Deputy minister shuffle sees shakeup to Privy Council Office, nine new leaders in key roles

The end-of-year deputy minister shuffle puts fresh faces in key roles responsible for carrying out Prime Minister Mark Carney’s priorities, including Defence, Justice, and Finance

A change in the senior ranks of the public service was largely anticipated after a smaller shakeup earlier this year, shortly after Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia took the reins as the government’s top public servant. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Deputy minister shuffle sees shakeup to Privy Council Office, nine new leaders in key roles

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

The end-of-year deputy minister shuffle puts fresh faces in key roles responsible for carrying out Prime Minister Mark Carney’s priorities, including Defence, Justice, and Finance

Deputy minister shuffle sees shakeup to Privy Council Office, nine new leaders in key roles

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

The end-of-year deputy minister shuffle puts fresh faces in key roles responsible for carrying out Prime Minister Mark Carney’s priorities, including Defence, Justice, and Finance

THE LATEST

Poilievre’s future rests on what he tells delegates at leadership review convention next month, says senior party veteran Brodie

NewsBY CHRISTOPHER GULY

Ian Brodie says he believes Conservative Party members will likely support Pierre Poilievre’s continued leadership since it’s likely too soon to replace him. But he says Poilievre is going to have to give people an idea of how he plans to actually win the next election.

Poilievre’s future rests on what he tells delegates at leadership review convention next month, says senior party veteran Brodie

NewsBY CHRISTOPHER GULY

Ian Brodie says he believes Conservative Party members will likely support Pierre Poilievre’s continued leadership since it’s likely too soon to replace him. But

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Trump’s trade rep targets Online Streaming Act, Online News Act, raising questions about future of Canada’s cultural exemption

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

On Dec. 17, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canadian cultural laws 'discriminate against U.S. tech and media firms.' But Canadian cultural groups insist both the Online Streaming Act and the government’s free-trade exemption are critical to supporting this country’s arts and media industries.

On Dec. 17, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canadian cultural laws 'discriminate against U.S. tech and media firms.' But Canadian cultural groups insist

Bill to create modern treaty commissioner wins Bloc, NDP, and Green support

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

With the Conservatives opting to keep Bill C-10 in House debate, Green Leader Elizabeth May warned against making it a 'political football' when it represents a 'small step for reconciliation.'

With the Conservatives opting to keep Bill C-10 in House debate, Green Leader Elizabeth May warned against making it a 'political football' when it

‘The funniest speech I’ve ever seen a leader give’: how Don Davies’ gallery dinner speech struck the perfect chord

NewsBY SOPHIA LAPORTE

'Without a shadow of a doubt, his [speech] is the funniest speech I’ve ever seen a leader give. A tight eight minutes of stand-up comedy gold,' says veteran political speechwriter Scott Reid.

'Without a shadow of a doubt, his [speech] is the funniest speech I’ve ever seen a leader give. A tight eight minutes of stand-up

POLITICS THIS MORNING

All we want for Christmas is…

Plus, Legislation Corner reviews the military justice reform bill.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

The NDP leadership race might be sleepwalking to irrelevance

The party is being battered in the polls and remains, at best, a long shot to regain official party status any time soon. It needs controversy, not controlled messaging.

BY BHAGWANT SANDHU

Opinion

BY DAVID CARMENT, DANI BELO

Ukraine-Russia: next steps

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BY JOSIE SABATINO

Carney is shifting the goal posts in bid to redefine voter coalition

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BY TIM POWERS

Will Poilievre find the right thread to pull, or will his coalition unravel in 2026?

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2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

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

NEWS

Redactions up: foreign ministry hiding more memo titles with 38 per cent kept secret this year

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Titles and reference numbers for memos prepared for a cabinet minister or deputy head must be proactively released by law, but are becoming 'less obtainable' as government entities exploit a 'loophole,' say transparency advocates.

Redactions up: foreign ministry hiding more memo titles with 38 per cent kept secret this year

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Titles and reference numbers for memos prepared for a cabinet minister or deputy head must be proactively released by law, but are becoming 'less obtainable' as government entities exploit a 'loophole,' say transparency advocates.

A deeper dive into Fraser’s crime bill

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

MPs approve House admin spending trim, but overall budgets still on the rise

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

‘This is a process unlike any we’ve ever seen’: questions loom over Canada’s readiness for CUSMA review

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Building Canada’s Digital Future: Why High-Performing, Trusted, and Energy-Efficient Networks Matter More Than Ever

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HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

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

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

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

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Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Minister Fraser adds operations director to justice team, and more

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Plus, Hill Climbers has an update on Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand’s office.

Minister Fraser adds operations director to justice team, and more

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Plus, Hill Climbers has an update on Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand’s office.

Carney’s majority math

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

POLITICS

‘Something’s gotta give’: Liberal agenda needs a majority to make progress in 2026, says Grit strategist Joe Jordan

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Senators to get earlier look at documents, hear more budget requests publicly after CIBA practices questioned

NewsBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Time to look back, and ahead

OpinionBY ANDREW CADDELL

Every vote counts: how the House Speaker factors in Carney’s majority math

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Quebec MPs noncommittal on support for province’s controversial constitution bill

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Bloc MP Alexis Deschênes called the bill ‘a good exercise,’ but said the question of a constitution is ‘really up to the people of Quebec.’

Quebec MPs noncommittal on support for province’s controversial constitution bill

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Bloc MP Alexis Deschênes called the bill ‘a good exercise,’ but said the question of a constitution is ‘really up to the people of Quebec.’

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

Rubio’s fantasy and the risk of forever war in Venezuela

Opinion

BY ALAN BROADBENT

Can Build Canada Homes make a dent in the housing crisis?

Opinion

BY MICHAEL P.A. MURPHY

Is an 88-jet fleet already out of date?

App store age verification won’t keep young people safe

OpinionBY JOSH TABISH

Protecting young people from online harms requires smart, targeted legislation that addresses the real risks and holds the right actors accountable.

Can Canadian politicians unwrap compromise this holiday season?

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

Christmas came early for the Grits: Liberal MP Fisher

Opinion

Christmas came early for the Grits: Liberal MP Fisher

Opinion

After America’s Genesis Mission, where is Canada’s AI North Star?

OpinionBY ALEXANDER LANDRY, BRENDAN CONWAY-SMITH

Indo-Pacific strategy a rare example of clear-eyed realism

OpinionBY HARRY H.J. TSENG

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 12-17-2025

de Adder’s Take: 12-15-2025

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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

‘End our suffering’: refugees from Africa face inequity and delays resettling in Canada

OpinionBY ASMA FAIZI

A self-sustaining path to recovery for Ukraine

OpinionBY MICHAEL CHOLOD, KATHERINE MULHERN

Buckle up Canada, we’re in for an even rougher ride with Trump

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

Renewable energy sector adds concerns about wind-tower costs to steel industry crisis talks: ‘there’s a ton of urgency’

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Democracy, like a Christmas gift, is best unwrapped

OpinionBY ROSE LEMAY

The Prime Minister’s Office is taking a decidedly corporate approach. Then it should make sure that the essential piece of corporate governance is included by being transparent with the board of directors. In this country, the board is made up of voters.

Democracy, like a Christmas gift, is best unwrapped

OpinionBY ROSE LEMAY

The Prime Minister’s Office is taking a decidedly corporate approach. Then it should make sure that the essential piece of corporate governance is included by being transparent with the board of directors. In this country, the board is made up of voters.

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

Geoengineering for grown-ups

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

We need to use every viable technique to hold the average global temperature down while we work frantically to end our emissions.

A majority of early-career climate scientists now see geoengineering as necessary and inevitable, while many senior ones are still in transition, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Pixabay

Geoengineering for grown-ups

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

We need to use every viable technique to hold the average global temperature down while we work frantically to end our emissions.

Geoengineering for grown-ups

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

We need to use every viable technique to hold the average global temperature down while we work frantically to end our emissions.

The Elsie effect: women are essential to security

OpinionBY NATHALIE CHUARD

Diverse perspectives make teams sharper, more adaptive, more responsive, and more effective.

Bill calling for more serious punishment for assaulting first responders not fast-tracked despite Conservative MPs’ efforts

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

The Senate bill is identical to MP Todd Doherty’s bill, which nearly became law but died on the order paper when the election was called this past spring.

Canada’s China reset just got much harder

OpinionBY VINA NADJIBULLA

Even modest Canadian engagement with China may be judged less on its merits than on how it is interpreted in the U.S. within a framework designed to ‘wind down adversarial outside influence.’

Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, is attempting to recalibrate Canada’s relationship with China and President Xi Jinping as well as diversify partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, writes Vina Nadjibulla. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Canada’s China reset just got much harder

OpinionBY VINA NADJIBULLA

Even modest Canadian engagement with China may be judged less on its merits than on how it is interpreted in the U.S. within a framework designed to ‘wind down adversarial outside influence.’

Canada’s China reset just got much harder

OpinionBY VINA NADJIBULLA

Even modest Canadian engagement with China may be judged less on its merits than on how it is interpreted in the U.S. within a framework designed to ‘wind down adversarial outside influence.’

Czech Republic marks national day with song

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

Japanese Embassy delves into cultural diplomacy

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

The joys of winter biking aren’t without politics

OpinionBY ANDREW CADDELL

It's hard to believe something beneficial could be so controversial.

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

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The Bubble catches its breath

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Chris d’Entremont joins the golf-cheque circuit.

The Bubble catches its breath

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Plus, Chris d’Entremont joins the golf-cheque circuit.

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

New directors on deck for ministers Thompson, Ali

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MPs head home for the holidays, but not before Conservative MP Michael Ma crosses the floor to Liberals

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Finance ministers meet in Ottawa

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Carney and cabinet mix with top Liberal donors

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Parl Sec Carlos Leitão talks globalization under pressure in Montreal on Dec. 11

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Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem to talk about Canada’s economy on Tuesday, Dec. 16, in Montreal

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

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

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finance & Budget

A self-sustaining path to recovery for Ukraine

Now more than ever, Canada should encourage private sector investment for Ukraine’s recovery.

BY MICHAEL CHOLOD, KATHERINE MULHERN

Budget bill waits for House’s January return as ‘slow’ session comes to a close

The Liberals' budget implementation bill completed second reading on Dec. 10, and will be considered by the House Finance Committee after the House returns in the new year.

BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Lack of primary care so ‘chronic’ that patients don’t even talk about it, says Liberal MP and doctor Powlowski

Two recent surveys find that a significant portion of Canadians do not have access to a primary care provider as governments across Canada attempt to tackle the long-time health human resources shortage.

BY TESSIE SANCI

Surge in lost public property sees total federal losses reach $730.4-million for 2024-25

Public property losses increased almost tenfold between 2023-24 and 2024-25—once again driven by a natural disaster—to total $374.8-million.

BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Bloc joins push for mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods

‘We want to know what's on our plate, we want to know what we're buying,’ says agricultural critic Yves Perron about the petition he recently tabled calling for labels.

BY TESSIE SANCI

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.