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
Mar 18, 2025 • 27min
Securing the Arctic – March 18, 2025
Senator Tony Dean (Independent) talks about arctic security in Canada following an announcement from the prime minister in Nunavut today.
Veteran campaign managers Michele Cadario (Liberal) Jordan Paquet (Conservative and Cheryl Oates (NDP) discuss questions regarding Prime Minister Carney’s financial assets being put into a blind trust.
Ihor Michalchyshyn, CEO of the Canadian Ukrainian Congress reacts to U.S. President Trump’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and their agreement to begin a partial ceasefire.
Mar 17, 2025 • 27min
PM Carney Visits France & the UK – March 17, 2025
Economists Pedro Antunes (Conference Board of Canada) and Kari Norman (Desjardins) discuss the long-term impacts of tariffs on the Canadian economy.
Pollster Éric Grenier breaksdown the latest federal numbers as the Liberals surge under Prime Minister Carney.
U.S. journalist Dave Levinthal talks about how the U.S.-Canada trade war is being received in Washington.
Mar 14, 2025 • 27min
Mark Carney Sworn-In as the 24th Prime Minister – March 14, 2025
The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule discuss the logic behind Prime Minister Carney's choices for cabinet and how opposition parties might target the new government.
The bureau chiefs panel, Bob Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) talk about the swearing-in of Prime Minister Carney and the reaction from opposition parties to the new leader.
Mar 13, 2025 • 28min
Canada's Broken Relationship with America – March 13, 2025
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy talks about what Canada should do to protect itself amid threats from U.S. President Trump.
Former NAFTA negotiator John Weekes talks about the long-term damage to Canada's trading relationship with the U.S.
Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath talks about the impact of steel tariffs on her community and what she wants to see from other levels of government.
Mar 12, 2025 • 28min
Canada Responds to New Tariffs – March 12, 2025
Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association talks about how her industry is reacting to steel tariffs being imposed by the U.S.
AluQuébec President Francois Racine talks about the impact tariffs are already having on the aluminum industry.
Liberal MP Terry Sheehan and NDP MP Matthew Green, who both represent steel towns in Ontario, talk about the impact of tariffs on their communities.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce President Candace Laing talks about the impact of steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada's economy.
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.
