CTV Power Play with Vassy Kapelos Podcast
Episodes
Power Play #2090: U.S. ambassador takes aim at Canada with trade talks halted
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Patty Hajdu, Jobs Minister; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt, Tom Mulcair & Robert Benzie; Judy Trinh, CTV News.
Power Play #2089: Trump terminates Canada-U.S. trade talks
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Frank McKenna, Former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. & Brian Clow, Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Dan Kelly, Cana...
Power Play #2088: Justice Minister on bail reform bill
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sean Fraser, Justice Minister; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Marco Mendicino, James Moore & Tony Clement; Rob Ashton, NDP Leadership Candid...
Power Play #2087: Poilievre doesn’t rule out supporting Liberal budget
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Scheer, Conservative House Leader; The Front Bench with Sharan Kaur, Kevin Deagle, Jamie Ellerton & Sebastian Skamski; Don Davies, Interim ...
Power Play #2086: Auditor General slams CRA
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wayne Long, Canada Revenue Agency Secretary of State; German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius & Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik; The Fron...
Power Play #2085: Exclusive: Three former National Security Advisors on working with India
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former National Security Advisors to the Prime Minister: Richard Fadden, Vincent Rigby & Jody Thomas; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Ra...
Power Play #2084: Border recruitment blitz?
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ruby Sahota, Combatting Crime Secretary of State; Ravi Parmar, British Columbia Forests Minister; The Front Bench with: Sabrina Grover, Melanie Paradi...
Power Play #2083: PM Carney details coming bail reform bill
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Bendayan, Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Secretary; Andrew Scheer, Conservative House Leader; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, James ...
Power Play #2082: 3,000 jobs at risk as Stellantis moves more production to U.S.
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick Brown, Brampton Mayor; Kyle Seeback, Conservative Labour Critic; Tony Wakeham, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier-designate; The Front Bench wi...
Power Play #2081: Ontario pitted against prairies after Chinese Ambassador tells CTV Canola tariffs could be lifted
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Kingston, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association & Flavio Volpe, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association; Rick White, C...
Power Play #2080: Government launching automatic low-income tax filing
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jean-Yves Duclos, Former Treasury Board President; Nik Nanos, Nanos Research; The Front Bench with: Muhammad Ali, Garry Keller, Karl Bélanger &...
Power Play #2079: Ontario and Alberta D.C. representatives on Trump talks
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Patterson, Ontario Representative in D.C. & Nathan Cooper, Alberta Representative in D.C.; The Front Bench with: Marco Mendicino, James Moor...
Power Play #2078: B.C. vs Alberta: Premier Eby responds
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Le Couteur, CTV News Senior Political Correspondent; David Eby, British Columbia Premier; Andrew Scheer, Conservative House Leader; The Front Ben...
Power Play #2077: No deal after Carney-Trump meeting
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Frank McKenna, Former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., Derek Burney, Former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. & Goldy Hyder, Business Council of Can...
Power Play #2076: Is there a win for Carney in Washington?
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Craft, Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada & David MacNaughon, Former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S.; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lis...
Power Play #2075: Carney to meet with Trump Tuesday
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judy Trinh, CTV News; Frank McKenna, Former Canadian Ambassador to the United States; Adrian Dix, BC Energy Minister; The Front Bench with: Sabrina Gr...
Power Play #2074: CEO: Enbridge can’t build ‘pipeline to nowhere’
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Greg Ebel, Enbridge CEO; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Marco Mendicino, James Moore & Monte Solberg; Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Mark Norman...
Power Play #2073: Smith backs pipeline to BC coast
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Laura D’Angelo, Jamie Ellerton & Sebastian Skamski; Danielle Smith, Alberta Premier; Heather McPherson, N...
Power Play #2072: Anand: Tories ‘Grasping At Straws’ With Gov’t Trade Criticism
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anita Anand, Foreign Affairs Minister; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt, Tom Mulcair & Robert Benzie; Heidi Rathjen, PolySeSouvient...
Power Play #2071: Postal workers on strike, again
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jon Hamilton, Canada Post Vice President; Jim Gallant, CUPW Negotiator; Jeremie Charron, CTV News; The Front Bench with: Sabrina Grover, Melanie Parad...
Power Play #2070: Government orders massive overhaul of Canada Post
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joel Lightbound, Government Transformation, Public Works & Procurement Minister; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Marco Mendicino, James Moore...
Power Play #2069: Michael Kovrig: would be a mistake to back off Chinese EV tariffs
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Kovrig, Crisis Group; The Front Bench with: Muhammad Ali, Laura D’Angelo, Jamie Ellerton & Sebastian Skamski; Vice Admiral (Ret&rsqu...
Power Play #2068: Public Safety Minister in hot water speaks with CTV
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Anandasangaree, Public Safety Minister; The Front Bench with: Dan Moulton, Laryssa Waler, Kathleen Monk & Laura Stone; Susan Holt, New Brunsw...
Power Play #2067: PM Carney recognizes Palestinian state at United Nations
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anita Anand, Foreign Affairs Minister; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt, Tom Mulcair & Robert Benzie; Derek Burney, Former Canadian...
Power Play #2066: Carney in Mexico & B.C. Premier calls for end of Temporary Foreign Workers Program
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Eby, British Columbia Premier; Patty Hajdu, Jobs Minister; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Marco Mendicino, James Moore & Lisa Raitt.&n...
Power Play #2065: Trudeau-era exodus?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda Lang, CTV News Chief Financial Correspondent; Jason Jacques, Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer; The Front Bench with Sharan Kaur, Laura D&rs...
Power Play #2064: Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet, again
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Le Couteur, CTV News; Scott Moe, Saskatchewan Premier; The Front Bench with: Dan Moulton, Laryssa Waler, Kathleen Monk & Laura Stone.
Power Play #2063: Carney vs Poilievre for first time in House of Commons
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Gregor Robertson, Housing Minister; Andrew Scheer, Conservative House Leader; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt, Tom Mulcair & Rober...
Power Play #2062: Carney’s ‘Major Projects’ pitch to provinces
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Lecce, Ontario Energy Minister; Joy Malbon, CTV News; Michael Wernick, Former Privy Council Clerk; The Front Bench with: Sabrina Grover
Power Play #2061: Carney’s first ‘Major Projects’
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Corey Hogan, Energy Parliamentary Secretary; Melissa Lantsman, Conservative Deputy Leader; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Marco Mendicino, James...
Power Play #2060: U.S. political activist Charlie Kirk killed
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joy Malbon, CTV News; Witold Dzielski, Polish Ambassador to Canada; Nik Nanos, Nanos Research; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Laura D’Angelo...
Power Play #2059: Former Bank of Canada Governor: Canada & U.S. sliding toward recession
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Poloz, Former Bank of Canada Governor; Abigail Bimman, CTV News & James Maloney, Liberal Caucus Chair; Dan Rayfield, Oregon Attorney Gener...
Power Play #2058: CRA Secretary of State: agency’s services have “hit rock bottom”
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wayne Long, Secretary of State (CRA & Financial Institutions); David Coletto, Abacus Data; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt and Tom...
Power Play #2057: Carney unveils economic response to tariffs
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maninder Sidhu, International Trade Minister; Flavio Volpe, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association & Brian Kingston, Canadian Vehicle M...
Power Play #2056: What is an ‘austerity’ & ‘investment’ budget?
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judy Trinh, CTV News; Scott Moe, Saskatchewan Premier; The Front Bench with Christy Clark, Marco Mendicino, James Moore & Rona Ambrose; Joseph Ber...
Power Play #2055: Carney huddles cabinet
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Judy Trinh, CTV News; Sebastien Dallaire, Leger; Michelle Rempel Garney, Conservative Immigration Critic; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Genevieve...
Power Play #2054: Trade war booze battles
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Evan Solomon, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister; Melissa Lantsman, Conservative Deputy Leader; The Front Bench with: Dan Moulton...
Power Play #2053: Carney could slap more tariffs on U.S. steel, aluminum on July 21
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Israel’s Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed; The Front Bench with Kathleen Wynne, Tony Clement and Nathan Cullen; Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves ...
Power Play #2052: ‘One Canadian Economy Act’ racing through the House
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Steven MacKinnon, Government House Leader; Damien Kurek, Former Conservative MP; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellerton, Karl Bélang...
Power Play #2051: Carney meets with Modi at G7 summit
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Le Couteur, CTV News; Maura Healey, Massachusetts Governor; Jody Thomas, Former National Security Advisor to PM Trudeau; The Front Bench with: Br...
Power Play #2050: Carney’s G7: Day 1
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kirsten Hillman, Canadian Ambassador to the United Stakes; Political Panel with: Jason Kenney, Derek Burney & John Manley; Susan Holt, New Brunswi...
Power Play #2049: Exclusive with RCMP Commissioner on G7 security & Nijjar investigation
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Duheme, RCMP Commissioner & Trevor Daroux, Commanding Officer of Alberta RCMP; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Tony Clement & Nathan...
Power Play #2048: Sources: Canada-U.S. security & trade deal close
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Le Couteur, CTV News; Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal – British Columbia; Nik Nanos, Nanos Research; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellert...
Power Play #2047: Does government ensure value for taxpayer dollars?
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Karen Hogan, Auditor General; John Bolton, Former National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, James Moor...
Power Play #2046: Carney pledges to hit 2% of GDP for defence by this year
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan; Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi; The Front Bench with Scott Reid, Shakir Chambers, Kathleen Monk ...
Power Play #2045: Carney government introduces bill to fast-track major projects
07 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt; Former senior advisor to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Supriya Dwivedi; former Canadian Ambassador to China G...
Power Play #2044: Carney and Trump are in direct talks over the trade war
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former Canadian Ambassadors to the U.S. Frank McKenna and Derek Burney; Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux; The Front Bench with Mary Ng, Tony C...
Power Play #2043: Will Canada retaliate after Trump’s tariff hike?
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vic Fedelli, Ontario Economic Development & Trade Minister; Don Davies, Interim NDP Leader; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellerton, Kar...
Power Play #2042: Trump’s steel & aluminum tariffs double tomorrow
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Patterson, Ontario Representative in Washington; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt, Tom Mulcair & Laura Stone; Gary Anandasang...
Power Play #2041: First Ministers Meet
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Colton Prail, CTV News; National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak; Chrystia Freeland, Transport & Internal Trade Minister.
Power Play #2040: Prairies in peril
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, Lac La Ronge Indian Band & Robert Smith, Cross Lake Mayor; Tood Loewen, Alberta Forestry Minister; Christopher Skeete, Q...
Power Play #2039: States of emergency in Manitoba and Saskatchewan
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wab Kinew, Manitoba Premier; George Fontaine, Flin Flon Mayor; Derek Burney, Former Canadian Ambassador to the United States; The Front Bench with: Ch...
Power Play #2038: PM Carney’s first Question Period
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
MP Panel with: Mike Kelloway & Jasraj Singh Hallan; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellerton, Karl Bélanger & Stephanie Levitz...
Power Play #2037: King: ‘The True North is indeed strong and free’
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, Former Prime Minister; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, James Moore, Tom Mulcair & Robert Benzie; Cadet War...
Power Play #2036: House returns as King arrives in Ottawa
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Steven MacKinnon, Government House Leader; Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Conservative Leader; Abigail Bimman, CTV News; Don Davies, Interim NDP Leader; The...
Power Play #2035: U.S. Senator one-on-one after meeting with PM Carney
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Cramer, Senator – North Dakota (R); Jim Gallant, Canadian Union of Postal Workers; Jon Hamilton, Canada Post; The Front Bench with: Sabrin...
Power Play #2034: Israeli Ambassador one-on-one
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ido Moed, Israeli Ambassador to Canada; Don Davies, Interim NDP Leader; Rachel Aiello, CTV News; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Monte Solberg &a...
Power Play #2033: One-on-one with Trump’s Ambassador to Canada
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pete Hoekstra, U.S. Ambassador; Mike Le Couteur, CTV News; Rachel Aiello, CTV News; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellerton, Karl Bél...
Power Play #2032: Canada Post union open to delaying strike
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jon Hamilton, Canada Post; Jim Gallant, Canadian Union of Postal Workers; Mike Le Couteur, CTV News; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt, ...
Power Play #2030: Why skip spring budget?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Steven MacKinnon, Government House Leader; Micharl Kovrig, Former Canadian diplomat; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Tony Clement & Nathan Cu...
Power Play #2029: PM gives Finance Minister 6 weeks to pass tax cut
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
François-Philippe Champagne, Finance Minister; John Brassard, Conservative MP-elect – Ontario; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie E...
Power Play #2028: Exclusive: Prime Minister Mark Carney one-on-one
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Lisa Raitt, Tom Mulcair & Robert Benzie.
Power Play #2027: New details on Carney’s cabinet
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rachel Aiello, CTV News; Kirsten Hillman, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S.; Rebecca Shulz, Alberta Environment Minister; The Front Bench with: Dan Moul...
Power Play #2026: Carney cabinet predictions
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David McLaughlin, Former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney & Eddie Goldenberg, Former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Jean Chr&eacu...
Power Play #2025: Erin O’Toole: CPC ‘got used to having strong poll numbers,’ need to ‘make peace’ with premiers
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Erin O’Toole, Former Conservative Leader; Scott Moe, Saskatchewan Premier; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Tony Clement & Nathan Cullen...
Power Play #2024: Exclusive: Alberta Premier Smith will ‘respect the outcome’ of referendum on separation
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle Smith, Alberta Premier; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellerton, Karl Bélanger & Hannah Thibedeau; Adrian Ghobrial, CTV ...
Power Play #2022: PM Carney in Washington
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Le Couteur, CTV News; David Patterson, Ontario Representative in Washington; Joy Malbon, CTV News; The Front Bench with: Dan Moulton, Shakir Cham...
Power Play #2021: Carney to meet Trump at White House Tuesday
03 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Cohen, Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada; Abigail Bimman, CTV News; Shachi Kurl, Angus Reid Institute; The Front Bench with: Sabrina Grover, Mela...
Powerplay #2020: Bloc picks up another seat & John Bolton one-on-one
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John Bolton, Former Trump National Security Advisor; The Front Bench with: Christy Clark, Monte Solberg & Nathan Cullen; David Coletto, Abacus Dat...
Powerplay #2019: Andrew Scheer on state of the Conservative party
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Scheer, Conservative-elect – Saskatchewan; Jennifer Howard, NDP Campaign Director; The Front Bench with: Sharan Kaur, Jamie Ellerton, Kar...
Powerplay #2018: Liberals win minority government, one-on-one with Liberal who defeated Poilievre
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Fanjoy, Liberal-elect – Ontario; Don Davies, NDP-elect – British Columbia; The Front Bench with: Brian Gallant, Lisa Raitt, Tom Mulc...
Powerplay #2015: Federal election: campaign day 33
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Front Bench: Former BC premier Christy Clark, former Conservative minister Tony Clement, former NDP MP Nathan Cullen; former Canadian diplomat Mic...
Powerplay #2017: Federal Election Day
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Strategy Session with: David Herle, Kory Teneycke & Kathleen Monk; Campaign trail reporters with: Mike Le Couteur, Abigail Bimman, Judy Trinh, Jer...
Power Play # 2014: Battle of the Ballot Box Question
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nik Nanos, Nanos Research; The War Room: Jason Lietaer, Enterprise Canada, Zita Astravas, Wellington Advocacy, and Anne McGrath, spokesperson for the ...
Power Play # 2013: Three main federal parties release costed platforms
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
CTV's Colton Praill; The Front Bench: Lisa Raitt, former Conservative deputy leader, Tom Mulcair, CTV News political analyst, Brian Gallant, former Ne...
Power Play # 2012: Campaign enters final week
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
CTV’s Colton Praill; Perry Bellegarde, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations; CTV’s Mike Le Couteur, CTV’s Abigail ...
Power Play # 2011: Leaders face-off in English-language debate
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
April 17, 2025: Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet...
Power Play # 2010: Leaders face-off in French-language debate
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Quebec issues-focused panel: Tom Mulcair, CTV News Political Analyst, Dimitri Soudas, former communications director to Prime Minister Stephen Harper,...
Power Play # 2009: Looking ahead to Leaders’ Debates
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
CTV’s Colton Praill; Brian Kingston, President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association; Outgoing Conservative MP Ed Fast; Nik...
Power Play # 2008: Federal election campaign enters debate week
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Candidates panel with: Yasir Naqvi, Liberal Candidate, Melissa Lantsman, Conservative Candidate, Alistair MacGregor, NDP Candidate; The Front Bench wi...
Power Play # 2007: Ontario GM plant shutting down temporarily
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lana Payne, Unifor; CTV News campaign reporters: Judy Trinh & Mike Le Couteur; The Front Bench with: Matt Barns, Anthony Koch & Allison Giffor...
Power Play # 2006: Should Canada drop counter tariffs on U.S.?
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
CTV News campaign reporters: Abigail Bimman, Rachel Aiello & Mike Le Couteur; Kory Teneycke, Rubicon Strategy Inc.; The Front Bench with: Christy ...