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.

The Vassy Kapelos Show - Sound Bites

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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.

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

The best of Newstalk 580 CFRA for Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.

The best of Newstalk 580 CFRA for Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.

PODCAST: The Daily Review for Wed. February 25th, 2026

The game of cricket is booming in Canada’s Capital, and the municipality is setting its sights on a new full-sized outdoor regulation pitch. Beryl Gaffney Park, located on Rideau Valley Drive between Barrhaven and Manotick, has been identified as a prime site for this facility. However, some residents in the area aren’t too thrilled with the proposal. Debbie Prescott, a Barrhaven resident for over 30 years, visits the park every day. She joins Kristy Cameron on today’s Ottawa Now.

The game of cricket is booming in Canada&rsquo;s Capital, and the municipality is setting its sights on a new full-sized outdoor regulation pitch. Beryl Gaffney Park, located on Rideau Valley Drive between Barrhaven and Manotick, has been identified as a prime site for this facility. However, some residents in the area aren&rsquo;t too thrilled with the proposal. Debbie Prescott, a Barrhaven resident for over 30 years, visits the park every day. She joins Kristy Cameron on today&rsquo;s Ottawa Now.

Ottawa Now - Why a proposed cricket pitch is receiving crickets from frustrated Barrhaven residents

Brady Tkachuk and Auston Matthews might be squaring off against each other during the Battle of Ontario, but they share a few things in common. First of all, they are American-born captains of Canadian NHL teams. Secondly, they both played for Team USA at the latest Winter Games, taking down Team Canada to win Olympic Gold. And as the focal point of American Men's Hockey, both of them were spotted beside U.S. President Donald Trump, who annoyed Canadians everywhere during Tuesday’s State Of The Union Address. Where do we draw the line between NHL allegiances and national allegiances? Did the Ottawa Senators' fearless leader burn any bridges beyond repair? Jack Richardson is a columnist with The Hockey News, and a former hard-working member of both CFRA and CTV News. He joins Kristy Cameron on today's Ottawa Now.

Brady Tkachuk and Auston Matthews might be squaring off against each other during the Battle of Ontario, but they share a few things in common. First of all, they are American-born captains of Canadian NHL teams. Secondly, they both played for Team USA at the latest Winter Games, taking down Team Canada to win Olympic Gold. And as the focal point of American Men's Hockey, both of them were spotted beside U.S. President Donald Trump, who annoyed Canadians everywhere during Tuesday&rsquo;s State Of The Union Address. Where do we draw the line between NHL allegiances and national allegiances? Did the Ottawa Senators' fearless leader burn any bridges beyond repair?&nbsp;Jack Richardson is a columnist with The Hockey News, and a former hard-working member of both CFRA and CTV News. He joins Kristy Cameron on today's Ottawa Now.

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

The Vassy Kapelos Show - Sound Bites

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