
PrimeTime Politics with Michael Serapio
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 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.
Latest episodes

Mar 11, 2025 • 29min
Canada Braces for Steel & Aluminum Tariffs – March 11, 2025
Former Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil talks about the strategy Ontario Premier Doug Ford has used to combat U.S. tariffs.
Former federal trade minister Peter Van Loan talks about Canada's strategy for countering U.S. tariffs.
Former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan talks about what's next for Liberal Leader Mark Carney as he prepares to take over as Prime Minister.
Senator Peter Harder talks about the transition process when a new Prime Minister is elected.

Mar 10, 2025 • 27min
Mark Carney's First Day as Liberal Leader – March 10, 2025
Labour Minister Steve MacKinnon talks about how his party and government is shifting gears under a new leader.
The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule discuss Mark Carney's leadership win and the next steps for the federal parties as an election call looms.
Pollster Dan Arnold (Pollara) talks about how Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre matchup head-to-head on key issues in the minds of Canadians.

Mar 7, 2025 • 25min
Negotiating with Trump – March 7, 2025
Eddie Goldenberg, former chief of staff to Jean Chretien discusses Canada's strategy for negotiating with the U.S. and about the upcoming Liberal leadership convention.
The journalists panel, Bob Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) talk about Canada's trade strategy with the U.S. and what Canada's position with the Trump administration could look like under a new prime minister.

Mar 6, 2025 • 29min
Trump Pauses Tariffs Again – March 6, 2025
Brian Kingston, CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturer's Association talks about the tariff pause on his industry and the threats from President Trump to bring plants over to the U.S.
Unifor President Lana Payne discusses the unpredictable tariff threat and the impact on Unifor members.
Rose Gottemoeller, former NATO deputy secretary general talks about the Trump administration's shifting positions on the war in Ukraine and the future of U.S. pariticipation in global alliances like NATO.
The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule breakdown the latetst federal polling numbers.

Mar 5, 2025 • 28min
Tariffs Paused for Auto Sector – March 5, 2025
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand talks about Canadian efforts to support businesses affected by the trade war with the U.S. and addresses internal trade barriers that the provinces and Ottawa are attempting to remove.
Defence Minister Bill Blair talks about Canadian support for Ukraine as the U.S. steps back.
New Brunswick Premeir Susan Holt explains how her province is taking action to support those affected by tariffs and hit back agaisnt the U.S.

Mar 4, 2025 • 29min
Trade War Day 1 – March 4, 2025
Liberal Leadership contestant Karina Gould talks about standing up to Donald Trump as Canada announces its plan to counter tariffs from the U.S.
Former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt talks about Canada's options on trade going forward.
Canadian Federation of Municipalities CEO Carole Saab discusses the economic impact that tariffs will have on businesses and consumers.

Mar 4, 2025 • 27min
Bracing for Trump's Tariffs – March 3, 2025
The Conference Board of Canada's chief economist, Pedro Antunes, believes that it is impossible for Canada to fully prepare for the imposition of U.S. tariffs on Tuesday, given the deep integration of the two countries' supply chains. He adds that the introduction of tariffs could ultimately lead to a depreciation of the Canadian dollar by as much as $0.06. Our host, Catherine Lafrance, spoke with him.
We look back at Friday's confrontation between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House with Eugène Czolij, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Montreal.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to London this weekend to attend the European Summit on Ukraine alongside European heads of state and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. He also had the opportunity to speak with King Charles III about Canadian sovereignty. We discuss the Prime Minister's strategy behind this trip with journalists Catherine Lévesque and Christopher Nardi of the National Post.

Mar 1, 2025 • 28min
Argument in the Oval Office - February 28, 2025
Former Canadian ambassador to Russia Jeremy Kinsman reacts to the tense Oval Office exchange between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn talks about the impact of exchange between Zelenskyy and Trump.
Canadain-Ukrianian lawyer Daniel Bilak talks about what's next following President Zelenskyy's visits to Washington and the failed attempt to sign a mineral deal with the U.S.

Feb 27, 2025 • 30min
Trump Says Tariffs Coming on Tuesday – February 27, 2025
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay talks about the renewed threat of tariffs on Canada and U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today.
NDP MP Charlie Angus and Canadians United Against Hate founder Fareed Khan talk about the surge of patriotism they're advocating for in the face of threats from the U.S. president.
Journalist Sabrina Nanji (Queen's Park Observer) breaks down what to expect tonight as Ontarians vote in the provincial election.

Feb 26, 2025 • 29min
Liberals Close the Polling Gap – February 26, 2025
The Writ founder Éric Grenier spoke about recent federal polling numbers, showing the Liberals are nearly tied with the Conservatives.
CPAC journalist Andrew Thomson breaks down some of the highlights of the Liberal leadership debate on Tuesday
The strategists panel Susan Smith, Jordan Paquet and George Soule talk about what's next for the Liberal leadership race after the two debates.
Ukrainian MP and leader of the Holos Party, Kira Rudik spoke from Kyiv about a potential minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine.