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
Feb 17, 2025 • 30min
U.S. and Russia Hold Peace Talks Without Ukraine – February 18, 2025
Talks have begun between the USA and Russia in Saudi Arabia about a possible end to the war in Ukraine, but without Europe or Ukraine at the table. CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses this with Yuliya Kovaliv, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada.
Journalists Robert Benzie (Toronto Star) and Sabrina Nanji (The QP Observer) breakdown the Ontario election debate held on Monday.
Feb 14, 2025 • 29min
Team Canada VS Trump Tariffs – February 14, 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey talks about his trip to Washington and what he and other premiers heard from U.S. officials.
The journalists panel, Bob Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss the premeirs trip to Washington this week and the Conservative criticism of Liberal leadership contestant Mark Carney.
Abacus Data's David Coletto breaks down his latest federal numbers.
Feb 13, 2025 • 30min
Trump Announces Reciprocal Tariffs – February 13, 2025
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand talks about U.S. President Donald Trump's continual threats to make Canada the 51st state, and reacts to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's call for NATO members to spend five per cent of their GDPs on defence.
Political strategists Jordan Paquet (Conservative), Stevie O'Brien (Liberal) and George Soule (NDP) discuss the possibility of an early election call.
Washington-based political reporter David Levinthal talks about Trump's plan to invoke reciprocal tariffs.
Feb 12, 2025 • 27min
Fly the Flag Proudly say Former PMs – February 12, 2025
Former prime minister Kim Campbell talks about the call from former prime ministers for Canadians to proudly fly the Canadian flag on its 60th anniversary this weekend.
Matthew Holmes from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce talks about what cities would see the greatest impact from tariffs.
Pollster Éric Grenier discusses how the Liberals have made a significant gains in their polling gap against the Conservatives in recent weeks.
Feb 11, 2025 • 29min
Canada Prepares for Steel and Aluminum Tariffs – February 11, 2025
Saut Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker discusses the impact that steel and aluminum tariffs will have on his city.
Former Premier Jason Kenney (Alberta), Kathleen Wynne (Ontario) Darrell Dexter (Nova Scotia) and Dwight Ball (Newfoundland and Labrador) talk about what Canada should do to counter tariffs implemented by the U.S.
Council of Canadian Innovators CEO Benjamin Bergen speaks about building a more resilient economy in the face of tariffs from Canada's largest trading partner.
Feb 10, 2025 • 26min
Tariff Reprieve Short-Lived – February 10, 2025
François Desmarais, vice president of trade & industry affairs at the Canadian Steel Producers Association discusses the impact a tariff on his industry would have on the country.
Investor and member of the Prime Minister's Canada-U.S. relations council Arlene Dickinson talks about what Canada's response should be to potential tariffs.
Queen's Park journalists Robert Benzie (Toronto Star) brings us the latest from the Ontario campaign trail as the Liberals and PCs deploy dueling Superbowl ads.
Feb 7, 2025 • 28min
PM: Trump Annexation Threat "Is a Real Thing" – February 7, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel, Bob Fife (Globe and Mail), Mia Rabson (Canadian Press) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) discuss the Prime Minister's hot mic comments on President Trump's desire to make Canada the 51st state.
Senator Hassan Yussuff talks about Canada's approach to the Trump tariff threat as members of the Prime Minister's Canada-U.S. council meet in Toronto.
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt speaks about removing inter-provincial trade barriers to counter potential tariffs.
Feb 6, 2025 • 28min
The Case for Canada – February 6, 2025
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson speaks about Canada's economic case to the U.S.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens talks about the impact tariffs would have on his manufacturing city.
The strategists panel, Cole Hogan, George Soule and Daniele Medlej talk about how the federal parties have handled the Trump tariff threat.
Feb 5, 2025 • 29min
Relationship Troubles – February 5, 2025
Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin talks about the rocky relationship between the two countries and what can be done to repair it.
Former Canadian diplomat Ben Rowswell discusses how President Trump is shaping the global order.
Liberal leadership contestant Frank Baylis shares his vision for Canada and speaks about how he would handle the U.S. administration.
Feb 4, 2025 • 28min
Work Begins Following Trade War Pause – February 4, 2025
Former cabinet minister and deputy prime minister John Manley discusses the next steps for Canada in its trade fight with the U.S.
Unifor President Lana Payne talks about her call to stay vigilant despite the trade war pause.
Queen's Park journalists Robert Benzie (Toronto Star) and Sabrina Nanji (Queen's Park Observer) talk about the latest news from the Ontario campaign trail.
