Peter Mansbridge Faced Scrutiny Over Undisclosed Work for South Korean Firm During Poilievre Interview

Veteran broadcaster Peter Mansbridge admitted he did not disclose to his podcast audience, or to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, that he was working as a voiceover artist for Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean firm competing for a lucrative Canadian government contract to supply recent submarines.

The Controversy

The issue arose following a recent podcast interview with Poilievre, where Mansbridge questioned the Conservative leader about Canada’s submarine procurement process. Simultaneously, Hanwha Ocean was running advertisements on YouTube featuring Mansbridge’s voice, promoting their submarines to the Canadian government. MSN and BizBrief reported on the situation.

Mansbridge’s Explanation

Mansbridge stated he was unaware of the precise timing of the ad’s release when the interview with Poilievre was recorded on February 26th. “The ads had not run and I was not aware of when they would. I did not mention the ads to him,” he explained in an email to CBC News. MSN

He also acknowledged he did not inform his podcast audience at the time, but intends to address the matter this week for the sake of transparency.

The Hanwha Ocean Campaign

Hanwha Ocean is competing with German manufacturer ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for a contract to supply Canada with up to 12 new submarines. The company’s advertisement, featuring Mansbridge, emphasizes the potential for job creation and economic benefits if their submarines are selected. BizBrief

The ad begins with Mansbridge stating, “They say the future depends on what you choose to do today,” and continues by highlighting the potential for Hanwha to deliver submarines first, creating jobs and partnerships. The ad has garnered over two million views on YouTube as of March 2, 2026. BizBrief

The Interview with Poilievre

During the podcast interview, Mansbridge briefly asked Poilievre whether Canada should procure its next fleet of submarines from Europe or South Korea. Poilievre responded that he didn’t have an answer at that time, stating the government was conducting a careful analysis of costs and capabilities. MSN

Mansbridge’s Post-CBC Work

Mansbridge concluded his role as chief correspondent and anchor of CBC News’s The National in 2017 after nearly five decades with the organization. He has since pursued podcasting and strategic consulting work, and gives speeches. He stated he has been open about these activities. MSN

You can watch the interview between Peter Mansbridge and Pierre Poilievre on YouTube: Peter Mansbridge interviews Pierre Poilievre