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 6, 2026 • 29min
Canada's Auto Strategy – February 5, 2026
The strategists panel, Marci Surkes, Cole Hogan and George Soule talk about the government's new strategy on vehicle emissions and EVs and about the prospect of a general election call in the near future.
Canada's Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden discusses the upcoming Winter Olympic games in Italy and the role sport plays in national unity.
Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques explains how much it's going to cost Canada to meet NATO's new 5% spending target.
Feb 5, 2026 • 29min
Liberals and Conservatives Cooperate on GST Rebate – February 4, 2026
David Macdonald, senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives talks about the practical impact of the GST rebate and top-up on Canadians.
Toronto Star Queen's park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie unpacks the drama in Toronto and in Ottawa after the federal Liberals poached the deputy leader of the NDP to run in a by-election and subsequent announcement by MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith that he would run in a provincial by-election.
Alberta's Chief Firearms Officer Teri Bryant talks about her province's opposition to the federal gun buyback program.
Feb 4, 2026 • 30min
Stephen Harper's Portrait Unveiled – February 3, 2026
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first chief of staff Ian Brodie talks about the legacy of his former boss and what Harper might be talking about with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute talks about the choice Canada faces in procuring submarines and the battle between a German and South Korean firm to win the contract.
Conservative campaign manager Steve Outhouse talks about the road ahead for Pierre Poilievre after his decisive leadership review result and what the leader and party is focused on going into the spring session of Parliament.
Feb 3, 2026 • 27min
Conservatives Offer Cooperation on GST Rebate – February 2, 2026
Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman explains why her party is offering to fast-track the government's GST rebate measure despite criticizing it.
Abacus Data CEO David Coletto discusses the challenges ahead for Pierre Poilievre after he survived his leadership review but still faces a steadily popular Mark Carney.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith faces questions about Alberta separatism and explains why she supports Pierre Poilievre in an interview at the Conservative Party convention in Calgary.
Jan 28, 2026 • 28min
"I Meant What I Said" – January 27, 2026
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss Mark Carney's relationship with President Trump following a rough patch after the PM's Davos speech.
Dave Levinthal, a senior editor at NOTUS based in Washington breaks down the latest news following the shooting of American citizens in Minnesota at the hands of federal law enforcement.
Political science professor Lori Williams talks about the upcoming Conservative convention in Calgary as Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership vote on Friday.
Jan 27, 2026 • 30min
Affordability Challenge – January 26, 2026
Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon defends his government's latest affordability measure to raise the GST rebate.
Opposition House Leader Andrew Scheer responds to the government's affordability measures and talks about how Conservatives might work with the government in this session.
The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule discuss the government's new affordability measures and debate the sincerity of Pierre Poilievre's statement on collaborating with the government to pass certain legislation.
Dec 13, 2025 • 30min
A Christmas Floor-Crossing for Carney – December 12, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) talk about Michael Ma's floor crossing to the Liberals and what it means for Pierre Poilievre's leadership when he faces a leadership review at the end of the six week holiday break from parliament.
Dec 12, 2025 • 30min
What the U.S. Ambassador Wants – December 11, 2025
As Parliament goes into its winter break, the party strategists' panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule looks back at Carney's performance over the year and looks ahead to Pierre Poilievre's upcoming leadership review, and discusses whether both are on the right paths.
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra sits down for a year-end interview focused on the deterioration of Canada-U.S. trade talks earlier this fall, what the United States wants out of a trade deal with Canada and how talks can get started again.
Dec 11, 2025 • 28min
The Government Goes After Stellantis – December 10, 2025
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly discusses her government's attempt to recoup money given to Stellantis after the automaker canceled a vehicle line in Brampton, costing thousands of jobs.
Former Canadian ambassador to the UN Louise Blais talks about the challenges ahead for Canada's next ambassador to the U.S. and reflects on Kirsten Hillman's tenure in the role.
The International Monetary Fund's Mission Chief to Canada Ashvin Ahuja discusses the IMF's analysis of Canada's economic policies and outlook.
Dec 10, 2025 • 30min
Kirsten Hillman Resigns as Ambassador to the U.S. - December 9, 2025
Canada's former UN ambassador Bob Rae discusses Kirsten Hillman's resigation as Canada's ambassador to the United States and the impact she has left on the relationship.
Journalists Alex Ballingall (Toronto Star) and Stephanie Taylor (National Post) talk about the defeat of the Conservative motion supporting an oil pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast and what it means for the Liberals who voted against it.
Bloc Québécois Yves-François Blanchet discusses his opposition to the Alberta-Ottawa MOU and how long he thinks this minority government can last.
