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Abbas Rana

Abbas Rana is the assistant deputy editor at The Hill Times. He reports on parliamentary caucuses, nomination contests, party leadership campaigns, Prime Minister’s Office, and cabinet. Rana loves to chat with sources on the record or on a not-for-attribution basis, especially when they have verifiable story tips that could be followed as news stories. Born and raised in Pakistan, Rana speaks Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi. You can reach him with news tips or comments at arana@hilltimes.com.

Liberals 10 points behind in the 34 ridings that helped bring them to power in 2015 and have kept Conservatives out ever since, according to a new poll

  • The next election is going to be a ‘realignment of values’ election which may yield a new block of voters that will stay with
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 27, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau's Liberals are trailing Poilievre's Conservatives by a double-digit margin in swing ridings across the country, according to a poll by Innovative Research. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Liberals 10 points behind in the 34 ridings that helped bring them to power in 2015 and have kept Conservatives out ever since, according to a new poll

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 27, 2023
  • The next election is going to be a ‘realignment of values’ election which may yield a new block of voters that will stay with

Liberals 10 points behind in the 34 ridings that helped bring them to power in 2015 and have kept Conservatives out ever since, according to a new poll

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 27, 2023
  • The next election is going to be a ‘realignment of values’ election which may yield a new block of voters that will stay with
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau's Liberals are trailing Poilievre's Conservatives by a double-digit margin in swing ridings across the country, according to a poll by Innovative Research. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Updated: Lagging in the polls, PM Trudeau brings on marketing and branding specialist Valiquette as new executive director of PMO communications

  • Max Valiquette will work alongside PMO communications chief Vanessa Hage-Moussa, and Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, who's been promoted to media relations director, according to a government
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, has appointed Max Valiquette as his new executive director of communications. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of LinkedIn

Updated: Lagging in the polls, PM Trudeau brings on marketing and branding specialist Valiquette as new executive director of PMO communications

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
  • Max Valiquette will work alongside PMO communications chief Vanessa Hage-Moussa, and Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, who's been promoted to media relations director, according to a government

Updated: Lagging in the polls, PM Trudeau brings on marketing and branding specialist Valiquette as new executive director of PMO communications

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
  • Max Valiquette will work alongside PMO communications chief Vanessa Hage-Moussa, and Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, who's been promoted to media relations director, according to a government
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, has appointed Max Valiquette as his new executive director of communications. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of LinkedIn

Lagging in the polls, PM Trudeau brings on marketing and branding specialist Valiquette as new executive director of PMO communications

  • Max Valiquette will work alongside PMO director of communications Vanessa Hage-Moussa, and Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, who has been promoted to the position of media relations
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, has appointed Max Valiquette as his new executive director of communications. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of LinkedIn

Lagging in the polls, PM Trudeau brings on marketing and branding specialist Valiquette as new executive director of PMO communications

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
  • Max Valiquette will work alongside PMO director of communications Vanessa Hage-Moussa, and Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, who has been promoted to the position of media relations

Lagging in the polls, PM Trudeau brings on marketing and branding specialist Valiquette as new executive director of PMO communications

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
  • Max Valiquette will work alongside PMO director of communications Vanessa Hage-Moussa, and Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, who has been promoted to the position of media relations
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, has appointed Max Valiquette as his new executive director of communications. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of LinkedIn

No prime minister ever gives up political power unless confronted with an ‘inevitable defeat,’ says top Liberal player David Herle

  • The Liberals are 'in a lot of trouble,' chiefly due to the economy. But if that's fixed by the next election, the government could
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 13, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Oct. 26, 2023, on the Hill. David Herle says the Liberals made a big mistake by not defining Pierre Poilievre earlier, but according to Liberal sources, money was the key reason. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No prime minister ever gives up political power unless confronted with an ‘inevitable defeat,’ says top Liberal player David Herle

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 13, 2023
  • The Liberals are 'in a lot of trouble,' chiefly due to the economy. But if that's fixed by the next election, the government could

No prime minister ever gives up political power unless confronted with an ‘inevitable defeat,’ says top Liberal player David Herle

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 13, 2023
  • The Liberals are 'in a lot of trouble,' chiefly due to the economy. But if that's fixed by the next election, the government could
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Oct. 26, 2023, on the Hill. David Herle says the Liberals made a big mistake by not defining Pierre Poilievre earlier, but according to Liberal sources, money was the key reason. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If polling trends don’t change for Liberals, expect more and louder voices for change in leadership, say political players

  • Senator Percy Downe has stated publicly what Liberals have been talking about privately since the 2021 election, say Liberal insiders. But pollster Frank Graves
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill on Oct. 26, 2023, laughed off any suggestions last Wednesday about a potential change in leadership for the next federal election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If polling trends don’t change for Liberals, expect more and louder voices for change in leadership, say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
  • Senator Percy Downe has stated publicly what Liberals have been talking about privately since the 2021 election, say Liberal insiders. But pollster Frank Graves

If polling trends don’t change for Liberals, expect more and louder voices for change in leadership, say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
  • Senator Percy Downe has stated publicly what Liberals have been talking about privately since the 2021 election, say Liberal insiders. But pollster Frank Graves
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill on Oct. 26, 2023, laughed off any suggestions last Wednesday about a potential change in leadership for the next federal election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘The party wants this riding very badly’: at least 22 candidates consider run for Tory nomination in Liberal-held riding of Pickering-Uxbridge, Ont.  

  • The Greater Toronto Area riding is a target for the Conservatives in the next election, say potential candidates Anthony Yacub and Raveenie Rajasingham.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
Liberal MP Jennifer O'Connell, right, with Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada. At least 22 Conservatives are interested in seeking the party's nomination in O'Connell's riding of Pickering-Uxbridge, Ont. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘The party wants this riding very badly’: at least 22 candidates consider run for Tory nomination in Liberal-held riding of Pickering-Uxbridge, Ont.  

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
  • The Greater Toronto Area riding is a target for the Conservatives in the next election, say potential candidates Anthony Yacub and Raveenie Rajasingham.

‘The party wants this riding very badly’: at least 22 candidates consider run for Tory nomination in Liberal-held riding of Pickering-Uxbridge, Ont.  

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
  • The Greater Toronto Area riding is a target for the Conservatives in the next election, say potential candidates Anthony Yacub and Raveenie Rajasingham.
Liberal MP Jennifer O'Connell, right, with Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada. At least 22 Conservatives are interested in seeking the party's nomination in O'Connell's riding of Pickering-Uxbridge, Ont. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With plunging polls and ongoing chatter, Trudeau could finalize future plans by February, says Liberal stalwart and Senator Percy Downe

  • There’s a lot of chattering going on within the Liberal Party about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s future plans and they all expect a decision
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 1, 2023
Prince Edward Island Senator Percy Downe says that considering the plunging polling numbers, Justin Trudeau could finalize his future plans by February. The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Munster

With plunging polls and ongoing chatter, Trudeau could finalize future plans by February, says Liberal stalwart and Senator Percy Downe

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 1, 2023
  • There’s a lot of chattering going on within the Liberal Party about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s future plans and they all expect a decision

With plunging polls and ongoing chatter, Trudeau could finalize future plans by February, says Liberal stalwart and Senator Percy Downe

News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 1, 2023
  • There’s a lot of chattering going on within the Liberal Party about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s future plans and they all expect a decision
Prince Edward Island Senator Percy Downe says that considering the plunging polling numbers, Justin Trudeau could finalize his future plans by February. The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Munster

Facing sharp caucus divisions on Hamas-Israel war, Trudeau deals with yet another challenge and a ‘disproportionate effect’ on Liberals, say political insiders

  • Because of diversity in the caucus and party base, the Liberals are facing a sharper divide on the Israel-Hamas conflict compared to other federal
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the Liberal caucus on Jan. 27. If the Liberals were strong in national polls, it would make it easier for Trudeau to handle the divisions of Canadians' opinions on Gaza, says Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Facing sharp caucus divisions on Hamas-Israel war, Trudeau deals with yet another challenge and a ‘disproportionate effect’ on Liberals, say political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
  • Because of diversity in the caucus and party base, the Liberals are facing a sharper divide on the Israel-Hamas conflict compared to other federal

Facing sharp caucus divisions on Hamas-Israel war, Trudeau deals with yet another challenge and a ‘disproportionate effect’ on Liberals, say political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
  • Because of diversity in the caucus and party base, the Liberals are facing a sharper divide on the Israel-Hamas conflict compared to other federal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the Liberal caucus on Jan. 27. If the Liberals were strong in national polls, it would make it easier for Trudeau to handle the divisions of Canadians' opinions on Gaza, says Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Politicians work in a fishbowl environment:’ MPs should talk about scaling back the role of officers of Parliament, says Savoie

  • It’s the job of Parliament to hold parliamentarians to account, not officers of Parliament, says Donald Savoie. He also says cabinet minsters should be
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
Donald Savoie is Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at the Université de Moncton. He says eight out of 10 Offices of Parliament should be eliminated, and parliamentary standing committees should be empowered to hold politicians to account. The Hill Times photograph by Abbas Rana

‘Politicians work in a fishbowl environment:’ MPs should talk about scaling back the role of officers of Parliament, says Savoie

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
  • It’s the job of Parliament to hold parliamentarians to account, not officers of Parliament, says Donald Savoie. He also says cabinet minsters should be

‘Politicians work in a fishbowl environment:’ MPs should talk about scaling back the role of officers of Parliament, says Savoie

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
  • It’s the job of Parliament to hold parliamentarians to account, not officers of Parliament, says Donald Savoie. He also says cabinet minsters should be
Donald Savoie is Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at the Université de Moncton. He says eight out of 10 Offices of Parliament should be eliminated, and parliamentary standing committees should be empowered to hold politicians to account. The Hill Times photograph by Abbas Rana

With plunging polling numbers, chatter of potential Liberal leadership election to succeed Trudeau starts again

  • Unless Pierre Poilievre or someone close to him makes a big error, polling numbers are unlikely to change for the Liberals, says Nik Nanos,
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
With tanking polling numbers, speculation has started again about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's political future and whether he's going to lead the party in the next election. Some speculate if the downward trend did not change by early next year, Trudeau may choose to take the walk in the snow like his father Pierre Elliott Trudeau did. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With plunging polling numbers, chatter of potential Liberal leadership election to succeed Trudeau starts again

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
  • Unless Pierre Poilievre or someone close to him makes a big error, polling numbers are unlikely to change for the Liberals, says Nik Nanos,

With plunging polling numbers, chatter of potential Liberal leadership election to succeed Trudeau starts again

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
  • Unless Pierre Poilievre or someone close to him makes a big error, polling numbers are unlikely to change for the Liberals, says Nik Nanos,
With tanking polling numbers, speculation has started again about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's political future and whether he's going to lead the party in the next election. Some speculate if the downward trend did not change by early next year, Trudeau may choose to take the walk in the snow like his father Pierre Elliott Trudeau did. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With social media a key player in political landscape, the roles of Canada’s political institutions need to be redefined, says Savoie

  • Canada needs to debate the merits and challenges of cabinet government, says Donald Savoie, in his new blockbuster book. He also says Canada is
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
The Prime Minister's Office, pictured. Donald Savoie says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not been able to deliver on a 2015 promise to bring back 'cabinet government,' adding that no prime minister can achieve this goal unless the merits and challenges of government in the new era of social media are redefined. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With social media a key player in political landscape, the roles of Canada’s political institutions need to be redefined, says Savoie

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
  • Canada needs to debate the merits and challenges of cabinet government, says Donald Savoie, in his new blockbuster book. He also says Canada is

With social media a key player in political landscape, the roles of Canada’s political institutions need to be redefined, says Savoie

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
  • Canada needs to debate the merits and challenges of cabinet government, says Donald Savoie, in his new blockbuster book. He also says Canada is
The Prime Minister's Office, pictured. Donald Savoie says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not been able to deliver on a 2015 promise to bring back 'cabinet government,' adding that no prime minister can achieve this goal unless the merits and challenges of government in the new era of social media are redefined. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Riding redistributions complete, Liberals start consulting EDAs on divisive issues of resource allocation

  • Any riding that has been changed by 30 percent or more will have to be reconstituted according to draft rules by the federal Liberal
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the national Liberal caucus on Jan. 27, 2023. Incumbent MPs want to know what the nomination rules will be for held ridings if the next election happens after April 1, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Riding redistributions complete, Liberals start consulting EDAs on divisive issues of resource allocation

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
  • Any riding that has been changed by 30 percent or more will have to be reconstituted according to draft rules by the federal Liberal

Riding redistributions complete, Liberals start consulting EDAs on divisive issues of resource allocation

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
  • Any riding that has been changed by 30 percent or more will have to be reconstituted according to draft rules by the federal Liberal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the national Liberal caucus on Jan. 27, 2023. Incumbent MPs want to know what the nomination rules will be for held ridings if the next election happens after April 1, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Prominent politicos eyeing Liberal nomination in coveted safe riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s

  • As interested parties jostle for position to succeed nine-term Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow says constituents would want to nominate
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
Former senior ministerial staffer Leslie Church, left, Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow, former city councillor Josh Colle, and former Ontario health minister Eric Hoskins are all eyeing the nomination in the safe Liberal riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont. Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn, the City of Toronto, X, and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Prominent politicos eyeing Liberal nomination in coveted safe riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
  • As interested parties jostle for position to succeed nine-term Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow says constituents would want to nominate

Prominent politicos eyeing Liberal nomination in coveted safe riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
  • As interested parties jostle for position to succeed nine-term Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow says constituents would want to nominate
Former senior ministerial staffer Leslie Church, left, Toronto city councillor Josh Matlow, former city councillor Josh Colle, and former Ontario health minister Eric Hoskins are all eyeing the nomination in the safe Liberal riding of Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont. Photograph courtesy of LinkedIn, the City of Toronto, X, and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For first time since 2015, next election expected to be a referendum on Trudeau’s leadership, say political players

  • Nik Nanos, CEO of Nanos Research, says the next election could be a referendum on Justin Trudeau's leadership or on whether Pierre Poilievre is
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 9, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Oct. 4, 2023, on the Hill. The next election will be a referendum on Trudeau's leadership and governance record, says Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For first time since 2015, next election expected to be a referendum on Trudeau’s leadership, say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 9, 2023
  • Nik Nanos, CEO of Nanos Research, says the next election could be a referendum on Justin Trudeau's leadership or on whether Pierre Poilievre is

For first time since 2015, next election expected to be a referendum on Trudeau’s leadership, say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 9, 2023
  • Nik Nanos, CEO of Nanos Research, says the next election could be a referendum on Justin Trudeau's leadership or on whether Pierre Poilievre is
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Oct. 4, 2023, on the Hill. The next election will be a referendum on Trudeau's leadership and governance record, says Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberal MP Fergus makes history, elected first Black Speaker of the House of Commons 

  • 'You're the first Black Canadian to become Speaker of this House,' said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his congratulatory speech after the Speaker’s election. 'This
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 3, 2023
Three-term Liberal MP Greg Fergus, pictured Oct. 3, 2023, in his first Speaker's Parade after being elected House Speaker shortly before Question Period. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberal MP Fergus makes history, elected first Black Speaker of the House of Commons 

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 3, 2023
  • 'You're the first Black Canadian to become Speaker of this House,' said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his congratulatory speech after the Speaker’s election. 'This

Liberal MP Fergus makes history, elected first Black Speaker of the House of Commons 

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 3, 2023
  • 'You're the first Black Canadian to become Speaker of this House,' said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his congratulatory speech after the Speaker’s election. 'This
Three-term Liberal MP Greg Fergus, pictured Oct. 3, 2023, in his first Speaker's Parade after being elected House Speaker shortly before Question Period. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Flush with cash, Poilievre’s Conservatives getting ‘massive advantage’ over other parties in election readiness, say political players

  • High fundraising numbers would help the Conservatives create efficient get-out-the-vote operations that could be critical in the outcome of marginal ridings, says Ipsos Public
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 2, 2023
Record-high fundraising is allowing Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives to spend millions of dollars pre-writ to prepare for the next election. The $3-million ad buy to introduce Poilievre to Canadians has paid dividends, says former Conservative party campaign director Fred Delorey. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Flush with cash, Poilievre’s Conservatives getting ‘massive advantage’ over other parties in election readiness, say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 2, 2023
  • High fundraising numbers would help the Conservatives create efficient get-out-the-vote operations that could be critical in the outcome of marginal ridings, says Ipsos Public

Flush with cash, Poilievre’s Conservatives getting ‘massive advantage’ over other parties in election readiness, say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 2, 2023
  • High fundraising numbers would help the Conservatives create efficient get-out-the-vote operations that could be critical in the outcome of marginal ridings, says Ipsos Public
Record-high fundraising is allowing Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives to spend millions of dollars pre-writ to prepare for the next election. The $3-million ad buy to introduce Poilievre to Canadians has paid dividends, says former Conservative party campaign director Fred Delorey. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Crowded field of candidates expected in House Speaker’s election on Oct. 3

  • To elect the new House speaker, MPs will vote in person using the ranked ballot system.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 29, 2023
Nine people are so far in the running to be the House Speaker: Liberal MPs Alexandra Mendès, top left, Stéphane Lauzon, Greg Fergus, Peter Schiefke, and Sean Casey; Conservative MPs Chris D’Entremont and Tom Kmiec; NDP MP Carol Hughes; and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Facebook and the House of Commons

Crowded field of candidates expected in House Speaker’s election on Oct. 3

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 29, 2023
  • To elect the new House speaker, MPs will vote in person using the ranked ballot system.

Crowded field of candidates expected in House Speaker’s election on Oct. 3

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 29, 2023
  • To elect the new House speaker, MPs will vote in person using the ranked ballot system.
Nine people are so far in the running to be the House Speaker: Liberal MPs Alexandra Mendès, top left, Stéphane Lauzon, Greg Fergus, Peter Schiefke, and Sean Casey; Conservative MPs Chris D’Entremont and Tom Kmiec; NDP MP Carol Hughes; and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Facebook and the House of Commons

Liberal MPs were ‘very, very tough’ and gave ‘straight goods’ to Trudeau at caucus meeting in London, Ont.

  • The meeting between the wider caucus and the prime minister was scheduled to last 30 minutes, but went on for two hours, according to
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
The Liberal Parliamentary caucus, pictured on Jan. 27, met for their summer retreat in London, Ont., earlier this month. Some Liberal MPs told The Hill Times that they were 'very direct and frank' in their feedback to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberal MPs were ‘very, very tough’ and gave ‘straight goods’ to Trudeau at caucus meeting in London, Ont.

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
  • The meeting between the wider caucus and the prime minister was scheduled to last 30 minutes, but went on for two hours, according to

Liberal MPs were ‘very, very tough’ and gave ‘straight goods’ to Trudeau at caucus meeting in London, Ont.

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
  • The meeting between the wider caucus and the prime minister was scheduled to last 30 minutes, but went on for two hours, according to
The Liberal Parliamentary caucus, pictured on Jan. 27, met for their summer retreat in London, Ont., earlier this month. Some Liberal MPs told The Hill Times that they were 'very direct and frank' in their feedback to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Solidarity with government over India claim provides a ‘temporary respite at best’ for Trudeau’s tanking popularity, say pollsters

  • If more details on the murder allegation are not released soon, the public’s focus will revert to affordability and housing issues, says Frank Graves,
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
The Justin Trudeau Liberals should use this breathing room to address affordability issues affecting people's daily lives, say pollsters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Solidarity with government over India claim provides a ‘temporary respite at best’ for Trudeau’s tanking popularity, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
  • If more details on the murder allegation are not released soon, the public’s focus will revert to affordability and housing issues, says Frank Graves,

Solidarity with government over India claim provides a ‘temporary respite at best’ for Trudeau’s tanking popularity, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
  • If more details on the murder allegation are not released soon, the public’s focus will revert to affordability and housing issues, says Frank Graves,
The Justin Trudeau Liberals should use this breathing room to address affordability issues affecting people's daily lives, say pollsters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘I feel like a physician giving bad news’: Trudeau needs to ‘up his game’ or risk losing to surging Poilievre, say pollsters

  • With the Liberals in trouble and caucus getting nervous and openly criticizing their leadership, it's up to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his party
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Liberals MPs are now openly criticizing the PMO's lack of direction. 'It's a really good proof-point for how much trouble the prime minister's in because two years ago, you couldn't have imagined that going on,' says Greg Lyle. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

‘I feel like a physician giving bad news’: Trudeau needs to ‘up his game’ or risk losing to surging Poilievre, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 18, 2023
  • With the Liberals in trouble and caucus getting nervous and openly criticizing their leadership, it's up to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his party

‘I feel like a physician giving bad news’: Trudeau needs to ‘up his game’ or risk losing to surging Poilievre, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 18, 2023
  • With the Liberals in trouble and caucus getting nervous and openly criticizing their leadership, it's up to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his party
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Liberals MPs are now openly criticizing the PMO's lack of direction. 'It's a really good proof-point for how much trouble the prime minister's in because two years ago, you couldn't have imagined that going on,' says Greg Lyle. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

One year in, Poilievre’s party-unity efforts on point, say pundits, Tory delegates

  • In addition to the leader's tone, the path to the next federal election will also be carved by the Conservative Party's newly elected national
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE, ABBAS RANA | September 13, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivers the keynote address at the party's policy convention in Québec City on Sept. 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

One year in, Poilievre’s party-unity efforts on point, say pundits, Tory delegates

News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE, ABBAS RANA | September 13, 2023
  • In addition to the leader's tone, the path to the next federal election will also be carved by the Conservative Party's newly elected national

One year in, Poilievre’s party-unity efforts on point, say pundits, Tory delegates

News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE, ABBAS RANA | September 13, 2023
  • In addition to the leader's tone, the path to the next federal election will also be carved by the Conservative Party's newly elected national
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre delivers the keynote address at the party's policy convention in Québec City on Sept. 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals’ tanking poll numbers ‘top of mind’ as Trudeau, Grits head to national caucus retreat

  • Pollster Greg Lyle says not only are the Liberals on the wrong side of the affordability issue, but he also sees ‘signs of a
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 11, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in Ottawa, will lead the national Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ont., this week, the first national caucus meeting since his July shakeup of the Liberal front bench. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals’ tanking poll numbers ‘top of mind’ as Trudeau, Grits head to national caucus retreat

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 11, 2023
  • Pollster Greg Lyle says not only are the Liberals on the wrong side of the affordability issue, but he also sees ‘signs of a

Liberals’ tanking poll numbers ‘top of mind’ as Trudeau, Grits head to national caucus retreat

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 11, 2023
  • Pollster Greg Lyle says not only are the Liberals on the wrong side of the affordability issue, but he also sees ‘signs of a
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in Ottawa, will lead the national Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ont., this week, the first national caucus meeting since his July shakeup of the Liberal front bench. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Happy Conservatives celebrate strong polling numbers, but some warn of ‘peaking too early’ and ‘increased scrutiny’

  • The federal Conservatives have no concerns about increased scrutiny because of their strong national public opinion polling numbers, says Hamish Marshall.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 9, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Sept. 8, 2023, speaking at the party's policy convention in Québec City. More than 2,000 Conservative delegates attended the convention. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Happy Conservatives celebrate strong polling numbers, but some warn of ‘peaking too early’ and ‘increased scrutiny’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 9, 2023
  • The federal Conservatives have no concerns about increased scrutiny because of their strong national public opinion polling numbers, says Hamish Marshall.

Happy Conservatives celebrate strong polling numbers, but some warn of ‘peaking too early’ and ‘increased scrutiny’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 9, 2023
  • The federal Conservatives have no concerns about increased scrutiny because of their strong national public opinion polling numbers, says Hamish Marshall.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Sept. 8, 2023, speaking at the party's policy convention in Québec City. More than 2,000 Conservative delegates attended the convention. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives reject resolution barring lobbyists and vendors seeking a national council position

  • Waseem Botros, a candidate for national council from Ontario, supported the resolution barring lobbyists and vendors from seeking a seat at the national council,
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2023
At the first national council meeting after its election, the new councillors will choose a new party president to succeed Rob Batherson, pictured, who is unable to run again after serving three terms. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives reject resolution barring lobbyists and vendors seeking a national council position

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2023
  • Waseem Botros, a candidate for national council from Ontario, supported the resolution barring lobbyists and vendors from seeking a seat at the national council,

Conservatives reject resolution barring lobbyists and vendors seeking a national council position

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2023
  • Waseem Botros, a candidate for national council from Ontario, supported the resolution barring lobbyists and vendors from seeking a seat at the national council,
At the first national council meeting after its election, the new councillors will choose a new party president to succeed Rob Batherson, pictured, who is unable to run again after serving three terms. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Energy in the air’: Conservative Party members strike positive tone as Quebec City convention kicks off

  • More than 2,500 people are on site in Quebec's capital for what party president Rob Batherson says is the ‘kick start, the jumping-off point’
News | BY ABBAS RANA, MIKE LAPOINTE | September 7, 2023
Delegates pick up programs at the Conservative Party of Canada policy convention in Quebec City's Centre des congrès de Québec on Sept. 7, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Energy in the air’: Conservative Party members strike positive tone as Quebec City convention kicks off

News | BY ABBAS RANA, MIKE LAPOINTE | September 7, 2023
  • More than 2,500 people are on site in Quebec's capital for what party president Rob Batherson says is the ‘kick start, the jumping-off point’

‘Energy in the air’: Conservative Party members strike positive tone as Quebec City convention kicks off

News | BY ABBAS RANA, MIKE LAPOINTE | September 7, 2023
  • More than 2,500 people are on site in Quebec's capital for what party president Rob Batherson says is the ‘kick start, the jumping-off point’
Delegates pick up programs at the Conservative Party of Canada policy convention in Quebec City's Centre des congrès de Québec on Sept. 7, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives’ polling lead ‘still fundamentally about the Liberals,’ as fatigue sets in with incumbents, say pollsters

  • A new ad pitch to soften Pierre Poilievre’s image will only work if it's backed by the Conservative leader’s actions, according to former Liberal
News | BY ABBAS RANA, STEPHEN JEFFERY | August 14, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. A run of strong survey numbers for the Conservative Party is as much about voters growing jaded with the governing Liberals and Trudeau as it is about enthusiasm for the official opposition, according to some pollsters. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservatives’ polling lead ‘still fundamentally about the Liberals,’ as fatigue sets in with incumbents, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA, STEPHEN JEFFERY | August 14, 2023
  • A new ad pitch to soften Pierre Poilievre’s image will only work if it's backed by the Conservative leader’s actions, according to former Liberal

Conservatives’ polling lead ‘still fundamentally about the Liberals,’ as fatigue sets in with incumbents, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA, STEPHEN JEFFERY | August 14, 2023
  • A new ad pitch to soften Pierre Poilievre’s image will only work if it's backed by the Conservative leader’s actions, according to former Liberal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. A run of strong survey numbers for the Conservative Party is as much about voters growing jaded with the governing Liberals and Trudeau as it is about enthusiasm for the official opposition, according to some pollsters. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

In anticipation of a potential spring 2024 election, Conservatives start nominations in 221 unheld ridings

  • A proposed resolution up for debate at next month’s policy convention calls for Conservative electoral district groups to have a veto over candidate rejection
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 14, 2023
For the first time since the 2018 policy convention in Halifax, the Conservatives will meet in-person for their biennial policy conference in Quebec City from Sept. 7-9. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In anticipation of a potential spring 2024 election, Conservatives start nominations in 221 unheld ridings

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 14, 2023
  • A proposed resolution up for debate at next month’s policy convention calls for Conservative electoral district groups to have a veto over candidate rejection

In anticipation of a potential spring 2024 election, Conservatives start nominations in 221 unheld ridings

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 14, 2023
  • A proposed resolution up for debate at next month’s policy convention calls for Conservative electoral district groups to have a veto over candidate rejection
For the first time since the 2018 policy convention in Halifax, the Conservatives will meet in-person for their biennial policy conference in Quebec City from Sept. 7-9. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Some backbench Liberal MPs ‘livid’ with Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle, say PMO ‘couldn’t have done a better job at undermining caucus morale’ 

  • It’s not unusual for passed over MPs to be unhappy after a cabinet shuffle, says senior government relations consultant Greg MacEachern.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 7, 2023
On July 26, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau undertook the biggest revamp of his cabinet since coming to power in 2015. About 80 per cent of ministers were affected by the shuffle in some way. Trudeau promoted seven backbench MPs to replace seven ministers four of whom were not re-offering while three others were dropped. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Some backbench Liberal MPs ‘livid’ with Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle, say PMO ‘couldn’t have done a better job at undermining caucus morale’ 

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 7, 2023
  • It’s not unusual for passed over MPs to be unhappy after a cabinet shuffle, says senior government relations consultant Greg MacEachern.

Some backbench Liberal MPs ‘livid’ with Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle, say PMO ‘couldn’t have done a better job at undermining caucus morale’ 

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 7, 2023
  • It’s not unusual for passed over MPs to be unhappy after a cabinet shuffle, says senior government relations consultant Greg MacEachern.
On July 26, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau undertook the biggest revamp of his cabinet since coming to power in 2015. About 80 per cent of ministers were affected by the shuffle in some way. Trudeau promoted seven backbench MPs to replace seven ministers four of whom were not re-offering while three others were dropped. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘I really feel for the Trudeaus’: after 18 years of marriage, PM and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau split up

  • Public life creates ‘a whole different level’ of challenge for a marriage, says former Liberal staffer Greg MacEachern.
News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | August 2, 2023
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, left, Justin Trudeau, with their children Ella-Grace and Xavier, when Trudeau won the Liberal leadership in Ottawa on April 14, 2013. Both Grégoire Trudeau and the PM released identical statements on Instagram announcing that they were separating on Aug. 2. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

‘I really feel for the Trudeaus’: after 18 years of marriage, PM and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau split up

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | August 2, 2023
  • Public life creates ‘a whole different level’ of challenge for a marriage, says former Liberal staffer Greg MacEachern.

‘I really feel for the Trudeaus’: after 18 years of marriage, PM and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau split up

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | August 2, 2023
  • Public life creates ‘a whole different level’ of challenge for a marriage, says former Liberal staffer Greg MacEachern.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, left, Justin Trudeau, with their children Ella-Grace and Xavier, when Trudeau won the Liberal leadership in Ottawa on April 14, 2013. Both Grégoire Trudeau and the PM released identical statements on Instagram announcing that they were separating on Aug. 2. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

‘Ya gotta dance with the one that brung ya!’ Next election expected to be a ‘game of margins,’ Trudeau ‘doubles down’ on Liberal ‘red wall’ in cabinet shuffle, say politicos

  • In a ‘deeply divided and fragmented electorate,’ all parties are ‘playing on the margins’ and every seat counts, says Abacus Data CEO David Coletto.
News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 31, 2023
Arif Virani makes his way to be sworn in as minister of justice. In an attempt to reset his government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet on July 26, choosing 87 per cent of his new front bench from the Liberal 'red wall' regions of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Ya gotta dance with the one that brung ya!’ Next election expected to be a ‘game of margins,’ Trudeau ‘doubles down’ on Liberal ‘red wall’ in cabinet shuffle, say politicos

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 31, 2023
  • In a ‘deeply divided and fragmented electorate,’ all parties are ‘playing on the margins’ and every seat counts, says Abacus Data CEO David Coletto.

‘Ya gotta dance with the one that brung ya!’ Next election expected to be a ‘game of margins,’ Trudeau ‘doubles down’ on Liberal ‘red wall’ in cabinet shuffle, say politicos

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 31, 2023
  • In a ‘deeply divided and fragmented electorate,’ all parties are ‘playing on the margins’ and every seat counts, says Abacus Data CEO David Coletto.
Arif Virani makes his way to be sworn in as minister of justice. In an attempt to reset his government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet on July 26, choosing 87 per cent of his new front bench from the Liberal 'red wall' regions of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

To blunt Poilievre’s outreach in cultural communities, Trudeau gives high-profile cabinet roles to MPs with diverse backgrounds, say some senior Liberals 

  • To put a stop to Pierre Poilievre’s aggressive efforts to court cultural communities, Justin Trudeau has given senior roles to MPs with diverse backgrounds
News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 26, 2023
Arif Virani, right, joined the cabinet on July 26, 2023, in the role of minister of justice and attorney general. Harjit Sajjan, left, was moved to a new role in cabinet as minster of emergency preparedness. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

To blunt Poilievre’s outreach in cultural communities, Trudeau gives high-profile cabinet roles to MPs with diverse backgrounds, say some senior Liberals 

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 26, 2023
  • To put a stop to Pierre Poilievre’s aggressive efforts to court cultural communities, Justin Trudeau has given senior roles to MPs with diverse backgrounds

To blunt Poilievre’s outreach in cultural communities, Trudeau gives high-profile cabinet roles to MPs with diverse backgrounds, say some senior Liberals 

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 26, 2023
  • To put a stop to Pierre Poilievre’s aggressive efforts to court cultural communities, Justin Trudeau has given senior roles to MPs with diverse backgrounds
Arif Virani, right, joined the cabinet on July 26, 2023, in the role of minister of justice and attorney general. Harjit Sajjan, left, was moved to a new role in cabinet as minster of emergency preparedness. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Cabinet shuffle would trigger ‘domino effect’ on ministerial staffers, parliamentary secretaries, and House committees, say insiders

  • The August cabinet retreat in Charlottetown will be a chance for ministers to hear from Islanders what’s on their minds, says former Liberal MP
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured June 5, 2023, in Ottawa, is expected to shuffle his 39-member cabinet before the August long weekend. If the shuffle is substantial, it could cause major changes in the ranks of cabinet ministerial staffers, parliamentary secretaries and MPs' committee assignments, says former Liberal MP Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Cabinet shuffle would trigger ‘domino effect’ on ministerial staffers, parliamentary secretaries, and House committees, say insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
  • The August cabinet retreat in Charlottetown will be a chance for ministers to hear from Islanders what’s on their minds, says former Liberal MP

Cabinet shuffle would trigger ‘domino effect’ on ministerial staffers, parliamentary secretaries, and House committees, say insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
  • The August cabinet retreat in Charlottetown will be a chance for ministers to hear from Islanders what’s on their minds, says former Liberal MP
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured June 5, 2023, in Ottawa, is expected to shuffle his 39-member cabinet before the August long weekend. If the shuffle is substantial, it could cause major changes in the ranks of cabinet ministerial staffers, parliamentary secretaries and MPs' committee assignments, says former Liberal MP Joe Jordan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative policy resolution wants to bar lobbyists from having a seat on party’s most powerful governing body

  • But Garry Keller, a former senior Tory staffer turned lobbyist, says it would be a mistake to disallow lobbyists to run for the national
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
The Sept. 7-9 Conservative Party policy convention will take place in Québec City, where thousands of delegates will debate and vote on policy and constitution resolutions, and elect a new national council. This is the first time since 2005 this event has taken place in Quebec. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen

Conservative policy resolution wants to bar lobbyists from having a seat on party’s most powerful governing body

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
  • But Garry Keller, a former senior Tory staffer turned lobbyist, says it would be a mistake to disallow lobbyists to run for the national

Conservative policy resolution wants to bar lobbyists from having a seat on party’s most powerful governing body

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
  • But Garry Keller, a former senior Tory staffer turned lobbyist, says it would be a mistake to disallow lobbyists to run for the national
The Sept. 7-9 Conservative Party policy convention will take place in Québec City, where thousands of delegates will debate and vote on policy and constitution resolutions, and elect a new national council. This is the first time since 2005 this event has taken place in Quebec. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen

Trudeau expected to shuffle his cabinet before Aug. 5 long weekend, say Liberal sources

  • Justin Trudeau’s newly shuffled front bench is expected to hold its summer retreat on Aug. 21-23 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., according to several Liberal sources.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could shuffle his cabinet as early as next week, say Liberal sources. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau expected to shuffle his cabinet before Aug. 5 long weekend, say Liberal sources