Friday, December 8, 2023
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Friday, December 8, 2023 | Latest Paper

Samantha Wright Allen

Samantha Wright Allen is digital editor of The Hill Times. She has been with Hill Times Publishing since 2017, first working at The Lobby Monitor, before moving desks that same year to cover federal politics for The Hill Times. Born in Coquitlam, B.C., she previously worked for The Ottawa Citizen, The Telegraph-Journal in Saint John, N.B., and the B.C.-based Prince George Citizen. She has a master’s in journalism from Carleton University.

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 22, 2023
Interpreters at work in sound booths during a press conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in February 2021. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 22, 2023
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 22, 2023
Interpreters at work in sound booths during a press conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in February 2021. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 2, 2023
Nova Scotia Liberal MPs Sean Fraser, Jaime Battiste, and Lena Metlege Diab, and New Brunswick Conservative MP John Williamson appeared before the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Jan. 31 to object to proposed changes to their ridings. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, courtesy of Twitter
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 2, 2023
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 2, 2023
Nova Scotia Liberal MPs Sean Fraser, Jaime Battiste, and Lena Metlege Diab, and New Brunswick Conservative MP John Williamson appeared before the Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Jan. 31 to object to proposed changes to their ridings. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, courtesy of Twitter
This year’s most influential list is peppered with the politicians, political staffers and strategists, public servants, and media who help shape policy, hold the government to account, and wield influence behind the scenes. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, handouts, and photo illustration by Serena Masonde
This year’s most influential list is peppered with the politicians, political staffers and strategists, public servants, and media who help shape policy, hold the government to account, and wield influence behind the scenes. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, handouts, and photo illustration by Serena Masonde
FeatureBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 19, 2022
Journalist Elamin Abdelmahmoud says reception of Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces has continued to shape his understanding of identity and 'allow for a bit more space of self-forgiveness.' Kyla Zanardi photograph courtesy of McClelland & Stewart
FeatureBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 19, 2022
FeatureBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 19, 2022
Journalist Elamin Abdelmahmoud says reception of Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces has continued to shape his understanding of identity and 'allow for a bit more space of self-forgiveness.' Kyla Zanardi photograph courtesy of McClelland & Stewart
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 9, 2022
John Brassard, Matthew Green, Nancy Bélanger
Conservative MP John Brassard, left, and NDP MP Matthew Green are on the House Ethics Committee, which has called Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger, right, to appear in the new year to answer questions about her most recent draft proposal for updates to the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 9, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 9, 2022
John Brassard, Matthew Green, Nancy Bélanger
Conservative MP John Brassard, left, and NDP MP Matthew Green are on the House Ethics Committee, which has called Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger, right, to appear in the new year to answer questions about her most recent draft proposal for updates to the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 6, 2022
On Dec. 6, Auditor General Karen Hogan released two reports on the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement and benefit programs, finding their implementation riddled with problems. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 6, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 6, 2022
On Dec. 6, Auditor General Karen Hogan released two reports on the government's COVID-19 vaccine procurement and benefit programs, finding their implementation riddled with problems. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 29, 2022
Treasury Board President Mona Fortier tabled the second supplementary estimates for 2022-23 on Nov. 17, laying out plans to add $25.8-billion in new spending, bringing the total so far this year to $433-billion. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 29, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 29, 2022
Treasury Board President Mona Fortier tabled the second supplementary estimates for 2022-23 on Nov. 17, laying out plans to add $25.8-billion in new spending, bringing the total so far this year to $433-billion. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 3, 2022
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks at a Nov. 3 press conference ahead of tabling her third fiscal update in the House of Commons. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 3, 2022
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 3, 2022
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks at a Nov. 3 press conference ahead of tabling her third fiscal update in the House of Commons. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 4, 2022
Canada's Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Jerry DeMarco, pictured in April 2022, released five new reports on Oct. 4. The reports examine progress on Canada's federal sustainable development strategy, including how some departments are implementing them, finding reporting gaps. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 4, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 4, 2022
Canada's Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Jerry DeMarco, pictured in April 2022, released five new reports on Oct. 4. The reports examine progress on Canada's federal sustainable development strategy, including how some departments are implementing them, finding reporting gaps. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 23, 2022
The Senate Transport and Communications Committee, including Leo Housakos, left, Donna Dasko, and Dennis Dawson are receiving hundreds of letters as they study Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 23, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 23, 2022
The Senate Transport and Communications Committee, including Leo Housakos, left, Donna Dasko, and Dennis Dawson are receiving hundreds of letters as they study Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 9, 2022
Wade MacLauchlan, chair of the independent advisory board for Supreme Court appointments, says 'the coming period could be a window of opportunity' to enhance 'networks of encouragement' to ensure a broader group of candidates apply to the top court. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 9, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 9, 2022
Wade MacLauchlan, chair of the independent advisory board for Supreme Court appointments, says 'the coming period could be a window of opportunity' to enhance 'networks of encouragement' to ensure a broader group of candidates apply to the top court. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 24, 2022
Supreme Court nominee Michelle O’ Bonsawin hugs Senator Kim Pate before a question-and-answer session with Parliamentarians on Aug. 24. ‘There’s a lot of weight on those shoulders,’ Senator Kim Pate remarked during the special hearing. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 24, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 24, 2022
Supreme Court nominee Michelle O’ Bonsawin hugs Senator Kim Pate before a question-and-answer session with Parliamentarians on Aug. 24. ‘There’s a lot of weight on those shoulders,’ Senator Kim Pate remarked during the special hearing. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 22, 2022
NDP MP Peter Julian, left, and Independent Senator Pierrette Ringuette have each introduced bills this Parliament that they say can address high-interest loans that are hurting vulnerable Canadians. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, courtesy of Pierrette Ringuette
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 22, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 22, 2022
NDP MP Peter Julian, left, and Independent Senator Pierrette Ringuette have each introduced bills this Parliament that they say can address high-interest loans that are hurting vulnerable Canadians. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, courtesy of Pierrette Ringuette
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 16, 2022
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki appeared before the House Public Safety Committee on July 25, where she denied that the government had applied any inappropriate pressure on the RCMP to release information about the type of firearms used by the gunman. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 16, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 16, 2022
RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki appeared before the House Public Safety Committee on July 25, where she denied that the government had applied any inappropriate pressure on the RCMP to release information about the type of firearms used by the gunman. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 4, 2022
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson defended the government's decision to authorize a Canadian company to break sanctions against Russia in order to return turbines to Germany during their Aug. 4 testimony at the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 4, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 4, 2022
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson defended the government's decision to authorize a Canadian company to break sanctions against Russia in order to return turbines to Germany during their Aug. 4 testimony at the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Janice Charette, left, is the current Clerk of the Privy Council. After last week’s senior public servant shuffle, her new deputy deputy minister for immigration, refugees, and citizenship is Christiane Fox, while Gina Wilson is now the top bureaucrat at Indigenous Services. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, file photographs
Janice Charette, left, is the current Clerk of the Privy Council. After last week’s senior public servant shuffle, her new deputy deputy minister for immigration, refugees, and citizenship is Christiane Fox, while Gina Wilson is now the top bureaucrat at Indigenous Services. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, file photographs
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 30, 2022
A look at the excavation site on Dec. 2, 2020, that now sits in the shadow of the Centre Block building, right, where construction crews dug for the new underground welcome centre complex. The two tunnel paths approved at the Board of Internal Economy's June 23 meeting will connect with the welcome centre's tunnel to create a loop. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 30, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 30, 2022
A look at the excavation site on Dec. 2, 2020, that now sits in the shadow of the Centre Block building, right, where construction crews dug for the new underground welcome centre complex. The two tunnel paths approved at the Board of Internal Economy's June 23 meeting will connect with the welcome centre's tunnel to create a loop. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 23, 2022
House Speaker Anthony Rota, who chairs the Board of Internal Economy, said in a June 23 email to MPs the adjustments were meant to ‘mitigate the impact of rising costs due to inflation, supply chain disruptions and real estate market growth.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 23, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 23, 2022
House Speaker Anthony Rota, who chairs the Board of Internal Economy, said in a June 23 email to MPs the adjustments were meant to ‘mitigate the impact of rising costs due to inflation, supply chain disruptions and real estate market growth.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 14, 2022
On June 13, Philippe Dufresne, pictured in 2018, appeared before the House Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics Committee after his nomination as Canada’s next privacy commissioner. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 14, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 14, 2022
On June 13, Philippe Dufresne, pictured in 2018, appeared before the House Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics Committee after his nomination as Canada’s next privacy commissioner. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 31, 2022
Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan found the Correctional Service Canada did not provide timely access to correctional programs to support offenders’ reintegration into communities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 31, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 31, 2022
Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan found the Correctional Service Canada did not provide timely access to correctional programs to support offenders’ reintegration into communities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
On May 18, Jason Kenney shocked supporters by announcing he would step down as Alberta's premier after earning barely half of the United Conservative Party's support in the leadership review. On May 19, the party announced that Kenney will stay on a leader until the next leadership election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
On May 18, Jason Kenney shocked supporters by announcing he would step down as Alberta's premier after earning barely half of the United Conservative Party's support in the leadership review. On May 19, the party announced that Kenney will stay on a leader until the next leadership election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 16, 2022
A view of the winning Block 2 design concept by Zeidler Architecture Inc. and David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph courtesy of Public Services and Procurement Canada
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 16, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 16, 2022
A view of the winning Block 2 design concept by Zeidler Architecture Inc. and David Chipperfield Architects. Photograph courtesy of Public Services and Procurement Canada
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 11, 2022
Liberal and Conservative MPs helped defeat a Bloc Québécois motion to scrap the prayer at the beginning of each sitting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 11, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 11, 2022
Liberal and Conservative MPs helped defeat a Bloc Québécois motion to scrap the prayer at the beginning of each sitting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 10, 2022
A letter addressed to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino urges the government to launch an external review of the RCMP amid ‘shocking’ and ‘growing’ evidence of systemic discrimination and violence against women. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 10, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 10, 2022
A letter addressed to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino urges the government to launch an external review of the RCMP amid ‘shocking’ and ‘growing’ evidence of systemic discrimination and violence against women. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The Women's March on January 21, 2017, didn't just take place in Washington, D.C. Women gathered around the world in protest of Donald Trump's first day in office, including in Ottawa—a scene from which is pictured here. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The Women's March on January 21, 2017, didn't just take place in Washington, D.C. Women gathered around the world in protest of Donald Trump's first day in office, including in Ottawa—a scene from which is pictured here. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 4, 2022
First-quarter fundraising results show Pierre Poilievre, left, and Jean Charest have secured the most donations early in the Conservative leadership race. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 4, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 4, 2022
First-quarter fundraising results show Pierre Poilievre, left, and Jean Charest have secured the most donations early in the Conservative leadership race. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 29, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, picture on March 22, 2022, on the Hill. The system protecting cabinet confidences is overly broad and in need of meaningful oversight, says expert Yan Campagnolo, who wrote a book about it. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 29, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 29, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, picture on March 22, 2022, on the Hill. The system protecting cabinet confidences is overly broad and in need of meaningful oversight, says expert Yan Campagnolo, who wrote a book about it. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 26, 2022
Jerry DeMarco, Canada's commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, pictured speaking at a press conference on April 26, tabled five reports in the House of Commons. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 26, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 26, 2022
Jerry DeMarco, Canada's commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, pictured speaking at a press conference on April 26, tabled five reports in the House of Commons. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 18, 2022
A view of the design concept for Block 2 by Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects and Behnisch Architekten, one of six finalists to present their design concepts publicly on April 11. Photograph courtesy of Public Services and Procurement Canada
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 18, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 18, 2022
A view of the design concept for Block 2 by Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects and Behnisch Architekten, one of six finalists to present their design concepts publicly on April 11. Photograph courtesy of Public Services and Procurement Canada
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 7, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stop outside the House of Commons before delivering the 2022 budget speech on April 7. The Liberals plan to invest billions to 'make the [housing] market fairer,' but Freeland cautioned that there’s no 'silver bullet' to put housing in reach for all Canadians. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 7, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 7, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stop outside the House of Commons before delivering the 2022 budget speech on April 7. The Liberals plan to invest billions to 'make the [housing] market fairer,' but Freeland cautioned that there’s no 'silver bullet' to put housing in reach for all Canadians. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 5, 2022
The Senate of Canada Building, pictured in July 2021. On March 29, the Senate approved an environmental and sustainability policy statement that set out a goal for the body's carbon footprint to reach net zero by 2030. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 5, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 5, 2022
The Senate of Canada Building, pictured in July 2021. On March 29, the Senate approved an environmental and sustainability policy statement that set out a goal for the body's carbon footprint to reach net zero by 2030. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 1, 2022
Police officers, pictured on Sparks Street on Feb. 17, 2022, facing off against protesters as part of what became a massive law enforcement effort, using powers granted through the Emergencies Act, to clear protesters from Ottawa's downtown. A joint parliamentary committee is starting its study into the use of those powers, but has yet to settle on its scope. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 1, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 1, 2022
Police officers, pictured on Sparks Street on Feb. 17, 2022, facing off against protesters as part of what became a massive law enforcement effort, using powers granted through the Emergencies Act, to clear protesters from Ottawa's downtown. A joint parliamentary committee is starting its study into the use of those powers, but has yet to settle on its scope. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | March 25, 2022
Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland took the second and third spots, respectively, for most-lobbied cabinet ministers in February. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | March 25, 2022