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Thursday, November 6, 2025

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Lori Turnbull

Lori Turnbull is a senior adviser at the Institute on Governance.

It’s politics first, as usual

  • The bottom line is that, even in the current moment of significant disruption and uncertainty in the world and in Canada’s relationship with the
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | October 27, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney has spoken about the need for Canadians to make 'sacrifices' in these challenging times. It would be helpful if political parties were willing to do the same by taking a break from politics, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

It’s politics first, as usual

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | October 27, 2025
  • The bottom line is that, even in the current moment of significant disruption and uncertainty in the world and in Canada’s relationship with the

It’s politics first, as usual

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | October 27, 2025
  • The bottom line is that, even in the current moment of significant disruption and uncertainty in the world and in Canada’s relationship with the
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney has spoken about the need for Canadians to make 'sacrifices' in these challenging times. It would be helpful if political parties were willing to do the same by taking a break from politics, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

How will the 45th Parliament work?

  • A functional relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government is crucial to the country’s future. To put it bluntly: we have no
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 15, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney scrums with reporters as he leaves the Metis Major Projects Summit in Ottawa on Aug. 7, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How will the 45th Parliament work?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 15, 2025
  • A functional relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government is crucial to the country’s future. To put it bluntly: we have no

How will the 45th Parliament work?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 15, 2025
  • A functional relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government is crucial to the country’s future. To put it bluntly: we have no
Prime Minister Mark Carney scrums with reporters as he leaves the Metis Major Projects Summit in Ottawa on Aug. 7, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The One Canadian Economy Act: a new governance framework

  • Governance is about relationships as much as it is about rules and structures. The legislation is only the framework. So far, there has been
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | July 28, 2025
Sean Fraser
Sean Fraser
Justice Minister Sean Fraser said back in June that the duty to consult does not give Indigenous leaders a 'blanket veto' on proposed projects. He walked the comment back the next day, acknowledging that his words could undermine trust, but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t mean what he said when he said it, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The One Canadian Economy Act: a new governance framework

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | July 28, 2025
  • Governance is about relationships as much as it is about rules and structures. The legislation is only the framework. So far, there has been

The One Canadian Economy Act: a new governance framework

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | July 28, 2025
  • Governance is about relationships as much as it is about rules and structures. The legislation is only the framework. So far, there has been
Sean Fraser
Justice Minister Sean Fraser said back in June that the duty to consult does not give Indigenous leaders a 'blanket veto' on proposed projects. He walked the comment back the next day, acknowledging that his words could undermine trust, but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t mean what he said when he said it, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A new leader for the public service

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Michael Sabia will be the next Clerk of the Privy Council, effective July 7. Sabia will join Carney
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | June 30, 2025
Michael Sabia, who starts his new job as Clerk of the Privy Council Office on July 7, is an agent of change in his own right. Both his private sector leadership experience, and his time as the deputy minister of finance during the COVID-19 pandemic, have given him a wealth of experience as an outside-the-box thinker who gets things done. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A new leader for the public service

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | June 30, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Michael Sabia will be the next Clerk of the Privy Council, effective July 7. Sabia will join Carney

A new leader for the public service

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | June 30, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Michael Sabia will be the next Clerk of the Privy Council, effective July 7. Sabia will join Carney
Michael Sabia, who starts his new job as Clerk of the Privy Council Office on July 7, is an agent of change in his own right. Both his private sector leadership experience, and his time as the deputy minister of finance during the COVID-19 pandemic, have given him a wealth of experience as an outside-the-box thinker who gets things done. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Parliament is back: will it be like the last one?

  • The changes on the front benches provide a window of opportunity to set a more constructive and healthy culture as Parliament reconvenes. Here's hoping.
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | May 26, 2025
Newly elected MPs attend an orientation session put on by House of Commons staff on May 21, 2025. The House will be full this week when MPs return for this Parliament. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Parliament is back: will it be like the last one?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | May 26, 2025
  • The changes on the front benches provide a window of opportunity to set a more constructive and healthy culture as Parliament reconvenes. Here's hoping.

Parliament is back: will it be like the last one?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | May 26, 2025
  • The changes on the front benches provide a window of opportunity to set a more constructive and healthy culture as Parliament reconvenes. Here's hoping.
Newly elected MPs attend an orientation session put on by House of Commons staff on May 21, 2025. The House will be full this week when MPs return for this Parliament. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No matter what, it will be a ‘change’ election for the federal public service

  • All in all, both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre promise fiscal restraint, but they have very expensive priorities and are planning to run deficits.
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | April 28, 2025
The 10-year relationship between the public service and the government of Justin Trudeau has come to an end and both Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, can legitimately claim to be 'change' candidates, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

No matter what, it will be a ‘change’ election for the federal public service

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | April 28, 2025
  • All in all, both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre promise fiscal restraint, but they have very expensive priorities and are planning to run deficits.

No matter what, it will be a ‘change’ election for the federal public service

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | April 28, 2025
  • All in all, both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre promise fiscal restraint, but they have very expensive priorities and are planning to run deficits.
The 10-year relationship between the public service and the government of Justin Trudeau has come to an end and both Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, can legitimately claim to be 'change' candidates, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The Team Canada approach: how multilevel governance shapes Canada’s response to Trump’s tariff war

  • It is not clear yet whether it will be Carney or Pierre Poilievre who will lead Canada in the longer term. But one thing
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | March 24, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on Jan. 15, 2025, wearing a ‘Canada is Not For Sale’ hat at the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa. Ford is poised to play a brokerage role among the premiers, which will help to take the pressure off Carney. But Ford is going to want to keep talking tough, maybe even tougher, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Team Canada approach: how multilevel governance shapes Canada’s response to Trump’s tariff war

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | March 24, 2025
  • It is not clear yet whether it will be Carney or Pierre Poilievre who will lead Canada in the longer term. But one thing

The Team Canada approach: how multilevel governance shapes Canada’s response to Trump’s tariff war

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | March 24, 2025
  • It is not clear yet whether it will be Carney or Pierre Poilievre who will lead Canada in the longer term. But one thing
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on Jan. 15, 2025, wearing a ‘Canada is Not For Sale’ hat at the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa. Ford is poised to play a brokerage role among the premiers, which will help to take the pressure off Carney. But Ford is going to want to keep talking tough, maybe even tougher, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Governing through transition(s)

  • No matter who wins the next election, the government will need a bureaucracy that is politically savvy and quick to adapt to evolving situations
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | February 24, 2025
The Prime Minister's Office and the Privy Council Office, pictured in Ottawa. The federal government will need to put more emphasis and resources into intergovernmental communication and co-operation, including building the mechanisms necessary for knowledge transfer in critical policy areas like health and education, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Governing through transition(s)

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | February 24, 2025
  • No matter who wins the next election, the government will need a bureaucracy that is politically savvy and quick to adapt to evolving situations

Governing through transition(s)

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | February 24, 2025
  • No matter who wins the next election, the government will need a bureaucracy that is politically savvy and quick to adapt to evolving situations
The Prime Minister's Office and the Privy Council Office, pictured in Ottawa. The federal government will need to put more emphasis and resources into intergovernmental communication and co-operation, including building the mechanisms necessary for knowledge transfer in critical policy areas like health and education, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s legacy marked by partial reforms, missed opportunities

  • Time will tell whether Justin Trudeau’s Senate reforms will change this country's governance in an enduring way. Hopefully, future leaders will recognize the need
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 20, 2025
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an event on the Hill celebrating Canadian Olympians' accomplishments at the 2024 Paris Summer Games on Dec. 4, 2024. Trudeau promised to change this nation’s democratic governance, but his legacy is marked by partial reforms and missed opportunities, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s legacy marked by partial reforms, missed opportunities

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 20, 2025
  • Time will tell whether Justin Trudeau’s Senate reforms will change this country's governance in an enduring way. Hopefully, future leaders will recognize the need

Trudeau’s legacy marked by partial reforms, missed opportunities

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 20, 2025
  • Time will tell whether Justin Trudeau’s Senate reforms will change this country's governance in an enduring way. Hopefully, future leaders will recognize the need
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an event on the Hill celebrating Canadian Olympians' accomplishments at the 2024 Paris Summer Games on Dec. 4, 2024. Trudeau promised to change this nation’s democratic governance, but his legacy is marked by partial reforms and missed opportunities, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Five big public service stories from 2024

  • Challenges like the deficit, threats from the incoming U.S. president, and strain on our federation will require the public service to adapt and be
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 1, 2025
This year saw many instances of work disruptions, including strikes by public sector employees. The government has proven open to intervening to bringing work stoppages to an end, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Five big public service stories from 2024

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 1, 2025
  • Challenges like the deficit, threats from the incoming U.S. president, and strain on our federation will require the public service to adapt and be

Five big public service stories from 2024

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 1, 2025
  • Challenges like the deficit, threats from the incoming U.S. president, and strain on our federation will require the public service to adapt and be
This year saw many instances of work disruptions, including strikes by public sector employees. The government has proven open to intervening to bringing work stoppages to an end, writes Lori Turnbull. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When the pendulum swings: how does the public service respond to political polarization?

  • The polarization between political parties and their agendas creates a unique challenge for the nonpartisan public service. When everything is black and white, binary,
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | November 18, 2024
The public service is currently engaged in a values and ethics exercise. The political environment is making it increasingly necessary for public service leadership to define the values that shape and guide the organization, writes Lori Turnbull.    The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When the pendulum swings: how does the public service respond to political polarization?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | November 18, 2024
  • The polarization between political parties and their agendas creates a unique challenge for the nonpartisan public service. When everything is black and white, binary,

When the pendulum swings: how does the public service respond to political polarization?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | November 18, 2024
  • The polarization between political parties and their agendas creates a unique challenge for the nonpartisan public service. When everything is black and white, binary,
The public service is currently engaged in a values and ethics exercise. The political environment is making it increasingly necessary for public service leadership to define the values that shape and guide the organization, writes Lori Turnbull.    The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hannaford launches existential discussion on government’s role in the 21st century

  • There will likely be a change in government in the near future, and a new laser focus on fiscal restraint. This will undoubtedly drive
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | October 21, 2024
Privy Council Clerk John Hannaford. As the idea of public service as a 'vocation' slips away, perhaps talk of 'values' needs to be complemented by talk of the 'value proposition' for Canadians of maintaining a large, expensive public service, writes Lori Turnbull.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hannaford launches existential discussion on government’s role in the 21st century

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | October 21, 2024
  • There will likely be a change in government in the near future, and a new laser focus on fiscal restraint. This will undoubtedly drive

Hannaford launches existential discussion on government’s role in the 21st century

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | October 21, 2024
  • There will likely be a change in government in the near future, and a new laser focus on fiscal restraint. This will undoubtedly drive
Privy Council Clerk John Hannaford. As the idea of public service as a 'vocation' slips away, perhaps talk of 'values' needs to be complemented by talk of the 'value proposition' for Canadians of maintaining a large, expensive public service, writes Lori Turnbull.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives’ sympathy for public servants wanting to work from home will likely be low

  • If the polls are to believed, the Conservatives are poised to form government following the next election. They have already indicated their dismay about
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 16, 2024
Jennifer Carr, president of PIPSC, pictured Sept. 9, 2024, at a rally for public servants' remote work rights outside 365 Laurier Avenue West in Ottawa, Immigration and Citizenship Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Conservatives’ sympathy for public servants wanting to work from home will likely be low

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 16, 2024
  • If the polls are to believed, the Conservatives are poised to form government following the next election. They have already indicated their dismay about

Conservatives’ sympathy for public servants wanting to work from home will likely be low

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 16, 2024
  • If the polls are to believed, the Conservatives are poised to form government following the next election. They have already indicated their dismay about
Jennifer Carr, president of PIPSC, pictured Sept. 9, 2024, at a rally for public servants' remote work rights outside 365 Laurier Avenue West in Ottawa, Immigration and Citizenship Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

What about the public service under a Conservative government?

  • If there's a change in government, the ball will be in the court of the senior public service to show that they deserve the
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | August 19, 2024
Top public servants will need to show quickly and concretely that they understand the new context, and can steer departments and agencies in a nimble and responsive manner. If they can’t, they may find others waiting in the wings to do so in their place. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What about the public service under a Conservative government?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | August 19, 2024
  • If there's a change in government, the ball will be in the court of the senior public service to show that they deserve the

What about the public service under a Conservative government?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | August 19, 2024
  • If there's a change in government, the ball will be in the court of the senior public service to show that they deserve the
Top public servants will need to show quickly and concretely that they understand the new context, and can steer departments and agencies in a nimble and responsive manner. If they can’t, they may find others waiting in the wings to do so in their place. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lobbying for a better post-COVID Canada

  • Governments have perhaps never been more present in our lives than they have been in the last year, in terms of both their words
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 20, 2021
As governments rethink existing programs and create new ones, there is a chance to affect their thinking on policy direction, and to get access to some of the dollars that are flowing, writes Lori Turnbull. Pixabay photograph by Gerd Altmann

Lobbying for a better post-COVID Canada

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 20, 2021
  • Governments have perhaps never been more present in our lives than they have been in the last year, in terms of both their words

Lobbying for a better post-COVID Canada

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | January 20, 2021
  • Governments have perhaps never been more present in our lives than they have been in the last year, in terms of both their words
As governments rethink existing programs and create new ones, there is a chance to affect their thinking on policy direction, and to get access to some of the dollars that are flowing, writes Lori Turnbull. Pixabay photograph by Gerd Altmann

What happened to the Liberal brand?

  • HALIFAX—When Justin Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party back in 2013, it was nothing short of a coronation. He won handily on the
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 30, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 31, 2019, in Ottawa. Depending on the results of the October election and whether Mr. Trudeau’s personal brand can recover, the Liberals might end up having conversations about the future—an outcome that was virtually unthinkable only four years ago. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What happened to the Liberal brand?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 30, 2019
  • HALIFAX—When Justin Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party back in 2013, it was nothing short of a coronation. He won handily on the

What happened to the Liberal brand?

Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | September 30, 2019
  • HALIFAX—When Justin Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party back in 2013, it was nothing short of a coronation. He won handily on the
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 31, 2019, in Ottawa. Depending on the results of the October election and whether Mr. Trudeau’s personal brand can recover, the Liberals might end up having conversations about the future—an outcome that was virtually unthinkable only four years ago. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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