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Heard On The Hill

Press gallery to ‘mug’ six former members on May 29

Plus: Former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains launches his bid to lead the Ontario Liberal party, PMO staffer Laura Scaffidi says working for her dad has influenced her job today, and retired envoy and Ice War Diplomat author Gary J. Smith has died.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 27, 2026

The New York Times gets interested in Canada

Plus: Parliamentarians pay tribute on June 1 to former colleagues who died last year, the Mole Mobile is offering skin cancer screenings on the Hill later this week, and politicians are gripped with hockey fever as Canadian teams reach the top of their leagues.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 25, 2026
New York Times building

Minister Michel, MPs Fergus and Auguste to take lead roles in Pearson Centre’s laureate dinner

Also, the University of Calgary launches scholarships in honour of Stephen Harper, the National Military Cemetery honours Inuit traditions, and a lawyer from Ireland will show how to boost civic engagement.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 20, 2026

New books out on women public service leaders, far-right extremism in Canada, and the game of chess

Plus: Over 100 students play Senator for three days in the Model Senate, ex-Liberal MP Rémi Masse joins Sandstone Group, and New York Times’ Jane Bradley looks for tips ahead of her move to Toronto.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 18, 2026

Former Bloc MP Alain Therrien running for PQ in CAQ Premier Frechette’s current provincial riding

Plus: Annual Flora’s Walk puts perinatal mental health in focus, Bloomberg’s Laura Dhillon Kane is moving to Toronto, and Charlie Feldman’s new book is a ‘love letter to Parliament.’

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 13, 2026
Alain Therrien and Christine Fréchette

Ex-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at May 20 Munk Debate: ‘Don’t go hunting monsters’

Also, Azam Ishmael will join the Canadian Medical Association in June, new Calgary-based PR team Signal Hill team has lots of political experience, and Amy Lea’s latest adult romance novel set in Ottawa features prime-minister adjacent protagonists.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 11, 2026

Cutest Pets on the Hill finalists include 30 dogs and cats, two horses, a gecko, and new ‘best dressed’ category

Plus: The Globe and Mail is looking for Bob Fife’s successor, a new biography of Malak Karsh to launch at the Tulip Festival opening this weekend, and Margaret Atwood to headline the Canada-Ukraine Foundation gala on May 29.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 6, 2026
Cutest Pets 2026

More than 37-dozen red carnations to be shared on the Hill for MS awareness on May 6

Plus: Former premier Frank McKenna makes a $20-million donation over 10 years to his alma mater St. Francis Xavier University, Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson (finally) gets appointed as Canada’s envoy to Europe, and Xav Trudeau will perform at the Ottawa BlackJacks home opener next week.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | May 4, 2026

Liberal matriarchs Heather Peterson, Cathy Graham lend experienced hands to next generation of politicians

Plus: The Hill Times team placed first in six categories in the Ontario Community Newspaper Awards, and Eric Walsh has been tapped to be our new envoy to Brazil.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 29, 2026

Omer Aziz leaves PMO to focus on new book about fascism, Stephen King says the book ‘should be an alarm bell announcing that the American house is on fire’

Also: Minister LeBlanc and his Mexican counterpart will speak in Montreal next month, ex-Power Play host Don Martin shares good news about his health, and polling shows U.S. President Trump’s popularity is taking a hit.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 27, 2026
Omer Aziz

‘It’s not a tell-all, and not a takedown’: Elise Maiolino, ex-Trudeau adviser, has written a memoir

Also: Martha Wainwright and Mark Carney are each other’s biggest fans, former Liberal minister Navdeep Bains to exit Rogers next month, and the Latin American Film Festival opens this weekend in Ottawa.

Heard On The Hill | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 22, 2026
Elise Maiolino

Two ex-public servants, two columnists, a pollster, a professor, and a First Nation hereditary chief’s books shortlisted for the Donner Prize

Plus: the Cutest Pets on the Hill contest closes April 23, Sons of Scotland pipe band will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, and U.S. Democratic influencer Isaiah Martin calls Mark Carney ‘a beast!!!’

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 20, 2026

Poilievre ‘can do a Turkish get-up with a 70 pound kettlebell,’ says personal trainer Tony Greco

Also, a Toronto parkette is named after Carolyn Bennett, Iceland’s former first lady to launch her memoir in Ottawa next week, and ex-premier Jason Kenney will join Liberal MP Corey Hogan at an event in Calgary on May 11.

Heard On The Hill | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 15, 2026
Poilievre and Tony Greco kettlebell

Barack Obama to speak at Canada 2020 gala in Toronto on May 8

Plus: The Conservative Party launches three new ads, Ottawa’s ex-police chief Peter Sloly looks back on the 2022 occupation, and former Conservative MP Monte Solberg cautions separatist-curious Albertans not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Heard On The Hill | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 13, 2026

John Delacourt’s ‘distinctly Canadian’ novel inspired by real-life spy romance

Also, four premiers will try to agree at the upcoming Future of Business Summit, the Parliamentary Basketball tournament returns after a year’s hiatus, and ex-ambassador Kirsten Hillman has a new job in academia.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 8, 2026

CPAC producer Thomas Clyde aims for all-star swing dancer status

Also, the House of Commons is searching for a new executive chef, former PM Joe Clark will take part in a book launch in Toronto later this month, and Joni Mitchell calls Prime Minister Mark Carney ‘a blessing’ at the JUNO awards.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 6, 2026
CPAC producer Thomas Clyde swing dancing

Singh, Wynne, and Brodie to face off in debate on civility in politics in May

Plus: Stephen Lewis, father of new NDP Leader Avi Lewis, has died; ex-senator André Pratte resumes senior role with Quebec Liberals; and politicians react to Air Canada CEO’s departure.

Heard On The Hill | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | April 1, 2026

Poilievre continues his charm offensive tour with a speech at the Canadian Club of Toronto on April 16

Also, Senator Hay and Minister Solomon launch a series of discussions for parliamentarians on AI, hundreds show up for reporter-turned-political adviser Elly Alboim’s memorial, and a ‘Freedom Convoy’ inspired play debuts in Ottawa next month.

Heard On The Hill | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 30, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre

Queen Elizabeth statue to ride again on Parliament Hill

Plus, TVO stalwart Steve Paikin will get a new academic-adjacent role, John Fraser has a new book coming out about governors general, and the Parliamentary Press Gallery has elected a new board of directors.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 25, 2026

Books on oil, book banning, and women’s rights among Shaughnessy Cohen prize shortlist

Plus: Hugh Winsor is remembered as a ‘legendary journalist,’ PMO media advance Terry Guillon is retiring, and the Carneys go for a run in London with the president of Finland.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 23, 2026
Shaughnessy Cohen shortlist 2026

Take a gander: Senate displays new royal art 

Plus: Some Quebec Conservatives are sour on an Ontario MP’s petition to give Don Cherry the Order of Canada, APTN’s Tom Fennario receives this year’s Travers Fellowship, and Globe and Mail bureau chief Bob Fife wins another prize.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 18, 2026

Carney trusts Hairfellas’ barber Carlos with his cut

Plus: Conservatives announce candidates in three April byelections, ex-B.C. premier Christy Clark is starting a podcast, and new book ‘The Impolite Canadian’ is coming out in June.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 16, 2026
Mark Carney haircut by Carlos at Hairfellas

Boris Proulx acclaimed as press gallery’s new president

Also, a play based on the Rogers’ family feud comes to Ottawa this fall, Adam Dodek talks about his new book on March 18, and Ira Wells is this year’s Freedom to Read laureate.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 11, 2026
Boris Proulx

Five takeaways from Pierre Poilievre’s interview with Peter Mansbridge

Plus: The U.S. ambassador wants an apology from The Globe and Mail, Graham Richardson is returning to journalism to lead CTV’s Hill bureau, and David Frum will speak in Ottawa next month.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 9, 2026
Pierre Poilievre and Peter Mansbridge

‘Reconnecting with an old friend’: Library of Parliament building marks 150 years with special tours

Plus: Senate and House Speakers are each leading missions abroad, two ex-staffers want to shift thinking about women’s authority, and events are ramping up to mark David Suzuki’s 90th birthday this spring.

feature | BY CHRISTINA LEADLAY | March 4, 2026