The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn - Week #3 of Your Election Issues

Episode Date: April 10, 2025

What are you looking for in the next leader of our country? Plus the Random Ranter is back with his latest election take.

I'm Will Mansbridge and you're listening to The Bridge. It's Thursday, that means your turn. Week three of your election issues. That's coming right up. All right, it's time for the elephant in the room. You're not listening to Peter Mansbridge. You're listening to Will Mansbridge. Peter's my dad. He mentioned at the end of Tuesday's program, More Butts number 20, that he's tied up today. He's at a speaking engagement and unfortunately the timing just wasn't going to work out for him today and he wasn't going to be able to record a podcast. So he asked me to step in and really there frankly couldn't be a better program for a guest host because it's your turn. It's your day here on the bridge, your letters. And frankly, I'm just hoping to keep the ship afloat here. It's my podcast debut. A little bit about me. I've been part of this project since we started it back in 2019, albeit in the background. Some of you may know I run my dad's social media channels.

Back when we started the podcast, for the first time, I was still in university, studying political science and history at the University of Toronto. And I've spent the last five years or so working in media myself in the commercial media business. A little bit of long form storytelling as well with the awesome team over at Uninterrupted Canada and the Good Karma Company. But I'm excited to do this project. And to hear your letters and to hear your perspective and to see what Thursdays have turned into as such a cornerstone of what we're doing here has been fantastic. And like I said, I'm really excited to be a part of it today. So let's get right into it. Starting today with Marjorie Danton in London, Ontario.

It is extremely important that Canadians elect a leader who recognizes that the USA is no longer an ally or trusted trading partner. This leader will move Canada towards economic independence from the USA, primarily by seeking alternate, reliable trade partners around the world. Canadians are ready to support each other to strengthen our country. Jason Harnett from Hagersville, Ontario. That's near Brantford. For those who have found themselves impacted by crime, this important issue continues to be lost in the shuffle. I feel that most Canadians would agree that our justice system needs a huge overhaul

and the immediate attention of all political parties. Our laws, courts, and sentences have not kept pace with the changing society. Deterrence is simply not there. Canadians deserve a system that protects, empowers, and delivers timely and proportionate justice. Joshua Winters in Surrey, BC. With the carbon tax effectively dead and threats coming from south of the border, I fear the growing issue of climate change hasn't been moved from the back burner, but is now off the stove entirely. I recently completed a survey for Legere asking me to rank my top issues in this election. I struggled with where to place climate action when jobs, housing, and cost of living are still

a challenge for so many. With public opinion turning against Tesla, the ending of EV subsidies in many provinces and rising costs in general, it feels like what little progress we've worked so long and hard to gain is now quickly being eroded. I can't shake this feeling that we're like Thelma and Louise putting the pedal to the metal towards that cliff's edge. Spencer Stinson from Blenheim, Ontario. I would never say the Trump issue is good, but I think it has brought to the forefront issues that have lagged behind across multiple governments. Protecting our Arctic sovereignty, connecting the North and South, and bolstering our military.

We need a military that is well-equipped and capable of protecting our nation at home and supporting our allies abroad. Rachel Evans, who's writing from Puerto Escondido, Mexico, but she says she'll be back home in Alliston, Ontario in time for the election. The most important issue is the character and aptitude of the next Prime Minister. Canada needs a thoughtful, intelligent and honourable leader who will not weaken Canadian virtues for the sake of short-term gain. Peter Burbage in Kingston, Ontario. I'm afraid climate change will be taking a backseat during this election, and this will result in longer-term dangerous implications for people, the planet, and costs than anything Trump can throw at us, which I see, rightly or wrongly, as shorter term. Later is too late. Jim Ray in Markham, Ontario.

The Trump-related election issue on my mind? Research and university education. Canada's post-secondary education system has been chronically underfunded for years, and many of our once top-tier universities are sadly in decline. Now is the time to reinvest. Let's entice top U.S.-based scientists, labs, and institutes to migrate north of the border. Let's become North America's hub for higher education and groundbreaking world-class research. It's time for MIT North, the Markham Institute of Technology.

Of course, when most people hear MIT, they think of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. But personally, I think the Markham institute has a nice ring to it jim milton schlosser in victoria bc trump has declared economic war on canada in order to annex us meanwhile pierre polliev continues promising to defund the cb in English-speaking Canada when Canada's sovereignty is under attack. We are second to last in the G7, the US is last, on spending per capita when it comes to public broadcasters. Shouldn't the budget of the CBC be increased to be similar to Britain's BBC on a per capita basis. Some context there, the BBC receives about $132 per person compared to the CBC's approximately $32 to $33 per person. Mark Seeley in Kingston, Ontario. Until two months ago, electoral reform was my primary issue.

I refused to support the Liberals after they dropped the ball on proportional representation in 2015. I told myself I would never support them again unless we change the way we elect our MPs. However, there are more important issues on the ballot this year. Trump, tariffs, sovereignty, Arctic, military. PR can wait, but I haven't given up. Liberal it is. Martin Partridge in Peterborough County, Ontario. Leaders should debate how historical transportation, energy, and service corridors throughout Canada can be quickly refurbished, expanded, and linked together. This would create

jobs and housing in underserviced and underpopulated areas of the country. Materials and supplies and legions of workers could be delivered to relatively remote areas. Every dollar put in workers' pockets would go directly to building our self-sufficiency as a nation. Emphasis on quickly, not 10 to 20 years from now. Leo Boudran in Ottawa. All my life I cared about the environment and leaving the world a better place for future generations. I wish I had spent my adult life perusing the environmental plans of different parties. Unfortunately, that was never the case. Instead, I spent my time voting for whoever had the best chance to defeat the conservatives.

That year after year pretends people like me don't exist. I hope one day that will change, but it won't change this election. Glenn McLaughlin in Regina, Saskatchewan. Defense is an important issue to me. That won't be debated. Do we want the capacity to defend the Arctic? Or do we want to increase the capacity of our warfighting force? Or do we want the capacity to defend the Arctic? Or do we want to increase the capacity of our warfighting force? Or do we want both? How are you going to pay for it? Cuts to foreign aid?

Sorry, but those savings have been committed to a promised tax cut. How are you going to fix procurement? Sorry, waving a magic wand won't work. A. Crothers in Montreal. The most important issue for me in this election is ensuring we don't elect candidates who refuse security clearance, face assault allegations, or are landlords. As Canadians, we should uphold higher moral standards, not follow the troubling examples set by US politicians. Why would we even consider leaders Okay, but being a landlord doesn't make you bad. Only being a bad landlord makes you bad. Bill Manalakis from Harrow, Ontario. That's near Point Pelee, the most southerly point in Canada. I think it's time we seriously discuss whether Canada should develop its own nuclear weapons. Given the growing uncertainty around the U.S. as a trusted security partner, this issue feels more relevant than ever.

Another fact check here from our team. Canada signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 1970, which commits countries without nuclear weapons not to acquire them. Kate Winslow in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I can't shake the feeling that a percentage of our voting public can't distinguish a candidate who may be compromised. It is crucial to our sovereignty that whoever the elected PM will be has been properly vetted. How can someone run who has no security clearance? This is really alarming.

John Kelly in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Make Iqaluit an international research center for the design and development of an innovative, livable Arctic community. Build a fully equipped Arctic military presence there. Utilize Iqaluit as a formidable Canadian presence in an Arctic alliance with Sweden, Denmark, Greenland, Norway, and Finland. The Arctic Alliance will be a force to be reckoned with in a new global order, desperate for access to critical resources and a fair and equitable Arctic Ocean gateway from the Atlantic to the Pacific. James Williams in Kenora, Ontario. My top issue is housing.

For seniors, for millennials and Gen Z, and for those living on the street, the housing crisis touches us all, and I hear no clear solutions. Ian Smith in Winnipeg. I worry that the threats in this moment will overshadow the need to build a better Canada for the future. Housing, the major issue before January, will get some attention, but what about green infrastructure and renewable energy? What about mass transit? And what about investments in research and innovation? Supporting our underfunded universities and attracting global talent. Will Canada rise to the challenge of not only today, but tomorrow?

Millwood Sutherland in Toronto. Elon Musk was once a student at Queen's University in Kingston, but had to move south to pursue his goals. The trillions in market cap he created would have had a tremendous value to the Canadian economy. What plan do the various leaders have so that our best and brightest create their value within the Canadian economy, as opposed to Canada underwriting their education without deriving any benefit. Frank Wang in Surrey, BC. A big issue we need to address is the increase in population and the overburdened public services. Our fertility rate is below two, so we do need immigration to support an aging population. But the question is how to sustainably

bring in immigrants while we build up our infrastructure and housing. The immigration situation has changed drastically since I moved here with my parents a couple decades ago. Lori Linehan in Peterborough, Ontario. My first priority for the election is to figure out how to lower stress levels and bring strength and resilience back. We haven't fully healed from the pandemic. Individuals, families, kids in school, businesses are still trying to dig out. Money, health, mental health, costs rising, uncertainty, job loss. Our worry load is heavy, and yet we support our families, friends, neighbors, and country. We need a leader to reassure, trust, listen, and work hard to keep us in this together. We need a leader to work as hard as we do, to have compassion and an

understanding of what Canadians are really going through to get us. Marge Andre in Richmond Hill, Ontario. I will be asking the local federal candidates a series of questions. The most compelling question is, what is your vision for Canada? I will also ask them their thoughts on Canada's involvement on the world stage, dealing with cyber attacks, federal government building housing, and their thoughts on journalism being essential to democracy. Marilyn Wallace in Fanny Bay, British Columbia. Even though the consumer carbon tax program was too confusing for most of us, I supported the idea if the proceeds were used to support green energy projects. Before I cast my

vote in the upcoming election, I want to know what will replace it. I hope to see incentives that encourage individuals to reduce their own carbon footprints while also stimulating renewable energy projects. In the midst of all of our challenges, we cannot give up on the climate. Derek Dillabo in Ottawa. My election issue is the Trump factor going forward. However, I have a slightly different way I am focusing on this crisis during this election period. I view this as an opportunity for Canada, a new beginning in many ways, and I want to see which leader articulates taking advantage of this best.

Trump is regressing the U.S., and in so many ways, it offers Canada a golden opportunity to fill some important voids. Education, science, diplomacy, medicine, the environment. All these and a host of other issues gives Canada the chance to step up as the U.S. steps back. Matthew McCaskill in Montreal.

The new government needs to address the impact of AI on industries. Many jobs will be lost as capitalism drives companies to optimize by adopting the tech, which is inherently cheaper than a salaried employee. Where will these people go? How will they pay for their bills, feed their family? It's coming faster than most realize, as the AI tools are improving exponentially. Let's sneak in one more here before we take our break. Debbie Fletcher in Jackson's Point, Ontario.

I'm looking for a sustainable economy that will weather us through any and all existential emergencies, whether it's the climate crisis or the crisis of chaos that is the Trump administration. My vote is for the man with values, Mark Carney. That'll bring us to our break today. Hopefully, at least in your mind, the ship is still afloat. We've still got the random ranter with us, and he'll be coming up right after this break. All right, welcome back to the bridge. Once again, you're listening to Will Mansbridge this week on your turn, not Peter Mansbridge. Uh, my dad was tied up with a speaking engagement today. Um, and so you're stuck with me. But again, a perfect day for a guest

host because this is your day. It's all about your letters and your thoughts. Before we get to the ranter this week, I wanted to actually wind the clock back and highlight a rant from September 7th of 2023. Some of you may remember it. The ranter that day was talking about affordable housing, specifically housing that can be built Ikea style. Back in September of 23, he hearkened back to the types of houses that his family grew up in. Smaller homes, you know, 800 to 1,000 square feet, as opposed to the 2,000 square foot plus entry-level homes that we see these days. Now, you may actually recognize some of those same talking points these days from Mark Carney. In the last couple of weeks, he's launched a national ad campaign talking about affordable housing and easy-to-assemble prefabricated homes that the Canadian government built post-World War

II. Now, why do I bring all this up? Well, when we saw that ad from the Carney campaign this week, we thought it was a really great example of the power of this program, of your turn. Now, I'm not suggesting that the Carney campaign ripped off housing policy from an anonymous Westerner on a podcast, but it at least shows that, well, great minds think alike. And the next time that you're sitting at home and on the fence maybe about writing in with a policy proposal or a suggestion about what you think could be done differently, maybe think about that example. You never know who that policy might be adopted, in this case, by a major Canadian party in the heart of a federal election. Anyways, that brings us to the ranter for this week. He's our buddy. Let's hear what he has to say. I was really torn on what to rant about today.

Tariffs or Western alienation? So in the end, I decided on doing both, because after this week, I really need to vent. So let's start with Trump. Some people describe the blind devotion of his MAGA supporters as being cult-like. Well, if MAGA is a cult, then Trump's tariffs? They're the Kool-Aid. They're killing not only consumer confidence, but investor confidence too. I mean, who's going to want to invest in America right now? It's tariffs one day, no tariffs the next, then double tariffs. There's no explaining it. They're not part of a plan or some brilliant strategy. They're just the grand a plan or some brilliant strategy.

They're just the grand illusions of a man with the economic understanding of a petulant toddler. Trump keeps saying that he wants to bring manufacturing jobs back to America. But what kind of jobs is he really hoping to bring back? Whether it's access to raw materials, cheap labor, or lax environmental standards, production moved overseas for a reason. And if anyone knows that, it's Trump. I mean, where do you think all that cheap MAGA merch is coming from? The relentless pursuit of low costs combined with America's addiction to low prices has gotten so bad that for some manufacturers, even China is proving to be too rich. Just look at the apparel

industry. North Americans can't get enough of fast fashion, but a lot of manufacturers are pulling out of China in search of cheaper alternatives like Bangladesh or even war-torn South Sudan. Just look at Lesotho, where the minimum wage is $146 a month. That's where your Levi's and Calvin Klein's are being made. Now let me ask you this. How is that ever coming back to America? Are consumers suddenly going to start spending 10 or 12 times as much for their clothes? I doubt it.

But the sad reality is that even if you could bring back that production, it wouldn't be employing workers. It would all be automated. And even then, the price of American-made would be out of reach for most Americans. But look, if Trump thinks he needs tariffs to level the playing field, he's at least getting that done. Because there's nothing more level than scorched earth. In just mere months, Trump's America has gone from beacon of hope to absolute pariah. And the backlash against American goods has been severe. I mean, do we even need counter tariffs? Because I don't know about you, but given a choice, I'm not buying American. And I think that extends beyond just individuals to entire countries, even entire continents. Trump has severely damaged the American brand, and the world won't soon forget it.

All right, that's about all I got. So, Western alienation. I read Preston Manning's op-ed Vote Conservative or Else warning to the rest of Canada, and I listened to the similar threats being levied by Daniel Smith. I gotta say, their opinions are as entitled as they are pathetic. To raise the specter of separation at a time when Canada is directly under threat from a foreign adversary, just because you might not get your way? Boo hoo. You might hate liberals, that's your prerogative, but you should love your country more than you love your politics. So let's stop calling it Western alienation and start calling

it what it really is, Western conservative sour grapes. Look, I live in the West, and I'll tell you this, the people that want to separate largely overlap with the people who think being the 51st state sounds good. And those people, they vote conservatives. So let's add Western separatists to the motley crew under the big conservative tent of misogynists, homophobes, book banners, anti-vaxxers, and racists. Now I know I'm being harsh here. Most conservatives are regular, reasonable, responsible people. So I have a hard time understanding why they're willing to support a party that channels so much vitriol,

that's willing to mimic so much of Trump's playbook, even while watching him damage our country and torch the world order as we know it. But times change. Once upon a time, conservatives watched CBC News. Now they want to doge it. Mulroney was a champion of the environment. Daniel Smith digs coal. The voices of the old party, of pro-business, small government, and balanced budgets have been drowned out by the anti-government, anti-science, anti-media, rabidly anti-woke, everything is broke, voices of social conservatism. And that's who's looking to form the next government. You need only look south to see what an anti-government government looks like.

How's that one working out? Well, if there's one thing about our friend the ranter, it's that he doesn't hold back. That's for sure. Back to your letters now. Again, week three of your election issues. Wendy Rose in Paris, Ontario. For me, civility and empathy are most important. Partisan tribalism erodes our ability to treat each other respectfully.

The more we retreat into partisan us versus them thinking, the less we are able to see things from the other's point of view. Continuing down this path threatens our way of life. Eventually, it threatens the rule of law. We can look to the States as an example. Canada must do better. Karen Chassels in Guelph, Ontario. Many are commenting on Pierre Polyev's continuing refusal to get security clearance. I'm wondering if he can even be PM without getting security clearance,

if the Conservatives win. I've asked many and done the usual Google search and come up with nothing. Well, this is the second time this week that we've received a letter to this effect, so our team did some digging as well. The CSIS Government Security Screening Program investigates and provides security assessments on persons whose employment with the Government of Canada requires them to have lawful access to classified information or sensitive sites. So presumably, if you apply for a sensitive public service job, you are required to pass security screening. But there's no job listing for Prime Minister. Is he required to pass a screening? That's not clear. But without

that top secret clearance, he would presumably not be allowed to access certain information, which of course sounds crazy. Polyev would have gone through a security vetting process to take his cabinet position in Stephen Harper's government, but there are several levels to clearance. Not all are cleared for access to top secret information, so it's not clear what kind of clearance Polyev had at that time. In any case, top secret clearance must be renewed every five years, so even if he had it when he was a cabinet minister, he doesn't have it now. Ryan Bengert in Toronto. I find that larger issues always overshadow how Canada is falling behind on some labour laws. I would love to see some national basic laws for all employees in Canada,

such as a five-day paid sick time, four weeks annual vacation, salary ranges on job postings. I understand that the provinces are in charge of this, but without some push on a national level, I don't see this changing. It's time we catch up to our great friends in Europe and stop comparing our employee benefits to the states. Ryan, you're right that employment standards are largely provincial responsibility, but the federal government is responsible in specific industries. These include banking, telecommunications, air, rail, and maritime transportation, as well as certain activities of First Nations and Crown corporations. Matt Copps in Edmonton. While U.S. controversy is top of mind, I really wish Mr. Carney would address the Liberals' constant strike-breaking and undermining of

labor rights. I'm likely voting Liberal, but can't believe I've swung back to them. Shelley Herdlichka in North Vancouver. The climate crisis is the issue that has been neglected since all the trouble began following Trump's election. Unfortunately, the world continues to get hotter each year, and the wildfires, floods, storms will continue to worsen. This lovely planet will lose more species and suffer more serious weather-related events as we squabble about politics. Future generations deserve more from us. Shelley Buckroll in Langley, B.C. As farmers, we are wondering if a newly elected government will protect our supply management system in Canada. Among many other things, our system controls imports.

Opening up our market yet again to more U.S. agricultural products will force Canadian farmers to cut production back or even put some out of business. At a time when our sovereignty is under threat, do we want to trade away our stable, high-quality food supply? Gerard Hovervorst in Peterborough, Ontario. This election needs to be about investing in the economy to make Canada stronger and more productive, not buying our votes. We are about to face increased spending in defense, relief for those impacted by pending tariffs, and expanded dental care. Every day we see new spending promises, but not in making our economy stronger. We already have ballooning deficits,

and I'm not interested in tax cuts yet. Mariam Rajbali in Kelowna, BC. This election is different, even dire. My top concern isn't the economy, housing, or healthcare. It is sovereignty. How will our leaders defend Canada and protect us? What concrete plans do they have to prevent a war, invasion, or a takeover? What about us, the citizens?

What do we do if war breaks out? Nothing else can matter without national security. The rest is meaningless. Patrick Winnick in Toronto. Housing. It will be a real test of whether we're serious about change. If we truly care about economic reform, tax cuts, cost of living, and cutting red tape, why not start with housing? It's no coincidence that the generations most open to becoming the 51st state are locked out of the housing market or paying astronomical rent. If Canadians won't accept a fourplex in their neighborhoods, will they actually support more pipelines or

military spending? Catherine Bwekeboom in Guelph, Ontario. With the Liberals abandoning capital gains reform, I worry that the issue of wealth inequality will be neglected in this election. While income growth is continually outpaced by rises in cost of living, assets like real estate have done comparatively well in the last decade. A massive intergenerational wealth transfer is underway between a wealthy segment of boomers and their millennial children. Those whose parents lack assets stand to fall further behind their peers. Patrick Chung in Toronto. It's time to unleash our own innovations and minerals in making our own next-gen EVs. Norway sells its oil to support its EV conversion. Why can't we do it here?

The big difference will be driving our own product of Canadian EVs. I hope it'll happen in my lifetime. Patrick is 50. Elbows up. Go Canada. Vive la Canada. Rick Scott in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Canada should develop a civil defense program which trains Canadians on how to respond to emergencies.

First aid, communications, disaster preparedness. These skills would be helpful in the event of an attack on Canada, God forbid, but also in dealing with wildfires, power outages, and so on. Anita Desrosiers in Toronto. The experience and calm, intelligent, statesmanlike demeanor of Mark Carney help us believe we are Canada strong, our economy can be improved, and we will survive the situation facing us from the U.S. Other election issues such as health care, affordability, housing, and other aspects of Canada's safety net can only be addressed if we survive as a nation with sound fiscal capability. Liberals need to focus on this and worry less about Mr. Polyev. Sean Aiken in Whitby, Ontario. There is no question about our over-reliance on exports to the USA and the need to find other export markets for our natural resources. I sure hope that we could be clever and, for example, build a pipeline and upgrade port facility in Churchill, Manitoba with Canadian-made icebreakers in support.

My concern here is environmental. A note to our politicians, please be careful. Kerry Smith in Albin, Ontario. That's about 45 minutes south of Sudbury. Canadians need a leader to manage the instability of the Trump administration. Mid-tier election promises will fall flat if industries close and workers lose their jobs. However, assuming we elect a leader who can navigate the Trump effect, key issues must include improving interprovincial trade, allowing workers access across the country while maintaining sufficient immigration levels. It's great to see 98% of premiers working on solutions with federal officials.

Those that refuse should resign. Kerry, just a note, depending on whether you see one or two premiers offside, that would be 92% on board or 85% on board. Not necessarily 98%. Murray Robertson in Napanee, Ontario. The important issue in our federal election that I believe is not being discussed sufficiently is homelessness and housing affordability. I would like to see one of the contenders in the election propose a national strategy to address this issue, including tackling its root causes and providing supports to those Canadians affected by this major problem. Exempting million-dollar homes from the GST is not going to cut it.

Linda Keith in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Assuming that Trump and our national security is the primary issue in this election, I believe the next one is the economy within the context of the environment. The environment is key to our not so long-term survival as a species and the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, etc. and political upheavals are not helping. All of these are affecting the climate. We need to turn the looming climate threat around. Karen Boshy in Edmonton. Uncertainty and instability. Our adult children are making important life decisions. Putting food on the table isn't an issue for my daughter living in Fort Mac.

Increasing rental costs are. An opportunity to purchase property has come up. She's considering it. Boom or bust history, potential unemployment, relocation, resale, and investment loss issues make decisions like this hard. But a worse problem for Canada is stagnation and negativity. Eric McCarron in Burlington, Ontario. My concern is voter apathy. It can't be low like 50%. If the turnout

is 70% or higher, that's a strong mandate. Another note here from our team, the last time we had a turnout higher than 70% was 1992 when it was 72%. We've had 10 elections since then, and the turnout fell as low as 59% in 2008, which is a great time to remind all of you, no matter who you're voting for, get out and vote. Ian Hebeleth Waite in Moncton, New Brunswick. One of the issues for me in this election is related to Trump. I'm concerned about rights and freedoms. Here in New Brunswick, we saw firsthand what the far right can do to marginalize people who don't fit their idea of normal. I see one big reason for Trump and Musk to throw support behind Pierre Polyev.

Because they see support for extremism. Now, we're not exactly sure what Ian is referencing here when he says fit their idea of normal, but we suspect that it's the former conservative government deciding that it was no longer mandatory for teachers to use the preferred pronouns or names of transgender or non-binary students under the age of 16, and a teacher or school had to obtain parental consent for any child who wanted to change their name at school. The new liberal government reversed that policy. Brian Hone in Calgary. Amidst the current flux of patriotism and enthusiasm in finding new trading partnerships, I fear climate change-related issues will be lost in the conversation. No doubt, many Canadians might have softened to the idea of more economic development, such as getting crude oil to any shore for export or taking advantage of our critical minerals. I do wonder, though, what existential climate crisis would it take for the country to enthusiastically unite on protecting our people,

water, land, and air? Two more. Air for your turn. R. Edna Jones on Vancouver Island. I would like to hear a long-term vision for the future of Canada. There are many complex issues that are facing us. We have a large deficit and debt. We cannot just throw more money at single issues. We have an opportunity to develop a comprehensive, well-thought-out plan for the future. Who will lead it? I don't hear or see anyone.

The last letter for this week. Cindy Zampa in Airdrie, Alberta. Cindy sent a poem. Oh Canada, strong, true and free, I hope that we will continue to be. Regardless which leaders elected, our borders and resources protected. Though Trump brings chaos galore and some challenges are in store, united we'll stand across this land now and forevermore. And what a great way to end your turn. Three weeks of your election issues. It was a pleasure to be with you

for the final week. Like I said off the top, hopefully I kept the ship afloat here. If I didn't, let us know at the mansbridgepodcast at gmail.com and we'll look forward to more of your letters next week. And we'll look forward to good talk tomorrow.

My dad will be back for that one. Until then, the bridge will be back in 24 hours.