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
Sep 29, 2022 • 29min
Fiona, Reconciliation, Voting Age - September 28, 2022
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey joins Michael Serapio from Port aux Basques, where he discusses provincial support for storm victims and the emotion of meeting residents and inspecting damage to homes. We also hear from Amanda McDougall, the mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, from Glace Bay, N.S.
Senator Michèle Audette, a former president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada and MMIWG Inquiry commissioner, joins Michael ahead of the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
NDP MP Taylor Bachrach reacts to the vote on his private member’s bill to lower the federal voting age to 16.
Sep 28, 2022 • 29min
Storm Response, Carbon Tax, Affordable Housing - September 27, 2022
Michael Serapio has the latest political response to Atlantic Canada's storm damage with Liberal MP Sean Casey and Nova Scotia minister John Lohr, responsible for the province's emergency management.
MPs debate today's Conservative motion on federal carbon pricing: Rachel Bendayan (Liberal). Michael Barrett (Conservative), and Peter Julian (NDP).
Ray Sullivan, interim executive director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, discusses the housing affordability debate and lobbying efforts on Parliament Hill to counter Canada’s housing crisis, especially for lower-income Canadians.
Sep 27, 2022 • 30min
Fiona Recovery, COVID-19 Measures - September 26, 2022
As the recovery from Hurricane Fiona continues in Atlantic Canada, Michael Serapio welcomes MPs Kody Blois, Stephen Ellis, and Richard Cannings along with Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutching to discuss what comes next.
The federal government has confirmed an end to mandatory COVID-19 border and travel measures later this week. We have reaction from virologist Earl Brown and Mayor Jim Diodati (Niagara Falls, Ont.).
Sep 24, 2022 • 27min
New Ambassador to China, COVID Border Measures - September 23, 2022
Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian ambassador to China, joins Martin Stringer to analyze the appointment of Jennifer May to that vital post in Beijing.
Dr. Zain Chagla (McMaster University) discusses a new medical assessment arguing Canada's border measures were of little use in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Mia Rabson (The Canadian Press) review the first week of the fall sitting and other political headlines.
Sep 23, 2022 • 28min
Trudeau and Poilievre, Cannabis, Ukraine - September 22, 2022
Pierre Poilievre questioned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today for the first time as Opposition Leader. Martin Stringer joins Michael Serapio to look at key moments from Question Period.
The federal government has struck a long-awaited panel to review Canada’s cannabis laws and regulations, nearly four years after legalization. Michael welcomes David Hammond, a University of Waterloo professor of public health sciences, and Annamaria Enenajor, a lawyer who founded the Campaign for Cannabis Amnesty.
Christian Leuprecht of Royal Military College analyzes the latest diplomatic and military developments concerning Russia’s invasion and Ukraine.
Sep 22, 2022 • 28min
COVID-19 Border Measures, Cost of Living - September 21, 2022
Reports suggest the federal government will relax COVID-19 border measures, including the ArriveCAN app. We look at the politics with MPs Greg Fergus (Liberal), Melissa Lantsman (Conservative), and Taylor Bachrach (NDP). And we look at the science with infectious diseases specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch.
A group of Ontario New Democrat MPPs spent $95.21 each on food over the past two weeks – less than $7 per day and the average for those receiving Ontario Disability Support Payments. We hear from MPP Joel Harden (Ottawa Centre) on their campaign to raise awareness, plus more on the issue from anti-poverty activist Leigh Bursey.
