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Wednesday, February 4, 2026

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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.

Industrial benefits policy needs a ‘relook,’ says ex-senior public servant, as Conservative MP pushes for contract records

  • 'There has to be better alignment between the ITB policy and the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces,' says former public servant Clem Srour.
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 31, 2026
Conservative MP Adam Chambers, left, and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. Joly’s response to Chambers’ question reveals some contract records report the value of business activity in Canada at zero dollars. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Industrial benefits policy needs a ‘relook,’ says ex-senior public servant, as Conservative MP pushes for contract records

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 31, 2026
  • 'There has to be better alignment between the ITB policy and the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces,' says former public servant Clem Srour.

Industrial benefits policy needs a ‘relook,’ says ex-senior public servant, as Conservative MP pushes for contract records

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 31, 2026
  • 'There has to be better alignment between the ITB policy and the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces,' says former public servant Clem Srour.
Conservative MP Adam Chambers, left, and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. Joly’s response to Chambers’ question reveals some contract records report the value of business activity in Canada at zero dollars. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Lack of pre-sitting cabinet shuffle doesn’t take it off the table for the winter, say political strategists

  • Although a cabinet shuffle isn't in the cards before the House resumes after winter break, it could still be a possibility as byelections create
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney gathered his front bench for a cabinet retreat in Quebec City to discuss progress on their priorities before returning to the House on Jan. 26. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lack of pre-sitting cabinet shuffle doesn’t take it off the table for the winter, say political strategists

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
  • Although a cabinet shuffle isn't in the cards before the House resumes after winter break, it could still be a possibility as byelections create

Lack of pre-sitting cabinet shuffle doesn’t take it off the table for the winter, say political strategists

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
  • Although a cabinet shuffle isn't in the cards before the House resumes after winter break, it could still be a possibility as byelections create
Prime Minister Mark Carney gathered his front bench for a cabinet retreat in Quebec City to discuss progress on their priorities before returning to the House on Jan. 26. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Public service job cuts will be ‘minimal’ in procurement and contracting roles, says PSPC

  • Public Services and Procurement cuts would add a layer of 'uncertainty' to the already murky field federal contracting, but could also open up opportunities
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, has reportedly issued nearly 980 workforce adjustment notices as part of the government-wide job cuts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Public service job cuts will be ‘minimal’ in procurement and contracting roles, says PSPC

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
  • Public Services and Procurement cuts would add a layer of 'uncertainty' to the already murky field federal contracting, but could also open up opportunities

Public service job cuts will be ‘minimal’ in procurement and contracting roles, says PSPC

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
  • Public Services and Procurement cuts would add a layer of 'uncertainty' to the already murky field federal contracting, but could also open up opportunities
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, has reportedly issued nearly 980 workforce adjustment notices as part of the government-wide job cuts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We ask the government not to send us back to the ruins’: Turkish earthquake survivors call on feds to ease path to permanent residency

  • IRCC says the measures that allowed 2023 earthquake survivors to stay in Canada were intended to be temporary, but many of those from hometowns
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 22, 2026
Lena Diab
Lena Diab
Turkish earthquake survivors in Canada are looking to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, led by Minister Lena Diab, pictured, to establish a fair pathway to permanent residency, says a community group representative The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We ask the government not to send us back to the ruins’: Turkish earthquake survivors call on feds to ease path to permanent residency

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 22, 2026
  • IRCC says the measures that allowed 2023 earthquake survivors to stay in Canada were intended to be temporary, but many of those from hometowns

‘We ask the government not to send us back to the ruins’: Turkish earthquake survivors call on feds to ease path to permanent residency

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 22, 2026
  • IRCC says the measures that allowed 2023 earthquake survivors to stay in Canada were intended to be temporary, but many of those from hometowns
Lena Diab
Turkish earthquake survivors in Canada are looking to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, led by Minister Lena Diab, pictured, to establish a fair pathway to permanent residency, says a community group representative The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Very few truly understand how it currently works’: procurement watchdog puts defence contracting under microscope

  • The Office of the Procurement Ombud is putting together a research study on defence procurement, with early outreach suggesting the new Defence Investment Agency
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 16, 2026
Alexander Jeglic
Alexander Jeglic
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's work plan for 2026 also includes publishing his review of the government's Indigenous procurement activities, and keeping an eye on the feds' Buy Canadian plans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Very few truly understand how it currently works’: procurement watchdog puts defence contracting under microscope

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 16, 2026
  • The Office of the Procurement Ombud is putting together a research study on defence procurement, with early outreach suggesting the new Defence Investment Agency

‘Very few truly understand how it currently works’: procurement watchdog puts defence contracting under microscope

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 16, 2026
  • The Office of the Procurement Ombud is putting together a research study on defence procurement, with early outreach suggesting the new Defence Investment Agency
Alexander Jeglic
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's work plan for 2026 also includes publishing his review of the government's Indigenous procurement activities, and keeping an eye on the feds' Buy Canadian plans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘A grain of salt’: unmasking Liberal floor-crossing talks carries potential risk for opposition MPs, say politicos 

  • Although these kinds of revelations never tell the whole story, MPs are demonstrating they are open to being approached. But it also puts pressure
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 12, 2026
NDP MP Lori Idlout, left, and Conservative MP Scott Anderson have both recently said they have been approached by Liberals to join the party, but that they have refused. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Facebook

‘A grain of salt’: unmasking Liberal floor-crossing talks carries potential risk for opposition MPs, say politicos 

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 12, 2026
  • Although these kinds of revelations never tell the whole story, MPs are demonstrating they are open to being approached. But it also puts pressure

‘A grain of salt’: unmasking Liberal floor-crossing talks carries potential risk for opposition MPs, say politicos 

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 12, 2026
  • Although these kinds of revelations never tell the whole story, MPs are demonstrating they are open to being approached. But it also puts pressure
NDP MP Lori Idlout, left, and Conservative MP Scott Anderson have both recently said they have been approached by Liberals to join the party, but that they have refused. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Facebook

‘Disgraceful and indefensible’: feds’ failure to release new Defence Industrial Strategy by deadline sparks backlash

  • 'I can’t understand why a government can’t get down to business and operate rigorously,' says Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 8, 2026
Defence Minister David McGuinty said last fall that the first Defence Industrial Strategy would be released before Christmas, but the government has failed to meet its own deadline. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Disgraceful and indefensible’: feds’ failure to release new Defence Industrial Strategy by deadline sparks backlash

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 8, 2026
  • 'I can’t understand why a government can’t get down to business and operate rigorously,' says Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel

‘Disgraceful and indefensible’: feds’ failure to release new Defence Industrial Strategy by deadline sparks backlash

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 8, 2026
  • 'I can’t understand why a government can’t get down to business and operate rigorously,' says Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel
Defence Minister David McGuinty said last fall that the first Defence Industrial Strategy would be released before Christmas, but the government has failed to meet its own deadline. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A ‘laser-focused’ Carney and ‘embattled’ Poilievre share contrasting messages in year-end interviews

  • When asked by the CBC about the floor-crossing Conservatives, Leader Pierre Poilievre framed the issue as 'a problem of [Mark] Carney’s leadership,' accusing the
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 31, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre reflect on the past year and offer a look-ahead for 2026 in their multiple year-end interviews.

A ‘laser-focused’ Carney and ‘embattled’ Poilievre share contrasting messages in year-end interviews

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 31, 2025
  • When asked by the CBC about the floor-crossing Conservatives, Leader Pierre Poilievre framed the issue as 'a problem of [Mark] Carney’s leadership,' accusing the

A ‘laser-focused’ Carney and ‘embattled’ Poilievre share contrasting messages in year-end interviews

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 31, 2025
  • When asked by the CBC about the floor-crossing Conservatives, Leader Pierre Poilievre framed the issue as 'a problem of [Mark] Carney’s leadership,' accusing the
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre reflect on the past year and offer a look-ahead for 2026 in their multiple year-end interviews.

PSPC failed to meet key economic, environmental, and social procurement targets last fiscal year, departmental data shows

  • The department met its 80-per-cent target in two indicators measuring suppliers’ access to procurements and the fairness and transparency of the process, but fell
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 27, 2025
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, awarded contracts that were worth a total value of $7.4-billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PSPC failed to meet key economic, environmental, and social procurement targets last fiscal year, departmental data shows

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 27, 2025
  • The department met its 80-per-cent target in two indicators measuring suppliers’ access to procurements and the fairness and transparency of the process, but fell

PSPC failed to meet key economic, environmental, and social procurement targets last fiscal year, departmental data shows

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 27, 2025
  • The department met its 80-per-cent target in two indicators measuring suppliers’ access to procurements and the fairness and transparency of the process, but fell
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, awarded contracts that were worth a total value of $7.4-billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds should ‘sharpen’ definition of Canadian to ensure new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy works, says industry

  • 'There is a real difference between operating here and actually anchoring value here, and policy should reflect that,' says Daniel Perry, director of federal
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 23, 2025
Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced the latest steps under the Buy Canadian Policy for federal procurement on Dec. 16. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds should ‘sharpen’ definition of Canadian to ensure new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy works, says industry

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 23, 2025
  • 'There is a real difference between operating here and actually anchoring value here, and policy should reflect that,' says Daniel Perry, director of federal

Feds should ‘sharpen’ definition of Canadian to ensure new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy works, says industry

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 23, 2025
  • 'There is a real difference between operating here and actually anchoring value here, and policy should reflect that,' says Daniel Perry, director of federal
Government Transformation, Public Works, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound announced the latest steps under the Buy Canadian Policy for federal procurement on Dec. 16. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds push ahead with ‘transformative’ $60-billion to $90-billion high-speed rail project as experts urge caution over major cost over-runs, land acquisition powers

  • The railway will eventually span approximately 1,000 kilometres from Toronto to Quebec City. It will reach speeds of up to 300 km/hour, cutting travel
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 15, 2025
Steven MacKinnon
Steven MacKinnon
Transport Minister Steven Mackinnon announced on Dec.12 that the first phase of Canada’s planned high-speed rail network project will run between Ottawa–Montreal corridor.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds push ahead with ‘transformative’ $60-billion to $90-billion high-speed rail project as experts urge caution over major cost over-runs, land acquisition powers

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 15, 2025
  • The railway will eventually span approximately 1,000 kilometres from Toronto to Quebec City. It will reach speeds of up to 300 km/hour, cutting travel

Feds push ahead with ‘transformative’ $60-billion to $90-billion high-speed rail project as experts urge caution over major cost over-runs, land acquisition powers

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 15, 2025
  • The railway will eventually span approximately 1,000 kilometres from Toronto to Quebec City. It will reach speeds of up to 300 km/hour, cutting travel
Steven MacKinnon
Transport Minister Steven Mackinnon announced on Dec.12 that the first phase of Canada’s planned high-speed rail network project will run between Ottawa–Montreal corridor.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds removed 643 more companies from its Indigenous business directory this year

  • The database that allows firms to access set-aside federal procurement opportunities 'cannot be trusted ... until it is fully certified by an Indigenous group,'
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 8, 2025
Mandy Gull-Masty
Mandy Gull-Masty
Indigenous Services Canada, which is led by Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, removed hundreds of companies from its Indigenous Business Directory in 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds removed 643 more companies from its Indigenous business directory this year

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 8, 2025
  • The database that allows firms to access set-aside federal procurement opportunities 'cannot be trusted ... until it is fully certified by an Indigenous group,'

Feds removed 643 more companies from its Indigenous business directory this year

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 8, 2025
  • The database that allows firms to access set-aside federal procurement opportunities 'cannot be trusted ... until it is fully certified by an Indigenous group,'
Mandy Gull-Masty
Indigenous Services Canada, which is led by Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, removed hundreds of companies from its Indigenous Business Directory in 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Don’t be indifferent’: Iranian-Canadian author shares story of his life inside infamous Tehran prison in new book

  • 'If you have a purpose, then you become resilient. Then you want to fight for something. But if you don't have a purpose …
Feature | BY IREM KOCA | December 8, 2025
The Darkest Night Brings Longer Days, a memoir by author Sirous Houshmand, features his life story through 1979 Iranian revolution. Handout Photo

‘Don’t be indifferent’: Iranian-Canadian author shares story of his life inside infamous Tehran prison in new book

Feature | BY IREM KOCA | December 8, 2025
  • 'If you have a purpose, then you become resilient. Then you want to fight for something. But if you don't have a purpose …

‘Don’t be indifferent’: Iranian-Canadian author shares story of his life inside infamous Tehran prison in new book

Feature | BY IREM KOCA | December 8, 2025
  • 'If you have a purpose, then you become resilient. Then you want to fight for something. But if you don't have a purpose …
The Darkest Night Brings Longer Days, a memoir by author Sirous Houshmand, features his life story through 1979 Iranian revolution. Handout Photo

MPs order release of records from new Defence Investment Agency after it leaves the PBO waiting

  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee took the step to compel the release of information after hearing from the parliamentary budget officer that
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 2, 2025
Kelly Block
Kelly Block
Conservative MP Kelly Block moved a motion at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to compel departments to respond to the Parliamentary Budget Office's information request on Dec. 2. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs order release of records from new Defence Investment Agency after it leaves the PBO waiting

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 2, 2025
  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee took the step to compel the release of information after hearing from the parliamentary budget officer that

MPs order release of records from new Defence Investment Agency after it leaves the PBO waiting

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 2, 2025
  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee took the step to compel the release of information after hearing from the parliamentary budget officer that
Kelly Block
Conservative MP Kelly Block moved a motion at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to compel departments to respond to the Parliamentary Budget Office's information request on Dec. 2. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘The only thing we want to see is transparency’: MPs call to view results of feds’ internal review of high-value contracts

  • Public Services and Procurement Canada says the 45-day review into finding savings through federal contracting 'was completed on schedule' and that results will be
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 1, 2025
Bloc Québécois MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau says OGGO committee members need to see the results of the contract review requested by ministers to find savings in order to hold the government accountable. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘The only thing we want to see is transparency’: MPs call to view results of feds’ internal review of high-value contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 1, 2025
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada says the 45-day review into finding savings through federal contracting 'was completed on schedule' and that results will be

‘The only thing we want to see is transparency’: MPs call to view results of feds’ internal review of high-value contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 1, 2025
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada says the 45-day review into finding savings through federal contracting 'was completed on schedule' and that results will be
Bloc Québécois MP Marie-Hélène Gaudreau says OGGO committee members need to see the results of the contract review requested by ministers to find savings in order to hold the government accountable. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds risk derailing major projects unless they chart a clearer course for defence procurement, experts say

  • 'I simply hope that we find a way to reconcile the government’s intention and the military’s interpretation of its mission, so that we don’t allow
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 27, 2025
Canada’s multibillion-dollar purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin have been in review since last winter. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo Sr.

Feds risk derailing major projects unless they chart a clearer course for defence procurement, experts say

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 27, 2025
  • 'I simply hope that we find a way to reconcile the government’s intention and the military’s interpretation of its mission, so that we don’t allow

Feds risk derailing major projects unless they chart a clearer course for defence procurement, experts say

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 27, 2025
  • 'I simply hope that we find a way to reconcile the government’s intention and the military’s interpretation of its mission, so that we don’t allow
Canada’s multibillion-dollar purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin have been in review since last winter. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo Sr.

Deloitte’s certification as partner to Indigenous firms raises questions about access to feds’ contract regime, says Indigenous business owner

  • 'Billions of dollars are at stake, and corporations understand that Indigenous participation is now a central factor in how those dollars will move,' says
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 25, 2025
Deloitte Canada was recently certified as a business partner by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, raising questions about the firm's access to federal contracts set aside for Indigenous business. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Deloitte’s certification as partner to Indigenous firms raises questions about access to feds’ contract regime, says Indigenous business owner

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 25, 2025
  • 'Billions of dollars are at stake, and corporations understand that Indigenous participation is now a central factor in how those dollars will move,' says

Deloitte’s certification as partner to Indigenous firms raises questions about access to feds’ contract regime, says Indigenous business owner

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 25, 2025
  • 'Billions of dollars are at stake, and corporations understand that Indigenous participation is now a central factor in how those dollars will move,' says
Deloitte Canada was recently certified as a business partner by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, raising questions about the firm's access to federal contracts set aside for Indigenous business. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘It’s a big concern’: MPs scrutinize head of Major Projects Office for past role in Trans Mountain contract

  • Dawn Farrell was CEO of the Trans Mountain Corporation when it issued a $32.9-million sole-source contract to McKinsey and Company to help the pipeline
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 19, 2025
Bloc Québécois MP Sébastien Lemire said Dawn Farrell's previous decision to approve a controversial McKinsey contract is concerning given her new position with the Major Projects Office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘It’s a big concern’: MPs scrutinize head of Major Projects Office for past role in Trans Mountain contract

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 19, 2025
  • Dawn Farrell was CEO of the Trans Mountain Corporation when it issued a $32.9-million sole-source contract to McKinsey and Company to help the pipeline

‘It’s a big concern’: MPs scrutinize head of Major Projects Office for past role in Trans Mountain contract

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 19, 2025
  • Dawn Farrell was CEO of the Trans Mountain Corporation when it issued a $32.9-million sole-source contract to McKinsey and Company to help the pipeline
Bloc Québécois MP Sébastien Lemire said Dawn Farrell's previous decision to approve a controversial McKinsey contract is concerning given her new position with the Major Projects Office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Period of fluidity’: feds signal procurement transition as Defence Investment Agency ramps up

  • At least 50 procurement specialists from PSPC are moving over to the new Defence Investment Agency, according to Siobhan Harty, PSPC senior associate deputy
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 19, 2025
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr will act as the point of accountability for the Defence Investment Agency at the top of the structure like a minister. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Period of fluidity’: feds signal procurement transition as Defence Investment Agency ramps up

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 19, 2025
  • At least 50 procurement specialists from PSPC are moving over to the new Defence Investment Agency, according to Siobhan Harty, PSPC senior associate deputy

‘Period of fluidity’: feds signal procurement transition as Defence Investment Agency ramps up

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 19, 2025
  • At least 50 procurement specialists from PSPC are moving over to the new Defence Investment Agency, according to Siobhan Harty, PSPC senior associate deputy
Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Stephen Fuhr will act as the point of accountability for the Defence Investment Agency at the top of the structure like a minister. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trade tribunal urges feds to redo multimillion-dollar defence bid after ‘valid’ complaint it favoured U.S. supplier

  • A new Canadian International Trade Tribunal ruling backs the complaint that highly restrictive technical requirements to supply night-vision binoculars effectively excluded all potential bidders
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 18, 2025
Defence Minister David McGuinty previously 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 urges feds to redo multimillion-dollar defence bid after ‘valid’ complaint it favoured U.S. supplier

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 18, 2025
  • A new Canadian International Trade Tribunal ruling backs the complaint that highly restrictive technical requirements to supply night-vision binoculars effectively excluded all potential bidders

Trade tribunal urges feds to redo multimillion-dollar defence bid after ‘valid’ complaint it favoured U.S. supplier

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 18, 2025
  • A new Canadian International Trade Tribunal ruling backs the complaint that highly restrictive technical requirements to supply night-vision binoculars effectively excluded all potential bidders
Defence Minister David McGuinty previously 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

Avoiding ‘expensive failures’: feds risk losing millions in taxpayer dollars if ball dropped on AI procurement, says new report

  • 'If we can't get outcome-based procurement right, we'll always be seeing overspending,' says procurement expert Kelly Hutchinson.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 14, 2025
Evan Solomon
Evan Solomon
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon. The 2025 budget proposed providing $925.6-million over the next five years to support a large-scale 'sovereign' public AI infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Avoiding ‘expensive failures’: feds risk losing millions in taxpayer dollars if ball dropped on AI procurement, says new report

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 14, 2025
  • 'If we can't get outcome-based procurement right, we'll always be seeing overspending,' says procurement expert Kelly Hutchinson.

Avoiding ‘expensive failures’: feds risk losing millions in taxpayer dollars if ball dropped on AI procurement, says new report

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 14, 2025
  • 'If we can't get outcome-based procurement right, we'll always be seeing overspending,' says procurement expert Kelly Hutchinson.
Evan Solomon
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon. The 2025 budget proposed providing $925.6-million over the next five years to support a large-scale 'sovereign' public AI infrastructure. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Canadians deserve full confidence that public funds are protected,’ says Liberal MP after PSPC report reveals nearly a dozen employees fired for misconduct

  • Public Services and Procurement Canada completed 111 disciplinary investigations in the 2024-25 fiscal year, and found 84 cases of misconduct.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 10, 2025
Iqra Khalid
Iqra Khalid
Liberal MP Iqra Khalid says the volume of investigations, cases, and tips 'makes one thing clear: every public dollar is at risk until proven otherwise.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Canadians deserve full confidence that public funds are protected,’ says Liberal MP after PSPC report reveals nearly a dozen employees fired for misconduct

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 10, 2025
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada completed 111 disciplinary investigations in the 2024-25 fiscal year, and found 84 cases of misconduct.

‘Canadians deserve full confidence that public funds are protected,’ says Liberal MP after PSPC report reveals nearly a dozen employees fired for misconduct

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 10, 2025
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada completed 111 disciplinary investigations in the 2024-25 fiscal year, and found 84 cases of misconduct.
Iqra Khalid
Liberal MP Iqra Khalid says the volume of investigations, cases, and tips 'makes one thing clear: every public dollar is at risk until proven otherwise.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Budget’s ‘Buy-Canadian’ push signals ‘clear commitment’ in procurement policy direction, but could also complicate the system, say observers

  • The policy shift will 'provide significant opportunities for Canadian businesses and help to limit the economic harm from United States’ tariffs,' says the Institute
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 8, 2025
Joel Lightbound
Joel Lightbound
The federal budget allocates $98.2-million over five years and $9.8-million ongoing to Public Services and Procurement Canada for a domestically-focused procurement policy, starting in 2026-27. Minister Joël Lightbound leads the department. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Budget’s ‘Buy-Canadian’ push signals ‘clear commitment’ in procurement policy direction, but could also complicate the system, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 8, 2025
  • The policy shift will 'provide significant opportunities for Canadian businesses and help to limit the economic harm from United States’ tariffs,' says the Institute

Budget’s ‘Buy-Canadian’ push signals ‘clear commitment’ in procurement policy direction, but could also complicate the system, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 8, 2025
  • The policy shift will 'provide significant opportunities for Canadian businesses and help to limit the economic harm from United States’ tariffs,' says the Institute
Joel Lightbound
The federal budget allocates $98.2-million over five years and $9.8-million ongoing to Public Services and Procurement Canada for a domestically-focused procurement policy, starting in 2026-27. Minister Joël Lightbound leads the department. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds recover $4.1-million from subcontractors who fraudulently over-billed the government

  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is seeking to recoup another $400,000, but offered no updates on retrieving money from ArriveCan contractor GC Strategies.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 3, 2025
Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound says his department is working on recouping more federal funds that went to contractors who fraudulently billed the government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds recover $4.1-million from subcontractors who fraudulently over-billed the government

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 3, 2025
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is seeking to recoup another $400,000, but offered no updates on retrieving money from ArriveCan contractor GC Strategies.

Feds recover $4.1-million from subcontractors who fraudulently over-billed the government

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 3, 2025
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is seeking to recoup another $400,000, but offered no updates on retrieving money from ArriveCan contractor GC Strategies.
Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound says his department is working on recouping more federal funds that went to contractors who fraudulently billed the government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Cut through the table talk’: tech firms launch new group to help feds fix procurement woes 

  • The Smart Procurement Group, led by Compass Rose and seven tech firms, will offer insight on specific issues aiming to speed up how the
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 30, 2025
Compass Rose Group's Christian Roy, left, and Kelly Hutchinson will lead the new Smart Procurement Group, which aims to provide solutions to federal government and its suppliers to improve procurement. Photographs courtesy of Compass Rose

‘Cut through the table talk’: tech firms launch new group to help feds fix procurement woes 

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 30, 2025
  • The Smart Procurement Group, led by Compass Rose and seven tech firms, will offer insight on specific issues aiming to speed up how the

‘Cut through the table talk’: tech firms launch new group to help feds fix procurement woes 

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 30, 2025
  • The Smart Procurement Group, led by Compass Rose and seven tech firms, will offer insight on specific issues aiming to speed up how the
Compass Rose Group's Christian Roy, left, and Kelly Hutchinson will lead the new Smart Procurement Group, which aims to provide solutions to federal government and its suppliers to improve procurement. Photographs courtesy of Compass Rose

‘Complex, blow-your-brains-out expensive, and extraordinarily technical’: MPs urged to study Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ as feds say they’re in talks with U.S.

  • 'What is desperately needed is a non-partisan statement in Parliament that all parties recognize the need to defend Canada as a core national interest,'
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 25, 2025
President Donald Trump greets Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the West Wing entrance of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
President Donald Trump greets Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the West Wing entrance of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
The discussion around Canada's potential participation in the Golden Dome initiative recently came up during Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump's Oct. 7 meeting at the White House. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

‘Complex, blow-your-brains-out expensive, and extraordinarily technical’: MPs urged to study Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ as feds say they’re in talks with U.S.

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 25, 2025
  • 'What is desperately needed is a non-partisan statement in Parliament that all parties recognize the need to defend Canada as a core national interest,'

‘Complex, blow-your-brains-out expensive, and extraordinarily technical’: MPs urged to study Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ as feds say they’re in talks with U.S.

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 25, 2025
  • 'What is desperately needed is a non-partisan statement in Parliament that all parties recognize the need to defend Canada as a core national interest,'
President Donald Trump greets Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the West Wing entrance of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
The discussion around Canada's potential participation in the Golden Dome initiative recently came up during Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump's Oct. 7 meeting at the White House. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

‘Urgent need for change’: procurement watchdog clocks record number of cases, more complaints in annual report

  • In 2024-25, there were 670 cases reported to the Office of the Procurement Ombud, compared to 377 case in 2018-19 when Alexander Jeglic first
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 22, 2025
Alexander Jeglic
Alexander Jeglic
Federal Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic says his office needs a budget increase to be able to conduct more procurement reviews. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Urgent need for change’: procurement watchdog clocks record number of cases, more complaints in annual report

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 22, 2025
  • In 2024-25, there were 670 cases reported to the Office of the Procurement Ombud, compared to 377 case in 2018-19 when Alexander Jeglic first

‘Urgent need for change’: procurement watchdog clocks record number of cases, more complaints in annual report

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 22, 2025
  • In 2024-25, there were 670 cases reported to the Office of the Procurement Ombud, compared to 377 case in 2018-19 when Alexander Jeglic first
Alexander Jeglic
Federal Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic says his office needs a budget increase to be able to conduct more procurement reviews. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
More Stories

‘Unfortunate errors’ in Global Affairs contracts were ‘administrative oversight,’ MPs hear

  • 'There's nothing in here that signals any kind of wrongdoing, misuse of funds … nothing to actually indicate that we weren't able to provide
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 16, 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by a parliamentary committee to testify on the findings of a Global Affairs Canada internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Unfortunate errors’ in Global Affairs contracts were ‘administrative oversight,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 16, 2024
  • 'There's nothing in here that signals any kind of wrongdoing, misuse of funds … nothing to actually indicate that we weren't able to provide

‘Unfortunate errors’ in Global Affairs contracts were ‘administrative oversight,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 16, 2024
  • 'There's nothing in here that signals any kind of wrongdoing, misuse of funds … nothing to actually indicate that we weren't able to provide
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by a parliamentary committee to testify on the findings of a Global Affairs Canada internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘I made an error in judgment,’ CBSA official says of dining with ArriveCan contractors 

  • 'People that admit openly that they've breached the basic code of conduct as civil servants are now being promoted,' said Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 14, 2024
Chulaka Ailapperuma, an acting director at the CBSA, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on May 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

‘I made an error in judgment,’ CBSA official says of dining with ArriveCan contractors 

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 14, 2024
  • 'People that admit openly that they've breached the basic code of conduct as civil servants are now being promoted,' said Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie

‘I made an error in judgment,’ CBSA official says of dining with ArriveCan contractors 

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 14, 2024
  • 'People that admit openly that they've breached the basic code of conduct as civil servants are now being promoted,' said Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie
Chulaka Ailapperuma, an acting director at the CBSA, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on May 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Feds ‘slow’ to act on green procurement, says environment watchdog

  • Departments 'did not use their public infrastructure procurement and financing capacity effectively to prioritize the use of construction materials with a lower carbon footprint,'
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 13, 2024
'Billions of dollars worth of public infrastructure has been and will continue to be built in upcoming years, where the carbon content will be higher than what would otherwise have been the case had earlier actions been taken,' Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner Jerry DeMarco says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds ‘slow’ to act on green procurement, says environment watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 13, 2024
  • Departments 'did not use their public infrastructure procurement and financing capacity effectively to prioritize the use of construction materials with a lower carbon footprint,'

Feds ‘slow’ to act on green procurement, says environment watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 13, 2024
  • Departments 'did not use their public infrastructure procurement and financing capacity effectively to prioritize the use of construction materials with a lower carbon footprint,'
'Billions of dollars worth of public infrastructure has been and will continue to be built in upcoming years, where the carbon content will be higher than what would otherwise have been the case had earlier actions been taken,' Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner Jerry DeMarco says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs to probe Global Affairs contracts after internal audit finds one-quarter broke the rules

  • The department signed more than 8,000 consulting service contracts totaling $567-million in the last five fiscal years to support the delivery of its programs,
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 7, 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to testify on the findings of an internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs to probe Global Affairs contracts after internal audit finds one-quarter broke the rules

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 7, 2024
  • The department signed more than 8,000 consulting service contracts totaling $567-million in the last five fiscal years to support the delivery of its programs,

MPs to probe Global Affairs contracts after internal audit finds one-quarter broke the rules

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 7, 2024
  • The department signed more than 8,000 consulting service contracts totaling $567-million in the last five fiscal years to support the delivery of its programs,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to testify on the findings of an internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PSPC deputy minister challenges the procurement watchdog’s ‘favouritism’ findings in McKinsey contracts

  • 'I do not accept the findings … I do not accept that there is favouritism for McKinsey in the current system, based on
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 3, 2024
PSPC deputy minister Arianne Reza testifies at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee about contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company on May 1. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

PSPC deputy minister challenges the procurement watchdog’s ‘favouritism’ findings in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 3, 2024
  • 'I do not accept the findings … I do not accept that there is favouritism for McKinsey in the current system, based on

PSPC deputy minister challenges the procurement watchdog’s ‘favouritism’ findings in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 3, 2024
  • 'I do not accept the findings … I do not accept that there is favouritism for McKinsey in the current system, based on
PSPC deputy minister Arianne Reza testifies at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee about contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company on May 1. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Federal procurement already feeling blowback from ArriveCan scandal, say experts

  • As the government grapples with the repercussions of the ArriveCan debacle, industry experts say over-scrutiny in the process will likely slow down business.
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 2, 2024
On March 20, Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced new measures to prevent misconduct in federal procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Federal procurement already feeling blowback from ArriveCan scandal, say experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 2, 2024
  • As the government grapples with the repercussions of the ArriveCan debacle, industry experts say over-scrutiny in the process will likely slow down business.

Federal procurement already feeling blowback from ArriveCan scandal, say experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 2, 2024
  • As the government grapples with the repercussions of the ArriveCan debacle, industry experts say over-scrutiny in the process will likely slow down business.
On March 20, Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced new measures to prevent misconduct in federal procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Under-the-surface favouritism’: Procurement watchdog finds no evidence of political meddling in McKinsey contracts

  • 'If we were to see something that would give rise to a suspicion of criminality, we would refer that to the RCMP,' says Procurement
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 30, 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

‘Under-the-surface favouritism’: Procurement watchdog finds no evidence of political meddling in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 30, 2024
  • 'If we were to see something that would give rise to a suspicion of criminality, we would refer that to the RCMP,' says Procurement

‘Under-the-surface favouritism’: Procurement watchdog finds no evidence of political meddling in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 30, 2024
  • 'If we were to see something that would give rise to a suspicion of criminality, we would refer that to the RCMP,' says Procurement
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

What’s in the budget for federal procurement? More money for housing, less for long-term projects

  • Key highlights of the budget concerning procurement include 'strengthening integrity in the public service,' as the ArriveCan scandal unfolds.
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 25, 2024
Budget 2024 gives Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos' department $500-million over five years to launch a new Public Lands Acquisition Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What’s in the budget for federal procurement? More money for housing, less for long-term projects

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 25, 2024
  • Key highlights of the budget concerning procurement include 'strengthening integrity in the public service,' as the ArriveCan scandal unfolds.

What’s in the budget for federal procurement? More money for housing, less for long-term projects

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 25, 2024
  • Key highlights of the budget concerning procurement include 'strengthening integrity in the public service,' as the ArriveCan scandal unfolds.
Budget 2024 gives Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos' department $500-million over five years to launch a new Public Lands Acquisition Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan contractor admits ‘mistakes,’ faces historic public rebuke in Parliament; RCMP search contractor’s home day before House admonishment

  • After being admonished in the House of Commons on April 17, ArriveCan contractor Kristian Firth confirms the RCMP searched his property, but that it
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
Kristian Firth, managing partner of GC Strategies, pictured April 17, 2024, at the bar in the House of Commons. Firth was admonished by the House Speaker and was forced to answer MPs' questions about his company's government contract for the ArriveCan app. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan contractor admits ‘mistakes,’ faces historic public rebuke in Parliament; RCMP search contractor’s home day before House admonishment

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • After being admonished in the House of Commons on April 17, ArriveCan contractor Kristian Firth confirms the RCMP searched his property, but that it

ArriveCan contractor admits ‘mistakes,’ faces historic public rebuke in Parliament; RCMP search contractor’s home day before House admonishment

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • After being admonished in the House of Commons on April 17, ArriveCan contractor Kristian Firth confirms the RCMP searched his property, but that it
Kristian Firth, managing partner of GC Strategies, pictured April 17, 2024, at the bar in the House of Commons. Firth was admonished by the House Speaker and was forced to answer MPs' questions about his company's government contract for the ArriveCan app. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

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

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