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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.

Liberals’ recycled plan to fix ‘badly busted’ defence procurement can take root in Trump era, say experts

  • But the political imperative to act is stronger today than it has been since the Cold War, says former federal Liberal defence minister David
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2025
Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to overhaul Canada's problem-plagued defence procurement through a new agency that would centralize procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals’ recycled plan to fix ‘badly busted’ defence procurement can take root in Trump era, say experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2025
  • But the political imperative to act is stronger today than it has been since the Cold War, says former federal Liberal defence minister David

Liberals’ recycled plan to fix ‘badly busted’ defence procurement can take root in Trump era, say experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2025
  • But the political imperative to act is stronger today than it has been since the Cold War, says former federal Liberal defence minister David
Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to overhaul Canada's problem-plagued defence procurement through a new agency that would centralize procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘I want to be the proof that the Canadian dream is alive,’ says country’s first female Turkish Canadian federal candidate

  • Sima Acan’s candidacy is seen as a milestone by some Turkish Canadians who say the diaspora's issues as well as its contributions have long
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 16, 2025 | UPDATED April 17, 2025
Sima Acan, the Liberal candidate running in Oakville West, Ont., pictured left with Mark Carney, on April 5 during the prime minister's campaign stop in the city. Photograph courtesy of Sima Acan's office

‘I want to be the proof that the Canadian dream is alive,’ says country’s first female Turkish Canadian federal candidate

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 16, 2025 | UPDATED April 17, 2025
  • Sima Acan’s candidacy is seen as a milestone by some Turkish Canadians who say the diaspora's issues as well as its contributions have long

‘I want to be the proof that the Canadian dream is alive,’ says country’s first female Turkish Canadian federal candidate

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 16, 2025 | UPDATED April 17, 2025
  • Sima Acan’s candidacy is seen as a milestone by some Turkish Canadians who say the diaspora's issues as well as its contributions have long
Sima Acan, the Liberal candidate running in Oakville West, Ont., pictured left with Mark Carney, on April 5 during the prime minister's campaign stop in the city. Photograph courtesy of Sima Acan's office

Campaigns quick to cut ties with candidates, have ‘less tolerance’ for controversy, in the age of social media, say politicos

  • Candidates now campaign 'on their resumé and a record of drunk tweets and Facebook impulses,' says political commentator Scott Reid.
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 11, 2025
Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's campaigns dropped several candidates during the first part of the election campaign. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Campaigns quick to cut ties with candidates, have ‘less tolerance’ for controversy, in the age of social media, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 11, 2025
  • Candidates now campaign 'on their resumé and a record of drunk tweets and Facebook impulses,' says political commentator Scott Reid.

Campaigns quick to cut ties with candidates, have ‘less tolerance’ for controversy, in the age of social media, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 11, 2025
  • Candidates now campaign 'on their resumé and a record of drunk tweets and Facebook impulses,' says political commentator Scott Reid.
Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's campaigns dropped several candidates during the first part of the election campaign. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Grits lead in polls for new Canadians’ support, but Tories can still gain traction as loyalties remain up for grabs, say researchers

  • 'Newcomers are clearly focused on making ends meet, and building a stable future,' says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 8, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilevre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will all need to fight for new Canadians' votes. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia

Grits lead in polls for new Canadians’ support, but Tories can still gain traction as loyalties remain up for grabs, say researchers

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 8, 2025
  • 'Newcomers are clearly focused on making ends meet, and building a stable future,' says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Grits lead in polls for new Canadians’ support, but Tories can still gain traction as loyalties remain up for grabs, say researchers

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 8, 2025
  • 'Newcomers are clearly focused on making ends meet, and building a stable future,' says Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilevre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will all need to fight for new Canadians' votes. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia

Conservatives target labour vote as NDP support wanes, but union leader says there’s ‘no substance’ behind catchy slogans

  • 'You might see Poilievre going around to shop floors, but has he ever been on a picket line?' asks NDP national director Anne McGrath.
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's courting of the labour vote may help him garner the support of 'politically homeless' workers, says former Tory staffer Yaroslav Baran. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives target labour vote as NDP support wanes, but union leader says there’s ‘no substance’ behind catchy slogans

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2025
  • 'You might see Poilievre going around to shop floors, but has he ever been on a picket line?' asks NDP national director Anne McGrath.

Conservatives target labour vote as NDP support wanes, but union leader says there’s ‘no substance’ behind catchy slogans

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2025
  • 'You might see Poilievre going around to shop floors, but has he ever been on a picket line?' asks NDP national director Anne McGrath.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's courting of the labour vote may help him garner the support of 'politically homeless' workers, says former Tory staffer Yaroslav Baran. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh the party leader in ‘most danger’ of losing his seat, pollsters say, as NDP suffers national drop in support

  • In an election defined by change, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is at risk of losing his seat as progressive votes drift toward his Liberal
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 31, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Liberal Mark Carney, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, whose British Columbia seat is in jeopardy as voters move to Liberals, say pollsters. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Singh the party leader in ‘most danger’ of losing his seat, pollsters say, as NDP suffers national drop in support

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 31, 2025
  • In an election defined by change, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is at risk of losing his seat as progressive votes drift toward his Liberal

Singh the party leader in ‘most danger’ of losing his seat, pollsters say, as NDP suffers national drop in support

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 31, 2025
  • In an election defined by change, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is at risk of losing his seat as progressive votes drift toward his Liberal
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Liberal Mark Carney, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, whose British Columbia seat is in jeopardy as voters move to Liberals, say pollsters. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Poilievre needs to ‘put some new material in the window’ as polls narrow and Carney gains ground, say strategists

  • Running a campaign focused on Liberals failings and likening Mark Carney to former prime minister Justin Trudeau is 'probably not enough' says Conservative strategist
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2025
Policies to circumvent U.S. threats will be central to the close race between Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, say strategists. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Poilievre needs to ‘put some new material in the window’ as polls narrow and Carney gains ground, say strategists

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2025
  • Running a campaign focused on Liberals failings and likening Mark Carney to former prime minister Justin Trudeau is 'probably not enough' says Conservative strategist

Poilievre needs to ‘put some new material in the window’ as polls narrow and Carney gains ground, say strategists

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2025
  • Running a campaign focused on Liberals failings and likening Mark Carney to former prime minister Justin Trudeau is 'probably not enough' says Conservative strategist
Policies to circumvent U.S. threats will be central to the close race between Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, say strategists. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

‘Canada is cold but Turks on fire’: Turkish Canadians call on Ottawa to condemn the arrest of country’s opposition leader

  • Canada's response to political turmoil in Turkey will be a key factor in shaping the voting decisions for members of diaspora, says a community
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 24, 2025
Turkish Canadians rally on Parliament Hill on March 22 in solidarity with protesters in Istanbul ahead of the arrest of Turkish opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu on March 23. The Hill Times photograph by Irem Koca

‘Canada is cold but Turks on fire’: Turkish Canadians call on Ottawa to condemn the arrest of country’s opposition leader

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 24, 2025
  • Canada's response to political turmoil in Turkey will be a key factor in shaping the voting decisions for members of diaspora, says a community

‘Canada is cold but Turks on fire’: Turkish Canadians call on Ottawa to condemn the arrest of country’s opposition leader

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 24, 2025
  • Canada's response to political turmoil in Turkey will be a key factor in shaping the voting decisions for members of diaspora, says a community
Turkish Canadians rally on Parliament Hill on March 22 in solidarity with protesters in Istanbul ahead of the arrest of Turkish opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu on March 23. The Hill Times photograph by Irem Koca

Cancelling the F-35 deal would be ‘cutting our nose off to spite our face,’ says former senior military official

  • A former chief of the defence staff says 'the ramifications of cancelling the F-35 purchase threatens to hurt Canada more than it would hurt
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 19, 2025
Bill Blair
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair is tasked with reviewing Canada's multibillion-dollar contract to purchase American fighter jets amid Canada-U.S. tensions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Cancelling the F-35 deal would be ‘cutting our nose off to spite our face,’ says former senior military official

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 19, 2025
  • A former chief of the defence staff says 'the ramifications of cancelling the F-35 purchase threatens to hurt Canada more than it would hurt

Cancelling the F-35 deal would be ‘cutting our nose off to spite our face,’ says former senior military official

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 19, 2025
  • A former chief of the defence staff says 'the ramifications of cancelling the F-35 purchase threatens to hurt Canada more than it would hurt
Bill Blair
Defence Minister Bill Blair is tasked with reviewing Canada's multibillion-dollar contract to purchase American fighter jets amid Canada-U.S. tensions. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s pick for top diplomat in Ottawa ‘may be in trouble’ after Senate hearing, says former Canadian diplomat

  • Incoming U.S. envoy Pete Hoekstra will need to restore the trust between the two countries when 'his boss seems quite happy to hit Canada
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2025
Incoming U.S. envoy to Canada Pete Hoekstra tells American Senators “Canada is a sovereign state," while U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada with annexation. Global Entrepreneurship Summit photograph by Valerie Kuypers/Flickr

Trump’s pick for top diplomat in Ottawa ‘may be in trouble’ after Senate hearing, says former Canadian diplomat

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2025
  • Incoming U.S. envoy Pete Hoekstra will need to restore the trust between the two countries when 'his boss seems quite happy to hit Canada

Trump’s pick for top diplomat in Ottawa ‘may be in trouble’ after Senate hearing, says former Canadian diplomat

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2025
  • Incoming U.S. envoy Pete Hoekstra will need to restore the trust between the two countries when 'his boss seems quite happy to hit Canada
Incoming U.S. envoy to Canada Pete Hoekstra tells American Senators “Canada is a sovereign state," while U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten Canada with annexation. Global Entrepreneurship Summit photograph by Valerie Kuypers/Flickr

U.S. pressure ‘lighting a fire’ under Ottawa to get major defence procurement projects moving, says expert, as trade war escalates

  • Amid the tariff tiff with the U.S., 'there’s a sudden realization that...Canada may actually be on its own,' which may be speeding things up,
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2025
Bill Blair
Bill Blair
The Department of National Defence, led by Minister Bill Blair, signed two major contracts in March to purchase a polar icebreaker and destroyers to replace the Navy's aging fleet. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. pressure ‘lighting a fire’ under Ottawa to get major defence procurement projects moving, says expert, as trade war escalates

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2025
  • Amid the tariff tiff with the U.S., 'there’s a sudden realization that...Canada may actually be on its own,' which may be speeding things up,

U.S. pressure ‘lighting a fire’ under Ottawa to get major defence procurement projects moving, says expert, as trade war escalates

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2025
  • Amid the tariff tiff with the U.S., 'there’s a sudden realization that...Canada may actually be on its own,' which may be speeding things up,
Bill Blair
The Department of National Defence, led by Minister Bill Blair, signed two major contracts in March to purchase a polar icebreaker and destroyers to replace the Navy's aging fleet. 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

  • 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
More Stories

ArriveCan contractor admits ‘mistakes,’ faces historic public rebuke in Parliament; RCMP search contractor’s home day before House admonishment

  • After being admonished in the House of Commons on April 17, ArriveCan contractor Kristian Firth confirms the RCMP searched his property, but that it
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
Kristian Firth, managing partner of GC Strategies, pictured April 17, 2024, at the bar in the House of Commons. Firth was admonished by the House Speaker and was forced to answer MPs' questions about his company's government contract for the ArriveCan app. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan contractor admits ‘mistakes,’ faces historic public rebuke in Parliament; RCMP search contractor’s home day before House admonishment

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • After being admonished in the House of Commons on April 17, ArriveCan contractor Kristian Firth confirms the RCMP searched his property, but that it

ArriveCan contractor admits ‘mistakes,’ faces historic public rebuke in Parliament; RCMP search contractor’s home day before House admonishment

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • After being admonished in the House of Commons on April 17, ArriveCan contractor Kristian Firth confirms the RCMP searched his property, but that it
Kristian Firth, managing partner of GC Strategies, pictured April 17, 2024, at the bar in the House of Commons. Firth was admonished by the House Speaker and was forced to answer MPs' questions about his company's government contract for the ArriveCan app. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Procurement watchdog to probe ‘bait and switch’ practices across departments amid ArriveCan revelations

  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's January report found most of the subcontractors pitched to secure a contract with the government on the ArriveCan application did
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic answers questions from MPs at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Procurement watchdog to probe ‘bait and switch’ practices across departments amid ArriveCan revelations

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's January report found most of the subcontractors pitched to secure a contract with the government on the ArriveCan application did

Procurement watchdog to probe ‘bait and switch’ practices across departments amid ArriveCan revelations

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 17, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's January report found most of the subcontractors pitched to secure a contract with the government on the ArriveCan application did
Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic answers questions from MPs at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds changed procurement strategies to favour McKinsey, says procurement watchdog

  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's office reviewed 32 federal contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company, and found there was a lack of documentation 'to demonstrate
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 15, 2024
The federal government coughed up a total of $117-million in contracts to consulting firm McKinsey and Company between 2011 and 2023, according to Office of the Procurement Ombud, headed by Alexander Jeglic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds changed procurement strategies to favour McKinsey, says procurement watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 15, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's office reviewed 32 federal contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company, and found there was a lack of documentation 'to demonstrate

Feds changed procurement strategies to favour McKinsey, says procurement watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 15, 2024
  • Procurement Ombud Alexander Jeglic's office reviewed 32 federal contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company, and found there was a lack of documentation 'to demonstrate
The federal government coughed up a total of $117-million in contracts to consulting firm McKinsey and Company between 2011 and 2023, according to Office of the Procurement Ombud, headed by Alexander Jeglic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds pledge faster and better defence procurement strategy, but experts say it all comes down to execution

  • The April 8 policy update acknowledged that ‘defence procurement takes too long in Canada and needs to be faster and more effective,’ but the
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 10, 2024
Defence Minister Bill Blair was among the members of cabinet who unveiled the government's defence policy update on April 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds pledge faster and better defence procurement strategy, but experts say it all comes down to execution

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 10, 2024
  • The April 8 policy update acknowledged that ‘defence procurement takes too long in Canada and needs to be faster and more effective,’ but the

Feds pledge faster and better defence procurement strategy, but experts say it all comes down to execution

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 10, 2024
  • The April 8 policy update acknowledged that ‘defence procurement takes too long in Canada and needs to be faster and more effective,’ but the
Defence Minister Bill Blair was among the members of cabinet who unveiled the government's defence policy update on April 8. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

CBSA told KPMG to go subcontract through GC Strategies to work on ArriveCan, MPs hear

  • Antonio Utano, a director-general at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, have been suspended without pay
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2024
Hartaj Nijjar, KPMG's partner and national leader for cybersecurity services, left, and Lydia Lee, the firm's partner and national leader for the firm's digital health transformation practice, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on April 4. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

CBSA told KPMG to go subcontract through GC Strategies to work on ArriveCan, MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2024
  • Antonio Utano, a director-general at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, have been suspended without pay

CBSA told KPMG to go subcontract through GC Strategies to work on ArriveCan, MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 4, 2024
  • Antonio Utano, a director-general at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, have been suspended without pay
Hartaj Nijjar, KPMG's partner and national leader for cybersecurity services, left, and Lydia Lee, the firm's partner and national leader for the firm's digital health transformation practice, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on April 4. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

Defence department spent around $1.2-billion on consultants last year

  • "A significant amount of money— is [spent] on professional services related to IT contracts,” Matthews had told the House Public Accounts Committee on March
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 3, 2024
Minister of National Defence Bill Blair speaks at a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 20, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Defence department spent around $1.2-billion on consultants last year

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 3, 2024
  • "A significant amount of money— is [spent] on professional services related to IT contracts,” Matthews had told the House Public Accounts Committee on March

Defence department spent around $1.2-billion on consultants last year

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 3, 2024
  • "A significant amount of money— is [spent] on professional services related to IT contracts,” Matthews had told the House Public Accounts Committee on March
Minister of National Defence Bill Blair speaks at a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 20, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan app provided ‘value for money,’ just not the ‘best value,’ CBSA official tells MPs

  • The maintenance of the existing ArriveCan application costs just under $3-million annually.
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 27, 2024
Jonathan Moor, vice-president of Canada Border Services Agency's comptrollership branch speaking at the Government Operations and Estimates on Mar. 26, 2024. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan app provided ‘value for money,’ just not the ‘best value,’ CBSA official tells MPs

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 27, 2024
  • The maintenance of the existing ArriveCan application costs just under $3-million annually.

ArriveCan app provided ‘value for money,’ just not the ‘best value,’ CBSA official tells MPs

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 27, 2024
  • The maintenance of the existing ArriveCan application costs just under $3-million annually.
Jonathan Moor, vice-president of Canada Border Services Agency's comptrollership branch speaking at the Government Operations and Estimates on Mar. 26, 2024. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Defence contractors are ‘a giant vampire sucking billions of taxpayer dollars’: public service union head

  • Canada spends roughly $5-billion a year on external contracts, which includes contracts for the procurement of planes and ships, according to Bill Matthews, deputy
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2024
Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President, speaks at a press conference in West Block on Feb. 27, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Defence contractors are ‘a giant vampire sucking billions of taxpayer dollars’: public service union head

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2024
  • Canada spends roughly $5-billion a year on external contracts, which includes contracts for the procurement of planes and ships, according to Bill Matthews, deputy

Defence contractors are ‘a giant vampire sucking billions of taxpayer dollars’: public service union head

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 26, 2024
  • Canada spends roughly $5-billion a year on external contracts, which includes contracts for the procurement of planes and ships, according to Bill Matthews, deputy
Jennifer Carr, PIPSC President, speaks at a press conference in West Block on Feb. 27, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan contractor did not disclose conflict of interest, says Anand

  • Auditor General Karen Hogan's review into the ArriveCan app estimated that Dalian—in joint venture with Coradix—was paid $7.9-million for its work. But company founder
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 20, 2024
On March 19, Dalian Enterprises founder David Yeo told MPs on the House Public Accounts Committee he was not in a conflict of interest, despite his firm having contracts for the development of the ArriveCan app when he started a job as a public servant in 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan contractor did not disclose conflict of interest, says Anand

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 20, 2024
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan's review into the ArriveCan app estimated that Dalian—in joint venture with Coradix—was paid $7.9-million for its work. But company founder

ArriveCan contractor did not disclose conflict of interest, says Anand

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 20, 2024
  • Auditor General Karen Hogan's review into the ArriveCan app estimated that Dalian—in joint venture with Coradix—was paid $7.9-million for its work. But company founder
On March 19, Dalian Enterprises founder David Yeo told MPs on the House Public Accounts Committee he was not in a conflict of interest, despite his firm having contracts for the development of the ArriveCan app when he started a job as a public servant in 2023. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

GC Strategies partner deems the auditor general’s findings ‘incorrect’ despite admitting to never having read them or intending to do so

  • Anthony testified that, to his knowledge, his government security clearance remains unaffected, while partner Kristian Firth's was revoked amidst misconduct allegations and scrutiny around
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2024
GC Strategies co-founder Darren Anthony appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of House of Commons

GC Strategies partner deems the auditor general’s findings ‘incorrect’ despite admitting to never having read them or intending to do so

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2024
  • Anthony testified that, to his knowledge, his government security clearance remains unaffected, while partner Kristian Firth's was revoked amidst misconduct allegations and scrutiny around

GC Strategies partner deems the auditor general’s findings ‘incorrect’ despite admitting to never having read them or intending to do so

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 14, 2024
  • Anthony testified that, to his knowledge, his government security clearance remains unaffected, while partner Kristian Firth's was revoked amidst misconduct allegations and scrutiny around
GC Strategies co-founder Darren Anthony appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of House of Commons

Key ArriveCan contractor disputes AG’s findings, says his firm was paid less than $19M for app

  • GC Strategies expressed its 'disagreement' with the auditor general’s estimate it was paid $19.1-million for the ArriveCan build prior to the release of the
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 13, 2024
GC Strategies co-founder Kristian Firth appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 13. His business partner, Darren Anthony, will testify before the same committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Key ArriveCan contractor disputes AG’s findings, says his firm was paid less than $19M for app

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 13, 2024
  • GC Strategies expressed its 'disagreement' with the auditor general’s estimate it was paid $19.1-million for the ArriveCan build prior to the release of the

Key ArriveCan contractor disputes AG’s findings, says his firm was paid less than $19M for app

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 13, 2024
  • GC Strategies expressed its 'disagreement' with the auditor general’s estimate it was paid $19.1-million for the ArriveCan build prior to the release of the
GC Strategies co-founder Kristian Firth appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on March 13. His business partner, Darren Anthony, will testify before the same committee on March 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan: What you need to know before key witnesses’ testimonies

  • Allegations of misconduct, conflict of interest, and a nearly $60-million price tag loom over the three main ArriveCan contractors: GC Strategies, Dalian Enterprises, and
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2024
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan: What you need to know before key witnesses’ testimonies

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2024
  • Allegations of misconduct, conflict of interest, and a nearly $60-million price tag loom over the three main ArriveCan contractors: GC Strategies, Dalian Enterprises, and

ArriveCan: What you need to know before key witnesses’ testimonies

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 12, 2024
  • Allegations of misconduct, conflict of interest, and a nearly $60-million price tag loom over the three main ArriveCan contractors: GC Strategies, Dalian Enterprises, and
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds suspend security status of company at heart of ArriveCan controversy

  • GC Strategies was the primary contractor for the procurement of the ArriveCan app, and received an estimated $19.1-million for its work, which did not involve
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2024
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds suspend security status of company at heart of ArriveCan controversy

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2024
  • GC Strategies was the primary contractor for the procurement of the ArriveCan app, and received an estimated $19.1-million for its work, which did not involve

Feds suspend security status of company at heart of ArriveCan controversy

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 6, 2024
  • GC Strategies was the primary contractor for the procurement of the ArriveCan app, and received an estimated $19.1-million for its work, which did not involve
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos speaks with reporters before the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Oct. 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan fallout gives Liberals a ‘very black eye,’ as public pressure builds on government to resolve mess, say politicos

  • The political repercussions from ArriveCan 'will not play well, and 'will not go away,' according to Aaron Wudrick, who called the issue 'symbolic' of
News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2024
Although politics of this issue are 'inextricably linked' to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government, the real concern from a non-partisan standpoint should be to identify where the weak links are in the government procurement processes and fix them, says Aaron Wudrick. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan fallout gives Liberals a ‘very black eye,’ as public pressure builds on government to resolve mess, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2024
  • The political repercussions from ArriveCan 'will not play well, and 'will not go away,' according to Aaron Wudrick, who called the issue 'symbolic' of

ArriveCan fallout gives Liberals a ‘very black eye,’ as public pressure builds on government to resolve mess, say politicos

News | BY IREM KOCA | March 5, 2024
  • The political repercussions from ArriveCan 'will not play well, and 'will not go away,' according to Aaron Wudrick, who called the issue 'symbolic' of
Although politics of this issue are 'inextricably linked' to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government, the real concern from a non-partisan standpoint should be to identify where the weak links are in the government procurement processes and fix them, says Aaron Wudrick. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Eight years after Phoenix launch, unions demand ‘ongoing damages’ for affected employees as new system still in development

  • Since 2018, $154-million has gone to contractors to develop an alternative pay system, in addition to the billions of dollars spent on Phoenix fixes.
News | BY IREM KOCA, MIKE LAPOINTE | March 4, 2024
Yvon Barrière, regional executive vice-president for Quebec, Public Service Alliance of Canada; left, Chris Aylward, national president of PSAC; Jennifer Carr, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada; and Nathan Prier, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Eight years after Phoenix launch, unions demand ‘ongoing damages’ for affected employees as new system still in development

News | BY IREM KOCA, MIKE LAPOINTE | March 4, 2024
  • Since 2018, $154-million has gone to contractors to develop an alternative pay system, in addition to the billions of dollars spent on Phoenix fixes.

Eight years after Phoenix launch, unions demand ‘ongoing damages’ for affected employees as new system still in development

News | BY IREM KOCA, MIKE LAPOINTE | March 4, 2024
  • Since 2018, $154-million has gone to contractors to develop an alternative pay system, in addition to the billions of dollars spent on Phoenix fixes.
Yvon Barrière, regional executive vice-president for Quebec, Public Service Alliance of Canada; left, Chris Aylward, national president of PSAC; Jennifer Carr, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada; and Nathan Prier, president of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals vote against disclosure of ArriveCan costs as Opposition MPs accuse the government of filibustering

  • 'We want to know: where did the money go? Who got rich? That's we want to see with this documentation… [This motion is] going
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 28, 2024
The ArriveCan controversy dominated question period on February 28, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre exchanged barbs over the government's handling of the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals vote against disclosure of ArriveCan costs as Opposition MPs accuse the government of filibustering

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 28, 2024
  • 'We want to know: where did the money go? Who got rich? That's we want to see with this documentation… [This motion is] going

Liberals vote against disclosure of ArriveCan costs as Opposition MPs accuse the government of filibustering

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 28, 2024
  • 'We want to know: where did the money go? Who got rich? That's we want to see with this documentation… [This motion is] going
The ArriveCan controversy dominated question period on February 28, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre exchanged barbs over the government's handling of the issue. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Former CBSA officials say they are being scapegoated in a ‘coverup’ over ArriveCan

  • 'The reality is this document is nothing more than a collection of baseless accusations, unsupported by any corroborating evidence, accusations of wrongdoing, supported by
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 23, 2024
Antonio Utano, left, and Cameron MacDonald at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting in the West Block on Feb. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Former CBSA officials say they are being scapegoated in a ‘coverup’ over ArriveCan

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 23, 2024
  • 'The reality is this document is nothing more than a collection of baseless accusations, unsupported by any corroborating evidence, accusations of wrongdoing, supported by

Former CBSA officials say they are being scapegoated in a ‘coverup’ over ArriveCan

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 23, 2024
  • 'The reality is this document is nothing more than a collection of baseless accusations, unsupported by any corroborating evidence, accusations of wrongdoing, supported by
Antonio Utano, left, and Cameron MacDonald at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee meeting in the West Block on Feb. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pair of public servants in the middle of ArriveCan allegations appeal to Federal Court to block CBSA review

  • Cameron MacDonald and Antonio Utano will appear at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Feb. 22.
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 21, 2024
Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, left; and Antonio Utano, a director general at the Canada Revenue Agency, asking the Federal Court to throw out an internal CBSA report on the procurement of the ArriveCan application. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

Pair of public servants in the middle of ArriveCan allegations appeal to Federal Court to block CBSA review

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 21, 2024
  • Cameron MacDonald and Antonio Utano will appear at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Feb. 22.

Pair of public servants in the middle of ArriveCan allegations appeal to Federal Court to block CBSA review

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 21, 2024
  • Cameron MacDonald and Antonio Utano will appear at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Feb. 22.
Cameron MacDonald, an assistant deputy minister at Health Canada, left; and Antonio Utano, a director general at the Canada Revenue Agency, asking the Federal Court to throw out an internal CBSA report on the procurement of the ArriveCan application. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVU

Turkish earthquake victims call on the feds to clear a path for immigration, access to health care amid uncertainty a year after disaster

  • Canada's special immigration measures for Turkish earthquake victims provided immediate relief for those fleeing the 2023 disaster, but advocates say ineligibility for benefits like
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 19, 2024
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller makes an announcement about additional supports for asylum claimants in the House of Commons foyer after Question Period on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Turkish earthquake victims call on the feds to clear a path for immigration, access to health care amid uncertainty a year after disaster

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 19, 2024
  • Canada's special immigration measures for Turkish earthquake victims provided immediate relief for those fleeing the 2023 disaster, but advocates say ineligibility for benefits like

Turkish earthquake victims call on the feds to clear a path for immigration, access to health care amid uncertainty a year after disaster

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 19, 2024
  • Canada's special immigration measures for Turkish earthquake victims provided immediate relief for those fleeing the 2023 disaster, but advocates say ineligibility for benefits like
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller makes an announcement about additional supports for asylum claimants in the House of Commons foyer after Question Period on Jan. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs push for Canada’s chief auditor to investigate the firm behind the ArriveCan app

  • The auditor general’s office says it's 'evaluating the request' made by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to poke deeper into the myriad
News | BY IREM KOCA | February 16, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan's Feb. 12 report found 'glaring disregard for basic management and contracting practices' throughout the ArriveCan application's development and implementation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs push for Canada’s chief auditor to investigate the firm behind the ArriveCan app

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 16, 2024
  • The auditor general’s office says it's 'evaluating the request' made by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to poke deeper into the myriad

MPs push for Canada’s chief auditor to investigate the firm behind the ArriveCan app

News | BY IREM KOCA | February 16, 2024
  • The auditor general’s office says it's 'evaluating the request' made by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to poke deeper into the myriad
Auditor General Karen Hogan's Feb. 12 report found 'glaring disregard for basic management and contracting practices' throughout the ArriveCan application's development and implementation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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