New CBC host relishes chance to talk politics
TORONTO — Vassy Kapelos is taking over hosting duties at CBC News Network’s flagship daily political show, Power and Politics.
The public broadcaster said Kapelos will begin her position in March.
Kapelos replaces Rosemary Barton, who now co-hosts the CBC’s nightly newscast The National.
Kapelos has a degree from Western University and a master’s from Dalhousie University, both in political science.
“Vassy’s respectful-but-persistent interviewing style has helped her hone an adroit ability to hold the powerful to account,” Jennifer McGuire, general manager and editor-in-chief of CBC News, said in a news release.
“Her experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable as we chart a renewed course for Power and Politics.”
Kapelos, who describes herself as “politics-obsessed,” joins the public broadcaster from Global News, where she most recently served as Ottawa bureau chief and host of the network’s program The West Block.
Prior to working as a parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa, Kapelos covered provincial politics, including in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to join this show and work with a group of really talented people who are as politics obsessed as me,” Kapelos said in a news release.
“I honestly grew up wanting to be the host of a daily political talk show — I admittedly wasn’t the coolest kid — and I am beyond excited that it’s happening at CBC.”
Kapelos, originally from Toronto, has won several awards for her work, including a Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) honour in 2013 for an in-depth examination of Alberta’s emergency response system.