Monday, February 9, 2026

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Monday, February 9, 2026 | Latest Paper

Election

News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | February 7, 2026
A ballot box and sample ballot pictured at Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault’s office in Gatineau, Que., on April 1, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | February 7, 2026
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | February 7, 2026
A ballot box and sample ballot pictured at Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault’s office in Gatineau, Que., on April 1, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 6, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals are leading by between four and 15 points in national public opinion polls. It would be strategically smart to capitalize on this advantage by going to the polls early, says Nik Nanos, chief data scientist for Nanos Research. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 6, 2026
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 6, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals are leading by between four and 15 points in national public opinion polls. It would be strategically smart to capitalize on this advantage by going to the polls early, says Nik Nanos, chief data scientist for Nanos Research. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | January 28, 2026
Special ballots are counted by Elections Canada workers in Ottawa in the 2021 federal election. The agency is working to improve—and in many cases automate—processes related to mailing special ballot envelopes, tracking return rates, and monitoring counts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | January 28, 2026
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | January 28, 2026
Special ballots are counted by Elections Canada workers in Ottawa in the 2021 federal election. The agency is working to improve—and in many cases automate—processes related to mailing special ballot envelopes, tracking return rates, and monitoring counts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2026
Ontario national councillor Christina Mitas, right, is expected to run against Stephen Barber for the position of Conservative Party president at the Jan. 29-31 biennial policy convention in Calgary. Barber was elected president in 2023. Stephen Barber photograph courtesy of LinkedIn, Christina Mitas photograph courtesy of Facebook
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2026
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2026
Ontario national councillor Christina Mitas, right, is expected to run against Stephen Barber for the position of Conservative Party president at the Jan. 29-31 biennial policy convention in Calgary. Barber was elected president in 2023. Stephen Barber photograph courtesy of LinkedIn, Christina Mitas photograph courtesy of Facebook
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2026
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured right on June 22, 2025, will not run in Battle River-Crowfoot, Alta., in the next election, but the party is not saying where he will run. The national council passed a motion on Dec. 5, 2025, confirming Damien Kurek, left, as the official candidate in Battle River-Crowfoot for the next campaign. Photograph courtesy of X/Twitter
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2026
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2026
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured right on June 22, 2025, will not run in Battle River-Crowfoot, Alta., in the next election, but the party is not saying where he will run. The national council passed a motion on Dec. 5, 2025, confirming Damien Kurek, left, as the official candidate in Battle River-Crowfoot for the next campaign. Photograph courtesy of X/Twitter
News | BY STUART BENSON | January 6, 2026
The leader's tour for Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, during last year's election cost $1.2-million less than that of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, but the Liberals spent nearly twice as much on salaries and benefits during the 37-day campaign. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
News | BY STUART BENSON | January 6, 2026
News | BY STUART BENSON | January 6, 2026
The leader's tour for Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, during last year's election cost $1.2-million less than that of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, but the Liberals spent nearly twice as much on salaries and benefits during the 37-day campaign. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 4, 2026
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s Parti Québécois has been leading in Quebec polls for about two years. If elected, the party leader has promised to hold a referendum within his first term. Photograph courtesy of X
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 4, 2026
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 4, 2026
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon’s Parti Québécois has been leading in Quebec polls for about two years. If elected, the party leader has promised to hold a referendum within his first term. Photograph courtesy of X
News | BY GRACE BESTARD | October 27, 2025
Marilou McPhedran
Senator Marilou McPhedran has made youth a primary focus since joining the Red Chamber. Her Vote 16 Act aims to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY GRACE BESTARD | October 27, 2025
News | BY GRACE BESTARD | October 27, 2025
Marilou McPhedran
Senator Marilou McPhedran has made youth a primary focus since joining the Red Chamber. Her Vote 16 Act aims to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 in Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 7, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called for increasing the number of signatures required for candidates to run for office and limiting voters’ signatures to one candidate's nomination form. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 7, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 7, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called for increasing the number of signatures required for candidates to run for office and limiting voters’ signatures to one candidate's nomination form. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | September 30, 2025
Some 44 per cent of voters in this year's federal election cast their ballots before election day, including the 7.5 million people who made their way to vote at advance polls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | September 30, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | September 30, 2025
Some 44 per cent of voters in this year's federal election cast their ballots before election day, including the 7.5 million people who made their way to vote at advance polls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 22, 2025
Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland stepped down from cabinet as transport and internal trade minister on Sept. 16 to take up the role of Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 22, 2025
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 22, 2025
Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland stepped down from cabinet as transport and internal trade minister on Sept. 16 to take up the role of Canada’s special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 8, 2025
NDP interim leader Don Davies, centre, and NDP House Leader Alexandre Boulerice are two of seven NDP MPs in the House of Commons after a dramatic election loss. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 8, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 8, 2025
NDP interim leader Don Davies, centre, and NDP House Leader Alexandre Boulerice are two of seven NDP MPs in the House of Commons after a dramatic election loss. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | September 3, 2025
MPs attend a post-election orientation session in the House of Commons Chamber on May 21. The Lower Chamber is set to return from summer recess on Sept. 15. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | September 3, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | September 3, 2025
MPs attend a post-election orientation session in the House of Commons Chamber on May 21. The Lower Chamber is set to return from summer recess on Sept. 15. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 25, 2025
Pierre and Anaida Poilievre at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa on April 28, 2025, after the Conservative leader lost his seat in the general election. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 25, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 25, 2025
Pierre and Anaida Poilievre at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa on April 28, 2025, after the Conservative leader lost his seat in the general election. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 25, 2025
Potential candidates have lobbed complaints about the way the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, held their nomination contests, saying they were unfair and opaque. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 25, 2025
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 25, 2025
Potential candidates have lobbed complaints about the way the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, held their nomination contests, saying they were unfair and opaque. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 19, 2025
Conservative strategist Cole Hogan says housing, crime, immigration, and the cost of living will likely play a prominent role as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, goes head to head with Prime Minister Mark Carney in the House this fall. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 19, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 19, 2025
Conservative strategist Cole Hogan says housing, crime, immigration, and the cost of living will likely play a prominent role as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, goes head to head with Prime Minister Mark Carney in the House this fall. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin
Opinion | BY BILL WAISER | August 14, 2025
Then-prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, centre, with then-Ontario premier Howard Ferguson, left, and then-Quebec premier Louis-Alexandre Taschereau, in Ottawa in 1927, one year after Mackenzie King's return to the House of Commons was made possible through a byelection in Prince Albert, Sask. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
Opinion | BY BILL WAISER | August 14, 2025
Opinion | BY BILL WAISER | August 14, 2025
Then-prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, centre, with then-Ontario premier Howard Ferguson, left, and then-Quebec premier Louis-Alexandre Taschereau, in Ottawa in 1927, one year after Mackenzie King's return to the House of Commons was made possible through a byelection in Prince Albert, Sask. Photograph courtesy of Library and Archives Canada
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | July 30, 2025
Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault raised the issue once again rearing its head with the Longest Ballot Committee during a November 2024 House committee meeting. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | July 30, 2025
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | July 30, 2025
Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault raised the issue once again rearing its head with the Longest Ballot Committee during a November 2024 House committee meeting. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | July 21, 2025
B.C. NDP MP Don Davies is currently serving as the interim leader. The new party leader will be elected in March. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | July 21, 2025
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | July 21, 2025
B.C. NDP MP Don Davies is currently serving as the interim leader. The new party leader will be elected in March. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | July 19, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is hoping to secure a seat in the House this August, but his competition doesn’t think he should be so confident about his chances in the upcoming byelection. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | July 19, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | July 19, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is hoping to secure a seat in the House this August, but his competition doesn’t think he should be so confident about his chances in the upcoming byelection. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | July 10, 2025
Don Davies
After April’s election resulted in a devastating loss for the NDP, the party appointed Don Davies as interim leader. Now, New Democrats prepare for a leadership race while battling infighting among party management and grassroots supporters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | July 10, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | July 10, 2025
Don Davies
After April’s election resulted in a devastating loss for the NDP, the party appointed Don Davies as interim leader. Now, New Democrats prepare for a leadership race while battling infighting among party management and grassroots supporters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS | July 10, 2025
Liberal and Conservative Party supporters gather outside the federal leaders' debate venue in Montreal on April 17. Green Leader Elizabeth May says she's 'very concerned' about the future of the Leaders’ Debates Commission. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS | July 10, 2025
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS | July 10, 2025
Liberal and Conservative Party supporters gather outside the federal leaders' debate venue in Montreal on April 17. Green Leader Elizabeth May says she's 'very concerned' about the future of the Leaders’ Debates Commission. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY HENRY CHAN | July 8, 2025
Mark Carney
The upcoming fall sitting of Parliament will be a test of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s seriousness about democratic integrity, writes Henry Chan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY HENRY CHAN | July 8, 2025
Opinion | BY HENRY CHAN | July 8, 2025
Mark Carney
The upcoming fall sitting of Parliament will be a test of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s seriousness about democratic integrity, writes Henry Chan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his new book, Andrew Coyne says he tries to show that centralized power is ‘worse here than in other countries.’
Feature | BY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
Feature | BY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his new book, Andrew Coyne says he tries to show that centralized power is ‘worse here than in other countries.’
News | BY STUART BENSON | June 18, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne was in no hurry to explain how Bill C-4's proposed changes to the Elections Act and how political parties handle Canadians' private information will help make their lives more affordable. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | June 18, 2025
News | BY STUART BENSON | June 18, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne was in no hurry to explain how Bill C-4's proposed changes to the Elections Act and how political parties handle Canadians' private information will help make their lives more affordable. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | June 9, 2025
Ontario ISG Senator Donna Dasko tabled Bill S-213 with proposed reforms to the Canada Elections Act on May 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | June 9, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | June 9, 2025
Ontario ISG Senator Donna Dasko tabled Bill S-213 with proposed reforms to the Canada Elections Act on May 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
Conservative MP Jonathan Rowe, left, and Liberal candidate Anthony Germain both demonstrated great class and decency towards each other over the course of their recount ordeal. Photographs courtesy of the the Conservative Party and Liberal Party
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
Conservative MP Jonathan Rowe, left, and Liberal candidate Anthony Germain both demonstrated great class and decency towards each other over the course of their recount ordeal. Photographs courtesy of the the Conservative Party and Liberal Party
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 25, 2021
Some members of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, pictured from left, won by razor-thin margins, including Jean-Yves Duclos, Deb Schulte, and Diane Lebouthillier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 25, 2021
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 25, 2021
Some members of Justin Trudeau’s cabinet, pictured from left, won by razor-thin margins, including Jean-Yves Duclos, Deb Schulte, and Diane Lebouthillier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY MATT HORWOOD | August 25, 2021
News | BY MATT HORWOOD | August 25, 2021
News | BY MATT HORWOOD | August 25, 2021
News | BY NEIL MOSS | August 25, 2021
U.S. Marines are pictured on Aug. 20 participating in an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan has been centre stage in the early days of the campaign. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and photograph courtesy of Twitter/U.S. Marines
News | BY NEIL MOSS | August 25, 2021
News | BY NEIL MOSS | August 25, 2021
U.S. Marines are pictured on Aug. 20 participating in an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan has been centre stage in the early days of the campaign. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and photograph courtesy of Twitter/U.S. Marines
News | BY ALICE CHEN | August 25, 2021
Annamie Paul's time at the helm of the Green Party has been demarcated by internal conflict and party schisms. However, her Green Party isn't alone in this tendency towards infighting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ALICE CHEN | August 25, 2021
News | BY ALICE CHEN | August 25, 2021
Annamie Paul's time at the helm of the Green Party has been demarcated by internal conflict and party schisms. However, her Green Party isn't alone in this tendency towards infighting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY VONNY SWEETLAND | August 25, 2021
Despite the intersectional realities they face, Canada has seen the recent emergence of politicians like Leslyn Lewis, left, Annamie Paul, Marci Ien, and more, writes Vonny Sweetland, who says diversity across all spectrums is important and Canada will benefit from it. Photograph courtesy of Twitter, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, and photograph courtesy of Facebook
Opinion | BY VONNY SWEETLAND | August 25, 2021
Opinion | BY VONNY SWEETLAND | August 25, 2021
Despite the intersectional realities they face, Canada has seen the recent emergence of politicians like Leslyn Lewis, left, Annamie Paul, Marci Ien, and more, writes Vonny Sweetland, who says diversity across all spectrums is important and Canada will benefit from it. Photograph courtesy of Twitter, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, and photograph courtesy of Facebook
News | BY ALICE CHEN | August 25, 2021
The party leaders are all portrayed and emphasized in their social media platforms in different ways, for better or worse. Digital campaigns may be particularly important this year, given the increased focus on online spaces during the pandemic. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia
News | BY ALICE CHEN | August 25, 2021
News | BY ALICE CHEN | August 25, 2021
The party leaders are all portrayed and emphasized in their social media platforms in different ways, for better or worse. Digital campaigns may be particularly important this year, given the increased focus on online spaces during the pandemic. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ANDREW CADDELL | August 25, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, astonishingly enough, called the English version of his Quebec platform the ‘Contrat avec les Québécois et les Québécoises,’ not ‘The Contract with Quebecers,’ writes Andrew Caddell. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY ANDREW CADDELL | August 25, 2021
Opinion | BY ANDREW CADDELL | August 25, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, astonishingly enough, called the English version of his Quebec platform the ‘Contrat avec les Québécois et les Québécoises,’ not ‘The Contract with Quebecers,’ writes Andrew Caddell. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | August 25, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Liberals’ paid sick days pledge in Winnipeg on Aug. 20. While the feds can mandate paid sick days only for federally regulated workplaces, the leadership of the federal government in terms of labour rights cannot be underestimated, writes Erica Ifill. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | August 25, 2021
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | August 25, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Liberals’ paid sick days pledge in Winnipeg on Aug. 20. While the feds can mandate paid sick days only for federally regulated workplaces, the leadership of the federal government in terms of labour rights cannot be underestimated, writes Erica Ifill. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Aug. 15, outside of Rideau Hall. Mr. Trudeau met virtually with G7 leaders yesterday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Aug. 15, outside of Rideau Hall. Mr. Trudeau met virtually with G7 leaders yesterday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 25, 2021
In the campaign’s second week, the Liberals, via Chrystia Freeland, went on the attack over what they called a Conservative attempt to privatize the country’s health-care system. Utter the word ‘private’ and your head will be lopped off as if you were some sort of traitor of yesteryear looking to destabilize the Crown. When will it ever be time, asks Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 25, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 25, 2021
In the campaign’s second week, the Liberals, via Chrystia Freeland, went on the attack over what they called a Conservative attempt to privatize the country’s health-care system. Utter the word ‘private’ and your head will be lopped off as if you were some sort of traitor of yesteryear looking to destabilize the Crown. When will it ever be time, asks Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia