‘I’m not into games’: NDP MP Johns defends decision to abstain from budget vote

After meeting with municipal and Indigenous leaders in his B.C. riding, all of whom opposed an election, NDP MP Gord Johns says he was 'confident' in his decision to intentionally sit out the Nov. 17 budget vote.

NDP MP Gord Johns, pictured alongside NDP interim leader Don Davies, was the only MP to abstain from voting on the Liberals' budget in person on Nov. 17. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘I’m not into games’: NDP MP Johns defends decision to abstain from budget vote

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

After meeting with municipal and Indigenous leaders in his B.C. riding, all of whom opposed an election, NDP MP Gord Johns says he was 'confident' in his decision to intentionally sit out the Nov. 17 budget vote.

‘I’m not into games’: NDP MP Johns defends decision to abstain from budget vote

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

After meeting with municipal and Indigenous leaders in his B.C. riding, all of whom opposed an election, NDP MP Gord Johns says he was 'confident' in his decision to intentionally sit out the Nov. 17 budget vote.

THE LATEST

Bill C-15: the hits and misses in the big beautiful budget implementation bill

NewsBY CHARELLE EVELYN, RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

The budget bill covers high-speed rail and privacy law changes, among others, but neglects to mention other promises, like automatic tax filing for low-income Canadians.

Bill C-15: the hits and misses in the big beautiful budget implementation bill

NewsBY CHARELLE EVELYN, RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

The budget bill covers high-speed rail and privacy law changes, among others, but neglects to mention other promises, like automatic tax filing for low-income

Canada’s Silent Health Crisis: Why Chronic Kidney Disease Needs a National Framework

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Blanchard defends Carney’s ethics screen as a ‘rigorous process’

NewsBY MARLO GLASS | UPDATED November 21, 2025

‘When Canadians hear that the prime minister has divested, I think what they expect is that there’s been a sale of those controlled assets,’ Conservative MP Michael Barrett told the committee.

‘When Canadians hear that the prime minister has divested, I think what they expect is that there’s been a sale of those controlled assets,’

Interim PBO says he is focusing on parliamentarians, not media

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort says she's happy to hear Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques is 'not making comments to the media,' noting the considerable press coverage of his previous appearances at OGGO.

Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort says she's happy to hear Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques is 'not making comments to the media,' noting the

NDP environment critic pans Carney’s commitment to Paris targets, but May says she has ‘confidence’ feds will soon release climate policy

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s commitment to meeting Canada’s Paris Agreement targets comes only days after the second round of projects being referred to the Major Projects Office was announced, one of which is an LNG project.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s commitment to meeting Canada’s Paris Agreement targets comes only days after the second round of projects being referred to the

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Anandasangaree and Pam Bondi huddle in Ottawa

Plus, Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW, CHARELLE EVELYN

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

The politics of Poilievre’s personality

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre should not pay attention to his critics.

BY GERRY NICHOLLS

Opinion

BY ALISTAIR EDGAR

Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’: should Canada become a junior partner?

Opinion

BY ELYSA DARLING, JAKE HIRSCH-ALLEN, AYAZ SYED

Canada must build on federal budget investments in dual-use innovation

Opinion

BY ROSE LEMAY

The one where the minister called the Senate racist

Opinion

BY BHAGWANT SANDHU

Pierre Poilievre and the exhaustion of populism

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

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

NEWS

‘It’s a big concern’: MPs scrutinize head of Major Projects Office for past role in Trans Mountain contract

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Dawn Farrell was CEO of the Trans Mountain Corporation when it issued a $32.9-million sole-source contract to McKinsey and Company to help the pipeline expansion project save money as the multibillion-dollar price tag ballooned in 2022.

‘It’s a big concern’: MPs scrutinize head of Major Projects Office for past role in Trans Mountain contract

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Dawn Farrell was CEO of the Trans Mountain Corporation when it issued a $32.9-million sole-source contract to McKinsey and Company to help the pipeline expansion project save money as the multibillion-dollar price tag ballooned in 2022.

‘Period of fluidity’: feds signal procurement transition as Defence Investment Agency ramps up

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Defence focus in budget signals turning point, but some defence experts wary about lack of detail

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Did Canada’s G7 presidency ever emerge from the Trump shadow?

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Canada needs a new AI backbone that elevates the whole country.

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HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

Public Safety Minister Anandasangaree welcomes G7 counterparts to Ottawa for three-day meeting on Nov. 21

Podcast

Who wants an election? With David Coletto

News

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

List

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

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Steel supports our Canadian Farmers

Insider’s Guide to Parliament: 2025

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – Environment

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

PM’s chief of staff to testify at ethics study

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Canada’s health ministers will exchange views on the federal budget.

PM’s chief of staff to testify at ethics study

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Canada’s health ministers will exchange views on the federal budget.

Swedes press their case

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

PM Carney, ministers Anand and Solomon make ‘Toronto Life’ list of influential people

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Carney to dine with Sweden’s royals, head to UAE

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Health Minister Marjorie Michel to talk about children’s health on Nov. 17 in Ottawa

POLITICS

Liberals’ wide miss of the moment offers an opening for Poilievre

OpinionBY ERICA IFILL

Pivot to ‘economic reconciliation’ risks ‘squandering’ political goodwill as Indigenous social programs face funding gaps: observers

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Why the 11th-hour Conservative showdown isn’t going to happen

OpinionBY JOSIE SABATINO

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

OpinionBY LES WHITTINGTON

PSPC scales back sustainability measures for Centre Block project

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

The official change in sustainability plans may come as a surprise to Senators, as the Senate’s subcommittee on renovations indicated it has not yet given its approval.

PSPC scales back sustainability measures for Centre Block project

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

The official change in sustainability plans may come as a surprise to Senators, as the Senate’s subcommittee on renovations indicated it has not yet given its approval.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

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Monday, November 17, 2025

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Wednesday, November 12, 2025

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY ISG SENATOR RENé CORMIER

It’s time to help stop the spread of STBBIs throughout the country

Opinion

BY JEAN-PIERRE HICKEY

The threat of hypersonics is not hyperbole

Opinion

BY RACHEL PLOTKIN

The federal 2 Billion Trees program has been cut, what’s next?

Canada’s AI imperative: go big and bold

OpinionBY SARA CLODMAN

By rapidly implementing initiatives and scaling collaboration, Canada can shape AI’s global future on its terms.

The consumer industrial complex

OpinionBY MICHAEL CHOLOD

Bill S-209 is needed to protect children from pornography

OpinionBY DANIEL ZEKVELD

Committee testimony about PSG Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne’s bill highlighted that Canada must do better in protecting children from online pornography alongside other countries.

Bill S-209 is needed to protect children from pornography

OpinionBY DANIEL ZEKVELD

Committee testimony about PSG Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne’s bill highlighted that Canada must do better in protecting children from online pornography alongside other countries.

Carney can only rely on so many environmental bargaining chips

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

Democracy only works if it is respected: McElroy

Opinion

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 11-19-2025

de Adder’s Take: 11-17-2025

de Adder’s Take: 11-12-2025

Public Service

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

It’s time to fix how Canada delivers citizen services

You can’t modernize public service by simply digitizing outdated processes. It's time for performance reform: service design that starts with the citizen and measures success by outcomes, not inputs.

BY MICHAEL WILSON

Prison watchdog leaves post early with ‘frustrations’ as final report keys in on ‘grossly inadequate’ mental health care behind bars

Serving an ombud’s role gives a great deal of power to investigate Canada’s prison system, says Ivan Zinger, but his powers are ultimately limited to making recommendations.

BY MARLO GLASS

Proposed collective bargaining changes could ‘influence the opinions of arbitrators’ to consider feds’ fiscal situation: lawyer

The budget outlines plans to update the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act, which federal unions are criticizing as ‘vague’ and ‘concerning’ for its potential to infringe on workers’ rights.

BY MARLO GLASS

Public service job cuts will be ‘compassionate’ and ‘civilized,’ with the impact on people ‘fairly minimal,’ say local Liberal MPs

Unions representing federal public servants are urging members to talk to their MPs about the impact of the thousands of job losses laid out in the Nov. 4 budget.

BY MARLO GLASS

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

CUSMA renewal a time to push for stable and predictable trade

OpinionBY GARY SHAPIRO

Iran: drought, incompetence, and maybe revolution

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Anand urged to reverse ‘wrong’ course of letting U.S. decide if it breached international law with boat strikes

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Bolton’s right: Canada should slow down negotiations with Trump until U.S. Supreme Court decides on legality of tariffs

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

Up to the U.S. to decide if it violated international law with Caribbean boat strikes, says Anand

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand broke with tradition as she seemingly asserted that Canada's top diplomat doesn't weigh in on a foreign country's adherence to international law.

Up to the U.S. to decide if it violated international law with Caribbean boat strikes, says Anand

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand broke with tradition as she seemingly asserted that Canada's top diplomat doesn't weigh in on a foreign country's adherence to international law.

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

We better start thinking of a UN-centred global peace system

OpinionBY PETER LANGILLE

What’s missing is a coherent plan to develop a unity of purpose and effort, and a sequence of viable policy options to deliver on it.

Communication and co-operation seldom happen between distinct initiatives, although all aim to make the United Nations more effective, writes Peter Langille. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Basil D. Soufi

We better start thinking of a UN-centred global peace system

OpinionBY PETER LANGILLE

What’s missing is a coherent plan to develop a unity of purpose and effort, and a sequence of viable policy options to deliver on it.

We better start thinking of a UN-centred global peace system

OpinionBY PETER LANGILLE

What’s missing is a coherent plan to develop a unity of purpose and effort, and a sequence of viable policy options to deliver on it.

Budget 2025 could have enhanced Canada’s military mobility by investing in roads and rails

OpinionBY ANDREW ERSKINE

Without key defence infrastructure, the task of deterring, confronting, and combatting adversaries that pose a threat will be insurmountably difficult.

Opening the pathway for greater Indigenous inclusion in the Armed Forces

OpinionBY GRAZIA SCOPPIO, FEDERICA CASO

The CAF must position itself as an employer of choice for Indigenous Peoples by improving cultural safety, and supporting long-term career development and leadership.

Readiness is built, not assumed: preparing our health system for crisis

OpinionBY ANDY SMITH

When we expand burn care, critical care capacity, or national co-ordination, we are also better equipped to respond to industrial or construction accidents, natural disasters, and future pandemics.

Our networks of trauma and burn specialists already collaborate effectively, but we must ask how we can be more intentional in strengthening that capacity, writes Dr. Andy Smith. Unsplash photograph by National Cancer Institute

Readiness is built, not assumed: preparing our health system for crisis

OpinionBY ANDY SMITH

When we expand burn care, critical care capacity, or national co-ordination, we are also better equipped to respond to industrial or construction accidents, natural disasters, and future pandemics.

Readiness is built, not assumed: preparing our health system for crisis

OpinionBY ANDY SMITH

When we expand burn care, critical care capacity, or national co-ordination, we are also better equipped to respond to industrial or construction accidents, natural disasters, and future pandemics.

Canada’s local infrastructure fund must be fair to workers

OpinionBY RENZE NAUTA

The budget says the government would consider using Community Employment Benefits agreements. While they can be good, some have been used to exclude union workers from projects, leading to reduced competition and large cost overruns.

Canada’s foreign aid budget cuts hurt global health

OpinionBY DREW-ANNE GLENNIE, JANET BUTLER-MCPHEE, ROBIN MONTGOMERY

The $2.7-billion cut places Canada’s reputation in jeopardy on the world stage, and will leave the most vulnerable to simply fend for themselves.

The critical-minerals battle is being fought on land—and over the sea

OpinionBY KEN RUBIN

Internal documents give the impression Canada would gladly abandon its current support for a seabed-mining moratorium if some standards were in place.

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Defence

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features

Judgment day

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Prime Minister Mark Carney will hold a virtual meeting with the premiers.

Judgment day

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Prime Minister Mark Carney will hold a virtual meeting with the premiers.

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Michaëlle Jean and her eponymous foundation to be fêted at the National Gallery on Nov. 12

Podcast

Building a highway to the Arctic, with Caroline Wawzonek

News

Always leave them wanting more: Fraser tops All Politics Poll as he looks to exit federal politics

News

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

Podcast

No ‘I’ in team: why party discipline has gone too far, with Alex Marland

Rookies’ Guide to Parliament 2025

Policy Briefing – Health

Policy Briefing – Defence

Policy Briefing – Renewable Energy

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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MPs’ annual office budgets for 2025-26

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Ranking the best and worst federal departments, by public service survey results

The PBO’s take on public service bloat and staffing cuts

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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

‘I’m not into games’: NDP MP Johns defends decision to abstain from budget vote

After meeting with municipal and Indigenous leaders in his B.C. riding, all of whom opposed an election, NDP MP Gord Johns says he was 'confident' in his decision to intentionally sit out the Nov. 17 budget vote.

BY ELEANOR WAND

Interim PBO says he is focusing on parliamentarians, not media

Liberal MP Pauline Rochefort says she's happy to hear Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques is 'not making comments to the media,' noting the considerable press coverage of his previous appearances at OGGO.

BY MARLO GLASS

Pivot to ‘economic reconciliation’ risks ‘squandering’ political goodwill as Indigenous social programs face funding gaps: observers

First Nations and Inuit leaders say the 2025 budget is a ‘missed opportunity’ with financial sunsets looming for critical education, health-care, and urban programs.

BY STUART BENSON

Coastal communities ‘running out of time’ without fisheries fund renewal, say opposition critics as DFO faces $544M in cuts

While the government is fast-tracking national projects, it's 'reducing DFO’s ability to assess the risks these projects pose to critically important species like salmon,' says B.C. professor Michael Price.

BY STUART BENSON

Budget 2025 could have enhanced Canada’s military mobility by investing in roads and rails

Without key defence infrastructure, the task of deterring, confronting, and combatting adversaries that pose a threat will be insurmountably difficult.

BY ANDREW ERSKINE

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.