This week Conservatives and Liberals sparred on Parliament Hill over federal health benefits for refugees and asylum claimants. At the centre of the debate is a recent report from the Parliamentary Budget Office about the cost of those health benefits. Interim PBO Jason Jacques joins Vassy to break down what's actually in that report.

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.

This week Conservatives and Liberals sparred on Parliament Hill over federal health benefits for refugees and asylum claimants. At the centre of the debate is a recent report from the Parliamentary Budget Office about the cost of those health benefits. Interim PBO Jason Jacques joins Vassy to break down what's actually in that report.
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.

The Explainer with Vassy Kapelos

All the best audio from Vassy Kapelos on CFRA.

All the best audio from Vassy Kapelos on CFRA.

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Top sound bites from all of 580 CFRA's programming

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Audio from the Vassy Kapelos Show on 580 CFRA.

Audio from the Vassy Kapelos Show on 580 CFRA.

The Vassy Kapelos Show

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VKS: The Explainer - What's in the PBO report on healthcare for refugees?

The phone lines are buzzing, as Dr. Barry Dworkin takes your health-related questions.

The phone lines are buzzing, as Dr. Barry Dworkin takes your health-related questions.

PODCAST: CFRA's House Calls for Sun. April 12th, 2026

The overall layout of Canada’s Capital possesses an intriguing combination of old and new designs, with some of the city’s oldest parts dating back to the days where limestone facades were commonplace. And if you do a lengthy tour of Canada itself, you might notice similar patterns in the cities and small towns you visit. However, in the eyes of a local writer and activist, today’s creations have become far too bland, as the olden days give way to a more generic background. CFRA’s Andrew Pinsent digs deeper with Canadian writer Suneeta Millington, who has previously served as the Chair of the Prime Ministers’ Row Initiative and on the Steering Committee for the National Arts Centre’s Southam Club. You can also find her viewpoints in a recent op-ed on MacLean’s Magazine.

The overall layout of Canada&rsquo;s Capital possesses an intriguing combination of old and new designs, with some of the city&rsquo;s oldest parts dating back to the days where limestone facades were commonplace. And if you do a lengthy tour of Canada itself, you might notice similar patterns in the cities and small towns you visit. However, in the eyes of a local writer and activist, today&rsquo;s creations have become far too bland, as the olden days give way to a more generic background. CFRA&rsquo;s Andrew Pinsent digs deeper with Canadian writer Suneeta Millington, who has previously served as the Chair of the Prime Ministers&rsquo; Row Initiative and on the Steering Committee for the National Arts Centre&rsquo;s Southam Club. You can also find her viewpoints in a recent op-ed on MacLean&rsquo;s Magazine.

CFRA Weekends - Has the modernization of today's neighbourhoods made Canada look too bland?

The Ottawa 67's were able to dispatch the Kingston Frontenacs in 4 straight, giving them a little extra time to prepare for a 'work-boots series' against the Barrie Colts. But after taking both regular season games in Barrie, Round 2 hasn't started off well for the barber poles, as the Colts hold a 2-0 series lead heading into Tuesday's Game 3. With the series now shifting to TD Place, how can Ottawa turn things around? Technical producer Stephen Ellsworth joins Andrew Pinsent on CFRA Weekends.

The Ottawa 67's were able to dispatch the Kingston Frontenacs in 4 straight, giving them a little extra time to prepare for a 'work-boots series' against the Barrie Colts. But after taking both regular season games in Barrie, Round 2 hasn't started off well for the barber poles, as the Colts hold a 2-0 series lead heading into Tuesday's Game 3. With the series now shifting to TD Place, how can Ottawa turn things around? Technical producer Stephen Ellsworth joins Andrew Pinsent on CFRA Weekends.

VKS: The Explainer - What's in the PBO report on healthcare for refugees?

The Explainer with Vassy Kapelos

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