Thursday, December 7, 2023
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Thursday, December 7, 2023 | Latest Paper

Stuart Benson

Stuart Benson began covering Parliament Hill in early 2022, reporting on political party apparatuses and fundraising, policing and public safety, women and youth, marijuana, heritage, the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party. He is also The Hill Times’ regular Party Central columnist. Benson previously covered local news and municipal politics at The Low Down to Hull and Back News in Wakefield, Que., where he began his professional journalism career in February 2020. He also won a Quebec Community Newspaper Award in 2021 for Best News Story and Best Agricultural Story, as well as winning a Canadian Community Newspaper award for Best Campus News story in 2020.

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
Thousands of protesters rallied on Parliament Hill and marched through the streets of downtown Ottawa on Nov. 25 to demand the federal government call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
Thousands of protesters rallied on Parliament Hill and marched through the streets of downtown Ottawa on Nov. 25 to demand the federal government call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma, left, with Foreign Affairs deputy minister David Morrison, says there has been 'constructive dialogue' between his country and Canada to repair the scorched relationship. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma, left, with Foreign Affairs deputy minister David Morrison, says there has been 'constructive dialogue' between his country and Canada to repair the scorched relationship. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 24, 2023
Liberal MPs Angelo Iacono, far left, and Vance Badawey, far right, were on-board alongside Mario Péloquin, VIA Rail's new president and CEO, second left, and Françoise Bertrand, chair of VIA Rail's board of directors at the passenger rail company's VIP meet and greet in the Wellington Building on Nov. 21. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 24, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 24, 2023
Liberal MPs Angelo Iacono, far left, and Vance Badawey, far right, were on-board alongside Mario Péloquin, VIA Rail's new president and CEO, second left, and Françoise Bertrand, chair of VIA Rail's board of directors at the passenger rail company's VIP meet and greet in the Wellington Building on Nov. 21. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says 'time is of the essence' to complete the process of updating the regulations governing online streaming giants and the contributions they will need to make to Canadian producers as part of the Liberals' Online Streaming Act. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge says 'time is of the essence' to complete the process of updating the regulations governing online streaming giants and the contributions they will need to make to Canadian producers as part of the Liberals' Online Streaming Act. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his caucus have remained tight-lipped on whether or not they will support Bill C-58, and won't be taking a position until they've had more time to study the legislation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his caucus have remained tight-lipped on whether or not they will support Bill C-58, and won't be taking a position until they've had more time to study the legislation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed on Nov. 9 what he called a 'terrifying' rise in antisemitism and 'unacceptable' Islamophobia in the wake of a pair of shootings at two Jewish day schools and the firebombing of a synagogue and Jewish community centre in Montreal. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed on Nov. 9 what he called a 'terrifying' rise in antisemitism and 'unacceptable' Islamophobia in the wake of a pair of shootings at two Jewish day schools and the firebombing of a synagogue and Jewish community centre in Montreal. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
NDP MP Randall Garrison sponsored a petition calling on the federal government to implement the 29 policy recommendations contained in a white paper on the status of trans and gender diverse Canadians' rights he released this past June. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
NDP MP Randall Garrison sponsored a petition calling on the federal government to implement the 29 policy recommendations contained in a white paper on the status of trans and gender diverse Canadians' rights he released this past June. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 10, 2023
Conservative MPs receive a ceremonial Bindi at the 23rd National Diwali Celebration on Nov. 9 at the Sir. John A. Macdonald building. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 10, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 10, 2023
Conservative MPs receive a ceremonial Bindi at the 23rd National Diwali Celebration on Nov. 9 at the Sir. John A. Macdonald building. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds says she is ‘all in’ on developing a national school food program policy, but can’t say when matching investment will follow. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds says she is ‘all in’ on developing a national school food program policy, but can’t say when matching investment will follow. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds says she is ‘all in’ on developing a national school food program policy, but can’t say when matching investment will follow. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds says she is ‘all in’ on developing a national school food program policy, but can’t say when matching investment will follow. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's, left, Liberal Party's $3.1-million in third-quarter fundraising is less than half of the Pierre Poilievre-led Conservative Party's $7.3-million, while Jagmeet Singh's NDP struggle to keep up with a little more than $1.5-million in fundraising between July 1 and Sept. 30. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's, left, Liberal Party's $3.1-million in third-quarter fundraising is less than half of the Pierre Poilievre-led Conservative Party's $7.3-million, while Jagmeet Singh's NDP struggle to keep up with a little more than $1.5-million in fundraising between July 1 and Sept. 30. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
Soprano Renée Fleming and the NAC orchestra, led by maestro Alexander Shelley, received one of four standing ovations at the 2023 NAC Gala on on Nov. 1. Photograph courtesy of the NAC
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
Soprano Renée Fleming and the NAC orchestra, led by maestro Alexander Shelley, received one of four standing ovations at the 2023 NAC Gala on on Nov. 1. Photograph courtesy of the NAC
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 1, 2023
Named in 125 communications reports as of Oct. 30, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, left, is the most lobbied minister in the government. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, centre, was fifth with 72 reports, and Treasury Board President Anita Anand rounds off the top 10 with 48. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 1, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 1, 2023
Named in 125 communications reports as of Oct. 30, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, left, is the most lobbied minister in the government. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, centre, was fifth with 72 reports, and Treasury Board President Anita Anand rounds off the top 10 with 48. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 31, 2023
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller unveiled the latest report on Canada's progress toward its 2025 immigration goals as a new study warns poor immigrant retention is a threat to the country's future prosperity. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 31, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 31, 2023
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller unveiled the latest report on Canada's progress toward its 2025 immigration goals as a new study warns poor immigrant retention is a threat to the country's future prosperity. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 27, 2023
Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAuley received a warm welcome from attendees upon arrival at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture's Hill Day Reception on Oct. 24. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 27, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 27, 2023
Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAuley received a warm welcome from attendees upon arrival at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture's Hill Day Reception on Oct. 24. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has said that delaying the implementation of the digital services tax by another year would run counter to Canada's national interests. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has said that delaying the implementation of the digital services tax by another year would run counter to Canada's national interests. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
Jenna Sudds became families, children, and social development minister during the July 26 cabinet shuffle. Her department says it will release a report on public consultations into a national school meals program in the coming weeks. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
Jenna Sudds became families, children, and social development minister during the July 26 cabinet shuffle. Her department says it will release a report on public consultations into a national school meals program in the coming weeks. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference on Aug. 23 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., where he touted the federal carbon tax and rebate regime, which has increasingly become a point of vulnerability in the Liberals' polling in the region, creating friction and dissent amongst its Atlantic caucus. The Hill Times photograph by Laura Ryckewaert
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference on Aug. 23 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., where he touted the federal carbon tax and rebate regime, which has increasingly become a point of vulnerability in the Liberals' polling in the region, creating friction and dissent amongst its Atlantic caucus. The Hill Times photograph by Laura Ryckewaert
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
In 2019, then-Crown-Indigenous relations minister Carolyn Bennet signed a memorandum of understanding with the NunatuKavut Community Council despite concerns from senior government officials that it could set a precedent with other groups whose Section 35 rights are in doubt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
In 2019, then-Crown-Indigenous relations minister Carolyn Bennet signed a memorandum of understanding with the NunatuKavut Community Council despite concerns from senior government officials that it could set a precedent with other groups whose Section 35 rights are in doubt. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
The longer any government remains in power, the harder it becomes to maintain the continuity of institutional memory and discipline of a freshly elected one, says David Zussman. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
The longer any government remains in power, the harder it becomes to maintain the continuity of institutional memory and discipline of a freshly elected one, says David Zussman. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
Strategists and former staffers say NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will need to make good use of the upcoming convention to unite the party's grassroots, and convince Canadians tired of the Liberal government that he can be a compassionate and competent alternative to the Conservatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
Strategists and former staffers say NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will need to make good use of the upcoming convention to unite the party's grassroots, and convince Canadians tired of the Liberal government that he can be a compassionate and competent alternative to the Conservatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 5, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the One Alberta One Canada 'Alberta on the Hill' reception hosted by the Business Council of Alberta. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 5, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 5, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the One Alberta One Canada 'Alberta on the Hill' reception hosted by the Business Council of Alberta. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
Parental rights protestors gathered on Parliament Hill on Sept. 20 for one of the '1 Million March for Children' rallies held across Canada, opposing teaching about gender and sexual identity in schools and in support of parents' rights to decide their children's moral and social upbringing. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
Parental rights protestors gathered on Parliament Hill on Sept. 20 for one of the '1 Million March for Children' rallies held across Canada, opposing teaching about gender and sexual identity in schools and in support of parents' rights to decide their children's moral and social upbringing. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
Innovation, Science, and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says details on changes to Bill C-27 will come at the end of the House Industry Committee's study, and will include recognizing privacy as a fundamental right, among other amendments. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
Innovation, Science, and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says details on changes to Bill C-27 will come at the end of the House Industry Committee's study, and will include recognizing privacy as a fundamental right, among other amendments. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 29, 2023
Japan's Ambassador to Canada Kanji Yamanouchi shreds out a rendition of 'O Canada' to kick off the second annual Do It For Democracy reception hosted by the Parliamentary Centre and the British High Commissioner's residence on Sept. 26. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 29, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 29, 2023
Japan's Ambassador to Canada Kanji Yamanouchi shreds out a rendition of 'O Canada' to kick off the second annual Do It For Democracy reception hosted by the Parliamentary Centre and the British High Commissioner's residence on Sept. 26. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
Liberal MP Randeep Sarai, left, Conservative MP Tim Uppal, and Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal have said they’re looking for answers after hearing of the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the death of a Canadian Sikh leader this past June. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and screenshot courtesy of ParlVu
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
Liberal MP Randeep Sarai, left, Conservative MP Tim Uppal, and Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal have said they’re looking for answers after hearing of the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the death of a Canadian Sikh leader this past June. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and screenshot courtesy of ParlVu
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
The Muslim Association of Canada had hoped to put halt to a 'fatally flawed' audit of its finances by the Canada Revenue Agency’s charities directorate that it says is rooted in Islamophobia and 'systemic bias.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
The Muslim Association of Canada had hoped to put halt to a 'fatally flawed' audit of its finances by the Canada Revenue Agency’s charities directorate that it says is rooted in Islamophobia and 'systemic bias.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 25, 2023
Dozens of Young Liberals, staffers, and Carleton University students gathered at 3 Brewers in Ottawa to hear the would-be OLP leaders make their case for why they should be the one to take the reins of the party. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 25, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 25, 2023
Dozens of Young Liberals, staffers, and Carleton University students gathered at 3 Brewers in Ottawa to hear the would-be OLP leaders make their case for why they should be the one to take the reins of the party. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 21, 2023
iPolitics' editor-in-chief Marco Vigliotti, left, Jason Kerr, Canadian Automobile Association, and Pascal Chan, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, at iPolitics and Earnscliffe Strategies' annual 'Housewarming' reception at the Métropolitain Brasserie on Sept. 19. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 21, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 21, 2023
iPolitics' editor-in-chief Marco Vigliotti, left, Jason Kerr, Canadian Automobile Association, and Pascal Chan, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, at iPolitics and Earnscliffe Strategies' annual 'Housewarming' reception at the Métropolitain Brasserie on Sept. 19. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
As long as the Conservatives maintain 'message discipline' on the topics they’ve been championing for the past year, party leader Pierre Poilievre will continue to enjoy the same success in the polls, says Anthony Koch. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
As long as the Conservatives maintain 'message discipline' on the topics they’ve been championing for the past year, party leader Pierre Poilievre will continue to enjoy the same success in the polls, says Anthony Koch. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Minister Sean Fraser speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer on Sept. 18. On Sept. 14, the Liberals announced a suite of new measures to address housing affordability and move closer toward its goal of building 5.8 million homes by 2030. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Minister Sean Fraser speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer on Sept. 18. On Sept. 14, the Liberals announced a suite of new measures to address housing affordability and move closer toward its goal of building 5.8 million homes by 2030. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 8, 2023
Greg MacEachern, left, Navigator's Graham Fox, Dave Graham of St. FX, Team Rubicon's Paul McCarthy, and Anthony Caricato of the Speaker's office at the KAN Strategies kick-off reception at the Hyde Room on Sept. 6. The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Münster
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 8, 2023
FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 8, 2023
Greg MacEachern, left, Navigator's Graham Fox, Dave Graham of St. FX, Team Rubicon's Paul McCarthy, and Anthony Caricato of the Speaker's office at the KAN Strategies kick-off reception at the Hyde Room on Sept. 6. The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Münster
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the Young Liberals of Canada at the Liberal Party convention in Ottawa on May 4. Recent polling from Abacus and Nanos shows the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by 10 points among Gen Z and millennial voters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the Young Liberals of Canada at the Liberal Party convention in Ottawa on May 4. Recent polling from Abacus and Nanos shows the Liberals trailing the Conservatives by 10 points among Gen Z and millennial voters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
A line of Ottawa Police officers separate protests organized by community organizations and the parents of local students to block the planned 'anti-gender ideology' demonstrations organized by right-wing personalities on June 9. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023