CHEO treats thousands of kids each year all over Eastern Ontario – not just Canada’s Capital. We hear from Amanda Walker, a mother from Chapleau who relied on this beacon of light to help her sick son recover. A friendly reminder that this year’s CHEO Telethon airs this Saturday on CTV Ottawa, starting at 4pm. Plus, we have a stunning provincial Cabinet Shuffle on our hands, as Queen’s Park clears out for Summer Break. CTV’s Siobhan Morris explains how some P.C. ministers have actually moved up the ranks, as opposed to moving into Doug Ford’s political doghouse. As for today’s Question of the Day, it’s all about Ottawa’s Vacant Unit Tax. Should it stay put as is, or should it kick rocks? It all depends on who you ask. And finally, if you are crossing your fingers for a potential solution to Ottawa’s rat problem, we have promising news! Well, we merely have a new strategy as to how our city plans to tackle this problem, which is hopefully something to bring you peace at night.

Guest host Scott Reid fills in for Amanda Galbraith and dissects today’s top stories with Canada’s biggest newsmakers. In Hour 2, the debate floor begins, as we give a warm welcome to CTV News political analyst Tom Mulcair and Gordon Strategies co-founder Karen Gordon. On the menu this week is Doug Ford’s massive Cabinet Shuffle, the impending Summer Break at Queen’s Park that drags into late-October, foreign agents, labour strikes, and whether this week’s interest rate announcement changes anything politically.

The issue of violence in schools keeps getting bigger every year. How can we reduce these incidents in the classroom and make our school communities safer? And if they happen, how can we navigate around them? Kristy Cameron chats with OSSTF President Karen Littlewood in Hour 1. Meantime, as we continue to tackle the housing crisis, we are exploring different ways to tackle it. Should Ottawa add pre-fab homes into its gameplan? Rosaline Hill, a consultant who's leading The BuildingIN Program, delivers her sales pitch. Plus, did you hear the story about the woman who had her parcel stolen from her local post office? Wanda Thornhill tells all in Hour 2. And finally, a non-profit summer camp has spent countless years providing the experience of a lifetime for adults and youth with developmental disabilities. However, due to a lack of funding, they could be forced to make some cutbacks.

Liberal MP George Chahal has expressed his opposition to the looming deportation of Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the truck driver who was responsible for the tragic 2018 bus crash that derailed the Humboldt Broncos. In Hour 1, Vassy Kapelos goes 1-on-1 with the Calgary-based Member of Parliament. Plus, today marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal battle that would help end World War II. We chat with Canadian military historian Terry Copp as the show rolls on. Plus, it’s Thursday, which means it is time to talk science with CTV’s Dan Riskin.

At long last, the Bank of Canada has cut its key interest rate. It now stands at 4.75 percent, remaining stuck at 5 percent for almost a full year. Should we expect future cuts, or a similar waiting game from Canada’s top money vault? Kristy Cameron digs deeper with Ted Mallett, a Director of Economic Forecasting for the Conference Board of Canada. Meantime, a reliable wastewater lab is going to be shut down by the Ontario government within the next few months. Is Premier Ford making the right decision here? The debate begins in Hour 2. On a totally different note, are you in favour of having chickens in your own backyard? How would you react if one of your neighbours had some in their backyard? As it stands today, the City of Ottawa doesn’t permit chickens to live inside of a house, let alone someone’s enclosed outdoor space. However, one Fifth Grade student wants to change that. Orleans native Violette Ferguson delivers her sales pitch.

For the first time in over 4 years, the Bank of Canada has lowered our country’s key interest rate. Jimmy Jean, a Vice-President and Chief Economist at Desjardins, joins Vassy Kapelos with the bigger picture. On Thursday, Canadians will be remembering the thousands of lives lost on D-Day, while also reflecting on what has happened since that pivotal win in WWII. Tim Cook, a Chief Historian at the Canadian War Museum, prepares for the 80th anniversary. Plus, this week’s Explainer tackles the origins of Artificial Intelligence, and how A.I. has evolved from those infancy stages.

Is a ‘price cap’ the ultimate solution for sky-high grocery prices? Well, if the Trudeau Liberals are unable to convince Canada’s grocers to bring them down, that is what NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is suggesting. Is this a feasible plan or is it one big pipe dream? University of Guelph professor Mike von Massow joins Kristy Cameron in Hour 1. Meantime, Monday’s tragic drowning at one of Ottawa’s most-used beaches has sparked a familiar discussion in our city. The fact is that Ottawa’s lifeguards won’t be available until later this month and they won’t be around once we get to Labour Day Weekend. Should that change? We dig deeper with Stephanie Bakalar, a Corporate Communications Manager with the Lifesaving Society of Ontario. Plus, it appears that more Canadians are moving down South, as shown in recent data from the U.S. Census. Immigration lawyer Len Saunders explains further in Hour 2. And finally, is it okay to date a lot of girls before settling down? CTV’s Matt Skube weighs in.

Nathan Janzen, a Deputy Chief Economist with RBC, recently launched a report into Canada’s growth challenge. In Hour 1, he joins Vassy Kapelos to explain why Canada’s economy is stuck in Neutral gear. Plus, a damning report has found that some of Canada’s MPs were ‘wittingly assisting’ foreign states. Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc delivers his reaction.

As the Ford government tries to revamp Ontario’s school curriculum, what are the primary lessons that should be taught in the world of Home Economics. We ask the experts in Hour 1. Then, we turn the floor over to you in Hour 3, as Kristy Cameron tackles today’s Question of the Day. Meantime, a court challenge is aiming to legalize magic mushrooms in Ontario, as more stores pop up across the province. We speak to the lawyer who is challenging these legislations in Hour 2. Plus, eight Ottawa-based hospitality organizations will be taking park in a new program, which is designed to cut down on waste by diverting surplus foods to lifeline community businesses. One of them joins us later in the show. And finally, we turn up the heat with our Political Heat Panel, as the Trudeau Liberals allegedly delay the launch date of the next federal election.

Dawn Desjardins, a Chief Economist with Deloitte Canada, joins Vassy Kapelos ahead of Wednesday’s interest rate announcement. Amid speculation of further rate cuts, we deliver the bigger picture and explain how it could alter the Canadian economy. Later in the program, you will hear an exclusive conversation with former FBI Director James Comey, as the felony conviction of a former U.S. President becomes the talk of America. However, Comey fears that last week’s verdict won’t matter in November, as Donald Trump could still secure a second term in the White House. Plus, we were in the George W. Bush administration when the Edmonton Oilers last made the Stanley Cup Finals. 18 years later, they are trying to secure their first title since the George H.W. Bush days.