‘A grain of salt’: unmasking Liberal floor-crossing talks carries potential risk for opposition MPs, say politicos

Although these kinds of revelations never tell the whole story, MPs are demonstrating they are open to being approached. But it also puts pressure back on opposition leaders who now know their MPs aren't happy, say former strategists.

NDP MP Lori Idlout, left, and Conservative MP Scott Anderson have both recently said they have been approached by Liberals to join the party, but that they have refused. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Facebook

‘A grain of salt’: unmasking Liberal floor-crossing talks carries potential risk for opposition MPs, say politicos

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Although these kinds of revelations never tell the whole story, MPs are demonstrating they are open to being approached. But it also puts pressure back on opposition leaders who now know their MPs aren't happy, say former strategists.

‘A grain of salt’: unmasking Liberal floor-crossing talks carries potential risk for opposition MPs, say politicos

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Although these kinds of revelations never tell the whole story, MPs are demonstrating they are open to being approached. But it also puts pressure back on opposition leaders who now know their MPs aren't happy, say former strategists.

THE LATEST

‘If the inconceivable becomes reality, it’s very hard to see how NATO could survive’: politicos say Trump’s global shakeup spells trouble for Canada

Pictured top right and clockwise: U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chinese President Xi Jinping, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and French President Emmanuel Macron. *Photographs courtesy of the Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok, Wikimedia Commons, Flickr, and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade*

NewsBY CHRISTOPHER GULY

The world is watching U.S. President Donald Trump as he puts America on a collision course with democratically elected European governments and the European Union, says Canada's former UN ambassador Bob Rae.

‘If the inconceivable becomes reality, it’s very hard to see how NATO could survive’: politicos say Trump’s global shakeup spells trouble for Canada

NewsBY CHRISTOPHER GULY

The world is watching U.S. President Donald Trump as he puts America on a collision course with democratically elected European governments and the European

Health misinformation is hurting patients and undermining trust. Let’s do something about it.

Carney’s position on Trump’s Venezuela strike ‘a little wimpy’ in tone, but likely to benefit Liberals in short term, say political players

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

The Liberals will most likely use Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s statement backing U.S. President Donald Trump's action in attack ads in the next election, says pollster Greg Lyle.

The Liberals will most likely use Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s statement backing U.S. President Donald Trump's action in attack ads in the next election,

Canada’s reliance on U.S. health data under spotlight after federal health minister says she ‘cannot trust’ American vaccine policy

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on health data, while a former PHAC bureaucrat says analyzing data from other jurisdictions is a part of the job.

Canadian Public Health Association’s Ian Culbert says the U.S. used to be a trustworthy source, but Canada now needs to ‘up our game’ on

Feds missing out on economic, geopolitical opportunities by not supporting arts sector, say cultural groups

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

From Margaret Atwood, to Heated Rivalry, Canada's cultural outputs could bring Ottawa 'soft power' across the globe, says John Degen, CEO of the Writers' Union of Canada.

From Margaret Atwood, to Heated Rivalry, Canada's cultural outputs could bring Ottawa 'soft power' across the globe, says John Degen, CEO of the Writers'

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Champagne gathers with G7 peers in Washington

Plus, the PMO gears up for Carney’s visit to China.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Federal environmental impact assessments are in even more jeopardy

The federal environment assessment tool was always limited, with powerful enemies fighting back well before the Carney government wanted to curtail its usage.

BY KEN RUBIN

Opinion

BY MICHAEL HARRIS

The year of living dangerously: it’s here

Opinion

BY ROSE LEMAY

Poilievre praises a president who threatens democracies—including ours—on a daily basis

Opinion

BY DAVID CRANE

Trump wants to squeeze us hard enough so we come begging

Opinion

BY KEN RUBIN

Off to a bad start: Treasury Board already wants to make access to information worse

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

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

NEWS

Canada’s auto sector ‘hangs in the balance’ as CUSMA review looms in 2026: ‘there’s no sugar-coating it, this is going to be a critical year for the industry’

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

U.S. President Donald Trump recently said in December that he may let CUSMA expire or work out another deal with Canada and Mexico.

Canada’s auto sector ‘hangs in the balance’ as CUSMA review looms in 2026: ‘there’s no sugar-coating it, this is going to be a critical year for the industry’

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

U.S. President Donald Trump recently said in December that he may let CUSMA expire or work out another deal with Canada and Mexico.

Nearly 2,000 jobs and $1.5-billion to be cut across five departments by 2030, PBO analysis shows

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

‘Disgraceful and indefensible’: feds’ failure to release new Defence Industrial Strategy by deadline sparks backlash

NewsBY IREM KOCA

‘Get the f**k off there’: MPs, Senators call on government to abandon X/Twitter following wave of ‘Grok porn’

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Legislation corner: unpacking the bill bringing Britain into the Pacific trade pact

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

On Jan. 15, Fife, MacCharles, Nanji will forecast the big political stories to shape Canada in the year ahead

Podcast

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

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2025

List

Take The Hill Times year-end news quiz

Podcast

Who wants an election? With David Coletto

Senior Advisor, Government Relations (Telework/Hybrid)

Back To Parliament

Insider’s Guide to Parliament: 2025

Premier conseiller ou première conseillère, Relations gouvernementales (télétravail/hybride)

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Catching up with more former cabinet staffers

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Former chief of staff Matthew Mann is now working for PepsiCo, while ex-policy adviser Emily Hartman is working for YMCA Canada.

Catching up with more former cabinet staffers

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Former chief of staff Matthew Mann is now working for PepsiCo, while ex-policy adviser Emily Hartman is working for YMCA Canada.

Genuis vs. York

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

‘Tara was a ray of light’: Politicos across Canada show their support for Yaroslav Baran, whose wife Tara Baran, a former Conservative Hill staffer, died two weeks ago

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Carney heading to China next week

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, ELEANOR WAND

Life after politics: catching up with ex-PMO staffers

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

POLITICS

Freeland departs Ottawa as ‘objectively’ one of Canada’s most influential cabinet ministers: politicos

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Climate advisers ask feds to put Net-Zero Advisory Body on ‘pause,’ say they can’t fulfill mandate in ‘skeleton state’

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Maduro, Trump, and the politics of timing

OpinionBY BHAGWANT SANDHU

Maduro’s arrest has put the world on edge

OpinionBY SHEILA COPPS

Harperism is back

OpinionBY GERRY NICHOLLS

The principles, values, and political goals that guided former prime minister Stephen Harper’s actions while he led Canada’s government more than a decade ago are back.

Harperism is back

OpinionBY GERRY NICHOLLS

The principles, values, and political goals that guided former prime minister Stephen Harper’s actions while he led Canada’s government more than a decade ago are back.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Monday, January 12, 2026

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Wednesday, December 17, 2025

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Monday, December 15, 2025

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Editorial

BY EDITORIAL

Eurasia Group says Canada to be ‘profoundly affected’ by Trump’s ‘political revolution,’ so we need to stick together to fight the good fight

Opinion

BY JOHN MCKAY, INDEPENDENT SENATOR JULIE MIVILLE-DECHêNE

Trading values for access: Canada, China, and the cost of looking away

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

How NATO members can take on Trump’s Greenland—and Canadian—obsession

Anyone else tired of watching Donald Trump, and thinking, ‘gawd, I miss Dick Cheney’?

OpinionBY JAMIE CARROLL

It’s all so venal and terrifying. So much so, we are reduced to making declarations out of statements that should be a priori in nature, but may very well be the overwhelming foreign policy debate of 2026.

Canada should fix its cultural Main Street

OpinionBY JOHN DEGEN

Fragmentation at risk of disadvantaging Canadian organizations and AI

OpinionBY BENJAMIN FAVERI

Federal leadership is essential to Canada’s economic future, and our ability to ensure AI systems reflect the diverse values of society.

Fragmentation at risk of disadvantaging Canadian organizations and AI

OpinionBY BENJAMIN FAVERI

Federal leadership is essential to Canada’s economic future, and our ability to ensure AI systems reflect the diverse values of society.

An opportunity for the emancipation of global democracy

Opinion

A 2026 financial sector wish list

OpinionBY JEREMY KRONICK, MARK ZELMER

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 01-12-2026

de Adder’s Take: 12-17-2025

de Adder’s Take: 12-15-2025

Public Service

Public service unions demand answers addressing rumours about the end of remote work

The 'volume and specificity' of full-time return-to-office rumours 'warrant immediate clarity from Treasury Board' says union president Sean O’Reilly.

BY MARLO GLASS

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

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Trump’s case for a Greenland invasion is utter hogwash

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Peace relies not only on the resolution of national issues, but on the solution of global problems

OpinionBY ROSEANN O’REILLY RUNTE

Imagining a post-Ayatollah Iran

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

It’s ‘back to the darkest days of United States imperialism’ says NDP critic Boulerice as MPs celebrate, decry Venezuela attack

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

U.S. capture of Maduro raises geopolitical stakes for global oil trade, Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere, and Canada’s own strategic economic interests

OpinionBY SHAWN MCCARTHY

Prime Minister Mark Carney's cautious tone is a clear indication of the fraught path ahead as he seeks to lessen economic dependence on the United States, increase trade ties with Asia, and avoid further confrontation with an unpredictable and combative Donald Trump.

U.S. capture of Maduro raises geopolitical stakes for global oil trade, Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere, and Canada’s own strategic economic interests

OpinionBY SHAWN MCCARTHY

Prime Minister Mark Carney's cautious tone is a clear indication of the fraught path ahead as he seeks to lessen economic dependence on the United States, increase trade ties with Asia, and avoid further confrontation with an unpredictable and combative Donald Trump.

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 need to go beyond criminal law reform to end gender-based violence

OpinionBY LANA WELLS

For Bill C-16 to reach its full potential, it must be paired with a national action plan to engage and mobilize men and boys in violence prevention.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s Bill C-16 proposes significant and necessary reforms, writes Lana Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We need to go beyond criminal law reform to end gender-based violence

OpinionBY LANA WELLS

For Bill C-16 to reach its full potential, it must be paired with a national action plan to engage and mobilize men and boys in violence prevention.

We need to go beyond criminal law reform to end gender-based violence

OpinionBY LANA WELLS

For Bill C-16 to reach its full potential, it must be paired with a national action plan to engage and mobilize men and boys in violence prevention.

Trump-era diplomacy: what is gained from poking the bear and what is lost?

OpinionBY SUSAN RILEY

In retrospect, Mark Carney’s low-key approach—coupled with his tireless attempts to broaden our trade network—may prove to be the wisest course. Not as emotionally satisfying, or morally invigorating as a well-deserved profanity. But smarter.

Canada’s trillion-dollar opportunity depends on data

OpinionBY ANN FITZ-GERALD, DMYTRO CHUMACHENKO

One essential element remains underdeveloped: a national data strategy capable of fuelling the sovereign compute engine we are trying to build—and ensuring its benefits accrue at home.

Federal government’s financial reporting is late and misleading

OpinionBY MATTHEW LAU

There’s no good reason the federal government cannot—like publicly traded companies are required to—publish its financial statements in three months.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Ottawa didn’t table its Public Accounts for 2024-25 (for the fiscal year ended on March 31, 2025) until Nov. 7, 2025—a delay of more than seven months. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Federal government’s financial reporting is late and misleading

OpinionBY MATTHEW LAU

There’s no good reason the federal government cannot—like publicly traded companies are required to—publish its financial statements in three months.

Federal government’s financial reporting is late and misleading

OpinionBY MATTHEW LAU

There’s no good reason the federal government cannot—like publicly traded companies are required to—publish its financial statements in three months.

With Maduro’s capture, be careful what you celebrate

OpinionBY LIBERAL MP MARCUS POLOWSKI, JOHN MCKAY

The signal has been sent: any state with sufficient military capability (especially one armed with nuclear weapons) may take what it wants, when it wants, with or without plausible legal justification.

Feds ‘on track’ to connect every household to high-speed internet by 2030, as critics point to gaps in rural and Northern Canada

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

In 2026, 98.8 per cent of Canadian homes are expected to have access to high-speed broadband, surpassing the Liberal government’s goal of 95 per cent set in 2019. But only 16.7 per cent of Nunavut homes are projected to meet that mark next year.

‘Most dangerous period that we’ve been in’: Carney urged to bolster ‘Team Canada’ approach ahead of CUSMA review

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

The Carney government isn't repeating many of the same steps that allowed Canada to come out of the NAFTA renegotiations with a trade deal

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Environment

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features

A winter’s day near Parliament Hill

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

A winter’s day near Parliament Hill

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

This year in photos: fall budget drops, legislation in flux, and NDP off to the leadership races

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

‘Twas the morning before Christmas

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Parliamentary Calendar

Decked halls of Parliament on pause until House returns on Jan. 26

Podcast

Building a highway to the Arctic, with Caroline Wawzonek

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

Podcast

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

Rookies’ Guide to Parliament 2025

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – Environment

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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Carney government bills: tracking their progress into law

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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

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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

Trump wants to squeeze us hard enough so we come begging

Our test is to prove him wrong, and not sacrifice the future for the present.

BY DAVID CRANE

Record-breaking November lobbying sees U.S. trade war and federal budget among top concerns

The House Ethics Committee is planning to embark on a review of the Lobbying Act in 2026 after wrapping up its current study into challenges posed by artificial intelligence and its regulation.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Faster payments and true transparency: delivering payments modernization in Canada

BY BRIGIT CARROLL

Transforming Canada’s economy for a better future is an enormous challenge

But much will depend on the Carney government’s ability to persuade Canadians that current difficulties, and the risk of stagnant incomes as living costs rise, are worthwhile—that there is light at the end of the tunnel. This, ultimately, will be a test of leadership and trust, as well as policy.

BY DAVID CRANE

Four key steps can help secure Canadian sovereignty

The government has not defined a clear strategy to build and maintain Canadian ownership of our assets. Combined with the federal budget’s focus on attracting private capital, there’s a real danger that Ottawa will enable a sell-off of Canadian firms to foreign investors.

BY JON SHELL

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.