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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
More Stories

Procurement watchdog to probe ‘bait and switch’ practices across departments amid ArriveCan revelations

  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's January report found most of the subcontractors pitched to secure a contract with the government on the ArriveCan application did
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic answers questions from MPs at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Procurement watchdog to probe ‘bait and switch’ practices across departments amid ArriveCan revelations

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's January report found most of the subcontractors pitched to secure a contract with the government on the ArriveCan application did

Procurement watchdog to probe ‘bait and switch’ practices across departments amid ArriveCan revelations

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's January report found most of the subcontractors pitched to secure a contract with the government on the ArriveCan application did
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic answers questions from MPs at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds changed procurement strategies to favour McKinsey, says procurement watchdog

  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's office reviewed 32 federal contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company, and found there was a lack of documentation 'to demonstrate
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 15, 2024
The federal government coughed up a total of $117-million in contracts to consulting firm McKinsey and Company between 2011 and 2023, according to Office of the Procurement Ombud, headed by Alexander Jeglic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds changed procurement strategies to favour McKinsey, says procurement watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 15, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's office reviewed 32 federal contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company, and found there was a lack of documentation 'to demonstrate

Feds changed procurement strategies to favour McKinsey, says procurement watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 15, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's office reviewed 32 federal contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company, and found there was a lack of documentation 'to demonstrate
The federal government coughed up a total of $117-million in contracts to consulting firm McKinsey and Company between 2011 and 2023, according to Office of the Procurement Ombud, headed by Alexander Jeglic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds pledge faster and better defence procurement strategy, but experts say it all comes down to execution

  • The April 8 policy update acknowledged that ‘defence procurement takes too long in Canada and needs to be faster and more effective,’ but the
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 10, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair was among the members of cabinet who unveiled the government's defence policy update on April 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds pledge faster and better defence procurement strategy, but experts say it all comes down to execution

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 10, 2024
  • The April 8 policy update acknowledged that ‘defence procurement takes too long in Canada and needs to be faster and more effective,’ but the

Feds pledge faster and better defence procurement strategy, but experts say it all comes down to execution

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 10, 2024
  • The April 8 policy update acknowledged that ‘defence procurement takes too long in Canada and needs to be faster and more effective,’ but the
Defence Minister Bill Blair was among the members of cabinet who unveiled the government's defence policy update on April 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CBSA told KPMG to go subcontract through GC Strategies to work on ArriveCan, MPs hear

  • Antonio Utano, a director-general at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, have been suspended without pay
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2024
Hartaj Nijjar, KPMG's partner and national leader for cybersecurity services, left, and Lydia Lee, the firm's partner and national leader for the firm's digital health transformation practice, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on April 4. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

CBSA told KPMG to go subcontract through GC Strategies to work on ArriveCan, MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2024
  • Antonio Utano, a director-general at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, have been suspended without pay

CBSA told KPMG to go subcontract through GC Strategies to work on ArriveCan, MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2024
  • Antonio Utano, a director-general at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, have been suspended without pay
Hartaj Nijjar, KPMG's partner and national leader for cybersecurity services, left, and Lydia Lee, the firm's partner and national leader for the firm's digital health transformation practice, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on April 4. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

Defence department spent around $1.2-billion on consultants last year

  • "A significant amount of money— is [spent] on professional services related to IT contracts,” Matthews had told the House Public Accounts Committee on March
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 3, 2024
Minister of National Defence Bill Blair speaks at a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 20, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Defence department spent around $1.2-billion on consultants last year

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 3, 2024
  • "A significant amount of money— is [spent] on professional services related to IT contracts,” Matthews had told the House Public Accounts Committee on March

Defence department spent around $1.2-billion on consultants last year

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 3, 2024
  • "A significant amount of money— is [spent] on professional services related to IT contracts,” Matthews had told the House Public Accounts Committee on March
Minister of National Defence Bill Blair speaks at a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 20, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan app provided ‘value for money,’ just not the ‘best value,’ CBSA official tells MPs

  • The maintenance of the existing ArriveCan application costs just under $3-million annually.
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 27, 2024
Jonathan Moor, vice-president of Canada Border Services Agency's comptrollership branch speaking at the Government Operations and Estimates on Mar. 26, 2024. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan app provided ‘value for money,’ just not the ‘best value,’ CBSA official tells MPs

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 27, 2024
  • The maintenance of the existing ArriveCan application costs just under $3-million annually.

ArriveCan app provided ‘value for money,’ just not the ‘best value,’ CBSA official tells MPs

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 27, 2024
  • The maintenance of the existing ArriveCan application costs just under $3-million annually.
Jonathan Moor, vice-president of Canada Border Services Agency's comptrollership branch speaking at the Government Operations and Estimates on Mar. 26, 2024. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Defence contractors are ‘a giant vampire sucking billions of taxpayer dollars’: public service union head

  • Canada spends roughly $5-billion a year on external contracts, which includes contracts for the procurement of planes and ships, according to Bill Matthews, deputy
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2024
Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President, speaks at a press conference in West Block on Feb. 27, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Defence contractors are ‘a giant vampire sucking billions of taxpayer dollars’: public service union head

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2024
  • Canada spends roughly $5-billion a year on external contracts, which includes contracts for the procurement of planes and ships, according to Bill Matthews, deputy

Defence contractors are ‘a giant vampire sucking billions of taxpayer dollars’: public service union head

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2024
  • Canada spends roughly $5-billion a year on external contracts, which includes contracts for the procurement of planes and ships, according to Bill Matthews, deputy
Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President, speaks at a press conference in West Block on Feb. 27, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan contractor did not disclose conflict of interest, says Anand

  • Auditor General Karen Hogan's review into the ArriveCan app estimated that Dalian—in joint venture with Coradix—was paid $7.9-million for its work. But company founder
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 20, 2024
On March 19, Dalian Enterprises founder David Yeo told MPs on the House Public Accounts Committee he was not in a conflict of interest, despite his firm having contracts for the development of the ArriveCan app when he started a job as a public servant in 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan contractor did not disclose conflict of interest, says Anand

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 20, 2024
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan's review into the ArriveCan app estimated that Dalian—in joint venture with Coradix—was paid $7.9-million for its work. But company founder

ArriveCan contractor did not disclose conflict of interest, says Anand

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 20, 2024
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan's review into the ArriveCan app estimated that Dalian—in joint venture with Coradix—was paid $7.9-million for its work. But company founder
On March 19, Dalian Enterprises founder David Yeo told MPs on the House Public Accounts Committee he was not in a conflict of interest, despite his firm having contracts for the development of the ArriveCan app when he started a job as a public servant in 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

GC Strategies partner deems the auditor general’s findings ‘incorrect’ despite admitting to never having read them or intending to do so

  • Anthony testified that, to his knowledge, his government security clearance remains unaffected, while partner Kristian Firth's was revoked amidst misconduct allegations and scrutiny around
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2024
GC Strategies co-founder Darren Anthony appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of House of Commons

GC Strategies partner deems the auditor general’s findings ‘incorrect’ despite admitting to never having read them or intending to do so

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2024
  • Anthony testified that, to his knowledge, his government security clearance remains unaffected, while partner Kristian Firth's was revoked amidst misconduct allegations and scrutiny around

GC Strategies partner deems the auditor general’s findings ‘incorrect’ despite admitting to never having read them or intending to do so

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2024
  • Anthony testified that, to his knowledge, his government security clearance remains unaffected, while partner Kristian Firth's was revoked amidst misconduct allegations and scrutiny around
GC Strategies co-founder Darren Anthony appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of House of Commons

Key ArriveCan contractor disputes AG’s findings, says his firm was paid less than $19M for app

  • GC Strategies expressed its 'disagreement' with the auditor general’s estimate it was paid $19.1-million for the ArriveCan build prior to the release of the
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 13, 2024
GC Strategies co-founder Kristian Firth appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 13. His business partner, Darren Anthony, will testify before the same committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Key ArriveCan contractor disputes AG’s findings, says his firm was paid less than $19M for app

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 13, 2024
  • GC Strategies expressed its 'disagreement' with the auditor general’s estimate it was paid $19.1-million for the ArriveCan build prior to the release of the

Key ArriveCan contractor disputes AG’s findings, says his firm was paid less than $19M for app

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 13, 2024
  • GC Strategies expressed its 'disagreement' with the auditor general’s estimate it was paid $19.1-million for the ArriveCan build prior to the release of the
GC Strategies co-founder Kristian Firth appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 13. His business partner, Darren Anthony, will testify before the same committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan: What you need to know before key witnesses’ testimonies

  • Allegations of misconduct, conflict of interest, and a nearly $60-million price tag loom over the three main ArriveCan contractors: GC Strategies, Dalian Enterprises, and
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2024
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan: What you need to know before key witnesses’ testimonies

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2024
  • Allegations of misconduct, conflict of interest, and a nearly $60-million price tag loom over the three main ArriveCan contractors: GC Strategies, Dalian Enterprises, and

ArriveCan: What you need to know before key witnesses’ testimonies

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2024
  • Allegations of misconduct, conflict of interest, and a nearly $60-million price tag loom over the three main ArriveCan contractors: GC Strategies, Dalian Enterprises, and
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds suspend security status of company at heart of ArriveCan controversy

  • GC Strategies was the primary contractor for the procurement of the ArriveCan app, and received an estimated $19.1-million for its work, which did not involve
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2024
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds suspend security status of company at heart of ArriveCan controversy

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2024
  • GC Strategies was the primary contractor for the procurement of the ArriveCan app, and received an estimated $19.1-million for its work, which did not involve

Feds suspend security status of company at heart of ArriveCan controversy

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2024
  • GC Strategies was the primary contractor for the procurement of the ArriveCan app, and received an estimated $19.1-million for its work, which did not involve
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan fallout gives Liberals a ‘very black eye,’ as public pressure builds on government to resolve mess, say politicos

  • The political repercussions from ArriveCan 'will not play well, and 'will not go away,' according to Aaron Wudrick, who called the issue 'symbolic' of
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2024
Although politics of this issue are 'inextricably linked' to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government, the real concern from a non-partisan standpoint should be to identify where the weak links are in the government procurement processes and fix them, says Aaron Wudrick. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan fallout gives Liberals a ‘very black eye,’ as public pressure builds on government to resolve mess, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2024
  • The political repercussions from ArriveCan 'will not play well, and 'will not go away,' according to Aaron Wudrick, who called the issue 'symbolic' of

ArriveCan fallout gives Liberals a ‘very black eye,’ as public pressure builds on government to resolve mess, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2024
  • The political repercussions from ArriveCan 'will not play well, and 'will not go away,' according to Aaron Wudrick, who called the issue 'symbolic' of
Although politics of this issue are 'inextricably linked' to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government, the real concern from a non-partisan standpoint should be to identify where the weak links are in the government procurement processes and fix them, says Aaron Wudrick. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Eight years after Phoenix launch, unions demand ‘ongoing damages’ for affected employees as new system still in development

  • Since 2018, $154-million has gone to contractors to develop an alternative pay system, in addition to the billions of dollars spent on Phoenix fixes.
News | BY IREM KOCA, MIKE LAPOINTE | March 4, 2024
Yvon Barrière, regional executive vice-president for Quebec, Public Service Alliance of Canada; left, Chris Aylward, national president of PSAC; Jennifer Carr, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada; and Nathan Prier, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Eight years after Phoenix launch, unions demand ‘ongoing damages’ for affected employees as new system still in development

News | BY IREM KOCA, MIKE LAPOINTE | March 4, 2024
  • Since 2018, $154-million has gone to contractors to develop an alternative pay system, in addition to the billions of dollars spent on Phoenix fixes.

Eight years after Phoenix launch, unions demand ‘ongoing damages’ for affected employees as new system still in development

News | BY IREM KOCA, MIKE LAPOINTE | March 4, 2024
  • Since 2018, $154-million has gone to contractors to develop an alternative pay system, in addition to the billions of dollars spent on Phoenix fixes.
Yvon Barrière, regional executive vice-president for Quebec, Public Service Alliance of Canada; left, Chris Aylward, national president of PSAC; Jennifer Carr, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada; and Nathan Prier, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals vote against disclosure of ArriveCan costs as Opposition MPs accuse the government of filibustering

  • 'We want to know: where did the money go? Who got rich? That's we want to see with this documentation… [This motion is] going
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 28, 2024
The ArriveCan controversy dominated question period on February 28, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre exchanged barbs over the government's handling of the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals vote against disclosure of ArriveCan costs as Opposition MPs accuse the government of filibustering

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 28, 2024
  • 'We want to know: where did the money go? Who got rich? That's we want to see with this documentation… [This motion is] going

Liberals vote against disclosure of ArriveCan costs as Opposition MPs accuse the government of filibustering

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 28, 2024
  • 'We want to know: where did the money go? Who got rich? That's we want to see with this documentation… [This motion is] going
The ArriveCan controversy dominated question period on February 28, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre exchanged barbs over the government's handling of the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Former CBSA officials say they are being scapegoated in a ‘coverup’ over ArriveCan

  • 'The reality is this document is nothing more than a collection of baseless accusations, unsupported by any corroborating evidence, accusations of wrongdoing, supported by
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 23, 2024
Antonio Utano, left, and Cameron MacDonald at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting in the West Block on Feb. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Former CBSA officials say they are being scapegoated in a ‘coverup’ over ArriveCan

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 23, 2024
  • 'The reality is this document is nothing more than a collection of baseless accusations, unsupported by any corroborating evidence, accusations of wrongdoing, supported by

Former CBSA officials say they are being scapegoated in a ‘coverup’ over ArriveCan

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 23, 2024
  • 'The reality is this document is nothing more than a collection of baseless accusations, unsupported by any corroborating evidence, accusations of wrongdoing, supported by
Antonio Utano, left, and Cameron MacDonald at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting in the West Block on Feb. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pair of public servants in the middle of ArriveCan allegations appeal to Federal Court to block CBSA review

  • Cameron MacDonald and Antonio Utano will appear at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Feb. 22.
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 21, 2024
Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, left; and Antonio Utano, a director general at the Canada Revenue Agency, asking the Federal Court to throw out an internal CBSA report on the procurement of the ArriveCan application. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

Pair of public servants in the middle of ArriveCan allegations appeal to Federal Court to block CBSA review

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 21, 2024
  • Cameron MacDonald and Antonio Utano will appear at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Feb. 22.

Pair of public servants in the middle of ArriveCan allegations appeal to Federal Court to block CBSA review

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 21, 2024
  • Cameron MacDonald and Antonio Utano will appear at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Feb. 22.
Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, left; and Antonio Utano, a director general at the Canada Revenue Agency, asking the Federal Court to throw out an internal CBSA report on the procurement of the ArriveCan application. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

Turkish earthquake victims call on the feds to clear a path for immigration, access to health care amid uncertainty a year after disaster

  • Canada's special immigration measures for Turkish earthquake victims provided immediate relief for those fleeing the 2023 disaster, but advocates say ineligibility for benefits like
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 19, 2024
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller makes an announcement about additional supports for asylum claimants in the House of Commons foyer after Question Period on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Turkish earthquake victims call on the feds to clear a path for immigration, access to health care amid uncertainty a year after disaster

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 19, 2024
  • Canada's special immigration measures for Turkish earthquake victims provided immediate relief for those fleeing the 2023 disaster, but advocates say ineligibility for benefits like

Turkish earthquake victims call on the feds to clear a path for immigration, access to health care amid uncertainty a year after disaster

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 19, 2024
  • Canada's special immigration measures for Turkish earthquake victims provided immediate relief for those fleeing the 2023 disaster, but advocates say ineligibility for benefits like
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller makes an announcement about additional supports for asylum claimants in the House of Commons foyer after Question Period on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs push for Canada’s chief auditor to investigate the firm behind the ArriveCan app

  • The auditor general’s office says it's 'evaluating the request' made by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to poke deeper into the myriad
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 16, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan's Feb. 12 report found 'glaring disregard for basic management and contracting practices' throughout the ArriveCan application's development and implementation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs push for Canada’s chief auditor to investigate the firm behind the ArriveCan app

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 16, 2024
  • The auditor general’s office says it's 'evaluating the request' made by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to poke deeper into the myriad

MPs push for Canada’s chief auditor to investigate the firm behind the ArriveCan app

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 16, 2024
  • The auditor general’s office says it's 'evaluating the request' made by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to poke deeper into the myriad
Auditor General Karen Hogan's Feb. 12 report found 'glaring disregard for basic management and contracting practices' throughout the ArriveCan application's development and implementation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan accountability remains top question as federal spending watchdog says she found ‘disappointing failures’ everywhere she looked

  • Canadians will lose faith in institutions if there are no consequences, says Aaron Wudrick. But it should be bureaucrats—not ministers—who wear the procurement failings,
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 13, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan's Feb. 12 report found 'glaring disregard for basic management and contracting practices' throughout the ArriveCan development and implementation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan accountability remains top question as federal spending watchdog says she found ‘disappointing failures’ everywhere she looked

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 13, 2024
  • Canadians will lose faith in institutions if there are no consequences, says Aaron Wudrick. But it should be bureaucrats—not ministers—who wear the procurement failings,

ArriveCan accountability remains top question as federal spending watchdog says she found ‘disappointing failures’ everywhere she looked

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 13, 2024
  • Canadians will lose faith in institutions if there are no consequences, says Aaron Wudrick. But it should be bureaucrats—not ministers—who wear the procurement failings,
Auditor General Karen Hogan's Feb. 12 report found 'glaring disregard for basic management and contracting practices' throughout the ArriveCan development and implementation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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