The Vassy Kapelos Show

Scott Reid guest hosts for Vassy Kapelos today. On today's show: Is a resolution between Russia and Ukraine as close as America's President thinks it is? CTV's Mike LeCouteur analyzes a crazy year in news. Then, Scott opens the phone lines and gathers your thoughts. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Saeed Selvam and Jeff Rutledge. Tech Check with tech analyst Carmi Levy: Did you know that Canadians are one of OnlyFans' top customers? Movie critic Richard Crouse sifts through the best (and worst) flicks that 2025 had to offer. A snapshot of this year's World Juniors, and what's at stake for Canada, with technical producer Stephen Ellsworth.

Tim Powers guest hosts for Vassy Kapelos, as Santa Claus hits the skies for his annual Christmas Eve pilgrimage. On today's show: The cost-of-living crisis is hitting Canadian charities hard this holiday season. Lt-Colonel John Murray from the Salvation Army outlines the bigger picture for us. As we inch closer to the holidays, that means more free time to read a book or catch up on this year's top flicks. So in the spirit of this festive season, CTV movie critic Richard Crouse delivers his top picks from 2025. Travel expert Barry Choi explains how we can conquer our holiday nerves and avoid the airport meltdowns. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Jeff Rutledge and Stephanie Levitz. It's the 25th anniversary of the Bell Capital Cup, which means it's time to check in with Tournament Manager Mark Sluban!

Tim Powers guest hosts for Vassy Kapelos today. On today's show: Who will be getting a White Christmas in Canada? Doug Gillham, a Senior Meteorologist at The Weather Network, makes a list and checks it twice. The Carney government has announced a $35.5 billion plan to reform the First Nations child welfare system. We gather instant reaction from Francis Verreault-Paul, the Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief for Quebec. Retail analyst Bruce Winder takes a look at this year's holiday shopping trends. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Jordan Paquet and Sharan Kaur. Canadian comedian Mark Critch explores and breaks down the great Newfoundland tradition of 'Tibb's Eve'. TSN's Gord Wilson previews the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship, which is set to take place in Minnesota.

Tim Powers guest hosts for Vassy Kapelos today. On today's show: Dr. Isaac Bogoch reacts to concerning new data about this year's flu season. CTV U.S. political analyst Eric Ham on the latest escalation in USA-Venezuela tensions. Tech Check with tech expert Carmi Levy: A San Francisco power outage leaves Waymo's self-driving cars stranded at intersections. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Garry Keller and Sabrina Grover. Nick Saul, the CEO of Right To Food Canada, talks about food insecurity at the holidays. TSN's Dean Brown reacts to Sidney Crosby becoming the Pittsburgh Penguins' all-time leading scorer, a record that was previously held by franchise icon Mario Lemieux.

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: Starting in January, Canada will formally converse with America and Mexico in the hopes of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Deal. What’s at stake for the Canadian economy during next year’s CUSMA review? We dig deeper with international trade lawyer Robert Glasgow. Six months ago, Pablo Rodriguez became the leader of the Quebec Liberals. Six months later, he was forced to resign over an alleged vote-buying scandal during the leadership race. What does his sudden resignation mean for the Quebec Liberals, the looming provincial election, and separatism in Quebec? Here to speak on that is André Pratte, a former Canadian Senator and a former Chair of the Quebec Liberal Party Policy Committee. In 2025, we saw 3 shades of Canada’s Conservatives. We saw the good, the bad, and the ugly. Joining us for an in-depth analysis is former Conservative MP Lisa Raitt, who also served as a Cabinet Minister under the Harper government. 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 Henley Strategies founder Laryssa Waller and former Justin Trudeau Deputy Chief of Staff Brian Clow. Topic 1: This year's biggest story in the Canadian political arena, and the headlines to watch as we look ahead to 2026. Topic 2: The most overplayed story of 2025, the worst political gaffe of 2025, and the headlines that flew under the radar. Topic 3: The most surprising political moment of 2025, the most successful political operator, and who made 2025’s ‘naughty list’. Topic 4: Ranking the best 'kicker stories' of 2025. From the entire Free For All Friday team, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, and we'll talk again in 2026!

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?