Lack of trade infrastructure, insufficient supports for small business among realities of trade-war woes, say experts

Canada has 'baseline difficulties in building new trade assets,' says Carlo Dade, director of International Policy and the New North America Initiative at the University of Calgary.

Speaking to reporters following a Feb. 19 speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the federal government hopes provinces’ work on reducing interprovincial trade barriers will continue. ‘Anything that secures the lowering of these barriers is fine by us,’ he said. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lack of trade infrastructure, insufficient supports for small business among realities of trade-war woes, say experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada has 'baseline difficulties in building new trade assets,' says Carlo Dade, director of International Policy and the New North America Initiative at the University of Calgary.

Lack of trade infrastructure, insufficient supports for small business among realities of trade-war woes, say experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada has 'baseline difficulties in building new trade assets,' says Carlo Dade, director of International Policy and the New North America Initiative at the University of Calgary.

THE LATEST

Questions loom over NDP’s voter verification process as leadership contest enters final stretch

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Democracy Watch’s Duff Conacher says the gaps in voter identification could allow for foreign interference in the NDP leadership race, but the party says it has ‘established safeguards’ in place to protect the vote.

Questions loom over NDP’s voter verification process as leadership contest enters final stretch

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Democracy Watch’s Duff Conacher says the gaps in voter identification could allow for foreign interference in the NDP leadership race, but the party says

A Proven Export Playbook, Powered by Canadian Propane

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

NewsBY MARIA COLLINS

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon has previously said he expects to table his new AI strategy in the first quarter of 2026.

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon has previously said he expects to table his new AI strategy in the first quarter of 2026.

‘The grief isn’t gone’ in Tumbler Ridge, says local MP Bob Zimmer

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

British Columbia MP Bob Zimmer says the families of the deceased are planning funerals and viewings for their loved ones, and as the local MP, his role is to assist in 'practical matters' while families cope with insurmountable grief.

British Columbia MP Bob Zimmer says the families of the deceased are planning funerals and viewings for their loved ones, and as the local

New strategy outlines ‘ambitious’ defence readiness objective months after downgrading air fleet target

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

National Defence's most recent departmental plans reduced the readiness target for the air fleet to 70 per cent, down from 85 per cent. The new Defence Industrial Strategy has reversed that decrease just eight months later.

National Defence's most recent departmental plans reduced the readiness target for the air fleet to 70 per cent, down from 85 per cent. The

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Canada hosts a critical minerals summit in Paris

Plus, MacKinnon meets provincial and territorial transport ministers in Vancouver.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

The grass is greener where you water it

To grow exports, Canada’s agricultural research capacity must be maintained.

BY CSG SENATOR TODD LEWIS

Opinion

BY BHAGWANT SANDHU

The Tumbler Ridge tragedy is a warning

Opinion

BY ANDREW ERSKINE

A defence reality check for the Canadian Armed Forces

Opinion

BY ONOME AKO

Foreign aid by triage, with human survival at stake

Opinion

BY LES WHITTINGTON

Will Trump eventually get Epsteined? The scandal laps closer to the White House door

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

The ‘ambitious’ Defence Industrial Strategy, with Mark Norman

NEWS

NDP leadership candidate Ashton attacks Lewis on provincial relationships, energy projects in final debate

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis said the party is 'allowed to have differences on specific issues,' and facing criticism from Rob Ashton, warned they should avoid 'doing our opponent’s work.'

NDP leadership candidate Ashton attacks Lewis on provincial relationships, energy projects in final debate

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis said the party is 'allowed to have differences on specific issues,' and facing criticism from Rob Ashton, warned they should avoid 'doing our opponent’s work.'

Former Conservative MP Jeneroux ‘couldn’t sit on the sidelines,’ crosses floor to join Liberals

NewsBY STUART BENSON, MARLO GLASS | UPDATED February 18, 2026

Sudanese refugees waiting to come to Canada face deportation risk from Egypt

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Liberals hope ‘national unity’ council quells divisions after scrapping Islamophobia and antisemitism envoys

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Canada can’t wait out the current crisis in youth unemployment.

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

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?

Podcast

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

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo Black

Back To Parliament

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Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Jeneroux crosses over

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Canada wants to put foreign fighter pilots at the front of the immigration queue.

Jeneroux crosses over

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Canada wants to put foreign fighter pilots at the front of the immigration queue.

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

POLITICS

Federal parties dismiss ‘bogeyman’ privacy concerns baked into affordability bill, as Senators consider major amendments

NewsBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

The Liberal, NDP, and Conservative parties say Parliament must assert its jurisdiction over regulating federal parties, as privacy and data advocates urge Senators to pull parts of the ‘privacy-busting bill’ C-4.

Federal parties dismiss ‘bogeyman’ privacy concerns baked into affordability bill, as Senators consider major amendments

NewsBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

The Liberal, NDP, and Conservative parties say Parliament must assert its jurisdiction over regulating federal parties, as privacy and data advocates urge Senators to pull parts of the ‘privacy-busting bill’ C-4.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

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Monday, February 16, 2026

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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY JAKE COLE

Are across-the-board public service job cuts the right call?

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

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

Opinion

BY PAUL DEEGAN

Fixing Canada’s troubled hockey culture

Four years on: Canada, Ukraine, and the end of familiar assumptions

OpinionBY SENATOR REBECCA PATTERSON, ALEXANDER LANDRY

The question is no longer whether we support Ukraine or not, but how we do so in a world where old assumptions no longer hold.

In an ‘us vs. them’ situation, what happens when them is us?

Opinion

EPA erases climate safeguards

Opinion

EPA erases climate safeguards

Opinion

RTO remains hypocritical while hybrid Parliament lives

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

Celebrating Black Canadian trailblazers who’ve played a critical role in public life

OpinionBY WAHEED KHAN

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 02-18-2026

de Adder’s Take: 02-16-2026

de Adder’s Take: 02-11-2026

Public Service

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

Bringing investment banking rigor to Ottawa

Ministers must be equipped to interrogate advice with the same skepticism, financial scrutiny, and risk discipline that any serious investor would demand before committing billions of dollars of capital.

BY RAM MATHILAKATH

Treasury Board outlines more than 8,000 job cuts in first phases of public service revamp

Since the 2025 budget was tabled, more than 22,000 staff and 882 executives in 24 departments have been notified they may be affected by a workforce adjustment.

BY MARLO GLASS

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Cuba: Canada’s first foreign policy challenge after PM’s Davos speech

OpinionBY WOJTEK GWIAZDA

NATO 1.0 is dead. Long live NATO 2.0

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Could a Canada-Cuba hookup be in the cards?

OpinionBY ROBERT BOSTELAAR

Why Canada must act now to uphold refugee protection and stability

OpinionBY TRACEY MAULFAIR

The symbolic vote that signals a deeper shift in North American trade

OpinionBY AKOLISA UFODIKE

The Feb. 11 vote in the U.S. Congress shows the free-trade consensus that underpinned the Canada–U.S. relationship is no longer structurally guaranteed.

The symbolic vote that signals a deeper shift in North American trade

OpinionBY AKOLISA UFODIKE

The Feb. 11 vote in the U.S. Congress shows the free-trade consensus that underpinned the Canada–U.S. relationship is no longer structurally guaranteed.

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

To ban or not to ban? Experts wary of restricting social media access for kids, as feds watch Australian approach

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

After Australia banned social media for kids under the age of 16 last year, Culture Minister Marc Miller said his office was looking at the policy’s impact as part of the government’s plan to address online harms.

The federal government has reportedly drafted a proposed social media ban for children under the age of 14, according to The Globe and Mail. The Hill Times visual by Naomi Wildeboer

To ban or not to ban? Experts wary of restricting social media access for kids, as feds watch Australian approach

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

After Australia banned social media for kids under the age of 16 last year, Culture Minister Marc Miller said his office was looking at the policy’s impact as part of the government’s plan to address online harms.

To ban or not to ban? Experts wary of restricting social media access for kids, as feds watch Australian approach

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

After Australia banned social media for kids under the age of 16 last year, Culture Minister Marc Miller said his office was looking at the policy’s impact as part of the government’s plan to address online harms.

Official languages commissioner nominee aspires for a ‘truly bilingual public service’

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Kelly Burke, the nominee to become the next official language commissioner, says her goal in that position is ‘substantive equality’ between French and English across Canada.

‘Back to the future’: Senators react to idea of turning Senate Building back into original train station for high-speed rail hub

NewsBY IREM KOCA

David Jeanes, a retired engineer and former president of Transport Action Canada, says the Senate Building would be an ideal spot for a downtown Ottawa station, and says it could be linked to the rest of the line with a tunnel going under part of the Rideau Canal.

Beyond funding: why flexible, locally grounded care models matter now

OpinionBY BERNARD LORD

When care models are designed around patient needs and unique local realities they can expand access, protect system capacity, and deliver better outcomes.

Health Minister Marjorie Michel. Working more closely with employer-sponsored prescription drug plans would give governments the flexibility to target public investment where the gaps exist, writes Bernard Lord. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Beyond funding: why flexible, locally grounded care models matter now

OpinionBY BERNARD LORD

When care models are designed around patient needs and unique local realities they can expand access, protect system capacity, and deliver better outcomes.

Beyond funding: why flexible, locally grounded care models matter now

OpinionBY BERNARD LORD

When care models are designed around patient needs and unique local realities they can expand access, protect system capacity, and deliver better outcomes.

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

OpinionBY GENEVIèVE PAUL, ANAïS BUSSIèRES MCNICOLL

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.

Documents reveal more about powerful forces behind push for warrantless lawful access

OpinionBY KEN RUBIN

The pressure for lawful warrantless access to surveil internet subscriber data is long-standing and began in the late 1990s. But recently acquired access-to-information documents shed some light on some of the actors driving the push for more lawful access.

Canada must take lead in fighting health misinformation as vaccine hesitancy rises and U.S. pulls back from WHO, say sector experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

In the face of bad advice coming out of the U.S., Health Minister Marjorie Michel needs to discuss how to best promote facts with

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

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features

Federal leaders to attend vigil for Tumbler Ridge victims

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Dominic LeBlanc leads a trade mission to Mexico this weekend.

Federal leaders to attend vigil for Tumbler Ridge victims

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Dominic LeBlanc leads a trade mission to Mexico this weekend.

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The House goes back to business

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Advertising, speechwriting, and appointments advisers among fresh PMO hires

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

‘Tumbler Ridge represents the very best of Canada’: House mourns victims in special address

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Flags fly at half-mast after Tumbler Ridge tragedy

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

One out, two in for Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

New polling-driven podcast explores the ‘why’ behind public opinion

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Carney postpones Europe trip

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Parliamentary Calendar

Joly to deliver keynote address at 10th Ontario Economic Report launch on Feb. 19 in Toronto

Podcast

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

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

Sheila Copps on Greenland, a 2026 election, and the return of Parliament

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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read the headlines, they want the full back story, the context and the implications.

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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

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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

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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

Finance & Budget

‘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

Bringing investment banking rigor to Ottawa

Ministers must be equipped to interrogate advice with the same skepticism, financial scrutiny, and risk discipline that any serious investor would demand before committing billions of dollars of capital.

BY RAM MATHILAKATH

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.