Canada 'already past due' on NATO defence spending target

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Mike Turner, chair of the U.S. House intelligence committee who says Canada needs to accelerate its defence spending targets, especially with its military in "desperate" need of investment.

On todays show:

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Minister of Citizens' Services Terry Beech on the Liberal government's decision to write cheques and put a freeze on GST.

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Conservatives MP Michael Barrett as well as NDP MP Taylor Bachrach as they give their reaction to the Liberal government's decision to write cheques and put a freeze on GST in Canada.

The Daily Debrief Panel with Tim Powers, Tom Mulcair, and Zain Velji. 

Jason Hannan, Professor in the Department of Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications at the University of Winnipeg joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss the call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16 from using social media.

Ontario has signed a 3-year deal worth $108M in federal school funding. We're asking you whether you believe Canada does need a national food program.

Delphine Robitailler, president of the the University of Ottawa Students' Union, explains why they (uOttawa) could reconsider participation in the UPass, if the proposed city fare increase increase goes through.

Can a government prevent lawsuits against themselves IF cyclists are hurt or killed on roads where bike lanes were removed?

Mr. Hollywood drops by with a look at what's good at the movie theaters.

BREAKING NEWS: the city has backed off a jump of 120% to the seniors bus passes; instead proposing a hike of 60%.

Ottawa Food Bank released its 2024 Ottawa Hunger report today; CEO Rachael Wilson says in the New Year, they will have to "... reduce the amount of food that's delivered to the network of agencies..."

The verdict is in for Pat King.

CFRA's Andy drops by with a preview of this weekend's CFRA LIVE.

On today's show, Amanda is joined by:

• Tom Mulcair, CTV Political Analyst and Former NDP Leader to go over this weeks biggest political stories.

• Tom Lawson, former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces and previously Deputy Commander of the NORAD joins Amanda to discuss the risk of global conflict as the Ukraine war escalates.

• Carmi Levy, tech journalist and analyst joins Amanda to discuss how Coca-Cola used generative AI to make a holiday commercial.

This week's show features panelists Chris Day, President, Winston Wilmont, Cam Holmstrom, Founder and Principal, Niipaawi Strategies and Sharan Kaur, Former Deputy Chief to Bill Morneau.

Topic 1: Trudeau government to send $250 cheques to most people, slash GST on some goods

Topic 2: Boissonnault out of cabinet after shifting claims about Indigenous heritage

Topic 3: future of USMCA

Topic 4: Christmas decor, when is too early? Favorite Christmas songs?

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer, Deputy House Leader Mark Gerretsen, and NDP House Leader Peter Julien discuss how Boissonnault has resigned.

On todays show:

Bruce Heyman, Former US Ambassador to Canada joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss how U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has picked a former Michigan congressman, Pete Hoekstra, as his upcoming administration’s ambassador to Canada.

CTV science and technology specialist Dan Riskin joins Vassy Kapelos for the weekly segment Talk Science to Me. 

The Daily Debrief Panel with Robert Benzie, Marieke Walsh and Laura Stone.

The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada joins Vassy to discuss the Biden administrations approval of anti-personal landmines.

Chris Holski fills in for Kristy today. Holski wonders how much social media is our listenership using now. Some social media companies create algorithms to keep you using their app; those algorithms easily become echo chambers. We speak with one journalist who's left X (formerly Twitter) for a new social media - Bluesky.

CTV Ottawa Digital Lead Josh Pringle talks about the City of Ottawa's radar love.

The list of Canada's most stolen vehicles is out and NO electric vehicles made the list. Why not?

Greg Weatherdon, entrepreneur and former chair of the West Ottawa Board of Trade, says the city needs to STOP NEW spending.

We recap NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's Ottawa visit.

Holski speaks with Ottawa Rapid FC's new head coach.

The Canada Post strike will delay letters to big guy in red -- Santa Claus.

Also, CTV's Matt Skube talks about brawls in the stands at a couple of minor hockey games. #Madness!

Keith Henry, President of the BC Metis Federation representing over 6000 Metis members in British Columbia and President and CEO for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada  joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss the growing calls for Minister Boissonnault to resign over shifting claims about Indigenous heritage.

On todays show:

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos on the ongoing Canada Post strike that is impacting many across the country.

Carmi Levy, tech journalist and analyst joins Vassy Kapelos for this weeks 'The Explainer' segment. This weeks question comes from Anita on Instagram and reads "Who is Elon Musk?". 

The Daily Debrief Panel with George Soule, Sharan Kaur and Laryssa Waler.

Yusuf Faqiri, brother of Soleiman Faqiri joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how the government has yet to implement any of the 57 recommendations aimed at the Ontario government to prevent future deaths in provincial jails.

Today is World Toilet Day; a day where we raise awareness about need for all humans to have access to proper sanitation. Does Ottawa have enough public washrooms? That's our Question of the Day!

Somerset ward councillor Ariel Troster tells Kristy that they (these 2 washrooms) will be "... a wonderful addition to downtown Ottawa". Meanwhile, Bessa Whitmore, member of the GottaGo! Campaign team, says technology is nice, until it doesn't work.

A bigger rate cut next month seem less likely, especially after inflation jumped back up to 2%. What's next?

Working on a solution; Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on the anger over a hike on seniors' bus passes.

Skating in July? It could be possible.

The Ford Government has tabled a bill that will ban some supervised consumption sites. CEO of Ottawa Inner City Health is disappointed with the decision and says "the government has failed to listen to experts in the area of treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorder... "

Amanda Lang, BNN Bloomberg, Host of Taking Stock on BNN Bloomberg, CTV and the iHeart radio network joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss how Canada's annual inflation rate accelerated more than expected to two per cent in October.

On todays show:

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Former CIA director and retired general David Petraeus on the U.S. allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles.

Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Journalist Masih Alinejad as she calls on the Canadian and American governments to criminalize transnational oppression.

The Daily Debrief Panel with Tim Powers, Saeed Selvam, and Mike Le Couteur.

Patrick Groom, Certified Specialist in Labour Law and Partner at McMillan LLP joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss the Canada Post strike, and the positioning of the two sides and a possible timeline for its resolution from a legal perspective.