New strategy outlines ‘ambitious’ defence readiness objective months after downgrading air fleet target

National Defence's most recent departmental plans reduced the readiness target for the air fleet to 70 per cent, down from 85 per cent. The new Defence Industrial Strategy has reversed that decrease just eight months later.

Defence Minister David McGuinty faces a tough task to rectify long-standing readiness short-comings for the military's fleets. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New strategy outlines ‘ambitious’ defence readiness objective months after downgrading air fleet target

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

National Defence's most recent departmental plans reduced the readiness target for the air fleet to 70 per cent, down from 85 per cent. The new Defence Industrial Strategy has reversed that decrease just eight months later.

New strategy outlines ‘ambitious’ defence readiness objective months after downgrading air fleet target

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

National Defence's most recent departmental plans reduced the readiness target for the air fleet to 70 per cent, down from 85 per cent. The new Defence Industrial Strategy has reversed that decrease just eight months later.

THE LATEST

Former Conservative MP Jeneroux ‘couldn’t sit on the sidelines,’ crosses floor to join Liberals

NewsBY STUART BENSON, MARLO GLASS | UPDATED February 18, 2026

Three Conservative sources, two of whom are former MPs, say a damning quote is making the rounds in their circles after a third Tory joined the Liberal caucus: 'Pierre Poilievre has become the Justin Trudeau of the Conservative Party,' says one former MP.

Former Conservative MP Jeneroux ‘couldn’t sit on the sidelines,’ crosses floor to join Liberals

NewsBY STUART BENSON, MARLO GLASS | UPDATED February 18, 2026

Three Conservative sources, two of whom are former MPs, say a damning quote is making the rounds in their circles after a third Tory

A Proven Export Playbook, Powered by Canadian Propane

Senators ‘hopeful’ for shifting tide in Congress as U.S. lawmakers rally to Canada’s cause

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

The U.S. Congress has largely abandoned its jurisdictional authority over trade to the Trump White House, but Canadian engagement has continued while waiting for the 'pendulum' to swing back.

The U.S. Congress has largely abandoned its jurisdictional authority over trade to the Trump White House, but Canadian engagement has continued while waiting for

Liberals hope ‘national unity’ council quells divisions after scrapping Islamophobia and antisemitism envoys

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Having Muslim and Jewish communities 'at the same table' will help unify Canadians in the 'fight to put an end to all types of hate' without leaving anyone behind, says Liberal MP Salma Zahid.

Having Muslim and Jewish communities 'at the same table' will help unify Canadians in the 'fight to put an end to all types of

Influence registry will deter few foreign agents without independent enforcement, say national security experts

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Appointing former B.C. chief elections officer Anton Boegman as the foreign influence and transparency commissioner is a 'positive development,' says the NDP, but Canadians shouldn't expect the watchdog and registry to 'catch spies,' says Dan Stanton.

Appointing former B.C. chief elections officer Anton Boegman as the foreign influence and transparency commissioner is a 'positive development,' says the NDP, but Canadians

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Jeneroux crosses over

Plus, Canada wants to put foreign fighter pilots at the front of the immigration queue.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

The Tumbler Ridge tragedy is a warning

A responsible society doesn’t hide behind the fiction that incrementalism on guns will bend the curve of violence. Canada must move beyond symbolic gestures and confront the moral responsibility of firearms policy.

BY BHAGWANT SANDHU

Opinion

BY ANDREW ERSKINE

A defence reality check for the Canadian Armed Forces

Opinion

BY ONOME AKO

Foreign aid by triage, with human survival at stake

Opinion

BY LES WHITTINGTON

Will Trump eventually get Epsteined? The scandal laps closer to the White House door

Opinion

BY ERICA IFILL

The politicking of identity has always been a nation-building project

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

Tumbler Ridge shooting upends the agenda: The week in review

NEWS

Sudanese refugees waiting to come to Canada face deportation risk from Egypt

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

The Sudanese Civil War has produced the world's largest active humanitarian crisis with millions of people displaced. Meanwhile, Canada's resettlement stream has been plagued with delays.

Sudanese refugees waiting to come to Canada face deportation risk from Egypt

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

The Sudanese Civil War has produced the world's largest active humanitarian crisis with millions of people displaced. Meanwhile, Canada's resettlement stream has been plagued with delays.

Canada faces ‘an emergency of extraordinary proportions’ with Trump, say foreign affairs and trade experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Defence Investment Agency needs to do more than reshuffle the staff deck to succeed, say observers

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Fix Question Period, elect House committee chairs, and end hybrid House sittings, say some Grit and Tory MPs: ‘Question Period is our marquee accountability mechanism’

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Canada can’t wait out the current crisis in youth unemployment.

NDP leadership hopefuls head to West Coast for second official debate on Feb. 19

Podcast

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

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2025

News

Who’s backing the NDP leadership contenders?

Podcast

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

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo Black

Back To Parliament

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo White

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Few post-shuffle staffing changes for Canadian identity, Quebec lieutenant teams

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Marie-Michelle Demers is a new communications adviser to the Canadian identity minister, while Mathieu Auclair has joined the Quebec lieutenant’s office.

Few post-shuffle staffing changes for Canadian identity, Quebec lieutenant teams

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Marie-Michelle Demers is a new communications adviser to the Canadian identity minister, while Mathieu Auclair has joined the Quebec lieutenant’s office.

House gears up for another assisted dying review

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Finland throws house party

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Halifax-based public servant has front-row seat to Olympic action as women’s hockey referee in Italy

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Parliament hits a pause

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

POLITICS

Milliard takes on the Quebec Liberal mantle

OpinionBY ANDREW CADDELL

Federal parties dismiss ‘bogeyman’ privacy concerns baked into affordability bill, as Senators consider major amendments

NewsBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

Harper, from brawler to statesman

OpinionBY GERRY NICHOLLS

Joly to deliver keynote address at 10th Ontario Economic Report launch on Feb. 19 in Toronto

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

To ban or not to ban? Experts wary of restricting social media access for kids, as feds watch Australian approach

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

After Australia banned social media for kids under the age of 16 last year, Culture Minister Marc Miller said his office was looking at the policy’s impact as part of the government’s plan to address online harms.

To ban or not to ban? Experts wary of restricting social media access for kids, as feds watch Australian approach

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

After Australia banned social media for kids under the age of 16 last year, Culture Minister Marc Miller said his office was looking at the policy’s impact as part of the government’s plan to address online harms.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

DOWNLOAD

Monday, February 16, 2026

DOWNLOAD

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

DOWNLOAD

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

In an ‘us vs. them’ situation, what happens when them is us?

Opinion

EPA erases climate safeguards

Editorial

BY EDITORIAL

RTO remains hypocritical while hybrid Parliament lives

Celebrating Black Canadian trailblazers who’ve played a critical role in public life

OpinionBY WAHEED KHAN

From former senators Anne Cools and Donald Oliver to current social justice advocates like Nicholas Marcus Thompson, we must recognize those who are breaking down barriers.

Why Canada must act now to uphold refugee protection and stability

OpinionBY TRACEY MAULFAIR

Here’s how Parliament can tackle the rise in anti-feminist ideology

OpinionBY SHARI GRAYDON

Require parties to run equal numbers of men and women, including in winnable ridings. Those that fail to comply forfeit their right to compete. Period.

Here’s how Parliament can tackle the rise in anti-feminist ideology

OpinionBY SHARI GRAYDON

Require parties to run equal numbers of men and women, including in winnable ridings. Those that fail to comply forfeit their right to compete. Period.

An aging democracy needs youth voices

OpinionBY ALEKSI TOIVIAINEN, ERIKA DE TORRES

A partial table cannot deliver justice for Indigenous people

OpinionBY BRENDAN MOORE

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 02-18-2026

de Adder’s Take: 02-16-2026

de Adder’s Take: 02-11-2026

Public Service

Cost of public servants continues to rise, though growth of bureaucracy began to slow in 2024-25: PBO

In 2024-25, the government spent a total of $76.3-billion on public servants, an increase of six per cent from $71.9-billion spent in 2023-24.

BY MARLO GLASS

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

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

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Trudeau, Carney, Davos, and Liberal dexterity

OpinionBY NELSON WISEMAN

Canadians like getting the world’s attention because it counters the view that we are boring. Mark Carney’s impact at Davos boosted Liberal popularity to 51 per cent in a Mainstreet poll. Speculation swirled that he might call an election to capitalize. He won’t. Carney prefers governing to politicking on the hustings.

Trudeau, Carney, Davos, and Liberal dexterity

OpinionBY NELSON WISEMAN

Canadians like getting the world’s attention because it counters the view that we are boring. Mark Carney’s impact at Davos boosted Liberal popularity to 51 per cent in a Mainstreet poll. Speculation swirled that he might call an election to capitalize. He won’t. Carney prefers governing to politicking on the hustings.

BOOKS, BIG IDEAS, Q&As

The Coutts Diaries is the most revealing book ever written about Canadian politics

FeatureBY DAVID HERLE

This is a previously unseen view of Pierre Trudeau, one that is sure to alter your opinions of him. It is an unvarnished look inside the government that brought you wage and price controls, the Charter of Rights, and the National Energy Program. And it is a darkly moving account of the life of a senior political staffer.

The Coutts Diaries is the most revealing book ever written about Canadian politics

FeatureBY DAVID HERLE

This is a previously unseen view of Pierre Trudeau, one that is sure to alter your opinions of him. It is an unvarnished look inside the government that brought you wage and price controls, the Charter of Rights, and the National Energy Program. And it is a darkly moving account of the life of a senior political staffer.

‘Don’t be indifferent’: Iranian-Canadian author shares story of his life inside infamous Tehran prison in new book

FeatureBY IREM KOCA

‘Treating politics as a system of balance, not battle’: new book brings fresh insights into Mackenzie King and lessons for today’s leaders

FeatureBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

First Nations are ‘ready’ to move beyond the Indian Act, but time’s running out, says author Bob Joseph

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

The Finest Hotel in Kabul is a window into Afghan endurance through the eyes of locals working at the Intercontinental Hotel

FeatureBY ELEANOR WAND

Official languages commissioner nominee aspires for a ‘truly bilingual public service’

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Kelly Burke, the nominee to become the next official language commissioner, says her goal in that position is ‘substantive equality’ between French and English across Canada.

Official languages commissioner nominee Kelly Burke shared her vision for a bilingual public service before House and Senate committees on Feb. 10. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Official languages commissioner nominee aspires for a ‘truly bilingual public service’

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Kelly Burke, the nominee to become the next official language commissioner, says her goal in that position is ‘substantive equality’ between French and English across Canada.

Official languages commissioner nominee aspires for a ‘truly bilingual public service’

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Kelly Burke, the nominee to become the next official language commissioner, says her goal in that position is ‘substantive equality’ between French and English across Canada.

‘Back to the future’: Senators react to idea of turning Senate Building back into original train station for high-speed rail hub

NewsBY IREM KOCA

David Jeanes, a retired engineer and former president of Transport Action Canada, says the Senate Building would be an ideal spot for a downtown Ottawa station, and says it could be linked to the rest of the line with a tunnel going under part of the Rideau Canal.

Beyond funding: why flexible, locally grounded care models matter now

OpinionBY BERNARD LORD

When care models are designed around patient needs and unique local realities they can expand access, protect system capacity, and deliver better outcomes.

Bill C-15 is one of the biggest threats yet to Canada’s rule of law

OpinionBY GENEVIèVE PAUL, ANAïS BUSSIèRES MCNICOLL

The omnibus budget bill gives unprecedented power to federal ministers to exempt virtually any entity from all federal laws and regulations—except the Criminal Code.

The federal government is downplaying concerns by comparing an extraordinary new power in Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's budget to the use of so-called ‘regulatory sandboxes,’ write Geneviève Paul and Anaïs Bussières McNicoll. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bill C-15 is one of the biggest threats yet to Canada’s rule of law

OpinionBY GENEVIèVE PAUL, ANAïS BUSSIèRES MCNICOLL

The omnibus budget bill gives unprecedented power to federal ministers to exempt virtually any entity from all federal laws and regulations—except the Criminal Code.

Bill C-15 is one of the biggest threats yet to Canada’s rule of law

OpinionBY GENEVIèVE PAUL, ANAïS BUSSIèRES MCNICOLL

The omnibus budget bill gives unprecedented power to federal ministers to exempt virtually any entity from all federal laws and regulations—except the Criminal Code.

Documents reveal more about powerful forces behind push for warrantless lawful access

OpinionBY KEN RUBIN

The pressure for lawful warrantless access to surveil internet subscriber data is long-standing and began in the late 1990s. But recently acquired access-to-information documents shed some light on some of the actors driving the push for more lawful access.

Canada must take lead in fighting health misinformation as vaccine hesitancy rises and U.S. pulls back from WHO, say sector experts

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

In the face of bad advice coming out of the U.S., Health Minister Marjorie Michel needs to discuss how to best promote facts with federal agencies and departments, according to Canadian Medical Association president Margot Burnell.

Canada on path to become a superaged country

OpinionBY SHARON STRAUS, FRANçOISE BAYLIS

To successfully address the pending demographic shift to a superaged society, we need to be nimble and bold.

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Health

DOWNLOAD

Innovation Policy Briefing

DOWNLOAD

Housing: Modular and Affordable

DOWNLOAD

features

Federal leaders to attend vigil for Tumbler Ridge victims

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Dominic LeBlanc leads a trade mission to Mexico this weekend.

Federal leaders to attend vigil for Tumbler Ridge victims

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Dominic LeBlanc leads a trade mission to Mexico this weekend.

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The House goes back to business

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Advertising, speechwriting, and appointments advisers among fresh PMO hires

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

‘Tumbler Ridge represents the very best of Canada’: House mourns victims in special address

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Flags fly at half-mast after Tumbler Ridge tragedy

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

One out, two in for Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

New polling-driven podcast explores the ‘why’ behind public opinion

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Carney postpones Europe trip

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Parliamentary Calendar

Former Trudeau chief of staff Katie Telford sits down to discuss being ‘the right hand’ in Ottawa on Feb. 12

Podcast

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

News

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

News

Tracking job cuts in the federal public service

Podcast

Re-engaging with China, with Senator Yuen Pau Woo

Policy Briefing – Environment

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – Health

Policy Briefing – Defence

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

Take The Hill Times year-end news quiz

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

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

Take The Hill Times politics quiz

Carney government bills: tracking their progress into law

The number of sick days claimed by bureaucrats, broken down by department

Take The Hill Times politics quiz

MPs’ annual office budgets for 2025-26

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

Post

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

Finance & Budget

‘All about’ NATO: bulk of feds’ $5.4-billion spending request boosts defence programs

The $2.2-billion request for defence spending is ‘all tied’ to meeting NATO’s defence spending target, says Canadian Global Affairs Institute’s Craig Stone, but Macdonald-Laurier Institute's Christopher Coates says it should be seen as 'long overdue' modernization of the Armed Forces.

BY ELEANOR WAND

Liberals see path forward for budget bill, but Conservatives still have ‘huge concerns’ with cabinet’s ‘regulatory sandbox’

Conservatives have concerns about a clause buried in Bill C-15 that grants cabinet ministers the power to exempt any individual or firm from nearly any federal law—excluding the Criminal Code—for up to six years.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Canada faces ‘an emergency of extraordinary proportions’ with Trump, say foreign affairs and trade experts

U.S. President Donald Trump's recent rant on X about the bridge linking Windsor, Ont., to Detroit, Mich., augurs badly for the upcoming review of North America's trade pact, says international trade lawyer Lawrence Herman.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Bill C-15 is one of the biggest threats yet to Canada’s rule of law

The omnibus budget bill gives unprecedented power to federal ministers to exempt virtually any entity from all federal laws and regulations—except the Criminal Code.

BY GENEVIèVE PAUL, ANAïS BUSSIèRES MCNICOLL

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

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.