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

'I can’t understand why a government can’t get down to business and operate rigorously,' says Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel at National Defence.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said last fall that the first Defence Industrial Strategy would be released before Christmas, but the government has failed to meet its own deadline. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

NewsBY IREM KOCA

'I can’t understand why a government can’t get down to business and operate rigorously,' says Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel at National Defence.

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

NewsBY IREM KOCA

'I can’t understand why a government can’t get down to business and operate rigorously,' says Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel at National Defence.

THE LATEST

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

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

A proliferation of sexual deepfakes on X has prompted other countries to investigate Grok, the platform’s AI software, but, so far, Ottawa remains silent.

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

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

A proliferation of sexual deepfakes on X has prompted other countries to investigate Grok, the platform’s AI software, but, so far, Ottawa remains silent.

Conservatives outspent Liberals by $1.2-million during the 2025 election

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Conservatives outspent Liberals by $1.2-million during the 2025 election

NewsBY STUART BENSON

Life after politics: catching up with ex-PMO staffers

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Patrick Travers is now with Hakluyt & Company, while Oz Jungic has joined Rio Tinto, and Philip Proulx is working for Mila–Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute.

Patrick Travers is now with Hakluyt & Company, while Oz Jungic has joined Rio Tinto, and Philip Proulx is working for Mila–Quebec Artificial Intelligence

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

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Canada and Mexico are the only nations in the trade bloc that have not yet ratified the United Kingdom's entry into the deal, meaning that Canadian businesses can’t trade with those in the U.K. under the CPTPP's terms.

Canada and Mexico are the only nations in the trade bloc that have not yet ratified the United Kingdom's entry into the deal, meaning

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

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

'A flagrant breach of the core provision of the UN Charter is no cause for celebration,' says former Liberal MP John McKay. 'If we all don’t adhere to those core provisions of the UN, then it’ll be chaos.'

'A flagrant breach of the core provision of the UN Charter is no cause for celebration,' says former Liberal MP John McKay. 'If we

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Carney heading to China next week

Plus, Canadians’ confidence in the government has rebounded.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW, ELEANOR WAND

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

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

With Treasury Board once again handling the first stage of the ATI review, you can be sure of more delays, more exemptions proposed, and more people being excluded from using access to information.

BY KEN RUBIN

Opinion

BY ERICA IFILL

Trump’s hit on Venezuela just gave Canada a bruise

Opinion

BY MICHAEL CHOLOD, JOZEF HRABINA

Keep pace with great: NATO’s race for survival began in Ukraine long ago

Opinion

BY LANA WELLS

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

Opinion

BY BUKOLA SALAMI, NNAMDI NDUBUKA, SUME NDUMBE EYOH, MODUPE TUNDE-BYASS

Bill 13 is Alberta’s law—but all Canadians must pay attention

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

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

NEWS

New GAC report on ‘game-changing’ Canada-Indonesia deal reduces projected export growth by more than half

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Global Affairs Canada's projections for export growth to Indonesia dropped to an expected $216-million after five years, from initial suggestions that exports 'could' increase by $477-million.

New GAC report on ‘game-changing’ Canada-Indonesia deal reduces projected export growth by more than half

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Global Affairs Canada's projections for export growth to Indonesia dropped to an expected $216-million after five years, from initial suggestions that exports 'could' increase by $477-million.

From Stronach to Ma: a pocket guide to the House’s floor crossers

NewsBY SOPHIA LAPORTE

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

Carney government showing a ‘clear reluctance’ to criticize Trump with lack of direct condemnation over Venezuela raid, says past Liberal foreign minister Axworthy

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Next year ‘an important one for Quebec’ as possibility of referendum looms, say Bloc MP, politicos

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

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

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

Back To Parliament

Senior Advisor, Government Relations (Telework/Hybrid)

Insider’s Guide to Parliament: 2025

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

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

A winter’s day near Parliament Hill

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

A winter’s day near Parliament Hill

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

Carney heads to Paris for Ukraine peace talks

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

POLITICS

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

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Where is the real threat to Canadian security coming from?

OpinionBY CHRISTOPHER INGRAM, ERROL MENDES, JOSEPH INGRAM

Senate’s Africa report exposes Canada’s strategic blind spot

OpinionBY SELAH GETAHUN

A ‘laser-focused’ Carney and ‘embattled’ Poilievre share contrasting messages in year-end interviews

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Anxiety over Canada-U.S. relations drives eyes to The Hill Times’ 20 most-read stories of 2025

NewsBY THE HILL TIMES STAFF

Anxiety over Canada-U.S. relations drives eyes to The Hill Times’ 20 most-read stories of 2025

NewsBY THE HILL TIMES STAFF

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

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Monday, December 15, 2025

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Wednesday, December 10, 2025

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY JOHN DEGEN

Canada should fix its cultural Main Street

Opinion

BY BENJAMIN FAVERI

Fragmentation at risk of disadvantaging Canadian organizations and AI

Opinion

BY JEREMY KRONICK, MARK ZELMER

A 2026 financial sector wish list

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.

In loving memory of my late wife, Tara Baran

OpinionBY YAROSLAV BARAN

Civil and defence aerospace are two sides of the same coin

OpinionBY PIERRE PYUN

The health of the broader civilian industry matters for our national security and defence industrial base.

Civil and defence aerospace are two sides of the same coin

OpinionBY PIERRE PYUN

The health of the broader civilian industry matters for our national security and defence industrial base.

Federal government’s financial reporting is late and misleading

OpinionBY MATTHEW LAU

Imagining a post-Ayatollah Iran

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 12-17-2025

de Adder’s Take: 12-15-2025

de Adder’s Take: 12-10-2025

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

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

OpinionBY ROSEANN O’REILLY RUNTE

With Maduro’s capture, be careful what you celebrate

OpinionBY LIBERAL MP MARCUS POLOWSKI, JOHN MCKAY

Trump, Venezuela, and seriously bad decisions

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Why all governments must follow Ontario in scrapping the ‘Canadian experience’ requirement

OpinionBY AKOLISA UFODIKE

Brazil: a catalyst of plurilateralism

OpinionBY EDWARD JACKSON

Brazil has demonstrated its ability to mobilize states and non-state actors around specific issues and solutions, engaging partners in the global south and north, the west and the east. Canada could learn from this.

Brazil: a catalyst of plurilateralism

OpinionBY EDWARD JACKSON

Brazil has demonstrated its ability to mobilize states and non-state actors around specific issues and solutions, engaging partners in the global south and north, the west and the east. Canada could learn from this.

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

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.

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon. To unlock the trillion-dollar opportunity, we must move from building isolated infrastructure to building an integrated ecosystem in which compute, AI, and data are strategically deployed, write Ann Fitz-Gerald and Dmytro Chumachenko. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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.

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.

PHAC lacks timely national data on children’s vaccination rates as report finds agency is not meeting targets

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

The agency’s 2024-25 departmental results report uses rates from a 2021 survey. Newer data is available, but that source doesn’t include rates from all provinces and territories.

Canada is building AI infrastructure. Now it must build AI companies

OpinionBY DANIEL WIGDOR

The untapped opportunity is applied computing, which turns AI into usable systems through design, psychology, and engineering. Canadian universities dominate this field, yet applied computing remains completely absent in national AI strategy conversations.

Feds should ‘sharpen’ definition of Canadian to ensure new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy works, says industry

NewsBY IREM KOCA

'There is a real difference between operating here and actually anchoring value here, and policy should reflect that,' says Daniel Perry, director of federal affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators.

Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced the latest steps under the Buy Canadian Policy for federal procurement on Dec. 16. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds should ‘sharpen’ definition of Canadian to ensure new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy works, says industry

NewsBY IREM KOCA

'There is a real difference between operating here and actually anchoring value here, and policy should reflect that,' says Daniel Perry, director of federal affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators.

Feds should ‘sharpen’ definition of Canadian to ensure new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy works, says industry

NewsBY IREM KOCA

'There is a real difference between operating here and actually anchoring value here, and policy should reflect that,' says Daniel Perry, director of federal affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators.

Ottawa set to revive online harms legislation in 2026: government source

NewsBY DAVIS LEGREE

Justice Minister Sean Fraser had previously suggested the government wouldn’t ‘copy and paste’ Bill C-63, formerly known as the Online Harms Act, but child protection advocates remained hopeful the Liberals would bring forward a new online safety law.

PMPRB closes all open drug-pricing investigations before implementing new guidelines on Jan. 1

NewsBY TESSIE SANCI

But that doesn’t mean the drug pricing tribunal can’t look at past years’ data to inform future reviews of drug prices, says director general Guillaume Couillard.

CUSMA must do more than protect trade—it must secure Canada’s life sciences future

OpinionBY CAMERON GROOME

The U.S. may begin to apply tariffs or other barriers to enhance its domestic production, and if that happens, Canada will need a plan

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Environment

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The Hill Times’ 100 Best Books 2025

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The North Policy Briefing

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features

Who’s who in Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative OLO: Part 1

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Ian Todd and Matthew Antonitti continue as chief of staff and principal secretary to the leader, respectively, while Aaron Wudrick leads policy in the OLO.

Who’s who in Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative OLO: Part 1

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Ian Todd and Matthew Antonitti continue as chief of staff and principal secretary to the leader, respectively, while Aaron Wudrick leads policy in the OLO.

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

This year in photos: C-5 summit, housing pledges, and Poilievre’s return

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

This year in photos: campaign stops, Liberal victory, and a King’s visit

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

Feds pursuing new plan for funding First Nations’ child services

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

This year in photos: Trudeau exits, Carney enters politics, Parliament dissolves

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

Do the DM shuffle

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Parliamentary Calendar

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

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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EXCLUSIVE LISTS

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

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Carney government bills: tracking their progress into law

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

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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

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

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

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.