The Vassy Kapelos Show

David Coletto, Founder and CEO of Abacus Data, shares valuable insights into the political landscape in Canada. He discusses how impending 25% tariffs could impact Canadian businesses and consumers directly. The conversation also touches on the shifting dynamics within the Liberal Party as they seek a new leader. With public sentiment at stake, Coletto reveals polling data that highlights who Canadians prefer in the upcoming leadership race, and he emphasizes the necessity for effective strategy in light of new U.S. challenges.

Jens Lindemann, Canadian living in LA and celebrated Canadian trumpeter joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss his experience of losing his home in the devastating wildfires that are burning across Los Angeles.  On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Terry DuguidMinister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada on the possibility of Canada cutting off energy exports to the U.S. as retaliation to threatened tariff. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious disease physician at the Toronto General Hospital joins Vassy to discuss the increase of cases of Norovirus and particularly the outbreak at the University of Guelph.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Shakir Chambers, Marieke Walsh, and Saeed Selvam.  David Adams, President, CEO Global Automakers of Canada and Brian Kingston, President, CEO Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association join Vassy to discuss the calls from the automotive sector to end the federal EV mandate.       

Listen to Vassy's full two part conversation with Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on the threats of tariffs towards Canada from the U.S and how we could potentially respond.  On todays show:  Gordon McBean, Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography & Environment at Western University and with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction joins Vassy to discuss what weather patterns may look like following the LA wildfires.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Tom Mulcair, Zain Velji, and Amanda Galbraith.  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly on why she decided not to run for leader.  Vassy takes your calls and texts on how you think Canada should respond to the threats of tariffs from the incoming Trump administration. 

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: · Tom Mulcair, CTV Political Analyst and Former NDP Leader joins Amanda to discuss to historical week of politics that played out. · Marieke Walsh. senior political reporter with The Globe and Mail joins Amanda to discuss how the federal Liberals need to pick new leader on March 9 as the rules for leadership race are defined · Carmi Levy, CTV Tech Expert joins Amanda to chat about Meta's decision to end its fact checking program. 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 Kim Wright, Principal and Founder, Wright Strategies and Chris Day, President, Winston Wilmont. PANEL TOPICS: Topic 1: New leadership rules, Trudeau stepping down, who will replace him?  Topic 2: Trump says he would consider economic force to acquire Canada - was the government's response enough?  Topic 3: Your take on when we will see the next election, and what party/leader is most likely to win. Topic 4: Jean Chrétien, 91, tells young people to get married, dress better Topic 5: New Years resolutions - are they unrealistic? Is there a more achievable way to set goals? 

Monica Rodriguez, LA City Councilwoman, 7th District joins guest host Stefan Keyes to discuss the deadly and devastating fires in the Los Angeles.  On todays show:  Rachel Aiello, CTV National News Correspondent joins guest host Stefan Keyes to discuss how Canada could impose tariffs on U.S. steel, orange juice in response to Trumps threats.  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on how he is considering running for leadership of the Liberal party.  Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology Specialist joins guest host Stefan Keyes for his weekly segment 'Talk Science to Me'.  The Daily Debrief Panel with Marieke Walsh, Robert Benzie, and Mike Le Couteur. CNN’s Marybel Gonzalez joins guest host Stefan Keyes with an update on the wildfire situation.  

Listen to Vassy's discussion with Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator, and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin, Kory Teneycke, former Director of Communications to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and now co-founder and CEO of Rubicon Strategy and Kathleen Monk, Principal Owner of Monk + Associates and former director of communications to Jack Layton on the possible path forward for the Liberal party. On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton on Trump saying he is open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada. Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Frank Baylis, Liberal Leadership hopeful on how he plans to run as leader.  Philippe Lagassé, Associate professor of international affairs, Carleton University joins Vassy Kapelos to help answer this weeks explainer question. This weeks question was 'What is sovereignty and what would change  if Canada were to become part of the US?'. The Daily Debrief Panel with Scott Reid, Kathleen Monk and Kory Teneycke.  Chris Sands, Director, Canada Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars joins Vassy to discuss Trumps threats of using 'economic force' to acquire Canada.

Derek Burney, former chief of staff for Brian Mulroney, and former Canadian ambassador to the US joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss the comments today from President-elect Donald Trump about how he would be open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada as the 51st state.  On todays show: Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Immigration Minister Marc Miller who said it's a sad day, but Trudeau's decision to step down is the right one for Canada. Vassy takes your calls and texts on Trudeau's resignation and who should replace him as leader.  Jessica Smith, Weather Anchor, CTV Toronto joins Vassy to give an update on winter storms across the country. Carmi Levy, tech journalist and analyst joins Vassy to discuss how Meta is ending its fact-checking program. The Daily Debrief Panel with Shakir Chambers, Shachi Kurl, and Saeed Selvam. 

Anthony Housefather, Liberal MP from Montreal and one of the MP's who joined the growing calls for the Prime Minister to step down earlier in the year joins guest host Stefan Keyes to discuss Justin Trudeau's decision to step down as leader. On todays show:  Eddie Goldenberg, Former Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Chretien and now Senior Advisor at Global Public Affairs joins guest host Stefan Keyes to discuss the Prime Ministers decision to step down as Liberal leader. Richard Crouse, Film Critic joins guest host Stefan Keyes to give a recap of this years Golden Globes. The Daily Debrief Panel with Zain Velji, Tim Powers, and Tom Mulcair.  John Wright, Veteran Pollster and Distinguished Fellow, Queens University joins guest host Stefan Keyes to discuss how Trudeau stepping down will influence the polling for the Liberals.  Evan Solomon, Publisher, GZERO Media and Management Committee Member, Eurasia Group joins guest host Stefan Keyes to discuss if Trudeau's decision will further the tensions between Canada and the US. 

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.