Free For All Friday - Hour 1

Guest host Tim Powers breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers.

• U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a new pipeline route along the same path as the former Keystone XL project. CTV’s Jeremie Charron has the latest.
• Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden, who also serves as Canada's Secretary of State for Sport, talks about the $755 million in new federal funding for Canadian sports programs.
• A new report by KPMG finds that illegal cigarettes now account for over 38 percent of all cigarette sales in Canada. We delve into the contraband tobacco trade.
• As the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs inch closer to Round 2, TSN's Matt Cauz tries to explain what led to a sudden exit for Edmonton and Ottawa. Meantime, Montreal could punch their ticket to the next round tonight, but the Habs need to win one more game against Tampa Bay.

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 Bluesky Strategy vice-president Jordan Paquet and NorthStar Public Affairs senior advisor Sabrina Grover.

Topic 1: It's been 1 year since the Carney Liberals got elected, and they now have a majority government thanks to a blend of floor-crossers and byelection winners. How has Canada changed since the 2025 federal election?

Topic 2: Do Conservative trade missions to D.C. help or harm Canada’s position?

Topic 3: Alberta separatism is back in the news again. Our panelists dig into how the issue will impact the world of federal politics in 2026.

Topic 4: U.S. President Trump drops his tariffs on scotch and whiskey after King Charles’ state visit.

Topic 5: Would you take healthcare advice from an A.I. doctor?

Brent crude oil reached a 4-year high of $126 per barrel on Thursday. It comes amid fears over a report that the U.S. is considering new strikes in Iran. We dig deeper with Randy Ollenberger, the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Equity Research at BMO Capital Markets, and Frances Donald, a Chief Economist at the Royal Bank of Canada.

On today's show:

• Vassy goes 1-on-1 with Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon, and then checks in with Conservative International Trade Critic Adam Chambers, as we unpack the Spring Economic Update.
• Talk Science To Me with CTV Science and Technology specialist Dan Riskin: Can magic mushrooms help you quit smoking?
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Nojoud Al Mallees, Rob Benzie, and Mike LeCouteur.
• The RCMP has delivered an investigation update into the disappearances of Jack and Lilly Sullivan. We get the latest from CTV's Paul Hollingsworth.

Tim Powers fills in for Vassy Kapelos today, as the Bank of Canada holds steady on its overnight rate. That being said, Governor Tiff Macklem warns that the idea of hiking rates isn't off the table if the price of oil doesn't come down before the end of the year. We gather the latest details from CTV's Annie Bergeron-Oliver.

On today's show:

• Flavio Volpe, the President of the Automotive Parts and Manufacturing Association of Canada, reacts to a new pitch from Korean submarine-maker Hanwa to build armored vehicles in Canada.
• Hear Vassy's 1-on-1 chat with Finance Minister Francois Philippe-Champagne.
• The Explainer with John Ruffolo, the Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity: What is a sovereign wealth fund?
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo and Jeff Rutledge.
• Child Psychologist Dr. Janine Hubbard discusses the merits of banning or retracting social media for young people.
• Jon Still from TSN 690 Montreal dissects Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and previews a pivotal Game 5 for the Habs tonight.

Canada's Spring Economic Update will be the first in-depth look into how the Carney Liberals are faring on their promise to reign in government spending and reduce the federal deficit. Vassy Kapelos delivers a preview of Tuesday's announcement with CTV Chief Financial Correspondent Amanda Lang.

On today's show:

• Hear Vassy's interview with former Quebec Premier Jean Charest following the first meeting of Carney's U.S. Trade Advisory Committee.
• Money Talk with John Klotz: RRSP vs. TFSA - What to know, and how to maximize both.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellerton, and George Soule.
• For the first time ever, a Canadian patient has been cured of HIV thanks to a bone marrow transplant. Vassy speaks with Dr. Sharon Walmsley, the HIV Clinic Director at Toronto General Hospital.
• King Charles is addressing a joint session of U.S. Congress during his first official visit to the Trump White House. CTV's Scott Hurst has a preview.

Prime Minister Carney says the Canada Strong Fund will ensure all Canadians benefit from economic growth.

On today's show:

• Vassy is joined by Josh Wingrove of Bloomberg News, who recounts the scary events of Saturday's White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington. A lone gunman tried to storm the event, but was apprehended by law enforcement and charged with an attempted assassination of U.S. President Trump.
• Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu defends the government's record on youth unemployment.
• Tech Check with tech analyst Carmi Levy: Manitoba moves to ban social media for young people.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Saeed Selvam, Tim Powers, and Tom Mulcair.
• Vassy chats with former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole about the brand-new U.S. Trade Advisory Council, and the role he will play on that council.
• Hear Vassy's interview with former CTV Power Play host Don Martin about the clinical trial that saved his life following a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Free For All Friday - Hour 1

Amanda Galbraith breaks down the biggest stories of the day with Canada's top newsmakers.

• Prime Minister Carney is facing renewed pressure to show progress on trade talks with the United States.
• B.C. Premier David Eby is struggling to deal with the fallout from recent DRIPA court decisions in that province, calling it 'one of the toughest files' he's ever worked on. We dig deeper with Karen Restoule, a Director of Indigenous Affairs and a Senior Fellow at the MacDonald-Laurier Institute.
• How can we achieve a healthy relationship with our screentime? We pick the brain of Dr. Janine Hubbard, a Registered Child Psychologist in St. Johns, Newfoundland.
• The White House Correspondents Dinner is Saturday night, and the face of America says he will be there. CTV U.S. political analyst and former Congressional staffer Eric Ham outlines the significance of Trump's upcoming appearance.

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 Texture Communications president Melanie Paradis and public affairs consultant Bob Richardson.

Topic 1: Carney faces growing pressure as we inch closer to the July 1st CUSMA review deadline.

Topic 2: DRIPA and the politics of reconciliation.

Topic 3: What’s causing high school absenteeism in Ontario, and what the solution should look like.

Topic 4: Ontario’s ban on event ticket resellers comes into effect. Will it help?

Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos today, as Prime Minister Carney faces renewed pressure to show progress on trade talks with his American counterparts. It follows a series of testimonies from high-ranking Trump officials in Washington, with USTR Jamieson Greer suggesting there may be retaliation for Canadian provinces who have barred American alcohol from liquor store shelves. CTV U.S. political analyst and former Congressional staffer Eric Ham offers his two cents.

On today's show:

• Vassy checks in with Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon, as the Conservatives call foul on the Liberals' decision to take control of House Committees.
• Talk Science To Me with CTV Science and Technology specialist Dan Riskin: Why the fear of loss serves as higher motivation than potential gains.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Tim Powers, Mike LeCouteur, and Rob Benzie.
• CTV National Ottawa Bureau Chief Graham Richardson reacts to Prime Minister Carney's latest messaging on the trade files.
• CTV Aviation Specialist Phyl Durdey examines the global jet fuel shortage, and what it could mean for your Summer travel plans.

Vassy Kapelos goes 1-on-1 with Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, as U.S. trade officials testify in D.C. today. He also provides an update on how the CUSMA review is coming along.

On today's show:

• The Explainer with H&R Block Canada tax expert Yannick Lemay: What you can, and can't, claim on your 2026 taxes.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Laura D'Angelo, Jeff Rutledge, and Stephanie Levitz.
• Vassy speaks with Chris Severson-Baker, the Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, about their open letter to Prime Minister Carney on the Alberta MOU.
• CTV Vancouver B.C. Legislative Bureau Chief Rob Buffam outlines the political chaos caused by Premier Eby's flip-flop on the DRIPA legislation changes.