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 5, 2025 • 29min
Carney's First Budget – November 4, 2025
Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne unveiled his first budget today with a deficit of more than 78 billion dollars. In an interview with CPAC host Michael Serapio, Champagne defends the spending in his budget, saying it will make Canada more competitive than the United States.
The Liberal government announced its budget today, with a deficit of over $78 billion dollars. Jasraj Singh Hallan, the Conservative finance critic believes that the budget has too much spending. "It's impossible to fathom that someone who calls himself a budget expert is going to spend more than Justin Trudeau."
The Bloc Québécois is unsatisfied with the Liberals’ budget. Jean-Denis Garon, the finance critic for the BQ, saying the budget spend enough on new infrastructure and the environment.
Nov 4, 2025 • 29min
The Night Before the Budget – November 3, 2025
Polls analyst and author of The Writ Éric Grenier stops by to talk about what the polls are showing going into Prime Minister Carney's first budget.
Sharon DeSousa, National President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, speaks with CPAC's Michael Serapio about the forecasted austerity in the federal budget and their union’s concerns about thousands of potential public service job cuts.
Michigan State University law professor Matthew Leffler talks about the significance of the case challenging President Trump's tariffing powers going before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Nov 1, 2025 • 29min
Carney Meets Xi - Canada and China Attempt a Reset – October 31, 2025
Foreign affairs expert Vina Nadjibulla talks about the historic meeting between Prime Minister Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping and what the future of Canada-China relations could hold.
The bureau chief panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (LaPresse) talk about U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra's reported tirade at Ontario's representative in Washington and the current state of relations between the two countries.
Canada-U.S. relations expert Fen Hampson tells us why he thinks the U.S. ambassador to Canada should be reprimanded by the Canadian government.
Oct 31, 2025 • 29min
Deal Interrupted – October 30, 2025
The strategists panel, Cole Hogan and Susan Smith discuss the fallout from the Ontario government's anti-tariff ad and debate if the prime minister shares some responsibility for it.
John Parisella, a longtime political adviser in Quebec and strategist for the 'NO' side in the 1995 referendum recalls the campaign to keep Quebec in Canada and discusses the future of Quebec sovereignty.
Laura Kelly, a Washington-based foreign policy reporter for The Hill talks about the Senate vote to strip the President of his emergency power to place tariffs on Canada.
Oct 30, 2025 • 29min
Stellantis Speaks – October 29, 2025
Flavio Volpe, president of the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association discusses the future of the Canadian auto industry amid several plant closures and demands from the U.S. to build cars state-side.
Charles Burton, a former Canadian diplomat and expert on Canada-China relations talks about the risks of getting closer to China as the PM prepares to meet President Xi Jinping.
Conference Board of Canada Chief Economist Pedro Antunes gives an overview of the state of the Canadian economy following a decision by the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates.
Oct 29, 2025 • 29min
Fallout Continues from Ontario Tariff Ad – October 28, 2025
CPAC's Andrew Thomson briefs host Michael Serapio on the latest fallout from Ontario's anti-tariff ad campaign in the U.S. as negotiations with that country remain on hold.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown discusses his recent visit to Ottawa and meetings with key ministers as his city is hit hard by auto tariffs.
Michael Serapio sits down with authors Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson on their new book "Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk" that explores pressing issues facing Canadians.
Jason Schilling. president of the Alberta Teachers' Association talks about the problems his members face as the Alberta government orders them back to work after a three-week strike.
Oct 28, 2025 • 29min
Ford Makes no Apologies for Reagan Ad – October 27, 2025
Toronto Star Queen's Park bureua chief Robert Benzie talks about the fall out from Ontario's anti-tariff ad as the Premier defends it.
Former Republican strategist and podcast host Steve Schmidt talks about the deteriorating relationship between Canada and the U.S.
Foreign affairs expert Vina Nadjibulla talks about what Canada can do to be more competitive in Asian markets as the Prime Minister seeks new trading partners.
Oct 25, 2025 • 28min
Ad Issue - Trump Terminates Trade Talks – October 24, 2025
Louise Blais, Canada's former ambassador to the UN talks about Canada's strategy for dealing with the U.S. now that trade talks have been terminated by Donald Trump.
David Jacboson, the former U.S. ambassador to Canada from 2009-2013 discusses the fallout from Ontario's ad campaign and how Canada and the U.S. might go forward.
The Bureau Chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) talk about what the Prime Minister faces now that trade talks with the U.S. have collapsed right before a 9 day trip to Asia.
Oct 24, 2025 • 29min
Liberals Tackle Bail Reform – October 23, 2025
CPAC’s Michael Serapio sits down with Justice Minister Sean Fraser as the federal government introduces Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act.
Strategists Susan Smith and Cole Hogan speaks with CPAC’s Michael Serapio about the government’s bail reform legislation and Pierre Poilievre’s leadership as the leader faces criticisms following contentious remarks he made recently on the RCMP and the Trudeau government.
The legislation proposes over 80 changes to the Criminal Code to toughen bail and sentencing laws.
As the Prime Minister heads to Asia, Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, discusses new polling on Canadians’ attitudes towards expanding trade with Asian countries with Michael Serapio.
Oct 23, 2025 • 24min
Carney Pitches His Budget Plan – October 22, 2025
Political strategist Marci Surkes and National Post reporter Stephanie Taylor react to the Prime Minister's address to the nation on his budget plan.
The Carney government is worried that the opposition parties will vote against the upcoming federal budget, triggering an election. CPAC's Michael Serapio speaks with polls analyst Éric Grenier about the current seat projections and party standings if an election were to be called.
Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood, a senior researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives discusses the future of Canada's electric vehicle industry following a series of setbacks for the sector.
