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Saturday, March 8, 2025

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Irem Koca

Irem Koca is a Turkish-Canadian journalist who joined The Hill Times in late 2023. She got her start in Canadian media in the Toronto Star's Ottawa bureau, covering federal politics and national stories under the paper's year-long fellowship. With a background in broadcast journalism, she spent several years as a world news reporter at CNN Turkey. Her freelance work on Turkish politics has been featured in The New York Times and Reuters. Notable highlights of her career include coverage of the 2020 U.S. presidential elections under a Reporting Tour fellowship awarded by the U.S. State Department, and her coverage of the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan in 2019. Koca holds a master's degree in religious extremism from Queen's University, along with a journalism degree from Istanbul Bilgi University and Kingston University, London. She is fluent in English and Turkish.

Canada must ‘open our doors’ to other markets, diversify military procurement supply chains amid tariffs, says Minister Blair

  • Defence Minister Bill Blair says the U.S. tariffs 'create a different business environment' for defence procurement, so Canada must 'open our doors' to other
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2025
Speaking at a March 5 event, Defence Minister Bill Blair says tariffs present 'opportunities' as well as challenges for Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada must ‘open our doors’ to other markets, diversify military procurement supply chains amid tariffs, says Minister Blair

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2025
  • Defence Minister Bill Blair says the U.S. tariffs 'create a different business environment' for defence procurement, so Canada must 'open our doors' to other

Canada must ‘open our doors’ to other markets, diversify military procurement supply chains amid tariffs, says Minister Blair

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2025
  • Defence Minister Bill Blair says the U.S. tariffs 'create a different business environment' for defence procurement, so Canada must 'open our doors' to other
Speaking at a March 5 event, Defence Minister Bill Blair says tariffs present 'opportunities' as well as challenges for Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. companies earned over $3.5-billion in Canadian government contracts since 2023: data

  • As U.S. tariffs take hold, it is worth the effort looking for domestic suppliers rather than the big American companies, says Bloc MP Julie
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2025
Jean-Yves Duclos
Jean-Yves Duclos
Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos' department—along with Shared Services Canada—handles more than 75 per cent of the value of the federal government’s annual $37-billion in purchases. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. companies earned over $3.5-billion in Canadian government contracts since 2023: data

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2025
  • As U.S. tariffs take hold, it is worth the effort looking for domestic suppliers rather than the big American companies, says Bloc MP Julie

U.S. companies earned over $3.5-billion in Canadian government contracts since 2023: data

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2025
  • As U.S. tariffs take hold, it is worth the effort looking for domestic suppliers rather than the big American companies, says Bloc MP Julie
Jean-Yves Duclos
Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos' department—along with Shared Services Canada—handles more than 75 per cent of the value of the federal government’s annual $37-billion in purchases. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. has to ‘feel the pain’ from Canada’s counter-tariffs but it will take time, warns trade expert

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Donald Trump's tariffs 'a very dumb thing to do,' when announcing Canada's response to the U.S. president's 'illegal' March
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 4, 2025
After U.S. President Donald Trump, left, followed through on threatened tariffs on March 4, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced immediate 25-per-cent tariffs on $30-billion worth of American goods. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. has to ‘feel the pain’ from Canada’s counter-tariffs but it will take time, warns trade expert

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 4, 2025
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Donald Trump's tariffs 'a very dumb thing to do,' when announcing Canada's response to the U.S. president's 'illegal' March

U.S. has to ‘feel the pain’ from Canada’s counter-tariffs but it will take time, warns trade expert

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 4, 2025
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Donald Trump's tariffs 'a very dumb thing to do,' when announcing Canada's response to the U.S. president's 'illegal' March
After U.S. President Donald Trump, left, followed through on threatened tariffs on March 4, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced immediate 25-per-cent tariffs on $30-billion worth of American goods. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberal candidates’ procurement pitches fail to address the long-standing issues, say observers

  • Some of the proposals 'sound more like slogans' that don't point to 'some sort of specific program,' says procurement expert Richard Shimooka.
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 17, 2025
Liberal leadership candidates Mark Carney, left, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, Frank Baylis, and Ruby Dhalla . The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Jake Wright, and handouts

Liberal candidates’ procurement pitches fail to address the long-standing issues, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 17, 2025
  • Some of the proposals 'sound more like slogans' that don't point to 'some sort of specific program,' says procurement expert Richard Shimooka.

Liberal candidates’ procurement pitches fail to address the long-standing issues, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 17, 2025
  • Some of the proposals 'sound more like slogans' that don't point to 'some sort of specific program,' says procurement expert Richard Shimooka.
Liberal leadership candidates Mark Carney, left, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, Frank Baylis, and Ruby Dhalla . The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Jake Wright, and handouts

‘Retaliation is only the beginning’: Poilievre pledges strong action against Trump’s tariffs in campaign-style rally in Ottawa

  • In an hour-and-a-half-long speech, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to fight back hard against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, but also signalled a willingness
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 15, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured at 'Canada First' rally in Ottawa on Feb. 15, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Retaliation is only the beginning’: Poilievre pledges strong action against Trump’s tariffs in campaign-style rally in Ottawa

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 15, 2025
  • In an hour-and-a-half-long speech, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to fight back hard against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, but also signalled a willingness

‘Retaliation is only the beginning’: Poilievre pledges strong action against Trump’s tariffs in campaign-style rally in Ottawa

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 15, 2025
  • In an hour-and-a-half-long speech, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre promised to fight back hard against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, but also signalled a willingness
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured at 'Canada First' rally in Ottawa on Feb. 15, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Premiers send ‘strong message’ in D.C., but defusing Trump’s tariff bomb a big hurdle, say observers

  • Canada's premiers made their way to the White House for a meeting with senior advisers to the U.S. president on Feb. 12.
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 12, 2025
The Council of the Federation, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, centre left, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, centre right, have been in Washington, D.C., since Feb. 11 to push against the American president's tariffs. Photograph courtesy of Premier Danielle Smith's X account

Premiers send ‘strong message’ in D.C., but defusing Trump’s tariff bomb a big hurdle, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 12, 2025
  • Canada's premiers made their way to the White House for a meeting with senior advisers to the U.S. president on Feb. 12.

Premiers send ‘strong message’ in D.C., but defusing Trump’s tariff bomb a big hurdle, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 12, 2025
  • Canada's premiers made their way to the White House for a meeting with senior advisers to the U.S. president on Feb. 12.
The Council of the Federation, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, centre left, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, centre right, have been in Washington, D.C., since Feb. 11 to push against the American president's tariffs. Photograph courtesy of Premier Danielle Smith's X account

Hearts and minds: premiers’ mission won’t change Trump’s tack, but can still help Canada, say politicos

  • Economic measures like procurement bans and retaliatory tariffs can be used against the U.S., but a non-threatening approach would better resonate with Americans, says
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 10, 2025
Doug Ford, Susan Holt
Doug Ford, Susan Holt
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt are among those heading to Washington this week for a diplomatic mission. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hearts and minds: premiers’ mission won’t change Trump’s tack, but can still help Canada, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 10, 2025
  • Economic measures like procurement bans and retaliatory tariffs can be used against the U.S., but a non-threatening approach would better resonate with Americans, says

Hearts and minds: premiers’ mission won’t change Trump’s tack, but can still help Canada, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 10, 2025
  • Economic measures like procurement bans and retaliatory tariffs can be used against the U.S., but a non-threatening approach would better resonate with Americans, says
Doug Ford, Susan Holt
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt are among those heading to Washington this week for a diplomatic mission. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Prolonged Trump-triggered surge in Canadian patriotism may move electoral needle, say pollsters

  • Whether this is a fleeting moment or the beginning of a wave of Canadian nationalism—something on which federal politicians or parties could capitalize—depends on
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 6, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Liberal leadership candidates Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The Hill Times illustration by Neena Singhal

Prolonged Trump-triggered surge in Canadian patriotism may move electoral needle, say pollsters

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 6, 2025
  • Whether this is a fleeting moment or the beginning of a wave of Canadian nationalism—something on which federal politicians or parties could capitalize—depends on

Prolonged Trump-triggered surge in Canadian patriotism may move electoral needle, say pollsters

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 6, 2025
  • Whether this is a fleeting moment or the beginning of a wave of Canadian nationalism—something on which federal politicians or parties could capitalize—depends on
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Liberal leadership candidates Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The Hill Times illustration by Neena Singhal

Freeland’s proposed U.S. bid ban is ‘extreme’ and ‘unrealistic,’ could hurt Canada, say observers

  • With U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods looming, Grit leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland suggests banning American firms from federal contracts, and blocking them from all
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 31, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
As part of her bid for the Liberal party's helm, former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland's plan to tackle potential tariffs from the United States includes procurement bans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s proposed U.S. bid ban is ‘extreme’ and ‘unrealistic,’ could hurt Canada, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 31, 2025
  • With U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods looming, Grit leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland suggests banning American firms from federal contracts, and blocking them from all

Freeland’s proposed U.S. bid ban is ‘extreme’ and ‘unrealistic,’ could hurt Canada, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 31, 2025
  • With U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods looming, Grit leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland suggests banning American firms from federal contracts, and blocking them from all
Chrystia Freeland
As part of her bid for the Liberal party's helm, former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland's plan to tackle potential tariffs from the United States includes procurement bans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s ‘short-sighted’ immigration cuts will hurt the economy, say critics

  • 'It was really was a political calculus, by the Liberals to scapegoat newcomers, for their failures in their policies,' says NDP MP Jenny Kwan.
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 29, 2025
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the government’s new immigration plans last October, in an effort to slow down population growth and relieve pressure on the housing market. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s ‘short-sighted’ immigration cuts will hurt the economy, say critics

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 29, 2025
  • 'It was really was a political calculus, by the Liberals to scapegoat newcomers, for their failures in their policies,' says NDP MP Jenny Kwan.

Canada’s ‘short-sighted’ immigration cuts will hurt the economy, say critics

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 29, 2025
  • 'It was really was a political calculus, by the Liberals to scapegoat newcomers, for their failures in their policies,' says NDP MP Jenny Kwan.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced the government’s new immigration plans last October, in an effort to slow down population growth and relieve pressure on the housing market. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Big Four’ consultants raked in over $220-million in federal contracts last year, despite plans to cut spending 

  • Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux says 2024 spending on consultants seems ‘a bit high’ given the feds' commitment to curbing its reliance on external
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2025
The federal government spent over $220-million with four firms for consulting in accounting and auditing, management, information technology and telecommunications services in 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Big Four’ consultants raked in over $220-million in federal contracts last year, despite plans to cut spending 

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2025
  • Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux says 2024 spending on consultants seems ‘a bit high’ given the feds' commitment to curbing its reliance on external

‘Big Four’ consultants raked in over $220-million in federal contracts last year, despite plans to cut spending 

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 23, 2025
  • Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux says 2024 spending on consultants seems ‘a bit high’ given the feds' commitment to curbing its reliance on external
The federal government spent over $220-million with four firms for consulting in accounting and auditing, management, information technology and telecommunications services in 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds eye March decision on replacing problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system

  • The government could replace the Phoenix payroll system in 2026-27, with officials deciding by March whether to greenlight the new Dayforce system depending on
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 22, 2025
Francis Trudel, Treasury Board Secretariat associate chief human resources officer, left; and Alex Benay, Public Services and Procurement Canada associate deputy minister, give an update on the government’s efforts to replace the Phoenix pay system on Jan. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds eye March decision on replacing problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 22, 2025
  • The government could replace the Phoenix payroll system in 2026-27, with officials deciding by March whether to greenlight the new Dayforce system depending on

Feds eye March decision on replacing problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 22, 2025
  • The government could replace the Phoenix payroll system in 2026-27, with officials deciding by March whether to greenlight the new Dayforce system depending on
Francis Trudel, Treasury Board Secretariat associate chief human resources officer, left; and Alex Benay, Public Services and Procurement Canada associate deputy minister, give an update on the government’s efforts to replace the Phoenix pay system on Jan. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hiring IT contractors cost feds 22 per cent more than using public servants, PBO finds

  • Federal departments spent $2.66-billion on informatics services, including IT-related services, with more than half of the spending coming from five departments in 2022-23.
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 16, 2025
Yves Giroux,
Yves Giroux,
On Jan. 16, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux released a report looking into the fiscal cost of hiring external IT contractors. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hiring IT contractors cost feds 22 per cent more than using public servants, PBO finds

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 16, 2025
  • Federal departments spent $2.66-billion on informatics services, including IT-related services, with more than half of the spending coming from five departments in 2022-23.

Hiring IT contractors cost feds 22 per cent more than using public servants, PBO finds

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 16, 2025
  • Federal departments spent $2.66-billion on informatics services, including IT-related services, with more than half of the spending coming from five departments in 2022-23.
Yves Giroux,
On Jan. 16, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux released a report looking into the fiscal cost of hiring external IT contractors. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Procurement watchdog calls PSPC’s handling of interpreters’ contracts ‘unreasonable’

  • Ombud's review of complaints says proposed changes would cut freelance interpreters' number of billable hours, leading to less compensation for the same amount of
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 14, 2025
An interpreter at work in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building during a press conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February 2021. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Procurement watchdog calls PSPC’s handling of interpreters’ contracts ‘unreasonable’

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 14, 2025
  • Ombud's review of complaints says proposed changes would cut freelance interpreters' number of billable hours, leading to less compensation for the same amount of

Procurement watchdog calls PSPC’s handling of interpreters’ contracts ‘unreasonable’

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 14, 2025
  • Ombud's review of complaints says proposed changes would cut freelance interpreters' number of billable hours, leading to less compensation for the same amount of
An interpreter at work in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building during a press conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February 2021. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds spent a record $20.7-billion on outsourcing contracts last fiscal year

  • The federal government spent a record $20.7-billion on outsourcing contracts last fiscal year, despite calls to cut back on spending, criticism over its reliance
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 11, 2025
Jean-Yves Duclos
Jean-Yves Duclos
Last May, Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos addressed the need for stronger oversight and integrity in federal procurement, especially in professional services. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds spent a record $20.7-billion on outsourcing contracts last fiscal year

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 11, 2025
  • The federal government spent a record $20.7-billion on outsourcing contracts last fiscal year, despite calls to cut back on spending, criticism over its reliance

Feds spent a record $20.7-billion on outsourcing contracts last fiscal year

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 11, 2025
  • The federal government spent a record $20.7-billion on outsourcing contracts last fiscal year, despite calls to cut back on spending, criticism over its reliance
Jean-Yves Duclos
Last May, Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos addressed the need for stronger oversight and integrity in federal procurement, especially in professional services. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Procurement Canada spent $5.4-billion in 2023-24, but plans to shrink workforce in coming years

  • The department forecasts staffing will keep growing in the current year before declining by thousands of full-time equivalent roles in 2025-26.
News | BY IREM KOCA | January 4, 2025
Jean-Yves Duclos
Jean-Yves Duclos
On Dec. 17, Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, released its 2024 departmental results report which showed a $92-million overall rise in spending from the previous fiscal year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Procurement Canada spent $5.4-billion in 2023-24, but plans to shrink workforce in coming years

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 4, 2025
  • The department forecasts staffing will keep growing in the current year before declining by thousands of full-time equivalent roles in 2025-26.

Procurement Canada spent $5.4-billion in 2023-24, but plans to shrink workforce in coming years

News | BY IREM KOCA | January 4, 2025
  • The department forecasts staffing will keep growing in the current year before declining by thousands of full-time equivalent roles in 2025-26.
Jean-Yves Duclos
On Dec. 17, Public Services and Procurement Canada, led by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, released its 2024 departmental results report which showed a $92-million overall rise in spending from the previous fiscal year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

AFN national chief urges politicians to ‘put their politics aside’ to support First Nations’ access to clean water

  • In a wide-ranging interview, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak urges cross-party support to resolve critical issues facing First Nations communities, including police-related deaths,
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 26, 2024
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak
Regardless of what's happening in the House of Commons, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says she'll keep 'pushing and pulling' to ensure First Nations are a priority for politicians. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

AFN national chief urges politicians to ‘put their politics aside’ to support First Nations’ access to clean water

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 26, 2024
  • In a wide-ranging interview, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak urges cross-party support to resolve critical issues facing First Nations communities, including police-related deaths,

AFN national chief urges politicians to ‘put their politics aside’ to support First Nations’ access to clean water

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 26, 2024
  • In a wide-ranging interview, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak urges cross-party support to resolve critical issues facing First Nations communities, including police-related deaths,
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak
Regardless of what's happening in the House of Commons, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says she'll keep 'pushing and pulling' to ensure First Nations are a priority for politicians. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Federal departments fix 61 errors related to Indigenous business contracts on public database

  • The RCMP has corrected the status of two firms as non-Indigenous at Indigenous Services Canada's direction. But one of those companies remains on the
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 19, 2024
Patty Hajdu
Patty Hajdu
Indigenous Services Canada, under Minister Patty Hajdu, removed over 1,200 businesses from the Indigenous Business Directory since 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Federal departments fix 61 errors related to Indigenous business contracts on public database

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 19, 2024
  • The RCMP has corrected the status of two firms as non-Indigenous at Indigenous Services Canada's direction. But one of those companies remains on the

Federal departments fix 61 errors related to Indigenous business contracts on public database

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 19, 2024
  • The RCMP has corrected the status of two firms as non-Indigenous at Indigenous Services Canada's direction. But one of those companies remains on the
Patty Hajdu
Indigenous Services Canada, under Minister Patty Hajdu, removed over 1,200 businesses from the Indigenous Business Directory since 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PM Trudeau appears to have reached a decision about his future, but he’s not yet prepared to announce it, say some Liberal MPs

  • Unlike the Oct. 23 national Liberal caucus meeting, on Dec. 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘absorbed the message’ from MPs that it’s time to
News | BY ABBAS RANA, IREM KOCA, SOPHALL DUCH | December 16, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Laurier Club event at the Museum of History on Dec. 16, 2024. More MPs are calling for Trudeau to resign as Liberal Party leader after Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet on Dec. 16. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PM Trudeau appears to have reached a decision about his future, but he’s not yet prepared to announce it, say some Liberal MPs

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IREM KOCA, SOPHALL DUCH | December 16, 2024
  • Unlike the Oct. 23 national Liberal caucus meeting, on Dec. 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘absorbed the message’ from MPs that it’s time to

PM Trudeau appears to have reached a decision about his future, but he’s not yet prepared to announce it, say some Liberal MPs

News | BY ABBAS RANA, IREM KOCA, SOPHALL DUCH | December 16, 2024
  • Unlike the Oct. 23 national Liberal caucus meeting, on Dec. 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘absorbed the message’ from MPs that it’s time to
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Laurier Club event at the Museum of History on Dec. 16, 2024. More MPs are calling for Trudeau to resign as Liberal Party leader after Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet on Dec. 16. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Former Indigenous procurement auditor calls pledge to examine the program ‘hypocritical’ after feds were warned of issues for years

  • Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says her department is working on a plan to conduct an extensive audit of the government's Indigenous procurement program.
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 10, 2024
Garry Hartle, a senior compliance auditor, says the 'absence of external audits will result in a lack of oversight to detect and deter public corruption.' Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Former Indigenous procurement auditor calls pledge to examine the program ‘hypocritical’ after feds were warned of issues for years

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 10, 2024
  • Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says her department is working on a plan to conduct an extensive audit of the government's Indigenous procurement program.

Former Indigenous procurement auditor calls pledge to examine the program ‘hypocritical’ after feds were warned of issues for years

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 10, 2024
  • Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says her department is working on a plan to conduct an extensive audit of the government's Indigenous procurement program.
Garry Hartle, a senior compliance auditor, says the 'absence of external audits will result in a lack of oversight to detect and deter public corruption.' Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Ottawa removed 118 companies from its Indigenous Business Directory this year

  • The list is constantly updated 'as businesses grow, dissolve, or change,' says Indigenous Services Canada, with 1,100 companies scrapped from the directory in 2022.
News | BY IREM KOCA | December 4, 2024
Patty Hajdu
Patty Hajdu
In February, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said the federal government was reviewing procurement policies to determine who can claim to be Indigenous when bidding for federal contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ottawa removed 118 companies from its Indigenous Business Directory this year

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 4, 2024
  • The list is constantly updated 'as businesses grow, dissolve, or change,' says Indigenous Services Canada, with 1,100 companies scrapped from the directory in 2022.

Ottawa removed 118 companies from its Indigenous Business Directory this year

News | BY IREM KOCA | December 4, 2024
  • The list is constantly updated 'as businesses grow, dissolve, or change,' says Indigenous Services Canada, with 1,100 companies scrapped from the directory in 2022.
Patty Hajdu
In February, Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said the federal government was reviewing procurement policies to determine who can claim to be Indigenous when bidding for federal contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We need deterrence’: Indigenous researcher tells MPs Boissonnault should be kicked from Liberal caucus

  • Indigenous advocates say gaps in federal procurement oversight allow businesses to fraudulently secure lucrative contracts that could support Indigenous communities.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 28, 2024
Indigenous researcher Crystal Semaganis says former minister Randy Boissonnault should not remain in Liberal caucus amid allegations his former company falsely claimed Indigenous status in bids to secure federal funds. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

‘We need deterrence’: Indigenous researcher tells MPs Boissonnault should be kicked from Liberal caucus

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 28, 2024
  • Indigenous advocates say gaps in federal procurement oversight allow businesses to fraudulently secure lucrative contracts that could support Indigenous communities.

‘We need deterrence’: Indigenous researcher tells MPs Boissonnault should be kicked from Liberal caucus

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 28, 2024
  • Indigenous advocates say gaps in federal procurement oversight allow businesses to fraudulently secure lucrative contracts that could support Indigenous communities.
Indigenous researcher Crystal Semaganis says former minister Randy Boissonnault should not remain in Liberal caucus amid allegations his former company falsely claimed Indigenous status in bids to secure federal funds. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

‘Get on with it’: defence industry responds to Blair’s call for stronger ties to speed up procurement

  • Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Stephen Kelsey told industry leaders: 'We’re not complete buffoons. We are aware of the complexities of procurement, the frustration
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 27, 2024
Bill Blair
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he is 'in a hurry' to accelerate procurement efforts to meet the urgent needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, but he needs help from the defence industry. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Get on with it’: defence industry responds to Blair’s call for stronger ties to speed up procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 27, 2024
  • Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Stephen Kelsey told industry leaders: 'We’re not complete buffoons. We are aware of the complexities of procurement, the frustration

‘Get on with it’: defence industry responds to Blair’s call for stronger ties to speed up procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 27, 2024
  • Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Stephen Kelsey told industry leaders: 'We’re not complete buffoons. We are aware of the complexities of procurement, the frustration
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he is 'in a hurry' to accelerate procurement efforts to meet the urgent needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, but he needs help from the defence industry. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds suspend Boissonnault’s former company from participating in federal procurement

  • Public Services and Procurement Canada suspended Global Health Imports Corporation from participating in federal procurement, effective Nov. 22.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 26, 2024
Randy Boissonnault resigned from cabinet on Nov. 20, following reports that Global Health Imports Corporation, a firm he previously co-owned, described itself as 'wholly Indigenous-owned' in bids for federal contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds suspend Boissonnault’s former company from participating in federal procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 26, 2024
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada suspended Global Health Imports Corporation from participating in federal procurement, effective Nov. 22.

Feds suspend Boissonnault’s former company from participating in federal procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 26, 2024
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada suspended Global Health Imports Corporation from participating in federal procurement, effective Nov. 22.
Randy Boissonnault resigned from cabinet on Nov. 20, following reports that Global Health Imports Corporation, a firm he previously co-owned, described itself as 'wholly Indigenous-owned' in bids for federal contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Boissonnault debacle feeds into pattern of ethical lapses in government, deepens Liberal woes, say observers

  • Conservative pundit Yaroslav Baran says Randy Boissonnault should have stepped down sooner for the sake of the Liberal Party. 'I probably would have left
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 22, 2024
Randy Boissonnault
Randy Boissonnault
Former employment minister Randy Boissonnault left cabinet on Nov. 20 amid questions about his heritage and controversial business ties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Boissonnault debacle feeds into pattern of ethical lapses in government, deepens Liberal woes, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 22, 2024
  • Conservative pundit Yaroslav Baran says Randy Boissonnault should have stepped down sooner for the sake of the Liberal Party. 'I probably would have left

Boissonnault debacle feeds into pattern of ethical lapses in government, deepens Liberal woes, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 22, 2024
  • Conservative pundit Yaroslav Baran says Randy Boissonnault should have stepped down sooner for the sake of the Liberal Party. 'I probably would have left
Randy Boissonnault
Former employment minister Randy Boissonnault left cabinet on Nov. 20 amid questions about his heritage and controversial business ties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Japan not taking part in procurement bid for Canadian Navy’s new subs

  • With billions of dollars at stake and Arctic security concerns, Canada’s submarine procurement competition is poised to be one of the decade's most sought
News | BY IREM KOCA, NEIL MOSS | November 21, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair announced in July that Canada would be purchasing 'up to' 12 new submarines to replace its fleet of four. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Japan not taking part in procurement bid for Canadian Navy’s new subs

News | BY IREM KOCA, NEIL MOSS | November 21, 2024
  • With billions of dollars at stake and Arctic security concerns, Canada’s submarine procurement competition is poised to be one of the decade's most sought

Japan not taking part in procurement bid for Canadian Navy’s new subs

News | BY IREM KOCA, NEIL MOSS | November 21, 2024
  • With billions of dollars at stake and Arctic security concerns, Canada’s submarine procurement competition is poised to be one of the decade's most sought
Defence Minister Bill Blair announced in July that Canada would be purchasing 'up to' 12 new submarines to replace its fleet of four. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Champagne problems

  • Plus, checking in on the climate summit in Azerbaijan.
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, IREM KOCA | November 20, 2024
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne will speak today at a gathering of businesspeople from across North America eyeing another NAFTA renegotiation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Champagne problems

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, IREM KOCA | November 20, 2024
  • Plus, checking in on the climate summit in Azerbaijan.

Champagne problems

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA, IREM KOCA | November 20, 2024
  • Plus, checking in on the climate summit in Azerbaijan.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne will speak today at a gathering of businesspeople from across North America eyeing another NAFTA renegotiation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
More Stories

Senators approve procurement policy update, with contract limit increase on the horizon

  • The Senate Internal Economy Committee has approved updates to the procurement policy, but the changes have not yet been implemented.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 8, 2024
CSG Senator Jim Quinn highlighted concerns over potential changes in contract values during the procurement of goods or services, which could result in escalation of prices. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Senators approve procurement policy update, with contract limit increase on the horizon

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 8, 2024
  • The Senate Internal Economy Committee has approved updates to the procurement policy, but the changes have not yet been implemented.

Senators approve procurement policy update, with contract limit increase on the horizon

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 8, 2024
  • The Senate Internal Economy Committee has approved updates to the procurement policy, but the changes have not yet been implemented.
CSG Senator Jim Quinn highlighted concerns over potential changes in contract values during the procurement of goods or services, which could result in escalation of prices. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

AG says green tech fund documents ‘not my information to hand over’ as House remains at a standstill

  • Karen Hogan says her office did not refer the Sustainable Development and Technology Canada matter to the RCMP, which is investigating potential criminality.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 4, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan says Parliament should obtain documents related to the now-defunct green-tech fund directly from the government, ‘not through me.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

AG says green tech fund documents ‘not my information to hand over’ as House remains at a standstill

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 4, 2024
  • Karen Hogan says her office did not refer the Sustainable Development and Technology Canada matter to the RCMP, which is investigating potential criminality.

AG says green tech fund documents ‘not my information to hand over’ as House remains at a standstill

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 4, 2024
  • Karen Hogan says her office did not refer the Sustainable Development and Technology Canada matter to the RCMP, which is investigating potential criminality.
Auditor General Karen Hogan says Parliament should obtain documents related to the now-defunct green-tech fund directly from the government, ‘not through me.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We can’t waste any more time’: feds’ procurement plan failing at economic reconciliation, say Indigenous leaders and MPs

  • NDP MP Lori Idlout says that Indigenous Peoples are 'being robbed of their opportunities' due to federal procurement issues.
News | BY IREM KOCA | November 1, 2024
Patty Hajdu
Patty Hajdu
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said in February the federal government is reviewing procurement policies to determine who can claim to be Indigenous when bidding for federal contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We can’t waste any more time’: feds’ procurement plan failing at economic reconciliation, say Indigenous leaders and MPs

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 1, 2024
  • NDP MP Lori Idlout says that Indigenous Peoples are 'being robbed of their opportunities' due to federal procurement issues.

‘We can’t waste any more time’: feds’ procurement plan failing at economic reconciliation, say Indigenous leaders and MPs

News | BY IREM KOCA | November 1, 2024
  • NDP MP Lori Idlout says that Indigenous Peoples are 'being robbed of their opportunities' due to federal procurement issues.
Patty Hajdu
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said in February the federal government is reviewing procurement policies to determine who can claim to be Indigenous when bidding for federal contracts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Gross mismanagement’: Conservatives grill former green tech fund board member

  • 'Between Conservatives' aggressiveness and the Liberals' complacency, there was room to ask some questions to understand what happened,' says Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné after
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 30, 2024
Conservative MP Rick Perkins, left, had a heated exchange with former clean tech fund board member Andrée-Lise Méthot, right, on Oct. 28 at the House Public Accounts Committee. Screenshots courtesy of ParlVu

‘Gross mismanagement’: Conservatives grill former green tech fund board member

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 30, 2024
  • 'Between Conservatives' aggressiveness and the Liberals' complacency, there was room to ask some questions to understand what happened,' says Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné after

‘Gross mismanagement’: Conservatives grill former green tech fund board member

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 30, 2024
  • 'Between Conservatives' aggressiveness and the Liberals' complacency, there was room to ask some questions to understand what happened,' says Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné after
Conservative MP Rick Perkins, left, had a heated exchange with former clean tech fund board member Andrée-Lise Méthot, right, on Oct. 28 at the House Public Accounts Committee. Screenshots courtesy of ParlVu

‘No sugarcoating the fact that changes are needed’: watchdog calls on feds to act now to fix procurement

  • The federal procurement watchdog is also 'considering' a review of Indigenous procurement, but has yet to set up reasonable grounds or scope.
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 25, 2024
Procurement Ombudsman Alexander Jeglic's reviews into the ArriveCan saga unveiled deep-rooted issues in Canada’s procurement system this past winter. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘No sugarcoating the fact that changes are needed’: watchdog calls on feds to act now to fix procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 25, 2024
  • The federal procurement watchdog is also 'considering' a review of Indigenous procurement, but has yet to set up reasonable grounds or scope.

‘No sugarcoating the fact that changes are needed’: watchdog calls on feds to act now to fix procurement

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 25, 2024
  • The federal procurement watchdog is also 'considering' a review of Indigenous procurement, but has yet to set up reasonable grounds or scope.
Procurement Ombudsman Alexander Jeglic's reviews into the ArriveCan saga unveiled deep-rooted issues in Canada’s procurement system this past winter. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Auditor General launches probe into federal payments to main ArriveCan contractor 

  • Auditor General Karen Hogan says the audit's scope may be influenced by document retention policies, and some records might no longer be available, which
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 22, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan says her office is in the process of planning an audit into GC Strategies, the primary contractor for the ArriveCan app. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Auditor General launches probe into federal payments to main ArriveCan contractor 

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 22, 2024
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan says the audit's scope may be influenced by document retention policies, and some records might no longer be available, which

Auditor General launches probe into federal payments to main ArriveCan contractor 

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 22, 2024
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan says the audit's scope may be influenced by document retention policies, and some records might no longer be available, which
Auditor General Karen Hogan says her office is in the process of planning an audit into GC Strategies, the primary contractor for the ArriveCan app. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Frustration mounts in House as privilege debate gridlock continues

  • There are a number of government bills as well as opposition motions on the docket for the MPs to address once the House finishes
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 21, 2024
Karina Gould
Karina Gould
Government House Leader Karina Gould says the 'Conservatives are filibustering their own motion,' as the privilege debate stretches to two weeks. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Frustration mounts in House as privilege debate gridlock continues

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 21, 2024
  • There are a number of government bills as well as opposition motions on the docket for the MPs to address once the House finishes

Frustration mounts in House as privilege debate gridlock continues

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 21, 2024
  • There are a number of government bills as well as opposition motions on the docket for the MPs to address once the House finishes
Karina Gould
Government House Leader Karina Gould says the 'Conservatives are filibustering their own motion,' as the privilege debate stretches to two weeks. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

MPs grill department officials on Indigenous procurement issues

  • Senior Public Services and Procurement officials say questions about Indigenous procurement should go to Indigenous Services Canada because it’s responsible for the rules by
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 17, 2024
Public Services and Procurement Canada, overseen by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, spent more than $280-million on Indigenous procurement in the last two years, but still has not met the government's five per cent target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs grill department officials on Indigenous procurement issues

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 17, 2024
  • Senior Public Services and Procurement officials say questions about Indigenous procurement should go to Indigenous Services Canada because it’s responsible for the rules by

MPs grill department officials on Indigenous procurement issues

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 17, 2024
  • Senior Public Services and Procurement officials say questions about Indigenous procurement should go to Indigenous Services Canada because it’s responsible for the rules by
Public Services and Procurement Canada, overseen by Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, spent more than $280-million on Indigenous procurement in the last two years, but still has not met the government's five per cent target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals need a ‘dance partner’ to get out of privilege-debate gridlock, say observers

  • The days-long debate in the House could drag on indefinitely, and the Liberals likely need to negotiate with the Bloc Québécois and NDP to
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 11, 2024
Government House Leader Karina Gould, left, said the Liberals want to see the debate come to an end. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer says Parliament can get back to work if the government hands over all unredacted documents related to the controversial cleantech fund. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Liberals need a ‘dance partner’ to get out of privilege-debate gridlock, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 11, 2024
  • The days-long debate in the House could drag on indefinitely, and the Liberals likely need to negotiate with the Bloc Québécois and NDP to

Liberals need a ‘dance partner’ to get out of privilege-debate gridlock, say observers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 11, 2024
  • The days-long debate in the House could drag on indefinitely, and the Liberals likely need to negotiate with the Bloc Québécois and NDP to
Government House Leader Karina Gould, left, said the Liberals want to see the debate come to an end. Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer says Parliament can get back to work if the government hands over all unredacted documents related to the controversial cleantech fund. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

‘Obstructing their own obstruction’: Liberals, Conservatives spar in protracted privilege debate over documents

  • House Speaker Greg Fergus ruled Conservative Leader Pierre Poiievre could not speak on Tuesday without withdrawing ‘unparliamentary’ comments.
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 8, 2024
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
In an Oct. 8 scrum, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre doubled down on the comments made the day before that earned him a rebuke from the House Speaker. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Obstructing their own obstruction’: Liberals, Conservatives spar in protracted privilege debate over documents

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 8, 2024
  • House Speaker Greg Fergus ruled Conservative Leader Pierre Poiievre could not speak on Tuesday without withdrawing ‘unparliamentary’ comments.

‘Obstructing their own obstruction’: Liberals, Conservatives spar in protracted privilege debate over documents

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 8, 2024
  • House Speaker Greg Fergus ruled Conservative Leader Pierre Poiievre could not speak on Tuesday without withdrawing ‘unparliamentary’ comments.
Pierre Poilievre
In an Oct. 8 scrum, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre doubled down on the comments made the day before that earned him a rebuke from the House Speaker. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Privilege debate enters sixth day as MPs accuse each other of ‘paralyzing’ Parliament

  • MPs are currently in the stage of debating the amendment to the initial motion. Liberal, NDP, and Bloc MPs say the ongoing debate has
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 7, 2024
Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, put forth a privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund which has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Privilege debate enters sixth day as MPs accuse each other of ‘paralyzing’ Parliament

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 7, 2024
  • MPs are currently in the stage of debating the amendment to the initial motion. Liberal, NDP, and Bloc MPs say the ongoing debate has

Privilege debate enters sixth day as MPs accuse each other of ‘paralyzing’ Parliament

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 7, 2024
  • MPs are currently in the stage of debating the amendment to the initial motion. Liberal, NDP, and Bloc MPs say the ongoing debate has
Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, put forth a privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund which has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Parliament at a standstill as Conservative MPs push for release of green-tech fund papers

  • Government House Leader Karina Gould said there will be no chance to discuss key legislation in the House until the privilege debate ends.
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 4, 2024
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer's privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Parliament at a standstill as Conservative MPs push for release of green-tech fund papers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 4, 2024
  • Government House Leader Karina Gould said there will be no chance to discuss key legislation in the House until the privilege debate ends.

Parliament at a standstill as Conservative MPs push for release of green-tech fund papers

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 4, 2024
  • Government House Leader Karina Gould said there will be no chance to discuss key legislation in the House until the privilege debate ends.
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer's privilege motion on the government's failure to comply with an order to release documents related to the Sustainable Development Technology Canada fund has brought Parliament to a standstill. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds aim to clear 112,000 Phoenix backlog cases by fiscal year-end, but unions call efforts ‘too little too late’

  • Ottawa says it is working to fix the costly and problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, but the unions say they have 'heard this before.'
News | BY IREM KOCA | October 3, 2024
Alex Benay
Alex Benay
Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, gives an update on the government’s efforts to replace the Phoenix pay system at a July press conference. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds aim to clear 112,000 Phoenix backlog cases by fiscal year-end, but unions call efforts ‘too little too late’

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 3, 2024
  • Ottawa says it is working to fix the costly and problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, but the unions say they have 'heard this before.'

Feds aim to clear 112,000 Phoenix backlog cases by fiscal year-end, but unions call efforts ‘too little too late’

News | BY IREM KOCA | October 3, 2024
  • Ottawa says it is working to fix the costly and problem-plagued Phoenix pay system, but the unions say they have 'heard this before.'
Alex Benay
Alex Benay, associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, gives an update on the government’s efforts to replace the Phoenix pay system at a July press conference. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

‘They put a phone in your face and start filming you and insulting you’: MPs, cabinet ministers call out growing aggression, harassment by Hill protesters

  • Liberal MP Rob Oliphant was chased down the street, Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné says a protester grabbed a colleague’s coat, and NDP MP Lori
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 27, 2024
Conservative MP Kelly McCauley wades through Freedom Convoy supporters as he arrives on the Hill on Sept. 16, 2024. Security measures on Parliament Hill have been 'significantly' tightened in the wake of increasingly aggressive protesters—some of which have been associated with the 'Freedom Convoy' movement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘They put a phone in your face and start filming you and insulting you’: MPs, cabinet ministers call out growing aggression, harassment by Hill protesters

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 27, 2024
  • Liberal MP Rob Oliphant was chased down the street, Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné says a protester grabbed a colleague’s coat, and NDP MP Lori

‘They put a phone in your face and start filming you and insulting you’: MPs, cabinet ministers call out growing aggression, harassment by Hill protesters

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 27, 2024
  • Liberal MP Rob Oliphant was chased down the street, Bloc MP Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné says a protester grabbed a colleague’s coat, and NDP MP Lori
Conservative MP Kelly McCauley wades through Freedom Convoy supporters as he arrives on the Hill on Sept. 16, 2024. Security measures on Parliament Hill have been 'significantly' tightened in the wake of increasingly aggressive protesters—some of which have been associated with the 'Freedom Convoy' movement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Indigenous business verification for procurement ‘just not working,’ MPs hear

  • Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Joanna Bernard says the lack of a consistent verification approach 'creates a risk of false claims, tokenism, exploitation
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2024
AFN Regional Chief Joanna Bernard told MPs that there is 'no consistent way of verifying the legitimacy of Indigenous businesses.' The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Indigenous business verification for procurement ‘just not working,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2024
  • Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Joanna Bernard says the lack of a consistent verification approach 'creates a risk of false claims, tokenism, exploitation

Indigenous business verification for procurement ‘just not working,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 25, 2024
  • Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Joanna Bernard says the lack of a consistent verification approach 'creates a risk of false claims, tokenism, exploitation
AFN Regional Chief Joanna Bernard told MPs that there is 'no consistent way of verifying the legitimacy of Indigenous businesses.' The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘This is not a game’: MPs point fingers over use of committee for ‘content creation’ as procurement studies evolve

  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee still has 'tens of thousands' of pages of evidence to review as ArriveCan work wraps up.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 23, 2024
House Government Operations and Estimates Committee chair Kelly McCauley. The committee's work on government procurement and contracting dominated this year's headlines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘This is not a game’: MPs point fingers over use of committee for ‘content creation’ as procurement studies evolve

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 23, 2024
  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee still has 'tens of thousands' of pages of evidence to review as ArriveCan work wraps up.

‘This is not a game’: MPs point fingers over use of committee for ‘content creation’ as procurement studies evolve

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 23, 2024
  • The House Government Operations and Estimates Committee still has 'tens of thousands' of pages of evidence to review as ArriveCan work wraps up.
House Government Operations and Estimates Committee chair Kelly McCauley. The committee's work on government procurement and contracting dominated this year's headlines. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Public servants declared 78 conflicts of interest tied to federal contracts last year: Treasury Board

  • The data raises new questions for opposition MPs who have been demanding answers from the government about public servants 'double-dipping' as contractors.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2024
The departments overseen by Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, left, and Treasury Board President Anita Anand have been in the spotlight as the Liberals face questions over their handling of federal contracting. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Public servants declared 78 conflicts of interest tied to federal contracts last year: Treasury Board

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2024
  • The data raises new questions for opposition MPs who have been demanding answers from the government about public servants 'double-dipping' as contractors.

Public servants declared 78 conflicts of interest tied to federal contracts last year: Treasury Board

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 17, 2024
  • The data raises new questions for opposition MPs who have been demanding answers from the government about public servants 'double-dipping' as contractors.
The departments overseen by Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, left, and Treasury Board President Anita Anand have been in the spotlight as the Liberals face questions over their handling of federal contracting. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Federal procurement watchdog reports 30 per cent surge in complaints 

  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic’s report found that ArriveCan’s primary contractor GC Strategies was favoured as a vendor.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 13, 2024
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic, right, and Derek Mersereau, left, acting director, inquiries, quality assurance and risk management in the Ombud's Office of Procurement, pictured Jan. 31, 2024, at the House Government Operations Committee on its study of the controversial ArriveCan app. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Federal procurement watchdog reports 30 per cent surge in complaints 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 13, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic’s report found that ArriveCan’s primary contractor GC Strategies was favoured as a vendor.

Federal procurement watchdog reports 30 per cent surge in complaints 

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 13, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic’s report found that ArriveCan’s primary contractor GC Strategies was favoured as a vendor.
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic, right, and Derek Mersereau, left, acting director, inquiries, quality assurance and risk management in the Ombud's Office of Procurement, pictured Jan. 31, 2024, at the House Government Operations Committee on its study of the controversial ArriveCan app. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada expects to spend $1-billion over 10 years running new supply ships

  • Experts say 'modern combat is a freakishly expensive endeavour,' so the high operational costs projections are no surprise.
News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2024
On Aug. 9, Defence Minister Bill Blair, centre, visited Seaspan's shipyard in Vancouver, B.C., where the construction of two new ships is underway. Photograph courtesy of X/BillBlair

Canada expects to spend $1-billion over 10 years running new supply ships

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2024
  • Experts say 'modern combat is a freakishly expensive endeavour,' so the high operational costs projections are no surprise.

Canada expects to spend $1-billion over 10 years running new supply ships

News | BY IREM KOCA | September 10, 2024
  • Experts say 'modern combat is a freakishly expensive endeavour,' so the high operational costs projections are no surprise.
On Aug. 9, Defence Minister Bill Blair, centre, visited Seaspan's shipyard in Vancouver, B.C., where the construction of two new ships is underway. Photograph courtesy of X/BillBlair

Federal contractors raising money to sue government over alleged procurement misconduct

  • Botler AI's co-founders say they are looking to raise $25,000 to cover the legal fees and subject matter expert costs needed to prepare a
News | BY IREM KOCA | August 29, 2024
Amir Morv, left, and Ritika Dutt, the co-founders of Botler AI, speak at a House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting on Oct. 26, 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Federal contractors raising money to sue government over alleged procurement misconduct

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 29, 2024
  • Botler AI's co-founders say they are looking to raise $25,000 to cover the legal fees and subject matter expert costs needed to prepare a

Federal contractors raising money to sue government over alleged procurement misconduct

News | BY IREM KOCA | August 29, 2024
  • Botler AI's co-founders say they are looking to raise $25,000 to cover the legal fees and subject matter expert costs needed to prepare a
Amir Morv, left, and Ritika Dutt, the co-founders of Botler AI, speak at a House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting on Oct. 26, 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

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