PrimeTime Politics with Michael Serapio

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 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.

Ottawa Approves B.C.'s Request to Recriminalize Hard Drugs – May 7, 2024

MPs Taleeb Noormohamed (Liberal), Melissa Lantsman (Conservative) and Peter Julian (NDP) react to Ottawa's approval of British Columbia's request to recriminalize illegal drug use in public spaces. David Levinthal, editor-in-chief of Raw Story, discusses today's highly-anticipated testimony from adult film star Stormy Daniels at Donald Trump's hush-money trial in New York.

05-08
28:06

Ottawa Tables Anti-Foreign Meddling Bill – May 6, 2024

Former CSIS director Ward Elcock responds to the federal government's new legislative package to combat foreign interference. Former B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh discusses the state of Canada-India relations following the arrests of three Indian nationals for the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Niijar. Canadian Federation of Independent Business president Dan Kelly reacts to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's assertion that he won't meet with lobbyists if his party forms the next government.

05-07
27:40

Foreign Interference Inquiry Publishes First Report – May 3, 2024

Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc shares the federal government's response to the first report of the public inquiry into foreign interference published on Friday. Journalists Bob Fife (The Globe and Mail), Stephanie Levitz (The Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) weigh in on the Hogue Commission's conclusions and discuss how Canada can restore trust in its democratic processes.

05-04
27:31

Federal Public Servants Ordered Back to the Office 3 Days a Week – May 2, 2024

Sharon DeSousa, national executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, responds to the federal government's directive ordering public servants back to the office three days per week. Dr. Danielle Martin, chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, discusses how to address fewer medical students wanting to pursue careers in family medicine. Political commentators Susan Smith (Liberal), Sean Murphy (Conservative), and Anne McGrath (NDP) weigh on the week's top political headlines, including the Conservative leader's expulsion from the House of Commons on Tuesday.

05-03
29:11

Liberal Housing Plan Fails to Move Public Opinion Polls – May 1, 2024

Housing Minister Sean Fraser discusses the government's plan to tackle affordability, generational fairness, and housing. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith explains how the newly opened Trans Mountain pipeline will benefit her province. Dr. Joel Antel, president of the Canadian Dental Association, shares his members' concerns with the new national dental care plan, which began accepting claims from eligible patients today.

05-02
28:19

House Speaker Ejects Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre – April 30, 2024

Political commentators Muhammad Ali (Liberal), Sean Murphy (Conservative), and Mélanie Richer (NDP) respond to House Speaker Greg Fergus' decision to eject Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for calling the prime minister a 'wacko' during Tuesday's question period. Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux shares his assessment of the federal budget.

05-01
28:31

B.C. Reverses Course of Drug Decriminalization – April 29, 2024

MPs Brendan Hanley (Liberal), Laila Goodridge (Conservative), and Gord Johns (NDP) debate B.C.'s decision to ask the federal government to reverse parts of a pilot program decriminalizing some drugs. Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek responds to the Alberta government's new bill proposing to give the province increased powers over municipalities, including the ability to remove councillors and overturn bylaws. Polls analyst and editor-in-chief of 338 Canada, Philippe J. Fournier, shares his latest analysis of federal polling data, showing a Conservative lead post-federal budget.

04-30
29:51

Justin Trudeau's Future As Liberal Leader – April 19, 2024

Journalists Robert Fife (The Globe and Mail), Stephanie Levitz (The Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) discuss the state of unity within the Liberal ranks and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's future as party leader. Former Liberal finance minister explains his concerns with the federal government's plan to raise the inclusion rate for capital gains. British High Commissioner to Canada Susannah Goshko discusses the importance of the Canada-U.K. relationship to mark NATO's 75th anniversary.

04-20
29:41

Federal Budget Under Fire – April 18, 2024

Political observers Susan Smith (Liberal), Sean Murphy (Conservative) and Mélanie Richer (NDP) weigh in on criticism from some high-profile Canadians directed at the Liberal government's latest budget. President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Bea Bruske, explains why she is singling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's record on labour issues. University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe responds to the federal government's move to increase the inclusion rate on capital gains.

04-19
28:11

Federal Budget Reaction – April 17, 2024

Business Council of Canada vice-president Robert Asselin, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and Disability Without Poverty co-chair Michelle Hewitt react to the latest federal budget.

04-18
29:21

Iran Attacks Israel – April 15, 2024

Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, and Israel's Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, respond to Iran's weekend air strikes against Israel. Former U.S. federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York Jessica Roth discusses the significance of former U.S. president Donald Trump's first criminal trial, which began today in New York.

04-16
28:41

Alberta Premier Introduces "Stay Out of My Backyard" Bill – April 12, 2024

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith discusses her new bill, the Provincial Priorities Act, requiring municipalities to seek provincial approval before receiving funding from Ottawa. Journalists Robert Fife (The Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (The Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) weigh in on the week's top political headlines, including the fallout from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's testimony before the foreign interference inquiry.

04-13
27:25

Liberals Prepare for Voting Marathon on Sustainable Jobs Bill - April 11, 2024

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson discusses the government's push to pass Bill C-50, its sustainable jobs legislation. Economists Pedro Antunes (Conference Board of Canada) and Mostafa Askari (Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy) weigh in on what to expect in next week's federal budget. And B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon reacts to recent federal housing announcements, including one inspired by his province's "BC Builds" program.

04-12
28:46

Justin Trudeau testifies before foreign interference inquiry - April 10, 2024

It was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's turn today to testify at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions. Steven Chase, senior parliamentary reporter for the Globe and Mail, reports from the Commission to CPAC’s Michael Serapio. Our panellists Susan Smith (Liberal), Josie Sabatino (Conservative) & Anne McGrath (NDP) share their impressions of this week's testimony at the Foreign Interference Inquiry. We also discuss with our political panel the latest pre-budget announcements by Ottawa. Canada’s new multi-billion-dollar plan to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces still falls short of the two per cent of GDP target set out by NATO. The U.S. to Canada Ambassador David Cohen shares his country’s point of view regarding Ottawa’s latest defence policy update.

04-11
27:45

Senior PMO Officials Testify at Foreign Interference Inquiry - April 9, 2024

Senior officials from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office testify at the inquiry into foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections. Health Minister Mark Holland discusses a $500 million federal investment in a new fund to support organizations offering mental health services to young people. Former Liberal health minister Dr. Jane Philpott speaks about her new book, "Health for All, A Doctor's Prescription for a Healthier Canada."

04-10
27:16

Ottawa Unveils Multi-Billion-Dollar Defence Spending Plan - April 8, 2024

National Defence Minister Bill Blair elaborates on the federal government's multi-billion dollar plan to strengthen the Canadian Armed Forces. NDP MP Charlie Angus discusses his decision not to run in the next federal election. Philippe Fournier, editor-in-chief of 338 Canada, weighs in on a recent poll showing the governing Liberals are closing the gap on the Opposition Conservatives.

04-09
27:05

Preparations for Brian Mulroney's State Funeral - March 22, 2024

CPAC’s Michael Serapio reports from Montreal ahead of the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney on Saturday. John Parisella, former chief of staff to former Quebec premier Robert Bourassa, reflects on Mulroney's legacy in Quebec. Journalists Robert Fife (The Globe and Mail), Laura Osman (The Canadian Press) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) discuss the opposition's failed non-confidence motion over the carbon tax.

03-23
27:21

Non-Confidence Vote and the Crisis in Haiti - March 21, 2024

Canada's ambassador in Port-au-Prince, André François Giroux, discusses the response to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Political observers Stevie O'Brien (Liberal), Sean Murphy (Conservative), and Anne McGrath (NDP) weigh in on the ongoing carbon tax debate as Conservatives failed to pass a non-confidence motion in the government.

03-22
27:31

Ben Mulroney Remembers His Father - March 20, 2024

Brian Mulroney's eldest son, Ben, shares his memories of his dad, Canada's 18th prime minister. Former Liberal cabinet minister Anne McLellan and former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, co-chairs of the Coalition for a Better Future, share the findings of their annual scorecard. Pembina Institute executive director Chris Severson-Baker weighs in on the debate over the federal carbon tax.

03-21
28:51

Remembering Brian Mulroney and MPs Approve Divisive NDP Motion - March 19, 2024

Bonnie Brownlee, a former executive assistant to the Mulroney family, shares her thoughts on the public tributes for former prime minister Brian Mulroney. MPs Heather MacPherson and Anthony Housefather weigh in on a contentious vote on an NDP motion which initially called on the government to recognize Palestine as a state.

03-20
29:36

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