In 2015, a record number of Indigenous MPs, 10, were elected to the House, including from top left: Ind. MP Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal MP Yvonne Jones, Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, NDP MP Romeo Saganash, NDP MP Georgina Jolibois, Liberal MP Michael McLeod, above left, Liberal MP Don Rusnak, Ind. MP Hunter Tootoo, Liberal MP Dan Vandal, and Liberal MP Vance Badawey. But that's not enough to effect real change, MPs say. The Hill Times file photographs, photographs by Andrew Meade, and courtesy of the House of Commons
‘We have to be part of it’: Indigenous MPs say there needs to be better representation
'You can bet if we had 100 MPs that were Indigenous, the tone about Indigenous issues would change,' says Liberal MP Michael McLeod.
What do local residents and First Nations think of LNG Canada?
We asked people in Northern B.C. what they would tell Canadians about why they support LNG Canada. Here’s what they had to say.
Canada’s Mali extension shortens medevac gap, but questions remain over when replacements will arrive
The Canadian government's commitment to peacekeeping weakened following the removal of Stéphane Dion as foreign affairs minister, says former adviser Jocelyn Coulon.Phoenix replacement vendors say they’re ready for the challenge of competing pay systems
‘All we ever wanted out of this was a working pay system, and if it's working pay system(s), we’re OK with that, too,’ says PIPSC president Debi Daviau.Politics This Morning
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Journalists inherit ‘institutional blindspots’ that cloud coverage of race in politics, says media expert
When confronted with their biases, Prof. Tolley says journalists she interviewed for her research tried to explain away differences in their framing of a candidate’s electability.‘Embarrassing,’ ‘bullying’ social media posts prompt some Senators to push for policies governing how Senators, staff use the platforms
‘Harassment is harassment and it must be recognized and we must tackle it,’ says Sen. Tony Dean.
Early third-party advertising ‘unintended consequence’ of fixed election dates, says minister
Democratic institutions critic calls period prior to pre-writ ‘open season,’ with both politicians and academics saying they expect more political advertising during sporting events. Trudeau lays out case for re-election in Trans Mountain speech
The prime minister said construction on the pipeline is scheduled to begin this summer. He was less clear about whether more pipelines will be needed, or how the government will recover the cost of the Trans Mountain.Liberals getting ‘homework’ done on new NAFTA before passage in U.S. and Mexico, but NDP say bill being rushed
The House of Commons International Trade Committee will have a pre-study on June 18 to hear from between 12 and 15 witnesses in preparation for the possibility that the committee will review Bill C-100 in the summer. If he wants to win, Scheer needs to build his own brand, separate from Ford’s and Kenney’s, say political analysts
The risk for Andrew Scheer is that the Liberals will try to connect Doug Ford to Andrew Scheer and then try to connect that to hidden agenda, that’s not flattering to Andrew Scheer and the Conservatives,’ says Nik Nanos.Pollsters expect ‘acrimonious, intensely fought’ federal election campaign, high-tech ‘black ops’ from domestic and foreign third parties
'It’s game on. Buckle up, it’s going to be an extremely unpredictable election,’ says EKOS Research president Frank Graves.In 2015, a record number of Indigenous MPs, 10, were elected to the House, including from top left: Ind. MP Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal MP Yvonne Jones, Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, NDP MP Romeo Saganash, NDP MP Georgina Jolibois, Liberal MP Michael McLeod, above left, Liberal MP Don Rusnak, Ind. MP Hunter Tootoo, Liberal MP Dan Vandal, and Liberal MP Vance Badawey. But that's not enough to effect real change, MPs say. The Hill Times file photographs, photographs by Andrew Meade, and courtesy of the House of Commons
‘We have to be part of it’: Indigenous MPs say there needs to be better representation
'You can bet if we had 100 MPs that were Indigenous, the tone about Indigenous issues would change,' says Liberal MP Michael McLeod.
What do local residents and First Nations think of LNG Canada?
We asked people in Northern B.C. what they would tell Canadians about why they support LNG Canada. Here’s what they had to say.
There’s a gaping hole in our democracy
As the United Nations puts it, for far too many Canadians, anti-Black racism, discrimination and inequality are part of their daily lives. It reaches into our democratic institutions.The evolution of impeachment, or this time we’ll be pining for a sticky Gap dress
Like everything else in Trumpian Washington, impeachment would make previous iterations seem both sane and dignified. Managing economic tightrope a make-or-break factor for October
Assuming NAFTA 2.0 is not at a dead end, Justin Trudeau will at least be able to tell voters this fall that he managed in the face of Donald Trump’s irrational protectionism to preserve free trade with the U.S.
Lobbyists increasingly target Senate as Liberals make final legislative push
At 517 lobbying records in the first four months of 2019, the volume of lobbyists targeting the Senate has already surpassed the annual totals common before the Justin Trudeau's government came to power.Bill C-48: a defining moment for the Senate
To propose additions or corrections to a bill is one thing. To change the policy choice of the government or to try to outsmart it on the ways to achieve a policy is beyond our realm.MP Hoback ‘disappointed’ in lack of Trudeau-Pelosi contact as USMCA talks get testy south of border
But observers of the Ottawa-Washington relationship say it isn't a pressing concern for Mr. Trudeau to speak with the leader of the U.S. House Democrats.
The misconception of Canada’s foreign aid generosity
The truth is, when it comes to Official Development Assistance spending, Canada hasn’t been back in decades.Amid political transition, Kazakhstan votes for progress, continuity
Kazakhstan’s presidential elections took place in the most competitive and diverse atmosphere in our nation’s history. Seven candidates of different backgrounds and walks of life stood for the highest office.We live in a world obsessed with terrorism, but Canada doesn’t have a terrorism problem
Terrorism here is a blessedly tiny problem and one that will most likely remain insignificant. The only real difference is what to do with the evidence when it comes time to lay criminal charges.
Lobbying czar has ‘concerns’ for her office’s budget, warns court decision could widen workload
The office’s work has ‘evolved in complexity, litigiousness, and level of scrutiny,’ says Nancy Bélanger.Lobbyists seek clarity after watchdog warns political statements risk contravening code
‘This may keep individuals from participating in the political process,' says Ottawa lobbyist Scott Thurlow.New agriculture minister Bibeau most lobbied in first month on the job
With only five sitting days, March’s 1,435 reports made for a slow month for lobbying.
Tory MP Doherty, Senator McPhedran top 2018-19 Parliamentarian spending
MPs have spent a total of $151-million, which represents an increase of about 2.4 per cent from the 2017-18 year, which saw MPs spend a total of $147.7-million.
Veterans Affairs Minister MacAulay hires Morneau adviser to head up his policy team
Plus, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's Question Period director, Bryan Rogers, recently left Ottawa to become an issues manager to new Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.
Three Globe and Mail Hill reporters to take voluntary buyouts
Plus, a Tory candidate pours water on her head, and the 'free Willy' bill will end whale and dolphin captivity. Hill media descend on 24 Sussex for annual garden party
The Prime Minister opened up his backyard for one last shindig before politicians and journalists gear up for what's going to be a busy summer. PSPC Minister Qualtrough names new press secretary
The public services minister also recently added a new policy adviser and a new special assistant to her office. 
Liberals fighting veterans in court a losing battle at the polls
The prime minister's, and his government's, responses to veterans will echo well after the upcoming election campaign.
Indigenous Services Minister O’Regan says pace of progress on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples moving in ‘substantive’ way
In an interview, Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O’Regan discussed the Liberal government’s reconciliation agenda, the TMX pipeline debate, and efforts to increase Indigenous businesses’ share of procurement dollars.
First Nations’ priorities are Canada’s priorities
The First Nations agenda is about creating stronger, more prosperous First Nations and, thereby, a stronger, more prosperous country.
Federal funding for Métis post-secondary education shuts out Métis settlements, says governing body
Educational attainment is correlated with higher earnings and employment rates in Indigenous communities, as well as better health, according to studies.
Trudeau government needs to back its words with actions if it truly wants to build relationships with Canada’s Indigenous people
Too often the lack of respectful response to concerns raised by Indigenous communities belies the importance this government says it places on its relationship with us.Annual Features
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Politics This Morning: Trudeau cabinet approves twinning of Trans Mountain pipeline; PM heads to D.C.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flies to D.C. tonight, where he'll be greeted with a reception hosted by Canada's ambassador to the U.S., David MacNaughton. 
It looks like we are about to step backwards as politicians want to be safe in talking about some romantic health-care system that doesn’t exist as opposed to the one that does. 
No matter how successful a Black person may be, gatekeepers are always there to remind them that race plays a role in society, whether you are on your way to earning your PhD or your place in Parliament.
I understand the operational necessity of having our fighter aircraft stationed in northern outposts. However, the question begs, do our pilots and their families need to be permanently based there?
A strengthened Coast Guard presence, the eventual settling of our UNCLOS claims and recognition of shared sovereignty and Inuit righths in the Arctic will help reinforce a cooperative approach to problem solving.
Since leaving public service in 2015, Stephen Harper’s rigid ideological thinking has become even more entrenched.
New forms of economic and business co-operation are now taking shape, which allow the development of partnerships between Arctic and non-Arctic actors.The evolution of impeachment, or this time we’ll be pining for a sticky Gap dress
Like everything else in Trumpian Washington, impeachment would make previous iterations seem both sane and dignified. Is democracy possible?
It’s not easy to feel optimistic about democracy these days. In his important new book, Teardown: Rebuilding Democracy from the Ground Up, activist and author Dave Meslin tackles our democratic deficit and proposes meaningful solutions that would encourage more connectivity between citizens and their governments.
Politics This Morning
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Conservative Leader Scheer makes changes to his OLO communications team
Former Doug Ford staffers Veronica Green and Simon Jefferies have now officially joined Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s communications team.Long service awards handed out to 109 MP staffers
The now-annual award was resurrected for the first time last year. Last week’s ceremony honoured 110 staffers who reached service milestones in 2018. Dominic LeBlanc’s treatment showing encouraging results; will run in October election
Plus, another two rookie Liberal MPs will not run in October election, and a poll suggests Trudeau would make the best U.S. president among all foreign leaders. Former prime ministers, rivals, come out to celebrate John Turner’s 90th birthday
Plus, a Toronto-area Conservative candidate wants to move election date away from a Jewish holiday, and NDP MP Christine Moore will not run for re-election. Public servants, feds inch closer to contracts with tentative agreements before election
The Public Service Alliance of Canada remains at an impasse with the federal government however, with national president Chris Aylward saying they won’t take an ‘inferior’ deal just to get it done before the election. SAP Canada pitches NextGen plan to standardize human resources processes
When processes are 'standardized, the collective input into a payroll system becomes a lot simpler,' says Robert Conlin, SAP Canada's vice-president of the public sector.Party on the Hill, one party of the year
The Hill Times' annual Party on the Hill brought politicos together for the last big party before the October election. Wählen Whalen Weis wins 2019 Labatt Election Brew
The 2019 Labatt Election Brew Off was held at the National Arts Centre in support of Equal Voice. Labatt donated $25,000 to Equal Voice in honour of Liberal MP Nick Whalen's winning Belgian Wit beer.Diplomatic spouses find community, give back with Wabano fundraiser
The Heads of Mission Spouses Association is planning a June 11 charity event for the Wabano Centre, helping raise funds for school supplies for 50 children.Israel envoy announces departure, welcomes free trade agreement
A bill to modernize the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement, first signed in 1997, received royal assent on May 27.Mr. Trudeau goes to Washington on June 20
Prime Minister Justin and U.S. President Donald Trump will have their second meeting in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 20, as both countries navigate the ratification of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. Photograph courtesy of Global Affairs Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, the former Chilean president, in Ottawa. Ms. Bachelet is in Ottawa to promote human rights and gender equality. According to the CBC, the UN Human Rights Office has called on the government to open an inquiry into the charge of genocide that the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls levelled when it released its final report.
Comedian Rick Mercer and then-Reform Party MP Deb Grey, pictured in the late 1990s on Parliament Hill doing a shoot for CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes, which Mr. Mercer hosted at the time. The Hill Times photograph by Terry McDonald 
