The Vassy Kapelos Show

Free For All Friday - Hour 1
Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre appeared on the highly-popular Joe Rogan Experience this week. Will this podcast appearance help him politically, both in Canada and in the States? Did it help Canada's image in a testy trade war with Trump? Postmedia’s Brian Lilley dissects the key highlights.
Alberta is moving to restrict MAiD with new legislation. We dig deeper with Inclusion Canada CEO Krista Carr, a disability advocacy organization which supports the move.
Five years and billions of dollars later, Meta is putting the Metaverse on the backburner. Tech analyst Carmi Levy explains why that matters.
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 Bluesky Strategy Group vice-president Jordan Paquet and Canadian Shield Institute managing director Vass Bednar.
Topic 1: Pierre Poilievre’s Joe Rogan Experience: How the leader of Canada's Conservatives handled his appearance on the world’s biggest podcast.
Topic 2: Ontario Premier Doug Ford made waves this week when he congratulated a homeowner for shooting a robber who broke in. Our panelists dig into those comments, as well as the wider issue of rising crime.
Topic 3: Canada has slipped to 25th in the World Happiness Rankings, according to this year’s World Happiness Report. So why exactly is that frown not turning upside down as often?
Topic 4: This Hour Has 22 Minutes recently made a spoof of 'The Pitt', a rising star in today's TV series lineup. The skit itself made fun of Canadian healthcare. Good satire or done in poor taste?

As he continues his U.S. tour, and promoting Canada-USA trade, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre hopped on The Joe Rogan Experience. CTV's Jeremie Charron provides a quick rundown of the key highlights.
On today's show:
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme talks about the force's recruitment challenges.
Vic Fedeli, Ontario's Minister for Economic Development and Job Creation, says the province is still 'all-in' on EVs.
Talk Science To Me with CTV Science and Technology specialist Dan Riskin: Why a simple 'sorry' could turn happy customers into your worst nightmare.
The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Brian Platt, Mike LeCouteur, and Rob Benzie.
The Globe and Mail's Kristy Kirkup discusses Alberta's move to restrict access to MAiD.

The Bank of Canada says it's too soon to predict how the Iran War will impact economic growth, as it opts to hold the Key Interest Rate for the time being. We dig deeper with Paul Beaudry, a Professor at the Vancouver School of Economics at UBC and a former Bank of Canada Deputy Governor.
On today's show:
David Frum, a Staff Writer at The Atlantic, reacts to the resignation of Trump's top counter-terrorism official.
The Explainer with CTV's Rachel Aiello: What to know about the NDP leadership race.
The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Sabrina Grover, Jeff Rutledge, and Stephanie Levitz.
Dr. Kevin Spencer, the CEO of Ring Rescue Inc. and an Emergency Physician at Dartmouth General Hospital, on the new medical invention that was recently featured on a hit TV series.
Nik Nanos, the brains behind Nanos Research, on the Federal Liberals reaching an all-time high in the latest approval ratings.

Just 3 days after Trump called for support in politicking the Strait of Hormuz, no U.S. allies have committed military resources. We tackle the U.S. President's latest comments.
On today's show:
Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Gillham breaks down the wild Winter weather across Canada.
Canadian economist Don Drummond discusses the impact of the Iran War on Canadian inflation and interest rates.
Money Talk with John Klotz: What to do with your pension benefits if you’ve been laid off, and how to plan ahead if you think a layoff is coming.
The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Sebastian Skamski, Sharan Kaur, and Nojoud Al Mallees.
Vassy speaks with Dr. Giulia Muraca, the author of a new study that highlights the gaps in how the healthcare system handles serious post-childbirth complications.

The Consumer Price Index for February came in under the Bank of Canada's 2% target, but economists warn the reading doesn't reflect the impacts of the Iran War.
On today's show:
U.S. President Donald Trump is pressuring allies to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz, as the American military operation in Iran shows no sign of ending.
Vassy speaks with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Conservative MP Shuv Majumdar about the Carney government's record on deporting members of the IRGC living in Canada.
Tech Check with Carmi Levy: Iran includes American tech giants on their list of new targets.
The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Jamie Ellerton, Tom Mulcair, and Zain Velji.
CTV film critic Richard Crouse joins us with a recap of the 2026 Oscars.
Pedro Antunes from the Conference Board of Canada dissects today's inflation report, and what it potentially means for the Bank of Canada's interest rate decision.