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
Feb 23, 2025 • 28min
The UN in the Trump era – February 25, 2025
Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae talks about Ukrainian-American relations following the US’s vote against a resolution at the UN this week.
The strategist panel, Susan Smith, Jordan Paquet and George Soule look back on the French Liberal leadership debate and preview the English debate tonight.
CPAC’s Andrew Thomson speaks from Montreal ahead of the English Liberal leadership debate.
Feb 21, 2025 • 28min
Pro-Russia Rhetoric from the U.S. President – February 21, 2025
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy talks about his warning to Canada as the Trump administration continues to target Canada, Ukraine and European allies with harsh rhetoric.
The bureau chiefs panel, Bob Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss Trump's impact on Canadian politics and the upcoming Liberal leadership debate.
Feb 20, 2025 • 29min
Ruby Dhalla Denies Allegations of Foreign Interference – February 20, 2025
Liberal leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla denies allegations of foreign interference in her campaign after reports that stated the Liberal Party had some concerns.
The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Jordan Paquet and George Soule discuss the Conservative attacks on Mark Carney and the party's apparent shift in messaging.
Anti-fentanyl expert David Asher discusses the problems the U.S. administration has with Canada's handling of drug trafficking.
Feb 19, 2025 • 29min
Trump Calls Zelenskyy a Dictator – February 19, 2025
Royal Military College Professor Walter Dorn talks about U.S. President Trump's comments calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator and the efforts from his administration to end the war.
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles talks about the NDP's position in the Ontario election as election day draws near.
Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson talks about his trip to Washington last week and the strategy he'd like to pursue to counter potential tariffs.
Feb 17, 2025 • 30min
U.S. and Russia Hold Peace Talks Without Ukraine – February 18, 2025
Talks have begun between the USA and Russia in Saudi Arabia about a possible end to the war in Ukraine, but without Europe or Ukraine at the table. CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses this with Yuliya Kovaliv, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada.
Journalists Robert Benzie (Toronto Star) and Sabrina Nanji (The QP Observer) breakdown the Ontario election debate held on Monday.
Feb 14, 2025 • 29min
Team Canada VS Trump Tariffs – February 14, 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey talks about his trip to Washington and what he and other premiers heard from U.S. officials.
The journalists panel, Bob Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss the premeirs trip to Washington this week and the Conservative criticism of Liberal leadership contestant Mark Carney.
Abacus Data's David Coletto breaks down his latest federal numbers.
Feb 13, 2025 • 30min
Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariffs – February 13, 2025
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand talks about U.S. President Donald Trump's continual threats to make Canada the 51st state, and reacts to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's call for NATO members to spend five per cent of their GDPs on defence.
Political strategists Jordan Paquet (Conservative), Stevie O'Brien (Liberal) and George Soule (NDP) discuss the possibility of an early election call.
Washington-based political reporter David Levinthal talks about Trump's plan to invoke reciprocal tariffs.
Feb 12, 2025 • 27min
Fly the Flag Proudly say Former PMs – February 12, 2025
Former prime minister Kim Campbell talks about the call from former prime ministers for Canadians to proudly fly the Canadian flag on its 60th anniversary this weekend.
Matthew Holmes from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce talks about what cities would see the greatest impact from tariffs.
Pollster Éric Grenier discusses how the Liberals have made a significant gains in their polling gap against the Conservatives in recent weeks.
Feb 11, 2025 • 29min
Canada Prepares for Steel and Aluminum Tariffs – February 11, 2025
Saut Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker discusses the impact that steel and aluminum tariffs will have on his city.
Former Premier Jason Kenney (Alberta), Kathleen Wynne (Ontario) Darrell Dexter (Nova Scotia) and Dwight Ball (Newfoundland and Labrador) talk about what Canada should do to counter tariffs implemented by the U.S.
Council of Canadian Innovators CEO Benjamin Bergen speaks about building a more resilient economy in the face of tariffs from Canada's largest trading partner.
Feb 10, 2025 • 26min
Tariff Reprieve Short-Lived – February 10, 2025
François Desmarais, vice president of trade & industry affairs at the Canadian Steel Producers Association discusses the impact a tariff on his industry would have on the country.
Investor and member of the Prime Minister's Canada-U.S. relations council Arlene Dickinson talks about what Canada's response should be to potential tariffs.
Queen's Park journalists Robert Benzie (Toronto Star) brings us the latest from the Ontario campaign trail as the Liberals and PCs deploy dueling Superbowl ads.
