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Thursday, September 11, 2025

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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.

Former Liberal MP Sorbara joins Finance Minister Champagne’s office

  • Francesco Sorbara is expected to start his new job in Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s office this week, according to Audrey Milette, Champagne's director of
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2025
Former three-term Liberal MP Francesco Sorbara is joining Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's office as an exempt ministerial staffer. He's expected to start his new job this week. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Former Liberal MP Sorbara joins Finance Minister Champagne’s office

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2025
  • Francesco Sorbara is expected to start his new job in Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s office this week, according to Audrey Milette, Champagne's director of

Former Liberal MP Sorbara joins Finance Minister Champagne’s office

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2025
  • Francesco Sorbara is expected to start his new job in Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s office this week, according to Audrey Milette, Champagne's director of
Former three-term Liberal MP Francesco Sorbara is joining Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne's office as an exempt ministerial staffer. He's expected to start his new job this week. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Some Conservative Party members bristle at use of ‘abridgement’ rule in delegate selection process for convention

  • The delegate selection rules are in effect on Sept. 8 and will end on Nov. 30, according to the rules for the Calgary biennial
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2025
Each of the 343 ridings across the country can send up to 12 delegates to the Jan. 29-31, 2026, biennial policy convention in Calgary, Alta. These delegates will vote on the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, centre, and take part in policy debates. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Some Conservative Party members bristle at use of ‘abridgement’ rule in delegate selection process for convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2025
  • The delegate selection rules are in effect on Sept. 8 and will end on Nov. 30, according to the rules for the Calgary biennial

Some Conservative Party members bristle at use of ‘abridgement’ rule in delegate selection process for convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 8, 2025
  • The delegate selection rules are in effect on Sept. 8 and will end on Nov. 30, according to the rules for the Calgary biennial
Each of the 343 ridings across the country can send up to 12 delegates to the Jan. 29-31, 2026, biennial policy convention in Calgary, Alta. These delegates will vote on the leadership of Pierre Poilievre, centre, and take part in policy debates. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Podcast interview not enough: campaign director Byrne should speak to national council about her future role with the party, say senior Conservatives

  • After skipping two national council meetings, Jenni Byrne attended the Aug. 17 meeting where delegate selection rules were passed.
News | BY ABBAS RANA, MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
Jenni Byrne, who managed the Conservatives' 2024 election campaign, has yet to speak directly to the national council or the national caucus about the party’s election loss or her future plans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Podcast interview not enough: campaign director Byrne should speak to national council about her future role with the party, say senior Conservatives

News | BY ABBAS RANA, MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
  • After skipping two national council meetings, Jenni Byrne attended the Aug. 17 meeting where delegate selection rules were passed.

Podcast interview not enough: campaign director Byrne should speak to national council about her future role with the party, say senior Conservatives

News | BY ABBAS RANA, MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
  • After skipping two national council meetings, Jenni Byrne attended the Aug. 17 meeting where delegate selection rules were passed.
Jenni Byrne, who managed the Conservatives' 2024 election campaign, has yet to speak directly to the national council or the national caucus about the party’s election loss or her future plans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pitfield still in principal secretary post seven weeks after Lametti took on job

  • Incoming PMO principal secretary David Lametti started his new job in mid-July but outgoing principal secretary Tom Pitfield is staying on for at least
News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 1, 2025
Seven weeks after David Lametti, left, was named incoming principal secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Tom Pitfield remains in the role with no firm exit date set for the senior aide to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Lametti photograph by The Hill Times; Pitfield photograph courtesy of X

Pitfield still in principal secretary post seven weeks after Lametti took on job

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 1, 2025
  • Incoming PMO principal secretary David Lametti started his new job in mid-July but outgoing principal secretary Tom Pitfield is staying on for at least

Pitfield still in principal secretary post seven weeks after Lametti took on job

News | BY ABBAS RANA | September 1, 2025
  • Incoming PMO principal secretary David Lametti started his new job in mid-July but outgoing principal secretary Tom Pitfield is staying on for at least
Seven weeks after David Lametti, left, was named incoming principal secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Tom Pitfield remains in the role with no firm exit date set for the senior aide to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Lametti photograph by The Hill Times; Pitfield photograph courtesy of X

Conservatives’ ad hoc nomination rules committee for next election to report back to national council in September, say sources

  • Saskatchewan Conservative MP Warren Steinley is a non-voting member of the national council’s subcommittee on nomination rules, say Conservative sources.
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

Conservatives’ ad hoc nomination rules committee for next election to report back to national council in September, say sources

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 25, 2025
  • Saskatchewan Conservative MP Warren Steinley is a non-voting member of the national council’s subcommittee on nomination rules, say Conservative sources.

Conservatives’ ad hoc nomination rules committee for next election to report back to national council in September, say sources

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 25, 2025
  • Saskatchewan Conservative MP Warren Steinley is a non-voting member of the national council’s subcommittee on nomination rules, say Conservative sources.
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

From power corridors to fiction world: former deputy minister Sheikh pens second novel

  • Munir Sheikh shared his upcoming book's message and memories of working with now-Prime Minister Mark Carney as bureaucrats at Finance.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
Former chief statistician Munir Sheikh has penned his second novel entitled, '2047: The Story of an American Revolution'. He spoke to The Hill Times about the book, and why he stepped away from his role as Canada's chief statistician in 2010. Photograph courtesy of Munir Sheikh

From power corridors to fiction world: former deputy minister Sheikh pens second novel

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
  • Munir Sheikh shared his upcoming book's message and memories of working with now-Prime Minister Mark Carney as bureaucrats at Finance.

From power corridors to fiction world: former deputy minister Sheikh pens second novel

News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
  • Munir Sheikh shared his upcoming book's message and memories of working with now-Prime Minister Mark Carney as bureaucrats at Finance.
Former chief statistician Munir Sheikh has penned his second novel entitled, '2047: The Story of an American Revolution'. He spoke to The Hill Times about the book, and why he stepped away from his role as Canada's chief statistician in 2010. Photograph courtesy of Munir Sheikh

AI coming at public service like a ‘freight train at a tremendous speed’ and it could mean thousands of job losses, says Savoie

  • Dealing with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence to the public service is ‘critical,’ but there is little evidence to show that top government
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 21, 2025
Senior public service officials must take the looming threat of AI seriously, as it could result in thousands of job losses, says professor Donald Savoie, an expert in the machinery of government. The Hill Times photograph by Abbas Rana

AI coming at public service like a ‘freight train at a tremendous speed’ and it could mean thousands of job losses, says Savoie

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 21, 2025
  • Dealing with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence to the public service is ‘critical,’ but there is little evidence to show that top government

AI coming at public service like a ‘freight train at a tremendous speed’ and it could mean thousands of job losses, says Savoie

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 21, 2025
  • Dealing with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence to the public service is ‘critical,’ but there is little evidence to show that top government
Senior public service officials must take the looming threat of AI seriously, as it could result in thousands of job losses, says professor Donald Savoie, an expert in the machinery of government. The Hill Times photograph by Abbas Rana

Liberals’ shift from progressive to right of centre a ‘reflection of where people are today,’ say some Grit MPs

  • The national Liberal caucus retreat in September will offer a clearer picture of how caucus members are responding to their party’s shift from a
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney at a May 25 caucus meeting on the Hill. 'Everyone is progressive until they can't pay the bills,' one Liberal MP said regarding the party’s recent shift from left to right-of-centre, proof of its flexibility which has made it one of the world’s most successful political parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals’ shift from progressive to right of centre a ‘reflection of where people are today,’ say some Grit MPs

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 21, 2025
  • The national Liberal caucus retreat in September will offer a clearer picture of how caucus members are responding to their party’s shift from a

Liberals’ shift from progressive to right of centre a ‘reflection of where people are today,’ say some Grit MPs

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 21, 2025
  • The national Liberal caucus retreat in September will offer a clearer picture of how caucus members are responding to their party’s shift from a
Prime Minister Mark Carney at a May 25 caucus meeting on the Hill. 'Everyone is progressive until they can't pay the bills,' one Liberal MP said regarding the party’s recent shift from left to right-of-centre, proof of its flexibility which has made it one of the world’s most successful political parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative MP Khanna mobilizing support for Poilievre’s upcoming leadership review, say Conservative sources

  • The Conservative ‘movement is bigger, stronger and more energized than ever’ under Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, says Conservative MP Arpan Khanna.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 14, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, pictured with his wife Anaida Poilievre on April 28 in Ottawa, is set to face a mandatory leadership review at the Calgary convention in January, as required by the party constitution following an electoral defeat. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Conservative MP Khanna mobilizing support for Poilievre’s upcoming leadership review, say Conservative sources

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 14, 2025
  • The Conservative ‘movement is bigger, stronger and more energized than ever’ under Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, says Conservative MP Arpan Khanna.

Conservative MP Khanna mobilizing support for Poilievre’s upcoming leadership review, say Conservative sources

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 14, 2025
  • The Conservative ‘movement is bigger, stronger and more energized than ever’ under Pierre Poilievre’s leadership, says Conservative MP Arpan Khanna.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, pictured with his wife Anaida Poilievre on April 28 in Ottawa, is set to face a mandatory leadership review at the Calgary convention in January, as required by the party constitution following an electoral defeat. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

As Ontario Liberal Leader Crombie faces review, Liberal MP Erskine-Smith opens door for ‘renewal’ in provincial leadership: email

  • Kingston Liberal MPP Ted Hsu says he supports Bonnie Crombie as the party leader, but would leave it up to party delegates to vote
News | BY ABBAS RANA, STUART BENSON | July 10, 2025
Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith is opening up the debate for ‘renewal’ in Ontario provincial leadership, according to an email obtained by The Hill Times. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

As Ontario Liberal Leader Crombie faces review, Liberal MP Erskine-Smith opens door for ‘renewal’ in provincial leadership: email

News | BY ABBAS RANA, STUART BENSON | July 10, 2025
  • Kingston Liberal MPP Ted Hsu says he supports Bonnie Crombie as the party leader, but would leave it up to party delegates to vote

As Ontario Liberal Leader Crombie faces review, Liberal MP Erskine-Smith opens door for ‘renewal’ in provincial leadership: email

News | BY ABBAS RANA, STUART BENSON | July 10, 2025
  • Kingston Liberal MPP Ted Hsu says he supports Bonnie Crombie as the party leader, but would leave it up to party delegates to vote
Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith is opening up the debate for ‘renewal’ in Ontario provincial leadership, according to an email obtained by The Hill Times. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Chants of ‘shame’ erupt at Conservative AGM in GTA after organizer ‘unfairly’ disqualifies a slate of 30 candidates

  • Multiple Conservative EDA members in Mississauga-Erin Mills, Ont., want the party’s national council to annul the results of the June 25 AGM after they
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 7, 2025
Between 80 and 90 Conservative riding association members for Mississauga–Erin Mills, Ont., attended the June 25 annual general meeting. Many party members chanted 'shame, shame, shame' after a GTA regional organizer disqualified a slate of 30 candidates from running for the riding's board of directors. Photograph supplied by a Conservative Party member

Chants of ‘shame’ erupt at Conservative AGM in GTA after organizer ‘unfairly’ disqualifies a slate of 30 candidates

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 7, 2025
  • Multiple Conservative EDA members in Mississauga-Erin Mills, Ont., want the party’s national council to annul the results of the June 25 AGM after they

Chants of ‘shame’ erupt at Conservative AGM in GTA after organizer ‘unfairly’ disqualifies a slate of 30 candidates

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 7, 2025
  • Multiple Conservative EDA members in Mississauga-Erin Mills, Ont., want the party’s national council to annul the results of the June 25 AGM after they
Between 80 and 90 Conservative riding association members for Mississauga–Erin Mills, Ont., attended the June 25 annual general meeting. Many party members chanted 'shame, shame, shame' after a GTA regional organizer disqualified a slate of 30 candidates from running for the riding's board of directors. Photograph supplied by a Conservative Party member

Carney Liberals missed winning majority by only 60 votes despite 19.5-million votes cast in last election, say pollsters

  • The April 28 election proved yet again why ground game is critical in the outcome of every election, says pollster Nik Nanos.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 7, 2025
Just 60 more votes in three ridings—out of the 19.5 million cast in the last election—could have delivered a majority for Mark Carney's Liberals, says pollster Nik Nanos. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney Liberals missed winning majority by only 60 votes despite 19.5-million votes cast in last election, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 7, 2025
  • The April 28 election proved yet again why ground game is critical in the outcome of every election, says pollster Nik Nanos.

Carney Liberals missed winning majority by only 60 votes despite 19.5-million votes cast in last election, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | July 7, 2025
  • The April 28 election proved yet again why ground game is critical in the outcome of every election, says pollster Nik Nanos.
Just 60 more votes in three ridings—out of the 19.5 million cast in the last election—could have delivered a majority for Mark Carney's Liberals, says pollster Nik Nanos. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Frustrated with party’s nominations process, former Alberta Conservative national councillor mulls comeback: ‘the worst I saw was in Calgary Skyview’

  • The national council has reduced itself to a mere ‘housekeeping’ role and has allowed itself to be ‘bullied’ by senior party and campaign officials.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 30, 2025
Pierre Poilievre will have his leadership reviewed at the Conservative Party's biennial policy convention in Calgary, Alta., between Jan. 29-31, 2026. The party will also elect new 20 national councillors at the event. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Frustrated with party’s nominations process, former Alberta Conservative national councillor mulls comeback: ‘the worst I saw was in Calgary Skyview’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 30, 2025
  • The national council has reduced itself to a mere ‘housekeeping’ role and has allowed itself to be ‘bullied’ by senior party and campaign officials.

Frustrated with party’s nominations process, former Alberta Conservative national councillor mulls comeback: ‘the worst I saw was in Calgary Skyview’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 30, 2025
  • The national council has reduced itself to a mere ‘housekeeping’ role and has allowed itself to be ‘bullied’ by senior party and campaign officials.
Pierre Poilievre will have his leadership reviewed at the Conservative Party's biennial policy convention in Calgary, Alta., between Jan. 29-31, 2026. The party will also elect new 20 national councillors at the event. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians like what they hear so far on affordability and U.S. trade war, but Carney will have to deliver results soon, say pollsters

  • The coming six months will be critical for Prime Minister Mark Carney, and for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to regain lost political ground, says
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 29, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, has had a strong start during the post-election honeymoon period, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party need to do some soul-searching about how they can take themselves to the next level. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians like what they hear so far on affordability and U.S. trade war, but Carney will have to deliver results soon, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 29, 2025
  • The coming six months will be critical for Prime Minister Mark Carney, and for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to regain lost political ground, says

Canadians like what they hear so far on affordability and U.S. trade war, but Carney will have to deliver results soon, say pollsters

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 29, 2025
  • The coming six months will be critical for Prime Minister Mark Carney, and for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to regain lost political ground, says
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, has had a strong start during the post-election honeymoon period, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party need to do some soul-searching about how they can take themselves to the next level. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Very, very unhappy’ with his party’s handling of nominations, former Conservative Senate leader Plett not ruling out running for national council

  • The Conservative Party’s national council has internally established an ad hoc committee to review party nomination rules for the next election cycle, say Conservative
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 23, 2025
Former Conservative Senate leader and past party president Don Plett, pictured on the Hill on May 7, 2025, is not ruling out a potential run for national council at the January biennial policy convention in Calgary. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘Very, very unhappy’ with his party’s handling of nominations, former Conservative Senate leader Plett not ruling out running for national council

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 23, 2025
  • The Conservative Party’s national council has internally established an ad hoc committee to review party nomination rules for the next election cycle, say Conservative

‘Very, very unhappy’ with his party’s handling of nominations, former Conservative Senate leader Plett not ruling out running for national council

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 23, 2025
  • The Conservative Party’s national council has internally established an ad hoc committee to review party nomination rules for the next election cycle, say Conservative
Former Conservative Senate leader and past party president Don Plett, pictured on the Hill on May 7, 2025, is not ruling out a potential run for national council at the January biennial policy convention in Calgary. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Conservative campaign director Jenni Byrne’s absence from first national council meeting following election loss raises some eyebrows

  • Jenni Byrne, the Conservative campaign director under fire within the party over its April 28 election loss, has been representing the leader at national
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 17, 2025
Conservative campaign director Jenni Byrne, pictured on the Hill on May 11, 2023, has been representing leader Pierre Poilievre at national council meetings since 2022, but did not attend the June 4 meeting. She told The Hill Times that her absence was due to a prior commitment, and confirmed she will attend the next one. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative campaign director Jenni Byrne’s absence from first national council meeting following election loss raises some eyebrows

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 17, 2025
  • Jenni Byrne, the Conservative campaign director under fire within the party over its April 28 election loss, has been representing the leader at national

Conservative campaign director Jenni Byrne’s absence from first national council meeting following election loss raises some eyebrows

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 17, 2025
  • Jenni Byrne, the Conservative campaign director under fire within the party over its April 28 election loss, has been representing the leader at national
Conservative campaign director Jenni Byrne, pictured on the Hill on May 11, 2023, has been representing leader Pierre Poilievre at national council meetings since 2022, but did not attend the June 4 meeting. She told The Hill Times that her absence was due to a prior commitment, and confirmed she will attend the next one. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With three top players in Carney government lacking political experience, caucus feedback critical to show ‘human side’ of politics, say experts

  • Mark Carney, Marc-André Blanchard, and Michael Sabia have extensive public service experience which will prove to be an asset in delivering on the government’s
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 16, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney should use the national Liberal caucus as a sounding board before introducing any policy or legislation to better gauge how Canadians might respond, says Donald Savoie, one of the country's leading experts on government machinery. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With three top players in Carney government lacking political experience, caucus feedback critical to show ‘human side’ of politics, say experts

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 16, 2025
  • Mark Carney, Marc-André Blanchard, and Michael Sabia have extensive public service experience which will prove to be an asset in delivering on the government’s

With three top players in Carney government lacking political experience, caucus feedback critical to show ‘human side’ of politics, say experts

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 16, 2025
  • Mark Carney, Marc-André Blanchard, and Michael Sabia have extensive public service experience which will prove to be an asset in delivering on the government’s
Prime Minister Mark Carney should use the national Liberal caucus as a sounding board before introducing any policy or legislation to better gauge how Canadians might respond, says Donald Savoie, one of the country's leading experts on government machinery. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre is reaching out to unsuccessful candidates for feedback, say Conservatives: ‘he’s doing a post-mortem himself’

  • The Conservative campaign team ‘missed the moment’ rather than rising to meet it—ultimately losing the 2025 election, says an unsuccessful Conservative candidate.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 16, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured June 10 on the Hill, has been reaching out to candidates of record from the last election to get their feedback on why the party fell short, and to find out whether they are planning to run in the next campaign, say Conservatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre is reaching out to unsuccessful candidates for feedback, say Conservatives: ‘he’s doing a post-mortem himself’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 16, 2025
  • The Conservative campaign team ‘missed the moment’ rather than rising to meet it—ultimately losing the 2025 election, says an unsuccessful Conservative candidate.

Poilievre is reaching out to unsuccessful candidates for feedback, say Conservatives: ‘he’s doing a post-mortem himself’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 16, 2025
  • The Conservative campaign team ‘missed the moment’ rather than rising to meet it—ultimately losing the 2025 election, says an unsuccessful Conservative candidate.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured June 10 on the Hill, has been reaching out to candidates of record from the last election to get their feedback on why the party fell short, and to find out whether they are planning to run in the next campaign, say Conservatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PMO staffers no longer allowed inside national Liberal caucus meetings, say Liberal MPs: ‘that’s how it should be’

  • Former prime minister Justin Trudeau allowed PMO staffers in the room, but that is no longer the case under Mark Carney, whom MPs say
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 9, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured addressing the national Liberal caucus on May 25. With no staffers in the mix, MPs 'get to speak to the leader, and that's how it should be,' says longtime Liberal MP Hedy Fry. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PMO staffers no longer allowed inside national Liberal caucus meetings, say Liberal MPs: ‘that’s how it should be’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 9, 2025
  • Former prime minister Justin Trudeau allowed PMO staffers in the room, but that is no longer the case under Mark Carney, whom MPs say

PMO staffers no longer allowed inside national Liberal caucus meetings, say Liberal MPs: ‘that’s how it should be’

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 9, 2025
  • Former prime minister Justin Trudeau allowed PMO staffers in the room, but that is no longer the case under Mark Carney, whom MPs say
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured addressing the national Liberal caucus on May 25. With no staffers in the mix, MPs 'get to speak to the leader, and that's how it should be,' says longtime Liberal MP Hedy Fry. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Some shut-out Conservative candidates plan to press national councillors over 2025 nominations at upcoming convention

  • The Conservative Party's national council is scheduled to meet on June 14 for its quarterly meeting, where it will decide, among other issues, the
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 9, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on Parliament Hill on May 28, will face a mandatory leadership review at the next policy convention. The party’s 20-member national council is expected to firm up the date and location of the convention at its scheduled June 14 meeting in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Some shut-out Conservative candidates plan to press national councillors over 2025 nominations at upcoming convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 9, 2025
  • The Conservative Party's national council is scheduled to meet on June 14 for its quarterly meeting, where it will decide, among other issues, the

Some shut-out Conservative candidates plan to press national councillors over 2025 nominations at upcoming convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 9, 2025
  • The Conservative Party's national council is scheduled to meet on June 14 for its quarterly meeting, where it will decide, among other issues, the
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on Parliament Hill on May 28, will face a mandatory leadership review at the next policy convention. The party’s 20-member national council is expected to firm up the date and location of the convention at its scheduled June 14 meeting in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s success hinges on effective caucus management, but he has struggled so far, say some Liberal MPs

  • At last week’s national caucus meeting, staffers were barred from attending, and Liberal MPs discussed ways to improve the structure of future weekly meetings,
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 2, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the May 25 national caucus meeting on Parliament Hill. At last week’s national caucus meeting—held without any staffers—Liberal MPs discussed how to improve the structure of weekly meetings, Liberal sources told The Hill Times. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s success hinges on effective caucus management, but he has struggled so far, say some Liberal MPs

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 2, 2025
  • At last week’s national caucus meeting, staffers were barred from attending, and Liberal MPs discussed ways to improve the structure of future weekly meetings,

Carney’s success hinges on effective caucus management, but he has struggled so far, say some Liberal MPs

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 2, 2025
  • At last week’s national caucus meeting, staffers were barred from attending, and Liberal MPs discussed ways to improve the structure of future weekly meetings,
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the May 25 national caucus meeting on Parliament Hill. At last week’s national caucus meeting—held without any staffers—Liberal MPs discussed how to improve the structure of weekly meetings, Liberal sources told The Hill Times. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

To advance House business, Carney’s Liberals may bypass Bloc in the Commons, but not in committees, says Bloc House Leader Normandin

  • The governing Liberals want to work with both the Conservatives and the Bloc in committees, say Liberal MPs Judy Sgro and Kevin Lamoureux.
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 1, 2025
Holding the balance of power in House committees, the Bloc Québécois plans to use its parliamentary leverage to promote Quebec’s interests, says Bloc House Leader Christine Normandin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

To advance House business, Carney’s Liberals may bypass Bloc in the Commons, but not in committees, says Bloc House Leader Normandin

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 1, 2025
  • The governing Liberals want to work with both the Conservatives and the Bloc in committees, say Liberal MPs Judy Sgro and Kevin Lamoureux.

To advance House business, Carney’s Liberals may bypass Bloc in the Commons, but not in committees, says Bloc House Leader Normandin

News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 1, 2025
  • The governing Liberals want to work with both the Conservatives and the Bloc in committees, say Liberal MPs Judy Sgro and Kevin Lamoureux.
Holding the balance of power in House committees, the Bloc Québécois plans to use its parliamentary leverage to promote Quebec’s interests, says Bloc House Leader Christine Normandin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Top 10 most influential Conservatives in federal politics

  • Jenni Byrne, the former Conservative campaign director and a close confidante of Pierre Poilievre, is facing criticism for the party’s failure to win the
News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 26, 2025
Even though the Conservatives lost the April 28 federal election, Pierre Poilievre, pictured right with his wife Anaida Poilievre, still appears to maintain strong control over his party. Leading up to the election, most political observers anticipated a Liberal majority, yet the Conservatives managed to hold them to a minority. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Top 10 most influential Conservatives in federal politics

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 26, 2025
  • Jenni Byrne, the former Conservative campaign director and a close confidante of Pierre Poilievre, is facing criticism for the party’s failure to win the

Top 10 most influential Conservatives in federal politics

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 26, 2025
  • Jenni Byrne, the former Conservative campaign director and a close confidante of Pierre Poilievre, is facing criticism for the party’s failure to win the
Even though the Conservatives lost the April 28 federal election, Pierre Poilievre, pictured right with his wife Anaida Poilievre, still appears to maintain strong control over his party. Leading up to the election, most political observers anticipated a Liberal majority, yet the Conservatives managed to hold them to a minority. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Top 10 most influential Liberals in Carney’s government

  • Gerald Butts and David Lametti hold no official roles in the Liberal government, but Prime Minister Mark Carney informally seeks their advice on key
News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is the most influential figure in the new Liberal government. His leadership will be judged largely by how effectively he tackles the two issues foremost on Canadians’ minds: Canada-U.S. trade relations and the rising cost of living. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Top 10 most influential Liberals in Carney’s government

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 26, 2025
  • Gerald Butts and David Lametti hold no official roles in the Liberal government, but Prime Minister Mark Carney informally seeks their advice on key

Top 10 most influential Liberals in Carney’s government

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 26, 2025
  • Gerald Butts and David Lametti hold no official roles in the Liberal government, but Prime Minister Mark Carney informally seeks their advice on key
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, is the most influential figure in the new Liberal government. His leadership will be judged largely by how effectively he tackles the two issues foremost on Canadians’ minds: Canada-U.S. trade relations and the rising cost of living. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

At least seven Liberal and Conservative MPs running for coveted House Speaker’s post

  • The new Speaker of the House will receive a total salary of $309,700, manage an office budget of $1.4-million, receive extra perks, and oversees
News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 22, 2025
Liberal MPs Greg Fergus, top left, Rob Oliphant, Sean Casey, Sherry Romanado, Francis Scarpaleggia, above left, and Conservative MPs Chris d'Entremont, above centre, and Tom Kmiec are seeking the House Speaker’s position that comes with a salary of $309,000, a chauffeur driven car, an official residence, and a private apartment in the West Block. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, Stuart Benson and photographs courtesy of House of Commons, Liberal Party of Canada and Tom Kmiec

At least seven Liberal and Conservative MPs running for coveted House Speaker’s post

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 22, 2025
  • The new Speaker of the House will receive a total salary of $309,700, manage an office budget of $1.4-million, receive extra perks, and oversees

At least seven Liberal and Conservative MPs running for coveted House Speaker’s post

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 22, 2025
  • The new Speaker of the House will receive a total salary of $309,700, manage an office budget of $1.4-million, receive extra perks, and oversees
Liberal MPs Greg Fergus, top left, Rob Oliphant, Sean Casey, Sherry Romanado, Francis Scarpaleggia, above left, and Conservative MPs Chris d'Entremont, above centre, and Tom Kmiec are seeking the House Speaker’s position that comes with a salary of $309,000, a chauffeur driven car, an official residence, and a private apartment in the West Block. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, Stuart Benson and photographs courtesy of House of Commons, Liberal Party of Canada and Tom Kmiec

‘Battleground’ Peel region emerges a winner in new Carney cabinet with four ministers

  • Mark Carney’s new cabinet has a combination of old and new faces, but key portfolios remain in the hands of seasoned veterans. The real
News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 19, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his 38-member senior team on May 13. Of the 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state, 24 are new to such top jobs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Battleground’ Peel region emerges a winner in new Carney cabinet with four ministers

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 19, 2025
  • Mark Carney’s new cabinet has a combination of old and new faces, but key portfolios remain in the hands of seasoned veterans. The real

‘Battleground’ Peel region emerges a winner in new Carney cabinet with four ministers

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 19, 2025
  • Mark Carney’s new cabinet has a combination of old and new faces, but key portfolios remain in the hands of seasoned veterans. The real
Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his 38-member senior team on May 13. Of the 28 ministers and 10 secretaries of state, 24 are new to such top jobs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

To limit critics’ time to organize against Poilievre, some senior Conservatives explore moving convention to this fall

  • To limit the time Pierre Poilievre’s critics have to organize ahead of his leadership review by party rank-and-file members and to eliminate uncertainty, some
News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 19, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, and his wife Anaida Poilievre, pictured April 28, 2025, on election night. Some senior Tories are internally discussing the possibility of moving their policy convention up to this fall, Conservative sources told The Hill Times. Poilievre will face a mandatory review at the convention. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

To limit critics’ time to organize against Poilievre, some senior Conservatives explore moving convention to this fall

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 19, 2025
  • To limit the time Pierre Poilievre’s critics have to organize ahead of his leadership review by party rank-and-file members and to eliminate uncertainty, some

To limit critics’ time to organize against Poilievre, some senior Conservatives explore moving convention to this fall

News | BY ABBAS RANA | May 19, 2025
  • To limit the time Pierre Poilievre’s critics have to organize ahead of his leadership review by party rank-and-file members and to eliminate uncertainty, some
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, and his wife Anaida Poilievre, pictured April 28, 2025, on election night. Some senior Tories are internally discussing the possibility of moving their policy convention up to this fall, Conservative sources told The Hill Times. Poilievre will face a mandatory review at the convention. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
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Vaccine rollout revives Libs’ fortunes, but WE Charity scandal still an ‘open wound,’ say political players

  • The recent ramping up of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has triggered an upward trend for the Liberals, but the WE Charity controversy is still
News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 15, 2021
The recent ramping up of the COVID-19 vaccine has revived the Liberals' fortunes in public opinion polls, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should watch out for the WE Charity scandal which caused considerable political damage to his party in the summer and could do the same again now, say political insiders. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Vaccine rollout revives Libs’ fortunes, but WE Charity scandal still an ‘open wound,’ say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 15, 2021
  • The recent ramping up of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has triggered an upward trend for the Liberals, but the WE Charity controversy is still

Vaccine rollout revives Libs’ fortunes, but WE Charity scandal still an ‘open wound,’ say political players

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 15, 2021
  • The recent ramping up of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has triggered an upward trend for the Liberals, but the WE Charity controversy is still
The recent ramping up of the COVID-19 vaccine has revived the Liberals' fortunes in public opinion polls, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should watch out for the WE Charity scandal which caused considerable political damage to his party in the summer and could do the same again now, say political insiders. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Anti-abortion group wants Conservatives to give riding associations power to fire MPs, to veto leadership’s call on nomination contests 

  • A prominent anti-abortion group is vying to get support from elected delegates across the country to force a vote on a constitutional amendment at
News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 10, 2021
More than 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the March 18-20 virtual convention of the Conservative Party. Around 4,100 delegates are eligible to attend as voting delegates. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen

Anti-abortion group wants Conservatives to give riding associations power to fire MPs, to veto leadership’s call on nomination contests 

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 10, 2021
  • A prominent anti-abortion group is vying to get support from elected delegates across the country to force a vote on a constitutional amendment at

Anti-abortion group wants Conservatives to give riding associations power to fire MPs, to veto leadership’s call on nomination contests 

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 10, 2021
  • A prominent anti-abortion group is vying to get support from elected delegates across the country to force a vote on a constitutional amendment at
More than 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the March 18-20 virtual convention of the Conservative Party. Around 4,100 delegates are eligible to attend as voting delegates. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen

Thirty-seven candidates vying for Conservative Party’s powerful 20-member national council

  • With the Conservative Party’s “record-setting convention” only 10 days away, the campaign for the highest elected governing body of the party is in full
News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 8, 2021
Stewart Kiff, left, Colette Stang, Gord Elliott, and Bruce Yu are running for the national council of the Conservative party. Photographs courtesy of candidates

Thirty-seven candidates vying for Conservative Party’s powerful 20-member national council

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 8, 2021
  • With the Conservative Party’s “record-setting convention” only 10 days away, the campaign for the highest elected governing body of the party is in full

Thirty-seven candidates vying for Conservative Party’s powerful 20-member national council

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 8, 2021
  • With the Conservative Party’s “record-setting convention” only 10 days away, the campaign for the highest elected governing body of the party is in full
Stewart Kiff, left, Colette Stang, Gord Elliott, and Bruce Yu are running for the national council of the Conservative party. Photographs courtesy of candidates

Potential candidates in four winnable Liberal ridings eagerly awaiting timeline for nomination contests

  • Would-be replacements for four ousted or departing Ontario Liberal MPs say they want to know when the party will release details about the nomination
News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 8, 2021
Shawky Fahel, Valerie Bradford, and Elizabeth Quinto are planning on running for the Liberal nomination in the riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler. All three have submitted their nomination papers to the party for vetting. Photographs courtesy of candidates

Potential candidates in four winnable Liberal ridings eagerly awaiting timeline for nomination contests

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 8, 2021
  • Would-be replacements for four ousted or departing Ontario Liberal MPs say they want to know when the party will release details about the nomination

Potential candidates in four winnable Liberal ridings eagerly awaiting timeline for nomination contests

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 8, 2021
  • Would-be replacements for four ousted or departing Ontario Liberal MPs say they want to know when the party will release details about the nomination
Shawky Fahel, Valerie Bradford, and Elizabeth Quinto are planning on running for the Liberal nomination in the riding of Kitchener South-Hespeler. All three have submitted their nomination papers to the party for vetting. Photographs courtesy of candidates

After Scheer’s expenses controversy, Conservatives want party to stop spending donor dollars on personal expenses

  • In the aftermath of outgoing Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s expenses controversy in 2019, members of an Edmonton Conservative riding association have proposed a constitutional
News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 1, 2021
Gordon Elliott, left, is seeking a national council position from Alberta, and Bruce Yu is running for the national council from Ontario. Both support the Edmonton West riding's constitutional amendment that would require donor money to only be used for the advancement of the party's electoral and political interests. Photographs courtesy of Bruce You and Gordon Elliott

After Scheer’s expenses controversy, Conservatives want party to stop spending donor dollars on personal expenses

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 1, 2021
  • In the aftermath of outgoing Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s expenses controversy in 2019, members of an Edmonton Conservative riding association have proposed a constitutional

After Scheer’s expenses controversy, Conservatives want party to stop spending donor dollars on personal expenses

News | BY ABBAS RANA | March 1, 2021
  • In the aftermath of outgoing Conservative leader Andrew Scheer’s expenses controversy in 2019, members of an Edmonton Conservative riding association have proposed a constitutional
Gordon Elliott, left, is seeking a national council position from Alberta, and Bruce Yu is running for the national council from Ontario. Both support the Edmonton West riding's constitutional amendment that would require donor money to only be used for the advancement of the party's electoral and political interests. Photographs courtesy of Bruce You and Gordon Elliott

Top Conservatives Byrne, Patterson, Dodds, Gerstein, Lecce, Mulroney lose delegate election races for party policy convention

  • At least six prominent senior Conservatives—Jenni Byrne, former deputy chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper; Brian Patterson, Ontario PC Party president;
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 25, 2021
Former PMO deputy chief of staff Jenni Byrne, left, Ontario PC Party president Brian Patterson, Conservative Fund chair and former senator Irving Gerstein, investment banker Mark Mulroney, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce, and Conservative Fund chair James Dodds, not pictured above, failed to win their spots as delegates in their respective ridings for the upcoming Conservative Party policy convention. The Hill Times photographs, Twitter and Facebook , The Hill Times file photographs and courtesy of Twitter

Top Conservatives Byrne, Patterson, Dodds, Gerstein, Lecce, Mulroney lose delegate election races for party policy convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 25, 2021
  • At least six prominent senior Conservatives—Jenni Byrne, former deputy chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper; Brian Patterson, Ontario PC Party president;

Top Conservatives Byrne, Patterson, Dodds, Gerstein, Lecce, Mulroney lose delegate election races for party policy convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 25, 2021
  • At least six prominent senior Conservatives—Jenni Byrne, former deputy chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper; Brian Patterson, Ontario PC Party president;
Former PMO deputy chief of staff Jenni Byrne, left, Ontario PC Party president Brian Patterson, Conservative Fund chair and former senator Irving Gerstein, investment banker Mark Mulroney, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce, and Conservative Fund chair James Dodds, not pictured above, failed to win their spots as delegates in their respective ridings for the upcoming Conservative Party policy convention. The Hill Times photographs, Twitter and Facebook , The Hill Times file photographs and courtesy of Twitter

Liberals need to ramp up vaccinations, detail recovery plans in ‘most important budget of a generation’ to regain lost political capital, say politicos

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals need to ramp up the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to stem the loss of public goodwill for the government
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 22, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Feb. 16, 2021, on Parliament Hill. The Liberal government is losing its support in public opinion polls because of the recent disruption to the vaccine rollout. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals need to ramp up vaccinations, detail recovery plans in ‘most important budget of a generation’ to regain lost political capital, say politicos

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 22, 2021
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals need to ramp up the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to stem the loss of public goodwill for the government

Liberals need to ramp up vaccinations, detail recovery plans in ‘most important budget of a generation’ to regain lost political capital, say politicos

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 22, 2021
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals need to ramp up the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to stem the loss of public goodwill for the government
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Feb. 16, 2021, on Parliament Hill. The Liberal government is losing its support in public opinion polls because of the recent disruption to the vaccine rollout. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative Party’s national council rejects Sloan’s appeal to run under its banner in next election

  • The Conservative Party’s national council rejected the appeal of booted Conservative MP Derek Sloan on Thursday night to be allowed to run as a
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 18, 2021
The national council of the Conservative Party has rejected Ontario MP Derek Sloan's appeal to allow him to carry the party's banner in the next federal election. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservative Party’s national council rejects Sloan’s appeal to run under its banner in next election

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 18, 2021
  • The Conservative Party’s national council rejected the appeal of booted Conservative MP Derek Sloan on Thursday night to be allowed to run as a

Conservative Party’s national council rejects Sloan’s appeal to run under its banner in next election

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 18, 2021
  • The Conservative Party’s national council rejected the appeal of booted Conservative MP Derek Sloan on Thursday night to be allowed to run as a
The national council of the Conservative Party has rejected Ontario MP Derek Sloan's appeal to allow him to carry the party's banner in the next federal election. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservative Fund’s lack of oversight emerging as key issue in lead-up to next month’s policy convention

  • The powerful Conservative Fund Canada, responsible for raising and spending millions of dollars every year without any oversight, should be accountable to the Conservative
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 15, 2021
Robert Batherson, left, Good Elliott, Amber Ruddy, and Bruce Yu are running for the Conservative Party's national council. If Mr. Elliott gets elected as a national councillor, he will run for the party's presidency. Mr. Batherson told The Hill Times that if he gets elected as a national councillor, he will also consider running for the party's presidency. Photographs courtesy of Gord Elliott, Amber Ruddy, Bruce Yu and Conservative Party website

Conservative Fund’s lack of oversight emerging as key issue in lead-up to next month’s policy convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 15, 2021
  • The powerful Conservative Fund Canada, responsible for raising and spending millions of dollars every year without any oversight, should be accountable to the Conservative

Conservative Fund’s lack of oversight emerging as key issue in lead-up to next month’s policy convention

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 15, 2021
  • The powerful Conservative Fund Canada, responsible for raising and spending millions of dollars every year without any oversight, should be accountable to the Conservative
Robert Batherson, left, Good Elliott, Amber Ruddy, and Bruce Yu are running for the Conservative Party's national council. If Mr. Elliott gets elected as a national councillor, he will run for the party's presidency. Mr. Batherson told The Hill Times that if he gets elected as a national councillor, he will also consider running for the party's presidency. Photographs courtesy of Gord Elliott, Amber Ruddy, Bruce Yu and Conservative Party website

Social conservatives more organized than ever before for next month’s policy convention, say political insiders

  • Social conservatives are more organized for the Conservative Party’s March 18-March 20 policy convention than ever before, and aim to pass “as many good
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 15, 2021
The March 18-March 20 Conservative policy convention will be the first one for Erin O'Toole, pictured, as party leader. Social conservatives are organizing to get more 'pro-life and pro-family' policies passed at the convention. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Social conservatives more organized than ever before for next month’s policy convention, say political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 15, 2021
  • Social conservatives are more organized for the Conservative Party’s March 18-March 20 policy convention than ever before, and aim to pass “as many good

Social conservatives more organized than ever before for next month’s policy convention, say political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 15, 2021
  • Social conservatives are more organized for the Conservative Party’s March 18-March 20 policy convention than ever before, and aim to pass “as many good
The March 18-March 20 Conservative policy convention will be the first one for Erin O'Toole, pictured, as party leader. Social conservatives are organizing to get more 'pro-life and pro-family' policies passed at the convention. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pandemic response slips from ‘slam dunk’ to ‘potential liability’ for Liberals, say some political insiders

  • The government’s handling of COVID-19 was until recently seen as a critical factor in drumming up voter support that could have put the Liberals
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 8, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Jan. 26, 2021, outside the Rideau Cottage. The hiccups in the smooth rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine will be a major hurdle if the Liberals want to go to the polls this spring, say Liberals. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pandemic response slips from ‘slam dunk’ to ‘potential liability’ for Liberals, say some political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 8, 2021
  • The government’s handling of COVID-19 was until recently seen as a critical factor in drumming up voter support that could have put the Liberals

Pandemic response slips from ‘slam dunk’ to ‘potential liability’ for Liberals, say some political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 8, 2021
  • The government’s handling of COVID-19 was until recently seen as a critical factor in drumming up voter support that could have put the Liberals
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Jan. 26, 2021, outside the Rideau Cottage. The hiccups in the smooth rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine will be a major hurdle if the Liberals want to go to the polls this spring, say Liberals. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole’s pivot to centre, Sloan’s expulsion, and Kenney’s tanking popularity could help Maverick Party win out West, say Conservative political insiders

  • Erin O’Toole’s pivot to the political centre, Derek Sloan’s expulsion from the caucus, and Jason Kenney’s falling polling figures are all going to contribute
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 8, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is putting his stamp on the party by moving closer to the political centre, but some of his MPs and long-time party members are unhappy with this realignment effort. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole’s pivot to centre, Sloan’s expulsion, and Kenney’s tanking popularity could help Maverick Party win out West, say Conservative political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 8, 2021
  • Erin O’Toole’s pivot to the political centre, Derek Sloan’s expulsion from the caucus, and Jason Kenney’s falling polling figures are all going to contribute

O’Toole’s pivot to centre, Sloan’s expulsion, and Kenney’s tanking popularity could help Maverick Party win out West, say Conservative political insiders

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 8, 2021
  • Erin O’Toole’s pivot to the political centre, Derek Sloan’s expulsion from the caucus, and Jason Kenney’s falling polling figures are all going to contribute
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is putting his stamp on the party by moving closer to the political centre, but some of his MPs and long-time party members are unhappy with this realignment effort. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘The embodiment of colonialism’: it’s time for an Indigenous governor general, but it won’t be easy, say some Indigenous Senators 

  • Appointing an Indigenous person to serve as Canada’s next governor general could help advance reconciliation, but would come with unique challenges as well, say
News | BY ABBAS RANA, PETER MAZEREEUW | February 1, 2021
Julie Payette was installed as governor general of Canada on Oct. 2, 2017. She resigned from the role amid a staff harassment controversy on Jan. 21. Some prominent Indigenous Canadians have called for the government to appoint an Indigenous person to serve as Canada's next governor general. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘The embodiment of colonialism’: it’s time for an Indigenous governor general, but it won’t be easy, say some Indigenous Senators 

News | BY ABBAS RANA, PETER MAZEREEUW | February 1, 2021
  • Appointing an Indigenous person to serve as Canada’s next governor general could help advance reconciliation, but would come with unique challenges as well, say

‘The embodiment of colonialism’: it’s time for an Indigenous governor general, but it won’t be easy, say some Indigenous Senators 

News | BY ABBAS RANA, PETER MAZEREEUW | February 1, 2021
  • Appointing an Indigenous person to serve as Canada’s next governor general could help advance reconciliation, but would come with unique challenges as well, say
Julie Payette was installed as governor general of Canada on Oct. 2, 2017. She resigned from the role amid a staff harassment controversy on Jan. 21. Some prominent Indigenous Canadians have called for the government to appoint an Indigenous person to serve as Canada's next governor general. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Some potential Liberal, Conservative candidates in unheld ridings concerned nominations won’t be done before next election call

  • Liberals and Conservatives are picking up the pace on nominating candidates in unheld ridings across the country, but some potential candidates say they’re concerned
News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 1, 2021
As of last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals had nominated candidates in 62 of 338 ridings across the country, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole's Conservatives had nominated 140 and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's New Democrats had nominated 11 candidates. The Hill Times file photographs

Some potential Liberal, Conservative candidates in unheld ridings concerned nominations won’t be done before next election call

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 1, 2021
  • Liberals and Conservatives are picking up the pace on nominating candidates in unheld ridings across the country, but some potential candidates say they’re concerned

Some potential Liberal, Conservative candidates in unheld ridings concerned nominations won’t be done before next election call

News | BY ABBAS RANA | February 1, 2021
  • Liberals and Conservatives are picking up the pace on nominating candidates in unheld ridings across the country, but some potential candidates say they’re concerned
As of last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals had nominated candidates in 62 of 338 ridings across the country, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole's Conservatives had nominated 140 and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's New Democrats had nominated 11 candidates. The Hill Times file photographs

Ousted Liberal MP Sangha says comments were ‘taken out of context,’ didn’t get ‘due process’ before expulsion from caucus

  • A Brampton MP who was booted from the Liberal caucus for making controversial comments in a Punjabi language media interview says his comments have
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 27, 2021
Two-term Liberal MP Ramesh Sangha was expelled from the caucus on Jan. 25 after an interview with Channel Y, a Punjabi TV network, on Jan. 21 in which he made some disparaging remarks about former innovation minister Navdeep Bains. Mr. Sangha says 'small points have been taken out of the whole context' of the interview and that he didn't get a chance to explain himself to party leadership. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Ousted Liberal MP Sangha says comments were ‘taken out of context,’ didn’t get ‘due process’ before expulsion from caucus

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 27, 2021
  • A Brampton MP who was booted from the Liberal caucus for making controversial comments in a Punjabi language media interview says his comments have

Ousted Liberal MP Sangha says comments were ‘taken out of context,’ didn’t get ‘due process’ before expulsion from caucus

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 27, 2021
  • A Brampton MP who was booted from the Liberal caucus for making controversial comments in a Punjabi language media interview says his comments have
Two-term Liberal MP Ramesh Sangha was expelled from the caucus on Jan. 25 after an interview with Channel Y, a Punjabi TV network, on Jan. 21 in which he made some disparaging remarks about former innovation minister Navdeep Bains. Mr. Sangha says 'small points have been taken out of the whole context' of the interview and that he didn't get a chance to explain himself to party leadership. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Payette’s resignation yet another self-inflicted wound for Trudeau Liberals, say former senior Grits

  • Former governor general Julie Payette’s premature and unprecedented departure last week is yet another self-inflicted wound for the Trudeau government, which should take its
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2021
Governor General Julie Payette stepped down last week after an independent investigation came up with what Privy Council President Dominic LeBlanc called 'disturbing' and 'worrisome' conclusions about the work environment at the Rideau Hall. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Payette’s resignation yet another self-inflicted wound for Trudeau Liberals, say former senior Grits

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2021
  • Former governor general Julie Payette’s premature and unprecedented departure last week is yet another self-inflicted wound for the Trudeau government, which should take its

Payette’s resignation yet another self-inflicted wound for Trudeau Liberals, say former senior Grits

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2021
  • Former governor general Julie Payette’s premature and unprecedented departure last week is yet another self-inflicted wound for the Trudeau government, which should take its
Governor General Julie Payette stepped down last week after an independent investigation came up with what Privy Council President Dominic LeBlanc called 'disturbing' and 'worrisome' conclusions about the work environment at the Rideau Hall. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Liberals held a virtual election readiness ‘2021 kick-off call’ with caucus, ridings, and campaign managers last week

  • In the midst of ongoing spring election speculation, the federal Liberal Party held a virtual election readiness meeting last week with caucus members, riding
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Jan. 19, 2021, at a presser in front of his home at the Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals held a virtual election readiness ‘2021 kick-off call’ with caucus, ridings, and campaign managers last week

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2021
  • In the midst of ongoing spring election speculation, the federal Liberal Party held a virtual election readiness meeting last week with caucus members, riding

Liberals held a virtual election readiness ‘2021 kick-off call’ with caucus, ridings, and campaign managers last week

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 25, 2021
  • In the midst of ongoing spring election speculation, the federal Liberal Party held a virtual election readiness meeting last week with caucus members, riding
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Jan. 19, 2021, at a presser in front of his home at the Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With Trump leaving and Biden taking over as U.S. president, ‘stars aligned’ for Canada on having a ‘stable, experienced partner,’ say politicos

  • With now-impeached U.S. President Donald Trump on his way out and U.S. president-elect Joe Biden administration taking over power this week, political insiders say
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then-vice president Joe Biden pictured on Dec. 8, 2016, in Ottawa. Mr. Trudeau hosted a state dinner for then outgoing vice president Biden. Political insiders say that Mr. Biden taking over as president of the U.S. this week is good news for Canada as he's known to have a very good relationship with Mr. Trudeau. The Hill Times file photograph by Jake Wright

With Trump leaving and Biden taking over as U.S. president, ‘stars aligned’ for Canada on having a ‘stable, experienced partner,’ say politicos

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2021
  • With now-impeached U.S. President Donald Trump on his way out and U.S. president-elect Joe Biden administration taking over power this week, political insiders say

With Trump leaving and Biden taking over as U.S. president, ‘stars aligned’ for Canada on having a ‘stable, experienced partner,’ say politicos

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2021
  • With now-impeached U.S. President Donald Trump on his way out and U.S. president-elect Joe Biden administration taking over power this week, political insiders say
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then-vice president Joe Biden pictured on Dec. 8, 2016, in Ottawa. Mr. Trudeau hosted a state dinner for then outgoing vice president Biden. Political insiders say that Mr. Biden taking over as president of the U.S. this week is good news for Canada as he's known to have a very good relationship with Mr. Trudeau. The Hill Times file photograph by Jake Wright

Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle yet another indication Liberals ‘clearing the decks’ for a spring election, say political watchers

  • The Liberals deny it, but political insiders say last week’s cabinet shuffle is yet another indication Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is setting the stage
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Jan. 12, 2021, shuffled his cabinet last week, and political observers consider this as an indication that the Liberal government is setting the stage for a spring election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle yet another indication Liberals ‘clearing the decks’ for a spring election, say political watchers

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2021
  • The Liberals deny it, but political insiders say last week’s cabinet shuffle is yet another indication Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is setting the stage

Trudeau’s cabinet shuffle yet another indication Liberals ‘clearing the decks’ for a spring election, say political watchers

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 18, 2021
  • The Liberals deny it, but political insiders say last week’s cabinet shuffle is yet another indication Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is setting the stage
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Jan. 12, 2021, shuffled his cabinet last week, and political observers consider this as an indication that the Liberal government is setting the stage for a spring election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau told Liberals’ national board of directors ‘it looks like’ a spring election, according to a Liberal source, but Grits say it will happen based on important conditions

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose Liberals are enjoying a comfortable lead in public opinion polls, told members of the party’s national board of directors
News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 11, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Dec. 15, 2020, in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa, told his national board of directors last month, 'it looks it' the next federal election will happen in spring. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau told Liberals’ national board of directors ‘it looks like’ a spring election, according to a Liberal source, but Grits say it will happen based on important conditions

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 11, 2021
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose Liberals are enjoying a comfortable lead in public opinion polls, told members of the party’s national board of directors

Trudeau told Liberals’ national board of directors ‘it looks like’ a spring election, according to a Liberal source, but Grits say it will happen based on important conditions

News | BY ABBAS RANA | January 11, 2021
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose Liberals are enjoying a comfortable lead in public opinion polls, told members of the party’s national board of directors
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Dec. 15, 2020, in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa, told his national board of directors last month, 'it looks it' the next federal election will happen in spring. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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