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
Nov 26, 2025 • 29min
The World Debates a Ukraine Peace Deal – November 25, 2025
Canada's former ambassador to Russia Jeremy Kinsman weighs in on the peace talks concerning the war in Ukraine as European allies propose changes to an initial U.S. plan.
U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D - Delaware) discusses the Canada-U.S. relationship and proposals to end the war in Ukraine from the Halifax International Security Forum.
Mutasim Ali, a lawyer with the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights talks about the ongoing conflict and Sudan and what Canada can do to help.
Nov 25, 2025 • 30min
Prairie Pipeline Proponent – November 24, 2025
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe joins to talk about his support for Alberta's proposed pipeline to the B.C. coast as well as his thoughts on trade negotiations with the U.S.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn talks about peace plan negotiations between the U.S. Russia and Ukraine and the plan unveiled late last week that was deemed too favourable to Russia by Ukraine and its western allies.
Former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae reflects on his time at the international body and what can be done to improve it.
Nov 22, 2025 • 30min
A Pipeline to the Coast? Alberta and B.C. Disagree – November 21, 2025
B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix details B.C.'s opposition to Alberta's proposed pipeline to the pacific coast as a deal with Ottawa and Alberta appears imminent.
CPAC host Michael Serapio interviews Halifax International Security Forum President Peter van Praagh on the themes of this year's conference.
Former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations Louise Blais discusses what's at stake during the Prime Minister's trip to the G20 in South Africa this weekend.
Nov 21, 2025 • 29min
The PM's Pipeline Problem – November 20, 2025
The strategists panel, Susan Smith and Cole Hogan debate the political ramifications and potential pitfalls for the prime minister if a pipeline form Alberta to the Pacific coast is approved.
Ontario Senator Marty Deacon talks about her attempts to get the government to ban all sports gambling ads.
Former Liberal cabinet minister Sergio Marchi discusses his new book Pursuing a Public Life: How to Succeed in the Political Arena.
Nov 20, 2025 • 28min
Will Alberta Get Its Pipeline? – November 19, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss reports that Ottawa and Alberta are closing in on an agreement to build a pipeline to the Pacific coast.
Canadian Global Affairs Institute President Dave Perry talks about the ongoing debate on the future of Canada's fighter jet fleet as Swedish officials and royalty try to woo the Canadian government into buying fighter jets from Saab.
CPAC host Michael Serapio sits down with Brigadier General Brendan Cook on the Canadian military's collaboration with private industry at the SpaceBound conference in Ottawa.
Nov 19, 2025 • 29min
Canada Considers its Fighter Jet Options – November 18, 2025
Retired Lt.-Gen. and former commander of the RCAF Yvan Blondin talks about his apprehensions on Canada pursuing other fighter jets right now at the expense of its F-35 program.
Leger Vice President Andrew Enns discusses post-budget polls surveying Canadians' thoughts on Mark Carney's spending plans.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy Corey Hogan talks about the budget passing and explains the government's strategy on fast-tracking major projects.
Nov 18, 2025 • 29min
The Budget Passes – November 17, 2025
Political science professor Lori Turnbull and our strategists panel, Michele Cadario, Jordan Paquet and George Soule breakdown the aftermath of the budget passing and what it means for the government and opposition.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May explains why she decided to vote for the budget after initially vowing to oppose it.
Northwest Territories Premier RJ Simpson discusses the conversations between the PM and premiers during today's first ministers meeting.
Nov 8, 2025 • 29min
Trouble in Conservative Caucus – November 7, 2025
The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) discuss the fractures appearing in Pierre Poilievre's Conservative caucus and about how Mark Carney might pass his first budget.
Kody Blois, a Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary to the prime minister discusses how his party plans to ge their budget passed and about floor crossings from the Conservatives to his party and rumours there could be more.
Lisa Raitt and Anne McLellean, co-chairs of the Coalition for a Better Future give their take on Mark Carney's first budget and how it addresses economic growth in Canada.
Nov 7, 2025 • 29min
Billions For DND – November 6, 2025
Minister of Defence David McGuinty explains how the Canadian Armed Forces will put to use billions in new spending allocated to them in the federal budget.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May expresses her disappointment in the federal budget's environmental policies and talks about what she'd like to see if the government wants to negotiate with her.
New Brunswick Finance Minister René Legacy speaks with CPAC’s Andrew Thomson about his province’s response to the federal budget and where there is “alignment” between the provincial and federal agendas on development.
Nov 6, 2025 • 30min
Chris d'Entremont Crosses the Floor – November 5, 2025
A federal budget and a floor crossing. Strategists Susan Smith (Liberal), Cole Hogan (Conservative) and George Soule (NDP), talk about former Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont’s move to join the Liberal caucus and whether other MPs will consider changing parties.
Sean O’Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, speaks with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about the federal budget’s public service workforce cuts and the impact it will have on critical services for Canadians.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield explains his state's case against Trump's tariffs as the legality of the president's executive actions is debated at the U.S. Supreme Court.
