The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn -- What Are Your Summer Plans?

Episode Date: June 19, 2025

On this, the final week before the summer break for The Bridge, your letters about your summer plans. In many ways, the letters reveal how Canadians perceive their homeland in the summer of 2025. Plus, the Random Ranter is here with his latest idea for a better housing plan for Canada.

And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of the bridge. It's Thursday. It's your turn and it's your summer plans. What have you got planned for this summer? That's coming right up along with a random renter right here on the bridge. And hello there, yes it is Thursday and yes it is your turn. And seeing as it's the last your turn before the summer break, we thought we'd make it seasonal, make it your summer plans. And once again, you delivered lots of responses on this question.

And I appreciate that not everybody can take a summer break. Work may be pressing, your obligations at home may be pressing, and therefore for some you don't get a chance to actually take a break, to go somewhere, to do something. But many of you have figured that out too in your responses as you're going to see over the next little while. The random renter will be around as well. He's not thinking summer, he's thinking housing. He's got a really interesting idea

that's the great thing about the renter. You know, he doesn't just rant, he offers solutions. And he's got one today on housing, which has been a thing for him. Housing issue has been for the last couple of years. Okay. Let's get started with, with your letters here because they're as always, they're great. First letter comes from Kyle Allen in Ottawa. This summer my best friend and I are going on a camping trip to Newfoundland.

The raw rugged beauty of the rock will be a welcome change from the chaos in Ottawa over the past few months. We need a break from the crazy. Hey, don't we all? And listen, you've picked a great spot. You know, I'm lucky because of work, because of the work I've done over my lifetime, I get, and I've had a chance to travel all over the country. And, uh, it's hard to pick, you know, people say, what's your favorite place? They're all, they're all favorites from coast to coast to coast I've I've seen a lot you know I resist saying I've

seen it all because I haven't seen it all you've never seen it all but I've seen a lot and Newfoundland is one of the greats last summer I was on the West Coast of Newfoundland hadn't to be there for I don't know 30 or 40 years And it was great just fantastic So enjoy yourself Kyle Glenley in Berlin, Germany We're traveling home to Canada for our biannual visit with family and friends We're traveling home to Canada for our biannual visit with family and friends

But against my better judgment, we must take a few days for a family wedding in Los Angeles Nevertheless, Ontario has some of the best vacation spots. We know and we live in Germany and Germany can be a beautiful place you know Some of those pockets in the southern part of Germany are just spectacular. Loretta Naughton in Toronto. We have long wanted to have a family trip to Italy with our adult children and their partners. Our family's roots are there. My father and my maternal grandparents were born there. Our offer was that if our children paid for their flight, we would cover everything else.

We'll spend two and a half glorious weeks discovering the singularly unique culture, food and sights of this beautiful country, and build a lifetime of memories as a family. I bet you will. And that's a, that's a nice offer because the kids can find, you can find very reasonable flight fares to different parts of the world by getting on early, by not being fussy about where you sit on the plane and take advantage of the best offers that are there and Man, if you're getting your parents to pay for everything other than the flight, you got a good deal

How long did she say Two and a half weeks two and a half weeks. That's a long time. That's a lot of pasta. That's a lot of fresh vegetables. That's a lot of wine. You're gonna have a good time. Anne Marie Klein in Toronto. I'm having shoulder replacement surgery next week. Oh my gosh.

And my plans for the next two and a half months involve resting and rehab. My only activity involves editing the first draft of my travelogue memoir about a quarter century of Scottish adventures. I can't think of a better way to work on my tan. Well good for you Anne-Marie, that sounds like fun. I'm in Scotland right now heading back to Canada next week. There's lots of Scottish adventures to write about, so good for you on that. And good luck on the surgery. I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks too. Eye cataract surgery and you know everybody tells me oh that's you know everybody does that now it's normal don't worry about it I'm worried about it.

Okay Jordan Nesselbeck in Arquipa Peru That's Peru's second largest city. It's southeast of Lima and Lima of course has the most population. Jordan writes, my plan for this summer is to repatriate to Calgary. That's where I was last week. For the past four and a half years I have lived and worked in Peru. I return with mixed emotions. I'm certainly excited to move back closer to family, friends and the Canadian outdoors. But I am also concerned. You hear lots of politicians saying that now is the time to come home. But factors like the cost of living do not encourage that idea. That's true.

I don't know what the cost of living is like in Peru, but it can be challenging here. But listen, we're glad to have you back, Jordan. Gerard Holgervorst in Peterborough, Ontario, but he's actually riding from Vailmont BC. That's East Central BC. Three weeks ago, I turned 70. He's just a kid, Gerard. He's just a baby. Several months ago, I decided to bicycle from one son's house in Vancouver to

another son's house in Calgary. Whoa. I'm about 850 kilometers along and by our calculations, that's about 975 kilometers. So you're almost there. My recent motivation is live or rust. My wife is my support person along the way in our van. In August I'll go back camping for five days in BC. I go to you Gerard. Laura Plant in Chilliwack BC. My husband and I are preparing to say goodbye to our teenage daughter as she departs for a one-year rotary youth exchange to South America in July. And then we get to welcome an exchange student in experience living in Canada.

As hard as it is to say goodbye to our girl, we are so proud of these young people taking part in a peace process, one student at a time. These are, by the way, these are exchanges for students aged 15 to 19 and are sponsored by Rotary Clubs in more than 100 countries. Mitchell Avis in Kitchener, Ontario. My wife and I have prioritized Canadian travel for years. This summer plans to be no different. We will vacation on our sailboat sailing around Georgian Bay and the North Channel. It's considered the best freshwater cruising in

the world and it's in our own backyard. Well safe travels on that sounds like a lot of fun. Well, safe travels on that. Sounds like a lot of fun. Sandy Esposito in Aurora, Ontario. I'm thrilled to share that we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new grandchild in July. I'll be staying with mom, dad, and big brother to help ease the transition into this next chapter of our lives. I'm particularly excited about spending quality time with my grandson, the baby's big brother, exploring the library, visiting the park, and of course enjoying ice cream together. I'm also looking forward to taking the new baby out for walks to give mom a little break. Looking forward

to this wonderful journey ahead. And it will be a journey. And watching the lives of your grandkids is pretty exciting. My oldest grandchild just got her first big time job. She's going to Calgary. She's moving to Calgary for her new job. And we're all excited for her, very excited. Eva Murray in Vancouver. The planned summer trip was to have been Oregon, which is now not an option. My partner and I will head to Winnipeg, one major Canadian city that's new for us. The stay will be downtown, close to the Forks,

the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and if available, a ballet will build in lots of walking and great deli food. I'll say you'll definitely have the chance for all of those. You know, the Forks is a great area in Winnipeg. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a great museum. It is really very moving and more than well worth the visit. Enjoy it. Actually enjoy is a hard word to use in there.

It is a beautiful structure. It is extremely well thought out and well done. But parts of it are definitely hard to enjoy, as should be the case. Todd Burns in La Salle, Quebec. This summer we're hoping to road trip in our new plug-in hybrid to the Maritimes. My wife loves seafood and I love good pubs. I hear they have both. Oh yeah. Here in Montreal, Balkanville is also a popular way to enjoy summer, staying on your balcony. I will definitely spend some time reading

a good book there. Dale Walsh in Port Hope Ontario. My summer will be spent relaxing at the farm. Lots of old tractors, chickens, and watermelon wine. See that's how you can make fun of staying where you are and have fun. Gord Roseberry in Saskatoon. Summer holidays are for the upper class. Everyone I know has to work. The service industry usually reduces hours for staff at this time of year. Now it remains the same. It's hard to vacation when rent is due. Car payments and cell phone bills. It costs money to breathe it seems. I truly believe this will be impossible to fix.

Hey Gord, I hope you're wrong about that. But I hear what you're saying. And you know, you can still, you can still make Saskatoon a summer place as well, right? Gorgeous city. all right. Gorgeous city. But I know you got to work. Doug Wild in Edmonton, Alberta. Last summer, my family took a road trip and visited seven U S national parks with our boys now 14 and 17 is likely the last big summer vacation we'll take together.

We're planning to do it again, visiting places like Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, and Saguaro National Park in Arizona. Politics won't stop us. It will be epic. I'm sure it will be. But you know what? There's great national parks in Canada too. And free passes for many people on those parks this summer. But listen, drive safe Doug. Have a good time with family. Good for you. Don DuFour in Ottawa. After a few international bucket list trips in 2023 and 2024, this summer we are staying in Canada.

Next week we'll be in Calgary. Jeez, a lot of Calgary stuff in the last few weeks. And I don't think it's just cause I was there that I keep seeing Calgary mentioned and everything. A lot of people talk in Calgary. Next week we'll be in Calgary, visiting our son and working on a home improvement project with him. The remainder of the summer will be spent catching up with friends, sharing good food and drink around our pond in our backyard with a possible golf trip to PEI in September.

Let the good times roll. Steve Cormack in Garden Bay, BC. That's on the Sunshine Coast. I'm going to be there this summer as well. Each summer I try to get out to the Sunshine Coast, do a little fishing. Steve writes, my partner and I are planning to cruise the Trent Severn waterway system in Ontario from Port Severn to Trenton in my newly constructed sailing canoe. It's a design modeled after the early decked cruising canoe models dating from the 1880s.

I don't know that. Good for you. In keeping with the spirit, we will be attired in period clothes. Okay. Lisanne Donnelly in Sutton Quebec My summer plans include two lengthy all-Canadian road trips, flying to Iqalibut and spending time at home in Quebec.

I'll be relaxing with good friends at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Manitoulin Island, Fogo Island, Grand Bend, Halliburton Lake and a boat at Toronto Island Marina. Ferries, flights, hotels and cabins were booked months ago. These are my go-go years and I plan to enjoy every moment. Luckily my rescue dog enjoys the car, makes a good house guest and our friends are dog people. See you in September. Hey, have a great trip. Jonathan Young, Brussels, Belgium, originally from Nova Scotia. This summer, the plan is no plan. With the precious time I have off, I will embrace the day as it will come, ignoring clocks, alarms, notifications, and deadlines. These things only pressure us. Time for slowing down

the brain, taking the pressure off and seeing what the day brings. Silence is replete with possibility. Lawrence Rainey in Muskoka, Ontario. We will be spending time at the cottage on a lake in the stunning Canadian shield also known as God's country with friends and family, including our five grandkids. It's always a joyful time, but for years now, I've been realizing how privileged we are to enjoy this time when so many in our world are much less fortunate. So thankful for our beautiful country, Canada, the true North, strong and free. Paul Dutton in Edmonton. My wife and I are taking our first

non family vacation in 30 years together. No kids, no parents flying to Saint Johns from Edmonton in July and visiting that city beyond looking as excuse me, beyond booking a nice hotel. We have no plans. Don't worry, you get to John's you don't need a plan you're gonna have a good time. Callum Arnold in Sudbury Ontario. July is a big move from Ottawa

to Guelph where I'll be working in film and tv production. August I'll be vacationing at Laurentian Lodge near Elliott Lake my favorite place in the world to spend time with family and friends. I'll also plan my wedding with my fiance. That's a good person to plan it with. And all of that is just the stuff I can remember off the top of my head. Wendy Cecil in Toronto. Camping on remote, uninhabited Somerset Island in Nunavut absorbing the arctic landscape watching animal bird and aquatic life hiking and swatting clouds

of bugs while trying not to scratch bites is 2025's all Canadian adventure. After many thrilling whitewater canoe trips on stunning frigid Arctic rivers, I'll be but a speck on the vast otherworldly tundra. I'm returning to our far north to soak up raw beauty, peace and tranquility in troubled times. Good for you. Good for you, Wendy. You know, you know, I've spent a lot of time in the Arctic and I've been to Somerset Island and it's going to be remote. It's uninhabited and it's got spectacular Arctic landscape. Adrian Moracas in Victoria, BC. My highlight of every summer is our family boat trip.

Four of us, three humans and one dog, squeeze into a 23-foot motor sailor and putt around the southern Gulf Islands. With a top speed of five knots, we never miss out on the coastal scenery and wildlife. Eagles, cormorants, otters, and even the occasional pot of orcas. Rain or shine, it's pure magic, sure is, good for you. Emily Rooney in BC, or BC, how could I look at PEI and say BC? Emily Rooney in PEI, as a mother to young boys, I took a step back from work and have gone part-time to be more present.

It's been a busy six years with young children and a demanding job, so I'm looking forward to many PEI beach days, visits with friends from Nova Scotia and heading to Scotland for our 10-year wedding anniversary. It's gonna be the best summer of my 33 years. Wow. How can you miss having a best summer when you're going to PEI, Nova Scotia and Scotland? Wow. Better take our break. We're roughly halfway through. Great letters. Puts you in the summer spirit, right? We're going to take our break.

Then when we come back, we'll do the random ranter and then we'll get back to your letters. But let's start with the break. We'll be back right after this. And welcome back. You're listening to The Bridge, the Thursday episode. That is your turn and your summer plans. We're halfway through. Time for the random renter. And as I said earlier, he's not thinking summer. He's thinking housing. So let's hear what he has to say this week. For my final rant of the summer, I want to talk just a bit about housing. I love the push for more factory home building. I love the idea of smaller homes. But what I'm really hoping for is some innovation when it comes to construction and materials.

Look, this is something I'm interested in. I've visited trust factories that are now building walls and flat packing them for shipment. I've witnessed a factory house being framed up in a single day. It's impressive, but at the same time, all I've seen are ways that speed up traditional building. And I think if we're really going to make a dent in our housing stock deficiency, then we need to change the way we're doing things. Look, in many ways, the framing of a house is the easy part. I mean, focusing on quickly building a shell of a house is great, but then it still needs to be insulated, wired, plumbed, it needs to be heated, and then the entire interior needs to be finished.

That takes a lot of time, and in many cases cases it takes the expertise of skilled tradespeople. And that's something that's in short supply and really slows the whole process. Building a house traditionally requires lots of coordination. There are corners that shouldn't get cut but get cut anyways. There are times where nothing is happening. There are logistical issues and then after everything are logistical issues, and then after everything, when it's all built and ready to go, it still needs to be inspected by whatever municipality, town, or city it's in. So my question is, why aren't we looking at factory building, fully finished walls that are ready for final assembly? You know, walls that are good to go inside and out.

I know that's not the way houses are built. But instead of always falling back on traditional techniques, why aren't we drawing from other industries, from the way other products are built, like automobiles? If something as complex as a car can be built in short order, with all its luxury finishes and fancy electronics, then why can't a house? Look, I get that in order to do that, we might need to go away from using some traditional materials like drywall. But who says walls have to be drywalled? Surely alternatives exist that can be installed faster and easier.

Alternatives that might be stronger or more durable and carry less of an environmental impact. And when it comes to inspecting, think about your car. Does it require a safety inspection from the factory? Automobile manufacturers self-certify. They build to a tested standard and are held to it. Why can't the same go for housing manufacturers? I get that houses need to be safe, but hey, so do cars.

Just think about the advantages of what I'm proposing. You could have a factory churning out finished walls by the hundreds and you could inspect them all there right on the spot. And why can't the same thing be done with sections of floor or even roofs? I mean right now most new home construction involves having prefabricated trusses delivered to site. They get lowered into place using a crane then the roof is sheeted and shingled. Why couldn't a roof come in finished sections and with Canadian steel sheeting instead of

shingles? Same goes for the floor. Why can't it come in sections fully assembled with the joists on one side and fully finished laminate on the other? It really wouldn't be that hard. Surely there's an architect out there who could design something that would work.

I mean, the cutting and the measuring can all be automated and precise, the same way pretty much every other product out there is manufactured. The quality control would be unparalleled. The fact that you could build everything indoors in a controlled environment the same way every time? Well that's got to be better than some guys suffering through a windchill to build your house. The random rancher. guys suffering through a wind chill to build your house. The random renter.

You know, I like that idea. I'm trying to figure out how you deal with the electrical and the plumbing. I don't know. I'll have to talk to the renter about that. I'm sure he has an answer because he tends to have answers for everything. At least when I talk to him, he does. Okay. Well, let's, um, let's first of all, thank the renter for another great year of ranch. Gets us thinking every week. And while I'm at the thanking, I thank Mark Boguch, a longtime friend, coauthor in some of the books.

We're in the midst of doing another one right now, where as usual, Mark's doing most of the work. But it's a book on teachers. Oh, oops, oops. I wasn't supposed to say that yet. So just forget I said that. Okay. But there's a special angle to it. So I think you'll find this interesting, but that book's not out till next year. Where was I? I was thanking Mark because Mark is an integral part of this program. The Thursdays, your turn. Um, Mark, that's all the letters. You know, I read them, move them on to Mark.

He goes through them and where there's additional information needed, excuse me. Um, he gets it. Like this, from Meredith Bryden in Holland Landing, Ontario. Mark writes, that's about an hour north of Toronto, if you didn't know that. Meredith writes, I'm kicking off summer by getting married this Saturday in Muskoka, Ontario. After that, I just want to relax

and enjoy a beautiful Canadian summer. You're getting married on Saturday and you're writing letters to the bridge? You've got nothing better to do this week? I thought you'd be like racing around, trying on this, that, and the other thing, worried about guest list, worried about the menu, worried about all those kinds of things but listen meredith have a great wedding

on saturday we'll all be uh we'll all be thinking of you john henthorne in lakehurst ontario. That's in the Coorthill Lakes area near Peterborough. This summer my wife and I are taking our chocolate lab on a road trip with us from Ontario to the East Coast. We're planning to enjoy camping and some hiking and whale watching in Cape Breton before spending a few days taking in the sights around Halifax before returning home to enjoy the rest of our summer closer to home. Joanne Yates in Squamish, BC.

I'm a Masters rower with Deep Cove Rowing Club in North Vancouver. Last summer our mixed quad, that's the mean age was 70 years, won the gold medal in a seven kilometer race this summer. I'm booked for open-heart surgery What a difference a year makes You know I sat in for an open-heart surgery at st. Mike's Hospital in at Toronto a few years ago I Was invited there as an observer. It was incredible. It was really quite amazing. Patrick Tallon from L'Originale Ontario. Much of this summer, I'll be in Europe selling life jackets. With support from the Canadian forces, our firm designed the best military life preserver available.

Rugged, low-profile and highly reliable, we were recently awarded a major contract with British Special Forces and interest from other NATO allies has surged with the rise in defence spending. It will be a demanding summer, but representing Canadian innovation abroad is rewarding. I would not want to be doing anything else. Good for you, Patrick. Kay Crawford in Bob Cage in Ontario. Since we're one of the fortunate group of people who are cottage owners, we will spend as much time as possible there this summer. We are well aware of the passage of time. We're only a couple of years younger than you, Peter.

And as we age, it becomes more of a challenge to do all the work that cottage ownership entails, but it's so worth it. In addition, I volunteer at our local land trusts. Being out on the land inventory flora, inventorying flora and fauna, identifying endangered species, removing invasive species, and stewarding our treasured Ontario wild spaces is my small contribution to caring for our planet. And did I say that I love it? You sure did. Leah McCormick in Black Creek, Vancouver Island.

We will stay, I guess I'm getting so excited for the summer, I can't talk. We will be staying at home on our farm. We have a large market garden that needs daily tending to and a farm store with a small cafe. We'll be welcoming all the interesting travelers to our little corner of the world. Carloads of families, campers, adventure cyclists, grandparents hosting their grandchildren, and more, seeking out rural farm stands along their summer trip.

We really wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Cameron Thorn Humphrey in Bedford, Nova Scotia. To quote the great B.P. Nicol, a Canadian poet who won the Governor General's Award for poetry in 1970 but died before his 44th birthday in 1988. Cameron writes, my summer plans are as follows. This is quoting that poem, a lake, a lane, a line, alone. I wish all my fellow Canadians some peace and solitude in these chaotic times. Robert Ong in Toronto, my plan for this summer is to travel around Canada as much as I can to support our economy during these challenging times that we're in vis-à-vis rhetoric from President Trump.

Catherine Preston Thomas in Ottawa. This summer I'm extending my maternity leave to stay home with my daughter who turns one in July. I was supposed to return to work that month, but our daycare, despite a deposit paid 18 months ago, delayed our start date to September with only a month's notice. It's a frustrating example of Ontario's daycare crisis. Thankfully, my boss has been understanding,

and while I'm upset, I'm also grateful for this time to cherish these final days off with my kids. Mohammed Abdul-Shaykh in Mississauga. Looking ahead to what may be another tough stretch, my summer plans include attending Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa with my family, a small gesture toward nurturing hope for our country, and perhaps even the world. I also hope to complete some long overdue home renovations. Don't we all, right? Marilyn Wallace, Fannie Bay, British Columbia.

I never leave home during the summer. I love open water swimming in the Pacific Ocean, which is a short 10 minute walk from my house. My sons and their families will enjoy the kayaks and the paddle boards. The annual family foot race around the peninsula will include everyone from the toddler to the seniors. Low tides will find us roaming the beaches, searching for interesting intertidal sea life. Memories to last a lifetime. Alan and Charlene Sinclair in Naneuse Bay, BC.

Staycation We've already made our summer excursion through southern BC with golf in Invermere, Nelson and Seymour in North Vancouver. There will be no planes for us this summer. Some fishing on the West Coast in August. We'll enjoy markets, festivals and the beaches we have right here on Vancouver Island. Manpreet and Preeti Suhi in Burnaby's B.C. This summer we're thrilled to be welcoming our baby girl into the family through surrogacy with her arrival expected in late summer. After a long journey navigating the process in Canada and the US,

we ultimately chose Mexico City. And Peter, once she's here, you just might gain your youngest podcast listener yet. That's great. Pierre Mousset in Blancville, Quebec. There will be Lake Time, backyard barbecues, and our 30th wedding anniversary to BC in July. And perhaps this, a round of golf with Peter Mansperch. We can each add a golfer to fill the group. You could select Bruce or Will or maybe Chantel. She doesn't golf.

Anywhere in Greater Ottawa or Montreal, including the Laurentians and Eastern townships, and I'll be there. 19th hole refreshments on me. That's very nice, Pierre. Brian Keller in Calgary. We prefer to vacation during our the off season. However, this August we're traveling to Winnipeg to see the Human Rights Museum. That's too. Lloyd Tucker writing from Edinburgh, Scotland. My home for the past 11 years when I'm not in Halifax. For the entire summer, I'm heading back home to Halifax and looking forward to a 10 day trip to Newfoundland

with my Scottish partner. We're also excited to take advantage of the Canada Strong Pass and explore more of the country while reconnecting with family and friends. Let me tell you, they mentioned this earlier, but the pass is not a physical thing. You just show up at certain places and the discounts are yours. For example, free admission for all visitors to national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas administered by Parks Canada, and a 25% discount on camping fees.

Free admission to national museums for children aged 17 and under, and a 50% discount for young adults aged 18 to 24. Free travel on via rail for children aged 17 and under when accompanied by an adult, and a 25% discount for young adults aged 18 to 24. And everybody get going here Peter. Jean Vanderhoek in Salmon Arm BC on July 6th, that's my birthday, I will be participating with the Okanagan Trestles tour 80 kilometer ride bicycle from Myra Canyon to Penticton.

The Woodwhackers 2.0 have been diligently working to get the Adra Tunnel or Adra Tunnel open at a century-old and an engineering marvel. It will be amazing to ride through 487 meter long tunnel. The Woodwhackers 2.0 are the successors of the original Woodwhackers who opened the first 100 meters of the tunnel in 2012. The trail follows the route of the old Kettle Valley Railway. Grant Wilson who says he's celebrating my 78th birthday in a few weeks. Grant Wilson who says he's celebrating my 78th birthday in a few weeks. Squamish BC. We cancelled our planned trip to the Oregon coast in July for obvious reasons. It has been an annual trip for 50 years. The end of August

will find us landing in Inverness getting a car and heading for two weeks driving all over the outer Hebrides for peace and quiet. Hey, Grant, you'll love it. You will absolutely love it. The Highlands of Scotland heading up to the Hebrides. Cindy Zampa in Airdrie, Alberta. I'm an artist painting a body of work called Old Canada. I started at the beginning of the year using only Canadian materials. I plan to travel across Canada to plant and paint painting outdoors and as many places as possible to highlight the beauty of our country. I

plan to visit as many Canadian national parks as I can. Also expecting my first granddaughter in August. Looking forward to an amazing summer of 2025. Rob Marsh in Vancouver. Dreaming of summer, I found myself spending quite a bit of time just staring at the sky pondering. We haven't had a focused and functional parliament since October of 2024. It really, you're gonna ask how functional it was

back then too. It really makes you wonder why the new liberal government doesn't want to work through the summer like most of us do. The US Congress and Senate will be working through the summer with a few unofficial breaks. Please don't use Kathy Pryor in Baden, Ontario. I'm assuming it's the Baden, Ontario near Waterloo. There is one in Manitoba that only has 10 people. So Kathy, unless you're one of those 10, you've got to be in Ontario. With mixed feelings due to the Trump regime,

my husband and I are going to Alaska, including touring to Mount Denali, which Trump has decided will again be called by its former name Mount McKinley, and cruising down the inside passage to Vancouver. However, I'm taking a Canadian flag and I plan to fly it. We planned this trip last fall to celebrate our 75th birthdays. The journey continues on the Rocky Mountains train where we will show off Canada's treasure to our American friends who are accompanying us. That sounds like a great trip. Enjoy it.

Marj Andre in Richmond Hill, Ontario. I need to pause this summer. Life and world events are having its toll but I know that just saying take a break won't do it. I need to come up with alternatives. I can't just say I'll read more. I need a reading list and dedicated reading time and times to go for walks, gardening. If someone or something tugs on me, I can say sorry, I have a commitment, even if it's just reading time. Matthew Sklarczyk in Vernon, BC. This summer my wife and I will revive the Sunday Drive. There's something special about an evening summer cruise on the open road where schedule and destination are unimportant. The windows

are down and the rumble of the engine is all the music you need. We're staying local this summer enjoying time with family and friends surrounded by barbecues and smoked dinners, sweet chiloac corn and Okanagan fruit pies. Sounds pretty good. Sally Bliss in Toronto. I will cycle along the Martin Goodman trail. That's a 56 kilometer multi-use path running along Toronto's waterfront. To the Toronto Wind Surfing Club, head out on Lake Ontario and glide around the outer harbour among the trumpeter swans, cormorants, terns, gulls and ducks. Flanked by the Lesley Split and Spit and Cherry Beach. Also can summer breezes as the sun dips into a stunning skyline.

And when the monarch butterflies begin to appear above the waves as a high school teacher, I'll know it's time to go back to school. Bill Newman in Aurora, Ontario. Our summer plans center on regular trips along Highway 7 from Aurora to Ottawa, taking in the scenes of Ontario's small towns and natural beauty along the way to visit with our newly born granddaughter. She's our source of sunshine, the love and hope for the future in what is currently a troubled world. Our summer could not be more complete.

Zach McLaughlin in Wainwright, Alberta. Lots and lots of golf, mostly playing at my home course in Wainwright, but very excited for a golf trip in July to Kimberley, BC, which is one of Canada's true hidden gems for golf. Also some camping with the family and celebrating my little man's second birthday in August. Corey, it's either Corey Willinga or Corey Villinga in Brandon, Manitoba. This summer I'm heading to the lake to disconnect from the internet before AI finishes calculating how to replace me with a more efficient version that doesn't need sunscreen and cold beer.

I plan to stare at trees, talk to fish, and forget what a push notification is. If society collapses while I'm gone, I'll be the guy teaching raccoons how to form a government. Let me know if Wi-Fi survives. I won't be checking. That's a great letter, Cory.

I got one more. This is from a friend of the program that's written every once in a while over the five years of the bridge. It's Mike Thornton in Paris, Ontario. And I like his letter this week. Mike writes, this summer my free time will be at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum where I fly the Chipmunk, Tiger Moth, and Harvard aircraft. Those were all kind of trainers in their day. And their day included the 1960s when I was training in the Royal Canadian Navy as a pilot,

and I flew the Chipmunk. Our passengers usually have personal connections to the aircraft through family who served in the war, writes Mike. For me, it keeps me sharp while indulging in my passion for World War II-era aviation. It's important to remember what these aircraft mean, the stories they carry, and the people who gave their lives, defending freedom. Lately, it feels like many have forgotten. We must not forget, lest history repeat itself.

Wise words, Mike. And listen, if you're down in that part of Southern Ontario near Hamilton, Mount Hope, visit the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. It is a fantastic place with many great exhibits, aircraft. And I don't just mention that because I've been a longtime supporter of the museum. I mention it because I like very much what the museum stands for. And actually, I'll I'll be there in November on November 11th. They've asked me to come by, say a few words in the special November 11th ceremony that they hold in the Warplane Heritage Museum each year.

And on that note, we're gonna wrap it up with thanks, as I said, to all of you who've written throughout this year, it's been great to read your letters and look forward to reading them again this fall. But in the meantime, have a great summer. Thanks as well to Mark as I mentioned. And thanks to my son Will, who has filled in on occasion here on your turn, but also does the heavy lifting every day for the social media posts that we put out to advertise the

bridge. And with that, we leave you with the notice that we're back one more time before the summer break starts and that is of course tomorrow and that is of course with Good Talk with Chantelle Ebert and Rob Russo. We'll be right here tomorrow. Hope you'll be joining us. We'll talk to you then. Bye for now.