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Tuesday, April 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.

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 | UPDATED April 5, 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 | UPDATED April 5, 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 | UPDATED April 5, 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

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
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Blaming public service won’t resolve procurement issues, but more resources and oversight needed, says Duclos

  • Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos reflects on a turbulent year in government contracting.
News | BY IREM KOCA | June 20, 2024
Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos reflects on a turbulent year in government contracting in a June 17 interview with The Hill Times. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Blaming public service won’t resolve procurement issues, but more resources and oversight needed, says Duclos

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 20, 2024
  • Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos reflects on a turbulent year in government contracting.

Blaming public service won’t resolve procurement issues, but more resources and oversight needed, says Duclos

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 20, 2024
  • Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos reflects on a turbulent year in government contracting.
Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos reflects on a turbulent year in government contracting in a June 17 interview with The Hill Times. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

MPs pass motion demanding disclosure of green fund records after damning AG report

  • A Conservative motion asks the government and the Auditor General's office to hand over all records relating to Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
News | BY IREM KOCA | June 11, 2024
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the various reviews conducted of the cleantech agency―including the Auditor General's report―have revealed 'serious weaknesses in SDTC's governance, prompting a new delivery approach to government support for the cleantech sector.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs pass motion demanding disclosure of green fund records after damning AG report

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 11, 2024
  • A Conservative motion asks the government and the Auditor General's office to hand over all records relating to Sustainable Development Technology Canada.

MPs pass motion demanding disclosure of green fund records after damning AG report

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 11, 2024
  • A Conservative motion asks the government and the Auditor General's office to hand over all records relating to Sustainable Development Technology Canada.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the various reviews conducted of the cleantech agency―including the Auditor General's report―have revealed 'serious weaknesses in SDTC's governance, prompting a new delivery approach to government support for the cleantech sector.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

RCMP commissioner to testify at parliamentary committee looking into ArriveCan

  • A May 21 House Public Accounts Committee motion ‘firmly’ urged RCMP officials to appear after they declined invitations, citing concerns about jeopardizing the ongoing
News | BY IREM KOCA | June 7, 2024
RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme confirmed in March 2024 the police force is investigating the allegations of misconduct surrounding the ArriveCan application. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

RCMP commissioner to testify at parliamentary committee looking into ArriveCan

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 7, 2024
  • A May 21 House Public Accounts Committee motion ‘firmly’ urged RCMP officials to appear after they declined invitations, citing concerns about jeopardizing the ongoing

RCMP commissioner to testify at parliamentary committee looking into ArriveCan

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 7, 2024
  • A May 21 House Public Accounts Committee motion ‘firmly’ urged RCMP officials to appear after they declined invitations, citing concerns about jeopardizing the ongoing
RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme confirmed in March 2024 the police force is investigating the allegations of misconduct surrounding the ArriveCan application. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Audit finds feds’ McKinsey contracts showed ‘frequent disregard’ for the rules

  • The audit examined $200-million the government spent on McKinsey and Company contracts between 2011 and 2023. It found 'contracting practices often did not demonstrate
News | BY IREM KOCA | June 4, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan's June 4 report looked into 97 professional services contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company between 2011 and 2023 by federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations at a value of $200-million. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Audit finds feds’ McKinsey contracts showed ‘frequent disregard’ for the rules

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 4, 2024
  • The audit examined $200-million the government spent on McKinsey and Company contracts between 2011 and 2023. It found 'contracting practices often did not demonstrate

Audit finds feds’ McKinsey contracts showed ‘frequent disregard’ for the rules

News | BY IREM KOCA | June 4, 2024
  • The audit examined $200-million the government spent on McKinsey and Company contracts between 2011 and 2023. It found 'contracting practices often did not demonstrate
Auditor General Karen Hogan's June 4 report looked into 97 professional services contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company between 2011 and 2023 by federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations at a value of $200-million. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Black-owned businesses need more funding to compete for federal contracts, says founder of new training program

  • The biggest barrier hindering lack businesses from participating in federal procurement is the lack of knowledge among Black suppliers about what the government buys,
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 30, 2024
Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society's Jackee Kasandy says the government is 'doing its best' to assist Black businesses access federal procurement opportunities, but urged Ottawa to take a more proactive stance. Photography courtesy BEBC

Black-owned businesses need more funding to compete for federal contracts, says founder of new training program

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 30, 2024
  • The biggest barrier hindering lack businesses from participating in federal procurement is the lack of knowledge among Black suppliers about what the government buys,

Black-owned businesses need more funding to compete for federal contracts, says founder of new training program

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 30, 2024
  • The biggest barrier hindering lack businesses from participating in federal procurement is the lack of knowledge among Black suppliers about what the government buys,
Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society's Jackee Kasandy says the government is 'doing its best' to assist Black businesses access federal procurement opportunities, but urged Ottawa to take a more proactive stance. Photography courtesy BEBC

‘We want to know what they’re doing’: MPs call on RCMP to testify on ArriveCan investigation at committee

  • ‘We want to know where they are at, and what they're doing, what the scope of their investigation is,’ says Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 24, 2024
RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme confirmed that there is an investigation into the ArriveCan application's controversial procurement process on March 27. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘We want to know what they’re doing’: MPs call on RCMP to testify on ArriveCan investigation at committee

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 24, 2024
  • ‘We want to know where they are at, and what they're doing, what the scope of their investigation is,’ says Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie

‘We want to know what they’re doing’: MPs call on RCMP to testify on ArriveCan investigation at committee

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 24, 2024
  • ‘We want to know where they are at, and what they're doing, what the scope of their investigation is,’ says Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie
RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme confirmed that there is an investigation into the ArriveCan application's controversial procurement process on March 27. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan: MPs summon key public servant for a third time to testify before House Government Operations and Estimates Committee

  • 'He is a piece of the puzzle … Mr. Doan must be held accountable,' said Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie in support of the motion
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 23, 2024
Minh Doan previously told MPs that he made a 'technical policy decision' which led to the awarding of the contract to GC Strategies, but that it was his team who made the decision to hire the firm.  Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

ArriveCan: MPs summon key public servant for a third time to testify before House Government Operations and Estimates Committee

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 23, 2024
  • 'He is a piece of the puzzle … Mr. Doan must be held accountable,' said Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie in support of the motion

ArriveCan: MPs summon key public servant for a third time to testify before House Government Operations and Estimates Committee

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 23, 2024
  • 'He is a piece of the puzzle … Mr. Doan must be held accountable,' said Conservative MP Stephanie Kusie in support of the motion
Minh Doan previously told MPs that he made a 'technical policy decision' which led to the awarding of the contract to GC Strategies, but that it was his team who made the decision to hire the firm.  Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

No support for Conservative push to release safer supply program contracts, feds say the deals are under provincial control

  • Calling the committee motion a 'disruption' attempt, NDP MP Gord Johns says the Conservatives know 'full well that this motion, the way they presented
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 23, 2024
Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives 'are fundraising and trying to score cheap political points out of people's misery,' says Guillaume Bertrand, press secretary for Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No support for Conservative push to release safer supply program contracts, feds say the deals are under provincial control

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 23, 2024
  • Calling the committee motion a 'disruption' attempt, NDP MP Gord Johns says the Conservatives know 'full well that this motion, the way they presented

No support for Conservative push to release safer supply program contracts, feds say the deals are under provincial control

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 23, 2024
  • Calling the committee motion a 'disruption' attempt, NDP MP Gord Johns says the Conservatives know 'full well that this motion, the way they presented
Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives 'are fundraising and trying to score cheap political points out of people's misery,' says Guillaume Bertrand, press secretary for Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Unfortunate errors’ in Global Affairs contracts were ‘administrative oversight,’ MPs hear

  • 'There's nothing in here that signals any kind of wrongdoing, misuse of funds … nothing to actually indicate that we weren't able to provide
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 16, 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by a parliamentary committee to testify on the findings of a Global Affairs Canada internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Unfortunate errors’ in Global Affairs contracts were ‘administrative oversight,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 16, 2024
  • 'There's nothing in here that signals any kind of wrongdoing, misuse of funds … nothing to actually indicate that we weren't able to provide

‘Unfortunate errors’ in Global Affairs contracts were ‘administrative oversight,’ MPs hear

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 16, 2024
  • 'There's nothing in here that signals any kind of wrongdoing, misuse of funds … nothing to actually indicate that we weren't able to provide
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by a parliamentary committee to testify on the findings of a Global Affairs Canada internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘I made an error in judgment,’ CBSA official says of dining with ArriveCan contractors 

  • 'People that admit openly that they've breached the basic code of conduct as civil servants are now being promoted,' said Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 14, 2024
Chulaka Ailapperuma, an acting director at the CBSA, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on May 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

‘I made an error in judgment,’ CBSA official says of dining with ArriveCan contractors 

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 14, 2024
  • 'People that admit openly that they've breached the basic code of conduct as civil servants are now being promoted,' said Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie

‘I made an error in judgment,’ CBSA official says of dining with ArriveCan contractors 

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 14, 2024
  • 'People that admit openly that they've breached the basic code of conduct as civil servants are now being promoted,' said Bloc Québécois MP Nathalie
Chulaka Ailapperuma, an acting director at the CBSA, testified before the House Public Accounts Committee on May 14. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Feds ‘slow’ to act on green procurement, says environment watchdog

  • Departments 'did not use their public infrastructure procurement and financing capacity effectively to prioritize the use of construction materials with a lower carbon footprint,'
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 13, 2024
'Billions of dollars worth of public infrastructure has been and will continue to be built in upcoming years, where the carbon content will be higher than what would otherwise have been the case had earlier actions been taken,' Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner Jerry DeMarco says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds ‘slow’ to act on green procurement, says environment watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 13, 2024
  • Departments 'did not use their public infrastructure procurement and financing capacity effectively to prioritize the use of construction materials with a lower carbon footprint,'

Feds ‘slow’ to act on green procurement, says environment watchdog

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 13, 2024
  • Departments 'did not use their public infrastructure procurement and financing capacity effectively to prioritize the use of construction materials with a lower carbon footprint,'
'Billions of dollars worth of public infrastructure has been and will continue to be built in upcoming years, where the carbon content will be higher than what would otherwise have been the case had earlier actions been taken,' Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner Jerry DeMarco says. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs to probe Global Affairs contracts after internal audit finds one-quarter broke the rules

  • The department signed more than 8,000 consulting service contracts totaling $567-million in the last five fiscal years to support the delivery of its programs,
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 7, 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to testify on the findings of an internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MPs to probe Global Affairs contracts after internal audit finds one-quarter broke the rules

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 7, 2024
  • The department signed more than 8,000 consulting service contracts totaling $567-million in the last five fiscal years to support the delivery of its programs,

MPs to probe Global Affairs contracts after internal audit finds one-quarter broke the rules

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 7, 2024
  • The department signed more than 8,000 consulting service contracts totaling $567-million in the last five fiscal years to support the delivery of its programs,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly might be invited by the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee to testify on the findings of an internal audit on government contracting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

PSPC deputy minister challenges the procurement watchdog’s ‘favouritism’ findings in McKinsey contracts

  • 'I do not accept the findings … I do not accept that there is favouritism for McKinsey in the current system, based on
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 3, 2024
PSPC deputy minister Arianne Reza testifies at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee about contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company on May 1. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

PSPC deputy minister challenges the procurement watchdog’s ‘favouritism’ findings in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 3, 2024
  • 'I do not accept the findings … I do not accept that there is favouritism for McKinsey in the current system, based on

PSPC deputy minister challenges the procurement watchdog’s ‘favouritism’ findings in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 3, 2024
  • 'I do not accept the findings … I do not accept that there is favouritism for McKinsey in the current system, based on
PSPC deputy minister Arianne Reza testifies at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee about contracts awarded to McKinsey and Company on May 1. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Federal procurement already feeling blowback from ArriveCan scandal, say experts

  • As the government grapples with the repercussions of the ArriveCan debacle, industry experts say over-scrutiny in the process will likely slow down business.
News | BY IREM KOCA | May 2, 2024
On March 20, Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced new measures to prevent misconduct in federal procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Federal procurement already feeling blowback from ArriveCan scandal, say experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 2, 2024
  • As the government grapples with the repercussions of the ArriveCan debacle, industry experts say over-scrutiny in the process will likely slow down business.

Federal procurement already feeling blowback from ArriveCan scandal, say experts

News | BY IREM KOCA | May 2, 2024
  • As the government grapples with the repercussions of the ArriveCan debacle, industry experts say over-scrutiny in the process will likely slow down business.
On March 20, Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced new measures to prevent misconduct in federal procurement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘Under-the-surface favouritism’: Procurement watchdog finds no evidence of political meddling in McKinsey contracts

  • 'If we were to see something that would give rise to a suspicion of criminality, we would refer that to the RCMP,' says Procurement
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 30, 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

‘Under-the-surface favouritism’: Procurement watchdog finds no evidence of political meddling in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 30, 2024
  • 'If we were to see something that would give rise to a suspicion of criminality, we would refer that to the RCMP,' says Procurement

‘Under-the-surface favouritism’: Procurement watchdog finds no evidence of political meddling in McKinsey contracts

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 30, 2024
  • 'If we were to see something that would give rise to a suspicion of criminality, we would refer that to the RCMP,' says Procurement
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

What’s in the budget for federal procurement? More money for housing, less for long-term projects

  • Key highlights of the budget concerning procurement include 'strengthening integrity in the public service,' as the ArriveCan scandal unfolds.
News | BY IREM KOCA | April 25, 2024
Budget 2024 gives Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos' department $500-million over five years to launch a new Public Lands Acquisition Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What’s in the budget for federal procurement? More money for housing, less for long-term projects

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 25, 2024
  • Key highlights of the budget concerning procurement include 'strengthening integrity in the public service,' as the ArriveCan scandal unfolds.

What’s in the budget for federal procurement? More money for housing, less for long-term projects

News | BY IREM KOCA | April 25, 2024
  • Key highlights of the budget concerning procurement include 'strengthening integrity in the public service,' as the ArriveCan scandal unfolds.
Budget 2024 gives Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos' department $500-million over five years to launch a new Public Lands Acquisition Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

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