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 18, 2023 • 58min
Rouleau report: Use of Emergencies Act justified – February 17, 2023
Michael Serapio hosts CPAC's full coverage as Commissioner Paul Rouleau releases his report on the federal government's invocation of the Emergencies Act. We hear from Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair for his reaction, as well as analysis from experts and journalists.
Feb 17, 2023 • 29min
Ethics Commissioner To Step Down - February 16, 2023
Mario Dion joins Michael Serapio to discuss his retirement as conflict of interest and ethics commissioner.
Political observers Kiavash Najafi, Susan Smith, and Larysa Waler analyze the latest headlines.
And U.S. journalist Dave Levinthal (Raw Story) talks about Nikki Haley's bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Feb 16, 2023 • 30min
RCMP Commissioner To Retire - February 15, 2023
Brenda Lucki has announced plans to retire as RCMP commissioner. Michael Serapio has reaction from former deputy commissioner Pierre-Yves Borduas.
The government is ending research funding that involves security threats from foreign governments. We hear from MPs Taleeb Noormohamed (Liberal), Michael Chong (Conservative), and Heather McPherson (NDP).
Human rights lawyer Zilla Jones discusses a new steering committee to address anti-Black discrimination in Canada's justice system.
Feb 15, 2023 • 29min
U.S. Investigates Balloon Debris - February 14, 2023
Former CSIS director Richard Fadden joins Michael Serapio to analyze the U.S. investigation of Chinese balloon debris, after several airborne were shot down across North America.
NDP MP Alistair MacGregor discusses the summoning of grocery store CEOs to testify at the agriculture committee.
Official Languages Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor faces questions on the status of Bill C-13.
Feb 14, 2023 • 29min
Defending Canadian Airspace - February 13, 2023
MPs Bryan May (Liberal), James Bezan (Conservative) and Daniel Blaikie (NDP) join Michael Serapio with their views on Canada’s defence preparedness, following the U.S. shootdown of an unidentified object over Yukon. We also hear from retired general and former chief of the defence staff Tom Lawson.
Toronto city councillor Paula Fletcher joins Michael Serapio to discuss Mayor John Tory’s decision to resign after admitting to having a romantic relationship with a staffer.
Feb 11, 2023 • 29min
Bail Reform And The Week In Review – February 10, 2023
MPs Greg Fergus (Liberal) and Frank Caputo (Conservative) debate bail reform and a Conservative private member's bill.
Journalists Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse), Bob Fife (The Globe and Mail), and Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) analyze the week's top stories on Parliament Hill.
Feb 10, 2023 • 30min
Ontario Optimism Over Health Care - February 9, 2023
Dr.Alika Lafontaine, president of the Canadian Medical Association, talks about health-care funding and this week's meeting of Canada's premiers. We also hear from political observers Ashton Arsenault, Stevie O'Brien, and Mélanie Richer.
Feb 9, 2023 • 30min
Laval Tragedy, Health Funding, State of the Union - February 8, 2023
Political leaders react to the death of two children after a bus crashed into a Laval, Que. daycare.
MPs debate health care and the federal funding offer to provinces and territories: Adam van Koeverden (Liberal), Stephen Ellis (Conservative), and Don Davies (NDP). And we have reaction from Dr. Michael Gardam, the chair of HealthCareCAN's board of directors.
Economists Pedro Antunes (Conference Board of Canada) and Brett House (Public Policy Forum, Munk School, Massey College) analyze the Canadian implications of U.S. President Joe Biden's State of the Union address.
Feb 8, 2023 • 28min
Feds Deliver Health Funding Offer - February 7, 2023
Michael Serapio has full coverage of today's First Ministers' Meeting on health care. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs discuss the federal offer of $46.2 billion in new spending over 10 years. And we hear from journalists Mia Rabson (The Canadian Press) and Marieke Walsh (The Globe and Mail).
Feb 7, 2023 • 28min
First Ministers' Meeting, Chinese Balloon Downed - February 6, 2023
Dr. Alika Lafontaine, president of the Canadian Medical Association, joins Michael Serapio to discuss tomorrow’s meeting between the prime minister and premiers on health care.
Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada's former ambassador to China, analyzes the U.S. downing of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon.
And political strategists Susan Smith (Liberal), Kate Harrison (Conservative) and Kim Wright (NDP) offer thoughts on the First Ministers' Meeting.
