The Vassy Kapelos 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: Last Friday, we got word from Parliament Hill that bail reform legislation would be forthcoming. Yesterday, the Carney Liberals delivered specifics. Chris Lewis, CTV's public safety analyst and a former OPP Commissioner himself, weighs in. Canada's Auto sector keeps taking hits, and U.S. President Trump's abrupt decision to cancel trade discussions isn't helping matters. We dig deeper with Flavio Volpe, the President of the Automotive Parts and Manufacturers Association of Canada. The 2025 World Series is kicking off tonight, as Canada's Team takes on an American juggernaut from Hollywood. CTV's Kamil Karamali dissects the official lineups and the Game 1 vibes from Rogers Centre. 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 Conaptus principal Jamie Ellerton. Topic 1: An Ontario government advertisement on American airwaves has triggered the U.S. President. And now, trade talks with Canada have been abruptly suspended by the American side. Was this a fumble by Premier Ford, and how should our country respond? Topic 2: Earlier this week at UOttawa, Prime Minister Carney delivered a tee-up of the upcoming Federal Budget. What do we make of the overall messaging, and the rebuttal from the opposing parties? Topic 3: A very challenging week for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, from his harsh RCMP-targeted criticisms to the potential in-party divide it has caused. Topic 4: The 2025 World Series kicks off tonight and Canada's Team will be taking part! Will you be watching the Fall Classic? And if you planned on attending one of the games in Toronto, did the absurd resale prices turn you off?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has outlined his governments priorities for the upcoming federal budget. On today's show:

Prime Minister Carney will outline his government's vision for the 2025 federal budget tonight in Ottawa. Tim Powers guest hosts. On today's show:

Government house leader Steve MacKinnon says he's worried by comments from opposition leaders about the upcoming confidence vote on the 2025 federal budget. On today's show:

India's new High Commissioner to Canada addresses the allegations that the state of India was involved in an assassination plot against a Canadian Sikh activist and the ongoing effort to normalize diplomatic relations between Canada and India. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Mark Twohey, filling in for Amanda Galbraith, breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Next week, the Carney Liberals will be introducing changes to Canada’s bail reform system. Will these changes withstand a Charter challenge? Mark Mendelson, a former homicide detective, delivers his two cents. Earlier this week, Stellantis announced plans to move production of the Jeep Compass E.V. plant. It was originally planned for Brampton, but it will now be situated in Illinois, creating over 3,000 U.S. jobs and putting over 3,000 Canadian jobs in limbo. With no relief on U.S. tariffs currently in the cards, is this the beginning of the end for Canada’s Auto sector? What would it mean for the national economy if Canada didn’t make cars anymore? We chat with Christopher Worswick, a Professor of Economics at Carleton University. Canadian Tire is bringing back the HBC points blankets. All proceeds will be directed to Indigenous-led initiatives. Do you have one? Would you buy one now? Mark opens the phone lines and takes your calls. 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 Strategy Corp senior vice-president Garry Keller and NorthStar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover. Topic 1: Ontario's Premier wants Canada to hit back against the United States if no trade deal can be reached, but Canada's Prime Minister says it's not appropriate if both sides are talking. Should Canada revert back to the 'Elbows Up' approach? If not now, then when? Topic 2: As Doug Ford describes his run-in with a Home Depot shoplifter, the leader of the Ontario NDP wants him to spend less time calling out bandits and more time protecting Ontario jobs. Topic 3: Ontario has officially assumed control of five provincial school boards in 2025. Do we need school boards anymore? Topic 4: Canada Post workers are back on the job. Well, sort of. Is this the first signs of a death rattle from Canada's biggest courier? Topic 5: Do you have a detailed grasp of all your pre-authorized payments? How do you keep track?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced his government will table legislation next week that will amend Canada's Criminal Code to strengthen sentences and bail conditions for certain crimes. On today's show:

Stellantis has announced it will move Jeep Compass production slated for its Brampton factory to Illinois as a result of U.S. auto tariffs. On today's show:

China's ambassador to Canada says his country would drop tariffs on Canadian agriculture, if Canada dropped tariffs on Chinese EVs. 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 Wright Strategies founder Kim Wright. Topic 1: Prime Minister Carney went to Washington, but didn't come home with a trade deal. Was this week's trek to D.C. a failure for Canada? Topic 2: As the NDP leadership race heats up, could a worker-focused voice for the Orange Crush serve as a threat to Poilievre's union voter coalition? Topic 3: Today is World Mental Health Day, and young Canadians are less happy than ever. Topic 4: Should today’s banks be required to put more safety features around e-transfers? Or should people just pay attention and be responsible? Topic 5: Your favourite Canadian Thanksgiving traditions.

B.C. Premier David Eby joined Vassy Kapelos to outline his concerns with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's proposed pipeline, fearing it might jeopardize LNG Phase 2 and other critical projects. You'll hear the full conversation right off the top. Andrew Scheer, the House Leader for Canada's Conservatives, also chimes in. On today's show:

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with U.S. President Donald Trump in D.C. today, with Trump hinting that Canada won't leave negotiations empty-handed. On today's show:

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to head to Washington for his second face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump as his government holds out hope for a tariff relief deal. 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 Sabrina Grover from NorthStar Public Affairs. Topic 1: Prime Minister Carney goes to Washington next week to meet with U.S. President Trump. What's at stake during this visit? Should we expect any significant announcements from either side? Topic 2: Alberta's Premier proposes a heavy-oil pipeline, with no private company backing it. Is a battle slowly brewing, and between whom? Topic 3: The U.S. Defense Secretary and his anti-woke military overhaul. Topic 4: Minimum wage goes up in Ontario, as well as 4 other provinces. What could you buy with an hour's work back in the day? What about now? Topic 5: As the battle over Daylight Savings Time persists, is one side about to blink first?

Guest host Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos, as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith launches a bid to get a new oil pipeline approved, even without a private sector partner. On today's 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: