During the April election campaign, Mark Carney dropped a lot of hints and some promises about what he would do if Canadians gave him their vote. The question this week, is Carney retreating? You had lots to say. And the Random Ranter drops by with another of his takes on AI.

An encore of Lee McIntyre philosopher & author who's written extensively on the issues of truth & disinformation.

Althia Raj and Rob Russo work the halls and corridors of Parliament Hill every day that the House of Commons is in session. Althia is a senior columnist with the Toronto Star, Rob is the Canadian correspondent for The Economist. They'll alternate Tuesdays with the Moore-Butts Conversations.

Some key elements of the United States military are assembling in force off Venezuela. Is this a real operation or a distraction? A "wag the dog?" Dr. Janice Stein starts with that on her regular Monday conversation on The Bridge.

Recent polls suggest Canadians are now more concerned about basic economic issues than they are about the Carney-Trump talks.  Housing, affordability, inflation and government spending top the list. All this in the run up to an expected October budget, but also at a time when hugely expensive "nation building projects" are on the table. How do you square cuts and spending is up for discussion with Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson.

The first Your Turn of 2025 asks the question, what did you notice about the summer of 2025 and a surprising number of you mention the issue of Artificial Intelligence. Is it a huge advance or does it come at huge cost? AI is also the focus of the Random Ranter as he takes on AI as well.  

One of our loyal listeners wrote in the other day suggesting that instead of our regular Wednesday encore episode that we try a program just of endbits. Enbits have been a popular part of our program over the last few years to fill out shorter programs. So, maybe once a month might be possible as a program on its own? Interesting idea so we decided why not?  

The first Moore Butts conversation of the new season is the 22nd in our series of going behind the doors of political intrigue. In this case, the discussion centres around the negotiations that have to take place if anyone is going to make a trade deal with the US President. Gerald Butts is Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary who was in the room when Canada and Trump hammered out a new trade deal in 2018. James Moore is a former Harper-era cabinet minister, and as always, has thoughts on this subject too.

Those who follow these things say they're never seen anything like it before. Donald Trump wants a Nobel prize and he's not shy about pushing for one. As The Bridge kicks off season six, our regular Monday contributor, Dr Janice Stein from the Munk School at the University of Toronto makes her view known on that, Ukraine, Russia, China and the Middle East. 

Four months and a day since the election and the summer ends with signs that the Carney government is moving on some of its major agenda promises. Or is it? That's the line item for Chantal Hebert and Bruce Anderson on this our final summer special before our new season begins next week.