

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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Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 18min
Prime Minister Carney goes to Mexico
Prime Minister Mark Carney has traveled to Mexico to meet with President Claudia Sheinbaum, as the United States has officially launched the review of CUSMA. On today's show: B.C. Premier David Eby met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in a recent visit to Canada's Capital, as he lobbies the federal government on major projects and immigration policy. How did it go? Premier Eby joins today's program for a quick debriefing. U.S. President Donald Trump is wrapping up his unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom. We dig deeper with Christophe Bondy, a Partner at London-based Steptoe LLP. Talk Science To Me with CTV Science and Technology specialist Dan Riskin. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Rob Benzie, Laura Stone, and Mike LeCouteur. A 1-on-1 conversation with Jason Jacques, Canada's new Parliamentary Budget Officer.

Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 18min
Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 2.5 percent
The Bank of Canada has lowered its overnight rate to 2.5 percent, the first cut since March. Vassy Kapelos speaks with BMO Chief Economist Doug Porter about what the move means for the Canadian economy. On today's show: Vassy goes 1-on-1 with Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson following the launch of Build Canada Homes, a new Crown corporation. Allan Small, a Senior Investment Advisor with Allan Small Financial Group, helps us answer this week's Explainer question: What is the Bank of Canada's key interest rate and what does it do? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo, Stephanie Levitz, and Jamie Ellerton. Vassy speaks with Bill Browder about his recent campaign, as he calls on the Canadian government to expand sanctions on Russia.

Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 18min
Chrystia Freeland resigns from Carney's Cabinet
Federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned from Mark Carney's Cabinet, shifting gears as Canada's Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with CTV National News correspondent Colton Praill. On today's show: According to Food Banks Canada's annual Poverty Report Card, one-in-four Canadians struggle with food insecurity. Nanos Research founder Nik Nanos weighs in on Chrystia Freeland's political legacy, and the latest federal polling data. Tech analyst Carmi Levy examines this week's top Tech stories. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laryssa Waler, Sharan Kaur, and Nojoud Al Mallees. Political scientist Alex Marland breaks down the events that led to the Newfoundland and Labrador snap election, which will be held the day after Canadian Thanksgiving.

Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 18min
MPs return to the House of Commons
Canadian MPs have returned to Ottawa for the Fall sitting of Parliament. Vassy Kapelos breaks down what's on the agenda and what's at stake for, not only the government, but for the opposition parties as well. On today's show: Vassy's chat with Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon about the government's priorities this Fall. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reacts to the Carney government's list of major projects. Movie critic Matt Demers recaps the 2025 Emmy Awards, which aired on CTV last night. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Michele Cadario, Tim Powers, and Tom Mulcair. Michael Sambasivam, a Senior Policy Analyst with Investors For Paris Compliance, talks about the inclusion of LNG Canada on the major projects list.

Sep 12, 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: Mark Carney has released a list of ‘nation-building’ infrastructure projects that his government will prioritize. A 1-on-1 conversation with Melissa Lantsman, the Deputy Leader for Canada's Conservative Party. Prince Harry and King Charles have had no contact with each other for nearly 2 years. This week, that changed with an in-person conversation. Is this Step 1 of an attempt to mend fences? CTV Royal Commentator Afua Hagan chimes in. 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 Kathleen Monk, a former Director of Communications to NDP leader Jack Layton, and Brian Clow, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Topic 1: Reaction and analysis to Mark Carney’s major projects. Topic 2: Is Mark Carney the Prime Minister he promised to be? Topic 3: A tale of two economies - Why one Canadian says he can’t afford to move back to Toronto. Topic 4: Did Europe go too far by banning gel nail polish? Topic 5: Is the Royal Family still relevant in 2025?

Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 18min
Prime Minister Carney unveils list of nation-building projects
Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a list of major projects that the government is prioritizing to bolster the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs. CTV's Abigail Bimman breaks it all down for us. Later in the program, host Vassy Kapelos provides her two cents. On today's show: American political activist Charlie Kirk is dead after he was shot during a speaking engagement in Utah. CTV National News Washington Bureau Chief Joy Malbon details the aftermath following Wednesday's graphic assassination. Talk Science To Me with CTV Science and Technology specialist Dan Riskin. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Mike LeCouteur, Laura Stone, and Brian Platt. After violating Polish airspace earlier this week, several Russian military drones were taken down by Poland's authorities. They say these drones 'weren't accidentally' visiting the country. Vassy examines the fallout with Witold Dzielski, who is Poland's Ambassador to Canada.

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 18min
NATO shoots down Russian drones in Polish airspace
Poland says 19 Russian military drones violated its airspace during a wave of Russian strikes on neighbouring Ukraine. Vassy Kapelos speaks with Global Affairs Institute fellow Andrew Rasiulis about the implications of this international incident. On today's show: Former Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz says both Canada and the U.S. are sliding towards a recession. Registered Dietician Abby Langer helps answer this week's Explainer question: What's up with the protein craze? The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo, Melanie Paradis, and Stephanie Levitz. Vassy chats with the Attorney General of Oregon, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a legal challenge against the Trump tariffs. CTV National News correspondent Abigail Bimman joins us from Edmonton, as the Liberal caucus meetings unfold.

Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 18min
Liberal caucus gathers in Edmonton ahead of Parliament's return
The Liberal caucus is gathering for meetings in Edmonton this week before heading back to the House of Commons on Monday. CTV National News correspondent Abigail Bimman joins us with the real-time developments. On today's show: Vassy chats with Secretary of State Wayne Long about recent call centre service problems at the CRA, as well as Prime Minister Carney's plan to reduce federal government spending. Tech analyst Carmi Levy examines this week's top tech stories. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laryssa Waler, Sharan Kaur, and Nojoud Al Mallees. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola talks about Canada's push to diversify exports to the European Union.

Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 18min
Carney government evasive on future of emissions targets
Neither Prime Minister Mark Carney, nor Industry Minister Melanie Joly, will say whether the federal government is still committed to Canada's 2030 and 2035 emissions reductions targets. This follows a pause on the upcoming EV sales mandates, which was officially announced last week. Vassy's exclusive interview with Minister Joly kickstarts Hour 1. On today's show: Air Canada flight attendants have rejected the airline's latest offer, which will soon trigger mediation talks. How long could it take until we see a final compromise? Andy Gibbons, a former WestJet executive, paints us the bigger picture. Etalk's Lainey Lui debriefs a historic edition of TIFF 2025. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Tim Powers, Tom Mulcair, and Zain Velji. Interim NDP leader Don Davies talks about the future of the federal party, as the search for a new leader slowly ramps up.

Sep 5, 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: Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a 'Buy Canadian' procurement policy. Helping us dig through the details is CTV Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos, who you can hear every single weekday on the Vassy Kapelos Show. Next month, the feds are planning to introduce legislation on bail reform. Lending us his expertise on this subject matter is former OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis. History has been made at the Toronto Hospital, as Canadian patients receive Neuralink implants. Tech analyst Carmi Levy explains the bigger picture. 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 Jeff Rutledge from McMillan Vantage and Michelle Cadario from Rubicon Strategy. Topic 1: Everything you need to know from this week's Liberal Cabinet retreat. Topic 2: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre calls on the feds to scrap the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. Did his public safety priorities win anyone over? Topic 3: The debate around Canadian crime, bail reform, and self-defense laws. Topic 4: The NDP amps up its search for a new federal party leader. Topic 5: Are you pulling back on luxury spending?


