Friday, September 19, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Friday, September 19, 2025 | Latest Paper

Public Service

News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
The impact of Prime Minister Mark Carney's spending review to slash 15 per cent over three years may not be felt by the bureacuracy for months, or even years, as the massive, slow-moving public service takes its time to correct and adjust. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
The impact of Prime Minister Mark Carney's spending review to slash 15 per cent over three years may not be felt by the bureacuracy for months, or even years, as the massive, slow-moving public service takes its time to correct and adjust. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
List | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
Michael Sabia is heading the public service after taking on the post of clerk of the Privy Council Office on July 7. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
List | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
List | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
Michael Sabia is heading the public service after taking on the post of clerk of the Privy Council Office on July 7. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 11, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Sick days were significantly lower in the 2020-21 fiscal year, according to data from the Treasury Board Secretariat, when federal staff were largely working from home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 11, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 11, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Sick days were significantly lower in the 2020-21 fiscal year, according to data from the Treasury Board Secretariat, when federal staff were largely working from home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | September 8, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney's accelerated spending review carries the risk his cabinet 'may not see all the political landmines that could be waiting for them,' says Chrétien-era Liberal minister Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | September 8, 2025
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | September 8, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney's accelerated spending review carries the risk his cabinet 'may not see all the political landmines that could be waiting for them,' says Chrétien-era Liberal minister Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 8, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board Minister Shafqat Ali said the red-tape review intends to remove outdated regulation, reduce duplication with provincial rules, and making it easier to access and deliver services. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 8, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 8, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board Minister Shafqat Ali said the red-tape review intends to remove outdated regulation, reduce duplication with provincial rules, and making it easier to access and deliver services. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MATT GURNEY | September 8, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced that the Canada Revenue Agency has 100 days to improve its service quality. Matt Gurney writes that improving customer-service problems should be 'high on the list of the absolute simplest' issues to address. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MATT GURNEY | September 8, 2025
Opinion | BY MATT GURNEY | September 8, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced that the Canada Revenue Agency has 100 days to improve its service quality. Matt Gurney writes that improving customer-service problems should be 'high on the list of the absolute simplest' issues to address. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | September 8, 2025
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is promising to fix the CRA's long-established service problems. A more efficient CRA could provide the assistance that Canadians deserve from the agency, and make it easier for the government to collect money.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | September 8, 2025
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | September 8, 2025
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is promising to fix the CRA's long-established service problems. A more efficient CRA could provide the assistance that Canadians deserve from the agency, and make it easier for the government to collect money.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 5, 2025
Then-deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo, left, and then-chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam at a press conference in 2020. The union representing some staff affected by job cuts warns they will 'pile even more pressure' on a health-care system under strain. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 5, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 5, 2025
Then-deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo, left, and then-chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam at a press conference in 2020. The union representing some staff affected by job cuts warns they will 'pile even more pressure' on a health-care system under strain. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 3, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called for the Canada Revenue Agency to 'implement' a 100-day plan to reduce 'unacceptable' delays and strengthen services. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 3, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 3, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called for the Canada Revenue Agency to 'implement' a 100-day plan to reduce 'unacceptable' delays and strengthen services. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney's 28-minister cabinet will also be facing budget cuts as part of the government's fiscal review, which calls for departments to cut spending by 15 per cent over three years. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney's 28-minister cabinet will also be facing budget cuts as part of the government's fiscal review, which calls for departments to cut spending by 15 per cent over three years. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 1, 2025
Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Sharon DeSousa at a September 2024 rally. It’s impossible to have fair negotiations when employers can count on government interference to let them off the hook, writes DeSousa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 1, 2025
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 1, 2025
Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Sharon DeSousa at a September 2024 rally. It’s impossible to have fair negotiations when employers can count on government interference to let them off the hook, writes DeSousa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Major Projects Office, which will oversee national interest projects, launched on Aug. 29 and will be headed by former Trans Mountain Corporation CEO Dawn Farrell. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 30, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Major Projects Office, which will oversee national interest projects, launched on Aug. 29 and will be headed by former Trans Mountain Corporation CEO Dawn Farrell. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | August 28, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali. Targets set for the future that are based on outdated data, sets the public service for failure, year after year, writes Waheed Khan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | August 28, 2025
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | August 28, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali. Targets set for the future that are based on outdated data, sets the public service for failure, year after year, writes Waheed Khan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 26, 2025
Evan Solomon
AI Minister Evan Solomon. A think tank report on AI in the public service says 74 per cent of federal, provincial, and municipal workers in the sector have jobs that are likely to interact with the technology, compared to 56 per cent within Canada’s overall labour force. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 26, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 26, 2025
Evan Solomon
AI Minister Evan Solomon. A think tank report on AI in the public service says 74 per cent of federal, provincial, and municipal workers in the sector have jobs that are likely to interact with the technology, compared to 56 per cent within Canada’s overall labour force. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW | August 25, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland oversees the department, which is forecasting the number of full-time staff will drop to 5,808 in 2027-28, with up to $1.3-billion in cuts to the budget. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW | August 25, 2025
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW | August 25, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland oversees the department, which is forecasting the number of full-time staff will drop to 5,808 in 2027-28, with up to $1.3-billion in cuts to the budget. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
Former chief statistician Munir Sheikh has penned his second novel entitled, '2047: The Story of an American Revolution'. He spoke to The Hill Times about the book, and why he stepped away from his role as Canada's chief statistician in 2010. Photograph courtesy of Munir Sheikh
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
Former chief statistician Munir Sheikh has penned his second novel entitled, '2047: The Story of an American Revolution'. He spoke to The Hill Times about the book, and why he stepped away from his role as Canada's chief statistician in 2010. Photograph courtesy of Munir Sheikh
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 21, 2025
National Defence Minister David McGuinty, centre left, with Chief of Defence Staff Jennie Carignan, centre right. The department is currently investigating the source of false messages that circulated about a mass hiring initiative. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 21, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 21, 2025
National Defence Minister David McGuinty, centre left, with Chief of Defence Staff Jennie Carignan, centre right. The department is currently investigating the source of false messages that circulated about a mass hiring initiative. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ALIONKA SKUP | August 21, 2025
An interpreter works during a committee meeting featuring then-prime minister Justin Trudeau on July 30, 2020. The federal government is proposing changes to the procurement of interpretation services that would affect the quality and availability of these services on Parliament Hill, writes Alionka Skup. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ALIONKA SKUP | August 21, 2025
Opinion | BY ALIONKA SKUP | August 21, 2025
An interpreter works during a committee meeting featuring then-prime minister Justin Trudeau on July 30, 2020. The federal government is proposing changes to the procurement of interpretation services that would affect the quality and availability of these services on Parliament Hill, writes Alionka Skup. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY NATASHA TUSIKOV | August 21, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney meet in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Canada can no longer rely on the U.S. for regulatory knowledge considering the deep cuts that are happening to government agencies under Trump's watch, writes Natasha Tusikov. Official White House photograph courtesy of Gabriel B. Kotico
Opinion | BY NATASHA TUSIKOV | August 21, 2025
Opinion | BY NATASHA TUSIKOV | August 21, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney meet in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Canada can no longer rely on the U.S. for regulatory knowledge considering the deep cuts that are happening to government agencies under Trump's watch, writes Natasha Tusikov. Official White House photograph courtesy of Gabriel B. Kotico
Opinion | BY ANDREW CADDELL | August 20, 2025
The Carney government has no choice but to ensure the federal government is lean and effective once more, writes Andrew Caddell. Pexels photograph by Nikolaos Dimou
Opinion | BY ANDREW CADDELL | August 20, 2025
Opinion | BY ANDREW CADDELL | August 20, 2025
The Carney government has no choice but to ensure the federal government is lean and effective once more, writes Andrew Caddell. Pexels photograph by Nikolaos Dimou
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 18, 2025
Indigenous Services Canada, headed by Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, is expected to cut 1,961 full-time jobs over the next three years, according to the department’s 2025-26 plan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 18, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 18, 2025
Indigenous Services Canada, headed by Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, is expected to cut 1,961 full-time jobs over the next three years, according to the department’s 2025-26 plan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY KATHRYN MAY | August 14, 2025
Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia, the country’s top bureaucrat hand-picked by Carney, set the tone from Day One, when he said the public service is too complicated and too slow 'at a time when we need to speed up because the world is moving as fast is.'   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY KATHRYN MAY | August 14, 2025
News | BY KATHRYN MAY | August 14, 2025
Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia, the country’s top bureaucrat hand-picked by Carney, set the tone from Day One, when he said the public service is too complicated and too slow 'at a time when we need to speed up because the world is moving as fast is.'   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY NEIL MOSS | August 13, 2025
Global Affairs Canada, overseen by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, approved the establishment of a dissent channel this past March. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY NEIL MOSS | August 13, 2025
News | BY NEIL MOSS | August 13, 2025
Global Affairs Canada, overseen by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, approved the establishment of a dissent channel this past March. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 12, 2025
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 12, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 12, 2025
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 8, 2025
Raymond Théberge
Noting the potential for upcoming budget cuts, Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Théberge's 2025-25 annual report recommends that departmental deputy ministers "take the necessary measures" to ensure that employees’ language rights are respected during any exercise to reduce federal spending. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 8, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 8, 2025
Raymond Théberge
Noting the potential for upcoming budget cuts, Official Languages Commissioner Raymond Théberge's 2025-25 annual report recommends that departmental deputy ministers "take the necessary measures" to ensure that employees’ language rights are respected during any exercise to reduce federal spending. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 4, 2025
Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Harriet Solloway says her office is five times over its capacity for investigating wrongdoing in the federal public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 4, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 4, 2025
Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Harriet Solloway says her office is five times over its capacity for investigating wrongdoing in the federal public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MILTON DYCK | August 4, 2025
If the prime minister truly wants to build a stronger Canada, he must recognize that food security is foundational to a strong nation, writes Milton Dyck. Unsplash photograph by Elaine Casap
Opinion | BY MILTON DYCK | August 4, 2025
Opinion | BY MILTON DYCK | August 4, 2025
If the prime minister truly wants to build a stronger Canada, he must recognize that food security is foundational to a strong nation, writes Milton Dyck. Unsplash photograph by Elaine Casap
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | June 12, 2024
The Treasury Board Secretariat office at 90 Elgin St. is pictured on April 21, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | June 12, 2024
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | June 12, 2024
The Treasury Board Secretariat office at 90 Elgin St. is pictured on April 21, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | June 3, 2024
Bill Matthews, left, is now the Secretary of the Treasury Board following a May 24 shuffle in the public service's senior ranks. Catherine Blewett, the previous secretary, is now a senior adviser in the Privy Council Office. Stefanie Beck is the new deputy minister of defence. Photographs courtesy of the Government of Canada
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | June 3, 2024
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | June 3, 2024
Bill Matthews, left, is now the Secretary of the Treasury Board following a May 24 shuffle in the public service's senior ranks. Catherine Blewett, the previous secretary, is now a senior adviser in the Privy Council Office. Stefanie Beck is the new deputy minister of defence. Photographs courtesy of the Government of Canada
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | June 3, 2024
Treasury Board President Anita Anand, meanwhile, clarified last week that the three-days-a-week directive for public servants and four days a week for executives was made by the public service, and was not a political decision. 'That decision was made by the public service, it was not a political decision,' Anand said. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | June 3, 2024
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | June 3, 2024
Treasury Board President Anita Anand, meanwhile, clarified last week that the three-days-a-week directive for public servants and four days a week for executives was made by the public service, and was not a political decision. 'That decision was made by the public service, it was not a political decision,' Anand said. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DONALD SAVOIE | May 27, 2024
The Prime Minister’s Office in Ottawa, pictured. In the 1970s, 72 per cent of federal public servants worked in regional or local offices but now, the public service is edging closer to having 50 per cent of public servants work in the NCR. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DONALD SAVOIE | May 27, 2024
Opinion | BY DONALD SAVOIE | May 27, 2024
The Prime Minister’s Office in Ottawa, pictured. In the 1970s, 72 per cent of federal public servants worked in regional or local offices but now, the public service is edging closer to having 50 per cent of public servants work in the NCR. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 24, 2024
Members of Canada's public service unions gathered outside of Ottawa's City Hall on May 23 to protest the federal government's back-to-workplace policies. The Hill Times photograph by Mike Lapointe
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 24, 2024
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 24, 2024
Members of Canada's public service unions gathered outside of Ottawa's City Hall on May 23 to protest the federal government's back-to-workplace policies. The Hill Times photograph by Mike Lapointe
Opinion | BY DONALD SAVOIE | May 20, 2024
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured at a Liberal caucus meeting on the Hill on Jan. 25, 2024. Then-British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had a 15-member cabinet in 1942 to deal with the war effort and to run the government. A 39-member cabinet may make for good partisan politics, but not for good government, writes Donald Savoie. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DONALD SAVOIE | May 20, 2024
Opinion | BY DONALD SAVOIE | May 20, 2024
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured at a Liberal caucus meeting on the Hill on Jan. 25, 2024. Then-British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had a 15-member cabinet in 1942 to deal with the war effort and to run the government. A 39-member cabinet may make for good partisan politics, but not for good government, writes Donald Savoie. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 17, 2024
Following the Treasury Board's announcement that will see federal public servants back in office three days a week this fall, downtown Ottawa Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi says most people want to work in hybrid workplaces. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 17, 2024
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 17, 2024
Following the Treasury Board's announcement that will see federal public servants back in office three days a week this fall, downtown Ottawa Liberal MP Yasir Naqvi says most people want to work in hybrid workplaces. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | May 15, 2024
Striking Public Service Alliance of Canada members block the Portage Bridge between Gatineau and Ottawa on April 28, 2023. PSAC has promised the government a 'summer of discontent' in response to an increased back-to-office mandate of three days per week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | May 15, 2024
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | May 15, 2024
Striking Public Service Alliance of Canada members block the Portage Bridge between Gatineau and Ottawa on April 28, 2023. PSAC has promised the government a 'summer of discontent' in response to an increased back-to-office mandate of three days per week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 13, 2024
Public Service Alliance of Canada president Chris Aylward during PSAC's picket line in Ottawa on April 19, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 13, 2024
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 13, 2024
Public Service Alliance of Canada president Chris Aylward during PSAC's picket line in Ottawa on April 19, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 10, 2024
Public Services and Procurement Canada has tapped more than 100 Crown-owned properties across the country for disposal, and is 'working diligently to increase the supply of properties to be leveraged for housing outcomes and other community needs.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 10, 2024
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | May 10, 2024
Public Services and Procurement Canada has tapped more than 100 Crown-owned properties across the country for disposal, and is 'working diligently to increase the supply of properties to be leveraged for housing outcomes and other community needs.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade