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:

• Canada's Justice Minister is tabling a bill to beef up the country's criminal offenses, with new charges aimed at fighting against the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia in Canada. We dig deeper with Chris Lewis, CTV's Public Safety Analyst and a former OPP Commissioner.
• The feds are requesting limitations for future usage of the Notwithstanding Clause, a move that the Quebec government describes as a 'direct attack' on Bill 21. CTV political commentator Scott Reid chimes in with his two cents, as work officially resumes at the House of Commons.
• A 1-on-1 conversation with Ana Poilievre, as she launches a brand-new seasonal magazine. Today's discussion focuses on women in business, as well as the shifting political landscape.

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 Hill and Knowlton senior vice-president Chris Day and Northstar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover.

Topic 1: The House of Commons is back in session. So is the leader of Canada's Conservatives. And now, we have a date for the Fall Budget. We deliver the key takeaways from Week 1, and the narratives to keep in mind as the Fall Session carries on.

Topic 2: The United States has officially triggered a review of CUSMA. What happens next?

Topic 3: A few days ago, ABC took Jimmy Kimmel Live off the airwaves indefinitely, as the late-night host got into some hot water. But according to reports, they might have a change of heart if he promises to 'turn the temperature down'. This comes months after Stephen Colbert's late-night program was scheduled for the guillotine. What does this tell us about the future of late-night comedy?

Topic 4: Living in a world with A.I. friends - Yay or Nay?

Topic 5: As more and more Beer Stores become obsolete, we need new places to bring our unwanted empties. Should beer always be sold in a bottle?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has traveled to Mexico to meet with President Claudia Sheinbaum as the US has officially launched the review of the Canada U.S. Mexico Trade Agreement.

On today's show:

• Listen to Vassy's interview with BC Premier David Eby after his meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Eby traveled to Ottawa to lobby the federal government on major projects and immigration policy.
• US President Donald Trump is wrapping up his unprecedented second state visit to the UK, Vassy speaks with Christophe Bondy, Partner at Steptoe LLP in London, about the trip.
• CTV Science and Technology Specialist Dan Riskin joins the show with a look at this week's top science stories
• The Daily Debrief Panel with Rob Benzie, Laura Stone and Mike Le Couteur
• Vassy speaks with Jason Jacques, the new Parliamentary Budget Officer

The Bank of Canada has lowered its overnight rate to 2.5%, the first cut since March. Vassy Kapelos speaks with BMO Chief Economist Doug Porter about what the move means for the Canadian economy.

On today's show:

• Listen to Vassy's interview with federal housing minister Gregor Robertson following the launch of the new crown corporation Build Canada Homes
• Allan Small, Senior Investment Advisor with Allan Small Financial Group, joins the show to help answer this week's Explainer question: What is the Bank of Canada's key interest rate and what does it do?
• The Daily Debrief panel with Laura D'Angelo, Stephanie Levitz and Jamie Ellerton
• Vassy speaks with Bill Browder about his campaign calling on the Canadian government to expand sanctions on Russia

Federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned from Mark Carney's Cabinet, shifting gears as Canada's Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with CTV National News correspondent Colton Praill.

On today's show:

• According to Food Banks Canada's annual Poverty Report Card, one-in-four Canadians struggle with food insecurity.
• Nanos Research founder Nik Nanos weighs in on Chrystia Freeland's political legacy, and the latest federal polling data.
• Tech analyst Carmi Levy examines this week's top Tech stories.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laryssa Waler, Sharan Kaur, and Nojoud Al Mallees.
• Political scientist Alex Marland breaks down the events that led to the Newfoundland and Labrador snap election, which will be held the day after Canadian Thanksgiving.

Canadian MPs have returned to Ottawa for the Fall sitting of Parliament. Vassy Kapelos breaks down what's on the agenda and what's at stake for, not only the government, but for the opposition parties as well.

On today's show:

• Vassy's chat with Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon about the government's priorities this Fall.
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reacts to the Carney government's list of major projects.
• Movie critic Matt Demers recaps the 2025 Emmy Awards, which aired on CTV last night.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Michele Cadario, Tim Powers, and Tom Mulcair.
• Michael Sambasivam, a Senior Policy Analyst with Investors For Paris Compliance, talks about the inclusion of LNG Canada on the major projects list.

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:

• Mark Carney has released a list of ‘nation-building’ infrastructure projects that his government will prioritize.
• A 1-on-1 conversation with Melissa Lantsman, the Deputy Leader for Canada's Conservative Party.
• Prince Harry and King Charles have had no contact with each other for nearly 2 years. This week, that changed with an in-person conversation. Is this Step 1 of an attempt to mend fences? CTV Royal Commentator Afua Hagan chimes in.

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 Kathleen Monk, a former Director of Communications to NDP leader Jack Layton, and Brian Clow, a former Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Topic 1: Reaction and analysis to Mark Carney’s major projects.

Topic 2: Is Mark Carney the Prime Minister he promised to be?

Topic 3: A tale of two economies - Why one Canadian says he can’t afford to move back to Toronto.

Topic 4: Did Europe go too far by banning gel nail polish?

Topic 5: Is the Royal Family still relevant in 2025?

Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a list of major projects that the government is prioritizing to bolster the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs. CTV's Abigail Bimman breaks it all down for us. Later in the program, host Vassy Kapelos provides her two cents.

On today's show:

• American political activist Charlie Kirk is dead after he was shot during a speaking engagement in Utah. CTV National News Washington Bureau Chief Joy Malbon details the aftermath following Wednesday's graphic assassination.
• Talk Science To Me with CTV Science and Technology specialist Dan Riskin.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Mike LeCouteur, Laura Stone, and Brian Platt.
• After violating Polish airspace earlier this week, several Russian military drones were taken down by Poland's authorities. They say these drones 'weren't accidentally' visiting the country. Vassy examines the fallout with Witold Dzielski, who is Poland's Ambassador to Canada.

Poland says 19 Russian military drones violated its airspace during a wave of Russian strikes on neighbouring Ukraine. Vassy Kapelos speaks with Global Affairs Institute fellow Andrew Rasiulis about the implications of this international incident.

On today's show:

• Former Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz says both Canada and the U.S. are sliding towards a recession.
• Registered Dietician Abby Langer helps answer this week's Explainer question: What's up with the protein craze?
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo, Melanie Paradis, and Stephanie Levitz.
• Vassy chats with the Attorney General of Oregon, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a legal challenge against the Trump tariffs.
• CTV National News correspondent Abigail Bimman joins us from Edmonton, as the Liberal caucus meetings unfold.