New in-office mandate could send more public servants out the door, union says

NDP MP Heather McPherson says the new four-day, in-office mandate being introduced for the core public service during widespread job cuts is 'a bad choice' by the Liberal government.

The Treasury Board Secretariat, led by President Shafqat Ali, announced on Feb. 5 that executives in the core public administration will be required to work in-office full-time as of May 4, and all other staff four days per week as of July 6. Separate agencies within the public service are 'strongly encouraged' to follow suit. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New in-office mandate could send more public servants out the door, union says

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

NDP MP Heather McPherson says the new four-day, in-office mandate being introduced for the core public service during widespread job cuts is 'a bad choice' by the Liberal government.

New in-office mandate could send more public servants out the door, union says

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

NDP MP Heather McPherson says the new four-day, in-office mandate being introduced for the core public service during widespread job cuts is 'a bad choice' by the Liberal government.

THE LATEST

Canadian expats in the U.S. dominate international voting stats: data

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Canadians living in the United States accounted for about 51 per cent of all expat votes cast in the 2025 federal election, followed by the United Kingdom at 10.4 per cent, and France at 4.7 per cent.

Canadian expats in the U.S. dominate international voting stats: data

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Canadians living in the United States accounted for about 51 per cent of all expat votes cast in the 2025 federal election, followed by

Canada can’t afford to leave qualified physicians on the sidelines

Early retirement offer to federal public servants causing ‘chaos’ in public service: union

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Key legislation that offers early retirement to some public servants is tied to the budget implementation bill, but Senator Peter Boehm, a former longtime public servant and deputy minister, said officials began planning for job reductions ‘some time ago' and aren’t waiting for legislation to go through.

Key legislation that offers early retirement to some public servants is tied to the budget implementation bill, but Senator Peter Boehm, a former longtime

Indian envoy calls on Canada to revive Canada-India Parliamentary Friendship Group ahead of Carney’s visit

NewsBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik says he is ‘surprised’ that Canada has friendship groups with 'non-democratic countries,' but currently does not have one with the 'largest democracy.'

Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik says he is ‘surprised’ that Canada has friendship groups with 'non-democratic countries,' but currently does not have one with

Feds looking for Canadian steel supplier to keep high-speed rail project on track

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Canadian suppliers do not produce rail-grade steel, and the Liberal co-chair of the All-Party Steel Caucus says he's actively engaging with the industry to build up domestic capacity because 'the old world is not coming back.'

Canadian suppliers do not produce rail-grade steel, and the Liberal co-chair of the All-Party Steel Caucus says he's actively engaging with the industry to

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Canada’s Nuuk consulate opens for business

Plus, the House debates the Standing Orders that govern how it functions.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Jamil Jivani went to Washington

Conservative MP Jamil Jivani pleaded to Liberals for inter-party unity, but said the 'timing and spectacle of recent floor-crossings appears to many Canadians as an effort from you (PM) to demoralize Conservatives and the millions of Canadians who voted for us.'

BY SHEILA COPPS

Opinion

BY ERICA IFILL

The Conservatives’ other favourite boogeyman makes a comeback

Opinion

BY JOSIE SABATINO

Poilievre earns the privilege of a second chapter

Opinion

BY ANDREW CADDELL

Carney ’s embrace of middle power status sends us ‘back to the future’

Opinion

BY TIM POWERS

What happens after the convention dust settles?

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

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

NEWS

‘Premature’ to call NDP leadership race for top fundraiser Lewis, say politicos, with ranked ballot giving McPherson the edge

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

‘The NDP comeback has begun,’ says leadership candidate Avi Lewis, who says his campaign has raised over $1-million, and has more than doubled his next closest competitor as of December 2025.

‘Premature’ to call NDP leadership race for top fundraiser Lewis, say politicos, with ranked ballot giving McPherson the edge

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

‘The NDP comeback has begun,’ says leadership candidate Avi Lewis, who says his campaign has raised over $1-million, and has more than doubled his next closest competitor as of December 2025.

Canadians concerned about AI’s impact on environment, children: federal consultation

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Ministers could exempt businesses from laws within ‘regulatory sandbox’ outlined in budget bill

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

NDP calls for feds to pull the plug on American F-35 order, and buy Swedish Gripen planes instead

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Job cuts could hit CBSA and DND amid hiring blitz, union says

NewsBY MARLO GLASS | UPDATED February 4, 2026

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

GG Mary Simon wraps six-day Nordic tour on Feb. 7

Podcast

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

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2025

News

Who’s backing the NDP leadership contenders?

Podcast

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

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Back To Parliament

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Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Ministers blitz the committees

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, the PBO reports on the cost of meeting Canada’s new NATO target.

Ministers blitz the committees

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, the PBO reports on the cost of meeting Canada’s new NATO target.

‘You don’t get to pick your family’: Hogan cousins throw shade during Conservative convention weekend

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

POLITICS

Election buzz ramps up with Liberals poaching candidates from opposition parties and Conservatives starting nomination process

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

The ‘Harper Eras Tour’ wraps at Rogers Centre in Ottawa

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

DND spurns House committee request for roadmap to comply with info czar’s orders

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Despite early ‘spirit of co-operation’ on some bills, Liberal agenda still failing to launch in Parliament, say politicos

NewsBY STUART BENSON

The Senate reconvenes

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand testifies on the Government's Budget Implementation Bill.

The Senate reconvenes

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand testifies on the Government's Budget Implementation Bill.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

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Monday, February 2, 2026

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Wednesday, January 28, 2026

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

The last arms control treaty expires

Opinion

BY ALEXANDER LANDRY, BRENDAN CONWAY-SMITH

AI will disrupt millions of jobs, so what is Ottawa’s plan?

Opinion

BY TASNIM FARIHA

From promise to reality: scaling innovative housing in Canada

Massive military spending needs protection from abuse and fraud

OpinionBY DAVID HUTTON

This is the appropriate time for the government to beef up oversight and accountability mechanisms, not weaken them.

What public art museums are for when the ground shifts

OpinionBY ZAINUB VERJEE

The world has too much LNG—so why is Canada fast-tracking more?

OpinionBY MARK KALEGHA, OLAF WEBER

Trends in global gas markets are flashing warning signs and pointing to mounting risks for Canada’s LNG strategy.

The world has too much LNG—so why is Canada fast-tracking more?

OpinionBY MARK KALEGHA, OLAF WEBER

Trends in global gas markets are flashing warning signs and pointing to mounting risks for Canada’s LNG strategy.

Team Canada could use some info about the next play

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

CMHC should take a closer look at condo fees as part of addressing housing crisis: Ontario reader

Opinion

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 02-04-2026

de Adder’s Take: 02-02-2026

de Adder’s Take: 01-28-2026

Public Service

New in-office mandate could send more public servants out the door, union says

NDP MP Heather McPherson says the new four-day, in-office mandate being introduced 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

Federal public servants rally on Hill against job cuts

BY MARLO GLASS

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Is Iran pretending to have nukes?

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Multilateralism isn’t dead—it’s being forced to deliver

OpinionBY ESTEBAN CRESPO POLO

Carney’s Davos speech helped ‘stiffen spines,’ but PM will have to make tough choices to protect Canada’s sovereignty, say two former cabinet ministers

NewsBY CHRISTOPHER GULY

Industrial benefits policy needs a ‘relook,’ says ex-senior public servant, as Conservative MP pushes for contract records

NewsBY IREM KOCA

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases, including HIV, could stall.

‘Diseases do not recognize borders’: U.S. decision to leave WHO ignores reality of how diseases spread, says Liberal MP Powlowski

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

Both the MP, a practising physician, and infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch warn that progress made in reducing the prevalence of various diseases, including HIV, could stall.

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

‘Where’s the plan B?’: media executives ask for contingency plan if Liberals axe Online Streaming Act during trade talks

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller says the law was part of ongoing trade discussions with the United States—putting the country’s modernized broadcasting framework in jeopardy.

Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller at the Canadian Media Producers Association's annual Prime Time conference in Ottawa, Ont., on Jan. 29. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘Where’s the plan B?’: media executives ask for contingency plan if Liberals axe Online Streaming Act during trade talks

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller says the law was part of ongoing trade discussions with the United States—putting the country’s modernized broadcasting framework in jeopardy.

‘Where’s the plan B?’: media executives ask for contingency plan if Liberals axe Online Streaming Act during trade talks

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller says the law was part of ongoing trade discussions with the United States—putting the country’s modernized broadcasting framework in jeopardy.

Canada’s AI moment is a values-based one

OpinionBY KRISTEN CORDELL, SABEEN DHANANI

Canada should step into the void on international cooperation on AI, making strategic use of its middle-power status and promoting the type of international growth it seeks to benefit from.

Canada’s missing life sciences industrial strategy is leaving economic growth on the table

OpinionBY MICHELLE MCLEAN

The federal Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy, released in 2021, did not result in needed policy changes or alignment of federal departments and investments. In contrast, other top-tier countries place life sciences at the centre of industrial strategies and align the sector with talent, trade, research and development, innovation and infrastructure.

Bridging the adoption gap: the key to turning Canada’s productivity around

OpinionBY ALEX GRECO

The pace of digital adoption, its link to productivity, and productivity’s link to standard of living, is the concern of policymakers—and they should be concerned.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured June 10, 2025, in the West Block. Long-term productivity gains will come not from innovation in isolation, but from widespread, practical adoption across the economy, writes Alex Greco. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bridging the adoption gap: the key to turning Canada’s productivity around

OpinionBY ALEX GRECO

The pace of digital adoption, its link to productivity, and productivity’s link to standard of living, is the concern of policymakers—and they should be concerned.

Bridging the adoption gap: the key to turning Canada’s productivity around

OpinionBY ALEX GRECO

The pace of digital adoption, its link to productivity, and productivity’s link to standard of living, is the concern of policymakers—and they should be concerned.

Carney and Heated Rivalry star strike a pose on Prime Time red carpet

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Innovation strategy, particularly in high-tech sectors, needed as Canada diversifies trade, say experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Reversing Canada’s weak innovation performance is 'more urgent than ever,' according to a report by the Council of Canadian Academies.

Carney dazzled Davos, but he needs to engage more with Canadians

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

Prime Minister Carney has made many Canadians proud in the past two weeks. He's also offered hope to other countries. But now is the

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

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Environment

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features

Harper’s official portrait to be unveiled on Tuesday, Feb. 3

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Harper’s official portrait to be unveiled on Tuesday, Feb. 3

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Arctic summit kickstarts in Norway

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW, ABBAS RANA

Poilievre gets his verdict from the grassroots

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Return of the Parliamentarians, Part 2: PM Carney and the Hollander Fleece

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

Minister Lightbound, Secretary of State van Koeverden add to teams

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Conservatives to vote on Poilievre’s leadership in Calgary tonight

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW, CHARELLE EVELYN

Party Wars: return of the parliamentarians, part one

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Carney meets the premiers

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, CHARELLE EVELYN

Parliamentary Calendar

Conservatives converge on Calgary, cast ballots on Poilievre’s leadership at convention happening Jan. 29-31

Podcast

Re-engaging with China, with Senator Yuen Pau Woo

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

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Tracking job cuts in the federal public service

Podcast

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

Policy Briefing – Environment

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

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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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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

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

Canada’s largest pension manager ‘backsliding’ on climate, risks being unable to pay out pensions: report

Last year, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board invested $7.1-billion in new fossil fuel assets and ‘quietly removed’ its public net-zero commitment, which Senator Rosa Galvez says means 'Canadian pensions are gambling with the retirement of millions of Canadians.'

BY ELEANOR WAND

Three measures to tackle ‘wicked’ health policy problems

With spending projections increasing while patients struggle to access care, it is well past time to tackle our health care problems.

BY AZIN PEYROW

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

MPs face a choice this Parliament: play partisan games or meet the moment

As grocery bills soar and households struggle, Parliament’s return will reveal if politicians can produce real results—or remain trapped in procedure.

BY BHAGWANT SANDHU

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.