and Trump and Carney at Davos. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And hello there, Peter Vansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of The Bridge. Ask Me Anything, Part 2, plus the random renter. All of that coming right up. And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. Welcome to Thursday. And welcome to our second episode of Ask Me Anything. We started this last week as an experiment.

There were so many questions that came in from across the country, that we've expanded it into kind of a part two. and I don't know, when I look at this stack of mail, I got like 45 pages of it. I'll never get through it all today. So I don't know whether it means we'll push it into next week as well. But let's stop wasting time and get to it on this the day after the latest Trump rambling speech from yesterday and his cheap shots at all kinds of people, including Mark Carney. So we'll, the ranter has a few thoughts about that.

We'll get to that a little later. But let's get to your questions in the Ask Me Anything episode that we have for you today. Starting with Nicole Day in Ottawa. In your experience covering democratic institutions under strain, what specific incident or threshold would lead you to conclude that the United States has passed the point of no return in its drift toward authoritarian or fascistic governance. What moment would transform concern into historical certainty for you? That's a good question.

And I think we're all trying to come to grips with the answer to that question. Here's a sense of what I'm thinking, because there are certainly signs now that the U.S. is on a frightening pan. At least two things would leave no doubt for me about having reached a point of no return. One would be if orders from the Supreme Court were ignored, and canceling an election would absolutely be a bridge too far, and both of those things have been talked about. The Americans held presidential elections in 1812, right in the midst of the war of 1812, in 1864 they held elections during the Civil War

and in 1944 during the Second World War so what good reason there could be to cancel an election now is really hard to fathom apart from that as far as I can tell there is no legal mechanism for canceling a presidential election Ryan Coombs in Hamilton, Ontario

with you having traveled the world, my question is if you had to live somewhere in the world that wasn't Canada or the traditional West, where would it be? Well, as you know, I spent half my time, almost half my time of year in retirement in Scotland. I was born in the UK, not in Scotland, but in England, but not very attached to Scotland.

But you said, wasn't Canada or the traditional West. And I guess, as much as the Scottish might not like the term, they're part of the traditional West. I don't know, I've always been partial to Southeast Asia. Part of my early childhood was in Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, in Malaya.

I love Hong Kong, in spite of all the challenges about living in Hong Kong these days. So it would probably be somewhere in Southeast Asia. But no plans for that. Dwight Powell in Wassega Beach, Ontario. I surmise that you hold a certain fondness for the highlands of Scotland. Can you tell us why? Have you been?

Have you seen any films or movies or documentaries about Scotland? About the highlands? It's gorgeous. It's beautiful. It's challenging. It can be challenging through weather. It can be challenging through hiking. It can be challenging through the beaches.

But the natural beauty of the Highlands of Scotland is one thing. The people are incredible. The music, the folklore, the food, all of it. It's a great place. And so much of our country was born out of the high. violence of Scotland. Okay, I'm going to combine a couple of questions here because I think they're sort of asking the same thing. First, Roland Montero in North Vancouver. You spent decades observing Canada at its best and worst. I notice many friends focus almost exclusively on what's

wrong with the country. Well, I still believe in supporting Canada through both good and difficult old times. Do you see this growing negativity as well and how do you personally respond to criticism that risks turning from healthy debate into cynicism about the country itself? That's a really good question. Listen, our country is born out of the, of diversity, diversity of region, diversity of people, diversity of language, diversity of resources. And there are times when those are going to clash and deliver some kind of harsh criticisms about how the country works and about certain elements of the country. That's part of, I guess, growing up as a country.

We're going through some really challenging times right now, but interestingly enough, there seems to be more unity than there is division because we're under threat from the outside. And that's, you know, that's good. That's showing a country that is prepared to fight for itself in all the ways that term can mean and discuss the future. This has been a perfect week for that, as you will know. The second question is from Emily Grunwald in Stittsville, Ontario. Where do you find hope. There's been a lot of sobering talk lately on the bridge, online, and in traditional media. It's easy to feel a great deal of despair. How do you flip the script? You're right. You know, it's, as Bruce Anderson said a couple of weeks ago, it's despair versus hope. And right

now despair is winning. Where do I find hope? I find hope in our history. We've met challenges before. Lots of them. You know, in the... the boardroom, on the battlefield, in the sports arena, you know, we meet challenges. And when we pull together, our strength is quite remarkable. So where do I find hope? I find hope in our history. And let's not forget it. Let's not forget what we've been through and how those who walked on this land before us for centuries have allowed hope to win the day. But having said that, no country is perfect. Canada is imperfect, and Canadians should complain about those imperfections.

But at the same time, you shouldn't lose sight of what we have because others don't. Others beg to come to this country because it has so much potential. continuing potential. You know, so many people live in countries where they're forced to overcome the circumstances of their birth. I kind of think people lucky enough to be born here or now call Canada home

are forced to live up to the opportunities they've been blessed with. James Williams, Canora, Ontario. I've never visited the Canadian Arctic, but I recognize it's growing importance. What are some places you'd recommend visiting to better understand its culture and geography. Well, look at a map.

Canadian North doesn't start, you know, at North Bay or Thompson, Manitoba or Edmonton, Canadian North starts much further north than that. And, James, I applaud you for wanting to go. The challenge, the first challenge you'll face is how expensive it is, is to get there and to stay there, to visit. It's an expensive proposition. But assuming you can afford it,

then you want to get at least to white horse or yellow knife or calabid and then from there branch out. Because that's when you see the north. You really see the north. I've been lucky, very lucky, mostly because of my jobs over the years, first in an airline, trans air, and second with the CBC. And even third, really, in my post-retirement days of doing documentaries,

I've been able to travel to the Arctic. And it's just to me is a fabulous, fabulous place. I'm so proud of Canada when I'm in the Arctic. So that's what I'd suggest. If you want to visit the Arctic, you've got to go. to the Arctic. Not just to the northern part of provinces. You've got to go to the Arctic.

You know, whether it's Nunavut or the Northwest Territories or Yukon. Victor Prasad and Calgary. Who or what has been your funniest interview? Stupidity and being clever, count. I don't know. John Cleese from Monty Python?

He was hilarious. He was just absolutely hilarious. Brian Wilson was from the Beach Boys was very funny, not because he was trying to be funny, but because he was such a challenge. He thought we were doing a one-minute interview, but I was doing a 30-minute interview, and he was given one-word answer,

so that's a challenge. But it was funny. Mike McNaughton in London, Ontario. What's a news story or world event you cover in your career that you feel was the most underappreciated or too easily forgotten about. Wow. A world event. Because most world events stick with you, right?

And you don't forget them, nor does the world, whether it was the fall of the Berlin Wall, whether it was 9-11, you know, those kind of things. Even the marriage of Charles and Diana. You know, that was a huge event, one of the most awashed events ever. there was a Middle East conference in Spain in the early 90s when it was in Madrid which led to what we thought were real peace agreements and there was much hope and expectation at that order there were a lot of us there to cover that story it led to eventual Nobel Peace Prizes for the participants

but it didn't lead to peace. And that's why I'm always so careful. You hear Mr. Blather, Trump going on and on about peace forever now in the Middle East because of what he did. Let's really see how this turns out. We can be hopeful. My God, enough people have died to try and create peace. But I learned long ago not to assume anything for sure on that front.

Jennifer Harris in Guelph Ontario What was your experience like working in Zootopia? It was so much fun to hear your voice as the newsreader in the film So I wondered if you had fun too Peter Moosebridge Listen, I've told the story before about How I got into Zootopia, which is almost 10 years ago now, And Zootopia 2, which is in theaters right now

Disney asked me to be in Bruehlopia. Disney asked me to be in both those as the newsreader and they even, you know, created this name for it. Peter Moosebridge. Zootopia 2 is right now the highest grossing animated film in the world ever, like it's, you know, approaching $2 billion. I think it's 1.7 or 1.8 somewhere like that now. It was a fluke. The vice president of Disney was in the same security line that I was at at Pearson Airport all those years ago.

And he recognized me and he said, we want you to be in our next film, which is going to be bigger than Frozen, which was the biggest animated feature at that time. And I thought it was a joke. But it's true. It turned out to be true. And sure enough, I did Zootopia One. And they asked me to do Zootopia 2. Now, we're not talking about, I didn't have a big role. I think I'm in it for like 10 seconds, but I'm in it.

And the first one won an Academy Award. The second one was just nominated for Golden Globe. I'm assuming it'll be nominated for a second Academy Award. We'll see what happens. So I like to say, I, oh, yeah, I've been an Oscar-winning film. Of course I have. Sotopia, Peter Moosebridge. Anyway, it was great.

The people were fantastic to work with, and I really, really enjoyed it. Michael Hambrook in Delta, BC. How and why does the BBC news appear to do a significantly better job of world news than does CBC? Is the BBC better funded? Is it a difference in mandates? What is it? Michael, I'm glad to answer this. question. I'm not a spokesperson for the CBC or excuse me for the CBC or the BBC, but obviously I have a

connection with both and I'm happy to try and answer this. You asked whether money was the reason. Well, it definitely is the major reason. The UK has about 70 million people crowded into one time zone, speaking one language, which makes serving them much easier and less expensive when it comes to logistics. And yet the BBC has funding to the tune of about $97 per person. CBC gets about $33 per person, so about a third.

That $33 is about the lowest funding for any public broadcast. in the world. So that's the major reason. There are other reasons. There's management. BBC has an escape criticism on that front, and nor does the CBC.

My own feeling about public broadcasting is it's incredibly important, but they've got to focus on what they do and do well and not try to do everything, because you just can't on the budget they have. Anu Kamulanan in Helsinki, Finland, who says she is a little tired but beyond happy as a new parent. What's having children taught you? Patience.

I don't claim to have been a great parent. But where I have learned is patience and understanding. Shane Brown in Pembroke, Ontario. Throughout your journalistic career, did you ever walk out of an interview because your interviewee was being difficult or not answering the questions. If not, was there one which you would have liked to have walked out on? I ended up walking away from one interview before it ever got started.

This was somebody who tried to dictate what the questions would be, or at least what the questions should not be about. And you'll probably be surprised to learn who that was. it was Al Gore, who had been the vice president of the United States when Bill Clinton was president. He or definitely his people tried to dictate what could be asked in the interview. And when I said I wouldn't go for that,

because I don't go for that with anybody, that was it. And I assume for those who he did do the interview with at that time, I had agreed to that. my feelings about them were lessened as a result. Keith Sudabee in Las Vegas, Nevada, of all the events you covered during your time at CBC, which had the biggest impact on you personally?

Personally, any of the stories that I covered that dealt with human suffering, could be war, could be, Natural disasters, any of those that lead to human suffering, especially on the part of the innocence, those have always had the biggest impact on me. Bill Chichard in Sydney, BC, I know Bill has been, has written before, and I always get his name pronounced wrong,

but he knows I try. As a national curling coach, I understand, the intrinsic value of Olympic medals, but I have wondered for quite some time what Olympic medals might mean for our country. In other words, from a geopolitical perspective, if Canada does well at the Olympic Games or poorly, what impact might that have on Canada's standing internationally?

Does it make Canada stronger in the eyes of other countries because we do well of the Olympics? Well, we're coming up on another Olympics, so it's a timely question. Canada's view of the Olympics has dramatically changed during my lifetime. You know, it used to be that Canada was happy to just do our best. We sent our kids to compete with almost no financial support. And most of them finished like 16th or 34th, and we accepted that.

Occasionally, one of our athletes would win a surprise bronze medal. Even more rarely, a Canadian would stand on top of the world like Nancy Green. or Gaetombouchet, and that was enough for us. But something changed, maybe after the 76 Montreal Olympics, when we became the first country not to win a gold medal at a home games. The Canadian government was persuaded to put real money into the pursuit of medals and something called Own the Podium was born. A plan to identify our best medal hopes and support them on their journeys.

So now we expect to win medals. medals of the Olympics. Not as many as the Americans in the summer or the Norwegians in the winter, but good show is no longer good enough. Canadians watch the Olympics in great numbers and cheer for the maple leaf like crazy. Then they spend four years ignoring most Olympic athletes and their sports. I mean, can you name three Canadian medal winners from Paris in 2024? So I think it's all very nice. I'm sure some younger Canadians get hooked and want to compete when they grow up. And I'll be cheering our athletes going to the games in Italy. But really, I don't think

it has any long-term consequences for how other countries see us. Patrick Hosford in North Sanich, BC. Patrick actually, I had a really long preamble to his question about Rex Murphy, and I really don't want to get into a discussion about most of it, but Patrick ended with this. perhaps you have an interesting story or anecdote about Rex the man that would be interesting. Here's how I'll remember Rex. He was a cantankerous guy. And he had strong feelings and sometimes they were like really strong. But he also was a kind, humble, considerate person.

I used to turn up in my office every once in a while. And almost every week he'd bring me some food from his favorite Chinese restaurant. But he'd also bring me a book, book that he thought I should read. And it may be something simple, like great Churchill quotes. And, you know, he didn't want the book back. He wanted me to have the book. And so I have them. I've got kind of a little lineup of books that Rex Murphy gave me.

Just a really kind, considerate, nice person. Chris Gordon in Aurora, Ontario. What do you miss most from your days leading at the CBC? Travel, being on the air daily. Great colleagues, I guess. You know, I was lucky. You know, I got the attention good and bad. when so often the attention I got was based on the work of others.

Great colleagues. And covering big events for sure. You know, listen, I travel the world because of my role of the CBC. How lucky can you get? Joe Stover in Churchill, Manitoba. Joe's a great guy. He lives in Churchill, my old hometown. What skill or lesson did you learn at your first gig in Fort Churchill that you still use today?

listen to what people are saying it sounds easy but you know it's not easy you know interviewers get focused on what they're going to ask next don't listen to what's being said now

and I have to keep reminding myself all these years later at 77 Sarland Churchill when I was 19 or 20 listen Kyle 80 in Peterborough, Ontario. Was there ever a time when you received new information that led you to change your mind about something? What was the information?

How did you determine it to be true? Well, that's what you have to do with every story. You're always looking for truth. And if you don't know the truth, you have to say that. This is the story that's happened, and we don't have all the facts yet. We're trying to determine them.

but here's what we do know and here are the questions that are still being asked and so lots of times through a process like that you're going to find out new information that you know may change some of the thoughts you had going in but you keep an open mind

let the facts determine where you're heading Scott Burke in Halifax, Nova Scotia you're an advocate for people to learn Canadian history, especially around Canadian participation in war history. If you could go back in time to any battle in which Canadian soldiers participated, which one would it be? Oh my gosh.

You know, there are so many. There's so many heroes. I've got to say, I've long understood that war truly is hell, so being an eyewitness to serious combat is nothing I have longed. to do. But if you were talking theoretically about the opportunity to see history in the making, Juneau Beach, D-Day, Normandy, France, Canadians landing on those beaches. More than 300 died on that day.

Thousands in the days that followed. The largest amphibious invasion in history. Think about that. A scope is mind-boggling. I've walked those beaches. Some of you have, too. And knowing what those guys went through in those early morning hours on June 6.44. Some of them landing beside their best friend.

Untold, if something happens, if your best friend gets shot, keep running, don't stop. Imagine, think about that. keep running. Don't stop. Leave in there to die. Lees Morton in Southampton, Ontario. We'll do this one. Then we'll take a break for the ranter. Lees Morton, I'm sure there were many times in the newsroom where there were vigorous debates on how to present a news story or even whether to report on it at all. What's one example of a time when you personally strongly disagreed with a decision on how or if to report a story and you lost the debate? but you have to go forward with it anyway.

I'll give you one. There's always, listen, you don't win every argument in a newsroom, nor should you. But I remember being in Washington as a correspondent covering the Iran-Contra hearings in, what year was at, 87. And Oliver North, the Marine Colonel, who was part of the planning. in the Reagan White House on the Iran-Contra. When Oliver North and his boss joined Poindexter testified at a committee about Iran-Contra,

I wanted to start the report with North. There was an incredible image of this guy in uniform standing there. My bosses, including Mark Bulgutche, and a great journalist by the name of David Neiman, they both insisted I do it chronologically and start with Poindexter. I argued. But eventually, I did as I was told. I was right, of course.

They were wrong. I mean, who remembers John Plyndexter? Who remembers Oliver North standing there in his uniform, talking about why they needed to do what they did? Of course, no one remembers the details, so... Whatever. As I said, you don't win them all. Okay.

Let's take our break. First, then we'll come back with a random ranter, and then we'll have more of your letters on this. Ask Me Anything edition of the Bridge. Back right after this. And welcome back, Peter Mansfordshire. It's your Thursday episode of The Bridge. And of course, on this week, that means,

Ask Me Anything. And we've got lots of great letters from those of you who wrote in on this over the last couple of weeks. We have so many letters. Hope you're enjoying it. A lot of you wrote about how much you enjoyed last weeks, and so I appreciate that. Okay, I've got to do some technical work here.

You know, this so reminds me of what it was like when I was in Churchill, Manitoba, at 19 or 20 years old, because when I worked at night there, you had to do everything. You had to run the, you have to answer the phones, you have to run the control room, you had to pick the records, and you had to think of things to say between the records. It's all great fun.

That's kind of the same on this podcast. There's nobody else in this little room here where I'm putting this together. All right. Time for the random ranter. Let's see what he's got to say. This week, it would help if I could hear it. This is part of the challenge I was talking about. Let's try it again here.

Room. I have to say it. Mark Carney's speech at Davos hit me like a laser beam. It was an absolute masterclass in cold, clear-eyed pragmatism. It was unlike any political speech I've ever heard, like a TED talk that made me feel smarter and prouder to be Canadian. And it was delivered in the most no-nonsense of ways. He just came out and said it.

He was succinct. He was concise. I really felt like I was witnessing the smartest guy in the room, just laying out his cards. And the whole world was going, damn. It was something else. In my books, it goes down as the most consequential speech by a prime minister in my lifetime, if not ever. I really can't say enough about it.

It was an eyes wide open, no holds barred take on our place in the world. And as far as I'm concerned, he nailed it. The funny thing about it to me was that as scary as the message was in some ways, it was so refreshing to actually hear it said out loud. Now, I'll admit, I was starting to question Mr. Carney's, dedication to elbows up. I was starting to write it off as just another hollowed-out political slogan akin to Trudeau's sunny ways or Pollyev's Ax the Tax. But there was no political theater with Carney's delivery. And I think that's what made it so powerful. He wasn't painting pictures or even

stoking fears. It wasn't particularly inspirational or even emotional. It wasn't that kind of speech. It was just an honest assessment of what's going on in the world and how we can chart our way through it. Now, I don't know about you, but I can't remember the last time I heard a politician give a truly honest assessment of anything. It was really something else. But given Mr. Carney's actions of late, it should really come as no surprise. I mean, if you turn off the chatter from the pundits and block out the noise from his opposition, it becomes pretty clear that Mr. Carney has been behaving less like a politician and more like an actual leader. Think about it. His Chinese trade deal didn't win him any votes in Ontario, but the lifting of those canola tariffs sure helped conservative farmers across the prairies.

His openness to a new pipeline lead ballooned in Quebec and BC, but there's a whole lot of F. Trudeau-clad pickups across the Alberta oil patch honking their, horns, and this time they're doing it in appreciation. No matter how you cut it, Carney has not been catering to his base. And the funny thing is, I don't think it's hurting them. I mean, Canadians are paying attention. Most of us see that America has become a real threat. We see how unreliable they are. We're watching Trump's craziness. We're watching the brutality of his attacks on Minnesota. His plundering of the oil in Venezuela, his threats to Greenland, Cuba, Panama, Colombia, and of course, Canada. We're not dumb and we're not blind. We see his lies, his corruption, his ignorance, and his ugliness. So when I hear people objecting to Carney's trade deals with China and Qatar,

or fearing how Trump will react to his speech, I can't help but shake my head and wonder what world those people are living in. Because like Carney said, we can't wait around for the world we wish to be. Things have changed. They've changed quickly and they're not going to go back to the way they were. We're living in a new reality. So complaining about some Chinese cars when Trump is aiming to wipe out our entire auto industry, I don't think that resonates. Things like boycotting Canadian whiskey made in Manitoba and bottled in Quebec, all because a plant is closed in Ontario? That's being part of the problem, not part of the solution. Look, the path forward is going to be littered with losses, no matter what we do. It's not going to be easy. There will be bumps, there will be bruises.

But let's look at the bright side of this. Carney is clearly not waiting around. He's not relying on a new Cusba dictated by Donald Trump. And Cusma or no Cusma, He'll continue diversifying our trade deals around the world because at the end of the day, that's what's best for Canada. Because like it or not, the myth of America we all grew up with is dead. And what remains can no longer be trusted. There you go. The random ranter.

With his thoughts on the current situation and his thoughts on the prime minister, the president, and the rest of us. And can I just add this one thing? Because every once in a while I get a letter from somebody saying, oh, you guys are just a central Canadian podcast. Well, we are based in central Canada, either Stratford, Ontario, or Toronto,

or for a number of months of the year in Scotland, but connected to the country, always, as anybody can be in the world these days. because of technology. However, of our small cast of characters each week, the random ranter is one. He's from Western Canada. He's from the prairies.

He lives and works in the prairies. And James Moore. James Moore is from Vancouver. Part of the Moore-Buts combination. So we have representation. You know, where it's just a little little family-owned podcast shop. But we try to branch out.

We haven't had a lot of access with Maritomers or Atlantic Canadians for a while. And we will look for something to do to correct that. Okay, back to a couple more letters. I can't believe this. We're already 40 minutes into this show. We're only, we've barely done 10 of those 45 pages I told you about.

So let's get a couple more in as fast we can. This is great, though. I'm really enjoying this. If you are, we'll keep it going, but let me know. Marilyn Wallace in Fannie Bay, British Columbia. Peter, coincidental events have shaped your very successful broadcast career. As a young airline baggage handler in northern Canada, you were asked to make a random PA announcement, which just happened to impress a CBC manager in the crowd.

It was your introduction to the CBC. If that had not happened, what other career would you have pursued? I don't know. Maybe I would still be handling bags at Churchill Airport, making the odd announcement. Flight to Arviat, Rankin, Inlet, Baker Lake, now ready for boarding at Gate 1. You never know.

I could have stayed there. they used to say about Churchill, if you're there longer than three years, you're probably not going to leave because you become so ingrained in the place. You love it so much, and I did love it. And I was there almost three years when I left to go to Winnipeg and then Regina and then Ottawa and then some fill in time overseas and then Toronto and then moved from reporting to anchoring. So it would either be that, I'd still be there loading bags, or I would have been a rock star or an NHL player in my dreams.

Dennis Garrity in Scottsdale, Arizona. Can you imagine any scenario in which Canada would want to unite with the United States and what would that take and or look like? No. Ben Duggan in Conception Bay, South Newfoundland and Labrador. What is your most memorable experience? you've had in Newfoundland and Labrador. Have you been screeched in?

I have been screeched. I mean, I was screeched in, I believe it was in St. John's. And it was during the 2011 election campaign. And it was quite the experience. Listen, every visit to Newfoundland Labrador, and I've made a lot of them over the years. The last one was, you know, just last summer or summer and a half ago. every experience there,

whether it's the natural beauty or the incredible people as one you never forget. I could sit here and do the whole show telling you Newfoundland stories. Eric Hovius in Ottawa. Out of all the world leaders

you were given access to interview, which world leaders surprised you the most? that's a good question you know I've been lucky I've interviewed a lot of world leaders you know obviously the prime ministers and the presidents

the obamas the Thatchers all of that are pretty impressive including some of our own prime ministers Desmond Tutu I guess It's a guy who arrived for an interview We're in the studios in Toronto

Nobel Peace Prize winner Dynamic leader from South Africa And what did he do when he got there? He stopped and went around shook everybody's hand in the studio All the crew members Wanted to hear from them, talk to them He didn't need to do that

But he did Cynthia Johnston in Toronto what are the three most significant decisions that you have made in your lifetime and why were they so significant to you? Well, let's just keep it on the professional level, personal level, obviously. Those are obvious. But on the professional level, you know, that moment in Churchill and deciding to do it. deciding, sure, I want to try broadcasting. I was 19, high school dropout,

and it gave me opportunities unheard of. Then 20 years later, offered a major anchor job at CBS in New York, and I decided against it, decided to stay with CBC. And then, you know, I was lucky, I can basically retire when I wanted to retire and making a decision early on

that I wanted to move on and retire from the national before I reached 70. So I didn't want a seven in front of my age when I was still doing the national. It was truly time for other people to move into that job. And so those were all big to

decisions. All we're doing on time here. Got a couple minutes off. Ken Malagas in Regina. You've expressed concern regarding Trump's musing about Canada. You never have elaborated your concerns. Would you detail your concerns now? Well, it's obvious.

We are a sovereign nation. We believe in certain things in terms of our own country and the way we should act on the world stage. We believe in our independence. We have fought for it. We have died for it. And while we have looked at our American friends as great neighbors for many years, and we all have friends in the States, good friends. But we are our own country.

And we've fought to preserve it, and we will keep fighting to preserve it. Jerry McDonald in Grand Prairie, Alberta. Throughout your long career as a professional journalist, I'm sure you've had an ethical obligation to be politically neutral, no matter what the circumstances. But now you're retired, and that obligation no longer governs. So my question is this, what are your personal political convictions? Do you normally vote liberal, conservative, new Democrat, green, or none of the above?

This is easy. I have never been locked into any particular. party, or political beliefs. Whenever an election comes along, whether it's federal, provincial, municipal, I look for the candidate who I think will do the best job and will represent their community or region the best way. So I've never, you know, I can honestly say that in my time as a Canadian who votes, that I voted for at all the different levels,

for all parties at different times. And I'm proud of that. I have an open mind, not locked into voting one way only. That's not the case. Let's see. Robert Houston in St. Thomas, Ontario, home of Jumbo the Elephant. I have even done that story.

Robin writes, my question for you is, should Canada acquire nuclear weapons as soon as possible? This is an interesting question. And don't be surprised if we get around to debating this at some point on the national stage again, as we have in the past. Because times are different. Robin writes, I believe, this idea is commensurate with the crazy times that we Canadians are experiencing. My vision for

Canada is strong and free. The strategy to achieve this vision should include Canadian nuclear deterrence. Adding nuclear to our defense strategy would be faster and cheaper than waiting years for planes, ships, and submarines to be acquired by our government. Well, I can tell you this, Robin, that is going to provoke one heck of an argument in the country. And maybe it's time to have that discussion. Maybe it's time to have that argument. Nuclear or drones. Let's forget about the F-35s and the submarines and this, that, and the other thing.

So we'd be having more open discussion about which way to go. I'm trying to see whether we got What else we got here We got room for one more Okay Ryan Zatsoff In Fraser Valley, Beres Columbia What do you enjoy doing more? A podcast or the national news?

I love doing the podcast. Listen, you couldn't have dragged me away All those years doing the national It was really invigorating, and I got to work with the greatest journalists in the country. I was very lucky. And I wouldn't trade that time away at all. Podcasting is great because it allows programs like this,

where I get to hear directly from you, talk to you about the things that are on your mind. And here, as we often do on your turn, your thoughts about, current issues. So I'm going to have to stop it there for this week. Let me know what you think. Should we keep it going? Should I go through all of these? There's lots of them and they're really good, I think, anyway.

So let me know whether you want to keep going. If not, we'll move on to the traditional way. I'll ask you a question of the week and you give me your answers. We're going to get back to that at some point, obviously, within the next week or two, if we carry on with this. But we can also just abandon this and move on. back to the traditional. So let me know what you think. Tomorrow, your turn.

What a week for your turn. We'll hear from Bruce Anderson and Chantilly Bear. After a week of Carney, Trump, you name it. It's been quite something and who knows what will happen between now and then tomorrow. So join us there. Looking forward to it. I'm Peter Mansfich. Thanks so much for listening today.

We'll talk to you again in life. less than 24 hours. That obviously was wrong. Let's try this.