The Vassy Kapelos Show

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: David Fraser, Former Commander of NATO Forces in Southern Afghanistan and CTV Military Analyst joins Amanda to go over the latest on Russia/Ukraine. David Coletto, founder, Chair and CEO of Abacus Data joins Amanda to discuss the recent uptick in the polls for the Liberal party. Richard Crouse, Film Critic joins Amanda to tell us the best movies to set the mood for valentines day. 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 show features panelists Laryssa Waler, founder of Henley Strategies, former head of communications for Doug Ford, Kim Wright, Principal and Founder, Wright Strategies and Jennifer Madigan, Chief Operating Officer, Syntax Strategic. PANEL TOPICS: Topic 1: Premiers hail 'constructive' meeting as they lobby against tariffs – What now? Have we seen success with the ‘Team Canada’ approach? Is negotiating with Trump possible? Topic 2:   Leger and Abacus polling from this week. Leger is showing an upward swings for the Liberals, specifically on dealing with the U.S – is this significant? Topic 3:  The return of patriotism - Canadians have been feeling more patriotic since the tariff threats. Do you feel more patriotic after what’s been happening? In light of that, what should we be doing to better embody patriotism? Or is all that matters unity?

David Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada joins guest host Tim Powers to give the latest outlook on the massive storm front that's rolling through parts of Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.  On todays show:  Eric Ham, CTV U.S. Political Analyst  joins guest host Tim Powers with the latest on how the United States has announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on goods entering the country. James Duthie, Canadian sportscaster for TSN and the host of TSN's hockey coverage joins guest host Tim Powers to go over Team Canada defeating Sweden in first 4 Nations Face-Off game. Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology Specialist joins guest host Tim Powers for his weekly segment 'Talk Science to Me'. The Daily Debrief Panel with Robert Benzie, Laura Stone, and Mike Le Couteur.

Kelsey McEwen, Chief Meteorologist on CTV Your Morning joins host Vassy Kapelos to provide an update on the winter Armageddon that is sweeping through Canada. On todays show:  Judy Trinh, CTV National News Correspondent joins Vassy live from Washington D.C to provide an update on Canada’s 13 premieres in DC to negotiate with the Trump administration. Andrew Enns, Executive Vice-President, Central Canada joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss the recent polling from Leger that shows the Liberals gaining ground on the Conservatives. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious disease physician at the Toronto General Hospital joins for this weeks ‘The Explainer’ segment to discuss the difference between the flu and influenza, and to provide an update on how the flu season is trending. The Daily Debrief Panel with Jeff Ruttledge, Laura D’Angelo, and Joël-Denis Bellavance. Listen to Vassy’s full conversation with Stephen Poloz, Former Governor of the Bank of Canada on what steps Canada should be taking amid Trumps tariff threats.

Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss the recent renewed threats from U.S President Donald Trump, and the decision from Ontario Premiere Doug Ford to call a snap election.  On todays show:  Lana Payne, Unifor National President, Member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss how U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday removed the exceptions and exemptions from his 2018 tariffs on steel, meaning that all steel imports will be taxed at a minimum of 25%. Trump also hiked his 2018 aluminum tariffs to 25% from 10%.  Alex Sirois, Managing partner at Lowertown Brewery and Brad Fennell, Co-Owner, Overflow Brewing Company join guest host Tim Powers to discuss the push for Canadians to 'buy local'. Darren Dreger, TSN Hockey Insider joins guest host Tim Powers to set the stage for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Daily Debrief Panel with Saeed Selvam, George Soule, and Fred DeLorey.   Dr. Christopher Labos, cardiologist and medical writer with a degree in epidemiology and author of Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: And 8 More Myths about the Food We Eat joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss if cocaine is worse for you then whiskey, as the Columbian President claims. 

Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of Canadian Steel Producers Association joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss how these tariffs would affect supply chains and industries that rely on these materials, as well as Canadian consumers.  On todays show:  Eric Ham, CTV U.S. Political Analyst joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss President Trumps renewed threats to acquire Canada as the 51st state.  Jérémie Harris, the co-founder of Gladstone AI, an AI national security company joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying powering AI without compromising climate change is a G7 priority. Bralon Addison, Wide Receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks and football analyst for TSN 1200 joins guest host Tim Powers to recap Super Bowl LIX in which the Philadelphia Eagles beat out Kansas City Chiefs. The Daily Debrief Panel with Kate Harrison, Zain Velji, and Tom Mulcair.  Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology specialist joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss how a group of scientists at Oxford university may have discovered teleportation. Scott Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Invictus Games 2025 Vancouver Whistler joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss the opening weekend for the Invictus Games, the significance of the games to service members, and more. 

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: Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder of Nanos Research joins Amanda to discuss the new polling conducted by Nanos on which leader Canadians would prefer to negotiate with Donald Trump. David Adams, President of the Global Automakers of Canada to discuss what took place at the summit hosted by Justin Trudeau about bolstering the economy in the face of Canada’s rapidly changing relationship with its largest trading partner. TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor joins Amanda live from New Orleans to set the stage for Super Bowl Sunday. 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 show features panelists Sharan Kaur, Former Deputy Chief to Bill Morneau, Chris Day, Senior Vice-President and Ottawa General Manager, Hill and Knowlton and Bob Richardson, senior counsel at National Public Relations. PANEL TOPICS: Topic 1: Canadians pick Mark Carney over Pierre Poilievre, Chrystia Freeland and Karina Gould to negotiate with Donald Trump: Nanos survey Topic 2:  Everything tariffs – We’re in a 30 day reprieve, how should we prepare now? Topic 3:  Ontario Election. All the ingredients to make an interesting dish, but does anyone care?

Listen to Vassy's full interview with Michael Duheme, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on how the RCMP has deployed 35% more personnel to the Canada/US border. On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with International Trade and Economic Development Minister Mary Ng as they discuss negotiating with the U.S. over trade irritants, such as the digital services tax. Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology Specialist joins for his weekly segment 'Talk Science to Me'. The Daily Debrief Panel with Laura Stone, Robert Benzie, and Marieke Walsh. Valerie Plante, Mayor of Montreal joins Vassy to discuss the Big city mayors caucus and to giver her response to the threat of tariffs.

Vassy Kapelos speaks with Aaron Blake, Senior Political Reporter on The Washington Post, on the surprise element on these latest Trump comments and how seriously they ought to be taken moving forward. David Phillips, Senior Climatologist, Environment Canada, on the snow hitting BC and frigid temperatures in the prairies Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on the tariff pause, energy and oil resources, and more. The Explainer:  Richard Masson, Executive fellow at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy and former CEO of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission answers "Why does most of our energy go to the United States?" The Daily Debrief Panel with Amanda Galbraith, Partner and Co-Founder of Oyster Group; Laura D'Angelo, Vice President of National Strategy and Public Affairs; Enterprise Canada; Mike Le Couteur, Senior Political Correspondent, CTV National News Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the tariff pause, energy and oil resources, and more.

Vassy Kapelos speaks with Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, about working to the last deadline of tariffs, Trump's approach moving forward, and how Canadian industry can respond. On today's show: David Phillips, Senior Climatologist, Environment Canada, on the snow hitting BC and frigid temperatures in the prairies Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe weigh in on the pause on tariffs You have your say on the tariff reprieve The Daily Debrief Panel with Shakir Chambers, Vice President of Oyster Group; Saeed Selvam, Vice President of Public Affairs at NATIONAL; and Rachel Aiello, National Correspondent, CTV News Dr. Anna Banerji, Infectious Disease Specialist and Associate Professor in Pediatrics, Infectious Disease, Tropical Medicine, and Public Health at the University of Toronto on what you need to know about bird flu Moshe Lander, Senior Lecturer, Economics, Concordia University, runs a fact check on the trade relationship between Canada and the US

Anil Wasif, Toronto-based economist, manager of the research team at Infrastructure Ontario joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss how understanding why the Trump administration has embraced tariffs is key to developing Canada's response. On todays show: Listen to Vassy's full conversation with with Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc who says he's ‘very pessimistic’ Trump tariffs can be avoided by Tuesday. Carmi Levy, CTV tech expert joins Vassy to discuss how Instagram might work better as a dating app than Tinder.  Matt Skube, CTV News Anchor joins Vassy to provide a weather update as snow continues to barrel down on multiple parts of Canada.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Tim Powers, Zain Velji, and Tom Mulcair.  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Liberal leadership contender Chrystia Freeland who says everything should be on the table when it comes to Canada’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Fill-in host Mark Twohey breaks down the biggest stories with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: In the wake of Wednesday's tragic mid-air plane crash in Washington, are today's air-traffic controllers stretched too thin? We dig deeper with Rob Kokonis, who is the President of AirTrav. As Canada tries to address America's border concerns, are we addressing them incorrectly? Laura Dawson, an Executive Director of the Future Borders Coalition, delivers her two cents. Canadian cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, are getting bigger and bigger. Some argue they are way too full. How can we adapt to this reality? We open the debate floor with Paul Beaudry, a former Deputy Governor at the Bank of Canada. 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 show features Sabrina Grover from NorthStar Public Affairs, Alex Chreston of Crestview Strategy, and Cam Holmstrom of Niipaawi Strategies. Topic 1: NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says he could support the Liberals long enough to support a tariff relief bill. Do you still believe an early election gets called once Parliament returns in late-March? Topic 2: Donald Trump's tariffs, and what the U.S. President really hopes to accomplish. Topic 3: If Doug Ford still wants to lead Canada's rallying cry against the Trump tariffs, is it out of line for him to travel to America and represent Ontario mid-campaign? Topic 4: Does Canada need to mandate a 'common culture'?

Joy Malbon, CTV Washington Bureau Chief joins Vassy live from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with the latest on the fatal collision that took place just outside of Reagan airport leaving all 67 involved dead.  On todays show: Keith Mackey, President, Mackey International Aviation Safety Consultants joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how the deadliest American aviation accident in 40 years may have occurred.  Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology Specialist joins Vassy for his weekly segment 'Talk Science to Me'.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Laura Stone, Robert Benzie, and Marieke Walsh.  Scott Hurst, CTV National News Correspondent joins Vassy to provide the latest on the deadly mid-air collision that happened over Washington late last night. 

Stéfane Marion, Chief Economist and Strategist, National Bank of Canada joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss the Bank of Canada's rate cut, and their warning on the impact of a 25% tariff on Canada's economy.  On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Public Safety Minister David McGuinty about the recommendations in Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue's final report on foreign interference. Vassy Kapelos is joined by Professor Dan Malleck, Chair of the department of health sciences at Brock University, and Director of the Centre for Canadian Studies to help answer this weeks 'The Explainer' question. This weeks question came from Dan on Instagram and read "does alcohol cause cancer?". The Daily Debrief Panel with Sabrina Grover, Jeff Rutledge and Mike Le Couteur. Salam El Mousawi co-founder of Muslim Awareness Week joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how today marks 8 years since a gunman opened fire at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre in which six Canadians died and 19 others were wounded. 

Rachel Aiello, CTV National News Correspondent joins host Vassy Kapelos to give the latest on the final report from the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference. On todays show: Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Alberta Premiere Danielle Smith on the importance of avoiding a trade war with U.S, and her strategy to do so.  Chris Bumbray, Editor-in-Chief of JoBlo.com, and Film Critic with CTV News Channel joins Vassy to discuss the legal battle taking place between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Tim Powers, Shachi Kurl, and Michele Cardario.  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Industry Minister Francois Philippe Champagne on why he is endorsing Mark Carney in the Liberal leadership race.

Rachel Gropper, Co-President of the Montreal Holocaust Museum and a Holocaust survivor joins guest host Tim Powers on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz to reflect on the importance of remembering one of humanities most tragic events.  On todays show:  Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator, and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin joins guest host Tim Powers to chat how the Liberal leadership race is shaping up.  Carmi Levy, Tech Journalist and Analyst joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss the potential of the U.S government or another buyer purchasing TikTok.  The Daily Debrief with Sharan Kaur, Tom Mulcair, and Neil Brodie.  Laura Stone, Queen’s Park reporter with The Globe and Mail to discuss the snap election called by Doug Ford set to take place Wednesday. 

Free For All Friday - Hour 1. Host Deb Hutton breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers.   On today's show: Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association joins Deb to discuss how President Trump tells World Economic Forum U.S. doesn’t need Canadian oil, gas, autos or lumber. Marieke Walsh, senior political reporter with The Globe and Mail joins Deb to discuss how the Liberal party leadership race is playing out. Robert Benzie, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star joins Deb to discuss how Ontario Premiere Doug Ford said there will be an early provincial election next Wednesday.   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 show features panelists Sharan Kaur, Former Deputy Chief to Bill Morneau and Karen Gordon, Principal, Gordon Strategy. PANEL TOPICS: Topic 1: Trump - How do we deal with him, how serious should we be taking his threats? He says the U.S doesn’t need Canada’s lumber or steel. Topic 2: Liberal Leadership - Is distancing from capital gains and carbon working for the Liberals? How do we see the race shaping up now that all Leadership candidates are finalized? Topic 3: Doug Ford set to call snap election next week, sending Ontario voters to the polls Feb. 27 – How is this shaping up, are there downsides? Topic 4: Rapid Fire segment.

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault as they discuss his endorsement of Mark Carney for the Liberal leadership and its implications on carbon pricing in Canada. On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie who says Ontario Premier Doug Ford wants to lead Ontarians into 'an unnecessary and very expensive election.' Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology Specialist joins Vassy for his weekly segment 'Talk Science to Me'. The Daily Debrief Panel with Laura Stone, Robert Benzie, and Mike Le Couteur. Fae Johnstone, Executive Director, Queer Momentum joins Vassy to discuss President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting gender expression to male or female.

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Immigration Minister Marc Miller on how he believes the U.S. is still a safe country as outlined in the terms of the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement. On todays show: Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan who says it's ‘absolutely possible’ to accelerate defence spending timeline. Dr. Mitch Shulman, a CTV Medical Analyst and an emergency medicine specialist joins Vassy to answer this weeks 'The Explainer' question on if coffee is good or bad for you.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Tim Powers, Hannah Thibedeau, and Laura D'Angelo. 

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada and Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada on the Governments strategy to combat the potential 25% tariffs that will be imposed by President Trump on February 1st.  On todays show: Greg Ridge, City Councillor for King’s Town district, Kingston joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how Kingston was the latest Ontario municipality to declare a food insecurity emergency.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Shakir Chambers, Shachi Kurl, and Saeed Selvam. Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist, The Conference Board of Canada joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed in December, and how low interest rate cuts could go if tariffs are applied. 

Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator, and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin and Evan Solomon, Publisher, GZERO Media and Management Committee Member, Eurasia Group join guest host Stefan Keyes to give their reaction to President Trumps inauguration speech.  On todays show:  Mike Le Couteur, Senior Political Correspondent, CTV National News joins guest host Stefan Keyes to discuss what he's been hearing at the Liberal caucus ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Tom Mulcair, Tim Powers, and Zain Velji.  Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor, Ontario joins guest host Stefan Keyes to give his reaction to Trumps new mandates surrounding border security and immigration policies. Andy Smith, Political Science Professor, University Of New Hampshire joins guest host Stefan Keyes to give his reaction to Trumps inauguration speech.