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Thursday, December 7, 2023
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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.

Protesters vow continued ‘civil disobedience’ until feds issue call for permanent Israel-Hamas ceasefire

  • While respectful of the right to demonstrate, a Liberal MP says their staff have been subjected to intimidating and foul language as well as
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

Protesters vow continued ‘civil disobedience’ until feds issue call for permanent Israel-Hamas ceasefire

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
  • While respectful of the right to demonstrate, a Liberal MP says their staff have been subjected to intimidating and foul language as well as

Protesters vow continued ‘civil disobedience’ until feds issue call for permanent Israel-Hamas ceasefire

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
  • While respectful of the right to demonstrate, a Liberal MP says their staff have been subjected to intimidating and foul language as well as
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

Newest India assassination claims validate expansion of public inquiry beyond China, says Thomas Juneau

  • Explicitly mandating an examination of India would be another 'poke in the eye' to a strategically valuable trading partner, warns former national security and
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

Newest India assassination claims validate expansion of public inquiry beyond China, says Thomas Juneau

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
  • Explicitly mandating an examination of India would be another 'poke in the eye' to a strategically valuable trading partner, warns former national security and

Newest India assassination claims validate expansion of public inquiry beyond China, says Thomas Juneau

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 29, 2023
  • Explicitly mandating an examination of India would be another 'poke in the eye' to a strategically valuable trading partner, warns former national security and
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

Party Central goes to VIA Rail VIP meet and greet

  • VIA Rail’s board of directors and executive team host a low-key reception at the Wellington Building on Nov. 21.
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

Party Central goes to VIA Rail VIP meet and greet

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 24, 2023
  • VIA Rail’s board of directors and executive team host a low-key reception at the Wellington Building on Nov. 21.

Party Central goes to VIA Rail VIP meet and greet

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 24, 2023
  • VIA Rail’s board of directors and executive team host a low-key reception at the Wellington Building on Nov. 21.
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

Music Canada CEO says CRTC regulatory update shouldn’t put ‘artificial dome’ over Canadian content

  • As the CRTC begins three weeks of public hearings, endangered Canadian content creators need urgent regulations to stave off predatory foreign streamers, says CAB
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

Music Canada CEO says CRTC regulatory update shouldn’t put ‘artificial dome’ over Canadian content

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
  • As the CRTC begins three weeks of public hearings, endangered Canadian content creators need urgent regulations to stave off predatory foreign streamers, says CAB

Music Canada CEO says CRTC regulatory update shouldn’t put ‘artificial dome’ over Canadian content

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
  • As the CRTC begins three weeks of public hearings, endangered Canadian content creators need urgent regulations to stave off predatory foreign streamers, says CAB
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

Conservatives in no rush to pick at Liberal-NDP anti-scab legislation

  • Tory pundit Jordan Paquet says that so long as Conservatives can keep the affordability ball in the Liberals' court, they can box out the
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

Conservatives in no rush to pick at Liberal-NDP anti-scab legislation

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
  • Tory pundit Jordan Paquet says that so long as Conservatives can keep the affordability ball in the Liberals' court, they can box out the

Conservatives in no rush to pick at Liberal-NDP anti-scab legislation

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 22, 2023
  • Tory pundit Jordan Paquet says that so long as Conservatives can keep the affordability ball in the Liberals' court, they can box out the
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

Prevent, protect, prosecute, partnership: go back to basics on fighting hate, says Cotler

  • Elected officials also have a role to play in lowering the temperature when it comes to the spread of hate and inflamed tensions, says
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

Prevent, protect, prosecute, partnership: go back to basics on fighting hate, says Cotler

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
  • Elected officials also have a role to play in lowering the temperature when it comes to the spread of hate and inflamed tensions, says

Prevent, protect, prosecute, partnership: go back to basics on fighting hate, says Cotler

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
  • Elected officials also have a role to play in lowering the temperature when it comes to the spread of hate and inflamed tensions, says
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

NDP-backed petition on trans rights surges as Tory Leader Poilievre strikes out at ‘Trudeau’s radical gender ideology’

  • Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah says advocates and organizations serving Canada’s trans and gender-diverse community fear their hard-won progress could all be lost with a change in
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

NDP-backed petition on trans rights surges as Tory Leader Poilievre strikes out at ‘Trudeau’s radical gender ideology’

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
  • Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah says advocates and organizations serving Canada’s trans and gender-diverse community fear their hard-won progress could all be lost with a change in

NDP-backed petition on trans rights surges as Tory Leader Poilievre strikes out at ‘Trudeau’s radical gender ideology’

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 15, 2023
  • Debbie Owusu-Akyeeah says advocates and organizations serving Canada’s trans and gender-diverse community fear their hard-won progress could all be lost with a change in
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

Party Central misses IRPP’s fall lecture, Poilievre lights the Diwali candle

  • Conservative MP Todd Doherty hosts 23rd national Diwali celebration on the Hill alongside most of the Conservative caucus.
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

Party Central misses IRPP’s fall lecture, Poilievre lights the Diwali candle

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 10, 2023
  • Conservative MP Todd Doherty hosts 23rd national Diwali celebration on the Hill alongside most of the Conservative caucus.

Party Central misses IRPP’s fall lecture, Poilievre lights the Diwali candle

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 10, 2023
  • Conservative MP Todd Doherty hosts 23rd national Diwali celebration on the Hill alongside most of the Conservative caucus.
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

Frustration grows as federal report reveals broad support for school food program, but no funding timeline

  • 'If the federal government wanted to do one thing quickly to address the key issue facing Canadians, which is the affordability of food, they
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

Frustration grows as federal report reveals broad support for school food program, but no funding timeline

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
  • 'If the federal government wanted to do one thing quickly to address the key issue facing Canadians, which is the affordability of food, they

Frustration grows as federal report reveals broad support for school food program, but no funding timeline

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
  • 'If the federal government wanted to do one thing quickly to address the key issue facing Canadians, which is the affordability of food, they
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

Frustration grows as federal report reveals broad support for school food program, but no funding timeline

  • 'If the federal government wanted to do one thing quickly to address the key issue facing Canadians, which is the affordability of food, they
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

Frustration grows as federal report reveals broad support for school food program, but no funding timeline

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
  • 'If the federal government wanted to do one thing quickly to address the key issue facing Canadians, which is the affordability of food, they

Frustration grows as federal report reveals broad support for school food program, but no funding timeline

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 8, 2023
  • 'If the federal government wanted to do one thing quickly to address the key issue facing Canadians, which is the affordability of food, they
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

Tories need swing voters more than dollars, says pollster Shachi Kurl, as Conservatives more than double Liberal Q3 fundraising

  • One factor that may be affecting the Liberals’ fundraising totals is trepidatious benefactors who may be waiting to see whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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

Tories need swing voters more than dollars, says pollster Shachi Kurl, as Conservatives more than double Liberal Q3 fundraising

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
  • One factor that may be affecting the Liberals’ fundraising totals is trepidatious benefactors who may be waiting to see whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Tories need swing voters more than dollars, says pollster Shachi Kurl, as Conservatives more than double Liberal Q3 fundraising

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
  • One factor that may be affecting the Liberals’ fundraising totals is trepidatious benefactors who may be waiting to see whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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

Diva Renée Fleming dazzles at NAC 25th Anniversary Gala

  • National Arts Centre raised over $500,000 for youth arts education at its annual gala on Nov. 1.
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

Diva Renée Fleming dazzles at NAC 25th Anniversary Gala

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
  • National Arts Centre raised over $500,000 for youth arts education at its annual gala on Nov. 1.

Diva Renée Fleming dazzles at NAC 25th Anniversary Gala

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | November 3, 2023
  • National Arts Centre raised over $500,000 for youth arts education at its annual gala on Nov. 1.
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

‘Over-prudent’ Breakfast Club of Canada removes hundreds of superfluous lobbying reports

  • Lawyer and Lobbying Act adviser W. Scott Thurlow says the lobbying commissioner ‘bends over backwards’ to educate organizations about the rules.
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

‘Over-prudent’ Breakfast Club of Canada removes hundreds of superfluous lobbying reports

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 1, 2023
  • Lawyer and Lobbying Act adviser W. Scott Thurlow says the lobbying commissioner ‘bends over backwards’ to educate organizations about the rules.

‘Over-prudent’ Breakfast Club of Canada removes hundreds of superfluous lobbying reports

News | BY STUART BENSON | November 1, 2023
  • Lawyer and Lobbying Act adviser W. Scott Thurlow says the lobbying commissioner ‘bends over backwards’ to educate organizations about the rules.
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

Canada’s immigration system a ‘leaky bucket,’ says Institute for Canadian Citizenship CEO

  • A new study co-authored with the Conference Board of Canada shows a steady increase of newcomers to Canada choosing not to stay, with significant
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

Canada’s immigration system a ‘leaky bucket,’ says Institute for Canadian Citizenship CEO

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 31, 2023
  • A new study co-authored with the Conference Board of Canada shows a steady increase of newcomers to Canada choosing not to stay, with significant

Canada’s immigration system a ‘leaky bucket,’ says Institute for Canadian Citizenship CEO

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 31, 2023
  • A new study co-authored with the Conference Board of Canada shows a steady increase of newcomers to Canada choosing not to stay, with significant
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

Whisky drinks with the CFA and Hungary’s National Day house party

  • The Canadian Federation of Agriculture hosted a whisky cocktail reception on Oct. 24, followed by a celebration of Hungary's National Day at Birkett Castle
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

Whisky drinks with the CFA and Hungary’s National Day house party

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 27, 2023
  • The Canadian Federation of Agriculture hosted a whisky cocktail reception on Oct. 24, followed by a celebration of Hungary's National Day at Birkett Castle

Whisky drinks with the CFA and Hungary’s National Day house party

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 27, 2023
  • The Canadian Federation of Agriculture hosted a whisky cocktail reception on Oct. 24, followed by a celebration of Hungary's National Day at Birkett Castle
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

‘Significant risk’ of economic pain could outweigh the reward of Canada’s unilateral digital services tax: Geist

  • With the latest PBO estimate projecting $7.3-billion in possible revenue, Liberals could be underestimating the allure of retaliatory tariffs on lumber, steel, and dairy
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

‘Significant risk’ of economic pain could outweigh the reward of Canada’s unilateral digital services tax: Geist

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
  • With the latest PBO estimate projecting $7.3-billion in possible revenue, Liberals could be underestimating the allure of retaliatory tariffs on lumber, steel, and dairy

‘Significant risk’ of economic pain could outweigh the reward of Canada’s unilateral digital services tax: Geist

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
  • With the latest PBO estimate projecting $7.3-billion in possible revenue, Liberals could be underestimating the allure of retaliatory tariffs on lumber, steel, and dairy
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

Advocates disappointed by Liberals’ absence at global school meals summit, lack of progress on $1B nutrition promise

  • As one in four children experience food insecurity, the Breakfast Club of Canada's Judith Barry says the Liberals' lack of progress shows they still
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

Advocates disappointed by Liberals’ absence at global school meals summit, lack of progress on $1B nutrition promise

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
  • As one in four children experience food insecurity, the Breakfast Club of Canada's Judith Barry says the Liberals' lack of progress shows they still

Advocates disappointed by Liberals’ absence at global school meals summit, lack of progress on $1B nutrition promise

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 25, 2023
  • As one in four children experience food insecurity, the Breakfast Club of Canada's Judith Barry says the Liberals' lack of progress shows they still
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

Dogmatism an existential threat to Liberals’ political fortunes in Atlantic Canada, say pollsters

  • While the growing public warnings from within the federal Liberal caucus and at the provincial level over climate policies have so far remained polite,
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

Dogmatism an existential threat to Liberals’ political fortunes in Atlantic Canada, say pollsters

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
  • While the growing public warnings from within the federal Liberal caucus and at the provincial level over climate policies have so far remained polite,

Dogmatism an existential threat to Liberals’ political fortunes in Atlantic Canada, say pollsters

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
  • While the growing public warnings from within the federal Liberal caucus and at the provincial level over climate policies have so far remained polite,
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

Barbs continue to fly as Innu Nation’s court challenge of NunatuKavut recognition pushed to new year

  • Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue says the NunatuKavut is using its ‘white privilege’ and well-connected evangelists in provincial and federal government to promote
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

Barbs continue to fly as Innu Nation’s court challenge of NunatuKavut recognition pushed to new year

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
  • Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue says the NunatuKavut is using its ‘white privilege’ and well-connected evangelists in provincial and federal government to promote

Barbs continue to fly as Innu Nation’s court challenge of NunatuKavut recognition pushed to new year

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 18, 2023
  • Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue says the NunatuKavut is using its ‘white privilege’ and well-connected evangelists in provincial and federal government to promote
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

‘Not a problem of communications, but operations’: Liberals showing signs of a government on ‘autopilot,’ say politicos

  • Voters may have been more receptive to the Liberals' slow delivery when the government was newly elected in 2015, but the Grits will need
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

‘Not a problem of communications, but operations’: Liberals showing signs of a government on ‘autopilot,’ say politicos

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
  • Voters may have been more receptive to the Liberals' slow delivery when the government was newly elected in 2015, but the Grits will need

‘Not a problem of communications, but operations’: Liberals showing signs of a government on ‘autopilot,’ say politicos

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
  • Voters may have been more receptive to the Liberals' slow delivery when the government was newly elected in 2015, but the Grits will need
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

Expect ‘wild, woolly, and unruly’ debates as New Democrats reunite in Hamilton for first in-person convention since 2018

  • With a boost of energy from the recent election of an NDP government in Manitoba, federal New Democrats will spend the weekend in Hamilton
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

Expect ‘wild, woolly, and unruly’ debates as New Democrats reunite in Hamilton for first in-person convention since 2018

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
  • With a boost of energy from the recent election of an NDP government in Manitoba, federal New Democrats will spend the weekend in Hamilton

Expect ‘wild, woolly, and unruly’ debates as New Democrats reunite in Hamilton for first in-person convention since 2018

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 11, 2023
  • With a boost of energy from the recent election of an NDP government in Manitoba, federal New Democrats will spend the weekend in Hamilton
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

Berries, Beef, Eaglestar Galactica: Alberta-on-the-Hill event celebrates province’s centrality to Canada’s future

  • Provincial business leaders, MPs, ministers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau celebrated ‘One Alberta, One Canada’ on Oct. 3 at the Sir John A. Macdonald
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

Berries, Beef, Eaglestar Galactica: Alberta-on-the-Hill event celebrates province’s centrality to Canada’s future

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 5, 2023
  • Provincial business leaders, MPs, ministers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau celebrated ‘One Alberta, One Canada’ on Oct. 3 at the Sir John A. Macdonald

Berries, Beef, Eaglestar Galactica: Alberta-on-the-Hill event celebrates province’s centrality to Canada’s future

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | October 5, 2023
  • Provincial business leaders, MPs, ministers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau celebrated ‘One Alberta, One Canada’ on Oct. 3 at the Sir John A. Macdonald
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

Muslim group demands apology, nuance from Trudeau after condemning ‘parental rights’ protest

  • Lack of nuance from LGBTQ+ allies on gender identity protests veer into Islamophobia, allowing the ‘parental rights’ slogan to become a ‘bludgeon’ against the
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

Muslim group demands apology, nuance from Trudeau after condemning ‘parental rights’ protest

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
  • Lack of nuance from LGBTQ+ allies on gender identity protests veer into Islamophobia, allowing the ‘parental rights’ slogan to become a ‘bludgeon’ against the

Muslim group demands apology, nuance from Trudeau after condemning ‘parental rights’ protest

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
  • Lack of nuance from LGBTQ+ allies on gender identity protests veer into Islamophobia, allowing the ‘parental rights’ slogan to become a ‘bludgeon’ against the
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

‘The devil’s in the details, and we don’t have any’: critics, civil liberties groups decry feds’ lack of clarity on changes to privacy and AI bill

  • NDP MP Brian Masse calls the wait for the full text of the government’s amendments to Bill C-27 'disrespectful' and an example of the
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

‘The devil’s in the details, and we don’t have any’: critics, civil liberties groups decry feds’ lack of clarity on changes to privacy and AI bill

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
  • NDP MP Brian Masse calls the wait for the full text of the government’s amendments to Bill C-27 'disrespectful' and an example of the

‘The devil’s in the details, and we don’t have any’: critics, civil liberties groups decry feds’ lack of clarity on changes to privacy and AI bill

News | BY STUART BENSON | October 4, 2023
  • NDP MP Brian Masse calls the wait for the full text of the government’s amendments to Bill C-27 'disrespectful' and an example of the
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

Party Central: rock and democracy ain’t dead at Parliamentary Centre shindig; Guilbeault gabs over mixed greens; and oysters at CPAC soirée

  • Week two of the Hill's social calendar featured the Parliamentary Centre's 'Do It For Democracy' reception at Earnscliffe of Sept. 26, and a Canadian
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

Party Central: rock and democracy ain’t dead at Parliamentary Centre shindig; Guilbeault gabs over mixed greens; and oysters at CPAC soirée

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 29, 2023
  • Week two of the Hill's social calendar featured the Parliamentary Centre's 'Do It For Democracy' reception at Earnscliffe of Sept. 26, and a Canadian

Party Central: rock and democracy ain’t dead at Parliamentary Centre shindig; Guilbeault gabs over mixed greens; and oysters at CPAC soirée

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 29, 2023
  • Week two of the Hill's social calendar featured the Parliamentary Centre's 'Do It For Democracy' reception at Earnscliffe of Sept. 26, and a Canadian
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

Sikh community seeks justice, protection amid India-Canada tensions over killing of B.C. Sikh leader

  • Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal, who represents the riding where Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed, says Canada 'cannot sacrifice our sovereignty' or allow another country
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

Sikh community seeks justice, protection amid India-Canada tensions over killing of B.C. Sikh leader

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
  • Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal, who represents the riding where Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed, says Canada 'cannot sacrifice our sovereignty' or allow another country

Sikh community seeks justice, protection amid India-Canada tensions over killing of B.C. Sikh leader

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
  • Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal, who represents the riding where Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed, says Canada 'cannot sacrifice our sovereignty' or allow another country
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

Dismissal of CRA audit Charter challenge ‘delays justice,’ says Muslim charity

  • While Ontario Superior Court Justice Markus Koehnen says he agrees with many of the Muslim Association of Canada's arguments, he dismissed the case due
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

Dismissal of CRA audit Charter challenge ‘delays justice,’ says Muslim charity

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
  • While Ontario Superior Court Justice Markus Koehnen says he agrees with many of the Muslim Association of Canada's arguments, he dismissed the case due

Dismissal of CRA audit Charter challenge ‘delays justice,’ says Muslim charity

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 27, 2023
  • While Ontario Superior Court Justice Markus Koehnen says he agrees with many of the Muslim Association of Canada's arguments, he dismissed the case due
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
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Plenty of pints and pitches at the Carleton Young Liberals’ OLP all-candidates’ event

  • All five of the Ontario Liberal leadership hopefuls joined a pack of plucky young politicos to pitch their vision for the party's future.
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

Plenty of pints and pitches at the Carleton Young Liberals’ OLP all-candidates’ event

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 25, 2023
  • All five of the Ontario Liberal leadership hopefuls joined a pack of plucky young politicos to pitch their vision for the party's future.

Plenty of pints and pitches at the Carleton Young Liberals’ OLP all-candidates’ event

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 25, 2023
  • All five of the Ontario Liberal leadership hopefuls joined a pack of plucky young politicos to pitch their vision for the party's future.
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

Parliamentary party people pack the Met for back-to-back receptions

  • Week one of the Parliamentary social calendar welcomed MPs, Senators, staffers, lobbyists, and the media back with two receptions at the Métropolitain Brasserie: iPolitics
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

Parliamentary party people pack the Met for back-to-back receptions

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 21, 2023
  • Week one of the Parliamentary social calendar welcomed MPs, Senators, staffers, lobbyists, and the media back with two receptions at the Métropolitain Brasserie: iPolitics

Parliamentary party people pack the Met for back-to-back receptions

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 21, 2023
  • Week one of the Parliamentary social calendar welcomed MPs, Senators, staffers, lobbyists, and the media back with two receptions at the Métropolitain Brasserie: iPolitics
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

‘If it’s real, he doesn’t need to maintain it’: Conservative momentum a matter of message discipline and staying the course, say Tory pundits

  • While the Liberals ‘flounder,’ Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s only challenge is keeping his caucus ‘on the same page’ with Canadians' affordability struggles, says Summa
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

‘If it’s real, he doesn’t need to maintain it’: Conservative momentum a matter of message discipline and staying the course, say Tory pundits

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
  • While the Liberals ‘flounder,’ Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s only challenge is keeping his caucus ‘on the same page’ with Canadians' affordability struggles, says Summa

‘If it’s real, he doesn’t need to maintain it’: Conservative momentum a matter of message discipline and staying the course, say Tory pundits

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
  • While the Liberals ‘flounder,’ Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s only challenge is keeping his caucus ‘on the same page’ with Canadians' affordability struggles, says Summa
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

New ‘post-partisan’ task force says Canada’s housing goal can’t compromise its emissions targets

  • Co-chairs Lisa Raitt and Don Iveson say ‘partisan bickering’ doesn’t honour the complexity of addressing Canada’s ‘twin crises.’
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

New ‘post-partisan’ task force says Canada’s housing goal can’t compromise its emissions targets

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
  • Co-chairs Lisa Raitt and Don Iveson say ‘partisan bickering’ doesn’t honour the complexity of addressing Canada’s ‘twin crises.’

New ‘post-partisan’ task force says Canada’s housing goal can’t compromise its emissions targets

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 20, 2023
  • Co-chairs Lisa Raitt and Don Iveson say ‘partisan bickering’ doesn’t honour the complexity of addressing Canada’s ‘twin crises.’
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

Yes he KAN: GR-pro Greg MacEachern hosts reception for his new policy shop KAN Strategies

  • Politicos, pundits return to the Hill for pre-Parliament shin-dig at the Hyde Room.
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

Yes he KAN: GR-pro Greg MacEachern hosts reception for his new policy shop KAN Strategies

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 8, 2023
  • Politicos, pundits return to the Hill for pre-Parliament shin-dig at the Hyde Room.

Yes he KAN: GR-pro Greg MacEachern hosts reception for his new policy shop KAN Strategies

FeatureBY STUART BENSON | September 8, 2023
  • Politicos, pundits return to the Hill for pre-Parliament shin-dig at the Hyde Room.
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

Despite lagging polls, Young Liberals’ head says youth wing ‘fired up’ and growing strong 

  • Many young people still hold progressive values, but 'if given the chance, they will vote for Poilievre, not because they’re ideologically aligned, but because
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

Despite lagging polls, Young Liberals’ head says youth wing ‘fired up’ and growing strong 

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
  • Many young people still hold progressive values, but 'if given the chance, they will vote for Poilievre, not because they’re ideologically aligned, but because

Despite lagging polls, Young Liberals’ head says youth wing ‘fired up’ and growing strong 

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
  • Many young people still hold progressive values, but 'if given the chance, they will vote for Poilievre, not because they’re ideologically aligned, but because
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

Advocates call on Liberals to show leadership to protect queer and trans students as ‘parental rights’ slogans take root across Canada

  • Liberals are using a ‘piecemeal approach and token comments’ to combat rising anti-LGBTQ hate, underestimating the growth and influence of far-right organizing in Canada,
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

Advocates call on Liberals to show leadership to protect queer and trans students as ‘parental rights’ slogans take root across Canada

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
  • Liberals are using a ‘piecemeal approach and token comments’ to combat rising anti-LGBTQ hate, underestimating the growth and influence of far-right organizing in Canada,

Advocates call on Liberals to show leadership to protect queer and trans students as ‘parental rights’ slogans take root across Canada

News | BY STUART BENSON | September 6, 2023
  • Liberals are using a ‘piecemeal approach and token comments’ to combat rising anti-LGBTQ hate, underestimating the growth and influence of far-right organizing in Canada,