Monday, June 30, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Monday, June 30, 2025 | Latest Paper

Rachel Blaney

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce the date of the Battle River-Crowfoot byelection in Alberta today, as per the National Post. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA | June 30, 2025
FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce the date of the Battle River-Crowfoot byelection in Alberta today, as per the National Post. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on June 20, 2025, in the Commons foyer after Bill C-5 passed in the House. Carney is flanked by Liberal MPs, and Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, left, Crown- Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | June 30, 2025
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on June 20, 2025, in the Commons foyer after Bill C-5 passed in the House. Carney is flanked by Liberal MPs, and Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, left, Crown- Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds his first post-election press conference in the National Press Theatre on May 2, 2025. Carney appears to have a capacity for risk, and is expected to demand the same of the public service, writes Rose LeMay. This will have to include proper consequences for bureaucrats who make bad decisions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds his first post-election press conference in the National Press Theatre on May 2, 2025. Carney appears to have a capacity for risk, and is expected to demand the same of the public service, writes Rose LeMay. This will have to include proper consequences for bureaucrats who make bad decisions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 30, 2025
Pierre Poilievre will have his leadership reviewed at the Conservative Party's biennial policy convention in Calgary, Alta., between Jan. 29-31, 2026. The party will also elect new 20 national councillors at the event. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 30, 2025
News | BY ABBAS RANA | June 30, 2025
Pierre Poilievre will have his leadership reviewed at the Conservative Party's biennial policy convention in Calgary, Alta., between Jan. 29-31, 2026. The party will also elect new 20 national councillors at the event. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | June 30, 2025
typewriter
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | June 30, 2025
Opinion | June 30, 2025
typewriter
Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 30, 2025
If tolerance of others sets Canadians apart from Americans like U.S. President Donald Trump, this country’s national priorities also have a story to tell, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 30, 2025
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 30, 2025
If tolerance of others sets Canadians apart from Americans like U.S. President Donald Trump, this country’s national priorities also have a story to tell, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY DOUGLAS ROCHE | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the West Block on June 5, 2025. Carney has extricated himself from the clutches of the avaricious U.S. president, by promising to spend five per cent of Canada's GDP on defence, but he now faces the biggest test of his professional career: his credibility, writes Doug Roche. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DOUGLAS ROCHE | June 30, 2025
Opinion | BY DOUGLAS ROCHE | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the West Block on June 5, 2025. Carney has extricated himself from the clutches of the avaricious U.S. president, by promising to spend five per cent of Canada's GDP on defence, but he now faces the biggest test of his professional career: his credibility, writes Doug Roche. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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
Opinion | BY LORI TURNBULL | June 30, 2025
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
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney is still doing well in public opinion polls, despite some of his controversial and contentious moves, so far, Susan Riley writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 30, 2025
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney is still doing well in public opinion polls, despite some of his controversial and contentious moves, so far, Susan Riley writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | June 28, 2025
Duncan Wilson and Kristopher Wells
PSG Senator Kristopher Wells, right, with PSG Senator Duncan Wilson. The 'status quo does not change on its own' says Wells, warning there is still work to do to address 2SLGBTQIA+ equality in Canada. Photograph courtesy of Senator Kristopher Wells
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | June 28, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | June 28, 2025
Duncan Wilson and Kristopher Wells
PSG Senator Kristopher Wells, right, with PSG Senator Duncan Wilson. The 'status quo does not change on its own' says Wells, warning there is still work to do to address 2SLGBTQIA+ equality in Canada. Photograph courtesy of Senator Kristopher Wells
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | June 27, 2025
CBC News: Politics legend Don Newman, right, reunites with the former Cape Breton-ese voice in his head, Sharon Musgrave, at the Métropolitain Brasserie on June 26, to celebrate her retirement after more than three decades with the public broadcaster. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | June 27, 2025
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | June 27, 2025
CBC News: Politics legend Don Newman, right, reunites with the former Cape Breton-ese voice in his head, Sharon Musgrave, at the Métropolitain Brasserie on June 26, to celebrate her retirement after more than three decades with the public broadcaster. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA | June 27, 2025
Leaders from NATO countries, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, bottom left, assembled for the summit in The Hague on June 24 and 25.  Photograph courtesy of the PMO/X
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA | June 27, 2025
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA | June 27, 2025
Leaders from NATO countries, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, bottom left, assembled for the summit in The Hague on June 24 and 25.  Photograph courtesy of the PMO/X
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | June 26, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney's One Canadian Economy Act, which the government has touted as a necessary solution to kickstart Canada's economy, has passed the Senate after only two days of debate. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | June 26, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | June 26, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney's One Canadian Economy Act, which the government has touted as a necessary solution to kickstart Canada's economy, has passed the Senate after only two days of debate. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY CESAR JARAMILLO | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on May 6, 2025. The 'Golden Dome' proposal is not merely expensive; it is strategically unsound and technically unreliable, writes Cesar Jaramillo. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY CESAR JARAMILLO | June 26, 2025
Opinion | BY CESAR JARAMILLO | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on May 6, 2025. The 'Golden Dome' proposal is not merely expensive; it is strategically unsound and technically unreliable, writes Cesar Jaramillo. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his new book, Andrew Coyne says he tries to show that centralized power is ‘worse here than in other countries.’
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his new book, Andrew Coyne says he tries to show that centralized power is ‘worse here than in other countries.’
Opinion | BY MICHAEL KING, JOHN MCCOY | June 26, 2025
In these complex times, where targeted violence and threats against the public are so multi-various in nature, we must continually adapt to the dynamic threat landscape via a co-ordinated, multi-agency response, write John McCoy and Michael King. Image courtesy of Jimmy Chan/Pexels
Opinion | BY MICHAEL KING, JOHN MCCOY | June 26, 2025
Opinion | BY MICHAEL KING, JOHN MCCOY | June 26, 2025
In these complex times, where targeted violence and threats against the public are so multi-various in nature, we must continually adapt to the dynamic threat landscape via a co-ordinated, multi-agency response, write John McCoy and Michael King. Image courtesy of Jimmy Chan/Pexels
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 26, 2025
It took U.S. President Donald Trump a long time to realize that he had been played by the Israeli prime minister, but it won’t last because he cannot bear the idea that he was outsmarted, writes Gwynne Dyer. Official White House photograph courtesy of Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 26, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 26, 2025
It took U.S. President Donald Trump a long time to realize that he had been played by the Israeli prime minister, but it won’t last because he cannot bear the idea that he was outsmarted, writes Gwynne Dyer. Official White House photograph courtesy of Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY ANDREW ERSKINE | June 26, 2025
Defence Minister David McGuinty should consider developing a comprehensive Arctic archipelagic defence concept that would shift attention towards Canada’s land domain, writes Andrew Erskine. Ottawa has already invested heavily in its air and maritime capabilities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ANDREW ERSKINE | June 26, 2025
Opinion | BY ANDREW ERSKINE | June 26, 2025
Defence Minister David McGuinty should consider developing a comprehensive Arctic archipelagic defence concept that would shift attention towards Canada’s land domain, writes Andrew Erskine. Ottawa has already invested heavily in its air and maritime capabilities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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
News | BY IREM KOCA | June 25, 2025
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
FeatureBY SAM GARCIA | June 25, 2025
Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed delivers a toast at his country’s national day reception at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on May 21. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
FeatureBY SAM GARCIA | June 25, 2025
FeatureBY SAM GARCIA | June 25, 2025
Israeli Ambassador Iddo Moed delivers a toast at his country’s national day reception at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on May 21. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney could have resisted NATO’s increasingly militarized path. Instead, his increased spending pledge entrenches Canada deeper within the orbit of U.S. defence interests, writes Erika Simpson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 25, 2025
Opinion | BY ERIKA SIMPSON | June 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney could have resisted NATO’s increasingly militarized path. Instead, his increased spending pledge entrenches Canada deeper within the orbit of U.S. defence interests, writes Erika Simpson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 25, 2025
If Canada had an embassy in Iran, there would be formal channels of communication, said former Liberal MP John McKay. Global Affairs Canada said as of June 24, 600 Canadians, permanent residents, and family members have left Israel, Iran, and the West Bank. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 25, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 25, 2025
If Canada had an embassy in Iran, there would be formal channels of communication, said former Liberal MP John McKay. Global Affairs Canada said as of June 24, 600 Canadians, permanent residents, and family members have left Israel, Iran, and the West Bank. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | June 25, 2025
Former Liberal MP Han Dong has settled his lawsuit with Global News over two years after he left the party's caucus and vowed to defend himself from 'absolutely untrue' allegations he advised a Chinese diplomat to delay the release of Micheal Spavor and Michael Kovrig. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
News | BY STUART BENSON | June 25, 2025
News | BY STUART BENSON | June 25, 2025
Former Liberal MP Han Dong has settled his lawsuit with Global News over two years after he left the party's caucus and vowed to defend himself from 'absolutely untrue' allegations he advised a Chinese diplomat to delay the release of Micheal Spavor and Michael Kovrig. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
News | BY NEIL MOSS | June 25, 2025
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet introduced Bill C-202 in the early days of the new Parliament after a previous version died on the Order Paper in the last one. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY NEIL MOSS | June 25, 2025
News | BY NEIL MOSS | June 25, 2025
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet introduced Bill C-202 in the early days of the new Parliament after a previous version died on the Order Paper in the last one. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | June 25, 2025
Then-immigration minister John McCallum in 2015. McCallum died on June 21 in Mississauga, Ont., at the age of 75. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | June 25, 2025
FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | June 25, 2025
Then-immigration minister John McCallum in 2015. McCallum died on June 21 in Mississauga, Ont., at the age of 75. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Senators will return to action today, with the summer adjournment looming and a final vote on Bill C-5 coming. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Senators will return to action today, with the summer adjournment looming and a final vote on Bill C-5 coming. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | June 25, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump. America is involved in yet another conflict in the Middle East due to a commander-in-chief who proclaimed himself the 'anti-war president,' writes Erica Ifill. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | June 25, 2025
Opinion | BY ERICA IFILL | June 25, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump. America is involved in yet another conflict in the Middle East due to a commander-in-chief who proclaimed himself the 'anti-war president,' writes Erica Ifill. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | December 18, 2023
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said the Liberal government has already excluded 97 per cent of fuels used on farms, during a virtual press conference on Nov. 14. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | December 18, 2023
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | December 18, 2023
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said the Liberal government has already excluded 97 per cent of fuels used on farms, during a virtual press conference on Nov. 14. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY CHELSEA NASH | December 18, 2023
Housing Minister Sean Fraser dominates the 2023 All Politics Poll survey as a favourite in multiple categories, and leading a file deemed to be the most important issue of the year. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
FeatureBY CHELSEA NASH | December 18, 2023
FeatureBY CHELSEA NASH | December 18, 2023
Housing Minister Sean Fraser dominates the 2023 All Politics Poll survey as a favourite in multiple categories, and leading a file deemed to be the most important issue of the year. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
Government House Leader Karina Gould, seen here speaking with reporters on Dec. 14, is set to begin her maternity leave in the new year. The Hill Time photograph by Andrew Meade
Government House Leader Karina Gould, seen here speaking with reporters on Dec. 14, is set to begin her maternity leave in the new year. The Hill Time photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
FeatureBY MIKE LAPOINTE | December 18, 2023
Veteran political journalist Paul Wells will have a new work hitting bookshelves in May 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY MIKE LAPOINTE | December 18, 2023
FeatureBY MIKE LAPOINTE | December 18, 2023
Veteran political journalist Paul Wells will have a new work hitting bookshelves in May 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 18, 2023
She Dared to Succeed: A Biography of the Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin by Fred Langan, and published by the University of Ottawa Press, 2023. Photograph courtesy of the University of Ottawa Press
FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 18, 2023
FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 18, 2023
She Dared to Succeed: A Biography of the Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin by Fred Langan, and published by the University of Ottawa Press, 2023. Photograph courtesy of the University of Ottawa Press
FeatureBY ABBAS RANA | December 18, 2023
Progressive Conservative John Diefenbaker, left, served as prime minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963, and Liberal Lester Pearson was Canada's prime minister from 1963 to 1968. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
FeatureBY ABBAS RANA | December 18, 2023
FeatureBY ABBAS RANA | December 18, 2023
Progressive Conservative John Diefenbaker, left, served as prime minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963, and Liberal Lester Pearson was Canada's prime minister from 1963 to 1968. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
Opinion | December 18, 2023
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | December 15, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Liberals and Conservatives tossed plenty of accusations of delaying each other's way in recent weeks. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | December 15, 2023
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | December 15, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Liberals and Conservatives tossed plenty of accusations of delaying each other's way in recent weeks. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | December 15, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre vowed on Dec. 6 to keep Parliament sitting over Christmas if the Liberal government does not scrap parts of its carbon tax. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | December 15, 2023
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT | December 15, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre vowed on Dec. 6 to keep Parliament sitting over Christmas if the Liberal government does not scrap parts of its carbon tax. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 15, 2023
Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings was given added responsibility for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency as part of the cabinet shuffle this past July. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 15, 2023
FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 15, 2023
Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings was given added responsibility for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency as part of the cabinet shuffle this past July. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will meet with her provincial and territorial counterparts in Toronto today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will meet with her provincial and territorial counterparts in Toronto today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY KEVIN PHILIPUPILLAI | December 14, 2023
Conservative MP Ben Lobb, pictured on Oct. 5, 2021, talking to reporters outside the Conservative caucus meeting at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on the Hill, is the sponsor of Bill C-234. Lobb represents Huron-Bruce, Ont. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY KEVIN PHILIPUPILLAI | December 14, 2023
News | BY KEVIN PHILIPUPILLAI | December 14, 2023
Conservative MP Ben Lobb, pictured on Oct. 5, 2021, talking to reporters outside the Conservative caucus meeting at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on the Hill, is the sponsor of Bill C-234. Lobb represents Huron-Bruce, Ont. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HATFIELD | December 14, 2023
Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan. A drop in labour productivity in return for achieving an all-time high in the prime age full-time employment rate, and a big increase in inflation-adjusted wages and salaries does not look like a bad bargain for the our economy or for Canadians, writes Michael Hatfield. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HATFIELD | December 14, 2023
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HATFIELD | December 14, 2023
Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan. A drop in labour productivity in return for achieving an all-time high in the prime age full-time employment rate, and a big increase in inflation-adjusted wages and salaries does not look like a bad bargain for the our economy or for Canadians, writes Michael Hatfield. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EARL TURCOTTE | December 14, 2023
Then-secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, right, with Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general designate. In 1992, Boutros-Ghali proposed that the UN Security Council be provided forces and resources to enable it to intervene in an imminent or ongoing conflict when all efforts at mediation have been exhausted. UN photograph/Flickr
Opinion | BY EARL TURCOTTE | December 14, 2023
Opinion | BY EARL TURCOTTE | December 14, 2023
Then-secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali, right, with Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general designate. In 1992, Boutros-Ghali proposed that the UN Security Council be provided forces and resources to enable it to intervene in an imminent or ongoing conflict when all efforts at mediation have been exhausted. UN photograph/Flickr