PrimeTime Politics with Michael Serapio

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CPAC's Andrew Thomson discusses with host Michael Serapio details surrounding Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to the Indo-Pacific. Asia Pacific Foundation Vice-President Vina Nadjibulla gives her assessment of what the prime Minister needs to accomplish in India and where the two countries can cooperate after a couple years of tension. The strategists panel, Susan Smith, Cole Hogan and George Soule debate and discuss Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's speech before the Economic Club of Canada as he lays out several policy proposals to deal with Canada-U.S. relations, economic growth and security.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt talks about her upcoming trade mission to India with the prime minister and what she hopes to accomplish for her province while there. Political commentator Graham Thomson discusses Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's referendum questions announced last week and how it could relate to her budget, set to be released on Thursday. NDP leadership candidate Tony McQuail joins the show to talk about his campaign for NDP leader and his vision for the country.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andrii Plakhotniuk reflects on four years of war in his country and discusses what Ukraine needs from Canada and allied countries. Dana O’Born, Chief Strategy Officer at the Council of Canadian Innovators, explains the opportunities and challenges for Canadian tech firms after the release of the government's defence industrial strategy last week. Retired colonel Michel Drapeau talks about the substandard housing on Canadian Armed Force's bases and gives his assessment of the government's plan to fix the issue.

Liaison Strategies Principal David Valentin goes over the latest polling from his firm which shows a large lead for Mark Carney's Liberals. Michigan State University law professor and podcast host Matthew Leffler breaks down the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on President Trump's use of emergency tariffs. Matthew Holmes, executive vice president at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce talks about what Canada needs to do following the court decision on U.S. tariffs and the importance of bolstering ties with our other North American trading partner. Ukrainian Canadian Congress CEO Ihor Michalchyshyn reflects on the past four years of war in Ukraine and his organization's efforts to get more aid to Ukraine and help Ukrainians fleeing violence settle in Canada.

The bureau chiefs panel, Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) discuss the impact on the government after the Supreme Court voted to overturn the results of a Liberal win in the Quebec riding of Terrebonne from the 2025 general election. Rachel Bendayan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and MP for Outremont, discusses the potential of the upcoming trade mission to Mexico, and the long-term future of economic relations with that country. She also briefly reacts to the recent Supreme Court ruling that will trigger a parliamentary by-election in Terrebonne. Eric Miller, President of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group, discusses the recent bill by the U.S. House to try and end the "national emergency" that Donald Trump uses as the basis of laying many tariffs. Although the bill is likely to be vetoed, Miller discusses how Canada can try to guide the situation positively, and realistic trade goals for the future.

Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed talks about the impact the Tumbler Ridge school shooting has had on British Columbia and MPs of all stripes. Abacus Data CEO David Coletto goes over one of his latest surveys on how Canadians feel about the real estate market and the prospect of owning a home. The strategists panel, Laura Pennell, Cole Hogan and George Soule talk about what the government has actually accomplished and if it's been enough to live up to the lofty promises made by the prime minister.

British Columbia MP Bob Zimmer, who represents Tumbler Ridge talks about the impact of the shooting on the small community and what is being done to help the town. British Columbia MLA Larry Neufeld, who represents Tumbler Ridge in Victoria shares what residents of town are feeling as they grapple with an unimaginable loss.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen talks about President Trump's threat to block permitting for the Gordie Howe Bridge unless Canada gives ownership of half the bridge to the United States, Cohen also discusses the state of Canada-U.S relations amidst consistent threats from the current president. Former Ontario finance minister Dwight Duncan gives his take on what President Trump is doing when he threatens to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge. Former Attorney General Irwin Cotler urges Canada to put more pressure on China after Hong Kong pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison, which his family is calling a death sentence for the 78-year-old.

Conservative MP Arpan Khanna discusses his party's call for tax relief for laid off auto workers in his riding. Angus Reid Institute President Shachi Kurl explains their latest polling on Alberta separatism sentiments. Senator Peter Boehm talks about the impact of Canada's decision to open a consulate in Greenland.

The bureau chiefs panel, Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star), Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) and Mia Rabson (Canadian Press) talk about the polling lead the Liberals hold over the Conservatives and whether that could motivate the PM to call and election and they also discuss what's next for Pierre Poilievre after clearing his leadership review decisively. Polls analysts Éric Grenier (The Writ) and Philippe Fournier (338 Canada) talk about the large lead the Liberals hold in the polls over the Conservatives in a few polls and what an election could look like if one were held today.

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.

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.

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.

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.