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 27, 2026 • 29min
Canada Finally Hits NATO 2% Target – March 26, 2026
Former NATO assistant secretary general for defence investment Wendy Gilmour reacts to Canada hitting the two per cent military spending target and discusses what this might mean for the future of the Canadian Armed Forces.
On the strategists’ panel, Marci Surkes (Liberal), Cole Hogan (Conservative) and George Soule (NDP) discuss the NDP’s polling numbers and the party’s upcoming leadership convention.
Michael Serapio speaks with former Liberal deputy prime minister Anne McLellan and former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt. As co-chairs of the Coalition for a Better Future, they break down the group’s annual scorecard and discuss Canada’s economic development and trade relations.
Mar 26, 2026 • 30min
Air Canada CEO in Hot Water – March 25, 2026
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) discuss Pierre Poilievre’s appearance on Joe Rogan, and what it signals about his strategy, and how he may appeal to a broader audience.
Renowned environmentalist and legendary television broadcaster David Suzuki joins the show a day after he turned 90 to talk about his meeting with the prime minister and to share his views on the debate around protecting the environment versus economic development happening in Canada right now.
Mar 25, 2026 • 30min
Conservatives Pitch Their Auto Rescue Plan – March 24, 2026
Conservative Labour Critic Kyle Seeback joins to outline his party's plan to boost Canada’s auto manufacturing sector and secure tariff-free access for Canadian car exports.
Washington bureau chief at The Christian Science Monitor, Linda Feldmann, and NOTUS senior editor and investigative reporter Dave Levinthal discuss how Americans are feeling about the war in Iran and examine whether the conflict could fracture the president's political base.
Professor of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, Geneviève Tellier, discusses the Supreme Court challenge to Quebec's Bill 21 and the arguments for and against the secularism law.
CPAC reporter Rémi Authier explains the latest developments in the hearings at the Supreme Court of Canada on Quebec's Bill 21.
Mar 24, 2026 • 29min
Air Canada Tragedy – March 23, 2026
Auditor General Karen Hogan joins the show to break down her the latest report, highlighting key concerns around international students and compliance with study permits, the need to modernize federal pay system, and challenges with RCMP recruitment.
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr answers questions about recent defense procurement announcements on space, arms and munitions and the latest of the F-35 review.
CPAC reporter Rémi Authier dives into the case before the Supreme Court of Canada challenging Quebec's bill-21 secularism law.
Mar 14, 2026 • 28min
Arctic Security at Home and Abroad – March 13, 2026
Former NATO assistant secretary general for defence investment Wendy Gilmour discusses the Prime Ministers visit to Norway to observe NATO drills in the Arctic and Canada’s investment in Arctic defence. She also reacts to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to remove sanctions on Russian oil.
Northwest Territories Premier RJ Simpson discusses the prime minister's investment in the north, and how the projects will affect, security and infrastructure in the province.
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) discuss the Prime Ministers shifting position on the war in Iran.
Mar 13, 2026 • 29min
March 12, 2026
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree joins the show to defend the government's new bill on lawful access, which would give increased powers to law enforcement to demand digital evidence.
The strategists' panel, Susan Smith and Cole Hogan discuss and debate floor crossing of NDP MP Lori Idlout and what it means for the balance of power in Ottawa.
NDP leadership candidate Rob Ashton shares his vision for the party as voting for the next federal NDP leader gets underway.
Mar 12, 2026 • 30min
Liberals Two Seats from Majority After Another Floor Crossing – March 11, 2026
Former NDP national president Anne McGrath joins the show to discuss the impact of Nunavut MP Lori Idlout leaving the NDP to join the Liberal caucus.
Secretary of State for Combatting Crime Ruby Sahota talks about the government's efforts to strengthen security at Synagogues amid several targeted shootings in the GTA.
NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis talks about his vision for the party and the country as NDP members begin voting for their next leader.
Mar 11, 2026 • 29min
Canada's Stance on the War in Iran – March 10, 2026
Conservative MP Shuvaloy Majumdar talks about the Conservative Party's support for strikes on Iran and their call for the government to expel Iranian regime officials reportedly living in Canada.
NDP foreign affairs critic Alexandre Boulerice explains his party's position on the war in Iran and their disappointment with the prime minister's response.
Lawyer and human rights activist Kaveh Shahrooz discusses the situation in Iran right now and examines Canada's positioning on the conflict.
Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer at Pollara Strategic Insights, joins us to talk about strong polling numbers for the Liberals in Alberta and discusses some ridings that could be in play for them.
Mar 10, 2026 • 27min
Wartime Positioning – March 9, 2026
Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy talks about his criticism of the Canada's position on the war in Iran and what he thinks Canada should be doing as the conflict rages on.
Journalists Steven Chase (Globe and Mail) and Stephanie Taylor (National Post) discuss what was accomplished on the prime minister's indo-pacific trip last week and how the war in Iran partially overshadowed the mission.
Feb 28, 2026 • 29min
Government Questioned on Interference from India – February 27, 2026
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) and Mia Rabson (Canadian Press) discuss the widely criticized comments from a senior government official who told journalists that India was no longer targeting people in Canada. It comes as the Prime Minister begins a trade mission to India.
Mark Romoff, chair and CEO of the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum talks about the opportunities on trade and defence for the two countries with the Prime Minister visiting Sydney and Canberra next week.
NDP MP and party leadership hopeful Heather McPherson drops by for a conversation about her vision for the party and the country.
