PrimeTime Politics with Michael Serapio
Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC)
PrimeTime Politics is a comprehensive round-up of the day in Canadian politics, from breaking stories to developments on longstanding issues. Key moments, feature interviews, panels, in-depth analysis and more. It’s the day in half an hour.
Michael Serapio is a renowned television anchor and reporter, whose broadcasting career has spanned more than two decades of covering some of the most challenging news stories in real time. In addition to being the face of CPAC's live programming, he hosts the channel's nightly political round-up, PrimeTime Politics, and is the first Filipino-Canadian male to anchor a national newscast in Canada. In 2023, Michael was recognized with a Canadian Screen Award for his work anchoring a breaking news special on the Ottawa occupation in February 2022.
Prior to joining CPAC in 2022, Michael spent 12 years as a host and anchor with CBC News Network. Before that, he was a reporter with CTV British Columbia and CityNews Toronto.
Michael Serapio is a renowned television anchor and reporter, whose broadcasting career has spanned more than two decades of covering some of the most challenging news stories in real time. In addition to being the face of CPAC's live programming, he hosts the channel's nightly political round-up, PrimeTime Politics, and is the first Filipino-Canadian male to anchor a national newscast in Canada. In 2023, Michael was recognized with a Canadian Screen Award for his work anchoring a breaking news special on the Ottawa occupation in February 2022.
Prior to joining CPAC in 2022, Michael spent 12 years as a host and anchor with CBC News Network. Before that, he was a reporter with CTV British Columbia and CityNews Toronto.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 11, 2025 • 29min
A Constitution for Quebec – October 10, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) talk about the political implications of Quebec tabling a draft constitution in the name of greater autnomy.
Poliitcal commentator Tim Powers and polls analyst Éric Grenier discuss the state of play in Newfoundland and Labrador ahead of its provincial election on Tuesday.
J.P. Gladu, a member of the Indigenous advisory council for the major projects office talks about the role of First Nations when it comes to approving and building major projects across the country.
Oct 10, 2025 • 28min
A Deal in Gaza – October 9, 2025
Former Canadian Ambassador to Israel Jon Allen discusses the first phase of the ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Gaza with CPAC’s Michael Serapio.
Prime Minister Carney returned from the White House this week to criticisms in another House. Conservatives criticized the Carney government for a lack of progress on tariff relief and trade negotiations at Question Period. Strategists Susan Smith and Cole Hogan talk with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about the backlash the Carney government is facing and where things stand politically with trade progress.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told a Toronto audience yesterday that Canada must come “second” to the U.S. on automobile manufacturing. CPAC’s Michael Serapio speaks with President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association Brian Kingston about his reaction to those statements and what this means for auto tariff relief and the future of the sector.
Oct 9, 2025 • 30min
Carney Faces the Music – October 8, 2025
Parliamentary journalists Steven Chase (Globe and Mail) and Stephanie Taylor (National Post) talk about what was accomplished during the Prime Minister's trip to Washington and meeting with President Trump.
Canada's former UN ambassador Louise Blais discusses the diplomatic strategy behind dealing with the United States.
International trade lawyer William Pellerin answers questions on the future of the Canada-U.S. trading relationship.
Oct 8, 2025 • 28min
No Deal in D.C. – October 7, 2025
CPAC host Michael Serapio reports from Washington D.C. where Prime Minister Carney met with President Donald Trump to work on a trade deal.
Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney discusses the prime minister's meeting with President Trump and the state of the Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship.
Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson talks about the Canada-U.S. trading relationship and about what could be preventing a deal from being reached.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talks about her meeting with Prime Minister Carney on Monday and responds to criticism from British Columbia regarding her pipeline proposal.
Oct 7, 2025 • 29min
Mr. Carney Goes to Washington – October 6, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet President Donald Trump tomorrow in Washington. And government officials are sounding more cautious about the prospect of a deal compared to predictions earlier this year that a deal would be signed in the summer. To help us understand this change in tone, CBC’s former national affairs editor Chris Hall joins CPAC host Michael Serapio.
Political strategists Stevie O’Brien and Jordan Paquet discuss with CPAC host Michael Serapio about Mark Carney’s visit to Washington to talk about trade and national security with Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has suffered a slight dip in his favourable impressions since he took office, says recent data published by Abacus Data. David Coletto, the founder and CEO of Abacus Data, explains that Canadians are becoming a little bit more unsure if Carney is the right person to lead the country.
Oct 4, 2025 • 29min
Trump and Trade Trips – October 3, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) and Mia Rabson (Canadian Press) discuss the prime minister's trip to Washington and meeting with President Trump next Tuesday.
Ret. Lt. -Gen. and former MP Andrew Leslie gives his thoughts on the government's new defence investment agency, aimed at improving military procurement.
Marci Shore, a former Yale professor and current prof at the Munk School of Global Affairs talks about the rhetoric used by U.S. President Donald Trump at a recent speech to top military leaders and what it says about the state of U.S. democracy.
Oct 3, 2025 • 29min
Liberals Tackle Military Procurement – October 2, 2025
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr discusses the government's new defence investment agency and how it's supposed to fix a file mirred by issues.
B.C. Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix talks about his province's opposition to Alberta's oil pipeline proposal.
The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule discuss pipeline politics and the rift between Alberta and B.C.
Oct 2, 2025 • 28min
Pipeline Politics – October 1, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talks about the pipeline to the B.C. coast that her province is proposing today.
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak discusses reconcialiation and about Indigenous consultation on national projects.
And the gun buyback program is discussed with Conservative Public Safety Critic Frank Caputo and Liberal Secretary of State for Combatting Crime Ruby Sahota who share their opposing views on the initiative.
Sep 30, 2025 • 29min
Peace Plans – September 29, 2025
Former Canadian Ambassador to Israel, Jon Allen talks about the detailed peace plan for Gaza unveiled by the U.S. and Israel today.
Jon Hamilton, spokesperson for Canada Post, speaks with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about the ongoing strike with the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union (CUPW) and the measures the federal government announced to help move the crown corporation towards financial stability.
Jim Gallant, negotiator for the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union (CUPW), talks about the union’s second strike this year and the practicality of the demands on the financially-strained Canada Post.
Sep 27, 2025 • 29min
Deficit Warning – September 26, 2025
The United Kingdom's High Commissioner in Canada Robert Tinline talks about Canada-UK relations as Prime Minister Carney's second trip to London gets underway.
The bureau chiefs, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail). Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss the rhetoric coming from U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra and what Canada's strategy has been in trade negotiations with the United States.
Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques sounds the alarm over higher projected deficits by the federal government.
