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
Nov 8, 2025 • 29min
Trouble in Conservative Caucus – November 7, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss the fractures appearing in Pierre Poilievre's Conservative caucus and about how Mark Carney might pass his first budget.
Kody Blois, a Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary to the prime minister discusses how his party plans to ge their budget passed and about floor crossings from the Conservatives to his party and rumours there could be more.
Lisa Raitt and Anne McLellean, co-chairs of the Coalition for a Better Future give their take on Mark Carney's first budget and how it addresses economic growth in Canada.
Nov 7, 2025 • 29min
Billions For DND – November 6, 2025
Minister of Defence David McGuinty explains how the Canadian Armed Forces will put to use billions in new spending allocated to them in the federal budget.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May expresses her disappointment in the federal budget's environmental policies and talks about what she'd like to see if the government wants to negotiate with her.
New Brunswick Finance Minister René Legacy speaks with CPAC’s Andrew Thomson about his province’s response to the federal budget and where there is “alignment” between the provincial and federal agendas on development.
Nov 6, 2025 • 30min
Chris d'Entremont Crosses the Floor – November 5, 2025
A federal budget and a floor crossing. Strategists Susan Smith (Liberal), Cole Hogan (Conservative) and George Soule (NDP), talk about former Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont’s move to join the Liberal caucus and whether other MPs will consider changing parties.
Sean O’Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, speaks with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about the federal budget’s public service workforce cuts and the impact it will have on critical services for Canadians.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield explains his state's case against Trump's tariffs as the legality of the president's executive actions is debated at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Nov 5, 2025 • 29min
Carney's First Budget – November 4, 2025
Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne unveiled his first budget today with a deficit of more than 78 billion dollars. In an interview with CPAC host Michael Serapio, Champagne defends the spending in his budget, saying it will make Canada more competitive than the United States.
The Liberal government announced its budget today, with a deficit of over $78 billion dollars. Jasraj Singh Hallan, the Conservative finance critic believes that the budget has too much spending. "It's impossible to fathom that someone who calls himself a budget expert is going to spend more than Justin Trudeau."
The Bloc Québécois is unsatisfied with the Liberals’ budget. Jean-Denis Garon, the finance critic for the BQ, saying the budget spend enough on new infrastructure and the environment.
Nov 4, 2025 • 29min
The Night Before the Budget – November 3, 2025
Polls analyst and author of The Writ Éric Grenier stops by to talk about what the polls are showing going into Prime Minister Carney's first budget.
Sharon DeSousa, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, speaks with CPAC's Michael Serapio about the forecasted austerity in the federal budget and their union’s concerns about thousands of potential public service job cuts.
Michigan State University law professor Matthew Leffler talks about the significance of the case challenging President Trump's tariffing powers going before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Nov 1, 2025 • 29min
Carney Meets Xi - Canada and China Attempt a Reset – October 31, 2025
Foreign affairs expert Vina Nadjibulla talks about the historic meeting between Prime Minister Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping and what the future of Canada-China relations could hold.
The bureau chief panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) talk about U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra's reported tirade at Ontario's representative in Washington and the current state of relations between the two countries.
Canada-U.S. relations expert Fen Hampson tells us why he thinks the U.S. ambassador to Canada should be reprimanded by the Canadian government.
Oct 31, 2025 • 29min
Deal Interrupted – October 30, 2025
The strategists panel, Cole Hogan and Susan Smith discuss the fallout from the Ontario government's anti-tariff ad and debate if the prime minister shares some responsibility for it.
John Parisella, a longtime political adviser in Quebec and strategist for the 'NO' side in the 1995 referendum recalls the campaign to keep Quebec in Canada and discusses the future of Quebec sovereignty.
Laura Kelly, a Washington-based foreign policy reporter for The Hill talks about the Senate vote to strip the President of his emergency power to place tariffs on Canada.
Oct 30, 2025 • 29min
Stellantis Speaks – October 29, 2025
Flavio Volpe, president of the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association discusses the future of the Canadian auto industry amid several plant closures and demands from the U.S. to build cars state-side.
Charles Burton, a former Canadian diplomat and expert on Canada-China relations talks about the risks of getting closer to China as the PM prepares to meet President Xi Jinping.
Conference Board of Canada Chief Economist Pedro Antunes gives an overview of the state of the Canadian economy following a decision by the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates.
Oct 29, 2025 • 29min
Fallout Continues from Ontario Tariff Ad – October 28, 2025
CPAC's Andrew Thomson briefs host Michael Serapio on the latest fallout from Ontario's anti-tariff ad campaign in the U.S. as negotiations with that country remain on hold.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown discusses his recent visit to Ottawa and meetings with key ministers as his city is hit hard by auto tariffs.
Michael Serapio sits down with authors Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson on their new book "Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk" that explores pressing issues facing Canadians.
Jason Schilling. president of the Alberta Teachers' Association talks about the problems his members face as the Alberta government orders them back to work after a three-week strike.
Oct 28, 2025 • 29min
Ford Makes no Apologies for Reagan Ad – October 27, 2025
Toronto Star Queen's Park bureua chief Robert Benzie talks about the fall out from Ontario's anti-tariff ad as the Premier defends it.
Former Republican strategist and podcast host Steve Schmidt talks about the deteriorating relationship between Canada and the U.S.
Foreign affairs expert Vina Nadjibulla talks about what Canada can do to be more competitive in Asian markets as the Prime Minister seeks new trading partners.
