Experience and perspective on Canadian politics. That's what you get with CPAC's podcast The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio. Each week, Michael sits down with three of Ottawa's best known political journalists: The Globe and Mail's Robert Fife, The Toronto Star's Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance from La Presse. Together, they'll examine the issues of the day, the political players, the leaders, and the impact the debate in Ottawa is having right across the country. The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio PrimeTime Politics podcast from CPAC. New episodes drop each Friday.
Poilievre Calls the PM ‘Badly Educated’ – April 17, 2026
CPAC host Michael Serapio is joined by bureau chiefs Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël Denis Bellavance (La Presse) to discuss Pierre Poilievre’s recent attacks on the prime minister’s economic record and credentials as the Conservative leader reels after a fourth MP leaves his caucus for the government benches. They also examine how big the Liberal tent has become, the implications of floor crossings in Parliament, and what to expect from a Liberal majority government.
25 Mar 2026
Pierre Poilievre’s Podcast Playbook – March 25, 2026
Pierre Poilievre’s appearance on Joe Rogan and what it signals about his strategy and growing reach, alongside a look at strong Liberal polling numbers and whether it could convince the PM to call an early election. Plus, the NDP’s leadership vote and what it could mean for the party’s future direction. CPAC host Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse).
13 Mar 2026
Another Floor Crosser Makes Four – March 13, 2026
Mark Carney's trip to the Canadian Arctic and beyond will have a nearby well-wisher in Lori Idlout, MP for Nunavut, who recently left the New Democratic Party to join the Liberals. What prompted this floor-crossing, which seems to have different motives than the others? And what will the NDP have to do to regain any sort of hope of influence? Plus, in the wake of the federal government not disclosing a strike on a Canadian area of a military base in Kuwait, the bureau chiefs share their own difficulties getting clear information on the war and the prime minister’s stances. CPAC host Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
27 Feb 2026
Mark Carney Goes to India – February 27, 2026
The Prime Minister is leading another round of trade-focused delegations, this time visiting India, Australia and Japan. But an anonymous government official's claim that India is no longer conducting transnational repression and interference in Canada has sparked widespread rebuke from security experts and even some Liberal MPs. How will the prime minister handle this situation amid the ongoing mission to one of the world's largest economies? Plus, Pierre Poilievre lays out his own trade vision in a recent speech: How it can be analyzed, and will it be good for the Conservatives' fading poll numbers? CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Mia Rabson and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
14 Feb 2026
Supreme Court Overturns Liberal Election Win in Quebec – February 13, 2026
The Liberal government has lost a seat in parliament after the Supreme Court of Canada overturned the results of the 2025 general election in the riding of Terrebonne. Bureau chiefs Robert Fife (Globe and Mail), Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star) and Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) break down with CPAC host Michael Serapio what it means for Mark Carney’s Liberals and they also share their thoughts on the political reaction in Ottawa to the tragic shooting in Tumbler Ridge.
6 Feb 2026
Cooperation or Election? – February 6, 2026
Could advantages in the polls motivate the prime minister to call an election? What does Pierre Poilievre have to do now that he’s passed his leadership review? These questions and more are discussed by Tonda MacCharles (Toronto Star), Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse) and Mia Rabson (Canadian Press) in the latest episode of The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio.
27 Jan 2026
Davos vs. Quebec – Carney’s Speeches Scrutinized – January 27, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney made waves after his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week but followed it up with a speech his domestic agenda that was not well received by many in Quebec.
And as Parliament returns the Liberal government still finds itself short of a majority and still; grappling with trade threats from the United States all of this and more factors have some wondering if another election is on the horizon.
CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
12 Dec 2025
Carney Gets a Floor-Crossing for Christmas – December 12, 2025
Another MP defects from the Conservatives to the Liberals, bringing the latter just one seat short of a majority government. What sparked this floor-crossing? Will it have consequences at Pierre Poilievre's leadership review next month? And can the Liberals convince another opposition member to make that last decisive switch? Plus, as Parliament heads into a six-week break, the panel shares what they're watching for in politics over the holidays. CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
5 Dec 2025
A CUSMA Chat at the World Cup Draw – December 5, 2025
Mark Carney was in Washington today for a FIFA World Cup event, but he'd be forgiven for not focusing on soccer matchups, as it was also his first simultaneous meeting with Donald Trump and Claudia Sheinbaum since the start of the trade war. Amid ongoing U.S. hearings about CUSMA, and Trump's threats to pull out of it, will the agreement survive? Plus, after resounding condemnation of the new pipeline plan from First Nations leaders, is there still a way to get enough consent for the project, and what will Carney's Indigenous relations strategy look like? And, Marc Miller takes Guilbeault's old jobs: how he might do, and the trouble he's already gotten into. CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
28 Nov 2025
MOU Mayhem and the Pipeline Dream – November 28, 2025
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Alberta and Ottawa is now a reality. But its flagship element, a planned new bitumen pipeline to B.C., has already brought opposition close to home for the Liberals. Steven Guilbeault resigns his cabinet position, while Green Party leader Elizabeth May turns her back on the federal budget she previously supported. What could be the consequences — political and economic — and will this pipeline actually get built? CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
19 Nov 2025
A Pipeline Predicament – November 19, 2025
Reports say that the Alberta and federal governments are working on a memorandum of understanding that includes a pipeline proposal. But the B.C. government has opposed the pitch for a pipeline to its northwest coast. How will the federal government navigate tensions between the western provinces and between the needs of the energy sector, environmentalists and Indigenous communities?
The Carney government narrowly passes its first budget. But what does this week’s budget vote reveal about Mark Carney’s leadership?
CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance on our latest episode.
8 Nov 2025
Conservative Confidence and Floor Crossings – November 7, 2025
It was a big political week. The Carney government tabled its first budget on Tuesday. That night, former Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor to the Liberals. On Thursday, Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux announced he would be resigning in future. What do the moves mean for caucus unity and for Pierre Poilievre’s leadership?
Back to the budget: the Liberals have passed two votes on their budget, but there’s a third they still must pass: it’s a confidence vote and they still need to secure support.
CPAC’s Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
1 Nov 2025
A Delicate Diplomatic Dance – October 31, 2025
After a tirade against Ontario’s trade representative David Paterson over the province’s anti-tariff ad campaign, will U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra face reprimand by Canadian officials? And where do Canada-U.S. relations stand? President Trump says that Prime Minister Carney apologized for the Ontario ad, yet trade talks are still suspended.
Meanwhile, the prime minister was in Asia and had a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on “outstanding trade issues and irritants.” CPAC host Michael Serapio discusses it all with bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance.
24 Oct 2025
Trump Tanks Trade Talks – October 24, 2025
Trump Tanks Trade Talks – October 24, 2025 by CPAC
10 Oct 2025
A Prime Minister’s Problems – October 10, 2025
Today on “The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio”: Quebec has introduced a draft proposal for a Quebec constitution to affirm the province’s “distinct national character.” The prime minister returns from Washington after a second visit to the White House. But with no tariff relief and no deal in sight, is the Canada-U.S. trade relationship changing permanently? And the Carney government reaches its first fall break week. Tune into the discussion with CPAC host Michael Serapio and bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance on this week’s episode.
3 Oct 2025
Mr. Carney goes to Washington – October 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to the White House for his second meeting with President Donald Trump on trade and Canada-U.S. relations. Alberta announces that it is putting forward a proposal for an oil pipeline to BC’s northwest coast to the Major Projects Office. And we’re one month away from the fall federal budget. Tune into this episode of The Bureau Chiefs with CPAC host Michael Serapio and Robert Fife, Joël-Denis Bellavance and Mia Rabson.
26 Sept 2025
Deadlocked and indebted – September 26, 2025
Welcome back to “The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio” podcast. On this week’s episode, CPAC host Michael Serapio and bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance explore Canada-U.S. relations, the deficit projections from the Parliamentary Budget Officer and the controversy over the Public Safety Minister’s leaked comments on the gun buyback program’s effectiveness.
19 Sept 2025
Fall Session Begins – September 19, 2025
It’s the official launch of “The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio” podcast on CPAC! Host Michael Serapio and bureau chiefs Robert Fife, Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance talk about the Liberals’ new anti-hate bill, the Conservatives’ push for bail reform and the U.S. Ambassador’s disappointment in Canadians’ “anti-American” sentiment. This episode also features the introduction of the “Yeas and Nays” feature and “What’s Ahead.”
16 Sept 2025
The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio
Experience and perspective on Canadian politics. That's what you get with CPAC's podcast The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio. Each week, Michael sits down with three of Ottawa's best known political journalists: The Globe and Mail's Robert Fife, The Toronto Star's Tonda MacCharles and Joël-Denis Bellavance from La Presse. Together, they'll examine the issues of the day, the political players, the leaders, and the impact the debate in Ottawa is having right across the country. The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio PrimeTime Politics podcast from CPAC. New episodes drop each Friday.
Contact The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of The Bureau Chiefs with Michael Serapio?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
