‘Really bleak situation’: proposed access-to-information changes include removing emails, letting departments put requests on hold

The mandated review of the Access to Information Act, includes proposals from the government that are 'super regressive,' says veteran journalist Dean Beeby. 'It’s just bureaucrats running the show, and we’re all going to lose, because they’re not eager at all to open the system up and be transparent.'

On March Treasury Board Minister Shafqat Ali opened the public engagement portion for the review of the Access to Information Act, but the government's discussion paper proposed changes that critics say ignores, or in some cases worsens, persistent issues with the law. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Really bleak situation’: proposed access-to-information changes include removing emails, letting departments put requests on hold

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

The mandated review of the Access to Information Act, includes proposals from the government that are 'super regressive,' says veteran journalist Dean Beeby. 'It’s just bureaucrats running the show, and we’re all going to lose, because they’re not eager at all to open the system up and be transparent.'

‘Really bleak situation’: proposed access-to-information changes include removing emails, letting departments put requests on hold

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

The mandated review of the Access to Information Act, includes proposals from the government that are 'super regressive,' says veteran journalist Dean Beeby. 'It’s just bureaucrats running the show, and we’re all going to lose, because they’re not eager at all to open the system up and be transparent.'

THE LATEST

Minister Anandasangaree debuts lawful access bill

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

The Carney government's first attempt at these laws, in Bill C-2, caused a backlash from civil liberty and privacy activists, some legal experts, and opposition politicians, and the new bill addresses some of the complaints.

Minister Anandasangaree debuts lawful access bill

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

The Carney government's first attempt at these laws, in Bill C-2, caused a backlash from civil liberty and privacy activists, some legal experts, and opposition

Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy – Time to Build.

Feds on track with immigration cuts, but policy’s long-term impacts remain unknown, say observers

NewsBY IREM KOCA

A PBO report shows that the government is following plans to slow population growth after a recent surge in temporary workers and foreign students, but critics say future effects are not measured, and the fate of many temporary residents remain uncertain.

A PBO report shows that the government is following plans to slow population growth after a recent surge in temporary workers and foreign students,

Timing of ex-NDP MP Idlout’s exit ‘surprising’ in wake of speech at Lewis leadership event, say strategists

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

The Liberal’s newest MP appeared at a campaign event for Avi Lewis only days before crossing the floor. There's a 'big gap' between Lewis and the prime minister's policies, says former MP Matthew Dubé.

The Liberal’s newest MP appeared at a campaign event for Avi Lewis only days before crossing the floor. There's a 'big gap' between Lewis

‘Floor crossings are nothing new’: Liberal MPs cheer Idlout’s decision to join their party, defend party’s efforts to get a majority without a general election

NewsBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says the floor-crossing MPs are responding to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy for the country.

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says the floor-crossing MPs are responding to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy for the country.

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Carney watches Arctic military drill in Norway with fellow PMs

Plus, Poilievre meets U.S. officials and auto industry people in Detroit.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Safeguard Canadians from the Iranian regime

The impact of this destructive regime is by no means confined to foreign lands. It’s time to confront it with resolve.

BY NOAH SHACK

Opinion

BY JEFF MORRISON

More affordable air travel in Canada is possible

Opinion

BY KEVIN THOMAS

Oil optimism isn’t an investment strategy for Canada

Opinion

BY VIREN NAIK

Canada’s brain drain is wearing a stethoscope

Opinion

BY LES WHITTINGTON

Iran war underscores Canada’s vulnerability when it comes to the U.S.

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

‘Pace yourself for the long haul’: Jocelyne Bourgon joins The Hot Room

NEWS

A court challenge has put the Streaming Act on hold—but some U.S. companies are still sending money to Canadian funds, and no one knows why

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Several companies are in court fighting a CRTC order that would require all firms with annual revenues over $25-million to allocate five per cent of Canadian revenues to cultural and broadcasting groups that create domestic news and entertainment.

A court challenge has put the Streaming Act on hold—but some U.S. companies are still sending money to Canadian funds, and no one knows why

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Several companies are in court fighting a CRTC order that would require all firms with annual revenues over $25-million to allocate five per cent of Canadian revenues to cultural and broadcasting groups that create domestic news and entertainment.

‘Talking is also action’: feds face pressure to clarify stance on Iran conflict amid shifting posture

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Poilievre’s international excursion a chance to challenge Carney, find ‘sea legs’ on global stage amid polling slump: politicos

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Flipping the script: rejected rulings of House committee chairs on the rise

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Medicine Security Is National Security: The Case for Canadian Pharmaceutical Sovereignty

Tory Leader Poilievre sets out on U.S. swing March 13-19

Podcast

‘We knew there was something coming’: how a Canadian charity has been sending aid into Ukraine

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2025

News

Who’s backing the NDP leadership contenders?

Podcast

The ‘ambitious’ Defence Industrial Strategy, with Mark Norman

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo Black

Analyste et responsable de projets de concertation

Back To Parliament

Hill Times Tote Bag – Scribble Logo White

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

The ‘Mark’ of the Irish and International Women’s Week on the Hill

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

Ireland's Ambassador John Concannon hosted his first St. Patrick's Day party at his official residence on March 11, smack dab in the middle of a full schedule of International Women's Week celebrations.

The ‘Mark’ of the Irish and International Women’s Week on the Hill

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

Ireland's Ambassador John Concannon hosted his first St. Patrick's Day party at his official residence on March 11, smack dab in the middle of a full schedule of International Women's Week celebrations.

Carney’s back in town

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

POLITICS

‘Let’s fix this’: IRCC reviewing media rules, reverses decision after refusing comment to independent journalist

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Canada’s position on Iran war is discombobulating and rudderless

OpinionBY ERICA IFILL

Former politicians hope to see efforts to tackle MP-to-MP harassment resurrected

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Boris Proulx acclaimed as press gallery’s new president

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Energy talks heat up

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Champagne testifies before the Senate on the government’s budget implementation bill.

Energy talks heat up

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Champagne testifies before the Senate on the government’s budget implementation bill.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

DOWNLOAD

Monday, March 9, 2026

DOWNLOAD

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

DOWNLOAD

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY ELIOT PENCE, PAUL ZIADé

We need a strong, unapologetically Canadian defence industry voice—for the first time in a generation, we have one

Opinion

BY LIBERAL MP SEAN CASEY

P.E.I. basic income project a federal partnership worth supporting

Opinion

BY IAN FICHTENBAUM

Space sovereignty for middle powers

Trump’s in a trap

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

The likeliest alternative, unfortunately, is for Donald Trump to decide that the solution is yet more force. Perhaps including ‘Boots on the Ground’, because it will be hard to make the Strait of Hormuz safe without controlling the Iranian islands on the north side of the Strait.

Growing stockpiles of radioactive waste beside Ottawa River upstream of Parliament Hill causing widespread concerns

OpinionBY LYNN JONES

Calls to fold chatbots into online harms legislation requires different framework: treating AI-mediated emotional support as a relationship

OpinionBY SOPHIE NUNNELLEY

With a new national AI strategy forthcoming, the question is whether this government will use that opportunity to ask what role we want AI to play in mental health care—or whether it will settle for summoning tech executives to Ottawa and expressing disappointment.

Calls to fold chatbots into online harms legislation requires different framework: treating AI-mediated emotional support as a relationship

OpinionBY SOPHIE NUNNELLEY

With a new national AI strategy forthcoming, the question is whether this government will use that opportunity to ask what role we want AI to play in mental health care—or whether it will settle for summoning tech executives to Ottawa and expressing disappointment.

The alarming contrast between Spanish and Canadian leaders to illegal U.S.-led attacks on Iran

OpinionBY ERROL MENDES

Exposing the feds’ growing use of AI tools that help keep the rigid access-to-information status quo

OpinionBY KEN RUBIN

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 03-11-2026

de Adder’s Take: 03-09-2026

de Adder’s Take: 03-04-2026

Public Service

Canada’s trade ambitions rest on a food system we’re dismantling

The assumption appears to be that fewer experts can somehow do more with less—an impossibility in a system already stretched past its limits.

BY SEAN O’REILLY

Ongoing grievance over public service health-plan switch an ‘interesting’ case, says labour lawyer

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says its members have had prolonged issues since the federal government transferred the Public Service Health Care Plan from Sun life to Canada Life in July 2023.

BY MARLO GLASS

Outspoken health advocate Joss Reimer talks about finding ‘common ground’ with government as she becomes Canada’s top doctor

Joss Reimer says she wants to tackle misinformation and disinformation, and place more emphasis on the social determinants of health and preventative health. She's also keeping a close eye on H5N1, also referred to as the bird flu, to ensure that Canada has an influenza pandemic plan in place.

BY TESSIE SANCI

Union warns pay system may not be able to handle layoffs, early retirements 10 years after start of Phoenix problems

The Phoenix pay system has cost the government more than $5-billion to date, and the current backlog of pay issues stands at around 238,000 transactions.

BY MARLO GLASS

Bringing investment banking rigour to Ottawa

Unlike the private sector, senior public servants are rarely removed for persistent underperformance. And tone from the top, however well calibrated, cannot substitute for rigor on the ground.

BY RAM MATHILAKATH

FOREIGN POLICY

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The Carney Doctrine aligns with responsible business conduct

OpinionBY JOHN MCKAY, SHERI MEYERHOFFER

Carney’s visit to Japan opens door to an expanded bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership

OpinionBY KANJI YAMANOUCHI

The art of the deal in Iran

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Carney’s deputy minister shuffle raises national security questions

NewsBY KATHRYN MAY

Protect supply management in CUSMA review, agriculture sector reps tell feds

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

'There's never been a more important time to ensure that our domestic production is robust and protected,' says David Wiens, president of the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Protect supply management in CUSMA review, agriculture sector reps tell feds

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

'There's never been a more important time to ensure that our domestic production is robust and protected,' says David Wiens, president of the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

BOOKS, BIG IDEAS, Q&As

Q&A | Canada’s ‘ambitious’ defence strategy and the ‘tough slog’ ahead, with Mark Norman

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

The Defence Industrial Strategy outlines a clear ‘ambition and intent,’ as well as efforts to ‘wean ourselves off of dependencies,’ particularly on the United States, says the former vice-chief of the defence staff.

Q&A | Canada’s ‘ambitious’ defence strategy and the ‘tough slog’ ahead, with Mark Norman

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

The Defence Industrial Strategy outlines a clear ‘ambition and intent,’ as well as efforts to ‘wean ourselves off of dependencies,’ particularly on the United States, says the former vice-chief of the defence staff.

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

FeatureBY DAVID HERLE

‘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

‘It’s reconciliation’: Green Leader May endorses feds’ agreement with Musqueam Nation as minister clarifies private property concerns

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

The Musqueam Nation and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty have both issued statements following the agreements’ signing that the documents do not impact private property rights.

There has been an 'uptick' in negative responses to First Nations’ rights in British Columbia following the August 2025 Cowichan judgment, which grants the Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title to portions of their traditional territory along the Fraser River, says Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘It’s reconciliation’: Green Leader May endorses feds’ agreement with Musqueam Nation as minister clarifies private property concerns

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

The Musqueam Nation and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty have both issued statements following the agreements’ signing that the documents do not impact private property rights.

‘It’s reconciliation’: Green Leader May endorses feds’ agreement with Musqueam Nation as minister clarifies private property concerns

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

The Musqueam Nation and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty have both issued statements following the agreements’ signing that the documents do not impact private property rights.

It’s time to process what we grow

OpinionBY TYLER GROENEVELD

The public opinion in this area is clear: Canadians see agriculture and food production as central to our economic future. They want stronger domestic supply chains.

Feds mum on wilting conservation program funding as nature spending dips 62 per cent

NewsBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

The funding for the Enhanced Nature Legacy Program will sunset March 31, and there's no word on its renewal. Meanwhile, the feds say a nature strategy is coming, but the 2026-27 main estimates highlight a 62 per cent drop in cash for nature conservation.

Think of the children when reforming Canada’s drug approval system

OpinionBY CHARLOTTE MOORE HEPBURN, CATHERINE LITALIEN

By embedding children’s needs more explicitly within regulatory decision-making, we can ensure that medicines proven safe and effective in comparable jurisdictions can reach Canada’s kids faster.

The regulatory framework underpinning Canada’s drug approval system has not been designed to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients, write Charlotte Moore Hepburn and Catherine Litalien. Photograph courtesy of Pexels

Think of the children when reforming Canada’s drug approval system

OpinionBY CHARLOTTE MOORE HEPBURN, CATHERINE LITALIEN

By embedding children’s needs more explicitly within regulatory decision-making, we can ensure that medicines proven safe and effective in comparable jurisdictions can reach Canada’s kids faster.

Think of the children when reforming Canada’s drug approval system

OpinionBY CHARLOTTE MOORE HEPBURN, CATHERINE LITALIEN

By embedding children’s needs more explicitly within regulatory decision-making, we can ensure that medicines proven safe and effective in comparable jurisdictions can reach Canada’s kids faster.

New Democrats will always support and defend supply management

OpinionBY NDP MP GORD JOHNS

Supply management is not a loophole. It is not a handout. It is a deliberate public policy choice that has kept family farms viable, food local, and rural communities strong for more than 50 years.

Main estimates set out $502.8-billion for 2026-27 as National Defence tops voted spending

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

National Defence's $48.4-billion represents the biggest ask of the $230.4-billion set to be voted on by MPs, with five more departments seeking approval for more than $10-billion.

Carney threads the needle of support for American-Israeli attacks on Iran

OpinionBY SHEILA COPPS

Most Canadians believe that Trump cannot be trusted on the trade file. That same fear will heat up as the war escalates. No one seems

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Agriculture Policy Briefing

DOWNLOAD

Energy and Mining

DOWNLOAD

Transportation and Trade Policy Briefing

DOWNLOAD

features

Down with the filibuster

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, the date is set for byelections in three federal ridings.

Down with the filibuster

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Plus, the date is set for byelections in three federal ridings.

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

‘Reconnecting with an old friend’: Library of Parliament building marks 150 years with special tours

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Northern, Arctic Affairs Minister Chartrand has a new chief of staff

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Five takeaways from Pierre Poilievre’s interview with Peter Mansbridge

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

NDP MPs Idlout, Gazan join Lewis at leadership event in Ottawa

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

LeBlanc returns to Washington

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Carney shuffles top public servants

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Parliamentary Calendar

Hodgson to talk about Canada’s energy sector on March 9 at the Rideau Club in Ottawa

Podcast

Tumbler Ridge shooting upends the agenda: The week in review

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

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

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

Main estimates set out $502.8-billion for 2026-27 as National Defence tops voted spending

National Defence's $48.4-billion represents the biggest ask of the $230.4-billion set to be voted on by MPs, with five more departments seeking approval for more than $10-billion.

BY ELEANOR WAND

Liberals to cut CBC by $192-million in 2026-27

This year’s estimates include $1.38-billion in funding for the CBC, representing a marked decrease from the $1.58-billion allotted to the public broadcaster during the 2025-26 fiscal year.

BY DAVIS LEGREE

Feds are ‘silencing’ an agent of Parliament by leaving post vacant, says ex-budget watchdog Giroux

Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie says the PBO is 'unable to do its job of providing government oversight.' But another former budget watchdog Kevin Page says the prime minister has 'deep respect for the legislative budget offices,' adding that the next PBO will be faced with 'enormous challenges' in the months and years ahead and will be playing a critical role.

BY IREM KOCA

Feeding the world is an economic opportunity

Canada can be an agri-food leader, but to compete globally, producers and industry need access to the latest tools and technology.

BY LIAM MACDONALD

How to fix Canada’s sputtering productivity

Polytechnics can restore higher education’s link to economic growth and lift Canada out of its chronic underperformance.

BY ANN MARIE VAUGHAN

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.