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Monday, October 13, 2025

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Irem Koca

Irem Koca is a Turkish-Canadian journalist who joined The Hill Times in late 2023. She got her start in Canadian media in the Toronto Star's Ottawa bureau, covering federal politics and national stories under the paper's year-long fellowship. With a background in broadcast journalism, she spent several years as a world news reporter at CNN Turkey. Her freelance work on Turkish politics has been featured in The New York Times and Reuters. Notable highlights of her career include coverage of the 2020 U.S. presidential elections under a Reporting Tour fellowship awarded by the U.S. State Department, and her coverage of the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan in 2019. Koca holds a master's degree in religious extremism from Queen's University, along with a journalism degree from Istanbul Bilgi University and Kingston University, London. She is fluent in English and Turkish.

Canada has not spoken to South Koreans about building new submarines at home, says embassy

  • The South Korean bidder says it 'refrained' from proposing domestic construction of Canada’s new submarine fleet after feedback from Canadian officials. Meanwhile, its German
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 9, 2025
Victoria-class Submarine
Victoria-class Submarine
Canada is looking to purchase a fleet of 12 submarines with two options on the table from Germany-Norway and South Korea to replace Canada’s aging fleet of Victoria-class vessels. DND photograph by Kenneth Galbraith

Canada has not spoken to South Koreans about building new submarines at home, says embassy

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 9, 2025
  • The South Korean bidder says it 'refrained' from proposing domestic construction of Canada’s new submarine fleet after feedback from Canadian officials. Meanwhile, its German

Canada has not spoken to South Koreans about building new submarines at home, says embassy

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 9, 2025
  • The South Korean bidder says it 'refrained' from proposing domestic construction of Canada’s new submarine fleet after feedback from Canadian officials. Meanwhile, its German
Victoria-class Submarine
Canada is looking to purchase a fleet of 12 submarines with two options on the table from Germany-Norway and South Korea to replace Canada’s aging fleet of Victoria-class vessels. DND photograph by Kenneth Galbraith

Canada’s submarine purchase has new ‘sense of urgency’ with possible selection by end of year, says German envoy 

  • The clock is ticking to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines before they are taken out of the water in the 2030s, leaving the Canadian
News | BY NEIL MOSS, IREM KOCA | October 8, 2025
German Ambassador to Canada Matthias Lüttenberg says there's a new feeling of of momentum that's 'more palpable than before' when it comes to picking between the submarine bids from his country and South Korea. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s submarine purchase has new ‘sense of urgency’ with possible selection by end of year, says German envoy 

News | BY NEIL MOSS, IREM KOCA | October 8, 2025
  • The clock is ticking to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines before they are taken out of the water in the 2030s, leaving the Canadian

Canada’s submarine purchase has new ‘sense of urgency’ with possible selection by end of year, says German envoy 

News | BY NEIL MOSS, IREM KOCA | October 8, 2025
  • The clock is ticking to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines before they are taken out of the water in the 2030s, leaving the Canadian
German Ambassador to Canada Matthias Lüttenberg says there's a new feeling of of momentum that's 'more palpable than before' when it comes to picking between the submarine bids from his country and South Korea. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Delayed F-35 review ‘not slowing anything down,’ says SecState for defence procurement Fuhr

  • 'The most important thing is making the right choice, not meeting an arbitrary timeline,' says Stephen Fuhr of the ongoing review of the controversial
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 2, 2025
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr will lead the new Defence Investment Agency, which aims to remove red tape procurement and accelerate purchases. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Delayed F-35 review ‘not slowing anything down,’ says SecState for defence procurement Fuhr

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 2, 2025
  • 'The most important thing is making the right choice, not meeting an arbitrary timeline,' says Stephen Fuhr of the ongoing review of the controversial

Delayed F-35 review ‘not slowing anything down,’ says SecState for defence procurement Fuhr

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 2, 2025
  • 'The most important thing is making the right choice, not meeting an arbitrary timeline,' says Stephen Fuhr of the ongoing review of the controversial
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr will lead the new Defence Investment Agency, which aims to remove red tape procurement and accelerate purchases. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives’ push to scrap foreign worker program meets public anxieties, but risks scapegoating migrants, say observers

  • 'The danger [and] challenge is for the Conservatives to have their message portrayed, or come across, as being unwelcoming to new Canadians and diverse
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 1, 2025
Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner is using her social media platforms to illustrate the call for the Liberal government to scrap its Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives’ push to scrap foreign worker program meets public anxieties, but risks scapegoating migrants, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 1, 2025
  • 'The danger [and] challenge is for the Conservatives to have their message portrayed, or come across, as being unwelcoming to new Canadians and diverse

Conservatives’ push to scrap foreign worker program meets public anxieties, but risks scapegoating migrants, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 1, 2025
  • 'The danger [and] challenge is for the Conservatives to have their message portrayed, or come across, as being unwelcoming to new Canadians and diverse
Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner is using her social media platforms to illustrate the call for the Liberal government to scrap its Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Postal union launches nationwide strike after feds announce ‘heavy-handed intervention’ reforms to transform ‘insolvent’ Canada Post

  • 'The Liberals are burning bridges with the labour movement faster than an express-post delivery,' says Brock University professor Larry Savage.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2025
Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced new reforms for Canada Post on Sept. 25, saying the Crown corporation 'is facing an existential crisis.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Postal union launches nationwide strike after feds announce ‘heavy-handed intervention’ reforms to transform ‘insolvent’ Canada Post

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2025
  • 'The Liberals are burning bridges with the labour movement faster than an express-post delivery,' says Brock University professor Larry Savage.

Postal union launches nationwide strike after feds announce ‘heavy-handed intervention’ reforms to transform ‘insolvent’ Canada Post

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2025
  • 'The Liberals are burning bridges with the labour movement faster than an express-post delivery,' says Brock University professor Larry Savage.
Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced new reforms for Canada Post on Sept. 25, saying the Crown corporation 'is facing an existential crisis.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs settle in for spicy sitting as Government Operations and Estimates Committee prepares to turn up the heat on government

  • The committee has long served as a stage for high-stakes political showdowns, the study of scathing watchdog reports, and long-term probes that test government
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 24, 2025
Conservative MP Kelly McCauley chairs the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee, which probes into government spending. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs settle in for spicy sitting as Government Operations and Estimates Committee prepares to turn up the heat on government

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 24, 2025
  • The committee has long served as a stage for high-stakes political showdowns, the study of scathing watchdog reports, and long-term probes that test government

MPs settle in for spicy sitting as Government Operations and Estimates Committee prepares to turn up the heat on government

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 24, 2025
  • The committee has long served as a stage for high-stakes political showdowns, the study of scathing watchdog reports, and long-term probes that test government
Conservative MP Kelly McCauley chairs the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee, which probes into government spending. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada taking ‘necessary’ steps to tap into European defence market with new security pacts amid U.S. tensions: observers

  • The newly signed pacts signal to Europe that Canada is serious in its efforts to shift some of its focus away from the American
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 22, 2025
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, left, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced the signing of security pacts with two more European countries this month in an effort to diversify defence suppliers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Canada taking ‘necessary’ steps to tap into European defence market with new security pacts amid U.S. tensions: observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 22, 2025
  • The newly signed pacts signal to Europe that Canada is serious in its efforts to shift some of its focus away from the American

Canada taking ‘necessary’ steps to tap into European defence market with new security pacts amid U.S. tensions: observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 22, 2025
  • The newly signed pacts signal to Europe that Canada is serious in its efforts to shift some of its focus away from the American
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, left, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced the signing of security pacts with two more European countries this month in an effort to diversify defence suppliers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

‘Devil in the details’: feds move to combine procurement regulations in a bid to cut red tape

  • The government's goal of reducing complaints to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal might signal a further limitation of suppliers’ access to the dispute mechanism,
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2025
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, aims to reduce red tape by combining a patchwork of procurement regulations to boost productivity. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Devil in the details’: feds move to combine procurement regulations in a bid to cut red tape

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2025
  • The government's goal of reducing complaints to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal might signal a further limitation of suppliers’ access to the dispute mechanism,

‘Devil in the details’: feds move to combine procurement regulations in a bid to cut red tape

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2025
  • The government's goal of reducing complaints to the Canadian International Trade Tribunal might signal a further limitation of suppliers’ access to the dispute mechanism,
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, aims to reduce red tape by combining a patchwork of procurement regulations to boost productivity. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New budget watchdog says ‘deficit will absolutely be higher’ than forecast, feds have no clear fiscal anchors

  • 'I don't know that the government currently has fiscal anchors, which, of course, causes the people that I work with a considerable degree of
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2025
Jason Jacques, pictured, was appointed as the interim Parliamentary Budget Officer on Sept. 2 by Prime Minister Mark Carney for a six-month term. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New budget watchdog says ‘deficit will absolutely be higher’ than forecast, feds have no clear fiscal anchors

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2025
  • 'I don't know that the government currently has fiscal anchors, which, of course, causes the people that I work with a considerable degree of

New budget watchdog says ‘deficit will absolutely be higher’ than forecast, feds have no clear fiscal anchors

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2025
  • 'I don't know that the government currently has fiscal anchors, which, of course, causes the people that I work with a considerable degree of
Jason Jacques, pictured, was appointed as the interim Parliamentary Budget Officer on Sept. 2 by Prime Minister Mark Carney for a six-month term. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Indigenous procurement: feds urged to work more with communities to verify businesses after ‘historic’ recognition of Métis suppliers 

  • Increased access to federal contracts and ensuring departments meet the government’s five-per-cent Indigenous procurement target are vital to economic reconciliation, says Northern and Arctic
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 12, 2025
Indigenous business leader Shannin Metatawabin says the federal recognition of Indigenous-verified business directories would help restore trust in the federal procurement system. Photograph courtesy of Shannin Metatawabin

Indigenous procurement: feds urged to work more with communities to verify businesses after ‘historic’ recognition of Métis suppliers 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 12, 2025
  • Increased access to federal contracts and ensuring departments meet the government’s five-per-cent Indigenous procurement target are vital to economic reconciliation, says Northern and Arctic

Indigenous procurement: feds urged to work more with communities to verify businesses after ‘historic’ recognition of Métis suppliers 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 12, 2025
  • Increased access to federal contracts and ensuring departments meet the government’s five-per-cent Indigenous procurement target are vital to economic reconciliation, says Northern and Arctic
Indigenous business leader Shannin Metatawabin says the federal recognition of Indigenous-verified business directories would help restore trust in the federal procurement system. Photograph courtesy of Shannin Metatawabin

Define ‘Canadian’: questions loom over Carney’s ‘protectionist’ procurement policy push 

  • 'It’s the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot. But it’s popular politically,' says financial policy expert Ian Lee of the prime minister's move
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for a new ‘Buy Canadian’ policy in an effort to strengthen the country’s sovereignty against U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, but the fine details needed to put the policy in action are unclear. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Define ‘Canadian’: questions loom over Carney’s ‘protectionist’ procurement policy push 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2025
  • 'It’s the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot. But it’s popular politically,' says financial policy expert Ian Lee of the prime minister's move

Define ‘Canadian’: questions loom over Carney’s ‘protectionist’ procurement policy push 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2025
  • 'It’s the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot. But it’s popular politically,' says financial policy expert Ian Lee of the prime minister's move
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing for a new ‘Buy Canadian’ policy in an effort to strengthen the country’s sovereignty against U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, but the fine details needed to put the policy in action are unclear. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Critics agree on need for reform, but call Tory bid to scrap temporary foreign worker program ‘ridiculous’ and ‘political’

  • The current Temporary Foreign Worker system is 'being mismanaged by the Liberal government, and the Conservatives are being opportunistic' in their call to scrap
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 5, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the Liberal government 'broke' Canada's immigration system by letting in too many people too fast, and that the feds should stop issuing permits to temporary foreign workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Critics agree on need for reform, but call Tory bid to scrap temporary foreign worker program ‘ridiculous’ and ‘political’

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 5, 2025
  • The current Temporary Foreign Worker system is 'being mismanaged by the Liberal government, and the Conservatives are being opportunistic' in their call to scrap

Critics agree on need for reform, but call Tory bid to scrap temporary foreign worker program ‘ridiculous’ and ‘political’

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 5, 2025
  • The current Temporary Foreign Worker system is 'being mismanaged by the Liberal government, and the Conservatives are being opportunistic' in their call to scrap
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the Liberal government 'broke' Canada's immigration system by letting in too many people too fast, and that the feds should stop issuing permits to temporary foreign workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds’ digital transformation agenda faces critical risks, Shared Services warns in ministerial briefing

  • Competing priorities and a lack of financial incentives for various government departments to modernize are key hurdles facing the government's digital services arm, a
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 28, 2025
Briefing material prepared by Shared Services Canada for Government Transformation, Public Services, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound shows the department procured $4.3-billion of goods and services in 2023-24. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds’ digital transformation agenda faces critical risks, Shared Services warns in ministerial briefing

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 28, 2025
  • Competing priorities and a lack of financial incentives for various government departments to modernize are key hurdles facing the government's digital services arm, a

Feds’ digital transformation agenda faces critical risks, Shared Services warns in ministerial briefing

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 28, 2025
  • Competing priorities and a lack of financial incentives for various government departments to modernize are key hurdles facing the government's digital services arm, a
Briefing material prepared by Shared Services Canada for Government Transformation, Public Services, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound shows the department procured $4.3-billion of goods and services in 2023-24. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney and McGuinty meet the troops

  • Plus, Stephen Fuhr meets with the F-35 builder in Texas.
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, IREM KOCA | August 27, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to meet with Canadian Armed Forces members in Latvia today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney and McGuinty meet the troops

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, IREM KOCA | August 27, 2025
  • Plus, Stephen Fuhr meets with the F-35 builder in Texas.

Carney and McGuinty meet the troops

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, IREM KOCA | August 27, 2025
  • Plus, Stephen Fuhr meets with the F-35 builder in Texas.
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to meet with Canadian Armed Forces members in Latvia today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Changes to rules for ‘national security’ contracts bypass competition and raise concerns of potential abuse, say procurement watchers

  • Loosening rules around the use of the National Security Exception may speed up defence procurement, but it could have trade-offs when it comes to
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 23, 2025
Joel Lightbound
Joel Lightbound
Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound, who has been leading this file since May, said his priorities include streamlining the procurement process. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Changes to rules for ‘national security’ contracts bypass competition and raise concerns of potential abuse, say procurement watchers

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 23, 2025
  • Loosening rules around the use of the National Security Exception may speed up defence procurement, but it could have trade-offs when it comes to

Changes to rules for ‘national security’ contracts bypass competition and raise concerns of potential abuse, say procurement watchers

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 23, 2025
  • Loosening rules around the use of the National Security Exception may speed up defence procurement, but it could have trade-offs when it comes to
Joel Lightbound
Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound, who has been leading this file since May, said his priorities include streamlining the procurement process. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Reliance on IT contractors exposes feds to risk of foreign interference, experts say, as RCMP warns against North Korean infiltration

  • 'The point is, you have got to know who's doing the work, and you got to know who you're paying. It's not splitting an
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 21, 2025
Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound pledged to overhaul government procurement when he first came to his role in May. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Reliance on IT contractors exposes feds to risk of foreign interference, experts say, as RCMP warns against North Korean infiltration

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 21, 2025
  • 'The point is, you have got to know who's doing the work, and you got to know who you're paying. It's not splitting an

Reliance on IT contractors exposes feds to risk of foreign interference, experts say, as RCMP warns against North Korean infiltration

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 21, 2025
  • 'The point is, you have got to know who's doing the work, and you got to know who you're paying. It's not splitting an
Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound pledged to overhaul government procurement when he first came to his role in May. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We don’t have a choice here’: SecState for defence procurement Fuhr pledges to move ‘quicker,’ take more risks

  • 'We’re going to build out the Canadian defence industrial complex at a speed and magnitude we just haven’t done before,' Secretary of State for
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 14, 2025
Secretary for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr says the government is committed to spend 'a lot of money' to over the next few years through military purchases. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We don’t have a choice here’: SecState for defence procurement Fuhr pledges to move ‘quicker,’ take more risks

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 14, 2025
  • 'We’re going to build out the Canadian defence industrial complex at a speed and magnitude we just haven’t done before,' Secretary of State for

‘We don’t have a choice here’: SecState for defence procurement Fuhr pledges to move ‘quicker,’ take more risks

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 14, 2025
  • 'We’re going to build out the Canadian defence industrial complex at a speed and magnitude we just haven’t done before,' Secretary of State for
Secretary for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr says the government is committed to spend 'a lot of money' to over the next few years through military purchases. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds spent at least $1.7-billion on defence contracts in the first half of 2025, about 16 per cent of which went to U.S. companies: data

  • U.S.-based companies received more than $68.6-million in DND contracts between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025, which is a 24-per-cent increase over the same
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 11, 2025
A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules aircraft, designed and manufactured by American defence company Lockheed Martin, flies over the Kuwait desert on June 13, 2020. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces

Feds spent at least $1.7-billion on defence contracts in the first half of 2025, about 16 per cent of which went to U.S. companies: data

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 11, 2025
  • U.S.-based companies received more than $68.6-million in DND contracts between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025, which is a 24-per-cent increase over the same

Feds spent at least $1.7-billion on defence contracts in the first half of 2025, about 16 per cent of which went to U.S. companies: data

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 11, 2025
  • U.S.-based companies received more than $68.6-million in DND contracts between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025, which is a 24-per-cent increase over the same
A Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules aircraft, designed and manufactured by American defence company Lockheed Martin, flies over the Kuwait desert on June 13, 2020. Photograph courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces

Feds need to ‘rethink’ industrial benefits policy and refocus on defence capabilities, say former senior officials: it ‘needs to evolve’

  • Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada needs 'to go back to basics and make sure it's using the policy to build defence capabilities in
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 7, 2025
Mélanie Joly
Mélanie Joly
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the government's defence industrial strategy will be finalized in the coming months. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds need to ‘rethink’ industrial benefits policy and refocus on defence capabilities, say former senior officials: it ‘needs to evolve’

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 7, 2025
  • Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada needs 'to go back to basics and make sure it's using the policy to build defence capabilities in

Feds need to ‘rethink’ industrial benefits policy and refocus on defence capabilities, say former senior officials: it ‘needs to evolve’

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 7, 2025
  • Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada needs 'to go back to basics and make sure it's using the policy to build defence capabilities in
Mélanie Joly
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the government's defence industrial strategy will be finalized in the coming months. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds’ new ‘reciprocal procurement’ policy to limit foreign access to contracts amid U.S. trade tensions

  • The new policy is a testament to the 'changing world order,' says Liberal strategist Geoff Turner. 'Now, if you do not have a procurement
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 17, 2025
Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced a new interim procurement policy on July 14 that allows Canada to limit suppliers from countries that restrict access to their own government contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds’ new ‘reciprocal procurement’ policy to limit foreign access to contracts amid U.S. trade tensions

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 17, 2025
  • The new policy is a testament to the 'changing world order,' says Liberal strategist Geoff Turner. 'Now, if you do not have a procurement

Feds’ new ‘reciprocal procurement’ policy to limit foreign access to contracts amid U.S. trade tensions

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 17, 2025
  • The new policy is a testament to the 'changing world order,' says Liberal strategist Geoff Turner. 'Now, if you do not have a procurement
Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced a new interim procurement policy on July 14 that allows Canada to limit suppliers from countries that restrict access to their own government contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trade tribunal calls for freeze on multimillion-dollar defence contract after complaints it favours U.S. supplier

  • Highly restrictive bid criteria made competition 'impossible' for Canadian and European companies to secure the contract for military night-vision goggles, says a filing from
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 14, 2025
David McGuinty
David McGuinty
Defence Minister David McGuinty said he would 'look into' the terms of the contract before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal called for the government to put a hold on the procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trade tribunal calls for freeze on multimillion-dollar defence contract after complaints it favours U.S. supplier

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 14, 2025
  • Highly restrictive bid criteria made competition 'impossible' for Canadian and European companies to secure the contract for military night-vision goggles, says a filing from

Trade tribunal calls for freeze on multimillion-dollar defence contract after complaints it favours U.S. supplier

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 14, 2025
  • Highly restrictive bid criteria made competition 'impossible' for Canadian and European companies to secure the contract for military night-vision goggles, says a filing from
David McGuinty
Defence Minister David McGuinty said he would 'look into' the terms of the contract before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal called for the government to put a hold on the procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New U.K. trade strategy IDs Canada as ‘key partner’ to boost economy, procurement opportunities

  • The new plan defines strengthening ties with key partners like Canada as an 'obvious priority,' and builds on leaders' commitments.
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 9, 2025
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed on further collaboration across a range of sectors. No 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson

New U.K. trade strategy IDs Canada as ‘key partner’ to boost economy, procurement opportunities

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 9, 2025
  • The new plan defines strengthening ties with key partners like Canada as an 'obvious priority,' and builds on leaders' commitments.

New U.K. trade strategy IDs Canada as ‘key partner’ to boost economy, procurement opportunities

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 9, 2025
  • The new plan defines strengthening ties with key partners like Canada as an 'obvious priority,' and builds on leaders' commitments.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney have agreed on further collaboration across a range of sectors. No 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson

‘We can no longer sustain Band-Aid solutions’: watchdog calls for urgent changes to federal procurement

  • The system is 'marked by silos of responsibility and accountability,' and needs a convening figure, says Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic in a new report.
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 8, 2025
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic tells reporters that there needs to be a major overhaul of Canada's $37-billion procurement system to fix persistent issues on July 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We can no longer sustain Band-Aid solutions’: watchdog calls for urgent changes to federal procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 8, 2025
  • The system is 'marked by silos of responsibility and accountability,' and needs a convening figure, says Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic in a new report.

‘We can no longer sustain Band-Aid solutions’: watchdog calls for urgent changes to federal procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 8, 2025
  • The system is 'marked by silos of responsibility and accountability,' and needs a convening figure, says Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic in a new report.
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic tells reporters that there needs to be a major overhaul of Canada's $37-billion procurement system to fix persistent issues on July 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds tighten grip on consultant contracts with new procurement rules, $20M cap on time-based work

  • New procurement rules include a $20-million limit on time- and task-based contracts, stricter oversight, and mandatory value-for-money reviews.
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 4, 2025
Joel Lightbound
Joel Lightbound
Government Transformation, and Public Services and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound previously said the rules, 'the roles, and the responsibilities of everyone in the procurement process across departments need to be very clear.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds tighten grip on consultant contracts with new procurement rules, $20M cap on time-based work

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 4, 2025
  • New procurement rules include a $20-million limit on time- and task-based contracts, stricter oversight, and mandatory value-for-money reviews.

Feds tighten grip on consultant contracts with new procurement rules, $20M cap on time-based work

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 4, 2025
  • New procurement rules include a $20-million limit on time- and task-based contracts, stricter oversight, and mandatory value-for-money reviews.
Joel Lightbound
Government Transformation, and Public Services and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound previously said the rules, 'the roles, and the responsibilities of everyone in the procurement process across departments need to be very clear.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PSPC’s three-year $17.5-billion spending plan lacks clear roadmap to future goals, say insiders

  • With billions on the line and a track record of failed targets, how PSPC plans to deliver on its goals is unclear from its
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 2, 2025
Under Minister Joël Lightbound, Public Services and Procurement Canada plans to spend more than $17.5-billion over the next three years, according to its new departmental plan. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

PSPC’s three-year $17.5-billion spending plan lacks clear roadmap to future goals, say insiders

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 2, 2025
  • With billions on the line and a track record of failed targets, how PSPC plans to deliver on its goals is unclear from its

PSPC’s three-year $17.5-billion spending plan lacks clear roadmap to future goals, say insiders

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 2, 2025
  • With billions on the line and a track record of failed targets, how PSPC plans to deliver on its goals is unclear from its
Under Minister Joël Lightbound, Public Services and Procurement Canada plans to spend more than $17.5-billion over the next three years, according to its new departmental plan. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

More cash and new alliances show Ottawa is serious about defence, say observers

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney put his $9-billion defence spending pledge before Parliament 'about as fast as he conceivably could have,' says defence procurement expert
News | BY IREM KOCA | June 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the defence and security agreement between Canada-EU will 'help deliver on capability targets more quickly and economically.' The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

More cash and new alliances show Ottawa is serious about defence, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 25, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney put his $9-billion defence spending pledge before Parliament 'about as fast as he conceivably could have,' says defence procurement expert

More cash and new alliances show Ottawa is serious about defence, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 25, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney put his $9-billion defence spending pledge before Parliament 'about as fast as he conceivably could have,' says defence procurement expert
Prime Minister Mark Carney says the defence and security agreement between Canada-EU will 'help deliver on capability targets more quickly and economically.' The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Too many rules’: AG urges feds to streamline procurement, reduce outsourcing

  • Auditor General Karen Hogan says 'worrying observations' around procurement processes need to be addressed.
News | BY IREM KOCA | June 23, 2025
Karen Hogan
Karen Hogan
Auditor General Karen Hogan’s June 10 report showed federal organizations 'frequently did not demonstrate value for money' in professional services contracts awarded to GC Strategies. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Too many rules’: AG urges feds to streamline procurement, reduce outsourcing

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 23, 2025
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan says 'worrying observations' around procurement processes need to be addressed.

‘Too many rules’: AG urges feds to streamline procurement, reduce outsourcing

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 23, 2025
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan says 'worrying observations' around procurement processes need to be addressed.
Karen Hogan
Auditor General Karen Hogan’s June 10 report showed federal organizations 'frequently did not demonstrate value for money' in professional services contracts awarded to GC Strategies. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Privilege debate enters sixth day as MPs accuse each other of ‘paralyzing’ Parliament

  • MPs are currently in the stage of debating the amendment to the initial motion. Liberal, NDP, and Bloc MPs say the ongoing debate has
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 7, 2024
Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, put forth a privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund which has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Privilege debate enters sixth day as MPs accuse each other of ‘paralyzing’ Parliament

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 7, 2024
  • MPs are currently in the stage of debating the amendment to the initial motion. Liberal, NDP, and Bloc MPs say the ongoing debate has

Privilege debate enters sixth day as MPs accuse each other of ‘paralyzing’ Parliament

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 7, 2024
  • MPs are currently in the stage of debating the amendment to the initial motion. Liberal, NDP, and Bloc MPs say the ongoing debate has
Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, put forth a privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund which has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Parliament at a standstill as Conservative MPs push for release of green-tech fund papers

  • Government House Leader Karina Gould said there will be no chance to discuss key legislation in the House until the privilege debate ends.
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 4, 2024
Andrew Scheer
Andrew Scheer
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer's privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Parliament at a standstill as Conservative MPs push for release of green-tech fund papers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 4, 2024
  • Government House Leader Karina Gould said there will be no chance to discuss key legislation in the House until the privilege debate ends.

Parliament at a standstill as Conservative MPs push for release of green-tech fund papers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 4, 2024
  • Government House Leader Karina Gould said there will be no chance to discuss key legislation in the House until the privilege debate ends.
Andrew Scheer
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer's privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds aim to clear 112,000 Phoenix backlog cases by fiscal year-end, but unions call efforts ‘too little too late’

  • Ottawa says it is working to fix the costly and problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, but the unions say they have 'heard this before.'
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 3, 2024
Alex Benay
Alex Benay
Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, gives an update on the government’s efforts to replace the Phoenix pay system at a July press conference. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds aim to clear 112,000 Phoenix backlog cases by fiscal year-end, but unions call efforts ‘too little too late’

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 3, 2024
  • Ottawa says it is working to fix the costly and problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, but the unions say they have 'heard this before.'

Feds aim to clear 112,000 Phoenix backlog cases by fiscal year-end, but unions call efforts ‘too little too late’

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 3, 2024
  • Ottawa says it is working to fix the costly and problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, but the unions say they have 'heard this before.'
Alex Benay
Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, gives an update on the government’s efforts to replace the Phoenix pay system at a July press conference. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

‘They put a phone in your face and start filming you and insulting you’: MPs, cabinet ministers call out growing aggression, harassment by Hill protesters

  • Liberal MP Rob Oliphant was chased down the street, Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné says a protester grabbed a colleague’s coat, and NDP MP Lori
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 27, 2024
Conservative MP Kelly McCauley wades through Freedom Convoy supporters as he arrives on the Hill on Sept. 16, 2024. Security measures on Parliament Hill have been 'significantly' tightened in the wake of increasingly aggressive protesters—some of which have been associated with the 'Freedom Convoy' movement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘They put a phone in your face and start filming you and insulting you’: MPs, cabinet ministers call out growing aggression, harassment by Hill protesters

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 27, 2024
  • Liberal MP Rob Oliphant was chased down the street, Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné says a protester grabbed a colleague’s coat, and NDP MP Lori

‘They put a phone in your face and start filming you and insulting you’: MPs, cabinet ministers call out growing aggression, harassment by Hill protesters

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 27, 2024
  • Liberal MP Rob Oliphant was chased down the street, Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné says a protester grabbed a colleague’s coat, and NDP MP Lori
Conservative MP Kelly McCauley wades through Freedom Convoy supporters as he arrives on the Hill on Sept. 16, 2024. Security measures on Parliament Hill have been 'significantly' tightened in the wake of increasingly aggressive protesters—some of which have been associated with the 'Freedom Convoy' movement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Indigenous business verification for procurement ‘just not working,’ MPs hear

  • Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Joanna Bernard says the lack of a consistent verification approach 'creates a risk of false claims, tokenism, exploitation
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2024
AFN Regional Chief Joanna Bernard told MPs that there is 'no consistent way of verifying the legitimacy of Indigenous businesses.' The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Indigenous business verification for procurement ‘just not working,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2024
  • Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Joanna Bernard says the lack of a consistent verification approach 'creates a risk of false claims, tokenism, exploitation

Indigenous business verification for procurement ‘just not working,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2024
  • Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Joanna Bernard says the lack of a consistent verification approach 'creates a risk of false claims, tokenism, exploitation
AFN Regional Chief Joanna Bernard told MPs that there is 'no consistent way of verifying the legitimacy of Indigenous businesses.' The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘This is not a game’: MPs point fingers over use of committee for ‘content creation’ as procurement studies evolve

  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee still has 'tens of thousands' of pages of evidence to review as ArriveCan work wraps up.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 23, 2024
House Government Operations and Estimates Committee chair Kelly McCauley. The committee's work on government procurement and contracting dominated this year's headlines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘This is not a game’: MPs point fingers over use of committee for ‘content creation’ as procurement studies evolve

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 23, 2024
  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee still has 'tens of thousands' of pages of evidence to review as ArriveCan work wraps up.

‘This is not a game’: MPs point fingers over use of committee for ‘content creation’ as procurement studies evolve

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 23, 2024
  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee still has 'tens of thousands' of pages of evidence to review as ArriveCan work wraps up.
House Government Operations and Estimates Committee chair Kelly McCauley. The committee's work on government procurement and contracting dominated this year's headlines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Public servants declared 78 conflicts of interest tied to federal contracts last year: Treasury Board

  • The data raises new questions for opposition MPs who have been demanding answers from the government about public servants 'double-dipping' as contractors.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2024
The departments overseen by Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, left, and Treasury Board President Anita Anand have been in the spotlight as the Liberals face questions over their handling of federal contracting. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Public servants declared 78 conflicts of interest tied to federal contracts last year: Treasury Board

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2024
  • The data raises new questions for opposition MPs who have been demanding answers from the government about public servants 'double-dipping' as contractors.

Public servants declared 78 conflicts of interest tied to federal contracts last year: Treasury Board

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2024
  • The data raises new questions for opposition MPs who have been demanding answers from the government about public servants 'double-dipping' as contractors.
The departments overseen by Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, left, and Treasury Board President Anita Anand have been in the spotlight as the Liberals face questions over their handling of federal contracting. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Federal procurement watchdog reports 30 per cent surge in complaints 

  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic’s report found that ArriveCan’s primary contractor GC Strategies was favoured as a vendor.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 13, 2024
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic, right, and Derek Mersereau, left, acting director, inquiries, quality assurance and risk management in the Ombud's Office of Procurement, pictured Jan. 31, 2024, at the House Government Operations Committee on its study of the controversial ArriveCan app. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Federal procurement watchdog reports 30 per cent surge in complaints 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 13, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic’s report found that ArriveCan’s primary contractor GC Strategies was favoured as a vendor.

Federal procurement watchdog reports 30 per cent surge in complaints 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 13, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic’s report found that ArriveCan’s primary contractor GC Strategies was favoured as a vendor.
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic, right, and Derek Mersereau, left, acting director, inquiries, quality assurance and risk management in the Ombud's Office of Procurement, pictured Jan. 31, 2024, at the House Government Operations Committee on its study of the controversial ArriveCan app. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada expects to spend $1-billion over 10 years running new supply ships

  • Experts say 'modern combat is a freakishly expensive endeavour,' so the high operational costs projections are no surprise.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2024
On Aug. 9, Defence Minister Bill Blair, centre, visited Seaspan's shipyard in Vancouver, B.C., where the construction of two new ships is underway. Photograph courtesy of X/BillBlair

Canada expects to spend $1-billion over 10 years running new supply ships

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2024
  • Experts say 'modern combat is a freakishly expensive endeavour,' so the high operational costs projections are no surprise.

Canada expects to spend $1-billion over 10 years running new supply ships

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2024
  • Experts say 'modern combat is a freakishly expensive endeavour,' so the high operational costs projections are no surprise.
On Aug. 9, Defence Minister Bill Blair, centre, visited Seaspan's shipyard in Vancouver, B.C., where the construction of two new ships is underway. Photograph courtesy of X/BillBlair

Federal contractors raising money to sue government over alleged procurement misconduct

  • Botler AI's co-founders say they are looking to raise $25,000 to cover the legal fees and subject matter expert costs needed to prepare a
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 29, 2024
Amir Morv, left, and Ritika Dutt, the co-founders of Botler AI, speak at a House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting on Oct. 26, 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Federal contractors raising money to sue government over alleged procurement misconduct

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 29, 2024
  • Botler AI's co-founders say they are looking to raise $25,000 to cover the legal fees and subject matter expert costs needed to prepare a

Federal contractors raising money to sue government over alleged procurement misconduct

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 29, 2024
  • Botler AI's co-founders say they are looking to raise $25,000 to cover the legal fees and subject matter expert costs needed to prepare a
Amir Morv, left, and Ritika Dutt, the co-founders of Botler AI, speak at a House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting on Oct. 26, 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Global Affairs officials defend $9-million New York condo purchase amid opposition outcry

  • Global Affairs is ‘very proud’ new consul-general residence, says senior official Stéphane Cousineau, who predicts the eventual sale of the old property will lead
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 21, 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Conservative MPs accuse Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly of 'deafening silence' on the controversial real estate purchase. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Global Affairs officials defend $9-million New York condo purchase amid opposition outcry

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 21, 2024
  • Global Affairs is ‘very proud’ new consul-general residence, says senior official Stéphane Cousineau, who predicts the eventual sale of the old property will lead

Global Affairs officials defend $9-million New York condo purchase amid opposition outcry

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 21, 2024
  • Global Affairs is ‘very proud’ new consul-general residence, says senior official Stéphane Cousineau, who predicts the eventual sale of the old property will lead
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Conservative MPs accuse Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly of 'deafening silence' on the controversial real estate purchase. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Air Canada’s sudden entry into high-frequency rail bid raises conflict-of-interest concerns

  • If commercially sensitive data like pricing and ridership forecasts are available to bidders, it could give Air Canada an advantage over competitor airlines, says
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 19, 2024
In 2023, Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced the launch of a request for proposals for a high-speed rail project along the Quebec-Windsor corridor. The Hill Times photography by Andrew Meade

Air Canada’s sudden entry into high-frequency rail bid raises conflict-of-interest concerns

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 19, 2024
  • If commercially sensitive data like pricing and ridership forecasts are available to bidders, it could give Air Canada an advantage over competitor airlines, says

Air Canada’s sudden entry into high-frequency rail bid raises conflict-of-interest concerns

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 19, 2024
  • If commercially sensitive data like pricing and ridership forecasts are available to bidders, it could give Air Canada an advantage over competitor airlines, says
In 2023, Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced the launch of a request for proposals for a high-speed rail project along the Quebec-Windsor corridor. The Hill Times photography by Andrew Meade

Feds paid $19.4-million for public opinion research last year, with Public Health Agency and PCO spending the most

  • ​​Advanis, Ipsos, and Léger were the top three recipients of Ottawa's research spending last year. These studies have a 'significant impact' on government decisions,
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 15, 2024
Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos Minister, commissioned $19.4-million of public opinion research for 36 government departments in the past fiscal year. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Feds paid $19.4-million for public opinion research last year, with Public Health Agency and PCO spending the most

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 15, 2024
  • ​​Advanis, Ipsos, and Léger were the top three recipients of Ottawa's research spending last year. These studies have a 'significant impact' on government decisions,

Feds paid $19.4-million for public opinion research last year, with Public Health Agency and PCO spending the most

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 15, 2024
  • ​​Advanis, Ipsos, and Léger were the top three recipients of Ottawa's research spending last year. These studies have a 'significant impact' on government decisions,
Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos Minister, commissioned $19.4-million of public opinion research for 36 government departments in the past fiscal year. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

MPs ‘not very confident’ Ottawa will meet new supply ship timeline, as ‘same old’ procurement issues drive up costs

  • Bloc MP Julie Vignola says both the federal government and its supplier 'misjudged the construction capacities' of the chosen shipyard.
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 12, 2024
Bill Blair
Bill Blair
The Department of Defence, led by Minister Bill Blair, announced an almost $1-billion increase to the cost of building new supply ships in early August. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs ‘not very confident’ Ottawa will meet new supply ship timeline, as ‘same old’ procurement issues drive up costs

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 12, 2024
  • Bloc MP Julie Vignola says both the federal government and its supplier 'misjudged the construction capacities' of the chosen shipyard.

MPs ‘not very confident’ Ottawa will meet new supply ship timeline, as ‘same old’ procurement issues drive up costs

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 12, 2024
  • Bloc MP Julie Vignola says both the federal government and its supplier 'misjudged the construction capacities' of the chosen shipyard.
Bill Blair
The Department of Defence, led by Minister Bill Blair, announced an almost $1-billion increase to the cost of building new supply ships in early August. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Is Canada’s military procurement system broken? Some defence experts say it is, others say it works as designed

  • Ottawa has revealed that the cost of building the Navy's long-delayed supply ships has surged by nearly $1-billion, reaching a total of over $5.2-billion.
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 9, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair, left, and Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos oversee a military procurement system that has struggled for decades with major project delays and cost overruns. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Is Canada’s military procurement system broken? Some defence experts say it is, others say it works as designed

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 9, 2024
  • Ottawa has revealed that the cost of building the Navy's long-delayed supply ships has surged by nearly $1-billion, reaching a total of over $5.2-billion.

Is Canada’s military procurement system broken? Some defence experts say it is, others say it works as designed

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 9, 2024
  • Ottawa has revealed that the cost of building the Navy's long-delayed supply ships has surged by nearly $1-billion, reaching a total of over $5.2-billion.
Defence Minister Bill Blair, left, and Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos oversee a military procurement system that has struggled for decades with major project delays and cost overruns. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Public servant denies fault in controversial ArriveCan contract, says she is ‘muzzled’ with job at risk

  • Diane Daly denies involvement in developing the contracting criteria that ‘favoured’ GC Strategies, and secured the two-person IT firm a $25-million contract for its
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 7, 2024
Diane Daly
Diane Daly
Diane Daly, an employee with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) tells MPs that she is "very concerned that if I tell the truth here, I'm going to lose my job,” in her testimony on ArriveCan. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Public servant denies fault in controversial ArriveCan contract, says she is ‘muzzled’ with job at risk

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 7, 2024
  • Diane Daly denies involvement in developing the contracting criteria that ‘favoured’ GC Strategies, and secured the two-person IT firm a $25-million contract for its

Public servant denies fault in controversial ArriveCan contract, says she is ‘muzzled’ with job at risk

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 7, 2024
  • Diane Daly denies involvement in developing the contracting criteria that ‘favoured’ GC Strategies, and secured the two-person IT firm a $25-million contract for its
Diane Daly
Diane Daly, an employee with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) tells MPs that she is "very concerned that if I tell the truth here, I'm going to lose my job,” in her testimony on ArriveCan. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Planned submarine buy will be ‘eye-wateringly expensive,’ but the Navy ‘desperately’ needs them, say defence experts

  • 'Finding the money for this weapon system will be the biggest hurdle,' says Canadian Forces College professor Paul Mitchell.
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 1, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada is launching a procurement process to buy up to 12 conventionally powered submarines at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., on July 10. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Planned submarine buy will be ‘eye-wateringly expensive,’ but the Navy ‘desperately’ needs them, say defence experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 1, 2024
  • 'Finding the money for this weapon system will be the biggest hurdle,' says Canadian Forces College professor Paul Mitchell.

Planned submarine buy will be ‘eye-wateringly expensive,’ but the Navy ‘desperately’ needs them, say defence experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 1, 2024
  • 'Finding the money for this weapon system will be the biggest hurdle,' says Canadian Forces College professor Paul Mitchell.
Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada is launching a procurement process to buy up to 12 conventionally powered submarines at the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., on July 10. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘ArriveCan is different than other scandals,’ say experts, warning improprieties ‘erode public confidence’

  • 'If we repeat the same mistakes, obviously we're not doing the right thing,' says Patrice Poitevin, a retired senior RCMP investigator.
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 29, 2024
Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says that 'blaming public service won’t resolve procurement issues,' but more resources and oversight are needed. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘ArriveCan is different than other scandals,’ say experts, warning improprieties ‘erode public confidence’

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 29, 2024
  • 'If we repeat the same mistakes, obviously we're not doing the right thing,' says Patrice Poitevin, a retired senior RCMP investigator.

‘ArriveCan is different than other scandals,’ say experts, warning improprieties ‘erode public confidence’

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 29, 2024
  • 'If we repeat the same mistakes, obviously we're not doing the right thing,' says Patrice Poitevin, a retired senior RCMP investigator.
Minister Jean-Yves Duclos
Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says that 'blaming public service won’t resolve procurement issues,' but more resources and oversight are needed. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Conservative MPs push officials for answers after RCMP lays fraud charges against consultant

  • 'No department is safe from fraud,' says Catherine Poulin, assistant deputy minister of the departmental oversight branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada.
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 23, 2024
Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos previously told the Hill Times that more information on another five to 10 fraudulent cases is likely to be made public in the summer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative MPs push officials for answers after RCMP lays fraud charges against consultant

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 23, 2024
  • 'No department is safe from fraud,' says Catherine Poulin, assistant deputy minister of the departmental oversight branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Conservative MPs push officials for answers after RCMP lays fraud charges against consultant

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 23, 2024
  • 'No department is safe from fraud,' says Catherine Poulin, assistant deputy minister of the departmental oversight branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada.
Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos previously told the Hill Times that more information on another five to 10 fraudulent cases is likely to be made public in the summer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada ‘catching up’ with NATO allies by bolstering air defence systems since ‘wake-up call’ in Ukraine, experts say

  • The war in Ukraine has informed NATO allies and Canadian procurement strategies in 'all kinds of ways,' says defence expert David Perry.
News | BY IREM KOCA | July 8, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair unveiled the government's defence policy update on April 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada ‘catching up’ with NATO allies by bolstering air defence systems since ‘wake-up call’ in Ukraine, experts say

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 8, 2024
  • The war in Ukraine has informed NATO allies and Canadian procurement strategies in 'all kinds of ways,' says defence expert David Perry.

Canada ‘catching up’ with NATO allies by bolstering air defence systems since ‘wake-up call’ in Ukraine, experts say

News | BY IREM KOCA | July 8, 2024
  • The war in Ukraine has informed NATO allies and Canadian procurement strategies in 'all kinds of ways,' says defence expert David Perry.
Defence Minister Bill Blair unveiled the government's defence policy update on April 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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