The Vassy Kapelos Show

In this special year-end edition, Vassy Kapelos takes a look back at the top stories of 2025. On today's show: Mike LeCouteur, Brian Platt, and Rob Benzie join the show for an extended Daily Debrief Panel, as we re-examine the most pivotal moments in Canadian politics over the past 12 months. CTV U.S. political analyst Eric Ham evaluates President Trump's primetime address, and the key takeaways from Wednesday's message as we head into 2026. Carmi Levy tackles the top A.I. stories of 2025. A batch of holiday cooking tips with Montreal-born chef Chuck Hughes. Movie critic Richard Crouse reflects on the top entertainment stories of 2025.

Provincial and territorial leaders will meet with Prime Minister Carney tomorrow for the first time since a contentious MOU on energy production was signed between the feds and the Alberta government. On today's show: The federal government's 'Buy Canadian' procurement policy is officially in effect. Vassy chats with Canadian Procurement Minister Joel Lightbound. Vassy interviews Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada about the ongoing efforts to end a bloody war with Russia. The Explainer with infectious disease expert Dr. Dale Kalina-Samji: What should you do if you get the flu? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo, Jeff Rutledge, and Stephanie Levitz. Vassy speaks with Rick Smith, the President of the Canadian Climate Institute, about the Carney government's climate policy. Quebec Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez, who was once a Liberal MP under the Trudeau regime, will be stepping down from his provincial post amid a string of recent controversies. We gather instant reaction from CTV political analyst Tom Mulcair.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre says he won't step down ahead of his leadership review in January, even if another MP crosses the floor to hand the Carney Liberals a majority. Vassy Kapelos sits down with Poilievre for a year-end discussion. On today's show: Money Talk with John Klotz: How did we fare financially in 2025, and what should we be preparing for in 2026? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Graham Richardson, Sharan Kaur, and Laryssa Waler. Vassy speaks with former diplomat Michael Kovrig about the conviction of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Brian Kingston, the President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, discusses the implications of Ontario's Premier pivoting away from Ontario's E.V. business.

At least 15 people were killed, and another 27 were hospitalized, following a mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Sunday's horrific scene is being treated as a terrorist incident by authorities, who say the two shooters targeted Jewish Australians at a Hanukkah celebration. We gather the latest developments from CTV's Scott Hurst. On today's show: Legendary movie director Carl Reiner and his wife were found dead in their L.A. home on Sunday, allegedly murdered by their own son. Consumer inflation for November held at 2.2%, but grocery prices continue to increase. Vassy's year-end interview with Interim NDP Leader Don Davies. Delaware Governor Matt Meyer joins Vassy to discuss the ripple effects of today's tariffs, particularly in his own backyard. Tech Check with Carmi Levy: An experiment to train rats to play games reaches a new level. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Zain Velji, Tom Mulcair, and Tim Powers. Vassy speaks with political scientist and author Alex Marland about the implications of Conservative floor-crossing.

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: Another Conservative MP has crossed the floor to join Carney's Liberals, leaving the Red Team one MP shy of a majority government. CTV political analyst Scott Reid takes it all in. The federal government says construction on a high-speed rail between Ottawa and Montreal will begin in 2029. Amanda goes 1-on-1 with Martin Imbleau, the CEO of Alto. A potential Netflix merger with Warner Brothers is poised to shakeup the entire Entertainment industry, with real-life impacts to TV fans and film connoisseurs. And we are in for an epic plot twist if another streaming service enters this war. Movie critic Richard Crouse chimes in with his two cents. 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 Selvam Public Relations president Saeed Selvam and McMillan Vantage vice-president Jeff Rutledge. Topic 1: Breaking down the implications of a second Conservative floor-crossing. Topic 2: The House of Commons has risen for 2025. What did the Carney government accomplish? Topic 3: Is high-speed rail between Ontario and Quebec a national priority? Topic 4: Marco Rubio makes a stand on font types. Topic 5: Has corporate jargon gone too far?

Stefan Keyes is filling in for Vassy Kapelos, who will return on Monday. On today's show: Floodwaters and landslides are wreaking havoc on parts of British Columbia. Environment Canada senior climatologist David Phillips delivers the details. America has seized a Venezuelan oil tanker in the latest stretch of tension escalations. CTV U.S. political analyst Eric Ham reacts to Venezuela's response. Later in the show, we pick the brain of Retired Major-General David Fraser. Foreigners who are allowed to visit the U.S. without a visa could soon be required to submit personal information to Homeland Security, ranging from their social media accounts to extensive family history. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Jordan Paquet, Saeed Selvam, and Mike LeCouteur. Canadians say holiday impaired driving is getting worse, and most want to see more checkpoints.

Canada's representative in Washington, Kirstin Hillman, is stepping down after spending 6 years on the job. We gather reaction and analysis as the show unfolds. On today's show: Vassy chats with Microsoft President Brad Smith about the company's A.I. investment in Canada, as well as today's data sovereignty. The Explainer with Gladstone A.I. co-founder Jeremie Harris: Are today's A.I. fears overblown? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo, Stephanie Levitz, and Sebastian Skamski. Bob Rae, Canada's former Ambassador to the United Nations, outlines his concerns surrounding the new U.S. National Security Strategy. Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon is accusing the Conservatives of blocking the government's legislative agenda, as the House of Commons gets set to rise for the Winter Break.

The Carney government will not be voting for a Conservative motion which, if approved, would put all MPs on-the-record over the Alberta pipeline MOU. In passing, they also accused the Tories of playing politics weeks before the Christmas season. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer explains why the motion was delivered to the House of Commons today. On today's show: Vassy speaks with former Washington Post columnist Philip Bump about a batch of U.S. military footage, and how the U.S. President plans to handle it. Back on September 2nd, a military strike was aimed at an alleged drug-smuggling boat, and footage of that strike was expected to be released at some point. However, Donald Trump says that is no longer the case. Money Talk with John Klotz: How do you know if you're able to retire in 2026? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laryssa Waler, Sharan Kaur, and Nojoud Al Mallees. Housing expert Mike Moffatt explains how the Carney Liberals' housing policy matches up against the party's 2025 campaign promises. CTV's Judy Trinh has the latest on the federal government's reaction to the new U.S. National Security Strategy.

It's the final sitting week of 2025 for the House of Commons, and the stage is set for one last showdown on pipeline politics. On today's show: Vassy speaks with Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu about the Algoma steel layoffs and the federal support for affected workers. Trevor Halford, the new interim leader of the B.C. Conservative Party, discusses his party's future following the resignation of now-former leader John Rustad. Tech Check with Carmi Levy: What Netflix's merger with Warner Bros. really means for Hollywood. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Sabrina Grover, Tom Mulcair, and Tim Powers. Green Party leader Elizabeth May says she will no longer support the Carney government in confidence votes following the Alberta pipeline MOU. CTV's Scott Hurst has the latest on a possible strike by Air Transat pilots, as a busy holiday travel season quickly ramps up.

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: The FIFA World Cup Draw is unfolding right as we hit the airwaves! But as the biggest worldwide faces gather in Washington, it's not all about soccer. Bob Richardson, a public affairs consultant, unveils the bigger picture at play. What’s at stake for Canada in the ongoing CUSMA review? We dig deeper with Goldy Hyder, the President and CEO for the Business Council of Canada. Tech analyst Carmi Levy reacts to Australia's U16 social media ban, and explains why 2025 is the year of 'Gen Beta'. 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 Texture Communications president Melanie Paradis and CTV News political analyst Scott Reid. Topic 1: The CUSMA review is officially underway, as preliminary public hearings kick off in Washington. Topic 2: Is the 'pay to play' economy coming back to bite Canada's rear-end? Topic 3: How does the panacea of climate change factor into the present-day Canadian political equation? Topic 4: Is co-hosting the FIFA World Cup a worthwhile endeavour for Canada? Topic 5: Based on your Spotify playlist, how old are you?