The Carney government has pledged to balance federal operational spending to get a handle on the national debt and deficit. Carney says this can be done by "capping" the public service. But a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives warns there could be deep service cuts coming. Guest host Tim Powers speaks with report author David MacDonald.

On todays show:

• The heads of Canada's big auto makers met with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday to discuss the impacts of the trade war on the sector. Tim Powers speaks with Brian Kingston, President & CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, about the meeting.

• Duane Bratt, Political Scientist at Mount Royal University joins guest host Tim Powers about two former UCP MLAs that want to revive the old Alberta PC party.
• The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy had some strong words for Prime Minister Mark Carney following this month's NATO summit. He joins Tim Powers to explain why he's so critical of Carney's approach to dealing with Donald Trump.
• The Daily Debrief Panel with Laura Stone, Robert Benzie, and Mike Le Couteur, Senior Political Correspondent, CTV National News.
• Jack Jedwab, President of the Association for Canadian Studies joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss new polling from the Association for Canadian Studies on how Canadians feeling about America this July 4th.

Moshe Lander, Economist and Senior Lecturer in Economics at Concordia University joins guest host Tim Powers to help answer this weeks 'The Explainer' question on how the new middle class tax cut will affect you.

On todays show:

• Ret. Gen. Tom Lawson, Former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces joins guest host Tim Powers on the potential 60-day Gaza ceasefire.
• Sylvain Charlebois, Director of the Agrifood Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss if supply management on the table in US trade negotiations.
• Thomas Lukaszuk, Former Deputy Premier of Alberta joins guest host Tim Powers to chat about how an application for a citizen-led initiative for an anti-separation referendum has been approved by Alberta’s lead electoral officer.
• The Daily Debrief Panel with Jeff Rutledge, and Stephanie Levitz.
• Eric Ham, CTV US Political Analyst and Former U.S. Congressional Staffer joins guest host Tim Powers to discuss how Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ clears Senate.
• Carmi Levy, Technology analyst and journalist joins guest host Tim Powers for his weekly tech stories.

Free For All Friday - Hour 1

Amanda Galbraith breaks down today's biggest stories with Canada's top newsmakers.

On today's show...

• After some tense moments to start the week, the Israel-Iran ceasefire appears to be holding. Well, at least for now. How close are we to preserving peace? Retired Major-General David Fraser analyzes the situation.
• New data says that Canadian pride and optimism is rebounding significantly from last year, but significant division remains as to what the feds are offering. Joining the show to explain further is John Roe, a Research Associate with the Angus Reid Institute.
• Summer has arrived, and that means the Summer blockbusters are slowly trickling in. Movie critic Richard Crouse previews every single heavy-hitter.

Free For All Friday - Hour 2

Hosts from all over the country join The Roundtable to tackle this week's Top 5 news stories. Attending today's session are communications expert Sharan Kaur and Strategy Corp vice-president Garry Keller.

1. Canada vows to invest 5 percent of its GDP on national defense measures by 2035. Naturally, the U.S. President is taking most of the credit, as other NATO allies get on board.
2. Bill C-5 has passed through the House of Commons, as MPs head home for Summer Break. What should each party focus on as we head towards the Fall?
3. Should this Summer be an 'Eighties Summer'?
4. If you hear wedding bells all the way from Italy, it's because a rich billionaire is tying the knot. You have 3 guesses as to who Amanda is talking about.
5. What is your favourite road trip tune?

Unpacking what we do - and don't - know about the success of the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facility. Vassy Kapelos speaks with General (Ret.) Tom Lawson, former Chief of the Defense Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces.

On todays show:

• Bill Curry, Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief for the Globe and Mail joins Vassy to discuss how the Federal infrastructure bank provided $1-billion in loans for BC Ferries to buy Chinese-made ships.
• Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology Specialist joins Vassy for his weekly segment 'Talk Science to Me'.
• The Daily Debrief Panel with Robert Benzie, Laura Stone, and Graham Richardson.
• Pam Hemphill, Ex-”MAGA Granny” joins Vassy to discuss how she was commended by former US Vice President Pence for refusing her January 6th pardon.

Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, joins host Vassy Kapelos to discuss the merits of the Alberta Next Panel.

On todays show:

• Jeremie Charron, CTV National News Correspondent joins Vassy live from The Hauge to discuss how Canada commits to new NATO pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035.
• David Coletto, founder, Chair and CEO of Abacus Data joins Vassy to discuss the new Abacus polling that examines if Canadians think the Carney government is off to a good start.
• Judie Saunders, NYC Sexual abuse litigator and former prosecutor joins Vassy for this weeks 'The Explainer' segment.
• The Daily Debrief Panel with Sharan Kaur, Jeff Rutledge, and Stephanie Levitz.

A ceasefire violated. U.S. intervention. Questions of diplomacy. There are a lot of moving pieces in the Israel-Iran situation. Vassy Kapelos speaks with freelance journalist Nahayat Tizhoosh to get some perspective on the latest developments on Day 12 of the conflict.

On todays show:

• A political debate is raging over the Carney government's plan to continue with an EV sales mandate by 2035. Vassy speaks with Flavio Volpe, President of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, about the industry's concerns.
• Vassy Kapelos hosts ‘The Daily Debrief’ political panel discussion with Laryssa Waler, Founder of Henley Strategies and Former Head of Communications for Doug Ford, Shachi Kurl, President of the Angus Reid Institute and Dan Moulton, Partner, Crestview Strategy, Liberal strategist.

Thomas Juneau, a Professor of Public and International Affairs at UOttawa, joins Vassy Kapelos to discuss the fallout from the U.S. intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict.

On todays show:

• Listen to Vassy's full conversation with Industry Minister Melanie Joly on the possibility of reaching a tariff deal with the United States.
• A heat dome has settled over large parts of central Canada. Vassy speaks with Kelsey McEwen, Chief Meteorologist on CTV's Your Morning, about what people can expect from the first heatwave of the summer.
• The Daily Debrief Panel with Tom Mulcair, Tim Powers, and Zain Velji.
• Listen to Vassy's full conversation with B.C. Premier David Eby on what it will take to reach consensus on nation building projects.