‘Not-an-option’ changes to freelance contracts may worsen shortage of Hill interpreters, says association

Changes to contract rules for freelance interpreters may lead to their mass exodus from the Hill, and a troubling decline in quality, according to a group representing these workers.

A recent poll of 90 freelance interpreters found that 50 per cent were unlikely to bid on contracts if the 'lowest price' requirement goes into effect, while 79 per cent were unlikely to bid on contracts paid at an hourly rate as opposed to daily. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Not-an-option’ changes to freelance contracts may worsen shortage of Hill interpreters, says association

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Changes to contract rules for freelance interpreters may lead to their mass exodus from the Hill, and a troubling decline in quality, according to a group representing these workers.

‘Not-an-option’ changes to freelance contracts may worsen shortage of Hill interpreters, says association

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Changes to contract rules for freelance interpreters may lead to their mass exodus from the Hill, and a troubling decline in quality, according to a group representing these workers.

THE LATEST

Federal procurement watchdog finds risk of ‘bait and switch’ in government contracts

NewsBY IREM KOCA

The procurement ombud's latest report on the 'bait-and-switch' practice notes that the tactic is being 'effectively eliminated' due to the changes made by the federal government.

Federal procurement watchdog finds risk of ‘bait and switch’ in government contracts

NewsBY IREM KOCA

The procurement ombud's latest report on the 'bait-and-switch' practice notes that the tactic is being 'effectively eliminated' due to the changes made by the

Steel Helps Build Canada’s Homes

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Feds’ new industrial strategy falls short on ambition, needs clearer objectives for defence procurement, say experts

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly unveiled a new three-pillar industrial strategy on Oct. 9 aimed at protecting Canadian industries, creating jobs, and attracting global investment. 'I don’t think there’s anything new here,' says former DND ADM Alan Williams.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly unveiled a new three-pillar industrial strategy on Oct. 9 aimed at protecting Canadian industries, creating jobs, and attracting global investment.

Anand’s trip to India and China part of ‘diplomatic reset’ as Canada pursues new trading partners

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

Former Liberal MP John McKay described both countries as ‘difficult markets to crack’ as Canada seeks new friends on the global stage in the quest to become less economically reliant on the United States.

Former Liberal MP John McKay described both countries as ‘difficult markets to crack’ as Canada seeks new friends on the global stage in the

‘Culture is not on the table’ in trade talks amid film tariff threats and domestic digital policy uncertainty, says Guilbeault

NewsBY STUART BENSON

The Canadian Media Producers Association is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to ‘rethink’ any potential of using the Online Streaming Act as a ‘bargaining chip’ in his negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Canadian Media Producers Association is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to ‘rethink’ any potential of using the Online Streaming Act as a ‘bargaining

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Securing them borders

Plus, the data for August on foreign investments in Canadian securities comes out today.

BY RIDDHI KACHHELA

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Canada can lead global efforts in tackling hunger

Canada has a strong track record of leading on global food issues—one that we hope will continue. In 2009, responding to the global food crisis, Canada named food security as a priority for the aid program, and doubled aid for agriculture.

BY ANDY HARRINGTON

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

American contempt for Latin America on full display

Opinion

BY LINXI MYTKOLLI

Youth are not a monolith: Canada’s chance to lead in global democracy

Opinion

BY NELSON WISEMAN

Canadian foreign policy as performance art

Opinion

BY CATHERINE BEAUDRY

Let’s go on the offensive and score

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

Heather McPherson on her campaign to lead the NDP

NEWS

Q&A | NDP leadership contender Heather McPherson on rebuilding the ‘party of big ideas’

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

'Races are a really interesting and exciting time for any party. They're an opportunity for us to put our ideas forward, our vision for the party,' says the three-time MP.

Q&A | NDP leadership contender Heather McPherson on rebuilding the ‘party of big ideas’

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

'Races are a really interesting and exciting time for any party. They're an opportunity for us to put our ideas forward, our vision for the party,' says the three-time MP.

New border bill cuts controversial measures, keeps powers to tighten immigration

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

House Trade Committee needs to be ‘respectful’ of Carney’s approach to Trump talks, says Liberal chair

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Civil liberties groups urge Liberals to withdraw ‘vague’ anti-hate bill that opposition MPs say is ‘trying to lower the bar’ for prosecution

NewsBY STUART BENSON

A More Competitive, Innovative Canada Begins with Breakthroughs in Physics.

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HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

CSE chief Xavier to deliver keynote on cyber resilience at Vancouver Security Summit on Oct. 17

Podcast

Reviving the NDP, with Peter Julian

News

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Lobbyists in 2025: lobbyists prepare for ‘significant reset’ as federal election begins

News

This Parliament’s ethics roundup: blind trusts, recusals, gifts, and more

Sponsored Content

SHAWN BRENN, CHAIR, ONTARIO FRUIT & VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION

Farmers urge informed, responsible dialogue around seasonal workers

Insider’s Guide to Parliament: 2025

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – Environment

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Premier Ford takes his woes to PM Carney

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS

Plus, Anand talks about Canada-China relations with her Chinese counterpart.

Premier Ford takes his woes to PM Carney

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS

Plus, Anand talks about Canada-China relations with her Chinese counterpart.

MP Genuis pitches youth jobs plan

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

Slovakia marks artful national day

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

A look at the staff labouring in the offices of secretaries of state Zerucelli, Belanger

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Switzerland hosts September soirée

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

POLITICS

Anita Anand’s India challenge: engage without enabling

OpinionBY BHAGWANT SANDHU

Re-engagement with India makes strategic sense. Without political accountability and institutional backbone, it risks repeating past failures.

Anita Anand’s India challenge: engage without enabling

OpinionBY BHAGWANT SANDHU

Re-engagement with India makes strategic sense. Without political accountability and institutional backbone, it risks repeating past failures.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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Monday, October 13, 2025

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Wednesday, October 8, 2025

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY WENDY ZATYLNY

Turning innovation into impact: Canada’s biotech advantage

Opinion

BY ROB HENDERSON

Canada’s Student Work Placement Program a youth employment lifeline

Opinion

BY DANIEL WIGDOR

Canada has the missing currency in the AI race: trust

The coming AI crash

OpinionBY GWYNNE DYER

Far too much money is being spent on long-odds bets that some new artificial intelligence tech will appear that justifies the current ridiculously high level of investment.

When speed replaces substance, democracy suffers

OpinionBY ZACH BATTAT

The infighting will continue until clarity improves

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

The infighting over pipelines seems to be a symptom of the federal government’s lack of clarity about the environment, and that should be resolved before any more decisions are made.

The infighting will continue until clarity improves

OpinionBY EDITORIAL

The infighting over pipelines seems to be a symptom of the federal government’s lack of clarity about the environment, and that should be resolved before any more decisions are made.

Plastics and PFAS: a public health crisis Canada can no longer ignore

OpinionBY HELEN HSU

Federal support should ensure the right evidence reaches policymakers: McMaster researchers

Opinion

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 10-15-2025

de Adder’s Take: 10-13-2025

de Adder’s Take: 10-08-2025

Public Service

‘Not-an-option’ changes to freelance contracts may worsen shortage of Hill interpreters, says association

Changes to contract rules for freelance interpreters may lead to their mass exodus from the Hill, and a troubling decline in quality, according to a group representing these workers.

BY MARLO GLASS

MPs press officials on underused office space as feds struggle to standardize tracking

‘It’s not that departments are holding out or resisting, but it's challenging for departments to align and modernize space,’ says Public Services and Procurement Canada's Michael Mills.

BY MARLO GLASS

Public servants urge data sovereignty in recent survey, while AI minister says ‘data isn’t gold in Fort Knox’

Ninety-four per cent of public servants surveyed this summer say citizens’ data must be stored within Canada, and 86 per cent worry about public trust eroding if such data is stored outside of the country.

BY MARLO GLASS

Top bureaucrats say AI is ‘art of the possible’ in the public service

Chief Data Officer Stephen Burt says he recently received a draft of the public service's first AI registry, representing 400 cases being used across government, from helping Indigenous language preservation to screening air cargo.

BY MARLO GLASS

The number of sick days claimed by bureaucrats, broken down by department

BY MARLO GLASS

FOREIGN POLICY

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Handling Canada-China relations in an age of weaponized supply chains

OpinionBY VINA NADJIBULLA

Indulging in absurd anti-U.S. rhetoric? You’re doing a solid for Moscow and Beijing

OpinionBY RAQUEL GARBERS

Can Carney connect before goodwill, space, and grace run out?

OpinionBY TIM POWERS

Complementary, but limited: how Carney’s use of ‘personal’ envoys can boost the foreign service

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Duterte’s ICC trial tests Canada’s foreign policy

OpinionBY JESS AGUSTIN, PATRICIA LISSON

As Canada looks to expand military and economic ties with Manila, Ottawa has announced new defence co-operation with the Marcos government even as drug-war killings, political repression, and a corruption scandal engulf the country

Duterte’s ICC trial tests Canada’s foreign policy

OpinionBY JESS AGUSTIN, PATRICIA LISSON

As Canada looks to expand military and economic ties with Manila, Ottawa has announced new defence co-operation with the Marcos government even as drug-war killings, political repression, and a corruption scandal engulf the country

BOOKS, BIG IDEAS, Q&As

Reconciliation starts local, says author of guide book for non-Indigenous allies

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Rose LeMay says it's 'up to non-Indigenous people to change these systems so that Indigenous Peoples are not treated worse than others.'

Reconciliation starts local, says author of guide book for non-Indigenous allies

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Rose LeMay says it's 'up to non-Indigenous people to change these systems so that Indigenous Peoples are not treated worse than others.'

Poilievre is a ‘classic political ripper,’ says author of new bestselling biography

FeatureBY KATE MALLOY

Bruce Fanjoy, the man who broke Poilievre’s spell on Carleton, Ont., says he won by door knocking and listening

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Pope Francis was one of the most ‘electrifying papacies in centuries,’ says author of book on pontiff’s life and influences

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Q&A | Unpacking the ‘astonishing’ swing in federal polls with Frank Graves

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Fall budget cycle ‘great news’ for ‘more timely’ northern project planning, says N.W.T. finance minister

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

'By the time we're actually seeing money coming through, our own estimates of our projects are sometimes six months to a year old,' says Northwest Territories Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government is moving to a permanent fall budget cycle, breaking from the tradition of spring budgets. Leaders from the North say the move could help with financing for big infrastructure projects. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Fall budget cycle ‘great news’ for ‘more timely’ northern project planning, says N.W.T. finance minister

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

'By the time we're actually seeing money coming through, our own estimates of our projects are sometimes six months to a year old,' says Northwest Territories Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek.

Fall budget cycle ‘great news’ for ‘more timely’ northern project planning, says N.W.T. finance minister

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

'By the time we're actually seeing money coming through, our own estimates of our projects are sometimes six months to a year old,' says Northwest Territories Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek.

Easter Seals, CFIB lobbying feds to end Canada Post’s strike

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The strike by Canada Post workers has put a halt on mail and parcel deliveries nationwide since Sept. 25, but the union representing postal workers announced it would switch to rotating strikes on Oct. 11. The union will meet with the minister again this week.

Eggs fuel us every day, as nutritious food and as an economic engine for Canada

OpinionBY ROGER PELISSERO

Geopolitical instability and global trade tensions have shown us the importance of producing staple food within our borders.

Canada’s submarine purchase has new ‘sense of urgency’ with possible selection by end of year, says German envoy

NewsBY NEIL MOSS, IREM KOCA

The clock is ticking to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines before they are taken out of the water in the 2030s, leaving the Canadian Navy without a submarine capability.

German Ambassador to Canada Matthias Lüttenberg says there's a new feeling of of momentum that's 'more palpable than before' when it comes to picking between the submarine bids from his country and South Korea. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s submarine purchase has new ‘sense of urgency’ with possible selection by end of year, says German envoy

NewsBY NEIL MOSS, IREM KOCA

The clock is ticking to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines before they are taken out of the water in the 2030s, leaving the Canadian Navy without a submarine capability.

Canada’s submarine purchase has new ‘sense of urgency’ with possible selection by end of year, says German envoy

NewsBY NEIL MOSS, IREM KOCA

The clock is ticking to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines before they are taken out of the water in the 2030s, leaving the Canadian Navy without a submarine capability.

Canada’s underutilized Arctic radar advantage

OpinionBY PIERRE LEBLANC

Climate action is crucial for Canadians’ health

OpinionBY LHAMO DOLKAR, DORIS GRINSPUN

At a time when climate-driven hazards are already imposing escalating health impacts, the Carney government should adopt a clean energy transition as a nation-building project, say officials from the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.

Here’s the best Canadian strategy on the U.S. Supreme Court’s review of Trump’s potentially illegal global tariffs

OpinionBY ERROL MENDES

Canada's focus should be on cementing rules-based, new trading partnerships with the Latin American countries in the Mercosur trade bloc, seeking even closers ties

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Infrastructure

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Mental Health Policy Briefing

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Indigenous Reconciliation

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features

Chief of Defence Staff Carignan to speak at Ottawa Mayor’s Breakfast on Tuesday, Oct. 14

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Chief of Defence Staff Carignan to speak at Ottawa Mayor’s Breakfast on Tuesday, Oct. 14

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Anand to visit India and China next week

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW

Taiwan’s Birthday, a CMPA wrap-party, and a Prairie premier leave no vacancy at the Château

FeatureBY STUART BENSON

Van Koeverden strikes gold again at Bike Day on the Hill

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

Embattled minister faces House committee

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

‘Canada is getting more and more important for us,’ says visiting German Bundestag member

FeatureBY NEIL MOSS

Minister Joly to discuss Canada’s plan for industrial leadership in Toronto on Oct. 9

Women fill most senior staff roles in WAGE minister Valdez’s office

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Parliamentary Calendar

Senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada Carolyn Rogers to talk in Toronto on Oct. 9

Podcast

The notwithstanding clause, and the Supreme Court’s big decision

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2024

List

Take The Hill Times politics quiz

Podcast

A wild week in politics

Rookies’ Guide to Parliament 2025

Policy Briefing – Health

Policy Briefing – Defence

Policy Briefing – Renewable Energy

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A community for political junkies

The Hill Times subscribers are not your average Canadians, they don’t just want to
read the headlines, they want the full back story, the context and the implications.

EXCLUSIVE LISTS

Carney government bills: tracking their progress into law

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MPs’ annual office budgets for 2025-26

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Ranking the best and worst federal departments, by public service survey results

The PBO’s take on public service bloat and staffing cuts

House and Senate steering committee members named

All eyes on Trump: meet the top 50 foreign policy influencers navigating Canada’s role in a rocky world

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

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Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Finance & Budget

MP Genuis pitches youth jobs plan

BY ANDREW MEADE

Fall budget cycle ‘great news’ for ‘more timely’ northern project planning, says N.W.T. finance minister

'By the time we're actually seeing money coming through, our own estimates of our projects are sometimes six months to a year old,' says Northwest Territories Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek.

BY MARLO GLASS

‘It’s a new lens’: Champagne unveils new budget framework that splits operating from capital spending

The finance minister also committed to a new fiscal cycle, with a fall budget as the new timeline going forward, and spring economic and fiscal update.

BY MARLO GLASS

The price tag on housing-enabling infrastructure is prolonging our housing crisis

The cost of infrastructure expansion is typically covered through development charges paid by developers when they build new housing, which exacerbates Canada’s significant affordability crisis.

BY OLHA SOTSKA

Senate changes language-study trip rules, cancels perk permitting spouses to claim classes

Senators also agreed to review the ‘co-ordinated travel’ policy to potentially bring in new rules after recent ‘familiarization’ tours to provinces during peak tourism season drew media attention.

BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the national supply chain office “will enhance the resilience, efficiency, and reliability of our transportation systems,” in a Transport Canada press release on Dec. 1, 2023.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.