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Friday, December 8, 2023
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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.

‘No miracle recipe’: new freelance interpreters not adding capacity to House, Senate services as injuries, attrition affect hours available

  • Though 10 people passed the recent accreditation exam, the Translation Bureau can’t ‘reallocate resources to either the Senate or the House,’ says new CEO
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

‘No miracle recipe’: new freelance interpreters not adding capacity to House, Senate services as injuries, attrition affect hours available

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 22, 2023
  • Though 10 people passed the recent accreditation exam, the Translation Bureau can’t ‘reallocate resources to either the Senate or the House,’ says new CEO

‘No miracle recipe’: new freelance interpreters not adding capacity to House, Senate services as injuries, attrition affect hours available

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 22, 2023
  • Though 10 people passed the recent accreditation exam, the Translation Bureau can’t ‘reallocate resources to either the Senate or the House,’ says new CEO
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

MPs push back against ‘stunning’ riding boundary, name changes in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick: ‘these symbols are important’

  • Three Nova Scotia Liberal MPs oppose significant ‘surprise’ riding border changes in their ridings, while New Brunswick Conservative MP John Williamson says the renaming
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

MPs push back against ‘stunning’ riding boundary, name changes in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick: ‘these symbols are important’

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 2, 2023
  • Three Nova Scotia Liberal MPs oppose significant ‘surprise’ riding border changes in their ridings, while New Brunswick Conservative MP John Williamson says the renaming

MPs push back against ‘stunning’ riding boundary, name changes in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick: ‘these symbols are important’

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | February 2, 2023
  • Three Nova Scotia Liberal MPs oppose significant ‘surprise’ riding border changes in their ridings, while New Brunswick Conservative MP John Williamson says the renaming
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

Top 100: the most influential people in government and politics in 2023

  • This year’s 100 most influential list is peppered with the politicians, political staffers and strategists, public servants, and media who help shape policy, hold
List | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT, MIKE LAPOINTE, ABBAS RANA, NEIL MOSS, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | January 30, 2023
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

Top 100: the most influential people in government and politics in 2023

List | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT, MIKE LAPOINTE, ABBAS RANA, NEIL MOSS, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | January 30, 2023
  • This year’s 100 most influential list is peppered with the politicians, political staffers and strategists, public servants, and media who help shape policy, hold

Top 100: the most influential people in government and politics in 2023

List | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT, MIKE LAPOINTE, ABBAS RANA, NEIL MOSS, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | January 30, 2023
  • This year’s 100 most influential list is peppered with the politicians, political staffers and strategists, public servants, and media who help shape policy, hold
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

Elamin Abdelmahmoud makes amends and finds meaning in debut memoir

  • In Son of Elsewhere, Elamin Abdelmahmoud tracks his path as a teenager emigrating from Sudan to Kingston, Ont., and his evolving understanding of the
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

Elamin Abdelmahmoud makes amends and finds meaning in debut memoir

FeatureBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 19, 2022
  • In Son of Elsewhere, Elamin Abdelmahmoud tracks his path as a teenager emigrating from Sudan to Kingston, Ont., and his evolving understanding of the

Elamin Abdelmahmoud makes amends and finds meaning in debut memoir

FeatureBY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 19, 2022
  • In Son of Elsewhere, Elamin Abdelmahmoud tracks his path as a teenager emigrating from Sudan to Kingston, Ont., and his evolving understanding of the
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

MPs say they’re ‘deeply’ concerned with proposed ‘contentious’ Lobbyists’ Code changes, prepare to launch review in new year

  • Democracy Watch says Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger is 'gutting the ethical lobbying rules’ and they should be challenged by MPs.
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 9, 2022
John Brassard, Matthew Green, Nancy Bélanger
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

MPs say they’re ‘deeply’ concerned with proposed ‘contentious’ Lobbyists’ Code changes, prepare to launch review in new year

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 9, 2022
  • Democracy Watch says Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger is 'gutting the ethical lobbying rules’ and they should be challenged by MPs.

MPs say they’re ‘deeply’ concerned with proposed ‘contentious’ Lobbyists’ Code changes, prepare to launch review in new year

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 9, 2022
  • Democracy Watch says Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger is 'gutting the ethical lobbying rules’ and they should be challenged by MPs.
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

‘I’m concerned with the lack of rigour’: AG flags poor effort recovering billions in suspected COVID-19 overpayments, with sole focus on speed of delivery

  • COVID‑19 benefit programs cost Canadians about $211-billion during the audit period, but about 14 per cent of the payouts, or $30-billion, need to be
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

‘I’m concerned with the lack of rigour’: AG flags poor effort recovering billions in suspected COVID-19 overpayments, with sole focus on speed of delivery

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 6, 2022
  • COVID‑19 benefit programs cost Canadians about $211-billion during the audit period, but about 14 per cent of the payouts, or $30-billion, need to be

‘I’m concerned with the lack of rigour’: AG flags poor effort recovering billions in suspected COVID-19 overpayments, with sole focus on speed of delivery

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | December 6, 2022
  • COVID‑19 benefit programs cost Canadians about $211-billion during the audit period, but about 14 per cent of the payouts, or $30-billion, need to be
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

Extra $25.8-billion request brings federal spending up 4.6 per cent this year to $433-billion

  • One-third of Supplementary Estimates (B) spending is tied to Budget 2022 items, with another third tied to Indigenous reconciliation, and the rest to new
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

Extra $25.8-billion request brings federal spending up 4.6 per cent this year to $433-billion

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 29, 2022
  • One-third of Supplementary Estimates (B) spending is tied to Budget 2022 items, with another third tied to Indigenous reconciliation, and the rest to new

Extra $25.8-billion request brings federal spending up 4.6 per cent this year to $433-billion

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 29, 2022
  • One-third of Supplementary Estimates (B) spending is tied to Budget 2022 items, with another third tied to Indigenous reconciliation, and the rest to new
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

Freeland says feds taking the ‘right approach’ as fiscal update projects deficit declining to $36.4-billion

  • ‘Despite the fact that recession is on everyone's mind,’ economist David Macdonald says the statement does not ‘implement the lessons learned during the pandemic.’
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

Freeland says feds taking the ‘right approach’ as fiscal update projects deficit declining to $36.4-billion

News | BY IAN CAMPBELL, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 3, 2022
  • ‘Despite the fact that recession is on everyone's mind,’ economist David Macdonald says the statement does not ‘implement the lessons learned during the pandemic.’

Freeland says feds taking the ‘right approach’ as fiscal update projects deficit declining to $36.4-billion

News | BY IAN CAMPBELL, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | November 3, 2022
  • ‘Despite the fact that recession is on everyone's mind,’ economist David Macdonald says the statement does not ‘implement the lessons learned during the pandemic.’
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

‘Canada needs to step up’: better department-level reporting needed on sustainable targets with Canada’s biodiversity ‘at serious risk,’ audit finds

  • The government is offering incomplete, untimely, and inconsistent updates on Canada’s progress fulfilling Ottawa’s sustainable development strategy with many departments are failing to offer
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

‘Canada needs to step up’: better department-level reporting needed on sustainable targets with Canada’s biodiversity ‘at serious risk,’ audit finds

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 4, 2022
  • The government is offering incomplete, untimely, and inconsistent updates on Canada’s progress fulfilling Ottawa’s sustainable development strategy with many departments are failing to offer

‘Canada needs to step up’: better department-level reporting needed on sustainable targets with Canada’s biodiversity ‘at serious risk,’ audit finds

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 4, 2022
  • The government is offering incomplete, untimely, and inconsistent updates on Canada’s progress fulfilling Ottawa’s sustainable development strategy with many departments are failing to offer
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

Senators face lobby pressure to amend Online Streaming Act and bring in ‘more guardrails’ amid user-content, discoverability concerns

  • Senators say they’re facing sustained lobbying pressure to change the Liberals’ controversial online streaming legislation, and at recent meetings some of the organizations have
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

Senators face lobby pressure to amend Online Streaming Act and bring in ‘more guardrails’ amid user-content, discoverability concerns

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 23, 2022
  • Senators say they’re facing sustained lobbying pressure to change the Liberals’ controversial online streaming legislation, and at recent meetings some of the organizations have

Senators face lobby pressure to amend Online Streaming Act and bring in ‘more guardrails’ amid user-content, discoverability concerns

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 23, 2022
  • Senators say they’re facing sustained lobbying pressure to change the Liberals’ controversial online streaming legislation, and at recent meetings some of the organizations have
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

There’s a ‘window of opportunity’ to expand pool of Supreme Court candidates to ensure top talent applies, say Parliamentarians, jurists

  • There is a “window of opportunity” to rethink and broaden how Canada finds Supreme Court justice candidates, according to members of the legal community
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

There’s a ‘window of opportunity’ to expand pool of Supreme Court candidates to ensure top talent applies, say Parliamentarians, jurists

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 9, 2022
  • There is a “window of opportunity” to rethink and broaden how Canada finds Supreme Court justice candidates, according to members of the legal community

There’s a ‘window of opportunity’ to expand pool of Supreme Court candidates to ensure top talent applies, say Parliamentarians, jurists

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | September 9, 2022
  • There is a “window of opportunity” to rethink and broaden how Canada finds Supreme Court justice candidates, according to members of the legal community
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

‘A role model to so many’: O’Bonsawin reflects on ‘different path’ as Supreme Court’s first Indigenous nominee

  • The Supreme Court of Canada’s first Indigenous nominee, Michelle O’Bonsawin, says “it’s not easy being a first” under the microscope, and she expects her
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

‘A role model to so many’: O’Bonsawin reflects on ‘different path’ as Supreme Court’s first Indigenous nominee

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 24, 2022
  • The Supreme Court of Canada’s first Indigenous nominee, Michelle O’Bonsawin, says “it’s not easy being a first” under the microscope, and she expects her

‘A role model to so many’: O’Bonsawin reflects on ‘different path’ as Supreme Court’s first Indigenous nominee

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 24, 2022
  • The Supreme Court of Canada’s first Indigenous nominee, Michelle O’Bonsawin, says “it’s not easy being a first” under the microscope, and she expects her
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

‘No brainer’: consultations should not delay federal crack down on high-interest loans, say NDP MP, ISG Senator

  • Independent Senator Pierrette Ringuette says she worries Finance Canada’s consultations won't be accessible to the vulnerable people most affected by predatory lending and the
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

‘No brainer’: consultations should not delay federal crack down on high-interest loans, say NDP MP, ISG Senator

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 22, 2022
  • Independent Senator Pierrette Ringuette says she worries Finance Canada’s consultations won't be accessible to the vulnerable people most affected by predatory lending and the

‘No brainer’: consultations should not delay federal crack down on high-interest loans, say NDP MP, ISG Senator

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 22, 2022
  • Independent Senator Pierrette Ringuette says she worries Finance Canada’s consultations won't be accessible to the vulnerable people most affected by predatory lending and the
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

RCMP Act must be ‘carefully examined’ to protect police independence from political interference, says senior civilian Mountie

  • A former director of communications for the RCMP says Parliamentarians should re-examine the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to ensure there’s appropriate protection from
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

RCMP Act must be ‘carefully examined’ to protect police independence from political interference, says senior civilian Mountie

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 16, 2022
  • A former director of communications for the RCMP says Parliamentarians should re-examine the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to ensure there’s appropriate protection from

RCMP Act must be ‘carefully examined’ to protect police independence from political interference, says senior civilian Mountie

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 16, 2022
  • A former director of communications for the RCMP says Parliamentarians should re-examine the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act to ensure there’s appropriate protection from
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

‘Outplayed and outmaneuvered’: Joly, Wilkinson spar with opposition MPs over Russian turbine decision

  • Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Yulia Kovaliv says Canada’s attempt to call Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “bluff” has “obviously failed” following the controversial decision to
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

‘Outplayed and outmaneuvered’: Joly, Wilkinson spar with opposition MPs over Russian turbine decision

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 4, 2022
  • Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Yulia Kovaliv says Canada’s attempt to call Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “bluff” has “obviously failed” following the controversial decision to

‘Outplayed and outmaneuvered’: Joly, Wilkinson spar with opposition MPs over Russian turbine decision

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | August 4, 2022
  • Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Yulia Kovaliv says Canada’s attempt to call Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “bluff” has “obviously failed” following the controversial decision to
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

‘A churn that never stops’: Trudeau shuffles nine senior bureaucrats

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent shakeup of the senior public service promotes nine bureaucrats, bolstering impressive resumes of some rising in the ranks to
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | July 17, 2022
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

‘A churn that never stops’: Trudeau shuffles nine senior bureaucrats

News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | July 17, 2022
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent shakeup of the senior public service promotes nine bureaucrats, bolstering impressive resumes of some rising in the ranks to

‘A churn that never stops’: Trudeau shuffles nine senior bureaucrats

News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | July 17, 2022
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent shakeup of the senior public service promotes nine bureaucrats, bolstering impressive resumes of some rising in the ranks to
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

‘An elephant of a project’: BOIE approves north-south underground tunnel connections concept

  • MPs have approved two plans for underground tunnel connections to create a loop linking the Parliamentary Buildings, offices, and committee rooms at an estimated
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

‘An elephant of a project’: BOIE approves north-south underground tunnel connections concept

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 30, 2022
  • MPs have approved two plans for underground tunnel connections to create a loop linking the Parliamentary Buildings, offices, and committee rooms at an estimated

‘An elephant of a project’: BOIE approves north-south underground tunnel connections concept

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 30, 2022
  • MPs have approved two plans for underground tunnel connections to create a loop linking the Parliamentary Buildings, offices, and committee rooms at an estimated
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

Rule change lets MPs charge House up to $36,000 annually for constituency rentals amid office budget pressures

  • With MPs reporting rising constituency and rental costs over the last five years, the Board of Internal Economy gave Members the ability to charge
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

Rule change lets MPs charge House up to $36,000 annually for constituency rentals amid office budget pressures

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 23, 2022
  • With MPs reporting rising constituency and rental costs over the last five years, the Board of Internal Economy gave Members the ability to charge

Rule change lets MPs charge House up to $36,000 annually for constituency rentals amid office budget pressures

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 23, 2022
  • With MPs reporting rising constituency and rental costs over the last five years, the Board of Internal Economy gave Members the ability to charge
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

‘Rights-based’ approach needed to modernize privacy laws, says next privacy commissioner Dufresne

  • Canada’s nominee to be the next federal privacy commissioner, Philippe Dufresne, says Canada needs to modernize its laws so that privacy is protected as
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

‘Rights-based’ approach needed to modernize privacy laws, says next privacy commissioner Dufresne

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 14, 2022
  • Canada’s nominee to be the next federal privacy commissioner, Philippe Dufresne, says Canada needs to modernize its laws so that privacy is protected as

‘Rights-based’ approach needed to modernize privacy laws, says next privacy commissioner Dufresne

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | June 14, 2022
  • Canada’s nominee to be the next federal privacy commissioner, Philippe Dufresne, says Canada needs to modernize its laws so that privacy is protected as
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

A ‘sobering, disturbing crisis within our prisons’: audit questions CSC security assessment that continues to mark Indigenous, Black inmates as higher risk

  • The Correctional Service Canada has not addressed longstanding systemic barriers, including how the service classifies the “persistently disadvantaged” Black and Indigenous inmate population, leading
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

A ‘sobering, disturbing crisis within our prisons’: audit questions CSC security assessment that continues to mark Indigenous, Black inmates as higher risk

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 31, 2022
  • The Correctional Service Canada has not addressed longstanding systemic barriers, including how the service classifies the “persistently disadvantaged” Black and Indigenous inmate population, leading

A ‘sobering, disturbing crisis within our prisons’: audit questions CSC security assessment that continues to mark Indigenous, Black inmates as higher risk

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 31, 2022
  • The Correctional Service Canada has not addressed longstanding systemic barriers, including how the service classifies the “persistently disadvantaged” Black and Indigenous inmate population, leading
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

Conservative MPs, strategists unpack the ‘undoing of Jason Kenney’ in Alberta

  • Conservative Alberta MPs are blaming the tough pandemic political climate for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s splintered internal support and say his announced resignation was
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, IAN CAMPBELL | May 20, 2022
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

Conservative MPs, strategists unpack the ‘undoing of Jason Kenney’ in Alberta

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, IAN CAMPBELL | May 20, 2022
  • Conservative Alberta MPs are blaming the tough pandemic political climate for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s splintered internal support and say his announced resignation was

Conservative MPs, strategists unpack the ‘undoing of Jason Kenney’ in Alberta

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, IAN CAMPBELL | May 20, 2022
  • Conservative Alberta MPs are blaming the tough pandemic political climate for Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s splintered internal support and say his announced resignation was
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

Security key factor in successful Block 2 design that will complete ‘Parliament square’

  • After a year-long competition, the winning bid to complete “Parliament square’s” fourth wall came out ahead, thanks, in part, to a design that works
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

Security key factor in successful Block 2 design that will complete ‘Parliament square’

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 16, 2022
  • After a year-long competition, the winning bid to complete “Parliament square’s” fourth wall came out ahead, thanks, in part, to a design that works

Security key factor in successful Block 2 design that will complete ‘Parliament square’

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 16, 2022
  • After a year-long competition, the winning bid to complete “Parliament square’s” fourth wall came out ahead, thanks, in part, to a design that works
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

Bloc motion to remove ‘archaic’ prayer in House defeated by Conservative, Liberal MPs

  • A Bloc Québécois motion failed to get the votes needed to end the practice of the Speaker reading a prayer before the House of
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

Bloc motion to remove ‘archaic’ prayer in House defeated by Conservative, Liberal MPs

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 11, 2022
  • A Bloc Québécois motion failed to get the votes needed to end the practice of the Speaker reading a prayer before the House of

Bloc motion to remove ‘archaic’ prayer in House defeated by Conservative, Liberal MPs

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 11, 2022
  • A Bloc Québécois motion failed to get the votes needed to end the practice of the Speaker reading a prayer before the House of
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

New report on RCMP’s ‘shocking’ systemic violence against women calls out Ministers Mendicino, Ien

  • Canada has a “national public safety crisis on its hands” that must be addressed by establishing an external review of the Royal Canadian Mounted
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

New report on RCMP’s ‘shocking’ systemic violence against women calls out Ministers Mendicino, Ien

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 10, 2022
  • Canada has a “national public safety crisis on its hands” that must be addressed by establishing an external review of the Royal Canadian Mounted

New report on RCMP’s ‘shocking’ systemic violence against women calls out Ministers Mendicino, Ien

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 10, 2022
  • Canada has a “national public safety crisis on its hands” that must be addressed by establishing an external review of the Royal Canadian Mounted
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

Overturning Roe v. Wade just the beginning of Trump’s legacy, warns Heyman

  • In the wake of what appears to be the undoing of the right to choose to have an abortion in the United States, former
News | BY CHELSEA NASH, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 8, 2022
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

Overturning Roe v. Wade just the beginning of Trump’s legacy, warns Heyman

News | BY CHELSEA NASH, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 8, 2022
  • In the wake of what appears to be the undoing of the right to choose to have an abortion in the United States, former

Overturning Roe v. Wade just the beginning of Trump’s legacy, warns Heyman

News | BY CHELSEA NASH, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 8, 2022
  • In the wake of what appears to be the undoing of the right to choose to have an abortion in the United States, former
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

Poilievre, Charest neck-and-neck in early fundraising numbers

  • Early fundraising numbers show Conservative leadership front-runners Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest are pulling ahead in the six-member field, but drawing from different audiences
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

Poilievre, Charest neck-and-neck in early fundraising numbers

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 4, 2022
  • Early fundraising numbers show Conservative leadership front-runners Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest are pulling ahead in the six-member field, but drawing from different audiences

Poilievre, Charest neck-and-neck in early fundraising numbers

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | May 4, 2022
  • Early fundraising numbers show Conservative leadership front-runners Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest are pulling ahead in the six-member field, but drawing from different audiences
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

‘Near-absolute’ cabinet immunity needs judicial oversight to protect against possible abuse of power, says expert

  • Canada’s system protecting cabinet secrecy is “excessive” in scope, lacks meaningful oversight and has created a “legal black hole” that prevents the courts from
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

‘Near-absolute’ cabinet immunity needs judicial oversight to protect against possible abuse of power, says expert

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 29, 2022
  • Canada’s system protecting cabinet secrecy is “excessive” in scope, lacks meaningful oversight and has created a “legal black hole” that prevents the courts from

‘Near-absolute’ cabinet immunity needs judicial oversight to protect against possible abuse of power, says expert

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 29, 2022
  • Canada’s system protecting cabinet secrecy is “excessive” in scope, lacks meaningful oversight and has created a “legal black hole” that prevents the courts from
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
More Stories

‘Hard to find, unclear, or incomplete’: feds must improve ‘greening government’ strategy to meet net-zero, audit finds

  • Five years after launching a “greening government” strategy to tackle the federal environmental footprint, Ottawa is “falling short” of its net-zero by 2050 target,
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

‘Hard to find, unclear, or incomplete’: feds must improve ‘greening government’ strategy to meet net-zero, audit finds

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 26, 2022
  • Five years after launching a “greening government” strategy to tackle the federal environmental footprint, Ottawa is “falling short” of its net-zero by 2050 target,

‘Hard to find, unclear, or incomplete’: feds must improve ‘greening government’ strategy to meet net-zero, audit finds

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 26, 2022
  • Five years after launching a “greening government” strategy to tackle the federal environmental footprint, Ottawa is “falling short” of its net-zero by 2050 target,
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

‘Town and Crown’ Block 2 design challenge brings ‘new voices’ to Parliamentary Precinct’s national narrative, finalists say

  • Rooftop gardens, a double-storey library, a people’s square, and a Truth and Reconciliation tower situated to complement expansive views of Parliament Hill and the
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

‘Town and Crown’ Block 2 design challenge brings ‘new voices’ to Parliamentary Precinct’s national narrative, finalists say

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 18, 2022
  • Rooftop gardens, a double-storey library, a people’s square, and a Truth and Reconciliation tower situated to complement expansive views of Parliament Hill and the

‘Town and Crown’ Block 2 design challenge brings ‘new voices’ to Parliamentary Precinct’s national narrative, finalists say

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 18, 2022
  • Rooftop gardens, a double-storey library, a people’s square, and a Truth and Reconciliation tower situated to complement expansive views of Parliament Hill and the
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

Housing affordability, Canada’s green transition key budget planks as feds’ fiscal plan addresses ‘uncertain world’

  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s second budget sets out $62.6-billion in new spending, with billions earmarked to make the hot housing market fairer, push Canada’s
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

Housing affordability, Canada’s green transition key budget planks as feds’ fiscal plan addresses ‘uncertain world’

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 7, 2022
  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s second budget sets out $62.6-billion in new spending, with billions earmarked to make the hot housing market fairer, push Canada’s

Housing affordability, Canada’s green transition key budget planks as feds’ fiscal plan addresses ‘uncertain world’

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 7, 2022
  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s second budget sets out $62.6-billion in new spending, with billions earmarked to make the hot housing market fairer, push Canada’s
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

Senate’s new net-zero policy has ‘ambitious but achievable’ targets, says Sen. Deacon

  • The Red Chamber has a new green target after adopting an environmental and sustainability plan that one of the policy’s authors says is the
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

Senate’s new net-zero policy has ‘ambitious but achievable’ targets, says Sen. Deacon

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 5, 2022
  • The Red Chamber has a new green target after adopting an environmental and sustainability plan that one of the policy’s authors says is the

Senate’s new net-zero policy has ‘ambitious but achievable’ targets, says Sen. Deacon

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 5, 2022
  • The Red Chamber has a new green target after adopting an environmental and sustainability plan that one of the policy’s authors says is the
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

‘Get cracking’: joint committee reviewing emergency powers should not get ‘bogged down’ debating scope, experts say

  • More than a month after the government invoked and revoked the Emergencies Act to end the illegal occupation in downtown Ottawa, the special parliamentary
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

‘Get cracking’: joint committee reviewing emergency powers should not get ‘bogged down’ debating scope, experts say

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 1, 2022
  • More than a month after the government invoked and revoked the Emergencies Act to end the illegal occupation in downtown Ottawa, the special parliamentary

‘Get cracking’: joint committee reviewing emergency powers should not get ‘bogged down’ debating scope, experts say

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | April 1, 2022
  • More than a month after the government invoked and revoked the Emergencies Act to end the illegal occupation in downtown Ottawa, the special parliamentary
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

Boissonnault, Freeland among top lobbying targets in February as budget looms

  • In the weeks before Canada announced it would end pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for vaccinated travellers, tourism industry groups were clamouring to meet with Tourism
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

Boissonnault, Freeland among top lobbying targets in February as budget looms

News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | March 25, 2022
  • In the weeks before Canada announced it would end pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for vaccinated travellers, tourism industry groups were clamouring to meet with Tourism