The Vassy Kapelos Show

U.S. President Donald Trump is back to talking about making Canada a '51st state' after imposing new tariffs on key industries. On today's show:

Jason Jacques, the interim Parliamentary Budget Officer, says federal government spending is becoming unsustainable with the deficit projected to increase by nearly $17-billion for 2025-2026, On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Contributors from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the top stories of the week. Today's edition features public affairs consultant Bob Richardson and Henley Strategies founder Laryssa Waller. Topic 1: Yet another country-wide strike at Canada Post, and so many unanswered questions as to how the corporation will operate moving forward. What are the main sticking points for both sides this time around? Topic 2: Canada's Public Safety Minister says he has full confidence in the government's gun buyback program, even though previous recordings beg to disagree. Topic 3: U.S. President Trump says there could be a link between Tylenol and Autism. Health professionals profusely dispute his findings. Topic 4: The B.C. ostriches live to see another day, but they still don't know what tomorrow brings. Topic 5: According to the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Washington might need to reassess pre-airport clearance. We explain what that means for Canadian-American travel.

Prime Minister Mark Carney continues his global push to diversify exports and trading partners amid the trade war with the US. CTV National News Correspondent Jeremie Charon joins Vassy Kapelos with a preview of Carney's trip to the UK. On today's show:

Canada's Public Safety Minister says he has no plans to resign. This comes after a leaked recording of Gary Anandasangaree recently surfaced, in which he said the federal gun buy-back program is only going forward because of political pressure in Quebec. On today's show

This morning in New York, U,S, President Donald Trump chastised world leaders and the United Nations for their handling of a variety of global issues from global security to immigration to climate change. On today's show:

Amid a protracted trade war with the United States, Pierre Poilievre says Canada shouldn’t settle for a deal that includes sectoral tariffs. Listen to the full interview with Poilievre discussing the trade war, the Canadian economy, the 2025 federal budget and his upcoming leadership review. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Contributors from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the top stories of the week. Today's edition features Hill and Knowlton senior vice-president Chris Day and Northstar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover. Topic 1: The House of Commons is back in session. So is the leader of Canada's Conservatives. And now, we have a date for the Fall Budget. We deliver the key takeaways from Week 1, and the narratives to keep in mind as the Fall Session carries on. Topic 2: The United States has officially triggered a review of CUSMA. What happens next? Topic 3: A few days ago, ABC took Jimmy Kimmel Live off the airwaves indefinitely, as the late-night host got into some hot water. But according to reports, they might have a change of heart if he promises to 'turn the temperature down'. This comes months after Stephen Colbert's late-night program was scheduled for the guillotine. What does this tell us about the future of late-night comedy? Topic 4: Living in a world with A.I. friends - Yay or Nay? Topic 5: As more and more Beer Stores become obsolete, we need new places to bring our unwanted empties. Should beer always be sold in a bottle?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has traveled to Mexico to meet with President Claudia Sheinbaum as the US has officially launched the review of the Canada U.S. Mexico Trade Agreement. On today's show:

The Bank of Canada has lowered its overnight rate to 2.5 percent, the first cut since March. Vassy Kapelos speaks with BMO Chief Economist Doug Porter about what the move means for the Canadian economy. On today's show:

Federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned from Mark Carney's Cabinet, shifting gears as Canada's Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with CTV National News correspondent Colton Praill. On today's show:

Canadian MPs have returned to Ottawa for the Fall sitting of Parliament. Vassy Kapelos breaks down what's on the agenda and what's at stake for, not only the government, but for the opposition parties as well. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Contributors from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the top stories of the week. Today's edition features Kathleen Monk, a former Director of Communications to NDP leader Jack Layton, and Brian Clow, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Topic 1: Reaction and analysis to Mark Carney’s major projects. Topic 2: Is Mark Carney the Prime Minister he promised to be? Topic 3: A tale of two economies - Why one Canadian says he can’t afford to move back to Toronto. Topic 4: Did Europe go too far by banning gel nail polish? Topic 5: Is the Royal Family still relevant in 2025?

Prime Minister Mark Carny has unveiled a list of major projects the government is prioritizing to bolster the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs. On today's show:

Poland says 19 Russian military drones violated its air space during a wave of Russian strikes on neighbourhing Ukraine. Vassy Kapelos speaks with Global Affairs Institute fellow Andrew Rasiulis about the implications of this international incident. On today's show:

The Liberal caucus is gathering for meetings in Edmonton this week before heading back to the House of Commons on Monday. CTV National News correspondent Abigail Bimman joins us with the real-time developments. On today's show:

Neither Prime Minister Mark Carney nor Industry Minister Melanie Joly will say whether or not the federal government is still committed to Canadas 2030 and 2035 emissions reductions targets following a pause on the EV sales mandate announced last week. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Contributors from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the top stories of the week. Today's edition features Jeff Rutledge from McMillan Vantage and Michelle Cadario from Rubicon Strategy. Topic 1: Everything you need to know from this week's Liberal Cabinet retreat. Topic 2: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre calls on the feds to scrap the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. Did his public safety priorities win anyone over? Topic 3: The debate around Canadian crime, bail reform, and self-defense laws. Topic 4: The NDP amps up its search for a new federal party leader. Topic 5: Are you pulling back on luxury spending?

It's Day 2 of the federal cabinet retreat, and ministers are facing questions about how the Liberals will both reign in the defecit and meet new spending promises. On today's show:

Prime Minister Mark Carney has gathered his cabinet in Toronto to plan strategy ahead of Parliament's return on September 15. Guest host Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos. On today's show: