The Vassy Kapelos Show

A week after Prime Minister Carney removed some counter-tariffs on U.S. goods to 'align' with the Americans, steel producers are questioning why Canada's tariff rate on steel imports remains at only 25%. Vassy Kapelos digs deeper with Francois Desmarais, the Vice-President of Industry Affairs with the Canadian Steel Producers Association. On today's show:

Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki tells Vassy Kapelos the federal government’s focus should be on maximizing TMX’s existing capacity first, before greenlighting any new pipeline projects. On today's show:

Canada-US trade minister Dominic LeBlanc has traveled to Washington to meet with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Guest host Tim Powers is joined by CTV Senior Political Correspondent Mike Le Couter from DC. On today's show:

The most recent national polling by Abacus Data shows the Conservative Party leading Mark Carney's Liberals by two points for the first time since before the election. Vassy Kapelos speaks with Abacus Data Vice President Eddie Sheppard. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Amanda Galbraith dissects and debates today's biggest stories with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Hosts from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week. Today's edition features Hill and Knowlton senior vice-president Chris Day and Navigator principal Sharan Kaur. Topic 1: Canada has removed counter-tariffs on some U.S. goods, renewing optimism that meaningful progress is near. However, small businesses are still suffering. If we truly have the best trade deal with America right now, what other cards does Canada have left to play? Topic 2: As Prime Minister Carney hopes to accelerate trade negotiations with America, the Premier of Saskatchewan is calling on Canada's Big Cheese for steel and aluminum tariff relief. Topic 3: Ontario's Premier wants homeowners to 'stand their ground' if a stranger enters their home and threatens their safety. However, the laws are much more complicated than that. Topic 4: The Quebec Liquor Board might be forced to pour thousands of dollars in American alcohol down the drain, as some rejected U.S. booze is set to expire. Got any better ideas? Let us know!

The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses says nearly one in five (19%) small businesses dealing with extra tariff costs report that they will not be able to last more than six months if the tariff status quo remains and nearly four in 10 (38%) said they would last less than a year. On today's show:

After CUPE defied a back-to-work order under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, organized labour groups are calling for that section to be scrapped entirely. Vassy Kapelos speaks with Bea Bruske, President of the Canada Labour Congress. On today's show:

Air Canada flights will start resuming after the union representing flight attendants reached a tentative deal with the airline overnight. On today's show:

The Air Canada flight attendants' strike has been ruled illegal. But the union isn't backing down. Vassy speaks with two Canadians travelers impacted by canceled flights. On today's show:

Free For All Friday - Hour 1 Mark Towhey fills in for Amanda Galbraith breaking down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Hosts from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week. Today's edition features Michael Cooke, former editor of the Toronto Star and Deirdra Tindale, Vice President with Crestview Strategy Topic 1: What’s next on the trade file? Topic 2: Ontario orders civil servants back to the office five days a week Topic 3: The politics of the Air Canada flight attendants’ strike Topic 4: 70% of young Canadians want to start families but worry doing so would impact their financial security

Air Canada has begun cancelling flights ahead of an expected work stoppage this weekend. Vassy Kapelos speaks with travel expert Marty Firestone about what people can do if they think their flight may be impacted. On today's show:

The capitals of two Atlantic provinces are bracing for possible evacuations as wildfires continue to ravage the East coast. Vassy Kapelos speaks with CTV correspondent Garrett Barry in St. John's and Halifax mayor Andy Filmore about the latest conditions. On today's show: What does renegotiating CUSMA mean for Canada? Vassy speaks with Bill Robson, President and CEO of the CD Howe Institute.

Vassy Kapelos speaks with Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson about the timeline for approving nation-building projects and the future of LNG production in Canada. On today's show:

Public support for Prime Minister Mark Carney - and his minority Liberal government - is holding steady at 50 percent. This achievement is despite Canada's failure to reach a new trade agreement with the U.S. ahead of the August 1st deadline. Vassy Kapelos chats with David Coletto, the CEO of Abacus Data, about the latest public opinion polls. 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. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Hosts from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week. Today's edition features former Toronto Star editor Michael Cooke and Crestview Strategy Vice-President Deirdra Tindale. Topic 1: The latest developments on the Canada-U.S. trade war. Topic 2: Should the Carney Liberals repeal the Online News Act? Should they at least consider it? Topic 3: In the midst of today's concerning wildfire risks, should Canadians stay out of the woods at all costs? Topic 4: Teenage tennis phenoms, public manners, and points programs.

It's been one week since U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to raise tariffs on Canadian products. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with Goldy Hyder, who serves as CEO of the Canadian Business Council. On today's show:

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced over a billion dollars in public money to support Canada's forestry sector as it struggles under the weight of U.S. tariffs. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with Eric Johnson, Vice President with the Forest Products Association of Canada, about what the industry is facing On today's show:

After Canada failed to secure a new trade deal with the U.S. last week, federal ministers have traveled to Mexico to talk trade with the other member of CUSMA. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with Colin Robertson, a Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, about the next steps on the trade file. 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. On today's show: Free For All Friday - Hour 2 Hosts from all over the country join The Roundtable to discuss the five biggest stories of the week. Today's edition features Sharan Kaur, Principal at Navigator and Elias Makos, host of The Elias Makos Show on CJAD 800 in Montreal Topic 1: Canada fails to secure a new trade deal with the U.S. Topic 2: What happens next on the trade file? Topic 3: Questions about Courts, the Charter and the Notwithstanding Clause Topic 4: Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry + What’s the deal with Trump’s lock screen?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Canada will recognize Palestninian statehood at the U.N. general assemply in September. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with Canada's former Ambassador to Isreal, Jon Allen, about the controversial decision. On today's show: