Canada is in talks to formalize some kind of new special relationship with the European Union, with an official invite to explore "associate" membership. Vassy Kapelos is joined byIan Cooper, a Senior Research Fellow at the Brexit Institute at Dublin City University, for this week's Explainer segment.

Listen to The Vassy Kapelos podcast on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @VassKapelosShow and on Instagram at @VassyKapelosShow.

Canada is in talks to formalize some kind of new special relationship with the European Union, with an official invite to explore "associate" membership. Vassy Kapelos is joined by Ian Cooper, a Senior Research Fellow at the Brexit Institute at Dublin City University, for this week's Explainer segment.
Listen to The Vassy Kapelos podcast on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @VassKapelosShow and on Instagram at @VassyKapelosShow.

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All the best audio from Vassy Kapelos on CFRA.

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The Explainer with Vassy Kapelos

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VKS: The Explainer - What is the European Union?

An association representing Quebec farmers is calling on the Carney government to suspend its plans for a high-speed rail project between Quebec City and Toronto. Last Friday, the Union des Producteurs Agricoles wrote to Canada’s Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, asking him to pump the brakes on the project. Union President Martin Caron questioned the benefits of a high-speed rail line, saying that a high-frequency train would also provide gains in travel time and reliability at lower costs. Furthermore, it wants the feds to launch an independent review, comparing options for a high-speed train and a high-frequency train. Kristy Cameron chats with Stéphanie Levasseur, the First Vice-President of the UPA. Turning our attention to municipal matters, Neil Saravanamuttoo is not committing to a property tax hike target if elected Mayor of Ottawa this Fall. Instead, he will conduct a ‘comprehensive spending review’ at City Hall, and eliminate city programs that no longer serve residents. He pays us a visit in Hour 2.

An association representing Quebec farmers is calling on the Carney government to suspend its plans for a high-speed rail project between Quebec City and Toronto. Last Friday, the Union des Producteurs Agricoles wrote to Canada&rsquo;s Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, asking him to pump the brakes on the project. Union President Martin Caron questioned the benefits of a high-speed rail line, saying that a high-frequency train would also provide gains in travel time and reliability at lower costs. Furthermore, it wants the feds to launch an independent review, comparing options for a high-speed train and a high-frequency train. Kristy Cameron chats with St&eacute;phanie Levasseur, the First Vice-President of the UPA. Turning our attention to municipal matters, Neil Saravanamuttoo is not committing to a property tax hike target if elected Mayor of Ottawa this Fall. Instead, he will conduct a &lsquo;comprehensive spending review&rsquo; at City Hall, and eliminate city programs that no longer serve residents. He pays us a visit in Hour 2.

Hour 2 of Ottawa Now for Wed. September 16th, 2026

Earlier this morning, the President of the European Commission said that Europe wants to open the door for Canada to become an ‘associate member’ of the E.C. – a first-of-its-kind partnership. However, Canada isn’t ready to commit, and many perceive that the feds don’t want to totally shut out the United States. As you might recall, a weekend headline from the Wall Street Journal said that Canada was exploring potential membership, a rumour that Prime Minister Carney denied. Instead, Mark Carney said they wanted to forge a unique alliance. Now, we don’t really know what an ‘associate membership’ entails because it’s a brand-new title. Is this an offer that Canada should accept? Kristy Cameron digs deeper with Jeremy Kinsman, a former Canadian Ambassador to the European Union. He says he can’t see Canada joining the European Union, but he says that this offer is a symbolically significant one. Shifting gears to Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa’s frontrunner mayoral candidates have unveiled a series of platforms, while the Incumbent Mayor has officially launched his campaign. CFRA’s Andrew Pinsent delivers the details in Hour 1. But first, we bring you up to speed on today’s top headlines.

Earlier this morning, the President of the European Commission said that Europe wants to open the door for Canada to become an &lsquo;associate member&rsquo; of the E.C. &ndash; a first-of-its-kind partnership. However, Canada isn&rsquo;t ready to commit, and many perceive that the feds don&rsquo;t want to totally shut out the United States. As you might recall, a weekend headline from the Wall Street Journal said that Canada was exploring potential membership, a rumour that Prime Minister Carney denied. Instead, Mark Carney said they wanted to forge a unique alliance. Now, we don&rsquo;t really know what an &lsquo;associate membership&rsquo; entails because it&rsquo;s a brand-new title. Is this an offer that Canada should accept? Kristy Cameron digs deeper with Jeremy Kinsman, a former Canadian Ambassador to the European Union. He says he can&rsquo;t see Canada joining the European Union, but he says that this offer is a symbolically significant one. Shifting gears to Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa&rsquo;s frontrunner mayoral candidates have unveiled a series of platforms, while the Incumbent Mayor has officially launched his campaign. CFRA&rsquo;s Andrew Pinsent delivers the details in Hour 1. But first, we bring you up to speed on today&rsquo;s top headlines.

Hour 1 of Ottawa Now for Wed. September 16th, 2026

Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez speaks about the dangers that A.I. poses after a recent article was published by the CEO of Anthropic, calling for the alleviation of antitrust laws.

Listen to The Vassy Kapelos podcast on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @VassKapelosShow and on Instagram at @VassyKapelosShow.

Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez speaks about the dangers that A.I. poses after a recent article was published by the CEO of Anthropic, calling for the alleviation of antitrust laws.
Listen to The Vassy Kapelos podcast on the iHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter at @VassKapelosShow and on Instagram at @VassyKapelosShow.

VKS: The Explainer - What is the European Union?

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