Profile with Michael Serapio

Historian and author J.D.M. Stewart saw a gap in Canadians’ knowledge of their 24 prime ministers. His new book The Prime Ministers: Canada's Leaders and the Nation They Shaped addresses this problem with a chapter on every Canadian prime minister. In an interview with award-winning CPAC host Michael Serapio. Stewart discusses why he felt the need to write this book and what we can learn from prime ministers past.

While the annual Halifax International Security Forum historically focuses on defence, democracy was at the forefront of this year’s agenda. Democracy is being challenged globally with the increasing influence of authoritarian regimes and with the United States — traditionally a democratic leader — signalling a shift away from supporting democratic efforts and protecting the rules based international order. The United States' commitment to democracy and Canada-U.S. relations were main discussions at the Forum, with a large bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation attending alongside Canadian political and military leaders. This episode of Profile explores the defence of democracy through interviews by award-winning CPAC host Michael Serapio featuring Peter Van Praagh, President, HFX; Chris Coons, United States Democratic Senator (Delaware); Janice Gross Stein, Founding Director, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; and James Bezan, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence.

With Canada-U.S. trade at an impasse, award-winning CPAC host Michael Serapio sits down with Pete Hoekstra, U.S. Ambassador to Canada. A close political ally of President Trump, Ambassador Hoekstra shares his thoughts on what derailed trade talks in fall of 2025 and offers a glimpse of what a future trading relationship between Canada and the U.S could look like.

As this year’s Halifax International Security Forum was getting underway, the U.S. released a peace proposal for Ukraine, one that was negotiated between U.S. envoys and Russia. It was a plan that was drafted without Ukraine’s involvement and reflected Russian objectives. The initial plan has not gone forward – Ukraine and European partners have put forward counter proposals and talks continue. But the precedent worried many at the forum, as Russia broke international law with the invasion. This episode of Profile explores the situation in Ukraine and the global security threats that democracies face with the growing influence of authoritarian regimes. Award-winning CPAC host Michael Serapio interviews Andriy Shevchenko, Former Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada, Ukrainian World Congress Head of Mission in Ukraine; Vladimir Kara-Murza, Russian opposition politician and Vice President of the Free Russia Foundation; James Bezan, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence; Janice Stein, Founding Director, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto; and Ming-chi Chen, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan.

Description: Is Canada at a breaking point? That’s the question that Darrell Bricker, Global CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, and John Ibbitson, writer and journalist, explore in their new book “Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk.” In an interview with award-winning CPAC host Michael Serapio, the co-authors discuss the political, economic and cultural, and social shifts in Canada, the resulting crises putting the country at risk and how Canada can act to address the breaking points.

Award-winning CPAC host Michael Serapio sits down with Catherine McKenna, former Minister for Environment and Climate Change under the Trudeau government, about her new book “Run Like a Girl.” The book not only reflects on McKenna’s life, her career in politics and the challenges she faced, but serves as a call to arms for girls and young women to stand up.

CPAC’s Michael Serapio interviews Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) about the idea of a fully Canadian car—designed and built by a Canadian automaker—and how that would benefit the country and its auto sector.

Michael Serapio sits down with former Liberal deputy prime minister Hon. Anne McLellan and former Conservative cabinet minister Hon. Lisa Raitt. As co-chairs of the Coalition for a Better Future, McLellan and Raitt discuss how Canada is doing economically, where it is falling behind and what can be done to improve the quality of life for Canadians.

The United States and Russia have begun normalizing relations since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, sending shockwaves through Ukraine and Europe. All this while Russia continues its illegal invasion of Ukraine which is now entering its fourth year. CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses the shifting U.S. position on the war and Canada's role in the conflict with Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv.

CPAC’s Michael Serapio speaks with top military and political players at the 16th annual Halifax International Security Forum.

CPAC’s Michael Serapio speaks to Taiwanese representative in Canada Harry Ho-jen Tseng about the overall threat China poses to Taiwan, and what Canada and the Western world can learn from the situation.

CPAC’s Michael Serapio speaks with British High Commissioner to Canada Susannah Goshko, as her term is coming to an end. They talk about the relationship between the two countries and the areas where they’re joining forces, particularly in the fields of defence and climate change.

CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses with Lloyd Axworthy about his contributions to public life and his outlook on the current state of politics, as the former Liberal cabinet minister is publishing his new memoir “My Life in Politics."

Col. Jeremy Hansen is preparing to accomplish something nobody born outside the United States has ever done. The Canadian Space Agency astronaut will travel to the moon when he takes off as part of NASA's Artemis II mission in 2025. He sits down with Michael Serapio to discuss how he is preparing for his one-in-a-lifetime journey and his path to a career in space exploration

On June 6, 1944, 14,000 Canadian soldiers stormed Juno Beach in Normandy, France, as part of an Allied invasion to bring an end to Nazi Germany. The 80th anniversary of this defining moment in history allows Canada and France to reflect on their enduring relationship. On the latest episode of Profile, Michael Serapio sits down with the French ambassador to Canada, Michel Miraillet, to discuss the past, present and future of the diplomatic relationship between Canada and France.

Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor will be at the forefront of a Canadian delegation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. Michael Serapio recently spoke to the minister about how Canada will commemorate the event in France, as well as nationwide. In a long-form interview, also talked about the challenges she is facing since she took office last July.

In July 2023, Olivia Chow took the oath to become Toronto's 66th mayor, becoming the first Chinese Canadian elected to the city's highest office. The long-time politician and advocate reflects on her first nine months in the role, navigating her relationships with the federal and provincial governments and her solutions to the challenges facing Canada's largest city.

Newly-elected Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak speaks about her priorities for Canada's national First Nations advocacy organization.

As she prepares for her second maternity leave, Government House Leader Karina Gould speaks about motherhood, women in politics, and making Canada's Parliament more family-friendly.

CPAC’s Michael Serapio speaks with top military and political players at the 15th annual Halifax International Security Forum as wars rage in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. Guests include National Defence Minister Bill Blair, Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre and former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak.

Governor General Mary Simon joins CPAC’s Michael Serapio for a feature conversation on the coronation of King Charles III, the relevancy of the monarchy in Canada and the issue of online abuse against women in public positions.

The U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Cohen, joins CPAC’s Michael Serapio for a feature conversation as Canada prepares to welcome Joe Biden for his first official visit to Canada as U.S. president.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada, Yuliya Kovaliv, joins CPAC’s Michael Serapio for a feature conversation to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.