The Vassy Kapelos Show

This week, Mark Carney will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as a Canadian Prime Minister makes his first official journey to China since Justin Trudeau in 2016. Tariffs, oil, and human rights are all on the agenda for Canada's leader. On today's show: UOttawa Professor of Public and International Affairs Thomas Juneau dissects the situation in Iran, as nationwide protests ignite in that country. Tech Check with tech analyst Carmi Levy: Why Canada is not considering a ban on X over a deepfake controversy. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Scott Reid, Tom Mulcair, and Tim Powers. CTV film critic Richard Crouse recaps the 2026 Golden Globes.

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: Venezuela, Greenland, Minneapolis, and everything in between. Matina Stevis-Gridneff, the Canada Bureau Chief for the New York Times, reacts to a tense newsweek in America. Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, a Senior Fellow at UOttawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, on Prime Minister Carney's upcoming trip to China and what it means for relations between the two countries. Tech analyst Carmi Levy dissects a laundry list of new announcements from this year's Consumer Electronics Show. 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 McMillian Vantage vice-president Jeff Rutledge and Rubicon Strategy executive vice-president Michele Cadario. Topic 1: Given the recent developments in Venezuela to kick off 2026, should Canada change its approach to pipelines and develop even faster? How can we find common ground between the Canadian Prairies and British Columbia? And as far as economic impact goes, how concerned should Canadians be? Topic 2: America has got its eyes on Greenland, as the White House admits that President Trump is actively discussing a potential purchase of this Arctic land. Do you think they make that move, and what happens if they do? Topic 3: The Premier of British Columbia says the province is not returning to a 'decriminalized public drug use' system. Good move or bad move? Topic 4: The 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina are less than a month away. Have you caught Olympic fever yet? Topic 5: Heated Rivalry has taken over the world, and our lives.

Vassy Kapelos speaks with Eric Ham, a present-day U.S. political analyst for CTV News and a former Congressional staffer, on the fallout from the ICE shooting in Minneapolis and a looming tariff decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. On today's show: Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe chimes in on the renewed urgency for a pipeline, as America is poised to receive millions of Venezuelan oil barrels. B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix on the province's stance regarding pipelines and next steps. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Rob Benzie, Mike LeCouteur, and Brian Platt. Cameron Forbes, a General Manager and Broker for Toronto-based RE/MAX Realtron Realty, on the real estate market outlook for 2026.

Tim Powers guest hosts for Vassy Kapelos this afternoon. As the situation in Venezuela continues to develop, the Trump administration is ramping up its rhetoric around taking over Greenland. We deliver the latest developments as they become available. We also pick the brain of Retired Major-General David Fraser. On today's show: Dawn Desjardins, a Chief Economist at Deloitte Canada, chimes in on the economic outlook for 2026. Marco Mendicino, a former federal prosecutor and Public Safety Minister, on how the trial of Nicolas Maduro will play out. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Stephanie Levitz, Jeff Rutledge, and Laura D'Angelo. Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian Ambassador to China, on Prime Minister Carney's upcoming state visit to Beijing. TSN's Michaela Schreiter previews Team Canada's upcoming announcement, as the Women's Olympic Hockey roster is soon to be unveiled.

As the situation in Venezuela remains uncertain, the Trump administration says it will continue to control operations on the ground. We deliver the latest developments as they become available. Plus, we gather reaction from former CIA Director David Petraeus. On today's show: Prime Minister Carney is in Paris today, meeting with European allies to discuss a path to peace in Ukraine. Money Talk with John Klotz: How to get off on the right financial foot in 2026. The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laryssa Waller, Sharan Kaur, and Graham Richardson. John Bolton, a former U.S. National Security Advisor, gives his take on Trump's foreign policy.