CPAC cuts PrimeTime Politics, L’Essentiel a week after CRTC rate increase approval

Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc. (CPAC) is cutting its original programs PrimeTime Politics and L’Essentiel, effective immediately. The announcement comes just over a week after the CRTC released a decision approving CPAC’s wholesale rate increase application. A press release on April 21 said the increase – 3 cents a month per subscriber – set to take effect in September “is helpful in the short-term and comes at a time when financial pressures on our organization have intensified.” Since 2024, subscriber erosion has nearly doubled, according to the release. In an interview following the CRTC’s decision to approve the rate increase, CPAC CEO Christa Dickenson told The Wire Report that, as cable subscribers continue to decline, the decision is a short-term solution to a problem that is not going away. The press release said it is uncertain when “predictable, reliable, and stable long-term funding mechanisms will be in place,” attributing that ambiguity to delays in modernizing the broadcasting system. PrimeTime Politics, hosted by Michael Serapio, is CPAC’s roundup of the day’s Canadian political news, whereas L’Essentiel, helmed by Marc-André Cossette, is French-language programming that breaks down political decisions in Ottawa and their impacts on francophone communities. “Esteemed colleagues have left CPAC today,” the release said. “This is not a reflection of the people affected,” Dickenson was quoted as saying. “Our former colleagues are dedicated and talented professionals who have made meaningful contributions to Canadian journalism and broadcasting. We are grateful to them and thank them sincerely.” According to the release, CPAC remains committed to its mandate of providing coverage that is uncut, unfiltered, and without spin. Reaction to the news started pouring in shortly after the release was issued, with Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne (Saint-Maurice—Champlain, Que.) calling the decision “very sad.” “My thoughts are with the folks,” he told reporters. “They are doing great work.” In response to questions from The Wire Report about the decision's timing, CPAC spokesperson Fateemah Sayani said in a statement that it "became apparent in our financial modelling that this decision would have to be made." mcollins@thewirereport.ca Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from CPAC.

CPAC cuts PrimeTime Politics, L’Essentiel a week after CRTC rate increase approval

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By Maria Collins
|April 21, 2026

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CPAC cuts PrimeTime Politics, L’Essentiel a week after CRTC rate increase approval

Broadcast | By Maria Collins |April 21, 2026

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