The Vassy Kapelos Show

The annual Western Premiers Conference in Kananaskis, Alberta is being overshadowed by Alberta and B.C. tensions over pipelines and separatism. Vassy goes 1-on-1 with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. On today's show:

Speaking with reporters in Ottawa this morning, Canada's Prime Minister made his strongest comments against Premier Danielle Smith's decision to put a question about separation on the Alberta ballot this Fall. Vassy goes 1-on-1 with the Premier of Alberta. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. 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 'Beyond A Ballot' podcast host Rachael Segal and NorthStar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover. Topic 1: Albertans will vote on a question about separating from Canada this Fall, but it won’t be constitutionally binding. Topic 2: Tension is rising between B.C. Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Carney over major projects. Is Canada's leader showing favoritism to keep Alberta happy? Topic 3: We are just weeks away from Opening Day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A pair of Canadian cities will be welcoming the world for 13 total matches, and it's going to cost a billion dollars worth of pretty pennies. Is it worth it for cities to host major events these days? Topic 4: Are the Carney Liberals wrong to ground Canada's Snowbirds? Topic 5: Instead of wedding gifts, more couples are asking for cash for down payments. We try to find out why. The last edition of Free For All Fridays will air next week - May 29th. See you at Noon!

Later today, a committee of the Alberta Legislature will decide on whether a citizen-led referendum question will make it onto the ballot this Fall. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will deliver a primetime address to her province tonight. Vassy speaks with Thomas Lukaszek, a former Deputy Premier of Alberta and organizer of the 'Forever Canadian' referendum petition campaign. On today's show:

Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with the B.C. Premier, as David Eby criticizes the deal the federal government made with Alberta. Eby is calling on the federal government to support national projects in B.C. and is suggesting the government is favouring Alberta because of talks of a possible referendum in the province. On today’s show:

Vassy Kapelos speaks with all four crew members of the Artemis II NASA Mission: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch. Together, they reflect on last month's historic mission to The Moon, and look ahead to the future of space exploration. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. 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 McMillan Vantage senior vice-president Jeff Rutledge and CTV political analyst Scott Reid. Topic 1: Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith has beef with the Ontario Liberal Party after losing a nomination bid. And next month, he will be leaving the Carney Liberals in the rear-view mirror. Topic 2: New data suggests that young boys are falling behind their female peers in school systems across Canada. Topic 3: Prime Minister Carney shakes hands with the Premier of Alberta on a carbon pricing MOU. We fill you in on the details as they start to roll in. Topic 4: You are heading out for a long weekend road trip. You have to pick one song. Which tune is riding shotgun?

The Prime Minister says the plan will double Canada's electricity grid by 2050. On today's show:

The Toronto-area MP hasn't decided if he will continue to pursue an Ontario Liberal Party leadership bid after losing the provincial nomination race in Scarborough, but he confirms he will resign his federal seat in June either way. On today's show:

The Carney Liberals are defending the plan aimed at shortening the approval window to one year in the face of criticism from environmental groups. Meanwhile, Vassy Kapelos checks in with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who is all for the plan. On today's show:

The Alberta Premier came out of a meeting with Prime Minister Carney with renewed optimism for finalizing the Ottawa-Alberta energy MOU with more than a month having passed since the original agreement deadline. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. 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 Strategy Corp vice-president Garry Keller and Enterprise Canada vice-president of national strategy Laura D’Angelo. Topic 1: Prime Minister Carney meets with the Premier of Alberta, as pressure mounts to show progress on the Alberta MOU. Topic 2: The separatist group Stay Free Alberta has collected enough signatures to potentially force a referendum. Jason Kenney, a former Premier of Alberta, says the pro-federalist voices need to step up. Topic 3: Do Canada's parental leave guidelines leave parents behind? Topic 4: The WNBA comes to Canada, and it's not for a quick promo. We have a team to cheer for! Will you be going to any Toronto Tempo games this season? Which matchup is on your calendar already? Topic 5: Is it worth the cost to save Canada's Snowbirds?

The Carney Liberals are defending their Auto sector strategy following news that Honda has suspended plans to build a $15 billion factory. The manufacturer cited low demands for EVs in the United States as the primary reason behind its decision. We dig deeper with Karim Bardeesy, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry. Then, we check in with Adam Chambers, the Trade Critic for Canada's Conservatives. On today's show:

Honda Motors will suspend plans to build an EV plant in Canada. The move comes after U.S. demand slowed, pushing the Japanese automaker 'to put hybrids at the centre of its North American strategy', according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Honda had already paused the plant in May of 2025. We get instant reaction from Flavio Volpe, the President of the Automotive Parts and Manufacturers Association of Canada. On today's show:

The former Supreme Court justice will replace Mary Simon and become Canada's 31st Governor General later this year. Stefan Keyes guest hosts. On today's show:

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is criticizing recent comments from Prime Minister Carney, who is currently overseas. During an interview, Carney didn't see Canada's integration with America in the Energy sector as a point of leverage in trade negotiations. He is now wrapping up a trip to Europe, where he is expected to announce more support for Ukraine. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Guest host Tim Powers breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. 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 vice-president Jordan Paquet and NorthStar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover. Topic 1: It's been 1 year since the Carney Liberals got elected, and they now have a majority government thanks to a blend of floor-crossers and byelection winners. How has Canada changed since the 2025 federal election? Topic 2: Do Conservative trade missions to D.C. help or harm Canada’s position? Topic 3: Alberta separatism is back in the news again. Our panelists dig into how the issue will impact the world of federal politics in 2026. Topic 4: U.S. President Trump drops his tariffs on scotch and whiskey after King Charles’ state visit. Topic 5: Would you take healthcare advice from an A.I. doctor?

Brent crude oil reached a 4-year high of $126 per barrel on Thursday. It comes amid fears over a report that the U.S. is considering new strikes in Iran. We dig deeper with Randy Ollenberger, the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Equity Research at BMO Capital Markets, and Frances Donald, a Chief Economist at the Royal Bank of Canada. On today's show:

Tim Powers guest hosts. The Bank of Canada has held steady on its overnight rate, with governor Tiff Macklem warning hiking rates isn't off the table if the price of oil doesn't come down before the end of the year. On today's show:

The Spring Economic Update will be the first look at how the Liberal government is doing on its promise to reign in government spending and reduce the federal deficit. On today's show: