PrimeTime Politics with Michael Serapio

Defence Minister Anita Anand joins Michael Serapio to discuss the government's new Indo-Pacific strategy. We also have reaction from MPs Arif Virani (Liberal), Garnett Genuis (Conservative) and Heather McPherson (NDP) -- and from Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian ambassador to China.

Michael Serapio has highlights and key exchanges as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went before the Public Order Emergency Commission to defend using the Emergencies Act. Journalists Christopher Nardi (National Post) and Joanna Smith (The Canadian Press) analyze Trudeau's testimony and cross-examination. And political commentators Lisa Raitt, Susan Smith, and Kim Wright offer their thoughts.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and top PMO officials faced questions today at the Public Order Emergency Commission. Michael Serapio recaps the key exchanges and revelations with journalists Christopher Nardi (National Post) and Joanna Smith (The Canadian Press). Has the federal government's use of solicitor-client privilege on invoking the Emergencies Act hampered the ability of Commissioner...

Journalists Chris Nardi (National Post) and Joanna Smith (The Canadian Press) join Michael Serapio to recap what Justice Minister David Lametti told the Eemrgencies Act inquiry.. Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley reacts to Premier Danielle Smith's plans for sovereignty legislation, the health care system, and inflation cheques to Albertans. Borys Wrzesnewskyj of the Ukrainian World Congress talks a...

Michael Serapio has the latest details from the Public Order Emergency Commission as Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino appears -- and a Freedom Convoy leader is ejected. Journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joanna Smith (The Canadian Press) offer their analysis on today's testimony. Nova Scotia Environment Minister Tim Halman explains his government's opposition to the federal fuel...

Journalists Christopher Nardi (National Post) and Joanna Smith (The Canadian Press) join Michael Serapio to analyze today's testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission by CSIS officials and Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra discusses airport delays, the call for a return of traveller mask mandates, and the government's new legislation on supply cha...

Nova Scotia pharmacist Pam Kennedy joins Martin Stringer to discuss the shortage of children's fever and pain medication -- and Health Canada's pledge to import more than one million bottles by the end of next week. Political commentator Graham Thomson analyzes this week's health care shake-ups by new Alberta premier Danielle Smith. And journalists Bob Fife (The Globe and Mail) and Tonda MacCharle...

Michael Serapio and Martin Stringer recap today's testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission, including what the prime minister's national security said about invoking the Emergencies Act. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault joins us from the UN climate change conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for questions on carbon pricing, criticism over the presence of oil gas companies at the s...

Yves Brodeur, a former Canadian ambassador to NATO, joins Michael Serapio to analyze the developments surrounding Russia, Ukraine, and yesterday's missile attack that killed two Polish nationals. We speak with another former diplomat -- Guy Saint-Jacques -- about the Chinese president's admonishment of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Unifor economist Kaylie Tiesse...

Poland reported a deadly explosion on the same day Russia launched a major missile attack against neighbouring Ukraine. How will NATO respond to an attack on a member state? Michael Serapio speaks with Robert Baines, president of the NATO Association of Canada. Auditor General Karen Hogan discusses her new reports on the federal housing strategy, Arctic security, and emergency support to First Nat...

Should mandatory mask policies come back as Canadian hospitals deal with COVID-19, RSV, and influenza? Michael Serapio speaks with a pair of public health officials: Dr. Grace Salvo (Edmonton) and Dr. Robert Cushman (Renfrew County, Ontario). Former justice minister Allan Rock discusses the campaign for better treatment of detained refugees and asylum seekers. And Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canad...

Martin Stringer examines the latest job numbers and yesterday's fall economic statement with economists Pedro Antunes (Conference Board of Canada) and Jim Stanford (Centre for Future Work). Steve Staples, national director of public policy for the Canadian Health Coalition, previews the upcoming meetings between Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and his provincial and territorial colleagues. Saskat...

Michael Serapio has full coverage of today's fall economic statement, including political reaction and expert analysis. Among those interviewed are associate finance minister Randy Boissonault, Conservative Treasury Board critic Stephanie Kusie, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, economist David Macdonald (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives), Anne McLellan and Lisa Raitt (Coalition for a Better Future...

Freedom Convoy leader Pat King testified today at the Emergencies Act inquiry, following testimony by a convoy lawyer and a key organizer. Michael Serapio has more analysis and details from journalist Alex Ballingall (Toronto Star) and security expert Stephanie Carvin (Carleton University). Immigration Minister Sean Fraser talks about the federal plan to increase the number of new arrivals to 500,...

Chris Barber, one of the Freedom Convoy leaders facing charges for the occupation of Ottawa, appeared today at the Emergencies Act inuqiry. Michael Serapio recaps his testimony with journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Christopher Nardi (National Post). Two Ontario MPPs react to Ontario Premier Doug Ford's legal fight against testifying at the inquiry -- and react to his government's bi...

Martin Stringer welcomes Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, to preview this week's economic and fiscal update. Warren Mabee of Queen's University's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy, analyzes what the fiscal update might say about federal subsidies for clean technologies. Patrick August, a Haitian-Canadian community organizer, discusses what further a...

Former Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly took the stand today at the Public Order Emergency Commission. Michael Serapio has reaction from one of Sloly's predecessors, Charles Bordeleau, and analysis from journalists Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Christopher Nardi (National Post). And as he retires, Peter Van Dusen looks back on a distinguished journalism and broadcasting career that included 2...

MPs join Michael Serapio to discuss foreign policy issues on a day U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Ottawa for meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly -- and an announcement on Haiti. We also hear from Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong on reports of Chinese "police" stations operating in Canada. Political commentators Richa...

The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest rate by another 50 basis points to 3.75%. Michael Serapio hears analysis from economists Mostafa Askari (Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy) and Armine Yalnizyan (Atkinson Foundation). AFN Regional Chief (Manitoba) Cindy Woodhouse reacts to the Canadian Human Right Tribunal's rejection of the $20-billion federal compensation package for the F...

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu reacts to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal's rejection of a $20-billion First Nations child welfare compensation package. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh joins Michael Serapio to discuss why he continues to criticize the Bank of Canada's sharp focus on inflation. Toronto Star journalist Robert Benzie analyzes the controversy over Ontario Premier Doug Ford's resi...

Ontario NDP MPP Joel Harden, who represents areas of downtown Ottawa affected by last winter's occupation, reacts to the move by Premier Doug Ford and former solicitor general Sylvia Jones to fight their summons to testify at the Public Order Emergency Commission. And Murray Faulkner, former chief of police in London, Ont., analyzes what we've learned about the police response to the Freedom Convo...

Michael Serapio questions Pam Damoff, the parliamentary secretary for the minister of public safety, on the Conservative call for cabinet minister Bill Blair and RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki to resign in light of new audio connected to alleged political interference in the Nova Scotia mass shooting investigation. They also discuss the coming into force of new handgun regulations that freeze the...

This week the Public Order Emergency Commission is hearing first-hand testimony on the police response to the Freedom Convoy occupation of Ottawa. Michael Serapio welcomes Michael Kempa, a security analyst and University of Ottawa associate professor of criminology, for his reaction. And political commentators Tim Powers, Geoff Turner, and Kim Wright analyze the politics of a potential recession a...

Michael Serapio speaks with Sohaib Shahid (Conference Board of Canada) and Trevor Tombe (University of Calgary) about the Canadian economy and the latest inflation numbers. Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan discusses the start of consultation on a proposal to ban replacement workers in federally-regulated sectors. Senator Tony Dean recaps his recent tour of Canada's Arctic region and ongoing concerns...

Michael Serapio and Andrew Thomson recap Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson's testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission, with reaction from MPs Yasir Naqvi (Liberal) and Matthew Green (NDP). Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald discusses her committee appearance on legislation to create the National Council for Reconciliation.