Report forecasts ‘worst cuts to public service in modern history’ to meet Carney’s campaign pledge

The pressure is on for the prime minister present a fall budget that delivers on campaign promises while meeting the commitment of balancing the operating budget, says former PBO Kevin Page.

Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on promises to reduce the government's operating budget, but amid increases in defence spending, cuts could hit the public service deeply, according to a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Report forecasts ‘worst cuts to public service in modern history’ to meet Carney’s campaign pledge

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

The pressure is on for the prime minister present a fall budget that delivers on campaign promises while meeting the commitment of balancing the operating budget, says former PBO Kevin Page.

Report forecasts ‘worst cuts to public service in modern history’ to meet Carney’s campaign pledge

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

The pressure is on for the prime minister present a fall budget that delivers on campaign promises while meeting the commitment of balancing the operating budget, says former PBO Kevin Page.

THE LATEST

‘No apologies for that one’: recently retired Senator Marc Gold talks nine years in the Chamber

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Appointed as a Senator in November 2016, Gold has been the government’s representative in the Upper Chamber since 2020. He officially retired on June 30.

‘No apologies for that one’: recently retired Senator Marc Gold talks nine years in the Chamber

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Appointed as a Senator in November 2016, Gold has been the government’s representative in the Upper Chamber since 2020. He officially retired on June

Frustrated with party’s nominations process, former Alberta Conservative national councillor mulls comeback: ‘the worst I saw was in Calgary Skyview’

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Frustrated with party’s nominations process, former Alberta Conservative national councillor mulls comeback: ‘the worst I saw was in Calgary Skyview’

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Canada’s next top doctor must be a ‘focal point’ for public health amid changes in the U.S., concerns about next pandemic

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

Dr. Theresa Tam has left the job of chief public health officer after eight years. Her successor will have to contend with a change in the U.S.’ public health approach, vaccine hesitancy among Canadians and the need to always be ready for the next global outbreak.

Dr. Theresa Tam has left the job of chief public health officer after eight years. Her successor will have to contend with a change

Canadians like what they hear so far on affordability and U.S. trade war, but Carney will have to deliver results soon, say pollsters

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

The coming six months will be critical for Prime Minister Mark Carney, and for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to regain lost political ground, says Nik Nanos, chief data scientist for Nanos Research.

The coming six months will be critical for Prime Minister Mark Carney, and for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to regain lost political ground, says

Carney could ‘weed out bad apples’ with his high expectations for federal public service

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Top public servants might straighten up and self-correct if they know the prime minister isn’t afraid of swift discipline, say former bureaucrats, who welcome Carney's 'sound management practices.'

Top public servants might straighten up and self-correct if they know the prime minister isn’t afraid of swift discipline, say former bureaucrats, who welcome

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Carney to trigger the Alberta byelection

Plus, the prime minister welcomes the FIFA World Cup trophy to Canada.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Is Trump protecting tech billionaires in U.S. fight with Canada over digital services tax?

Canada should continue working with European partners and others, who are also likely to face similar threats on the digital tax from the U.S. president and his billionaire friends, with the goal of finally establishing global tax reform agreements.

BY ERROL MENDES

Opinion

BY SCOTT TAYLOR

Investing in critical minerals would be a win-win for Canada

Opinion

BY ROSE LEMAY

Here are some ways to revolutionize the federal government for tomorrow’s challenges

Opinion

BY DOUGLAS ROCHE

The real Mark Carney is about to emerge

Opinion

BY GERRY NICHOLLS

When conservatives battle conservatives

NEWS

‘They’re never going to silence me’: Red Chamber marks Pride month with historic number of openly queer Senators

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

The Upper Chamber has six openly 2SLGBTQIA+ Senators for the first time ever, but they warn that progress is 'fragile' and that Canadians must continue 'to push' to protect equal rights.

‘They’re never going to silence me’: Red Chamber marks Pride month with historic number of openly queer Senators

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

The Upper Chamber has six openly 2SLGBTQIA+ Senators for the first time ever, but they warn that progress is 'fragile' and that Canadians must continue 'to push' to protect equal rights.

Breaking down C-5: Carney’s ‘build, baby, build’ bill draws support from business sector, but heavy pushback from environmental, Indigenous groups

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

NATO summit ‘not a disaster’ on the Trump front, but a ‘piece of theatre’ otherwise

NewsBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Senate passes Carney’s controversial nation-building bill, citing ‘trust’ in the government

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Saskatchewan Senator pushes for a national emergency response agency to fight wildfires

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

Well, look who’s turning 158: Happy Canada Day, eh!

Podcast

A military spending spree, with David Perry

News

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

News

All eyes on Trump: meet the top 50 foreign policy influencers navigating Canada’s role in a rocky world

Podcast

The crisis of Canadian democracy, with Andrew Coyne

Insider’s Guide to Parliament: 2025

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – Environment

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

From Balls Creek ‘boom girl’ to the Decision Desk: CBC ‘legend’ Sharon Musgrave says farewell

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

Five generations of the CBC family, politicos, and senators packed the Métropolitain Brasserie on June 26 to raise a toast to Musgrave’s three decades with the public broadcaster.

From Balls Creek ‘boom girl’ to the Decision Desk: CBC ‘legend’ Sharon Musgrave says farewell

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

Five generations of the CBC family, politicos, and senators packed the Métropolitain Brasserie on June 26 to raise a toast to Musgrave’s three decades with the public broadcaster.

Senate begins final stage of C-5 debate

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

POLITICS

Beating the heat at Birkett Castle with the Royal Conservatory and Tamás Török

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

A new leader for the public service

OpinionBY LORI TURNBULL

The Senate reconvenes

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Carney talks turkey at NATO

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Dong settlement gives closure, but little clarity on foreign interference, say national security and intelligence experts

NewsBY STUART BENSON

The lawsuit’s settlement affirms that‘ intelligence isn’t evidence,’ but former CSIS analyst Stephanie Carvin says politicians and the media must be better equipped to process and contextualize ‘fragmented’ intelligence leaks.

Dong settlement gives closure, but little clarity on foreign interference, say national security and intelligence experts

NewsBY STUART BENSON

The lawsuit’s settlement affirms that‘ intelligence isn’t evidence,’ but former CSIS analyst Stephanie Carvin says politicians and the media must be better equipped to process and contextualize ‘fragmented’ intelligence leaks.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Monday, June 30, 2025

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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

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Monday, June 23, 2025

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY ABDUL ABBASI, MATTHEW GERRITS, HANNAH HUNTER

What to do about youth unemployment?

Opinion

Worried about Bill C-5’s effect on environment, Indigenous Peoples, future generations: letter writer

Opinion

Members’ statements from June 20

Flawed in principle and practice: why Canada must say no to Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’

OpinionBY CESAR JARAMILLO

At a time of rising costs of living, climate stress, and overstretched public services, diverting tens of billions to a flawed and provocative weapons system would be irresponsible. Canada’s defence investments must be effective, accountable, and aligned with our national interest.

A new Arctic archipelagic defence concept will project Canada’s power in the North

OpinionBY ANDREW ERSKINE

Carney says Indigenous traditions are key to protecting nature—Métis climate leadership offers a path forward

OpinionBY VICTORIA PRUDEN

As wildfires increasingly impact the Métis Homeland, drawing on the wisdom of our ancestors offers sustainable, culturally grounded solutions for the future.

Carney says Indigenous traditions are key to protecting nature—Métis climate leadership offers a path forward

OpinionBY VICTORIA PRUDEN

As wildfires increasingly impact the Métis Homeland, drawing on the wisdom of our ancestors offers sustainable, culturally grounded solutions for the future.

We need sustainable and evidence-based approaches to preventing mass casualty attacks in Canada

OpinionBY MICHAEL KING, JOHN MCCOY

Canada’s water is a strategic asset, so let’s treat it like one

OpinionBY SOULA CHRONOPOULOS

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 06-30-2025

de Adder’s Take: 06-25-2025

de Adder’s Take: 06-23-2025

Public Service

Here are some ways to revolutionize the federal government for tomorrow’s challenges

The federal government needs to stop hiring generalist policy writers and start hiring experts in their field, and then hire managers and leaders with people and management expertise. That’s how we modernize this government.

BY ROSE LEMAY

F-35 audit a costly reminder to make bureaucrats accountable

The public service needs a culture of outcomes, not optics. That means making executives accountable, and, yes, having the courage to dismiss those who fail in ways that cost Canadians millions.

BY RAM MATHILAKATH

PSPC using an AI bot named ‘Ava’ to help clear Phoenix pay system backlog

With about 450,00 outstanding cases tied to the faulty pay system, an artificial intelligence virtual agent is tasked with clearing 160,000 over the next 15 months.

BY MARLO GLASS

Treasury Board reports gains on diversity and equity in public service, but will cuts hamper progress?

As of March 2024, just over 70 per cent of the core public administration belonged to one or more employment equity groups. But as the bureaucracy now begins to shrink for the first time in over 10 years, these groups could be disproportionately impacted.

BY MARLO GLASS

Federal government doesn’t know how many offices sit empty: AG

Auditor General Karen Hogan’s report says departments need to accelerate their efforts to reduce office space, and PSPS needs better data on the number of public servants using office space on a daily basis.

BY MARLO GLASS

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Bangkok protests, Iran airstrikes, and stupid old men

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Iran’s uranium enrichment: myths, realities, and what Canada should understand

OpinionBY ERIKA SIMPSON, GORDON EDWARDS

NATO’s dangerous new trajectory of expensive targets

OpinionBY ERIKA SIMPSON

Canada ‘kind of in the dark’ on Middle East conflict, says former Liberal MP McKay

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Israel marks national day

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Israel marks national day

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

BOOKS, BIG IDEAS, Q&As

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

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Rose LeMay says it's 'up to non-Indigenous people to change these systems so that Indigenous Peoples are not treated worse than others.'

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

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Rose LeMay says it's 'up to non-Indigenous people to change these systems so that Indigenous Peoples are not treated worse than others.'

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

Q&A | Unpacking the ‘astonishing’ swing in federal polls with Frank Graves

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Guyana hosts June fête

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Dancers perform at Guyana’s national day party at the National Arts Centre on June 2. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Guyana hosts June fête

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Guyana hosts June fête

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

If Carney wants to transform the economy, he needs to fix the housing crisis

OpinionBY TIM RICHTER, PEDRO BARATA, JANICE MYERS, RAY SULLIVAN

Whether it’s attracting investment, ensuring labour mobility, or improving productivity, housing is what makes economic growth and transformation possible.

More cash and new alliances show Ottawa is serious about defence, say observers

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Prime Minister Mark Carney put his $9-billion defence spending pledge before Parliament 'about as fast as he conceivably could have,' says defence procurement expert David Perry.

‘Action, not words’ needed to cool potential long, hot One Canadian protest summer, says Liberal strategist

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Despite an adjustment to the Liberals’ ‘public-facing’ message on Bill C-5, Nishnawbe Aski First Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says their approach has been 'a huge step backward’ on the path to reconciliation.

Amid growing threats of a renewed Idle No More summer, Prime Minister Mark Carney held a press conference following Bill C-5's passage through the House of Commons on June 20 to clarify and emphasize that 'free, prior, and informed consent' is 'embedded in the plan.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Action, not words’ needed to cool potential long, hot One Canadian protest summer, says Liberal strategist

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Despite an adjustment to the Liberals’ ‘public-facing’ message on Bill C-5, Nishnawbe Aski First Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says their approach has been 'a huge step backward’ on the path to reconciliation.

‘Action, not words’ needed to cool potential long, hot One Canadian protest summer, says Liberal strategist

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Despite an adjustment to the Liberals’ ‘public-facing’ message on Bill C-5, Nishnawbe Aski First Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says their approach has been 'a huge step backward’ on the path to reconciliation.

Carney ‘buries Caesar’ by admitting his own mistakes

OpinionBY JAMIE CARROLL

I’m willing to bet Mark Carney’s numbers continue to be solid, and I bet the Canadians paying attention actually give him credit for admitting mistakes and fixing them.

Speaking for a forgotten people

OpinionBY JIM CRESKEY

The rule of international law in Palestine today—or on the 49th parallel tomorrow.

Carney’s quiet public service revolution

NewsBY KATHRYN MAY

The public service is being retooled piece by piece to meet the demands of delivery. The changes may outlast the agenda that sparked them.

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Indigenous Relations

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Natural Resources

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Canada Part I: Interprovincial Trade & Labour

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features

‘One of the most inventive minds’: ex-minister John McCallum has died

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Also, the NCC updates its long-term vision for the Parliamentary Precinct, praises for Conservative Senator Judith Seidman ahead of her retirement, and lawyer Jacques Shore remembers the Air India bombing 40 years on.

‘One of the most inventive minds’: ex-minister John McCallum has died

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Also, the NCC updates its long-term vision for the Parliamentary Precinct, praises for Conservative Senator Judith Seidman ahead of her retirement, and lawyer Jacques Shore remembers the Air India bombing 40 years on.

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Senate Conservative ranks could continue to grow, says caucus leader Housakos

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Canadian International Council hosts talk on economic diversification in the age of Trump on June 25

Rookie Liberal MP and ultra-marathoner St-Pierre runs 21-kilometre maple leaf route for Canada Day

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Canada signs a ‘far-reaching’ defence pact with the EU

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Deadline day in the House

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Ministers LeBlanc, Hodgson, Thompson make key staffing hires

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Carney’s sweeping, omnibus bills called both undemocratic, and meeting the moment

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Parliamentary Calendar

National Indigenous History month event featuring author Phyllis Webstad happening at Library and Archives Canada on June 26

Podcast

Making sense of the ‘Building Canada Act’, with Elizabeth May

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2024

List

Meet Carney’s parliamentary secretaries, half of whom are rookie MPs

Podcast

The return of Parliament, with Sheila Copps

Policy Briefing – Health

Policy Briefing – Defence

Policy Briefing – Renewable Energy

Policy Briefing – Indigenous Relations

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

The 19 entities asking for the biggest spending boosts in the 2025-26 main estimates

Meet Mark Carney’s 38-member senior team

The salaries of Carney’s cabinet and secretaries of state

Who’s in and who’s out of Carney’s post-election cabinet?

MPs, Senators get a salary boost, Carney will now earn $419,600, Scheer $308,800, and Blanchet $280,600

Grits and Tories dominated the 109 safest seats this election

Tories strip five Ontario ridings of bellwether status, while 29 seats remain

The election outcomes for Mark Carney’s first cabinet

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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

Q&A | New five-per-cent NATO target ‘achievable’ if Canada is ‘smart about it,’ says David Perry

Canada has pledged to meet the new NATO target of spending five per cent of GDP on defence.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW

Breaking down C-5: Carney’s ‘build, baby, build’ bill draws support from business sector, but heavy pushback from environmental, Indigenous groups

Bill C-5's two major components seek to address internal trade barriers, and to fast-track national interest projects.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada’s government and banks are stuck on oil—and this is a problem

Economic success will only succeed if we become an innovation nation, not a petrostate. We have great talent in Canada and many ambitious entrepreneurs with world-class ideas. That is where we should be putting our economic muscle. And this is Carney’s test.

BY DAVID CRANE

Natural resources, economy top lobbying issues in May

A 'backdrop of geopolitical battles' is generating a need for a supply of goods from democratic nations such as Canada, says the president of the Business Council of Alberta.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

All three levels of government must play their part in building up Canada’s supply chains

We need strong and resilient supply chains more than ever. This requires co-ordinated action from all levels of government to reduce duplication, fast-track critical infrastructure, and ensure that projects in the national interest—like those in Milton and Montreal—aren’t indefinitely stalled by fragmented governance.

BY LINDSAY KISLOCK

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.