Michael Serapio

Hello, everyone.

I'm Michael Serapio.

Thank you for joining us on the podcast, the first episode of a new season, season five, in fact, and the first episode for me as the newest host for Wonk.

I'm Michael Serapio.

So again, thank you for being here.

And with that, let's get to today's discussion.

Thank you.

And that is the first episode of this new season for Wonk.

That was the prime minister.

Joining us to talk about this is our own Michael Serapio, CTV National News Correspondent.

Now, Michael-

Yes, sir

[laughs] No Kreskin, my friend.

[laughs]

Uh, that is Michael Serapio, a CTV News National Correspondent.

All right, speaking of the prime minister, there is more news coming out of the investment summit today.

In particular, they want more money to fix local infrastructure.

CTV's Michael Serapio now with why that need is so urgent and the ripple effect of that type of investment.

Simply doesn't have the money for it.

It's an investment strategy cities are trying to sell to Ottawa.

Now, as it stands, more than three-quarters of this country's economic output is tied to urban environments, with Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary accounting for nearly half of Canada's GDP, which is why the FCM and the business groups with whom we spoke say it's important to make sure cities are working so they can be ready for any influx of investment.

Heather.

CTV's Michael Serapio in the nation's capital.

A caravan of seniors is heading to Ottawa this week, the culmination of a cross-country trek.

According to a new Stats Can report, income and security are two important factors.

And as we hear from CTV's Michael Serapio, the findings might help explain why the country's birth rate is so low.

A sunny day at a public park.

A common scene, but not as common as it once was.

With moms with whom we spoke saying it's not just financial challenges that make potential parents hesitate, but also questions about who might be there to help when things get tough.

Our culture says that women can have it all, and the reality is that we need a lot of help to support that.

Michael Serapio, CTV News, Ottawa.

Céline Dion has opened her series of concerts in Paris with a massive crowd on hand to mark her return to the stage.

It went on for quite a while, talking about acknowledging the fact that these counter-terrorists that Canada had threatened against the U.S. are now in effect.

Michael Serapio, CTV Ottawa reporter, is on the story today.

So, you know, Michael, I said before we came on, this happened at midnight.

It's now almost 4 in the afternoon.

Business groups are pushing Ottawa to create a stronger labour code, one that would prevent strikes from happening to critical industries.

It's not a new idea, but as CTV's Michael Serapio tells us, the renewed push happens on the eve of a holiday celebrating workers' rights.

The timing has significance.

Major employers pushing Ottawa to make changes to the Canada Labour Code ahead of Labor Day.

Now Ottawa is reviewing the Canada Labour Code and both business and labour groups have been consulted with an interim report expected sometime later this year.

Heather.

CTV's Michael Serapio in the nation's capital.

Inflation is top of mind as Canadian students head back to school this week.

Unveiling new principles in an effort to build public trust.

But as CTV's Michael Serapio tells us the immediate reaction hasn't been very positive.

They're billed as the backbone of the future economy.

Huge digital factories known as AI data centers.

Whether or not his new framework will help alleviate those concerns is yet to be seen.

Heather.

CTV's Michael Serapio in the nation's capital.

There is hope new technology could help make farming more precise and environmentally friendly.

Equipped with powerful imaging cameras, it's expected to identify tens of thousands of undiscovered planets.

SCTV's Michael Serapio tells us two Canadian companies are part of the effort that made this mission possible.

And liftoff of NASA's Roman Space Telescope.

It's the next step in space exploration.