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
May 16, 2023 • 28min
PM Calls By-Elections in Four Ridings - May 15, 2023
The prime minister has called four by-elections next month. Michael Serapio hears from political observers Garry Keller, Carlene Variyan, and Kim Wright about what to watch for.
Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan, the military's chief of professional conduct and culture, provides an update on the work to root out sexual misconduct, misogyny, and racism within the Canadian Armed Forces.
And Alex Boyd (Toronto Star) and Jen Gerson (The Line) analyze the Alberta provincial campaign as we reach the halfway point.
May 13, 2023 • 29min
The Week In Review - May 12, 2023
Journalists Joanna Smith (The Canadian Press), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Bill Curry (The Globe and Mail) join Michael Serapio to analyze the week's top political stories. And Alberta pollster Janet Brown talks about the provincial election campaign.
May 12, 2023 • 29min
Maxime Bernier, Passport Controversy, Conservative Polling - May 11, 2023
People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier discusses his push to win a Manitoba byelection in Portage--Lisgar.
Political observers Kate Harrison, Susan Smith, and James Valcke debate the byelection campaign and the controversy over Canada's redesigned passport.
And Abacus Data CEO David Coletto has new numbers on what voters think about a potential Conservative government headed by Pierre Poilievre.
May 11, 2023 • 29min
China, Russia, Judicial Vacancies - May 10, 2023
Jeff Nankivell, president of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada and former consul-general in Hong Kong, joins Andrew Thomson to discuss the implications of Chinese interference on Canada's economy and national security.
Alexandra Chyczij, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, explains why her organization is urging the Canadian government to declare Russian diplomats persona non grata.
John Stefaniuk, vice-president of the Canadian Bar Association, talks about Canada's judge shortage -- and what it means for the day-to-day operation of our justice system -- with the chief justice warning the prime minister of the consequences of judicial vacancies.
May 10, 2023 • 30min
China Expels Canadian Diplomat - May 9, 2023
Canada's former ambassador to the United Nations, Henri-Paul Normandin, joins Michael Serapio with his reaction to China's decision to expel Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lalonde
Dave Levinthal, editor-in-chief of Raw Story, discuses the verdict of a civil jury in New York, which found former U.S. president Donald Trump sexually abused and defamed journalist Jean Caroll in the 1990s.
And Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith explains his campaign for the Ontario Liberal leadership.
May 9, 2023 • 29min
Canada Expels Chinese Official Over Interference Allegations - May 8, 2023
MPs Greg Fergus (Liberal), Andrew Scheer (Conservative) and Heather McPherson join Michael Serapio with their views on Canada's decision to expel Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei over foreign interference allegations. We also have analysis from Arthur Wilczynski, a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
Journalists Alex Boyd (Toronto Star) and Elise von Scheel (CBC News) discuss the latest developments from the campaign trail in Alberta as wildfires burn across the province.
May 4, 2023 • 28min
Alexandre Trudeau Testifies - May 3, 2023
Michael Serapio and journalist Steven Chase (The Globe and Mail) review Alexandre Trudeau's committee testimony on the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.
Royal commentator Bonnie Brownlee previews this weekend's coronation of King Charles.
And Heidi Rathjen of PolySeSouvient outlines her opposition to the government's latest Bill C-21 amendments.
May 3, 2023 • 29min
Treasury Board President On PSAC Agreement - May 2, 2023
Michael Serapio questions Treasury Board president Mona Fortier on the agreement between the federal government and the Public Service Alliance of Canada to end the 12-day strike by 120,000 federal public servants.
Political commentators Sheila Copps (Liberal), Tim Powers (Conservative) and Mélanie Richer (NDP) debate the latest developments on foreign interference, including Alexandre Trudeau’s committee appearance and the alleged targeting of Conservative MP Michael Chong’s family.
Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez discusses the passage of Bill C-11 and criticism of the bill’s online content regulations.
May 2, 2023 • 29min
Tentative Agreement To End Federal Strike - May 1, 2023
Chris Aylward, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, joins Michael Serapio to discuss the tentative agreement reached between the union and the federal government.
Nicholas Coghlan, Canada’s ambassador to South Sudan from 2012 to 2013, analyzes the crisis in Sudan as the federal government ends evacuation flights.
Journalists Tyler Dawson (National Post) and Jen Gerson (The Line) review the first day of Alberta's provincial election campaign.
Apr 29, 2023 • 28min
The Week In Review - April 28, 2023
Journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star), Stephanie Taylor (The Canadian Press) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) analyze the week’s top political stories, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trip to New York and his keynote address to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Marco D'Angelo, president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, explains why his organization is asking all levels of government to help address a rise in violence on public transit.
