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 25, 2025 • 28min
Ad Issue - Trump Terminates Trade Talks – October 24, 2025
Louise Blais, Canada's former ambassador to the UN talks about Canada's strategy for dealing with the U.S. now that trade talks have been terminated by Donald Trump.
David Jacboson, the former U.S. ambassador to Canada from 2009-2013 discusses the fallout from Ontario's ad campaign and how Canada and the U.S. might go forward.
The Bureau Chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) talk about what the Prime Minister faces now that trade talks with the U.S. have collapsed right before a 9 day trip to Asia.
Oct 24, 2025 • 29min
Liberals Tackle Bail Reform – October 23, 2025
CPAC’s Michael Serapio sits down with Justice Minister Sean Fraser as the federal government introduces Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act.
Strategists Susan Smith and Cole Hogan speaks with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about the government’s bail reform legislation and Pierre Poilievre’s leadership as the leader faces criticisms following contentious remarks he made recently on the RCMP and the Trudeau government.
The legislation proposes over 80 changes to the Criminal Code to toughen bail and sentencing laws.
As the Prime Minister heads to Asia, Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, discusses new polling on Canadians’ attitudes towards expanding trade with Asian countries with Michael Serapio.
Oct 23, 2025 • 24min
Carney Pitches His Budget Plan – October 22, 2025
Political strategist Marci Surkes and National Post reporter Stephanie Taylor react to the Prime Minister's address to the nation on his budget plan.
The Carney government is worried that the opposition parties will vote against the upcoming federal budget, triggering an election. CPAC's Michael Serapio speaks with polls analyst Éric Grenier about the current seat projections and party standings if an election were to be called.
Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood, a senior researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives discusses the future of Canada's electric vehicle industry following a series of setbacks for the sector.
Oct 22, 2025 • 30min
Production Halt – October 21, 2025
Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie talks about the impact to his community from the cancellation of the GM Bright Drop EV truck.
Unifor President Lana Payne speaks out about what Canada needs to do to prevent more auto industry jobs from leaving Canada.
Auditor General Karen Hogan answers questions about her recent reports into cyber security in the federal public service and the quality of service from the CRA.
Former chief of defence staff (ret'd) general Tom Lawson talks discusses recruitment in the Canadian Armed Forces following an auditor general report shedding light on shortcomings in that area.
Oct 21, 2025 • 28min
Auto Jobs on the Line – October 20, 2025
The Conservative Shadow Minister for Industry Raquel Dancho talks about her party's call for the government to release the contract it signed with Stellantis as the car maker moves jobs to Illinois at the expense of Brampton.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown discusses the impact of the Stellantis move and what the future holds for the company in his city.
Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page discusses his views on the government's capacity for spending amid questions over the size of the upcoming budget.
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.
