Irem Koca

Irem Koca

Lockheed Martin makes no promises on extras for F-35 deal, despite feds push for ‘more’ economic benefits

As Ottawa pushes to get “more” economic benefits from its multibillion-dollar F-35 fighter jets procurement, such as more domestic jobs created, the aircraft’s American manufacturer Lockheed Martin isn’t giving any indication if it’s willing to offer anything “more,” saying opportunities already exist in a global partnership program of which Canada is a member. Prime Minister Mark Carney (Nepean, Ont.) ordered...

Irem Koca

Canadian defence company rejects opposition calls to cancel contract for armoured vehicles used by ICE

Canadian defence manufacturer Roshel says it is not going to cancel the sale of armoured vehicles to the United States government used by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite calls from some opposition MPs to do so. “We never had contracts with ICE. We have contracts with the [U.S.] State Department. We’re not considering, never considered to cancel any of...

Irem Koca

Spending to outsource legal work more than doubled in the last decade as hundreds of internal positions stayed vacant: government data

The federal government’s expenditures on outsourced legal work have more than doubled since 2015, despite hundreds of vacant in-house counsel positions staying open over the last decade, new government data reveals. A Hill Times analysis of data disclosed by the Department of Justice shows that its spending on contracts for legal services from external counsels or “legal agents” increased from...

Irem Koca

Pentagon’s ‘cancellation’ of Canada-U.S. defence board could have ‘ripple effects’ on major procurements, says former co-chair

'It’s a shot across the bow. The U.S. administration has clearly been watching the PM’s moves on defence and has concludes that there’s too much talk and too little action,' says defence expert Christian Leuprecht.

Irem Koca

Feds’ communication over permanent residency plans gave temporary workers ‘false hope,’ says NDP MP Kwan

The federal government’s plans to fast-track permanent residence applications for temporary workers in limbo failed to meet the expectations created by what one opposition MP and immigration experts called “misleading” messaging from the minister. On May 4, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it would fast-track permanent residence applications for up to 33,000 temporary workers already living in...

Irem Koca

Feds refer a contractor to RCMP alleging it fraudulently over-billed the government

The federal government has referred one more individual to the police this month as part of its probe into over-billing by consultants, making this the 10th case of suspected procurement fraud referred to the police for criminal investigation.

Irem Koca

Navy commander, SecState kibosh mixed submarine fleet that experts say would be ‘more complicated’ and ‘inefficient’ to operate

The commander of Canada’s Navy says a mixed submarine fleet would be “more complicated” to operate despite reports that the government is considering splitting the multibillion-dollar contract for 12 new vessels.

Irem Koca

Feds are ‘silencing’ an agent of Parliament by leaving post vacant, says ex-budget watchdog

Canada’s former budget watchdog Yves Giroux says the government’s failure to appoint a new parliamentary budget officer after both his and his interim successor’s terms expired is a “conscious decision” to silence the office and prevent it from holding the government accountable. Jason Jacques’ six-month term as the interim Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) ended on March 2 without Prime Minister...

Irem Koca

Failed asylum-seeker motion shows Conservatives ‘smelled blood in the water’ with minister, immigration as wedge issue, say politicos

Conservatives are capitalizing on the recent drop in public support for immigration, but risk being seen as too MAGA adjacent, say observers. Meanwhile, the immigration minister's own colleagues question her handling of the file.

Irem Koca

Lack of pre-sitting cabinet shuffle doesn’t take it off the table for the winter, say political strategists

Prime Minister Mark Carney may be currently more “focused” on his “ambitious” agenda than an immediate shuffle before Parliament resumes, but a reworking of the cabinet is still very likely to happen later in the winter, say Liberal strategists. The Ottawa bubble was simmering with speculation late last year that Carney (Nepean, Ont.) would shuffle his cabinet either before the...

Irem Koca

Public service job cuts will be ‘minimal’ in procurement and contracting roles, says PSPC

https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/01/23/public-service-job-cuts-will-be-minimal-in-procurement-and-contracting-roles-says-pspc/488839/#:~:text=As%20workforce%20adjustment,government%20spending%20review.

Irem Koca

‘We ask the government not to send us back to the ruins’: Turkish earthquake survivors call on feds to ease path to permanent residency

A group representing Turkish earthquake survivors in Canada is calling on the federal government to launch a “reasonable” path to permanent residency and to ease stringent eligibility criteria as many would be forced to return to their disaster-hit country when their special visas expire this year.

Irem Koca

‘Disgraceful and indefensible’: feds’ failure to release new Defence Industrial Strategy by deadline sparks backlash

'I can’t understand why a government can’t get down to business and operate rigorously,' says Alan Williams, a former assistant deputy minister of materiel at National Defence. The federal government missing its own deadline for the release of its highly anticipated Defence Industrial Strategy can hurt the industry, and signals to other countries that Canada is “inept and incompetent,” says...

Irem Koca

Trade tribunal urges feds to redo multimillion-dollar defence bid after ‘valid’ complaint it favoured U.S. supplier

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is asking the government to change its criteria and reissue a multimillion-dollar bid for military night-vision binoculars after finding that the original terms favoured an American supplier over Canadian and European firms.

Irem Koca

Avoiding ‘expensive failures’: feds risk losing millions in taxpayer dollars if ball dropped on AI procurement, says new report

Governments risk wasting taxpayer dollars and eroding public trust as they rush to buy artificial intelligence, warns a new report, and Canada is not immune to those risks as it moves to adopt AI solutions, say observers. A Nov. 10 report, Buying AI: Tools and Tips for Public Procurement released by Open Contracting Partnership (OCP), a global non-profit based in...

Irem Koca

Budget’s ‘Buy-Canadian’ push signals ‘clear commitment’ in procurement policy direction, but could also complicate the system, say observers

The federal government’s new budget sets a “clear commitment” to the new “Buy Canadian” policy with more than $100-million set aside for implementing the strategy through federal procurement, which observers say could strengthen the economy, but could also add complexity to an already troubled system.

Irem Koca

Feds’ new industrial strategy falls short on ambition, needs clearer objectives for defence procurement, say experts

The government’s new industrial strategy aiming to use defence procurement and the “Buy Canadian” policy to create jobs and attract investment is “predictable” and “bland,” says one expert, arguing Canada needs an ambitious, clearly defined defence industrial plan. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly (Ahuntsic–Cartierville, Que.) unveiled a new three-pillar industrial strategy last week aimed at protecting Canadian industries, creating jobs, and...

Irem Koca

Canada has not spoken to South Koreans about building new submarines at home, says embassy

Canada has not discussed domestic production of its new submarine fleet with the South Korean bidder, one of two shortlisted for the multibillion-dollar contract, says the potential supplier, despite their German competitors signalling “mutual interest” in building future vessels domestically.

Neil Moss, Irem Koca

Canada’s submarine purchase has new ‘sense of urgency’ with possible selection by end of year, says German envoy

With two options on the table to replace Canada’s aging fleet of Victoria-class submarines, Germany’s top diplomat in Canada says that a decision could be made by the end of the year as there is a new “sense of urgency” for the procurement. In August, the federal government narrowed the field of potential submarines to Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)—jointly...

Irem Koca

Delayed F-35 review ‘not slowing anything down,’ says SecState for defence procurement Fuhr

The federal government is not feeling pressure to move fast on an “arbitrary timeline” to conclude the highly-anticipated review of the F-35 fighter jets, says Stephen Fuhr, secretary of state for defence procurement, as the government launches a new agency to expedite military purchases.

Irem Koca

Define ‘Canadian’: questions loom over Carney’s ‘protectionist’ procurement policy push

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new “Buy Canadian” policy promises to steer billions of federal dollars toward domestic suppliers in response to the tariff war with the United States, but procurement experts say departments and industry need clearer rules for interpreting the “protectionist” directive. Carney (Nepean, Ont.) unveiled the new policy on Sept. 5 with the stated aim to ensure Ottawa...

Irem Koca

Critics agree on need for reform, but call Tory bid to scrap temporary foreign worker program ‘ridiculous’ and ‘political’

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has long been criticized for its dramatic growth and for gaps in oversight that leave workers vulnerable to abuse, but its critics have called out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for pushing to scrap the regime entirely, calling it a “political” and “opportunistic” move. Poilievre, the MP-elect for Battle River–Crowfoot, Alta., has called on the Liberal...

Irem Koca

Feds’ digital transformation agenda faces critical risks, Shared Services warns in ministerial briefing

The federal government’s digital transformation efforts face critical challenges due to outdated systems, reliance on a limited number of vendors, increasing IT costs, and uneven commitment from departments, government records show. Briefing material released on Aug. 7 prepared by Shared Services Canada (SSC) for Government Transformation, Public Services, and Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound (Louis-Hébert, Que.) underscores key challenges that could...

Irem Koca

Changes to rules for ‘national security’ contracts bypass competition and raise concerns of potential abuse, say procurement watchers

The federal government has expanded a powerful procurement tool, giving departments greater freedom to bypass competitive procurement rules by citing national security. While some observers say this may help speed up defence procurement, critics say it may do so at the cost of transparency, competition, and government accountability. Last fall, the federal government broadened the application of the National Security...

Irem Koca

Reliance on IT contractors exposes feds to risk of foreign interference, experts say, as RCMP warns against North Korean infiltration

Ottawa’s heavy reliance on IT contractors and weak safeguards around digital identity exposes Canada to fraud, espionage, and foreign interference, say experts, as Canadian security agencies warn against infiltration by hostile state-linked actors. A July 16 advisory issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Public Safety Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, and...

Irem Koca

Feds need to ‘rethink’ industrial benefits policy and refocus on defence capabilities, say former senior officials: it ‘needs to evolve’

The government needs to revamp its industrial policy to prioritize strategic goals and boost the defence industry, say former senior federal officials, as Canada ramps up military spending amid geopolitical tensions. The government’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy “needs to evolve” and reinvest in targeted areas of defence, while becoming less “market-driven,” said Clem Srour, a former deputy director...

Irem Koca

Trade tribunal calls for freeze on multimillion-dollar defence contract after complaints it favours U.S. supplier

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has ordered the government to pause its multimillion-dollar procurement of night-vision binoculars for the military, following a complaint from a Canadian firm that claims the contract’s restrictive criteria favours an American supplier.

Irem Koca

Feds tighten grip on consultant contracts with new procurement rules, $20M cap on time-based work

Public Services and Procurement Canada has rolled out new rules aimed at strengthening oversight of professional services contracts and shifting towards “outcome-based” procurement practices amid years-long criticism over major delays in project delivery, cost overruns, and heavy reliance on external consultants.

Irem Koca

PSPC refers two new procurement fraud cases to RCMP; feds take GC Strategies, subcontractor to court over billing practices

Public Services and Procurement Canada has referred two new cases of suspected procurement fraud to the RCMP for criminal investigation. And in an unrelated case, the federal government is also turning to the courts to claw back funds paid to the contractor best known for its ties to the controversial ArriveCan App.

Irem Koca

New Liberal cabinet’s early stumbles all part of growing pains, say politicos

'There appeared to be a lack of discipline, sloppiness, and we did have some ministers off message, displaying their traditional biases rather than toeing the party line as articulated by the prime minister,' says the Pendulum Group's Yaroslav Baran.

Irem Koca

Less talking, more listening: rookies say grassroots campaigns helped unseat high-profile incumbents

A wave of rookie MPs will take their seats in the House when the 45th Parliament begins this month, and some of those newcomers who unseated long-serving or high-profile incumbents say the key to their success was listening to concerns, and responding to calls for change.

Irem Koca

Poilievre’s ethics pitch more about framing Carney as a ‘corrupt politician’ than attempt at reform, but some ideas are good, say observers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s six-point ethics plan echoes some long-standing calls for stricter rules, but observers say they read less like a blueprint for ethics reform and more like a calculated strike against Liberal Leader Mark Carney ahead of the April 28 election. Poilievre is anchoring his proposed ethics reforms in what he calls “Accountability Act 2.0,” a nod to...

Irem Koca

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

Amid mounting American trade threats and global instability, Prime Minister Mark Carney recycled the Liberal promise of overhauling Canada’s problem-plagued military procurement system through a new centralized agency. That pledge, floated repeatedly over the past two decades, could take root if the next government has “the political imperative” to follow through, but it won’t solve everything, say defence experts...

Irem Koca

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

With the election campaign in full swing, political parties are under pressure to avoid controversy at all costs. But in the digital era, where past posts, videos, or comments can quickly resurface and make headlines, candidates are one engagement away from being sent packing since parties are quick to shed candidates who risk tarnishing their chances of winning, say political...

Irem Koca

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

The Conservatives have been courting what one strategist calls a “politically homeless” faction among unionized workers, with policy pledges and messaging to gain NDP voters as economic anxiety threatens to reshape Canada’s labour landscape.

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 the U.S.'

Irem Koca

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 like a swinging piñata,' says Fen Osler Hampson.

Irem Koca

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, says Adam Lajeunesse.

Irem Koca

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

As trade tensions between Canada and the United States escalate over instituted tariffs, government data reveals that American suppliers have secured more than $3.5-billion in federal contracts since 2023. New data provided to The Hill Times by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) shows that the department awarded 135 contracts and amendments to U.S. suppliers in the 2023-24 fiscal year...

Irem Koca

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 former Ontario deputy premier Dwight Duncan.

Irem Koca

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

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff and annexation threats towards Canada are triggering an unusual nationalistic surge, shifting public sentiment in ways that—if it endures—could define this year’s federal election, say pollsters. Canadians have been rattled over the past month by what The Wall Street Journal has called “the dumbest trade war in history” as Trump announced—then delayed—a 25-per-cent tariff on...

Irem Koca

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

Liberal leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland’s proposed procurement bans against American firms in response to the U.S. president’s tariff threats are “unrealistic” and “populist” attempts to draw attention to her campaign, observers say, noting that while the move helps set her apart from other candidates, such boycotts could further strain bilateral relations.

Irem Koca

‘Big Four’ consultants raked in $240M in federal contracts last year, despite plans to cut spending

Government spending on the largest consulting firms is declining slightly, but taxpayers are still on the hook for the nearly $240-million spent last year for consulting contracts, public data shows. A Hill Times analysis of the federal government’s publicly disclosed data on federal contracting shows that the “Big Four”—Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), KPMG, and Ernst & Young—have collectively secured nearly $240-million...

Irem Koca

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

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says she expects to see support and collaboration from Ottawa to move forward on key issues when Parliament resumes sitting in January. “The Parliament, regardless [of who is in power], needs to make sure that they’re prioritizing things like Bill C-61 [the First Nations Clean Water Act], working on fixing procurement...

Abbas Rana, Irem Koca, Sophall Duch

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, at Monday's national caucus meeting, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ‘absorbed the message’ from MPs that it’s time to move on, a Liberal MP told The Hill Times.

Irem Koca

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

Former employment minister Randy Boissonnault’s resignation has ignited a political firestorm amid allegations his former company claimed Indigenous status to secure federal contracts, sparking outrage from Indigenous advocates and opposition MPs. The debacle further damages the Liberals’ credibility at a time when they already face bleak public opinion polls, say observers.

Irem Koca, Neil Moss

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

One of the two in-service submarine designs being considered as among the faster options to replace the Canadian Navy’s fleet will not be offered to Canada, according to multiple sources. Japan was the only country, except for South Korea, where an in-service design was offered, which would be ready for deployment sooner than others—a requirement considered critical by some defence...

Irem Koca

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

A privilege debate has ground the House to a halt, with the NDP and Bloc Québécois unwilling to hand the Liberals a “get-out-of-jail card” to interrupt what they call a Conservative-led filibuster. But the Thanksgiving break offers a chance for the government to find the necessary “dance partner” to bring the deadlock to an end, say political strategists. The House...

Irem Koca

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

MPs and cabinet ministers say there is “a different tone” to the protests on the Hill recently with “really unpleasant” interactions in which politicians have been chased, heckled, and harassed, triggering “significantly tightened” security measures in the Parliamentary Precinct.

Irem Koca

Feds paid $19.4-million for public opinion research last year, with Public Health Agency and PCO spending the most

Ottawa spent $19.4-million on public opinion research contracts in the last fiscal year, purchasing 155 studies for 36 departments, according to data released this month. The 23rd Annual Report on Government of Canada Public Opinion Research Activities, released on Aug. 7, provides a breakdown of which departments were the biggest spenders when it comes to public opinion research, and which...

Irem Koca

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

The contracting issues found in Global Affairs Canada’s internal audit were a result of “administrative oversight,” and had no indication of “wrongdoing,” according to senior department officials. Shirley Carruthers, assistant deputy minister and chief financial officer at Global Affairs (GAC), testified at the House Government Operations and Estimates committee on May 15. Natalie Lalonde, chief audit executive, and Daniel Pilon...

Irem Koca

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

Deputy ministers at Global Affairs Canada are being called to testify before a parliamentary committee following an internal audit that revealed 26 per cent of the department’s contracts did not comply with the Financial Administration Act.

Irem Koca

Federal procurement already feeling blowback from ArriveCan scandal, say experts

As the ArriveCan scandal unfolds, the ripple effects from the federal government’s cautionary actions are being felt throughout the industry, which experts predict may slow down business. Public Services and Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos (Québec, Que.) and Treasury Board President Anita Anand (Oakville, Ont.) announced new measures on March 20 to strengthen oversight, and prevent misconduct and fraud in federal...

Irem Koca

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

A former Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) official asked KPMG to do cybersecurity work on ArriveCan through GC Strategies, the tiny IT staffing firm that reaped millions of dollars in profits, MPs heard during a committee meeting. KPMG Canada’s Lydia Lee, partner and national leader for the firm’s digital health transformation practice, and Hartaj Nijjar, partner and national leader for...

Irem Koca

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

At the height of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the ArriveCan application was created to regulate border crossings. Now, it is the subject of heated political debates as MPs probe how the app became a nearly $60-million expense, and why a tiny IT staffing company reaped millions of dollars in profits. Two key witnesses, the founders of GC Strategies—the company at...

Irem Koca

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

Amid the regular emergence of new details from a series of investigations into the nearly $60-million procurement of the ArriveCan application, the political impact on the governing Liberals isn’t something that will fade away, say observers. “This story continues to get worse and worse, it’s almost staggering that at this point. [The Liberals] are just sort of throwing themselves at...

Irem Koca

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

Two public servants who were suspended without pay in connection with misconduct allegations in the $59-million ArriveCan procurement say they are being scapegoated in a Canadian Border Services Agency “coverup.” Former Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees Cameron MacDonald and Antonio Utano appeared for the second time at the House Government Operations and Estimates Committee on Feb. 22. MacDonald is...

Irem Koca

ArriveCAN: CBSA’s internal review found evidence supporting allegations of misconduct

The Canada Border Services Agency has found evidence to support some allegations of misconduct in its preliminary review of the federal government’s $54-million procurement of ArriveCan and a formal investigation is underway, says Michel Lafleur, CBSA’s executive director of professional integrity, and the person leading the internal review.

Irem Koca

‘I did it my way’: Senator Dupuis says goodbye to the Red Chamber

Having spent more than 40 years advocating for social justice, Senator Renée Dupuis stepped into the Red Chamber hoping to help transform the institution into something more efficient, equal, and equitable. Now, as she prepares to say goodbye after seven years on Jan. 17, she likes to think she’s helped make a mark.