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 4, 2025 • 29min
Trump and Trade Trips – October 3, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) and Mia Rabson (Canadian Press) discuss the prime minister's trip to Washington and meeting with President Trump next Tuesday.
Ret. Lt. -Gen. and former MP Andrew Leslie gives his thoughts on the government's new defence investment agency, aimed at improving military procurement.
Marci Shore, a former Yale professor and current prof at the Munk School of Global Affairs talks about the rhetoric used by U.S. President Donald Trump at a recent speech to top military leaders and what it says about the state of U.S. democracy.
Oct 3, 2025 • 29min
Liberals Tackle Military Procurement – October 2, 2025
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr discusses the government's new defence investment agency and how it's supposed to fix a file mirred by issues.
B.C. Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix talks about his province's opposition to Alberta's oil pipeline proposal.
The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule discuss pipeline politics and the rift between Alberta and B.C.
Oct 2, 2025 • 28min
Pipeline Politics – October 1, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talks about the pipeline to the B.C. coast that her province is proposing today.
AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak discusses reconcialiation and about Indigenous consultation on national projects.
And the gun buyback program is discussed with Conservative Public Safety Critic Frank Caputo and Liberal Secretary of State for Combatting Crime Ruby Sahota who share their opposing views on the initiative.
Sep 30, 2025 • 29min
Peace Plans – September 29, 2025
Former Canadian Ambassador to Israel, Jon Allen talks about the detailed peace plan for Gaza unveiled by the U.S. and Israel today.
Jon Hamilton, spokesperson for Canada Post, speaks with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about the ongoing strike with the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union (CUPW) and the measures the federal government announced to help move the crown corporation towards financial stability.
Jim Gallant, negotiator for the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union (CUPW), talks about the union’s second strike this year and the practicality of the demands on the financially-strained Canada Post.
Sep 27, 2025 • 29min
Deficit Warning – September 26, 2025
The United Kingdom's High Commissioner in Canada Robert Tinline talks about Canada-UK relations as Prime Minister Carney's second trip to London gets underway.
The bureau chiefs, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail). Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss the rhetoric coming from U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra and what Canada's strategy has been in trade negotiations with the United States.
Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques sounds the alarm over higher projected deficits by the federal government.
Sep 26, 2025 • 29min
PM Across the Pond – September 25, 2025
Janice Charette, Canada's former high commissioner to the United Kingdom, talks about the importance of international trips to the Carney government's agenda.
The strategists panel—Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule—weigh in on the controversy over the Public Safety Minister’s leaked comments on the gun buyback program, how the government is responding, and where the parties stand on Canadians’ priorities like affordability.
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, sits down with CPAC’s Michael Serapio to discuss how the government plans to support businesses struggling with trade barriers and help workers adapt to a changing economy.
Sep 25, 2025 • 29min
Assessing the National Projects – September 24, 2025
Stephen Thomas, manager of clean energy at the David Suzuki Foundation talks about his organization's call for an east to west electricity grid.
Anne McLellan and Lisa Raitt grade Mark Carney's list of national projects and progress on economic growth.
Former cabinet minister Catherine McKenna promotes her new book Run Like a Girl and discusses the Carney government's actions on climate change so far.
Sep 24, 2025 • 29min
Buyback Blowback – September 23, 2025
The Government of Canada launches a pilot of the buyback program for individuals who own banned assault weapons. But Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree and the program are being criticized following leaked remarks that the minister made calling the effectiveness and intention of the firearms program into question.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser outlines his government's new law combatting hate crimes. CPAC’s Michael Serapio speaks with the minister to learn more.
Louis Blais, former Canadian Ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, discusses this week at the United Nations with Prime Minister Carney and President Trump delivering statements and the relations between Canada and the U.S. with host Michael Serapio.
Sep 23, 2025 • 29min
Canada Recognizes State of Palestine – September 22, 2025
Canada's outgoing UN Ambassador Bob rae discusses the reasons behind Canada's recognition of Palestine.
Former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen, talks about how the situation in the Middle East could be impacted by recognition of Palestine by western democracies.
Informed Perspectives’ Shari Graydon spoke with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about Canada falling to 71st place globally for women’s political representation, their organization’s new research with Abacus Data, and measures that can improve gender parity in politics.
Sep 20, 2025 • 27min
Combatting Hate Crimes – September 19, 2025
The bureau chief's panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) address the first week back of Parliament and the government's proposed bill targeting hate crime.
Polls analysts Philippe J. Fournier (338 Canada) and Éric Grenier (The Writ) talk about what the latest poll numbers are saying about Prime Minister Mark Carney and his primary opposition Pierre Poilievre.
