Taking a closer look at Canada's defence spending, Trump's tariff threat, and more

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.

Chris Holski fills in for Kristy. Chris starts the show with an ode to winter. All kidding aside, Holski is feeling the vibe; the vibe is positive. We NOW have a date for the opening of the O-Train South Extension! Some are cautious, others are cautiously optimistic.

Kristy Kealey, VP of Communications at the Ottawa International Airport Authority, is hopeful!

Camp Fortune opened its ski season today!

President of the Senators Community Foundation Jacqueline Belsito previews this Sunday's Ignite Hope Telethon.

Mr. Hollywood joins Chris Holski to discuss what's good at the movie theaters this weekend.

Today's edition of the Ottawa Now Gift Guide, CFRA's Andy Pinsent reveals his short list of Christmas gift suggestions.

Tonight the Ottawa Charge play a home game in a MUCH bigger barn.

CTV's Matt Skube chats with Chris Holski (filling in for Kristy) about commonly mispronounced names.

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.

A new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows that about 1 in 7 visits to the ER could've been managed by a family physician.

Yesterday's info-session at the Nepean Sportsplex was a rowdy one, resulting in an arrest. CTV's Katie Griffin recaps the meeting.

Food prices will continue to rise, even outpacing Canada's target inflation rate of 2%; Canada's Food Price Report 2025 reveals.

Today's edition of the Ottawa Now Gift Guide, CTV's Natalie Van Rooy reveals her short list of Christmas gift suggestions.

CFRA's Chris Holski drops by to discuss tomorrow's LRT Trillium Line announcement as well as the Bronson Centre!

Are there ANY occasions where public shaming would be appropriate? Kristy and CTV's Matt Skube debate!

Feds set to call airline CEOs to a meeting regarding excess charges following Air Canada headlines

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

Air Canada announces contentious changes to carry-on baggage, barring free carry-on. Would you fly without carry on baggage or will you pay? Aviation expert and McGill University professor John Gradek says the company is only looking to fill their pocketbooks.

CTV Morning Live Ottawa host Stefan Keyes previews an exclusive he's got about a man stranded in Lebanon trying to return to his family in Ottawa.

Today's edition of the Ottawa Now Gift Guide, CFRA's Chris Holski reveals his short list of Christmas gift suggestions.

The province announced the ByWard Market is getting $20M in revitalization funds. We gather reaction.

We preview an info-session the city is hosting tonight about sprung structures.

Body-worn cameras on police officers will, many believe, reduce incidents of use-of-force. CTV public safety analyst Chris Lewis says the cameras are a win-win. 

We hear tips on how to avoid holiday-related injuries. CTV's Matt Skube joins Kristy to chat about that and much more!

Trump making 'joke' about Canada becoming 51st state is 'reassuring'

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.

Should Ottawa be more into (photo) radar love? Alberta announced they will be reducing photo radar sites in the province. Should the City of Ottawa be doing the same?

During the pandemic, the Rainbow Bistro's future was looking bleak. This weekend it's celebrating its 40th anniversary. We speak Danny Sivyer, owner of the Rainbow Bistro, about how they survived and are thriving today.

Today's Ottawa Now Gift Guide guest is CTV News Ottawa reporter Jackie Perez. She shares her gift giving ideas.

LRT construction on Richmond Road is pushing a lot of traffic onto to side streets, frustrating local residents. Area councillor Theresa Kavanagh joins us with an update.

CFRA's Chris Holski dives into the Ontario AG report.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business points out that the Canada Post strike is forcing many businesses to do more and more online transactions.

CTV's Matt Skube and Kristy discuss whether thrift store gifts are acceptable.

"The government has a 'much better idea' of American concerns after meeting with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump" says Public Safety Minister

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.