Ontario national councillor Mitas expected to challenge Barber for Conservative Party presidency

Senior Conservative sources tell The Hill Times that current party president Stephen Barber and Christina Mitas have been strategizing and reaching out to potential supporters ahead of the national council election at the end of this month.

Ontario national councillor Christina Mitas, right, is expected to run against Stephen Barber for the position of Conservative Party president at the Jan. 29-31 biennial policy convention in Calgary. Barber was elected president in 2023. Stephen Barber photograph courtesy of LinkedIn, Christina Mitas photograph courtesy of Facebook

Ontario national councillor Mitas expected to challenge Barber for Conservative Party presidency

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Senior Conservative sources tell The Hill Times that current party president Stephen Barber and Christina Mitas have been strategizing and reaching out to potential supporters ahead of the national council election at the end of this month.

Ontario national councillor Mitas expected to challenge Barber for Conservative Party presidency

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Senior Conservative sources tell The Hill Times that current party president Stephen Barber and Christina Mitas have been strategizing and reaching out to potential supporters ahead of the national council election at the end of this month.

THE LATEST

Liberal MPs shrug off Trump’s latest tariff threat if Canada pursues trade agreement with China

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, said there is 'no pursuit' of a free trade deal with China.

Liberal MPs shrug off Trump’s latest tariff threat if Canada pursues trade agreement with China

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, said there is 'no pursuit' of a free trade deal with China.

After decades of progress on smoking, Canada faces new nicotine challenges

Make federal funding permanent for Canada’s suicide crisis helpline, say Conservative and NDP critics

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.

Long-time mental health advocates Conservative MP Todd Doherty and NDP MP Gord Johns say their passion for the subject is personal.

Health workforce, toxic drug crisis on health critics’ agendas this winter

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.

Conservative health critic Dan Mazier says an upcoming committee report on immigration and health care will include ‘damning evidence’ that will surprise people.

Public service watchdog sounds alarm over funding shortfall to investigate whistleblower complaints

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Canada’s Public Sector Integrity Commissioner says the office is struggling to handle ‘unprecedented numbers’ of wrongdoing and reprisal cases, and ‘resources have not kept pace, causing detrimental delays to investigations.’

Canada’s Public Sector Integrity Commissioner says the office is struggling to handle ‘unprecedented numbers’ of wrongdoing and reprisal cases, and ‘resources have not kept

POLITICS THIS MORNING

The West Block-ers reassemble

Plus, party leaders talk about their legislative priorities for Parliament's upcoming session.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Carney has thrown his hat over the wall, now what?

A few months ago, the PM spoke of sacrifice as Canada realigned around new priorities. The same theme popped up in a Globe and Mail story last week about planning work at Canadian Defence HQ about how to resist, via an insurgency, an American attack. The key line to me in that story was this: 'Conscription has been ruled out for now, but the level of sacrifice that would be asked of Canadians remains a central topic, the officials said.' I’ll bet it does!

BY MATT GURNEY

Opinion

BY ROSE LEMAY

Principled-based pragmatism and the wisdom of the seven generations

Opinion

BY SHEILA COPPS

Going along to get along is over

Opinion

BY MICHAEL HARRIS

Carney did in Davos what other world leaders should be doing: rebuking the U.S. bully

Opinion

BY GERRY NICHOLLS

Conservative convention promises drama

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

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

NEWS

Lack of pre-sitting cabinet shuffle doesn’t take it off the table for the winter, say political strategists

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Although a cabinet shuffle isn't in the cards before the House resumes after winter break, it could still be a possibility as byelections create opportunity for fresh blood to get elected to Parliament, say politicos.

Lack of pre-sitting cabinet shuffle doesn’t take it off the table for the winter, say political strategists

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Although a cabinet shuffle isn't in the cards before the House resumes after winter break, it could still be a possibility as byelections create opportunity for fresh blood to get elected to Parliament, say politicos.

Liberals ‘taking a sledgehammer’ to the public service, says interim NDP leader Davies

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

With threats to Canada’s sovereignty and mounting economic challenges, MPs should work together or face an early election, says Coteau

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Who’s backing the NDP leadership contenders?

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Experts say 6G networks still years away, but Canada’s already preparing for the technology of the future

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

Cory Doctorow to talk his bestselling book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It, on Jan. 28 in Ottawa

Podcast

Re-engaging with China, with Senator Yuen Pau Woo

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2025

News

Tracking job cuts in the federal public service

Podcast

Mark Critch on Donald Trump, Canadian politics, and being TikTok famous

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo Black

Senior Advisor, Government Relations (Telework/Hybrid)

Back To Parliament

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo White

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Day two in Quebec City

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Day two in Quebec City

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

House winter session expected to be ‘very consequential’ with affordability issues, global trade, and possible referendums, say politicos

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Eight takeaways from Max Valiquette’s memoir of his time in the Trudeau PMO: I ‘got to carry something we called the Bat-phone’

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Carney leads cabinet retreat in Quebec City

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Environment Minister Dabrusin promotes new deputy director, adds more aides

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

POLITICS

MPs from all parties must work together to deal with external and internal challenges facing Canada

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

‘These times are not like any other’: Carney’s Davos speech that ‘electrified the world’ draws bipartisan praise

NewsBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

After a year of inaction, the Carney Liberals must show up for work in 2026

OpinionBY LEO HOUSAKOS

Balsillie School for International Affairs hosts lecture on President Trump’s trade policies and upcoming CUSMA review on Jan. 22

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Albanian embassy marks national day

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Albanian embassy marks national day

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Monday, January 26, 2026

DOWNLOAD

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

DOWNLOAD

Monday, January 19, 2026

DOWNLOAD

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

Canada shouldn’t spend $3-billion on ‘money-losing tourist trains’: letter writer

Opinion

BY INTERIM NDP LEADER DON DAVIES

Canada’s economic, security, and environmental interests have never been more challenged

Opinion

BY JATIN NATHWANI, ARTIE NG

Creating a new future for Canada’s auto sector

Political numbers that matter in 2026

OpinionBY ASHTON ARSENAULT

The Liberal government has been stymied and scuttled at every turn in both the House and in committees. This situation would change dramatically should they get to those elusive 172 seats.

Chrystia Freeland’s 10 greatest achievements as Liberal cabinet minister

OpinionBY KELLY PATRICK

Priorities for Canada as 2026 gets underway

OpinionBY ELIZABETH MAY

This government would flunk any test for transparency. Why are new programs, such as Build Canada Homes, the Major Projects Office and the Defence procurement office being established as 'special operating agencies' under the Treasury Board's cloak of confidentiality?

Priorities for Canada as 2026 gets underway

OpinionBY ELIZABETH MAY

This government would flunk any test for transparency. Why are new programs, such as Build Canada Homes, the Major Projects Office and the Defence procurement office being established as 'special operating agencies' under the Treasury Board's cloak of confidentiality?

Learning a new dance for 2026

OpinionBY CAM HOLMSTROM

A shifting geopolitical environment leaves the Arctic central to Canada’s sovereignty and security

OpinionBY NDP MP LORI IDLOUT

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 01-26-2026

de Adder’s Take: 01-21-2026

de Adder’s Take: 01-19-2026

Public Service

Liberals ‘taking a sledgehammer’ to the public service, says interim NDP leader Davies

Approximately 8,500 public servants were notified this week that they may be impacted by potential job cuts, and more than 17,000 such notifications have gone out since December, public sector unions have confirmed.

BY MARLO GLASS

Tracking job cuts in the federal public service

Workforce adjustment notifications have hit thousands of employees across dozens of government departments and agencies.

BY MARLO GLASS

‘Who do you remain loyal to?’: courting Bay Street talent to Major Projects Office invites conflict-of-interest ‘tension,’ says expert

Enticing private sector employees comes during a major shakeup in the public service, with thousands of jobs expected to be lost across the bureaucracy as a part of the comprehensive expenditure review.

BY MARLO GLASS

Public service unions demand answers addressing rumours about the end of remote work

The 'volume and specificity' of full-time return-to-office rumours 'warrant immediate clarity from Treasury Board' says union president Sean O’Reilly.

BY MARLO GLASS

Skeptics say billions of dollars in AI-driven government efficiencies ‘fiscally dubious’

Despite the budget's projections, grand promises of technology heralding big savings and government efficiency is evoking the memory of the disastrous Phoenix pay system for some observers.

BY MARLO GLASS

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

IMF report says Canada’s elevated trade uncertainty reinforces long-standing weaknesses in productivity and competitiveness

OpinionBY DAVID CRANE

Latvian envoy plays host at War Museum

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Latvian envoy plays host at War Museum

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

BOOKS, BIG IDEAS, Q&As

Canadian war photography historian looks into Vimy Ridge

FeatureBY KATE MALLOY

Carla-Jean Stokes' book about William Ivor Castle's work tells the stories behind the famous photographer's First World War photos, including the ones he manipulated.

Canadian war photography historian looks into Vimy Ridge

FeatureBY KATE MALLOY

Carla-Jean Stokes' book about William Ivor Castle's work tells the stories behind the famous photographer's First World War photos, including the ones he manipulated.

Reconciliation starts local, says author of guide book for non-Indigenous allies

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Poilievre is a ‘classic political ripper,’ says author of new bestselling biography

FeatureBY KATE MALLOY

Bruce Fanjoy, the man who broke Poilievre’s spell on Carleton, Ont., says he won by door knocking and listening

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Pope Francis was one of the most ‘electrifying papacies in centuries,’ says author of book on pontiff’s life and influences

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Health care is 13 per cent of Canada’s economy, and must be central to nation-building

OpinionBY JIMMY YANG

This is not a call for unchecked spending. It's a call to recognize health care for what it truly is: foundational economic infrastructure. If we are serious about building Canada’s future, health care can no longer sit in the background. It must be central to nation-building.

Health Minister Marjorie Michel, pictured Ot. 2, 2025, making an announcement about the Canadian dental care plan in Vanier, Ont. An estimated five million Canadians have enrolled in the program. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Health care is 13 per cent of Canada’s economy, and must be central to nation-building

OpinionBY JIMMY YANG

This is not a call for unchecked spending. It's a call to recognize health care for what it truly is: foundational economic infrastructure. If we are serious about building Canada’s future, health care can no longer sit in the background. It must be central to nation-building.

Health care is 13 per cent of Canada’s economy, and must be central to nation-building

OpinionBY JIMMY YANG

This is not a call for unchecked spending. It's a call to recognize health care for what it truly is: foundational economic infrastructure. If we are serious about building Canada’s future, health care can no longer sit in the background. It must be central to nation-building.

Carney must walk a tightrope in 2026, dealing with an unpredictable neighbour

OpinionBY MARC SNYDER

Canada has been over-relying on a partner—the United States—that has become unreliable.

‘If not now, when?’ Canada should ‘stand up’ to U.S. threats against Greenland, say Senators, ex-MP McKay

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND, MARLO GLASS

Canada is offering ‘a classic, measured’ response, says Senator Peter Boehm, while Senator Andrew Cardozo questions ‘how much longer’ the prime minister can take that approach. If Canada doesn’t take a stand now, ‘can we expect anybody in the world to stand up for us?'

Canada will have to expand trade with undemocratic countries to fight losses in U.S. trade war, say foreign policy experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada is at serious risk in 2026 from the 'political revolution' currently underway in the U.S., and there is likely no scenario where Canada and the U.S. will return to a trade relationship like before the current trade war.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently engaged in a multi-stop international visit to China and Qatar, should be employing a communications strategy to bring Canadians on board in a far more substantive way, says John Delacourt, a former director of communications for the Liberal Research Bureau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada will have to expand trade with undemocratic countries to fight losses in U.S. trade war, say foreign policy experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada is at serious risk in 2026 from the 'political revolution' currently underway in the U.S., and there is likely no scenario where Canada and the U.S. will return to a trade relationship like before the current trade war.

Canada will have to expand trade with undemocratic countries to fight losses in U.S. trade war, say foreign policy experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada is at serious risk in 2026 from the 'political revolution' currently underway in the U.S., and there is likely no scenario where Canada and the U.S. will return to a trade relationship like before the current trade war.

Far-right ideology is a prescription for bad health

OpinionBY DORIS GRINSPUN

Once political leaders learn they can dictate health policy through culture wars, the intrusion rarely ends.

Elbow patches up: universities and Canadian sovereignty

OpinionBY TIMOTHY CHAN

At a moment when Canadian values are threatened, universities can be counted on as a key partner in the journey to secure a future of our own design.

‘Very few truly understand how it currently works’: procurement watchdog puts defence contracting under microscope

NewsBY IREM KOCA

The Office of the Procurement Ombud is putting together a research study on defence procurement, with early outreach suggesting the new Defence Investment Agency

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Environment

DOWNLOAD

The Hill Times’ 100 Best Books 2025

DOWNLOAD

The North Policy Briefing

DOWNLOAD

features

Carney to miss Trump’s meeting with foreign leaders in Davos

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Pierre Poilievre attends a fundraiser at a golf club in Ontario.

Carney to miss Trump’s meeting with foreign leaders in Davos

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Pierre Poilievre attends a fundraiser at a golf club in Ontario.

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Investigative reporter Susanne Craig to be honoured by Canadian Journalism Foundation on June 10

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Former CSIS director Vigneault to talk about national defence, economic security at CDAI roundtable on Jan. 28 in Montreal

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Simon meets Sheinbaum

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Columnist Matt Gurney opens up about his wife’s cancer diagnosis: ‘I am going to fight for her with absolutely everything I have’

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Davos calling Carney

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

New policy adviser among recent staff changes for Trade Minister Sidhu

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Carney-Xi huddle in Beijing

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Parliamentary Calendar

Commissioner Nancy Bélanger breaks down new lobbying threshold in virtual info session on Jan. 15

Podcast

Cut, not cap? The latest on public service downsizing, with Marlo Glass

News

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

List

Take The Hill Times year-end news quiz

Podcast

Who wants an election? With David Coletto

Premier conseiller ou première conseillère, Relations gouvernementales (télétravail/hybride)

Rookies’ Guide to Parliament 2025

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

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

A community for political junkies

The Hill Times subscribers are not your average Canadians, they don’t just want to
read the headlines, they want the full back story, the context and the implications.

EXCLUSIVE LISTS

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

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

Take The Hill Times politics quiz

Carney government bills: tracking their progress into law

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

Take The Hill Times politics quiz

MPs’ annual office budgets for 2025-26

Take The Hill Times politics quiz

Post

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

Post

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

Post

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

Liberals ‘taking a sledgehammer’ to the public service, says interim NDP leader Davies

Approximately 8,500 public servants were notified this week that they may be impacted by potential job cuts, and more than 17,000 such notifications have gone out since December, public sector unions have confirmed.

BY MARLO GLASS

House winter session expected to be ‘very consequential’ with affordability issues, global trade, and possible referendums, say politicos

If an election were held today, the Liberals would capture 41 per cent of voters, while the Conservatives would take 39 per cent, according to Abacus Data survey data released on Jan. 22.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

‘Unprecedented’ 2025 for canola industry, with record-breaking economic lobbying

More than a third (33.9 per cent) of all federal advocacy in 2025 was about economic development, setting a new record in annual lobbying.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Health organizations have questions, but few answers about feds’ new $5-billion Health Infrastructure Fund

The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says it will need an additional 382,400 to 454,000 beds by 2035 to keep up with demand. This is an increase of between 93 per cent and 121 per cent.

BY TESSIE SANCI

Trump wants to squeeze us hard enough so we come begging

Our test is to prove him wrong, and not sacrifice the future for the present.

BY DAVID CRANE

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.