

The Vassy Kapelos Show
iHeartRadio
The top newsmakers, political headlines, your go-to daily debrief. Vassy loves politics and she’ll make sure you do too. The Vassy Kapelos Show will keep you informed through hard-hitting interviews with the major players, entertaining analysis and debate with your favourite pundits and all the details and context you need on breaking news as it comes into our newsroom.
Episodes
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Nov 28, 2025 • 1h 17min
Free For All Friday
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 feds have inked a pipeline MOU with Alberta, but British Columbia still has cold feet. We pick the brain of former B.C. Premier Christy Clark. We analyze the industry side of the pipeline MOU with Richard Masson, an Executive Fellow at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy. He is also a former CEO of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission. Ready or not, here comes the Black Friday madness! Has it changed for the better in recent years? We dig deeper with retail analyst Bruce Winder. 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 vice-president Garry Keller and NorthStar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover. Topic 1: We have a pipeline MOU, but the B.C. government and First Nations groups are far from satisfied. How can we balance the scales enough to make everyone happy? Topic 2: Another member of Carney's Cabinet has headed for the exit sign. Recent rumblings suggest that Steven Guilbeault might not be the last one, either. Is Carney's political acumen about to receive a last-minute test before Christmas? Topic 3: New legislation is about to expand Quebec's secularism rules. Should we expect some federal pushback? Topic 4: Don't wear pajamas on airplanes. The U.S. Transportation Secretary says that dress code is a no-go. Topic 5: If your favourite celebrity or musical artist put a prized possession up for sale, would you buy it no matter the cost?

Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 18min
Feds sign pipeline MOU with Alberta on energy production
Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos today, as the feds sign a pipeline MOU with Alberta on energy production. We gather live reaction from Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith as the show rolls on. On today's show: CTV News political analyst Tom Mulcair, who once served as the leader of Canada's New Democrats, offers his two cents on the pipeline MOU. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Rob Benzie, Laura Stone, and Nick McRoberts. According to new estimations from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Canada’s healthcare spending in 2025 will grow nearly 2 percentage points faster than the economy itself. If you want to appear on the next installment of The Amazing Race Canada, Season 12 applications are now open!

Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 18min
Carney says new oil pipeline will need support from British Columbia, First Nations communities
Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos today. Prime Minister Mark Carney says a new oil pipeline will need support from both British Columbia and First Nations groups. This comes 24 hours ahead of Thursday's expected MOU announcement in Alberta. We examine the political ramifications with CTV News political analyst Scott Reid. On today's show: Prime Minister Carney is set to announce a new suite of government support for Canada's Steel and Forestry sectors. Environment Canada's David Phillips analyzes the major winter storm system that is expected to strike Ontario and Quebec in the coming days. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo and Jordan Paquet. Liana McDonald, the Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, reacts to a concerning new study on online sexual exploitation within the country. The National Farmers Union is lobbying the feds for a guaranteed income for all Canadian farmers.

Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 17min
Alberta MOU to be announced Thursday
Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos today. After weeks of speculation and leaks to the media, we have learned that the Alberta pipeline MOU will be announced this Thursday in Calgary. On today's show: Stefan speaks with David McLaughlin, a former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, about the status of Canada-USA trade talks. Canada Labour Congress President Bea Bruske discusses the CLC's lobbying efforts around the 2025 Federal Budget, as well as the upcoming review of CUSMA. Money Talk with John Klotz: How does a weak economy and tariffs impact holiday spending plans? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Sebastian Skamski, Sharan Kaur, and Nojoud Al Mallees. MP Gord Johns and Brain Injury Canada CEO Michelle McDonald discuss the call for a national strategy on brain injuries. CTV's Colton Praill has the latest updates on the Alberta MOU.

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 18min
Alberta pipeline MOU to be announced this week
After weeks of speculation, sources tell CTV News the Alberta pipeline MOU is set to be announced this week. And for the time being, B.C. Premier David Eby is still not on board. On today's show: Everything you need to know about the dispute between Alberta and B.C. over a proposed new pipeline route. Vassy speaks with B.C. Premier David Eby about his continued opposition to the pipeline plan. David Paterson, Ontario's Representative to Washington, outlines the state of Canada-USA trade talks. Tech Check with Carmi Levy: The government says anything produced by A.I. doesn't count as CanCon. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Tim Powers, Tom Mulcair, and Zain Velji. Vassy speaks with financial journalist Jon Erlichman about the A.I. stock bubble fears, and how they could be impacting the markets moving forward.

Nov 21, 2025 • 1h 18min
Free For All Friday
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 controversy and collective anxiety surrounding a land claim court ruling in British Columbia. We deliver the details and gather reaction from Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West. Alberta and Ottawa are nearing a Memorandum of Understanding on energy production, a pact that includes federal support for an Alberta-to-B.C. pipeline. However, the B.C. Premier remains displeased with the proposal. Dave Chilton, the author of 'The Wealthy Barber', offers his analysis on a tense 2025 economy. 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 McMillan Vantage vice-president Jeff Rutledge and Navigator senior consultant Bahoz Dara-Aziz. Topic 1: An update on the pipeline politics out West, and where things are headed. Topic 2: The controversy surrounding a land claim court ruling in British Columbia, and the politics of reconciliation. Topic 3: Do Canadians want to be 'global leaders' in the climate change fight? Topic 4: How the Catholic Church is tuning into today's youth. Topic 5: Has the magic of Black Friday packed up and left? Do you think today's Black Friday deals are stretched out far too long?

Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 18min
Pipeline Politics: How will the Alberta-Ottawa MOU play out?
Alberta and Ottawa are reportedly ready to sign an MOU that includes support for a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast. However, not everyone is on board with the plan. We tackle the business argument for this new venture with Richard Masson, an Executive Fellow at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy and the former CEO of the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission. On today's show: Vassy's interview with RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme about the new charges laid against alleged drug kingpin and former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding. Talk Science To Me with CTV Science and Technology specialist Dan Riskin: How a crafty parasite can trick ants into killing their own mother. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Graham Richardson, Laura Stone, and Mike LeCouteur. Vassy's conversation with Armando Iannucci, the creator of 'Veep', about writing political satire in the year 2025.

Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 18min
Gripen vs. F-35: The fight for a Canadian contract
Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos today. Sweden is courting Canada to buy Saab's Girpen fighter jets, as the Carney government reviews its plan to buy American-made F-35s for the Canadian Air Force. On today's show: The U.S. Congress has passed a bill that would force the release of the Epstein Files. Retired Major-General David Fraser discusses the pros and cons of Canada buying the American-made F-35s. Alberta and Ottawa are reportedly close to signing an MOU on energy production, a plan that would include a new oil pipeline. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Jeff Rutledge, Stephanie Levitz, and Bohoz Dara-Aziz. Nik Nanos from Nanos Research examines the latest national polling data. ParticipACTION is warning about the cost of Canadian inactivity in its annual report.

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 18min
Carney government survives Budget 2025 confidence vote. What now?
The Carney government has narrowly survived a confidence vote on the 2025 Federal Budget. So what happens now? On today's show: The Public Service Alliance of Canada is sounding the alarm about the pending civil service cuts. Vassy speaks with CSIS Director Dan Rogers about the threatening national security landscape that is facing Canada. Tech Check with tech analyst Carmi Levy: How Jeffrey Epstein used SEO to bury news about his crimes. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laryssa Waler, Sharan Kaur, and Brian Platt. Vassy speaks with University of Alberta professor Tim Caulfield about the threat that modern-day misinformation poses to Canada. CTV's Scott Hurst has the latest on a U.S. Congress vote about the Epstein Files, and what could happen next if it passes.

Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 18min
Carney government faces crucial confidence vote on Budget 2025
Months after Canadian voters put them in charge, will the Carney government fall tonight? It's unlikely, but it's also not impossible. On today's show: For the first time since 2013, and the 5th time in team history, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are the kings of the CFL. Vassy speaks with interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques about his recent analysis of the Canada Strong Budget. The 2025 Federal Budget includes $82 billion in new spending on Canada's military. Vassy interviews David McGuinty, Canada's Defense Minister, about the new gameplan. Money Talk with John Klotz: How do I know if I can afford a house? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Tom Mulcair, Zain Velji, and Tim Powers. The Canadian Cancer Society fears that our country is backsliding on progress towards eliminating cervical cancer.


