Free For All Friday - Hour 1

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

• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney gathered together in Ottawa, as both leaders face pressure to show progress on a new pipeline.
• Conservative MP Garnett Genuis outlines the party’s proposal to reform the E.I. system for more flexible parental leave.
• In a new report, Canada’s Privacy Commissioner says there have been over 42,000 data breaches at the CRA since 2020. Amanda chats with Claudiu Popa, a certified security and privacy expert.
• Tonight marks another watershed moment for Canadian basketball, as the WNBA's Toronto Tempo will hit the court for the first time. We go 1-on-1 with Toronto Tempo President Teresa Resch.

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 Strategy Corp vice-president Garry Keller and Enterprise Canada vice-president of national strategy Laura D’Angelo.

Topic 1: Prime Minister Carney meets with the Premier of Alberta, as pressure mounts to show progress on the Alberta MOU.

Topic 2: The separatist group Stay Free Alberta has collected enough signatures to potentially force a referendum. Jason Kenney, a former Premier of Alberta, says the pro-federalist voices need to step up.

Topic 3: Do Canada's parental leave guidelines leave parents behind?

Topic 4: The WNBA comes to Canada, and it's not for a quick promo. We have a team to cheer for! Will you be going to any Toronto Tempo games this season? Which matchup is on your calendar already?

Topic 5: Is it worth the cost to save Canada's Snowbirds?

The Carney Liberals are defending their Auto sector strategy following news that Honda has suspended plans to build a $15 billion factory. The manufacturer cited low demands for EVs in the United States as the primary reason behind its decision. We dig deeper with Karim Bardeesy, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry. Then, we check in with Adam Chambers, the Trade Critic for Canada's Conservatives.

On today's show:

• Prime Minister Carney is responding to a report that the Liberals will bring in more regulatory changes aimed at speeding up resource and energy projects.
• Dr. Isaac Bogoch discusses the latest developments with the Hantavirus outbreak.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Marieke Walsh, Laura Stone, Rob Benzie, and Mike LeCouteur.
• CTV's Abigail Bimman reports on a new StatsCan analysis, which finds that more Millennials are living at home with parents than the previous-era Baby Boomers.
• Vassy speaks with Bill Lomax, the President and CEO of the First Nations Bank of Canada, about opportunities for Indigenous investment in major infrastructure projects.

Honda Motors has reportedly suspended plans to build an EV plant in Canada. The move comes after U.S. demand slowed, pushing the Japanese automaker 'to put hybrids at the centre of its North American strategy', according to a report by Nikkei Asia. Honda had already paused the plant in May of 2025. We get instant reaction from Flavio Volpe, the President of the Automotive Parts and Manufacturers Association of Canada.

On today's show:

• CAMH is opposing the expansion of MAiD for mental illness. We find out why with Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam, the Chief Medical Officer at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
• The Explainer with Jentzen Michael Shea, a Registered Psychotherapist and the founder of Shea Counseling and Psychotherapy: In Part 1 of a 4-part series, we break down the stigma of therapy and address our mental health.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Jeff Rutledge, Stephanie Levitz, and Shannon Greer.
• Elections Alberta and the RCMP are investigating how a database of voter information for 2.9 million Albertans was leaked to a separatist group. We dig deeper with Matthew Scace of The Globe And Mail.

Stefan Keyes fills in for Vassy Kapelos today, as former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour will replace Mary Simon as Canada's Governor General. Arbour will be appointed to her new position later this year, becoming the 31st Governor General in our country's history. CTV's Rachel Aiello delivers the latest developments following today's announcement. Then, we pick the brain of CTV political analyst Scott Reid.

On today's show:

• Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist, dissects the Hantavirus outbreak that is wreaking havoc on a Dutch cruise ship. The vessel is now stranded off the coast of Africa.
• Money Talk with John Klotz: Making the most of your tax returns.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Amanda Galbraith, Sharan Kaur, and Nojoud Al Mallees.
• Hear Vassy's interview with A.I. Minister Evan Solomon on the government's new $1.5 billion relief package for tariff-hit industries.
• McGill Law Professor Jennifer Raso talks about the growing issue of A.I. in courtrooms.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is criticizing recent comments from Prime Minister Carney, who is currently overseas. During an interview, Carney didn't see Canada's integration with America in the Energy sector as a point of leverage in trade negotiations. He is now wrapping up a trip to Europe, where he is expected to announce more support for Ukraine.

On today's show:

• Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu announces new supports for workers and Canadians living with disabilities.
• Vassy goes 1-on-1 with Colorado Governor Jared Polis about the impact of U.S. tariffs, and how his state his faring during the trade war.
• Tech Check with tech analyst Carmi Levy: Why some Canadian parents are opposing an Australian-style social media ban.
• The Daily Debrief Panel - featuring Zain Velji, Tom Mulcair, and Tim Powers.
• Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon talks about the newly-approved Canada-USA pipeline route, which could see more Canadian crude flowing to that state.
• TSN 690's Jon Still joins us from Montreal, where an ecstatic Canadiens fanbase is soaking in a Game 7 triumph over Tampa Bay. The Habs will play the Buffalo Sabres in Round 2, and are now Canada's last hope of breaking Lord Stanley's drought.

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.