Friday, December 1, 2023
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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.

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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 27, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 24, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 13, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 6, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | November 1, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 30, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 23, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 16, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 9, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 3, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | October 2, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 29, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 25, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 18, 2023
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
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
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE, ABBAS RANA | September 13, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 11, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 9, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA, MIKE LAPOINTE | September 7, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA, STEPHEN JEFFERY | August 14, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 14, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 7, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | August 2, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 31, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA, IAN CAMPBELL | July 26, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
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
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
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 24, 2023
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
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