Weekends with Joanne Vrakas
Joanne has all the info you need to kick off your day. The foundation of Weekends with Joanne Vrakas is news, weather, sports and a review of your entertainment options, but Joanne also has great interviews and contributors on a range of topics.
Chris Bumbray's weekend review
JoBlo.com's Chris Bumbray reviews Crystal Lake, The Terminal Season 2 and the much talked about You Can See Everything.
Photo of You Can See Everything director Nathan Fielder courtesy of AP Photo/Jae C. Hong,File
Dr. Soles: Parenting styles: separating trends from we know works
Child psychologist Dr Tamara Soles on changing parenting styles, what works and what doesn't.
Child psychologist Dr. Tamara Soles can be heard every Saturday at 8:40 a.m. on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas to discuss issues affecting children's mental health.
John Parisella receives an honorary doctorate from McGill University
A school tracker, a political organiser, a diplomat, businessman and media columnist- John Parisella has had a very busy life. John joins Joanne to discuss his honorary doctorate from McGill University.
Photo of John courtesy of CP PHOTO/Ryan Remiorz
Chef V’s ultimate chocolate cake recipe
Fast, easy and delicious. Chef Vanessa Gianfrancesco share her ultimate, fool proof chocolate cake recipe with Joanne.
A brief history of Montreal’s bridges: a bumpy road
From the Victoria, to the Mercier and everything in between- Montreal has had a complicated history with its bridges. Montreal Expert Thom Seivewright looks back at the history and costs of getting on and off the island.
Photo of Mercier Bridge courtesy of THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Canada’s food banks are at a tipping point
The 2026 Hungercount is out- Food Banks Canada say there are more children and working poor using their services and they need your help. The Food Professor Sylvain Charlebois breaks down the numbers.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, better known as ‘The Food Professor’, is Senior Director at Agri-Food Analytics Lab and Professor of Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University. He joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 7:10 a.m. to discuss everything from fluctuations in grocery prices to food trends.
Is gambling considered an addiction or psychological disorder?
Psychologist Dr. Sonia Krol on the psychology of gambling addiction. Who is most at risk and why?
A Quebec restaurant is making waves nationally
Brothers Tim and Mike Roberston gave themselves 28 days to turn around and open up MacTaverne, a restaurant, pub and inn in Val-David. They now find themselves on a list of 30 finalists for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants of 2026. They join Joanne with their story.
Trudie Mason presents “Pivoting”, her new CJAD show
Trudie Mason explores the moments people decide change their lives. She tells Joanne all about her new show “Pivoting”, Saturdays at 12:30 on CJAD.
Understanding Alberta’s referendum
Political analyst Sandy White on what is pushing the sentiment and what comes next.
Chef V: Bolognese 3 ways!
Chef Vanessa Gianfrancesco shares the roots of the famed pasta sauce and offers up her traditional meat, modern and veggie recipes for Bolognese.
A turbulent history of Montreal's airports
From military usage to land expropriation- Montreal's airports have had a long and storied past. Montreal Expert Thom Seivewright explores the highs and lows of the city's aviation history.
Food Professor: Weak Dollar, expensive groceries
Job losses, a weak dollar, and an El Niño- The Food Professor Sylvan Charlebois on how produce prices will be affected by all of it.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, better known as ‘The Food Professor’, is Senior Director at Agri-Food Analytics Lab and Professor of Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University. He joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 7:10 a.m. to discuss everything from fluctuations in grocery prices to food trends.
Nutrition: Is online Breast Cancer Nutrition Advice evidence based?
Nutritionist Kim Arrey says most online information on nutrition on Breast Cancer and diet is misleading or downright incorrect.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Kim Arrey joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 6:40 a.m. with tips to keep healthy.
The psychology of grief
Is there a proper way to grieve? How long should it last? Psychologist Dr Sonia Krol on how grief changes and how it changes you.
Montreal Marathon: high school sweethearts racing together in a very special way
5 years after being diagnosed with ALS, 25-year-old Amanda Tam and her husband Spencer Levine are racing together in the Montreal marathon thanks to an adapted wheelchair. They share the story of their love, the diagnosis and their hope for a cure.
Photo of Amanda and Spencer courtesy of Christine Long/CTV News
Dr. Labos: The latest from the Russian Anti-Plague Research Center death
A 28-year-old lab technician dead, a hospital lockdown and nearly 200 people in quarantine in Siberia. Dr Christoper Labos has the latest on the mysterious death and the circumstances surrounding it.
Dr. Chris Labos, cardiologist with a degree in epidemiology and a regular contributor on CJAD 800. You can hear him every Sunday on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas at 7:20 a.m. Today, Sue Smith sits in for Joanne Vrakas.
Dr. Soles: Why your child’s choice of friends matters
Who your child picks as friends shapes everything from their grades to their mental health. Child Psychologist Dr Tamara Soles says the goal is not to choose their friends for them but help them make them right choices instead.
Child psychologist Dr. Tamara Soles can be heard every Saturday at 8:40 a.m. on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas to discuss issues affecting children's mental health.
An election wrap with CTV's Maya Johnson
Speaking with Joanne Vrakas is CTV News Montreal anchor Maya Johnson wraps up the election campaign.
Photo of Quebec Premier Designate Plamondon courtesy of THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
A brief history of the Parti Quebecois
From René Levesque to the referendum, to the scandals and everything in between, Montreal Expert Thom Seivewright takes a look back at how it all got started for the Parti Quebecois.
Photo of Rene Levesque courtesy of THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Food Professor: How much will Thanksgiving dinner cost you this year?
The cost of Thanksgiving dinner has gone up this year. The Food Professor Sylvain Charlebois breaks down the numbers and looks into alternatives ahead of the big day.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, better known as ‘The Food Professor’, is Senior Director at Agri-Food Analytics Lab and Professor of Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University. He joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 7:10 a.m. to discuss everything from fluctuations in grocery prices to food trends.
Nutrition: Sleep starts on your plate
From warm milk, to spicy foods, to turkey- Nutritionist Kim Arrey says when it comes to sleep, what you eat and when you eat it make all the difference.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Kim Arrey joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 6:40 a.m. with tips to keep healthy.
Sex and aging: What happens to libido as grow older?
Does libido drop with age? Founder of le Sofa Sexologique and sex therapist Kanica takes a closer look at how sex drive changes as we age.
The psychology of misogyny
Why do some men hate women? Psychologist Dr Sonia Krol looks into the psychology of misogyny and who is most at risk.
Understanding financial abuse
What is financial abuse? Senior portfolio manager at Lapointe Investment Group CIBC, Richard Lapointe explains who is most at risk and how you can keep your money safe.
Dr. Labos: Can you die of hypothermia in your own home?
The coroner’s report is out on Montreal woman who died of hypothermia in her own home last winter.
Dr Christopher Labos on what you should do when your power goes out and its freezing outside.
Dr. Chris Labos, cardiologist with a degree in epidemiology and a regular contributor on CJAD 800. You can hear him every Sunday on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas at 7:20 a.m. Today, Sue Smith sits in for Joanne Vrakas.
The latest from the Provincial Election campaign ahead of Monday's election with CTV anchor Maya Johnson
Speaking with Joanne Vrakas is CTV News Montreal anchor Maya Johnson to explain the latest promises from the election campaign. Quebecers are heading to the polls on Oct. 5 in what could be a consequential provincial election.
Beginning at 7 p.m. on Oct. 5, CTV will air a special election broadcast on Crave, on CTVNewsMontreal.ca, on CJAD 800 Radio, and on our YouTube, TikTok, and X accounts.
Montreal's Immigration Story
Montreal expert Thom Sievewright explores the generations of newcomers who helped shape the city and build the Montreal we know today.
Food Professor: USA bans and tariffs put pressure on Canadian food producers
New US restrictions on some Canadian alcoholic beverages and tariffs on cheese are raising concerns across Canada's food and beverage sector. What could losing access to its largest export market mean for breweries, wineries, distilleries and dairy processors? We take a closer look at the potential economic impact.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, better known as ‘The Food Professor’, is Senior Director at Agri-Food Analytics Lab and Professor of Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University. He joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 7:10 a.m. to discuss everything from fluctuations in grocery prices to food trends.
<...Nutrition: Hydration, electrolytes and detox: separating health facts from fiction
Electrolyte drinks and detox products are everywhere, but do you really need them? Nutritionist Kim Arrey explains what electrolytes do, when you actually need them, and the truth about cleansing and detoxing your body.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Kim Arrey joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 6:40 a.m. with tips to keep healthy.
Why do we smell wine?
From notes of chocolate, to oak and even leather- everyone smells something different in their wine. But is it really there? Wine expert Jon Cercone says it’s all in our heads.
Jon Cercone is a sommelier at Taverne Sur Le Square in Westmount. He can be heard regularly on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas sharing his wine recommendations.
Understanding Montreal new “insult” bylaw
Insulting Montreal city staff or police officers can now cost you anywhere between 300 and 1000$ in fines. But how do we define an insult and will this clash with Charter rights?
Adjunct Professor at the McGill Faculty of Law Pearl Eliadis explains.
Dr. Labos: Are we overdoing it on pain management?
From the opioid crisis to over the counter pain pills- are we getting pain management wrong? Dr Christopher Labos looks into the billion dollar industry.
Dr. Chris Labos, cardiologist with a degree in epidemiology and a regular contributor on CJAD 800. You can hear him every Sunday on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas at 7:20 a.m. Today, Sue Smith sits in for Joanne Vrakas.
Are we headed towards a PQ majority?
Political analyst Sandy White on how the PQ could be inching towards a majority and what this would mean for the province.
Photo of Paul St-Pierre Plamondon courtesy of THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Dr. Soles: Can we predict mental illness in children?
Child psychologist Dr. Tamara Soles on weather there are certain signs or markers that can predict likelihood of future mental illness in children.
Child psychologist Dr. Tamara Soles can be heard every Saturday at 8:40 a.m. on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas to discuss issues affecting children's mental health.
The latest news on the campaign trail with CTV's Maya Johnson
CTV News Anchor at 5 pm Maya Johnson joins Joanne with the latest from the Quebec elections campaigns.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Is Laval the new Montreal?
From the food scene to culture to sports- Laval is having its moment. We sent Montreal Expert Thom Seivewright to explore the sights and sounds of the second largest city in Quebec.
Thom Seivewright is a tour guide turned social media star. He can be heard every Saturday at 7:40 a.m. on Weekends with Joanne Vrakas sharing hidden gems and facts you may not know about Montreal.
LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Christinne Muschi
Food Professor: Why don’t Europeans buy more Canadian foods?
The Food Professor Sylvain Charlebois explains why the new EU Canada association will likely bring more EU foods on our shelves but not the other way around.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, better known as ‘The Food Professor’, is Senior Director at Agri-Food Analytics Lab and Professor of Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University. He joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 7:10 a.m. to discuss everything from fluctuations in grocery prices to food trends.
Nutrition: Butter- Friend or Foe?
A new butter bar has gone viral in Paris- but is it good for us? Nutritionist Kim Arrey says some butters are better than others.
Registered dietitian nutritionist Kim Arrey joins Weekends with Joanne Vrakas every Saturday at 6:40 a.m. with tips to keep healthy.
Understanding the so-called “male loneliness epidemic”
Assistant Professor at McGill and Psychologist Dr Sonia Krol on what’s really behind the feeling and who is more at risk of isolation.
