Monday, December 22, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Monday, December 22, 2025 | Latest Paper

The Hill & The PMO

Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 22, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel arrives for a cabinet meeting in the West Block on Nov. 25. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 22, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 22, 2025
Health Minister Marjorie Michel arrives for a cabinet meeting in the West Block on Nov. 25. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 18, 2025
Justice Minister Sean Fraser speaks about the introduction of Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, at a Dec. 9 event at the National Arts Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 18, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 18, 2025
Justice Minister Sean Fraser speaks about the introduction of Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, at a Dec. 9 event at the National Arts Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 17, 2025
First set in motion in 2023, the House of Commons' Strategic Internal Assessment and Operations effort to find savings is set to continue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 17, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 17, 2025
First set in motion in 2023, the House of Commons' Strategic Internal Assessment and Operations effort to find savings is set to continue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 17, 2025
The Red Chamber's executive Senate Internal Economy committee recently tweaked some of its procedures. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 17, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 17, 2025
The Red Chamber's executive Senate Internal Economy committee recently tweaked some of its procedures. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 15, 2025
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, left, and Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali have each added two new directors to their respective offices. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 15, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 15, 2025
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, left, and Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali have each added two new directors to their respective offices. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 15, 2025
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem will deliver remarks mainly in French on 'Insights on the Canadian Economy,' hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitain Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 11:30 a.m. ET at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 15, 2025
Feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 15, 2025
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem will deliver remarks mainly in French on 'Insights on the Canadian Economy,' hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitain Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 11:30 a.m. ET at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY NELSON WISEMAN | December 11, 2025
Assembly of First National National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney take questions from delegates at the AFN's Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa on Dec. 2, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY NELSON WISEMAN | December 11, 2025
Opinion | BY NELSON WISEMAN | December 11, 2025
Assembly of First National National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney take questions from delegates at the AFN's Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa on Dec. 2, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 10, 2025
Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne leaves a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Dec. 3, followed by Liberal MP Kody Blois, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 10, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 10, 2025
Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne leaves a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Dec. 3, followed by Liberal MP Kody Blois, parliamentary secretary to the prime minister. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 8, 2025
Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald currently has a 14-member team in his office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 8, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 8, 2025
Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald currently has a 14-member team in his office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 8, 2025
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly will deliver remarks in French and English on 'Strengthening industrial capacity in a changing world,' at a breakfast event hosted by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations. Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:45 a.m. ET in Montreal. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 8, 2025
Feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | December 8, 2025
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly will deliver remarks in French and English on 'Strengthening industrial capacity in a changing world,' at a breakfast event hosted by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations. Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:45 a.m. ET in Montreal. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DOUGLAS ROCHE | December 8, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, second right, and U.S. President Donald Trump, right, in the White House's Oval Office on Oct. 7, 2025. Maybe Carney is playing a long game, concentrating on getting past the curse of Trump on the world before making any giant moves. Maybe, writes Douglas Roche. Photograph courtesy of the White House
Opinion | BY DOUGLAS ROCHE | December 8, 2025
Opinion | BY DOUGLAS ROCHE | December 8, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, second right, and U.S. President Donald Trump, right, in the White House's Oval Office on Oct. 7, 2025. Maybe Carney is playing a long game, concentrating on getting past the curse of Trump on the world before making any giant moves. Maybe, writes Douglas Roche. Photograph courtesy of the White House
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 4, 2025
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Lena Diab speaks about Francophone immigration outside of Quebec at St. Paul University in Ottawa on Nov. 27. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 4, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 4, 2025
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Lena Diab speaks about Francophone immigration outside of Quebec at St. Paul University in Ottawa on Nov. 27. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 1, 2025
Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu speaks with reporters before a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Oct. 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 1, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | December 1, 2025
Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu speaks with reporters before a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Oct. 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 28, 2025
The Confederation Building is home to some 160 MP offices. Due to its deteriorated state, some renovations have already taken place ahead of the building's full revamp, including roof repairs and window replacement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 28, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 28, 2025
The Confederation Building is home to some 160 MP offices. Due to its deteriorated state, some renovations have already taken place ahead of the building's full revamp, including roof repairs and window replacement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY NELSON WISEMAN | November 26, 2025
Conservative MPs chat before their caucus meeting in the West Block on Sept. 14, 2025. Theoretically, a larger Parliament makes for better representation and policy responsiveness. On the other hand, a larger Parliament is more likely to suffer inefficiency in decision-making as well as higher operating costs, writes Nelson Wiseman. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY NELSON WISEMAN | November 26, 2025
Opinion | BY NELSON WISEMAN | November 26, 2025
Conservative MPs chat before their caucus meeting in the West Block on Sept. 14, 2025. Theoretically, a larger Parliament makes for better representation and policy responsiveness. On the other hand, a larger Parliament is more likely to suffer inefficiency in decision-making as well as higher operating costs, writes Nelson Wiseman. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 26, 2025
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly welcomed a few new hands to her team in October. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 26, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 26, 2025
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly welcomed a few new hands to her team in October. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 24, 2025
Quebec Lieutenant Steven Guilbeault also serves as minister of Canadian identity and culture, and as the minister responsible for official languages. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 24, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 24, 2025
Quebec Lieutenant Steven Guilbeault also serves as minister of Canadian identity and culture, and as the minister responsible for official languages. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The Centre for International Governance Innovation hosts a conversation with authors Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson on their provocative new book, Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 12 p.m. ET at 67 Erb St. W., Waterloo, Ont. Photographs courtesy Signal Penguin Random House Canada, handout and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The Centre for International Governance Innovation hosts a conversation with authors Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson on their provocative new book, Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 12 p.m. ET at 67 Erb St. W., Waterloo, Ont. Photographs courtesy Signal Penguin Random House Canada, handout and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 19, 2025
Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon, who's also currently juggling the transport portfolio, has a number of experienced parliamentary hands in his office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 19, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 19, 2025
Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon, who's also currently juggling the transport portfolio, has a number of experienced parliamentary hands in his office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 19, 2025
Public Services and Procurement Canada has scrapped some sustainability measures previously included in Centre Block project plans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 19, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 19, 2025
Public Services and Procurement Canada has scrapped some sustainability measures previously included in Centre Block project plans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 17, 2025
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has named a new acting policy director since Hill Climbers' last check in, among other changes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 17, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 17, 2025
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has named a new acting policy director since Hill Climbers' last check in, among other changes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Health Minister Marjorie Michel will participate in a panel discussion, 'Thrive: The Economic Case for Investing in Children’s Health in Canada,' hosted by the Canadian Club of Ottawa on Monday, Nov. 17, 12 p.m. ET at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Health Minister Marjorie Michel will participate in a panel discussion, 'Thrive: The Economic Case for Investing in Children’s Health in Canada,' hosted by the Canadian Club of Ottawa on Monday, Nov. 17, 12 p.m. ET at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 12, 2025
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer after Question Period on Oct. 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 12, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 12, 2025
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer after Question Period on Oct. 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 12, 2025
Mark Carney
With the budget proposing spending cuts to the Privy Council Office, experts say Prime Minister Mark Carney should be expanding his access to relevant analysis rather than shrinking from the standards set by Canada's partners. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 12, 2025
News | BY STUART BENSON | November 12, 2025
Mark Carney
With the budget proposing spending cuts to the Privy Council Office, experts say Prime Minister Mark Carney should be expanding his access to relevant analysis rather than shrinking from the standards set by Canada's partners. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 12, 2025
Senate Chamber in Senate of Canada Building
A new Code of Values and Ethics for Senate Staff was implemented in early September, and paused pending review and consultations last month. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 12, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 12, 2025
Senate Chamber in Senate of Canada Building
A new Code of Values and Ethics for Senate Staff was implemented in early September, and paused pending review and consultations last month. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 10, 2025
Secretary of State for Seniors Stephanie McLean speaks at a pre-budget announcement of a new federal anti-fraud strategy and Financial Crimes Agency in the Wellington Building on Oct. 20. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 10, 2025
Feature | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 10, 2025
Secretary of State for Seniors Stephanie McLean speaks at a pre-budget announcement of a new federal anti-fraud strategy and Financial Crimes Agency in the Wellington Building on Oct. 20. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 5, 2025
Public Services and Procurement Canada says concerns raised over its proposed changes to procurement rules for federal freelance interpreters earlier this year have been addressed in the now-published new contract terms, but a leading industry association says key concerns remain. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 5, 2025
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | November 5, 2025
Public Services and Procurement Canada says concerns raised over its proposed changes to procurement rules for federal freelance interpreters earlier this year have been addressed in the now-published new contract terms, but a leading industry association says key concerns remain. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | March 10, 2022
The West Block and Confederation Building, pictured on Nov. 2, 2021. Visitors will be permitted access to the House Precinct starting April 25 in a two-staged approach to the reopening after two years. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | March 10, 2022
News | BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | March 10, 2022
The West Block and Confederation Building, pictured on Nov. 2, 2021. Visitors will be permitted access to the House Precinct starting April 25 in a two-staged approach to the reopening after two years. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 9, 2022
Conservative Whip Blaine Calkins, right, and Bloc Whip Claude DeBellefeuille, recently advocated for an end to the hybrid Parliament, citing challenges faced by interpreters, a suggestion Liberal House Leader Mark Holland and NDP House Leader Peter Julian have pushed back on. The Hill Times file photograph, photograph courtesy of Facebook, and The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 9, 2022
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 9, 2022
Conservative Whip Blaine Calkins, right, and Bloc Whip Claude DeBellefeuille, recently advocated for an end to the hybrid Parliament, citing challenges faced by interpreters, a suggestion Liberal House Leader Mark Holland and NDP House Leader Peter Julian have pushed back on. The Hill Times file photograph, photograph courtesy of Facebook, and The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 8, 2022
Police stand in front of the Vaux Wall, which lines Parliament Hill along Wellington Street, on Feb. 17, with signs from participants of the 'Freedom Convoy,' protective fencing, and the Centre Block building pictured behind them. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 8, 2022
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 8, 2022
Police stand in front of the Vaux Wall, which lines Parliament Hill along Wellington Street, on Feb. 17, with signs from participants of the 'Freedom Convoy,' protective fencing, and the Centre Block building pictured behind them. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | March 2, 2022
First filed in December 2020, a class-action lawsuit from current and former Black federal public servants now has nearly 1,300 class members. Pictured are Nicholas Marcus Thompson, left, one of the representative class members in the class-action lawsuit against the federal government; Kofi Achampong, principal lawyer and government relations adviser with Achampong Law; and Courtney Betty, the lawyer leading the class action. Photographs courtesy of Twitter, LinkedIn, and Courtney Betty
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | March 2, 2022
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | March 2, 2022
First filed in December 2020, a class-action lawsuit from current and former Black federal public servants now has nearly 1,300 class members. Pictured are Nicholas Marcus Thompson, left, one of the representative class members in the class-action lawsuit against the federal government; Kofi Achampong, principal lawyer and government relations adviser with Achampong Law; and Courtney Betty, the lawyer leading the class action. Photographs courtesy of Twitter, LinkedIn, and Courtney Betty
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 1, 2022
Interpreters are pictured in their booths during a media availability with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Feb. 16, 2021. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 1, 2022
News | BY LAURA RYCKEWAERT | March 1, 2022
Interpreters are pictured in their booths during a media availability with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Feb. 16, 2021. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY ALICE CHEN | February 28, 2022
Liberal MP Greg Fergus will be moderating a Pearson Centre event focused on economic recovery, with a sub-focus on Black economic issues. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Feature | BY ALICE CHEN | February 28, 2022
Feature | BY ALICE CHEN | February 28, 2022
Liberal MP Greg Fergus will be moderating a Pearson Centre event focused on economic recovery, with a sub-focus on Black economic issues. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Feature | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 24, 2022
Police officers lined up on Sparks Street on Feb. 19 as the 'Freedom Convoy that descended on downtown Ottawa for nearly a month was forcibly removed by authorities. The Hill Times photograph by Mike Lapointe
Feature | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 24, 2022
Feature | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 24, 2022
Police officers lined up on Sparks Street on Feb. 19 as the 'Freedom Convoy that descended on downtown Ottawa for nearly a month was forcibly removed by authorities. The Hill Times photograph by Mike Lapointe
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 23, 2022
Ottawa residents formed a counterprotest group to block 'Freedom Convoy' supporters at the Bank Street exit on Riverside Drive on Feb. 13, 2022. The weekend marked the start of the third week of the convoy’s occupation of the city, which was dismantled a week later. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 23, 2022
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 23, 2022
Ottawa residents formed a counterprotest group to block 'Freedom Convoy' supporters at the Bank Street exit on Riverside Drive on Feb. 13, 2022. The weekend marked the start of the third week of the convoy’s occupation of the city, which was dismantled a week later. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 18, 2022
West Block is pictured in the background with the 'Freedom Convoy' protest occupying much of Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill on Feb. 6, 2022. According to Nomi Claire Lazar, a professor at the University of Ottawa and author of 'States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies,' Canadians have borne witness to a 'national crisis with local manifestations across the country' over the past few weeks. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 18, 2022
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 18, 2022
West Block is pictured in the background with the 'Freedom Convoy' protest occupying much of Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill on Feb. 6, 2022. According to Nomi Claire Lazar, a professor at the University of Ottawa and author of 'States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies,' Canadians have borne witness to a 'national crisis with local manifestations across the country' over the past few weeks. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY KEN RUBIN | February 14, 2022
The Treasury Board, overseen by new president Mona Fortier, is fairly ineffective in its duty to either prevent or document record destruction, and ineffective at keeping records or promptly collecting them, writes Ken Rubin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY KEN RUBIN | February 14, 2022
Opinion | BY KEN RUBIN | February 14, 2022
The Treasury Board, overseen by new president Mona Fortier, is fairly ineffective in its duty to either prevent or document record destruction, and ineffective at keeping records or promptly collecting them, writes Ken Rubin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade