The Vassy Kapelos Show

Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos and rings in the new year! On today's show... A violent attack in New Orleans has left over a dozen people dead. We bring you the latest developments from the FBI in Hour 1, and we get instant reaction from national security expert John Gilmour. A group of Quebec Liberals are now calling for Prime Minister Trudeau's resignation, a once-quiet nationwide plea that could soon transform into a deafening roar. Laura Stone of The Globe and Mail has the latest on that. As a new year begins, intimate partner violence remains a disturbing problem in Canadian society. A pair of incidents during the Christmas holidays has fueled the fire for change once again. Canada's immigration rules are changing in 2025. How drastic are they?

Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos, who continues her Christmas holidays. On today's show... The Conservatives and Liberals are ramping up their political messaging, as Canada prepares for a federal election in 2025. How soon could we have one? The feds plan to extend the deadline for claiming charitable donations on tax returns. If approved, it would run until the end of February. Does that move the needle enough? It's been 50 years since Canada embraced the Metric system. Do you like it or should we ditch it? Carleton University professor Ian Lee provides his financial outlook for 2025, and explains how a series of economic and political variables will impact the Canadian landscape. Look out for the NoroVirus! It's quickly surging across the United States. We explain the best ways to protect yourself from catching it.

Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos, as we slowly recover from the mid-week turkey comas. On today's show... Public historian Arthur Milnes reflects on the life and legacy of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away months after celebrating his 100th birthday. Barry McLoughlin of Transformational Leadership Consultants recaps the biggest political headlines of 2024, and looks ahead to a series of pivotal issues that Canadian leaders will have to deal with in 2025. Lachine Mayor Maja Vodanovic explains why it's getting tougher for Quebec to recruit politicians. TSN 1200 play-by-play voice AJ Jakubec recaps a stunning defeat for Canada over the weekend, as Latvia pulls off a post-Christmas miracle. It's been almost 25 years since Y2K. Where were you when it happened? The best ways to make New Year's resolutions.

Free For All Friday – Hour 1 Guest host Tim Powers breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada’s top newsmakers. On today’s show: CTV's Jeremie Charron tees up a pivotal meeting between some of Canada's top Cabinet voices and members of Donald Trump's team. Dr. Richard Bazinet explains how we can maintain a healthy diet during the endless temptations of Christmas and New Year's. TSN's Matt Cauz recaps a strong showing for Team Canada at the 2025 World Juniors. Free For All Friday – Hour 2 Political pundits from across the country join guest host Tim Powers to dissect this week's Top 5 stories. Closing out the final edition of 2024 is Conaptus founder Jamie Ellerton, Niipaawi founder Cam Holmstrom, and NorthStar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover. Topic 1: Another key meeting between members of Canada's Cabinet and members of Donald Trump's team. Topic 2: A late-January non-confidence vote that the Conservatives might be planning. Topic 3: Recapping the top stories of 2024. Topic 4: Trying to predict the top stories of 2025. Topic 5: Managing healthy diets during the holidays and preparing your New Year's resolutions.

Eric Ham, CTV U.S. Political Analyst joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss the recent string of posts from the president-elect and his son referencing Canada as the '51st state'.  On todays show: David Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada joins guest host Tim Powers to give an update on where in Canada will have a white Christmas.  Laura Stone, Queen’s Park reporter with The Globe and Mail joins guest host Tim Powers to have a year in review of Ontario politics.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Carlene Variyan, Associate Vice-President of Summa Strategies and Neil Brodie, Conservative Strategist.  Carmen Lau, Senior International Advocacy Associate At Hong Kong Democracy Council, Former Elected District Councillor Of Hong Kong. joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss how Hong Kong issued arrest warrants and bail for her earlier in the day. 

Mike Le Couteur, Senior political correspondent with CTV News joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss the growing calls from within the Liberal party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down. On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with President-elect Trump's new border czar Tom Homan as they sat down for an exclusive interview on CTV's Power Play. Mark Masters, TSN Reporter joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss Team Canada's current standing in the World Juniors.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Andrew Perez and Jason Lietar.  Dr. Janine Hubbard, Clinical Psychologist based in St. John’s, Newfoundland joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss the importance of mental health and wellness.  Richard Crouse, Movie Critic joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss his best and worst movie picks of 2024. 

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: Canada's Prime Minister is rearranging his Cabinet ahead of the Christmas Break. CTV political analyst Tom Mulcair and Wright Strategies founder Kim Wright explain what Friday's changes could tell us about Justin Trudeau's next move. Our relationship with technology is constantly changing, and look no further than 2024 for some reasonable proof of that. Tech analyst Carmi Levy digests some of this year's top tech stories. Free For All Friday – Hour 2 Political pundits from across the country join Amanda Galbraith to dissect this week's Top 5 stories. Closing out the pre-Christmas episode is Winston Wilmont President Chris Day and Laura D'Angelo of Enterprise Canada. Topic 1: Prime Minister Trudeau rearranges the Cabinet chairs again Topic 2: Trudeau's best efforts to roll with the punches might result in a knockout punch from the Opposition, as the NDP threatens to topple the Liberals and force an early election Topic 3: Predicting the top political headlines for 2025 Topic 4: Do today's kids have coping problems? Topic 5: Christmas traditions

The past 12 months have been, to put it one way, absolutely bananas. The events of the past 7 days is further proof of that. On Friday, Canada's Prime Minister prepares to shuffle his Cabinet. But what can we expect as 2025 finally arrives? Joining us for a 4-part Daily Debrief Panel is Toronto Star reporter Robert Benzie, who works at Queen's Park alongside Globe and Mail reporter Laura Stone. She is Globe and Mail colleagues with senior political reporter Marieke Walsh. In Hour 2, we spread some Christmas cheer with our Christmas Angel segment. Then, we talk science with CTV's Dan Riskin. After that, we talk a little bit of tech with tech expert Carmi Levy. And finally, we turn things over to the listeners, who deliver their bold predictions for 2025. On behalf of the entire team at the Vassy Kapelos Show, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Listen to Vassy's full conversations with Liberal MP's Wayne Long and Ken Hardie as they call for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down.  On todays show: Frank McKenna, Former Canadian Ambassador to the United States joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss President-elect Trump's latest social media comments about Canada becoming the 51st state.  Jonathan Malloy, Professor of political science at Carleton University joins host Vassy Kapelos to answer this weeks 'The Explainer' question on what were to happen if the Prime Minister were to resign, and how prorogation works.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Kory Teneycke, Kathleen Monk, and Scott Reid.  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on the federal governments new plan to amplify border security. 

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Liberal MP Antony Housefather & Liberal MP Helena Jaczek as they call for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stepped down.  On todays show: Vassy takes your calls on texts on if Justin Trudeau should remain on as leader of the Liberal party.  Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss the newly tabled fall economic statement which reports a deficit of $61.9-billion for 2023-24. The Daily Debrief Panel with Shakir Chambers, Saeed Selvam, and Shachi Kurl.  Bill Browder, CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, which was the investment adviser to the largest foreign investment fund in Russia until 2005, and close colleagues with Chrystia Freeland joins Vassy to give his reaction to her stepping down. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced she's resigning from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet hours before she was set to table the fall economic update. Lori Turnbull, Professor of Political Science at Dalhousie University joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss.  On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Bill Morneau, Former Finance Minister as they discuss whether or not there will be consequences if the deficit is above the projected $40.1 billion. Missy Cummings, one of the Navy’s first female fighter pilots, Professor and Director of Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss the mysterious drones reported over the East Coast.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Zain Velji and Tom Mulcair.  Colton Praill, CTV National News Correspondent joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss where things stand as we enter the lockup for the fall economic statement. 

Free For All Friday – Hour 1 Host Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada’s top newsmakers. On today’s show: Bruce Winder, Retail Analyst and Author, on the upcoming GST holiday Bacchus Barua, Director, Health Policy Studies, The Fraser Institute, on a new report showing record-long healthcare wait times in Canada Dan Kelly, President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, on a potential inquiry into Canada Post negotiations as the strike continues Free For All Friday – Hour 2 Hosts from all over the country join the roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week. This week’s panel features host Amanda Galbraith; Garry Keller, Vice President of StrategyCorp; and Karen Restoule, VP at Crestview Strategy and Senior Fellow at the MacDonald Laurier Institute. Topic 1: Labour minister says Canada Post workers could soon be forced back to work – is this the right answer? Is it coming too late? Topic 2: Let’s go over the latest on tariffs, Trump, Trudeau, tariffs, premiers, and more Topic 3: The GST/HST holiday begins Saturday – do you think this will be effective? Could it have been implemented better? Topic 4: Trudeau makes fresh bid to recruit Mark Carney amid tensions with Freeland – worst breakup in history --What’s the worst, longest, or most extensive breakup you’ve had? What’s the deal with this one? Topic 5: Do you have a holiday purchase you’ve been saving for the GST break?

Guest host Amanda Galbraith speaks with Jim Bookbinder, Professor of Management Science at the University of Waterloo, on the logistical challenges. On today's show: Bob Fife, Ottawa Bureau Chief, The Globe and Mail, on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly once again making overtures to Mark Carney Michael Jarman, the 2024 Microsoft Excel World Championships, explains competitive spreadsheet work and how he got involved Phil Gurski, President and CEO, Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting — former CSIS Senior Analyst, on the latest in Syria and potential ISIS threats as prisoners get released The Daily Debrief Panel with Laura Stone, Queen's Park Reporter, The Globe and Mail and Marieke Walsh, Senior Political Reporter, The Globe and Mail Peter Brown, Canada Research Chair in Meteor Astronomy and Professor at Western University, on the peak of the Geminid meteor shower this weekend

Vassy Kapelos speaks to economist Moshe Lander on the impact of this decision and risk of potential US tariffs going into 2025. On today’s show: Jim Gallant (Negotiator with Canadian Union of Postal Works) and Jon Hamilton (Vice President of Canada Post) on the ongoing strike impasse The Explainer: Paul Daly, Chair in Administrative Law and Governance at the University of Ottawa explains what a crown corporation is and why we use them The Daily Debrief Panel with Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin; Jamie Ellerton, Principal at Conaptus Ltd; Kathleen Monk, Principal Owner of Monk + Associates and former director of communications to Jack Layton. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on efforts to connect with American politicians amid looming tariff threat Have your say on the potential budget deficit for the federal government

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Rechie Valdez Minister of Small Business of Canada as they discuss the GST holiday measures being passed in the house and how they come with concerns from small business owners that it won't lead to higher sales. On todays show:  John Manley, Former Minister of Finance, Chair of Jefferies Securities and Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP joins host Vassy Kapelos to look ahead to the tabling of the fall economic statement next Monday, as well as the interest rate decision set to be released by the Bank of Canada tomorrow.  Tim Perry, President, Air Line Pilots Association in Canada and Nick von Schoenberg, President, Canadian Air Traffic Control Association joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how Canada’s commercial pilots and air traffic controllers are urging the government to launch a review of the aviation sector. The Daily Debrief Panel with Shachi Kurli, Shakir Chambers, and Saeed Selvam.  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Vic Fedeli Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade of Ontario as they discuss Ontario's trade mission to Washington as Trump doubles down on tariff threats.

Vassy Kapelos speaks Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen. On today’s show: Steven Flisfeder, Meteorologist, Environment Canada on messy winter weather heading to Ontario and Quebec Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President, Mission, Research and Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society, on a new reporting unpacking growing costs for cancer care David Coletto, CEO, Abacus Data, on new polling numbers showing the Conservatives maintaining a comfortable lead The Daily Debrief Panel with Tom Mulcair, CTV Political Analyst and Former NDP Leader; Tim Powers, Chairman of Summa Strategies and managing director of Abacus Data.

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith, a massive Detroit Lions fan, recaps the top stories of the week with the biggest newsmakers. Starting things off is Bell Media crime expert Mark Mendelson, as he delivers his two cents on Canada's new gun control measures. It comes on the eve of 35 years since the Polytechnique massacre. Here to comment on that horrific event is Mitzie Hunter, the President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Joining the show for an extensive debate is CTV political analyst Tom Mulcair and Tim Powers of Summa Strategies. Topic 1: Canada has expanded its list of banned firearms. Did they do enough in their latest series of gun control measures? Topic 2: A vibe check on Canadian affordability. Topic 3: Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pledging tough new legislation to dismantle homeless encampments. Topic 4: Airline carry-ons and Christmas shopping.

Vassy Kapelos speaks with Transportation Minister Anita Anand and then you have your say on both the airline's decision and government response. On today’s show: Ted Mallett, Director of Economic Forecasting, Conference Board of Canada, on the incoming interest rate decision and fall economic statement The Daily Debrief Panel with Robert Benzie, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star; Marieke Walsh, senior political reporter with The Globe and Mail; Mike Le Couteur, Senior Political Correspondent, CTV National News Dr. John Moores, a planetary scientist, author of Day Dreaming in the Solar System, on NASA's updated plans and timeline for Artemis missions to the moon CTV’s Washington bureau chief Joy Malbon on the latest details following the murder of UnitedHeathcare's CEO in New York City

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Kirsten Hillman, Canadian Ambassador to the United States as they discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's quip about Canada becoming the 51st state and the tariff threat. On todays show: Tiffany Houston, Chief Executive Officer, The Shine Foundation and Heather Morley, CEO, Inn from the Cold join Vassy to discuss how the Canada Post strike is affecting charities in Canada. David Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada joins Vassy to answer this weeks ‘The Explainer’ question “what is La Niña and El Niño and why are we still talking about how they affect our weather?”. The Daily Debrief Panel with Kathleen Monk, Kory Teneycke, and Michele Cadario.  Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada joins Vassy to discuss how the South Korean president faces impeachment vote as defence minister offers to resign.

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc as he says the government has a 'much better idea' of American concerns after meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's conversations with John Hamilton, Spokesperson with Canada Post and Jim Gallant, Negotiator, CUPW on how negotiations between Canada Post and the union are still on hold. Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Pediatrician and Medical Officer of Health, Eastern Ontario Health unit joins Vassy to discuss how walking pneumonia cases are surging in Ontario children. The Daily Debrief Panel with Shakir Chambers, Shachi Kurl, and Saeed Selvam.  Jessica Smith, Weather Anchor, CTV Toronto joins Vassy for a weather outlook for all of Canada.