Sunday, November 2, 2025

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Public Service

News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 31, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne indicated job losses are coming in the federal public service, saying its ranks have grown unsustainably since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 31, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 31, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne indicated job losses are coming in the federal public service, saying its ranks have grown unsustainably since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 30, 2025
Rechie Valdez
The upcoming budget will give Women and Gender Equality Minister Rechie Valdez’s department $660.5-million over five years after advocates feared for significant cutbacks to WAGE’s work. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 30, 2025
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN | October 30, 2025
Rechie Valdez
The upcoming budget will give Women and Gender Equality Minister Rechie Valdez’s department $660.5-million over five years after advocates feared for significant cutbacks to WAGE’s work. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 29, 2025
Alex Benay,
Public Services and Procurement Associate Deputy Minister Alex Benay said while the Phoenix Pay system is not always perfect, but currently, pay errors are stemming from human errors among management within the public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 29, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 29, 2025
Alex Benay,
Public Services and Procurement Associate Deputy Minister Alex Benay said while the Phoenix Pay system is not always perfect, but currently, pay errors are stemming from human errors among management within the public service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 21, 2025
Departments were expected to implement the September 2024 return-to-office directive from the Treasury Board, now led by President Shafqat Ali, but monitoring has largely been done on an ad-hoc basis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 21, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 21, 2025
Departments were expected to implement the September 2024 return-to-office directive from the Treasury Board, now led by President Shafqat Ali, but monitoring has largely been done on an ad-hoc basis. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 20, 2025
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says pending budget cuts to the RCMP won’t impact the recently-announced hiring initiative that aims to add 1,000 new officers to the Mounties’ ranks. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 20, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 20, 2025
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says pending budget cuts to the RCMP won’t impact the recently-announced hiring initiative that aims to add 1,000 new officers to the Mounties’ ranks. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 16, 2025
A recent poll of 90 freelance interpreters found that 50 per cent were unlikely to bid on contracts if the 'lowest price' requirement goes into effect, while 79 per cent were unlikely to bid on contracts paid at an hourly rate as opposed to daily. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 16, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 16, 2025
A recent poll of 90 freelance interpreters found that 50 per cent were unlikely to bid on contracts if the 'lowest price' requirement goes into effect, while 79 per cent were unlikely to bid on contracts paid at an hourly rate as opposed to daily. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 2, 2025
Officials from Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Auditor General's office appeared before the House Public Accounts Committee on Oct. 2. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 2, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | October 2, 2025
Officials from Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and the Auditor General's office appeared before the House Public Accounts Committee on Oct. 2. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 29, 2025
Conservative MPs John Williamson, left, and Gérard Deltell arrive for the House Public Accounts Committee on Sept. 23. The committee, chaired by Williamson, met in camera twice during the first two weeks of Parliament's return. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 29, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 29, 2025
Conservative MPs John Williamson, left, and Gérard Deltell arrive for the House Public Accounts Committee on Sept. 23. The committee, chaired by Williamson, met in camera twice during the first two weeks of Parliament's return. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 27, 2025
AI Minister Evan Solomon says 'we need to use' the data storage infrastructure of U.S.-based tech giants in some cases. But, the majority of public servants surveyed this summer by KMPG in Canada say citizens’ data must be stored in the country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 27, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 27, 2025
AI Minister Evan Solomon says 'we need to use' the data storage infrastructure of U.S.-based tech giants in some cases. But, the majority of public servants surveyed this summer by KMPG in Canada say citizens’ data must be stored in the country. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 25, 2025
Evan Solomon
Canada’s top data bureaucrat says artificial intelligence in the public service will soon be published in a searchable database, as AI Minister Evan Solomon teased the government is planning to introduce privacy and data legislation again, after two failed attempts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 25, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 25, 2025
Evan Solomon
Canada’s top data bureaucrat says artificial intelligence in the public service will soon be published in a searchable database, as AI Minister Evan Solomon teased the government is planning to introduce privacy and data legislation again, after two failed attempts. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 22, 2025
The Treasury Board Secretariat, led by Shafqat Ali, is expected to provide a pay equity plan for civil servants by August 2027, three years after the Pay Equity Act initial deadline. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 22, 2025
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 22, 2025
The Treasury Board Secretariat, led by Shafqat Ali, is expected to provide a pay equity plan for civil servants by August 2027, three years after the Pay Equity Act initial deadline. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
The impact of Prime Minister Mark Carney's spending review to slash 15 per cent over three years may not be felt by the bureacuracy for months, or even years, as the massive, slow-moving public service takes its time to correct and adjust. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
The impact of Prime Minister Mark Carney's spending review to slash 15 per cent over three years may not be felt by the bureacuracy for months, or even years, as the massive, slow-moving public service takes its time to correct and adjust. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
List | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
Michael Sabia is heading the public service after taking on the post of clerk of the Privy Council Office on July 7. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
List | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
List | BY MARLO GLASS | September 15, 2025
Michael Sabia is heading the public service after taking on the post of clerk of the Privy Council Office on July 7. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 11, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Sick days were significantly lower in the 2020-21 fiscal year, according to data from the Treasury Board Secretariat, when federal staff were largely working from home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 11, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 11, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Sick days were significantly lower in the 2020-21 fiscal year, according to data from the Treasury Board Secretariat, when federal staff were largely working from home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | September 8, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney's accelerated spending review carries the risk his cabinet 'may not see all the political landmines that could be waiting for them,' says Chrétien-era Liberal minister Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | September 8, 2025
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | September 8, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney's accelerated spending review carries the risk his cabinet 'may not see all the political landmines that could be waiting for them,' says Chrétien-era Liberal minister Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 8, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board Minister Shafqat Ali said the red-tape review intends to remove outdated regulation, reduce duplication with provincial rules, and making it easier to access and deliver services. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 8, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 8, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board Minister Shafqat Ali said the red-tape review intends to remove outdated regulation, reduce duplication with provincial rules, and making it easier to access and deliver services. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MATT GURNEY | September 8, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced that the Canada Revenue Agency has 100 days to improve its service quality. Matt Gurney writes that improving customer-service problems should be 'high on the list of the absolute simplest' issues to address. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MATT GURNEY | September 8, 2025
Opinion | BY MATT GURNEY | September 8, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced that the Canada Revenue Agency has 100 days to improve its service quality. Matt Gurney writes that improving customer-service problems should be 'high on the list of the absolute simplest' issues to address. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | September 8, 2025
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is promising to fix the CRA's long-established service problems. A more efficient CRA could provide the assistance that Canadians deserve from the agency, and make it easier for the government to collect money.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | September 8, 2025
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | September 8, 2025
François-Philippe Champagne
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is promising to fix the CRA's long-established service problems. A more efficient CRA could provide the assistance that Canadians deserve from the agency, and make it easier for the government to collect money.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 5, 2025
Then-deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo, left, and then-chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam at a press conference in 2020. The union representing some staff affected by job cuts warns they will 'pile even more pressure' on a health-care system under strain. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 5, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 5, 2025
Then-deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo, left, and then-chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam at a press conference in 2020. The union representing some staff affected by job cuts warns they will 'pile even more pressure' on a health-care system under strain. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 3, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called for the Canada Revenue Agency to 'implement' a 100-day plan to reduce 'unacceptable' delays and strengthen services. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 3, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 3, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne called for the Canada Revenue Agency to 'implement' a 100-day plan to reduce 'unacceptable' delays and strengthen services. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney's 28-minister cabinet will also be facing budget cuts as part of the government's fiscal review, which calls for departments to cut spending by 15 per cent over three years. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | September 1, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney's 28-minister cabinet will also be facing budget cuts as part of the government's fiscal review, which calls for departments to cut spending by 15 per cent over three years. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 1, 2025
Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Sharon DeSousa at a September 2024 rally. It’s impossible to have fair negotiations when employers can count on government interference to let them off the hook, writes DeSousa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 1, 2025
Opinion | BY SHARON DESOUSA | September 1, 2025
Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Sharon DeSousa at a September 2024 rally. It’s impossible to have fair negotiations when employers can count on government interference to let them off the hook, writes DeSousa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Major Projects Office, which will oversee national interest projects, launched on Aug. 29 and will be headed by former Trans Mountain Corporation CEO Dawn Farrell. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 30, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | August 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Major Projects Office, which will oversee national interest projects, launched on Aug. 29 and will be headed by former Trans Mountain Corporation CEO Dawn Farrell. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | August 28, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali. Targets set for the future that are based on outdated data, sets the public service for failure, year after year, writes Waheed Khan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | August 28, 2025
Opinion | BY WAHEED KHAN | August 28, 2025
Liberal MP Shafqat Ali
Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali. Targets set for the future that are based on outdated data, sets the public service for failure, year after year, writes Waheed Khan. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 26, 2025
Evan Solomon
AI Minister Evan Solomon. A think tank report on AI in the public service says 74 per cent of federal, provincial, and municipal workers in the sector have jobs that are likely to interact with the technology, compared to 56 per cent within Canada’s overall labour force. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 26, 2025
News | BY MARLO GLASS | August 26, 2025
Evan Solomon
AI Minister Evan Solomon. A think tank report on AI in the public service says 74 per cent of federal, provincial, and municipal workers in the sector have jobs that are likely to interact with the technology, compared to 56 per cent within Canada’s overall labour force. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW | August 25, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland oversees the department, which is forecasting the number of full-time staff will drop to 5,808 in 2027-28, with up to $1.3-billion in cuts to the budget. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW | August 25, 2025
News | BY RIDDHI KACHHELA, PETER MAZEREEUW | August 25, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Transport and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland oversees the department, which is forecasting the number of full-time staff will drop to 5,808 in 2027-28, with up to $1.3-billion in cuts to the budget. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
Former chief statistician Munir Sheikh has penned his second novel entitled, '2047: The Story of an American Revolution'. He spoke to The Hill Times about the book, and why he stepped away from his role as Canada's chief statistician in 2010. Photograph courtesy of Munir Sheikh
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 24, 2025
Former chief statistician Munir Sheikh has penned his second novel entitled, '2047: The Story of an American Revolution'. He spoke to The Hill Times about the book, and why he stepped away from his role as Canada's chief statistician in 2010. Photograph courtesy of Munir Sheikh
Opinion | BY ALEX SILAS | February 27, 2023
Members of Public Service Alliance of Canada locals hold a demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s Office on Feb. 24, 2023. At a fundamental level, the return-to-office mandate is a violation of our right to collectively bargain and a decision that will endanger the services we all depend on, writes Alex Silas. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY ALEX SILAS | February 27, 2023
Opinion | BY ALEX SILAS | February 27, 2023
Members of Public Service Alliance of Canada locals hold a demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s Office on Feb. 24, 2023. At a fundamental level, the return-to-office mandate is a violation of our right to collectively bargain and a decision that will endanger the services we all depend on, writes Alex Silas. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY MIKE LAPOINTE, JONAH GRIGNON | February 24, 2023
Rose Tran, owner of Red Pepper Thai-Viet II on Queen Street, says the restaurant hasn’t seen a full house since before the pandemic. At lunchtime, even with the return of public servants to the workplace two to three days a week, there’s a 'maximum of 20 people, if you’re lucky,' she said. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY MIKE LAPOINTE, JONAH GRIGNON | February 24, 2023
FeatureBY MIKE LAPOINTE, JONAH GRIGNON | February 24, 2023
Rose Tran, owner of Red Pepper Thai-Viet II on Queen Street, says the restaurant hasn’t seen a full house since before the pandemic. At lunchtime, even with the return of public servants to the workplace two to three days a week, there’s a 'maximum of 20 people, if you’re lucky,' she said. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | February 15, 2023
After recognizing the UN International Decade for People of African Descent in 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government still has 'a lot to do' to ensure the decade is 'just the beginning' and that Canada’s recognition of the rights and contributions of Black Canadians continues to improve and grow, says Sen. Rosemary Moodie. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY STUART BENSON | February 15, 2023
News | BY STUART BENSON | February 15, 2023
After recognizing the UN International Decade for People of African Descent in 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government still has 'a lot to do' to ensure the decade is 'just the beginning' and that Canada’s recognition of the rights and contributions of Black Canadians continues to improve and grow, says Sen. Rosemary Moodie. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 13, 2023
Treasury Board President Mona Fortier. The government is currently negotiating with 26 out of 28 bargaining tables across the public service, negotiations which are 'happening completely outside of the strategic review process,' according to the government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 13, 2023
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 13, 2023
Treasury Board President Mona Fortier. The government is currently negotiating with 26 out of 28 bargaining tables across the public service, negotiations which are 'happening completely outside of the strategic review process,' according to the government. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | February 13, 2023
The Department of National Defence building, pictured in Ottawa. Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel at DND, says he is concerned about DND's 'out-of-control' program spending. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | February 13, 2023
Opinion | February 13, 2023
The Department of National Defence building, pictured in Ottawa. Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel at DND, says he is concerned about DND's 'out-of-control' program spending. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 10, 2023
Union of Taxation Employees president Marc Brière, left, and National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier. Brière says 'our team saw no point in continuing a discussion when the employer would not discuss our main priorities.' Photograph courtesy of the Union of Taxation Employees, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 10, 2023
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 10, 2023
Union of Taxation Employees president Marc Brière, left, and National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier. Brière says 'our team saw no point in continuing a discussion when the employer would not discuss our main priorities.' Photograph courtesy of the Union of Taxation Employees, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY CHELSEA NASH | February 6, 2023
Dominic Barton, former global managing director of McKinsey and Company, stressed to a committee on Feb. 1 that he did not have a personal relationship or friendship with Justin Trudeau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY CHELSEA NASH | February 6, 2023
News | BY CHELSEA NASH | February 6, 2023
Dominic Barton, former global managing director of McKinsey and Company, stressed to a committee on Feb. 1 that he did not have a personal relationship or friendship with Justin Trudeau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 6, 2023
Former Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick, left, Clerk of the Privy Council Janice Charette, and Treasury Board President Mona Fortier. The Treasury Board has mandated that federal employees must return to the workplace two to three days a week. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 6, 2023
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | February 6, 2023
Former Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick, left, Clerk of the Privy Council Janice Charette, and Treasury Board President Mona Fortier. The Treasury Board has mandated that federal employees must return to the workplace two to three days a week. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | February 6, 2023
Dominic Barton appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Wed. Feb. 1 to testify about his relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while he was an executive at McKinsey & Company. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | February 6, 2023
Opinion | BY EDITORIAL | February 6, 2023
Dominic Barton appeared before the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Wed. Feb. 1 to testify about his relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while he was an executive at McKinsey & Company. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | January 30, 2023
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Helena Jaczek, left, and Treasury Board President Mona Fortier. PSPC's office space services public servants from 103 departments and agencies, according to department spokesperson Jeremy Link. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | January 30, 2023
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | January 30, 2023
Minister of Public Services and Procurement Helena Jaczek, left, and Treasury Board President Mona Fortier. PSPC's office space services public servants from 103 departments and agencies, according to department spokesperson Jeremy Link. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade