Saturday, February 14, 2026

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Saturday, February 14, 2026 | Latest Paper

Public Service

News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 12, 2026 | UPDATED February 13, 2026
Liberal MPs Jenna Sudds, left, and Bruce Fanjoy represent Ottawa-area ridings with thousands of federal public servants. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 12, 2026 | UPDATED February 13, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 12, 2026 | UPDATED February 13, 2026
Liberal MPs Jenna Sudds, left, and Bruce Fanjoy represent Ottawa-area ridings with thousands of federal public servants. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 6, 2026
The Treasury Board Secretariat, led by President Shafqat Ali, announced on Feb. 5 that executives in the core public administration will be required to work in-office full-time as of May 4, and all other staff four days per week as of July 6. Separate agencies within the public service are 'strongly encouraged' to follow suit. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 6, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 6, 2026
The Treasury Board Secretariat, led by President Shafqat Ali, announced on Feb. 5 that executives in the core public administration will be required to work in-office full-time as of May 4, and all other staff four days per week as of July 6. Separate agencies within the public service are 'strongly encouraged' to follow suit. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 6, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget bill includes an early retirement incentive as a way to reduce the size of the public service without directly cutting jobs. Bill C-15 is currently being considered by various parliamentary committees. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 6, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 6, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget bill includes an early retirement incentive as a way to reduce the size of the public service without directly cutting jobs. Bill C-15 is currently being considered by various parliamentary committees. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 4, 2026
Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali. Officials from TBS defended proposed legislation that would exempt corporations from certain laws and regulations if it serves the public interest. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 4, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 4, 2026
Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali. Officials from TBS defended proposed legislation that would exempt corporations from certain laws and regulations if it serves the public interest. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY RAM MATHILAKATH | February 4, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s career has been shaped by disciplined risk management, institutional credibility, and respect for independent challenge. That gives Ottawa a credible path from chronic underperformance to reliable delivery, writes Ram Mathilakath. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY RAM MATHILAKATH | February 4, 2026
Opinion | BY RAM MATHILAKATH | February 4, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s career has been shaped by disciplined risk management, institutional credibility, and respect for independent challenge. That gives Ottawa a credible path from chronic underperformance to reliable delivery, writes Ram Mathilakath. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 3, 2026
Public Service Alliance of Canada president Sharon DeSousa said some ports of entry in rural Saskatchewan have been closed, and there is a 'dire need' for frontline workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 3, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 3, 2026
Public Service Alliance of Canada president Sharon DeSousa said some ports of entry in rural Saskatchewan have been closed, and there is a 'dire need' for frontline workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 2, 2026
PSAC national president Sharon DeSousa, centre left, and vice-president Alex Silas join union members at a picket outside the West Block on Jan. 28. Newly released data identifies at least 8,230 jobs to be cut across dozens of departments via the workforce adjustment program. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 2, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | February 2, 2026
PSAC national president Sharon DeSousa, centre left, and vice-president Alex Silas join union members at a picket outside the West Block on Jan. 28. Newly released data identifies at least 8,230 jobs to be cut across dozens of departments via the workforce adjustment program. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 30, 2026
Shafqat Ali
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat confirmed on Jan. 30 that 15,775 positions, and 642 executives, will lose their jobs, after weeks of speculation about the scale of job cuts amid a massive retooling of the federal public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 30, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 30, 2026
Shafqat Ali
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat confirmed on Jan. 30 that 15,775 positions, and 642 executives, will lose their jobs, after weeks of speculation about the scale of job cuts amid a massive retooling of the federal public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 28, 2026
Agricluture Minister Heath MacDonald. Last week, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada confirmed approximately 665 jobs will be cut, and as a result, several research centres will be closed. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 28, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 28, 2026
Agricluture Minister Heath MacDonald. Last week, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada confirmed approximately 665 jobs will be cut, and as a result, several research centres will be closed. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY MARLO GLASS | January 28, 2026
Public Service Alliance of Canada National President Sharon DeSousa, and Vice-President Alex Silas, join PSAC members at a picket outside West Block on Jan. 28, 2026. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY MARLO GLASS | January 28, 2026
Feature | BY MARLO GLASS | January 28, 2026
Public Service Alliance of Canada National President Sharon DeSousa, and Vice-President Alex Silas, join PSAC members at a picket outside West Block on Jan. 28, 2026. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 26, 2026
Former federal deputy minister of Indigenous Services Canada Gina Wilson is retiring this spring after almost three decades in the public service. 'My whole career, I focused on Indigenous federal employees. Recruiting them, retaining them, building their talent, developing them, and building policies around them to support them.'  Photographs courtesy of Gina Wilson
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 26, 2026
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 26, 2026
Former federal deputy minister of Indigenous Services Canada Gina Wilson is retiring this spring after almost three decades in the public service. 'My whole career, I focused on Indigenous federal employees. Recruiting them, retaining them, building their talent, developing them, and building policies around them to support them.'  Photographs courtesy of Gina Wilson
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 24, 2026
A lack of funding runs the risk of “completely discrediting, and therefore ruining the impact of a proper whistleblower regime,” says Harriet Solloway, Canada's Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 24, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 24, 2026
A lack of funding runs the risk of “completely discrediting, and therefore ruining the impact of a proper whistleblower regime,” says Harriet Solloway, Canada's Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 23, 2026
Interim NDP leader Don Davies says drastic cuts to the federal public service are a 'knee-jerk reaction' as thousands of notices of potential job cuts piling up in recent weeks. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 23, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 23, 2026
Interim NDP leader Don Davies says drastic cuts to the federal public service are a 'knee-jerk reaction' as thousands of notices of potential job cuts piling up in recent weeks. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, has reportedly issued nearly 980 workforce adjustment notices as part of the government-wide job cuts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2026
Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Joël Lightbound, has reportedly issued nearly 980 workforce adjustment notices as part of the government-wide job cuts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 21, 2026
Members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service rallied on Parliament Hill on Jan. 16, 2026, to denounce the government’s proposed cuts to federal scientists and programs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 21, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 21, 2026
Members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service rallied on Parliament Hill on Jan. 16, 2026, to denounce the government’s proposed cuts to federal scientists and programs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 14, 2026
Reporting from The Globe and Mail indicated private-sector Bay Street workers are being wooed to join the Major Projects Office, presenting new ethical dilemmas for the public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 14, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 14, 2026
Reporting from The Globe and Mail indicated private-sector Bay Street workers are being wooed to join the Major Projects Office, presenting new ethical dilemmas for the public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 8, 2026
Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques' office published analysis detailing $1.5-billion in spending cuts over four years, and a reduction of approximately 1,927 full-time equivalent roles across five departments. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 8, 2026
News | BY MARLO GLASS | January 8, 2026
Interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques' office published analysis detailing $1.5-billion in spending cuts over four years, and a reduction of approximately 1,927 full-time equivalent roles across five departments. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected with a mandate to 'do things,' and is focused on building homes, artificial intelligence, procurement and defence spending, and less concerned with broad-based public service reform, says former high-ranking public servant David McLaughlin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 30, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected with a mandate to 'do things,' and is focused on building homes, artificial intelligence, procurement and defence spending, and less concerned with broad-based public service reform, says former high-ranking public servant David McLaughlin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 29, 2025
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The hare-brained scheme to coerce reluctant civil servants into a third-rate volunteer force comes from the same government that is intent on disarming registered and law-abiding gun owners across Canada, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 29, 2025
Opinion | BY SCOTT TAYLOR | December 29, 2025
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The hare-brained scheme to coerce reluctant civil servants into a third-rate volunteer force comes from the same government that is intent on disarming registered and law-abiding gun owners across Canada, writes Scott Taylor. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 19, 2025
A change in the senior ranks of the public service was largely anticipated after a smaller shakeup earlier this year, shortly after Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia took the reins as the government’s top public servant. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 19, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 19, 2025
A change in the senior ranks of the public service was largely anticipated after a smaller shakeup earlier this year, shortly after Privy Council Clerk Michael Sabia took the reins as the government’s top public servant. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ALAN BROADBENT | December 18, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of Build Canada Homes on Sept. 14. The new federal agency will face headwinds to succeed, writes Alan Broadbent. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ALAN BROADBENT | December 18, 2025
Opinion | BY ALAN BROADBENT | December 18, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the creation of Build Canada Homes on Sept. 14. The new federal agency will face headwinds to succeed, writes Alan Broadbent. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
With U.S. President Donald Trump raising the stakes for AI, it’s time for Ottawa to develop a whole-of-government plan that moves well beyond experiments with memo drafting and workflow automation, write Alexander Landry and Brendan Conway-Smith. White House photograph by Molly Riley
With U.S. President Donald Trump raising the stakes for AI, it’s time for Ottawa to develop a whole-of-government plan that moves well beyond experiments with memo drafting and workflow automation, write Alexander Landry and Brendan Conway-Smith. White House photograph by Molly Riley
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 11, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called for a 100-day improvement plan for the agency in early September because it was 'not meeting the expectations of Canadians.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 11, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 11, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called for a 100-day improvement plan for the agency in early September because it was 'not meeting the expectations of Canadians.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 4, 2025
Shafqat Ali
Mohammad Kamal, director of communications for Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, pictured, said letters have been sent to nearly 70,000 public servants who may be eligible for early retirement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 4, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 4, 2025
Shafqat Ali
Mohammad Kamal, director of communications for Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, pictured, said letters have been sent to nearly 70,000 public servants who may be eligible for early retirement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 2, 2025
Shafqat Ali
Speaking to reporters on Dec. 1, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali denied knowing about discussions surrounding public servants returning to the office full-time. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 2, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | December 2, 2025
Shafqat Ali
Speaking to reporters on Dec. 1, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali denied knowing about discussions surrounding public servants returning to the office full-time. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | November 27, 2025
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali told the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Nov. 27 that the Parliamentary Budget Office's requested timeline was 'unreasonable.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | November 27, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | November 27, 2025
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali told the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Nov. 27 that the Parliamentary Budget Office's requested timeline was 'unreasonable.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAN A. DORAN | November 25, 2025
Industry and the public service each see shadows on the wall and interpret them as the complete picture when it comes to defence procurement, writes Dan A. Doran. Unsplash photograph by Skyler Gerald
Opinion | BY DAN A. DORAN | November 25, 2025
Opinion | BY DAN A. DORAN | November 25, 2025
Industry and the public service each see shadows on the wall and interpret them as the complete picture when it comes to defence procurement, writes Dan A. Doran. Unsplash photograph by Skyler Gerald
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada in whose lap this mess has landed, estimated on June 23 that the cost of fixing and replacing Phoenix would be $5.1-billion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada in whose lap this mess has landed, estimated on June 23 that the cost of fixing and replacing Phoenix would be $5.1-billion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on promises to reduce the government's operating budget, but amid increases in defence spending, cuts could hit the public service deeply, according to a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 30, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on promises to reduce the government's operating budget, but amid increases in defence spending, cuts could hit the public service deeply, according to a report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds his first post-election press conference in the National Press Theatre on May 2, 2025. Carney appears to have a capacity for risk, and is expected to demand the same of the public service, writes Rose LeMay. This will have to include proper consequences for bureaucrats who make bad decisions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
Opinion | BY ROSE LEMAY | June 30, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds his first post-election press conference in the National Press Theatre on May 2, 2025. Carney appears to have a capacity for risk, and is expected to demand the same of the public service, writes Rose LeMay. This will have to include proper consequences for bureaucrats who make bad decisions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 27, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly willing to discipline top bureaucrats who aren’t meeting his standards and delivering on his 'nation-building' agenda. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 27, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 27, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly willing to discipline top bureaucrats who aren’t meeting his standards and delivering on his 'nation-building' agenda. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 26, 2025
Incoming Privy Council Office Clerk Michael Sabia, pictured during his Nov. 17, 2022, testimony before the Public Emergency Order Commission, is expected to shake up the ranks of the civil service after he takes over his new role on July 7. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 26, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 26, 2025
Incoming Privy Council Office Clerk Michael Sabia, pictured during his Nov. 17, 2022, testimony before the Public Emergency Order Commission, is expected to shake up the ranks of the civil service after he takes over his new role on July 7. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY RAM MATHILAKATH | June 25, 2025
Karen Hogan
One of Auditor General Karen Hogan’s latest reports found that the F-35 procurement jumped $8.7-billion over the budget outlined two years before. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY RAM MATHILAKATH | June 25, 2025
Opinion | BY RAM MATHILAKATH | June 25, 2025
Karen Hogan
One of Auditor General Karen Hogan’s latest reports found that the F-35 procurement jumped $8.7-billion over the budget outlined two years before. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY KATHRYN MAY | June 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney shuffled his senior ranks—a first wave of appointments seen as an early step in retooling the leadership to drive his top priorities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY KATHRYN MAY | June 23, 2025
News | BY KATHRYN MAY | June 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney shuffled his senior ranks—a first wave of appointments seen as an early step in retooling the leadership to drive his top priorities. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 23, 2025
Alex Benay,
Alex Benay, associate deputy minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, says an AI virtual agent, or 'Ava,' has been trained by compensation advisers for the past year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 23, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 23, 2025
Alex Benay,
Alex Benay, associate deputy minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, says an AI virtual agent, or 'Ava,' has been trained by compensation advisers for the past year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 13, 2025
Former deputy finance minister Michael Sabia is the new Privy Council clerk and secretary to the cabinet, effective July 7. In this 2022 photo, he testifies at the Rouleau Inquiry into the Freedom Convoy protests that gridlocked downtown Ottawa for weeks. Sabia was deputy finance minister when he testified before the commission The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 13, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 13, 2025
Former deputy finance minister Michael Sabia is the new Privy Council clerk and secretary to the cabinet, effective July 7. In this 2022 photo, he testifies at the Rouleau Inquiry into the Freedom Convoy protests that gridlocked downtown Ottawa for weeks. Sabia was deputy finance minister when he testified before the commission The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 12, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali presented the latest annual report on employment equity in the public service on May 27. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 12, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | June 12, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali presented the latest annual report on employment equity in the public service on May 27. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade