The Vassy Kapelos Show

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: Bruce Winder, Retail Analyst and Author, on the upcoming GST holiday Bacchus Barua, Director, Health Policy Studies, The Fraser Institute, on a new report showing record-long healthcare wait times in Canada Dan Kelly, President, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, on a potential inquiry into Canada Post negotiations as the strike continues 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 panel features host Amanda Galbraith; Garry Keller, Vice President of StrategyCorp; and Karen Restoule, VP at Crestview Strategy and Senior Fellow at the MacDonald Laurier Institute. Topic 1: Labour minister says Canada Post workers could soon be forced back to work – is this the right answer? Is it coming too late? Topic 2: Let’s go over the latest on tariffs, Trump, Trudeau, tariffs, premiers, and more Topic 3: The GST/HST holiday begins Saturday – do you think this will be effective? Could it have been implemented better? Topic 4: Trudeau makes fresh bid to recruit Mark Carney amid tensions with Freeland – worst breakup in history --What’s the worst, longest, or most extensive breakup you’ve had? What’s the deal with this one? Topic 5: Do you have a holiday purchase you’ve been saving for the GST break?

Guest host Amanda Galbraith speaks with Jim Bookbinder, Professor of Management Science at the University of Waterloo, on the logistical challenges. On today's show: Bob Fife, Ottawa Bureau Chief, The Globe and Mail, on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly once again making overtures to Mark Carney Michael Jarman, the 2024 Microsoft Excel World Championships, explains competitive spreadsheet work and how he got involved Phil Gurski, President and CEO, Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting — former CSIS Senior Analyst, on the latest in Syria and potential ISIS threats as prisoners get released The Daily Debrief Panel with Laura Stone, Queen's Park Reporter, The Globe and Mail and Marieke Walsh, Senior Political Reporter, The Globe and Mail Peter Brown, Canada Research Chair in Meteor Astronomy and Professor at Western University, on the peak of the Geminid meteor shower this weekend

Vassy Kapelos speaks to economist Moshe Lander on the impact of this decision and risk of potential US tariffs going into 2025. On today’s show: Jim Gallant (Negotiator with Canadian Union of Postal Works) and Jon Hamilton (Vice President of Canada Post) on the ongoing strike impasse The Explainer: Paul Daly, Chair in Administrative Law and Governance at the University of Ottawa explains what a crown corporation is and why we use them The Daily Debrief Panel with Scott Reid, CTV News political commentator and former communications director for Prime Minister Paul Martin; Jamie Ellerton, Principal at Conaptus Ltd; Kathleen Monk, Principal Owner of Monk + Associates and former director of communications to Jack Layton. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on efforts to connect with American politicians amid looming tariff threat Have your say on the potential budget deficit for the federal government

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Rechie Valdez Minister of Small Business of Canada as they discuss the GST holiday measures being passed in the house and how they come with concerns from small business owners that it won't lead to higher sales. On todays show:  John Manley, Former Minister of Finance, Chair of Jefferies Securities and Senior Advisor at Bennett Jones LLP joins host Vassy Kapelos to look ahead to the tabling of the fall economic statement next Monday, as well as the interest rate decision set to be released by the Bank of Canada tomorrow.  Tim Perry, President, Air Line Pilots Association in Canada and Nick von Schoenberg, President, Canadian Air Traffic Control Association joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how Canada’s commercial pilots and air traffic controllers are urging the government to launch a review of the aviation sector. The Daily Debrief Panel with Shachi Kurli, Shakir Chambers, and Saeed Selvam.  Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Vic Fedeli Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade of Ontario as they discuss Ontario's trade mission to Washington as Trump doubles down on tariff threats.

Vassy Kapelos speaks Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen. On today’s show: Steven Flisfeder, Meteorologist, Environment Canada on messy winter weather heading to Ontario and Quebec Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President, Mission, Research and Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society, on a new reporting unpacking growing costs for cancer care David Coletto, CEO, Abacus Data, on new polling numbers showing the Conservatives maintaining a comfortable lead The Daily Debrief Panel with Tom Mulcair, CTV Political Analyst and Former NDP Leader; Tim Powers, Chairman of Summa Strategies and managing director of Abacus Data.

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith, a massive Detroit Lions fan, recaps the top stories of the week with the biggest newsmakers. Starting things off is Bell Media crime expert Mark Mendelson, as he delivers his two cents on Canada's new gun control measures. It comes on the eve of 35 years since the Polytechnique massacre. Here to comment on that horrific event is Mitzie Hunter, the President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Joining the show for an extensive debate is CTV political analyst Tom Mulcair and Tim Powers of Summa Strategies. Topic 1: Canada has expanded its list of banned firearms. Did they do enough in their latest series of gun control measures? Topic 2: A vibe check on Canadian affordability. Topic 3: Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pledging tough new legislation to dismantle homeless encampments. Topic 4: Airline carry-ons and Christmas shopping.

Vassy Kapelos speaks with Transportation Minister Anita Anand and then you have your say on both the airline's decision and government response. On today’s show: Ted Mallett, Director of Economic Forecasting, Conference Board of Canada, on the incoming interest rate decision and fall economic statement The Daily Debrief Panel with Robert Benzie, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star; Marieke Walsh, senior political reporter with The Globe and Mail; Mike Le Couteur, Senior Political Correspondent, CTV National News Dr. John Moores, a planetary scientist, author of Day Dreaming in the Solar System, on NASA's updated plans and timeline for Artemis missions to the moon CTV’s Washington bureau chief Joy Malbon on the latest details following the murder of UnitedHeathcare's CEO in New York City

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Kirsten Hillman, Canadian Ambassador to the United States as they discuss U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's quip about Canada becoming the 51st state and the tariff threat. On todays show: Tiffany Houston, Chief Executive Officer, The Shine Foundation and Heather Morley, CEO, Inn from the Cold join Vassy to discuss how the Canada Post strike is affecting charities in Canada. David Phillips, Senior Climatologist with Environment Canada joins Vassy to answer this weeks ‘The Explainer’ question “what is La Niña and El Niño and why are we still talking about how they affect our weather?”. The Daily Debrief Panel with Kathleen Monk, Kory Teneycke, and Michele Cadario.  Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada joins Vassy to discuss how the South Korean president faces impeachment vote as defence minister offers to resign.

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc as he says the government has a 'much better idea' of American concerns after meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump. On todays show:  Listen to Vassy's conversations with John Hamilton, Spokesperson with Canada Post and Jim Gallant, Negotiator, CUPW on how negotiations between Canada Post and the union are still on hold. Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Pediatrician and Medical Officer of Health, Eastern Ontario Health unit joins Vassy to discuss how walking pneumonia cases are surging in Ontario children. The Daily Debrief Panel with Shakir Chambers, Shachi Kurl, and Saeed Selvam.  Jessica Smith, Weather Anchor, CTV Toronto joins Vassy for a weather outlook for all of Canada. 

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Ontario Premier Doug Ford as he speaks about the need to secure Canada's borders and boost defence spending. On todays show: Kelsey McEwen, Chief Meteorologist on CTV Your Morning and Heidi Lorenz Mayor of Gravenhurst join host Vassy Kapelos to discuss the major snowfall that hit parts of Ontario over the weekend, covering townships like Gravenhurst in over 140cm of snow. Katie Tallo, Author of ‘Dark August’, ‘Poison Lilies’, and her new book ‘Buried Road’ joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss the release of the third and final novel in her 'Augusta Monet' series . The Daily Debrief Panel with Zain Velji and Tim Powers. Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne as they discuss a plan for the border amid Trump's tariff threat.