Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen, pictured Feb. 2, 2022, on the Hill. The national council of the Conservative Party has been deliberating on what the nomination rules should be since November, says party president Robert Batherson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Conservatives to finalize nomination rules for incumbent MPs before leadership election to avoid political pressure to support any one leadership candidate, say Tories
Nomination rules before the leadership election will allow MPs to decide who to support for the party’s top job without any pressure, says Saskatchewan Conservative MP Randy Hoback.
What’s up with gas? Explaining the global and local politics behind the price at the pump
Despite global uncertainty causing oil and gas prices to spike, Canada's oil and gas supplies have remained stable. ‘There seemed to be this complete loss of faith in institutions’: Canadian journalists talk about covering ‘Freedom Convoy’
Carleton University brought together journalists for the 'Journalism Under Siege' panel discussion surrounding media coverage of the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest that descended on downtown Ottawa for weeks.New Tory leader needs to prioritize GTA region in next election to win, say former Conservative candidates
More than 30 GTA Conservative candidates of record have formed an informal group to push leadership candidates to make the area a priority in the next election. In 2021, the Tories only won seven of 57 GTA seats.Top 100 Lobbyists 2022: Hybrid model is new norm for lobbyists tired of virtual meetings
After years of mostly virtual meetings, lobbyists are ready to embrace a hybrid model balancing remote communications with in-person events.Charest campaign yet again denies Harper is against former Quebec premier’s leadership campaign bid
The Charest campaign will believe media stories suggesting Stephen Harper is against the former Quebec premier’s campaign when the former prime minister says something on the record, says top strategist Michael Coates.Canada’s push for Russian accountability at the ICC faces an uphill battle
As allegations of Russian war crimes mount, questions loom if an ICC case can help deter Moscow's aggression. Convoy support could help Poilievre’s leadership bid, but populist support can cut both ways
Geoff Norquay, who backs Jean Charest, says the next federal Conservative leader will have to position the party in a more 'centrist, and less populist' direction if it hopes to form government.With calls to remove ambassadors, Canada risks curbing response to Russian invasion
UN Ambassador Bob Rae says that diplomatic representation in Moscow is 'necessary.' Anti-corruption advocates call on feds to expedite registry tracking dirty money, warn 2025 target too far off
CSG Senator Percy Downe says Canada has developed an ‘unfortunate reputation’ as a place where dirty money can be 'snow-washed.'
Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen, pictured Feb. 2, 2022, on the Hill. The national council of the Conservative Party has been deliberating on what the nomination rules should be since November, says party president Robert Batherson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Conservatives to finalize nomination rules for incumbent MPs before leadership election to avoid political pressure to support any one leadership candidate, say Tories
Nomination rules before the leadership election will allow MPs to decide who to support for the party’s top job without any pressure, says Saskatchewan Conservative MP Randy Hoback.
War, hate, propaganda … what’s next?
Give us more than existential dread. Give us information, give us ways to prepare for wartime prices and wartime living. Give us a reason to stand together.Time to take Poilievre seriously, no matter how unserious he seems
Poilievre’s rivals, on all fronts, better stoop to conquer, or they are going to lose—and so are many Canadians.Place your bets, it’s a real race, now
At the heart of the race for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada is the question of whether the Conservatives want to govern or if they want to sit in perennial Opposition. 
Justice Committee review of sex work law underscores ongoing ideological clash
Sex worker groups say that decriminalization is needed, while advocates for exploitation and trafficking prevention argue for continued enforcement of existing legislation.Proposed Broadcasting Act updates give cabinet too much power
C-11 does far more than incorporate online platforms into the broadcasting system—it proposes to give cabinet the power to tell the CRTC how to regulate such platforms.Bloc bill seeks to protect Quebec seats as riding redraw gets underway
Electoral redistribution commissions are currently working on the first draft of new riding map proposals, which are expected to be completed in April. 
The many shades of deterrence in Ukraine
The West must reciprocate Russia’s drawdown. Deterrence can’t work if the aggressor expects continued punishment even after it acquiesces to demands—under these conditions Russia will have no reason to end the war.World must resolve conflict in Ukraine before it spills over into something much worse
While the West is right to support Ukraine’s survival, we will at some point need some kind of modus-vivendi that all of the parties can live with, however reluctantly, and bring conflict to an end. Ukraine and deluded Putin
An internal coup now seems feasible. It began at the assembly of the Russian Security Council on Feb. 21 when Vladimir Putin forced the elite to public recognition of the separatist republics in Eastern Ukraine.
Diving back into Broadcasting Act reform could mean big controversy
Legislation intended to reform the Broadcasting Act should be 'more clear' to avoid the confusion and controversy caused by Bill C-10 in the previous Parliament, says NDP MP Peter Julian.Supply chain crisis and federal budget occupy agriculture sector in busy December
Three of the top six most active advocacy groups in December represented the agricultural sector.Lobbyists concerned potential rule changes could hinder volunteer opportunities in campaigns
Proposed changes to the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct include a mandatory one-year cooling-off period for lobbyists following political activities such as door-to-door canvassing during an election campaign.
Bruce Carson remembered by friends; Marc Roy joins Sandstone; Dale Eisler writes a book; and Kate Purchase has a baby
Plus, the Progress Summit to happen in person, and Eisler's book explores Saskatchewan's political shift.
New operations director, press secretary in the mix for Northern Affairs Minister Vandal
Ryan Cotter remains director of communications to the minister, but Kyle Allen has been scooped up from the Liberal research bureau to serve as Vandal’s new press secretary.
Tributes flow for ‘masterful’ strategist John Duffy after passing
Plus, administrative and clerical workers from the Office of the Auditor General continue their job action with a rally outside Treasury Board President Mona Fortier's Ottawa constituency office.
Hill reporters to talk about what it was like to cover Freedom Convoy, on March 8
Plus, Eric Reguly writes book about his father, Robert Reguly; Alastair Sweeny writes about Thomas Mackay; and Gary J. Smith writes about Cold War politics and hockey. Minister Rodriguez names press secretary, among other new hires
Plus, Hill Climbers catches up with some recently former staffers to see where they’ve landed post-election.Here’s a look at National Revenue Minister Lebouthillier’s team so far
Former Liberal candidate Philippe-Alexandre Langlois has joined Diane Lebouthillier’s office as a Quebec and Atlantic regional affairs adviser, among other new additions. 
Global transition to electric vehicles is ‘absolute battle’ and Canada needs strong collaboration with U.S. to triumph, say automakers
It will be critical for Canada to maintain regulatory alignment with the U.S. in order to support the ZEV industry, according to CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association.
Canada’s electric vehicle industry: developing an end-to-end value chain
Canada is rapidly expanding a new battery industry and new investments are proving that.
Canada’s green energy superpower: renewable hydrogen
A smart way to reduce transportation emissions is to electrify the system with battery and hydrogen electric vehicles simultaneously.
Canadian auto startups are in good stead, but there are no guarantees
Canada boasts all of the critical minerals required to compete globally in the battery electric vehicle space.Is Canada’s war on hydrogen finally over?
Canada is well-positioned to thrive with a hydrogen strategy because Canada is simmering with hydrogen.
The definitive history of Canada’s role on the United Nations Security Council
The first definitive history of Canada's time on the UN Security Council is a must read for anyone interested in Canadian foreign policy.
Harold Johnson’s book Peace and Good Order is among five shortlisted books for this year's Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. 
'I kind of just go ahead and do what I feel I should do, and get myself into situations where I’m thinking, "Oh, everybody here knows more than I do. But anyway, here goes." It served me very well,' says former Supreme Court chief justice Beverley McLachlin.
Patterns of interference, intimidation, and harassment of individual Canadians by the Chinese Communist Party ‘demand a response’ from the Canadian government, says veteran journalist Jonathan Manthorpe in his 2019 book. 
COVID-19: economic impacts and prospects
There are some potential game changers for outcomes—a vaccine; and a resurgence in international leadership and cooperation. Closer to home, we need a Canadian economic recovery plan that will boost confidence in the future with strategic and measured investments in long-term challenges and adjustment support for Canadians and businesses left behind by the coronavirus.
In what was supposed to be a period in which backbenchers and the opposition could wield more influence over the political debate, power and influence is arguably even more concentrated among a narrow cast of mostly familiar figures.
If we want to really honour Shannen Koostachin and the many children like her—we need to speak up, keep talking until government takes immediate action to end the inequality. If they don’t—vote them out because kids like Shannen are worth the money. The time for patience is over.- Cabinet's communications and chiefs of staff list, 2022
- The 50 MPs in ridings where 142 former residential schools are located
- All the federal leaders' stops during the 2021 campaign
- The 24 ridings AFN says First Nations voters can decide the election outcome
- The former MPs who are running again in 2021
- How Trudeau's cabinet ministers did in the last election
- The 95 MPs who won by 10% or less in 2019
- The 14 rural ridings that Liberals won in 2015 but lost in 2019
Annual Features
Contact list
Politics This Morning: Lockdown in Shenzhen threatens global supply chains
Plus, the joint House-Senate committee on the Declaration of Emergency gets underway.
Short of bringing in the military as aid to the civil power, Ontario's state of emergency and other enhanced legal enforcement measures are the last hope to deal with what increasingly looks like an insurrection.
There’s no doubt that purveyors of populist fantasy have struggled in the face of COVID, and the unforgiving virus could yet pull the rug from under their political aspirations.
Some anti-vaxxers complain there has been no logic in the decisions of governments. It is not logic that is in short supply, but knowledge and perspective.
Experts say that because of an inability to progress on correctional plans, inmates are being kept for longer than they ought to be, and vulnerable to outbreaks of COVID in the congregate settings.Top 100 People to Watch in 2022
The Hill Times All Politics Poll
Top 100 People To Watch In 2022
The Hot Room Podcast
Inside the sex-work law review, with Alice Chen
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In an approach applauded by Indigenous companies, Canada's new procurement strategy for federal goods and service contracts mandates that at least five per cent of federal contracts must go to Indigenous businesses.
Jean Charest's recent private lobbying and consultant work for special interests could be a factor in his leadership bid and, should he win that bid and subsequently an election, could be a factor influencing him as PM.
Equally perverse is the opportunistic clamouring of transnational oil interests invested in Canada and their political backers to quickly expand Canada’s oil and gas reach to Western Europe. 
This leadership race will be an epic failure if the contest turns into a debate about whether Jack is more of a Conservative than Jill.
A recent study found that RCMP detachment services assistants, despite being so heavily relied upon, have often felt invisible, poorly supported, and undertrained to do their essential work.
The West—and NATO—can’t ignore the threat Russia represents to the world. We can’t just stand by and allow Ukrainians to die, when it’s quite possible our friends and families abroad could be next. Some interesting reads about Canadian politics in 2021
Here’s a sample published by three of Canada’s largest academic publishers: University of British Columbia Press, University of Toronto Press, and McGill-Queen’s University Press.Michael Wernick on governing, political journalism, and his Machiavellian inspiration
'I was pissed off, and I thought it needed to be called out:' the former top civil servant talks to Peter Mazereeuw about his explosive committee testimony following the Yellow Vest protest on Parliament Hill, and a whole lot more.Diving into Health Minister Duclos’ team, plus O’Regan has new policy head
The health minister’s most recent staff additions include Jade Mallette as director of parliamentary affairs and Victor Kandasamy as Quebec adviser.
Most of Veterans Affairs Minister MacAulay’s team intact post-election
A few new staff have joined the veterans affairs minister’s office this Parliament, including special assistants Jonathan Wiseman and Véronique Gauthier.
Justice Michael Moldaver prepares for departure from Canada’s top court
Plus, the interim Conservative leader updates her front bench as MPs and Senators take sides in the leadership race.Fergus to moderate economic recovery talk, suspicious fire at Liberal MP Fonseca’s office
Plus, Centre Block renovations have started again after pausing due to the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation, and there are new hires at Compass Rose.Trudeau announces major shakeup in senior ranks of public service, also appoints new deputy clerk of the Privy Council Office before Sunday’s election call
Former deputy clerk of the Privy Council Christyne Tremblay will remain in the PCO as a senior official.Federal cybersecurity workers heading for strike votes following bargaining impasse
With the two sides having been at the bargaining table for almost two years following the expiry of the most recent collective agreement, strike votes are scheduled to run from Feb. 11 to 24.
No more Hill parties, after coronavirus pandemic forces Parliament Hill to shut down
'Politics and the Pen is probably the exact opposite of social distancing. We cram so many people into the ballroom that you can barely keep one to two inches away,' says Jim Armour. Sorbara makes ’em howl at the Métropolitain
Pat Sorbara's new book, Let 'em Howl, offers lessons learned over a more than four-decade career in federal and provincial politics as a high-ranking Liberal backroomer. Latvia wants ‘more Canada’ in face of renewed Russian invasion, says departing envoy
Latvian Ambassador Kārlis Eihenbaums says Canada's NATO deployment has led to a flourishing of Ottawa-Riga ties. Rink links: A new form of outdoor diplomacy has emerged in Ottawa
With COVID-19 restrictions in place, the outdoor rink has allowed for diplomacy to keep a personal touch, says U.K. High Commissioner Susannah Goshko.
UN Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity happening March 7-18 in New York City
The United Nations General Assembly Hall in the UN Headquarters, New York City, pictured April 23, 2011. The Fourth Session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction will be held from March 7-18 in New York City.
Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia/Basil D. Soufi
Hundreds of Ukrainian Canadians and their supporters marched in Ottawa on Feb. 27 outside of Ottawa City Hall to protest Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Comedian, actor, and writer Rick Mercer, left, pictured March 26, 2007, taking an escalator in front of then Liberal MP Belinda Stronach and Brian Tobin, former Chrétien-era cabinet minister and former Newfoundland and Labrador premier, at Canada 2020’s Crossing Boundaries Conference. The conference featured Josée Verner, Frank McKenna, Salman Rushdie, Tim Flannery, Chris Anderson, Shaun Graham, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. 
