Liberals ride wave in federal polls as widening gender, age gaps squeeze Conservatives’ coalition

As the Liberals post their largest lead since Prime Minister Mark Carney was chosen to lead the party, the Conservatives are feeling the pinch from multiple age brackets and a growing chasm among women voters, says Abacus Data CEO David Coletto.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is now leading Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre among both the youngest and oldest cohorts of voters, and polling with more than 50 per cent of support among women voters. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal

Liberals ride wave in federal polls as widening gender, age gaps squeeze Conservatives’ coalition

NewsBY STUART BENSON

As the Liberals post their largest lead since Prime Minister Mark Carney was chosen to lead the party, the Conservatives are feeling the pinch from multiple age brackets and a growing chasm among women voters, says Abacus Data CEO David Coletto.

Liberals ride wave in federal polls as widening gender, age gaps squeeze Conservatives’ coalition

NewsBY STUART BENSON

As the Liberals post their largest lead since Prime Minister Mark Carney was chosen to lead the party, the Conservatives are feeling the pinch from multiple age brackets and a growing chasm among women voters, says Abacus Data CEO David Coletto.

THE LATEST

Carney’s ‘bridge’ between the EU and the Pacific Rim trade deal likely to stop short of merging blocs, say observers

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

The prime minister's Davos address set out linking the EU with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, but putting it into practice could come with some hurdles.

Carney’s ‘bridge’ between the EU and the Pacific Rim trade deal likely to stop short of merging blocs, say observers

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

The prime minister's Davos address set out linking the EU with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, but putting it into practice

Canadian sovereignty is at risk if we don’t act decisively on the economy 

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Canadian sovereignty is at risk if we don’t act decisively on the economy 

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‘Voters have short memories’: delayed elections commissioner report puts damper on accountability, says political scientist Alex Marland

NewsBY STUART BENSON

A former cabinet minister's Elections Act misfire may create a minor chilling effect on politicians answering questions during byelections, but ignorance of elections rules is not a strong defence, says former CBC journo Hannah Thibedeau.

A former cabinet minister's Elections Act misfire may create a minor chilling effect on politicians answering questions during byelections, but ignorance of elections rules

U.S.-proposed critical minerals trading bloc a ‘difficult sell,’ say natural resources experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

'We're obviously in a stage where people treat American trade deals with skepticism,' says Heather Exner-Pirot, director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's energy, natural resources, and environment program.

'We're obviously in a stage where people treat American trade deals with skepticism,' says Heather Exner-Pirot, director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute's energy, natural resources,

‘This is our home, so we need to be part of the solution’: Inuit-led university to strengthen Canada’s Arctic, say Senators

NewsBY JUSTIN S. CAMPBELL

Education in the North not only keeps people in their communities and takes advantage of local and traditional knowledge, but also drives investment in infrastructure.

Education in the North not only keeps people in their communities and takes advantage of local and traditional knowledge, but also drives investment in

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Koreans come calling

Plus, Alexandre Boulerice eyes the exit.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, ELEANOR WAND

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Stories from the past should not help separatists

Amid promised referendums in Quebec and Alberta, former public servants should keep in mind the ammunition they could provide to the separatists’ cause—and keep it quiet.

BY ANDREW CADDELL

Opinion

BY W. BRETT WILSON

The missing critical mineral underpinning Canada’s entire defence and industrial strategy

Opinion

BY TIM POWERS

One year in a leaky boat

Opinion

BY INDEPENDENT SENATOR ROSA GALVEZ, GEOFF STRONG, RICHARD VAN DER JAGT

Pipelines or a national power grid: what should Canada build now?

Opinion

BY PHILIP CROSS

In a tariff war, Canada’s resources are our strategic advantage

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

The ‘ambitious’ Defence Industrial Strategy, with Mark Norman

NEWS

Carney breaks with tradition in selecting Charette as chief negotiator for U.S. trade

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Previous chief negotiators have had extensive experience in trade policy before taking on Canada's most important negotiations, but observers say it's more important that Janice Charette has the PM's trust.

Carney breaks with tradition in selecting Charette as chief negotiator for U.S. trade

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Previous chief negotiators have had extensive experience in trade policy before taking on Canada's most important negotiations, but observers say it's more important that Janice Charette has the PM's trust.

‘Dangerous’ Bill C-12’s immigration changes give too much power to cabinet and department: Sen. McPhedran and legal rights groups

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

‘He comes from our side’: Writers’ Union CEO calls Solomon an AI ‘cheerleader,’ asks him to slow down strategy

NewsBY MARIA COLLINS

‘Everyone should feel the hit’: ministerial offices and PMO should be cut, too, say some leading public policy experts

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy – Time to Build.

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HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

Liberal MP Kayabaga to talk unlocking growth in Africa and the Caribbean during Empire Club event on Feb. 26

Podcast

Tumbler Ridge shooting upends the agenda: The week in review

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2025

News

Who’s backing the NDP leadership contenders?

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FORTINET

The Year of Resilience: What 2026 Will Demand From Canada’s Cyber Leaders

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo Black

Back To Parliament

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo White

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentarians treat ‘Olympics hangover’ at Hill Ski Day

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE, STUART BENSON

MPs and Senators celebrated sport, and addressed concerns raised by Canadian Olympic officials who called for more funding as the nation closed the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games with 21 medals.

Parliamentarians treat ‘Olympics hangover’ at Hill Ski Day

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE, STUART BENSON

MPs and Senators celebrated sport, and addressed concerns raised by Canadian Olympic officials who called for more funding as the nation closed the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games with 21 medals.

‘Every big city has its dangers’: Bloc MP Savard-Tremblay recounts getting mugged in Brussels

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Canada has a role to play in linking global democracy movements, says activist

FeatureBY NEIL MOSS

New senior adviser joins AI Minister Solomon’s team, deputy chief named

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Q&A | Canada’s ‘ambitious’ defence strategy and the ‘tough slog’ ahead, with Mark Norman

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

POLITICS

‘Like something out of a bad day in Afghanistan’: ex-politicos share views from the ground in Mexico

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

A grim anniversary

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

‘The whole incident was exceptionally unpleasant and stressful’: Frank Graves reclaims his social media account from cyber thief

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

He ‘was like the Hollywood casting version of the crusty news editor with a heart of gold’: friends, colleagues, former j-school students remember Elly Alboim

FeatureBY JUSTIN S. CAMPBELL

SecState Fuhr to talk about Canada’s new era in defence investment on Monday, Feb. 23, in Montreal

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

SecState Fuhr to talk about Canada’s new era in defence investment on Monday, Feb. 23, in Montreal

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

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Monday, February 23, 2026

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Wednesday, February 18, 2026

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY ANDREW PEREZ

Why Ottawa must make 988 funding stable and secure

Editorial

BY EDITORIAL

Carney’s India sojourn comes without safety net for threatened Canadians

Opinion

Canada should buy defence equipment based on need, not politics: retired Navy engineer

Canada’s security depends on our critical minerals—it’s time for Ottawa to match ambition with action

OpinionBY GREG FERRON

Too many promising exploration projects stall long before they reach production because early-stage exploration remains an afterthought in federal policy.

Canada’s critical minerals opportunity runs through First Nation lands

OpinionBY MARK PODLASLY

Mineral exploration and mining: a Canadian signpost for the future

OpinionBY JEFF KILLEEN

Minerals, metals, and raw materials will be central to our evolution amid geopolitical changes not experienced in generations in the west.

Mineral exploration and mining: a Canadian signpost for the future

OpinionBY JEFF KILLEEN

Minerals, metals, and raw materials will be central to our evolution amid geopolitical changes not experienced in generations in the west.

Canada’s critical mineral moment is real, but delivery depends on people

OpinionBY MEGAN GORDON

Canadians can’t afford to wait for Right to Repair legislation

OpinionBY EMILY CHUNG

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 02-25-2026

de Adder’s Take: 02-23-2026

de Adder’s Take: 02-18-2026

Public Service

Union warns pay system may not be able to handle layoffs, early retirements 10 years after start of Phoenix problems

The Phoenix pay system has cost the government more than $5-billion to date, and the current backlog of pay issues stands at around 238,000 transactions.

BY MARLO GLASS

‘Everyone should feel the hit’: ministerial offices and PMO should be cut, too, say some leading public policy experts

Prior to the 1980s, federal cabinet ministers made do with a handful of staff, but that has jumped to between 15 and 25 exempt staffers over the last 40 years, says professor Donald Savoie.

BY ABBAS RANA

Cost of public servants continues to rise, though growth of bureaucracy began to slow in 2024-25: PBO

In 2024-25, the government spent a total of $76.3-billion on public servants, an increase of six per cent from $71.9-billion spent in 2023-24.

BY MARLO GLASS

New in-office mandate could send more public servants out the door, union says

NDP MP Heather McPherson says introducing the new four-day, in-office mandate for the core public service during widespread job cuts is 'a bad choice' by the Liberal government.

BY MARLO GLASS

Ministers could exempt businesses from laws within ‘regulatory sandbox’ outlined in budget bill

Treasury Board Secretariat official Jenelle Power said the bill would not allow ministers to exempt people or businesses from law for 'broad policy purposes,' and there are 'strict limitations' to such legal exceptions, including time limits.

BY MARLO GLASS

FOREIGN POLICY

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

It’s a matter of time before Cuba’s regime collapses

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

The American president can likely find people in the Communist nation who are willing to sell out if the price is right, and make a deal that gives him final say but protects their power.

It’s a matter of time before Cuba’s regime collapses

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

The American president can likely find people in the Communist nation who are willing to sell out if the price is right, and make a deal that gives him final say but protects their power.

BOOKS, BIG IDEAS, Q&As

The Coutts Diaries is the most revealing book ever written about Canadian politics

FeatureBY DAVID HERLE

This is a previously unseen view of Pierre Trudeau, one that is sure to alter your opinions of him. It is an unvarnished look inside the government that brought you wage and price controls, the Charter of Rights, and the National Energy Program. And it is a darkly moving account of the life of a senior political staffer.

The Coutts Diaries is the most revealing book ever written about Canadian politics

FeatureBY DAVID HERLE

This is a previously unseen view of Pierre Trudeau, one that is sure to alter your opinions of him. It is an unvarnished look inside the government that brought you wage and price controls, the Charter of Rights, and the National Energy Program. And it is a darkly moving account of the life of a senior political staffer.

‘Don’t be indifferent’: Iranian-Canadian author shares story of his life inside infamous Tehran prison in new book

FeatureBY IREM KOCA

‘Treating politics as a system of balance, not battle’: new book brings fresh insights into Mackenzie King and lessons for today’s leaders

FeatureBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

First Nations are ‘ready’ to move beyond the Indian Act, but time’s running out, says author Bob Joseph

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

The Finest Hotel in Kabul is a window into Afghan endurance through the eyes of locals working at the Intercontinental Hotel

FeatureBY ELEANOR WAND

Sometimes the resource roller-coaster is a great ride

OpinionBY HEATHER EXNER-PIROT

Every generation, energy and resource busts turn to booms, and what a gift Canada’s resource endowment then becomes.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson has to carry the prime minister’s message that Canada is an energy superpower that has what the world needs, writes Heather Exner-Pirot. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Sometimes the resource roller-coaster is a great ride

OpinionBY HEATHER EXNER-PIROT

Every generation, energy and resource busts turn to booms, and what a gift Canada’s resource endowment then becomes.

Sometimes the resource roller-coaster is a great ride

OpinionBY HEATHER EXNER-PIROT

Every generation, energy and resource busts turn to booms, and what a gift Canada’s resource endowment then becomes.

Critical minerals: an opportunity for Canada and the Red River Métis

OpinionBY PETER FLEMING

Indigenous governments must have opportunities to participate across the entire value chain, from extraction and processing to transportation and trade.

Leveraging the nuclear renaissance to advance small and micro modular reactors

OpinionBY VINNY GUNDA, SAGAR SANGHERA, JOSEF FREUNDORFER, ELEODOR NICHITA

The future of nuclear in Canada ought to be about doing all types and scales of home-grown reactors exceptionally well.

Why Canada should peacefully enrich its uranium

OpinionBY ALEXANDER MACDONALD, JEREMY WHITLOCK

Peaceful uranium enrichment to feed the adoption of SMR technology is compatible with Canada’s long-standing domestic and international non-proliferation commitments.

As Canada and many of its allies deploy nuclear technologies that rely on enriched uranium, fuel security ought to become more of an imperative, write Alex MacDonald and Jeremy Whitlock. Photograph courtesy of Robert T Bell/Flickr

Why Canada should peacefully enrich its uranium

OpinionBY ALEXANDER MACDONALD, JEREMY WHITLOCK

Peaceful uranium enrichment to feed the adoption of SMR technology is compatible with Canada’s long-standing domestic and international non-proliferation commitments.

Why Canada should peacefully enrich its uranium

OpinionBY ALEXANDER MACDONALD, JEREMY WHITLOCK

Peaceful uranium enrichment to feed the adoption of SMR technology is compatible with Canada’s long-standing domestic and international non-proliferation commitments.

Four crucial outcomes Canadians need from the Alberta-Ottawa MOU talks

OpinionBY CHRIS SEVERSON-BAKER

These are the minimum requirements to help lower emissions from existing industries and allow new industries to be established, while limiting the risk of public funds being overextended on fossil fuel projects.

Building industrial strength: a regional approach to Canada’s critical materials

OpinionBY ALISON CRETNEY

No single jurisdiction has all the ingredients. But by leveraging its collective strengths as a whole, the region becomes competitive.

Think big: Senate Building should be turned into high-speed rail hub in 2037

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

The grand old Ottawa Union Station should be brought back to its original purpose and glory. Our city needs a train station downtown to

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Energy and Mining

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Transportation and Trade Policy Briefing

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Health

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features

The hope that (almost) kills you

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, the House debates the Build Canada Homes bill.

The hope that (almost) kills you

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, the House debates the Build Canada Homes bill.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada hosts a critical minerals summit in Paris

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Jeneroux crosses over

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Few post-shuffle staffing changes for Canadian identity, Quebec lieutenant teams

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Romania hosts Rideau Club revelry

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

House gears up for another assisted dying review

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Halifax-based public servant has front-row seat to Olympic action as women’s hockey referee in Italy

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Parliament hits a pause

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Parliamentary Calendar

NDP leadership hopefuls head to West Coast for second official debate on Feb. 19

Podcast

‘Hang tight’: Why Quebec sovereignty and separatism are in the headlines again

News

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Lobbyists in 2025: lobbyists prepare for ‘significant reset’ as federal election begins

News

Tracking job cuts in the federal public service

Podcast

Rob Batherson debriefs on Poilievre’s leadership win and what’s next for Conservatives

Policy Briefing – Environment

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – Health

Policy Briefing – Defence

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

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First-quarter expenses: MPs spent nearly $28-million

This Parliament’s ethics roundup: blind trusts, recusals, gifts, and more

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Carney government bills: tracking their progress into law

The number of sick days claimed by bureaucrats, broken down by department

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MPs’ annual office budgets for 2025-26

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Finance & Budget

‘Everyone should feel the hit’: ministerial offices and PMO should be cut, too, say some leading public policy experts

Prior to the 1980s, federal cabinet ministers made do with a handful of staff, but that has jumped to between 15 and 25 exempt staffers over the last 40 years, says professor Donald Savoie.

BY ABBAS RANA

‘All about’ NATO: bulk of feds’ $5.4-billion spending request boosts defence programs

The $2.2-billion request for defence spending is ‘all tied’ to meeting NATO’s defence spending target, says Canadian Global Affairs Institute’s Craig Stone, but Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Christopher Coates says it should be seen as 'long overdue' modernization of the Armed Forces.

BY ELEANOR WAND

Liberals see path forward for budget bill, but Conservatives still have ‘huge concerns’ with cabinet’s ‘regulatory sandbox’

Conservatives have concerns about a clause buried in Bill C-15 that grants cabinet ministers the power to exempt any individual or firm from nearly any federal law—excluding the Criminal Code—for up to six years.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada faces ‘an emergency of extraordinary proportions’ with Trump, say foreign affairs and trade experts

U.S. President Donald Trump's recent rant on X about the bridge linking Windsor, Ont., to Detroit, Mich., augurs badly for the upcoming review of North America's trade pact, says international trade lawyer Lawrence Herman.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Bill C-15 is one of the biggest threats yet to Canada’s rule of law

The omnibus budget bill gives unprecedented power to federal ministers to exempt virtually any entity from all federal laws and regulations—except the Criminal Code.

BY GENEVIèVE PAUL, ANAïS BUSSIèRES MCNICOLL

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the national supply chain office “will enhance the resilience, efficiency, and reliability of our transportation systems,” in a Transport Canada press release on Dec. 1, 2023.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.