Expanding AI in government operations, modernizing Service Canada sites among feds’ fiscal update’s public service-related measures

The Dec. 16 fall economic update offers no further details on planned savings tied to ‘natural attrition’ in the 2024 federal budget, but noted that effort ‘will begin showing results in 2025-26.’
Prime Minister’s Office confirms it cancelled year-end media interviews following fallout from Freeland’s bombshell mic drop

The PMO cancelled interviews with at least seven outlets: Global News, CBC, CTV, Radio-Canada, TVA Nouvelles, and a joint interview with CityNews and OMNI Television. Spark Advocacy’s Bruce Anderson says if ‘your plan is to challenge Canadians to follow your leadership in an impending economic/trade crisis, as a way of saving your leadership, you do not give up these communications platforms.’
Hundreds of billions in ‘contingent liabilities’ loom large over Canada

This year’s increase in the deficit is just the first of many payouts of Indigenous contingent liabilities from the backlog of claims accepted in principle but not yet paid.
Freeland’s opportunism on display in stunning resignation letter

Chrystia Freeland ought to be reminded that she’s held the finance portfolio since 2020. Not one of her budgets was ever balanced.
Fiscal update fails to address ‘the Great Breakup’

For the past two years, women at the director level are consistently leaving their jobs faster than they’re being promoted.
Delayed public accounts report public debt charges increased by 35 per cent in 2023-24

‘Indigenous contingent liabilities’ and some pandemic expenses expanded the budgetary deficit to $61.9-billion, up from the $40.1-billion projected in Budget 2024.
A Chrystia carol: House wraps for the holidays as spectre of Freeland’s bombshell resignation haunts Liberal caucus

As the House rises for 2024, Liberal backbenchers get their turn in the spotlight following the fallout from Chrystia Freeland’s cabinet resignation.
Always leave them wanting more: Fraser tops All Politics Poll as he looks to exit federal politics

The results of The Hill Times’ 2024 year-end poll are in. Liberal MP Sean Fraser scores a hat trick and takes the ‘Most Valuable Politician’ title for the second year in a row, while Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre divides respondents.
Freeland’s chaos-inducing resignation brings ever more uncertainty in the face of Canada’s trade emergency

Chrystia Freeland’s dramatic move has thrown the ruling Liberals into disarray, and raised new questions about the stability of Trudeau’s minority government.
‘She knows how to make a splash, and knows how to get things done,’ says author of new Freeland book

Catherine Tsalikis spent four years researching Chrystia Freeland’s life. She tells The Hill Times that she sees two constants in the former deputy prime minister’s life: principle and loyalty.