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Abbas Rana

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Abbas Rana.

With Trudeau reflecting on his future, some senior cabinet ministers, including national campaign co-chair Ferrada, said to be exploring other options, say Liberal sources

With Trudeau reflecting on his future, some senior cabinet ministers, including national campaign co-chair Ferrada, said to be exploring other options, say Liberal sources

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is consulting his most trusted political aides about his future, say some Liberal sources. Following Chrystia...

  • 2024-12-18
  • — Hill Times
‘He’s in big trouble,’ and after Monday evening’s emergency caucus meeting, all eyes are on Trudeau’s next move, say some Liberal MPs

‘He’s in big trouble,’ and after Monday evening’s emergency caucus meeting, all eyes are on Trudeau’s next move, say some Liberal MPs

Following Monday evening’s emergency national caucus meeting where Liberal MPs expressed their concerns about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership and...

  • 2024-12-18
  • — Hill Times
PM Trudeau appears to have reached a decision about his future, but he’s not yet prepared to announce it, say some Liberal MPs

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’...

  • 2024-12-17
  • — Hill Times
PMO considers reviving Canada-U.S. relations war room, says a senior government source

PMO considers reviving Canada-U.S. relations war room, says a senior government source

Some PMO officials working on Canada-U.S. file include chief of staff Katie Telford, deputy chief of staff Brian Clow, senior...

  • 2024-12-16
  • — Hill Times
To address Trump’s border concerns, feds expected to spend more than $1-billion: senior government source

To address Trump’s border concerns, feds expected to spend more than $1-billion: senior government source

In the next cabinet shuffle expected later this month or next, U.S.-Canada relations will be a key factor in Prime...

  • 2024-12-09
  • — Hill Times
Some Liberal MPs upset with Trudeau for not consulting caucus or cabinet before announcing two-month GST holiday and $250 cheques

Some Liberal MPs upset with Trudeau for not consulting caucus or cabinet before announcing two-month GST holiday and $250 cheques

If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had consulted his caucus and cabinet before unveiling the two-month GST holiday and $250 payments...

  • 2024-12-02
  • — Hill Times
PCO clerk subject of human rights complaint over Israeli-Palestinian conflict

PCO clerk subject of human rights complaint over Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Some members of the federal public service have questioned Privy Council Office Clerk John Hannaford’s neutrality following his decision to...

  • 2024-11-25
  • — Hill Times
Trudeau should be specific on government’s plans to address challenges posed by Trump administration, say political insiders

Trudeau should be specific on government’s plans to address challenges posed by Trump administration, say political insiders

As Canada braces for significant shifts in its relationship with its largest trading partner and neighbour following Donald Trump’s inauguration...

  • 2024-11-18
  • — Hill Times
Amid growing questions over his leadership, Trudeau looks ahead as PMO, PCO vet some MPs for cabinet and PS positions

Amid growing questions over his leadership, Trudeau looks ahead as PMO, PCO vet some MPs for cabinet and PS positions

As some Liberal caucus members push for a secret ballot on Justin Trudeau’s leadership, the Prime Minister’s Office and the...

  • 2024-11-04
  • — Hill Times
Impasse between PM Trudeau and dissidents frustrates Liberal grassroots, and a ‘distraction’ to governing, say insiders

Impasse between PM Trudeau and dissidents frustrates Liberal grassroots, and a ‘distraction’ to governing, say insiders

The attempt to oust the PM at caucus was ‘unorganized’ and ‘haphazard’ said ex-Liberal staffer Nick McRoberts, but other forms...

  • 2024-10-28
  • — Hill Times
B.C. Liberal MP Weiler read a letter to Trudeau and caucus on behalf of dissenting MPs, calling for the prime minister’s resignation

B.C. Liberal MP Weiler read a letter to Trudeau and caucus on behalf of dissenting MPs, calling for the prime minister’s resignation

Two-term B.C. Liberal MP Patrick Weiler read out a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the party’s national caucus...

  • 2024-10-23
  • — Hill Times
Liberal MPs say ‘anything is possible’ at caucus meeting ahead of expected leadership challenge

Liberal MPs say ‘anything is possible’ at caucus meeting ahead of expected leadership challenge

Some Liberal MPs say they are expecting a boisterous national caucus meeting discussing their leader’s future following a preview at...

  • 2024-10-22
  • — Hill Times
Liberal caucus should have adopted Reform Act for process to oust Trudeau, says MP Casey

Liberal caucus should have adopted Reform Act for process to oust Trudeau, says MP Casey

Having the mechanism would provide ‘more structure’ and make any decision ‘a bit more final,’ says Liberal MP John McKay...

  • 2024-10-22
  • — Hill Times
Expect an ‘ugly fight’ over Trudeau’s leadership at national Liberal caucus meeting, say Grit MPs

Expect an ‘ugly fight’ over Trudeau’s leadership at national Liberal caucus meeting, say Grit MPs

After nine years in power, and polling 20 points behind the Conservatives for more than a year, Prime Minister Justin...

  • 2024-10-18
  • — Hill Times
‘Making us look like fools’: Liberal MPs Naqvi and Arya rebuke public efforts to oust Trudeau

‘Making us look like fools’: Liberal MPs Naqvi and Arya rebuke public efforts to oust Trudeau

In response to reports that more than 20 Liberal MPs are readying an effort to call on Prime Minister Justin...

  • 2024-10-16
  • — Hill Times
‘Enough is enough’: nervous Liberal MPs push for Trudeau’s exit before the next election

‘Enough is enough’: nervous Liberal MPs push for Trudeau’s exit before the next election

As some in the Liberal caucus organize a call for the prime minister’s resignation, a number of former Liberal MPs...

  • 2024-10-12
  • — Hill Times
Despite plunging polling numbers, some Liberal MPs put on a brave face

Despite plunging polling numbers, some Liberal MPs put on a brave face

Meanwhile, Liberal pundit Scott Reid said on Sept. 29 on social media: 'If you're like me and you were wondering...

  • 2024-10-04
  • — Hill Times
Bloc Québécois gains at Liberals’ expense could ease path for Conservative majority in 2025, say political players

Bloc Québécois gains at Liberals’ expense could ease path for Conservative majority in 2025, say political players

The growing support for the Bloc Québécois poses a challenge for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals as it will pave...

  • 2024-09-23
  • — Hill Times
Rodriguez stepping down triggers speculation about cabinet shuffle

Rodriguez stepping down triggers speculation about cabinet shuffle

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Transport Minister and Quebec lieutenant Pablo Rodriguez is expected to resign his cabinet position on Thursday...

  • 2024-09-18
  • — Hill Times
Heritage Minister St-Onge makes history as first openly lesbian cabinet minister to take parental leave

Heritage Minister St-Onge makes history as first openly lesbian cabinet minister to take parental leave

In a historic step forward for LGBTQ+ representation and work-life balance in federal politics, Canada’s federal Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge...

  • 2024-09-14
  • — Hill Times
Liberal MPs unclear about party’s strategy for 2025 at final summer retreat before next federal election

Liberal MPs unclear about party’s strategy for 2025 at final summer retreat before next federal election

If the Liberals lose the Montreal byelection on Sept. 16, more MPs will speak up criticizing their leadership, say some...

  • 2024-09-13
  • — Hill Times
Only pushback from members will drive party leadership to loosen grip on nominations, say campaign veterans

Only pushback from members will drive party leadership to loosen grip on nominations, say campaign veterans

To ensure free, fair, and transparent nomination contests, rank-and-file party members must communicate an unequivocal message to their respective leadership...

  • 2024-09-06
  • — Hill Times
Liberal caucus off to B.C. for annual summer retreat to brainstorm fall parliamentary game plan

Liberal caucus off to B.C. for annual summer retreat to brainstorm fall parliamentary game plan

Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski says the caucus needs to discuss 'how to address people's dissatisfaction with our direction as the...

  • 2024-09-02
  • — Hill Times
Top Liberals internally temper expectations on high-stakes byelection in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, Que.

Top Liberals internally temper expectations on high-stakes byelection in LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, Que.

Following the surprise loss of the Liberal stronghold of Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont., back in June, top Liberals are now cautiously...

  • 2024-08-26
  • — Hill Times
Liberal-NDP supply-and-confidence deal and U.S. engagement top items on cabinet retreat agenda

Liberal-NDP supply-and-confidence deal and U.S. engagement top items on cabinet retreat agenda

Against the backdrop of a record number of Atlantic Canadians voicing dissatisfaction with the Liberal government’s performance, Prime Minister Justin...

  • 2024-08-24
  • — Hill Times
Halifax Liberal MP Fillmore not resigning seat until end of month, but NDP candidate Roberts campaigning for months

Halifax Liberal MP Fillmore not resigning seat until end of month, but NDP candidate Roberts campaigning for months

A closely contested byelection is expected in the swing riding of Halifax, N.S., when the seat becomes vacant this month...

  • 2024-08-19
  • — Hill Times
With Halifax cabinet retreat quickly approaching, MPs and staffers eagerly await for anticipated shuffle

With Halifax cabinet retreat quickly approaching, MPs and staffers eagerly await for anticipated shuffle

With the Aug. 25-27 Halifax, N.S., cabinet retreat around the corner, backbench Liberal MPs, staffers, and insiders say they are...

  • 2024-08-13
  • — Hill Times
Rodriguez’s speculative Quebec Liberal leadership bid not a question of if but when, say Liberal sources

Rodriguez’s speculative Quebec Liberal leadership bid not a question of if but when, say Liberal sources

Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez’s office is downplaying speculation that he’s seriously considering jumping into Quebec provincial politics, but sources...

  • 2024-08-09
  • — Hill Times
‘It could be a great night for the NDP’: potential byelection wins could trigger end of Lib-NDP agreement, say political players

‘It could be a great night for the NDP’: potential byelection wins could trigger end of Lib-NDP agreement, say political players

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called two byelections in vacant ridings in Quebec and Manitoba, and some are predicting the...

  • 2024-08-05
  • — Hill Times
Trudeau needs a compelling narrative on why he wants a fourth term, say political insiders

Trudeau needs a compelling narrative on why he wants a fourth term, say political insiders

Since the June 24 byelection loss, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has left a communications vacuum that needs to be filled...

  • 2024-07-29
  • — Hill Times
Trudeau expected to shuffle his cabinet before retreat, say Liberal sources

Trudeau expected to shuffle his cabinet before retreat, say Liberal sources

With MPs demanding a change in the front bench, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to shuffle his cabinet before...

  • 2024-07-18
  • — Hill Times
‘It’s all out war now’: Liberal MPs, senior Grits predict a ‘volatile’ summer with ‘lots of political games’ and ‘machinations’ at the ‘rockiest’ time of Trudeau’s leadership

‘It’s all out war now’: Liberal MPs, senior Grits predict a ‘volatile’ summer with ‘lots of political games’ and ‘machinations’ at the ‘rockiest’ time of Trudeau’s leadership

If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to shuffle his cabinet or make any changes to his team of senior political...

  • 2024-07-15
  • — Hill Times
Upcoming Montreal byelection will be ‘a pretty important stay-or-go indicator’ for PM Trudeau, say political insiders and MPs

Upcoming Montreal byelection will be ‘a pretty important stay-or-go indicator’ for PM Trudeau, say political insiders and MPs

In the aftermath of the Liberals’ devastating byelection loss in Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont., on June 24, all eyes are now...

  • 2024-07-10
  • — Hill Times
Trudeau can’t fight Poilievre and internal dissent at the same time, say some MPs and political insiders

Trudeau can’t fight Poilievre and internal dissent at the same time, say some MPs and political insiders

If Trudeau does not stay on as party leader, longtime Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux says he may not seek re-election...

  • 2024-07-08
  • — Hill Times
Liberal MP Chahal among nine MPs demanding ‘immediate’ caucus meeting to discuss ‘extremely concerning’ byelection loss

Liberal MP Chahal among nine MPs demanding ‘immediate’ caucus meeting to discuss ‘extremely concerning’ byelection loss

Nine Liberal MPs have signed a letter demanding their national caucus chair arrange an immediate, in-person meeting to discuss the...

  • 2024-06-29
  • — Hill Times
Liberal MPs Long and McDonald call for change in party leadership: ‘we need new leadership and a new direction’

Liberal MPs Long and McDonald call for change in party leadership: ‘we need new leadership and a new direction’

At least two Liberal backbenchers are calling for change at the top. In an email to his caucus colleagues sent...

  • 2024-06-28
  • — Hill Times
Caucus disquiet grows after Toronto-St. Paul’s byelection upset as Liberals face ‘catastrophic loss’ with status quo

Caucus disquiet grows after Toronto-St. Paul’s byelection upset as Liberals face ‘catastrophic loss’ with status quo

For the Trudeau government, the writing has been on the wall since November, and ‘despite their best efforts, they haven't...

  • 2024-06-28
  • — Hill Times
Calgary Liberal MP Chahal trying to ‘build coalition of support’ to stop deportation of truck driver in deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash

Calgary Liberal MP Chahal trying to ‘build coalition of support’ to stop deportation of truck driver in deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash

Calgary Liberal MP George Chahal is seeking support from his colleagues and is planning on travelling across the country to...

  • 2024-06-03
  • — Hill Times
‘Crappy’ polling numbers make some Liberal MPs uneasy about electoral prospects, but still consider next election ‘worth fighting’

‘Crappy’ polling numbers make some Liberal MPs uneasy about electoral prospects, but still consider next election ‘worth fighting’

Odds are stacked against the governing Liberals, making some MPs “nervous” and “uneasy” about the next election, but caucus members...

  • 2024-05-27
  • — Hill Times
Trudeau internally announces provincial campaign co-chairs for next election, Liberal sources say

Trudeau internally announces provincial campaign co-chairs for next election, Liberal sources say

The next federal election is 18 months away, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has already internally announced the names of...

  • 2024-05-20
  • — Hill Times
Pro-Palestinian student protests on university campuses further complicate electoral calculus for left-of-centre parties, say Liberal MPs

Pro-Palestinian student protests on university campuses further complicate electoral calculus for left-of-centre parties, say Liberal MPs

The ongoing pro-Palestinian protests at university campuses across the country are making the electoral calculus even more complicated among left-of-centre...

  • 2024-05-13
  • — Hill Times
If Trudeau stays, he needs one ‘last reboot’ this summer, say Liberal MPs, pollsters, and political insiders

If Trudeau stays, he needs one ‘last reboot’ this summer, say Liberal MPs, pollsters, and political insiders

With the Liberals 21 points behind in the polls, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will need to “supercharge his front bench”...

  • 2024-05-06
  • — Hill Times
Liberal MP Chagger steps down as chair of powerful Procedure and House Affairs Committee

Liberal MP Chagger steps down as chair of powerful Procedure and House Affairs Committee

After heading the House of Commons’ influential Procedure and House Affairs Committee for two-and-a-half years, three-term Liberal MP Bardish Chagger...

  • 2024-05-04
  • — Hill Times
Ontario Liberal MP Drouin may not run in the next election

Ontario Liberal MP Drouin may not run in the next election

So far, 21 MPs from all parties have announced they won’t seek re-election in the next contest. The number is...

  • 2024-05-03
  • — Hill Times
Trudeau tells Grit MPs not to expect any dramatic boost in public support until next year

Trudeau tells Grit MPs not to expect any dramatic boost in public support until next year

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Liberal MPs at their most recent national caucus meeting in Ottawa not to expect any...

  • 2024-04-29
  • — Hill Times
Freeland’s budget seen as last hope to turn Trudeau’s electoral fortunes around, say politicos

Freeland’s budget seen as last hope to turn Trudeau’s electoral fortunes around, say politicos

The April 16 federal budget appears to be the last hope for turning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s electoral fortunes around...

  • 2024-04-22
  • — Hill Times
Liberal MP Hepfner may have to duke it out with NDP MPP Monique Taylor in ‘progressive bellwether’ riding of Hamilton Mountain in 2025, say Liberal and NDP insiders

Liberal MP Hepfner may have to duke it out with NDP MPP Monique Taylor in ‘progressive bellwether’ riding of Hamilton Mountain in 2025, say Liberal and NDP insiders

Rookie Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner, who won her riding by one of the closest margins in the country in 2021...

  • 2024-04-19
  • — Hill Times
Poor polling numbers, NDP MPP’s rumoured candidacy, and Mideast conflict turns Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont., byelection into tight three-way race, say Liberal MPs

Poor polling numbers, NDP MPP’s rumoured candidacy, and Mideast conflict turns Toronto-St. Paul’s, Ont., byelection into tight three-way race, say Liberal MPs

With affordability issues top of mind for Canadians, poor national polling numbers, the Israel-Hamas conflict ripping apart the Liberals’ voter...

  • 2024-04-15
  • — Hill Times
Liberals lose, Conservatives gain in new riding boundary breakdown of 2021 electoral results

Liberals lose, Conservatives gain in new riding boundary breakdown of 2021 electoral results

If the new riding boundaries had been in effect in 2021, the Liberals would have won fewer seats and the...

  • 2024-04-09
  • — Hill Times
Liberal ridings raised more cash in 2022, but Conservatives had $12-million more in the bank

Liberal ridings raised more cash in 2022, but Conservatives had $12-million more in the bank

Liberal riding associations across the country raised more money in 2022 than their Conservative counterparts, but at the end of...

  • 2024-04-08
  • — Hill Times
B.C. Liberal MP Dhaliwal’s House motion could set a ‘dangerous precedent’ and cause ‘irreparable damage to Canada-India relations,’ says fellow Liberal Arya

B.C. Liberal MP Dhaliwal’s House motion could set a ‘dangerous precedent’ and cause ‘irreparable damage to Canada-India relations,’ says fellow Liberal Arya

If the House of Commons passes Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal’s motion entitled “political interference, violence or intimidation on Canadian soil,”...

  • 2024-04-02
  • — Hill Times
After salary raise, Trudeau will earn $406,200, Poilievre $299,900, and Singh, Blanchet $271,700 each year

After salary raise, Trudeau will earn $406,200, Poilievre $299,900, and Singh, Blanchet $271,700 each year

With new annual salary raises coming into effect April 1, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gets a boost of $17,000, Conservative...

  • 2024-04-01
  • — Hill Times
Bucking the national trend, Liberals’ riding associations out-fundraised Conservatives by $2-million in 2022

Bucking the national trend, Liberals’ riding associations out-fundraised Conservatives by $2-million in 2022

While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals currently trail the Conservatives in national fundraising, at the riding level the party out-raised...

  • 2024-03-25
  • — Hill Times
Only 89 of 156 Liberal MPs have so far been nominated for next election, a year after deadline

Only 89 of 156 Liberal MPs have so far been nominated for next election, a year after deadline

A year after the nomination deadline has passed for incumbent Liberal MPs, only 89 of 156 sitting members have met...

  • 2024-03-11
  • — Hill Times
Some Liberal MPs say Durham byelection result a ‘canary in the coal mine’ and ‘high time to re-examine some of our most basic assumptions’

Some Liberal MPs say Durham byelection result a ‘canary in the coal mine’ and ‘high time to re-examine some of our most basic assumptions’

Facing dismal national public opinion numbers for months, the decisive Liberal loss in the Durham, Ont., byelection on March ...

  • 2024-03-08
  • — Hill Times
If Conservatives follow their own rules, 32 incumbent MPs including Poilievre, Uppal, and Hallan may have to go through nomination contests: riding redistribution analysis

If Conservatives follow their own rules, 32 incumbent MPs including Poilievre, Uppal, and Hallan may have to go through nomination contests: riding redistribution analysis

If the Conservative Party followed its own nomination rules in held ridings, 32 MPs—including the party’s leader Pierre Poilievre, Deputy...

  • 2024-03-04
  • — Hill Times
Oliphant’s leaked private conversation could have a ‘chilling effect’ on MP-constituent relations, say some Liberal MPs

Oliphant’s leaked private conversation could have a ‘chilling effect’ on MP-constituent relations, say some Liberal MPs

The leaked audio recording of Liberal MP Rob Oliphant’s private conversation with a constituent on the government’s response to the...

  • 2024-02-26
  • — Hill Times
Like ‘Tragically Hip song Boots or Hearts,’ Trudeau government getting ‘whipsawed’ every day, leadership change seems to be only option left, say political players

Like ‘Tragically Hip song Boots or Hearts,’ Trudeau government getting ‘whipsawed’ every day, leadership change seems to be only option left, say political players

With the Liberals getting “whipsawed” almost every day with one controversy after another, the only option left now to get...

  • 2024-02-19
  • — Hill Times
In the ‘game of margins,’ gender identity issue could become Trudeau’s ‘Achilles heel’ in next election, say political players

In the ‘game of margins,’ gender identity issue could become Trudeau’s ‘Achilles heel’ in next election, say political players

When the movement of a few thousand votes nationally could decide the election outcome, gender identity could prove to be...

  • 2024-02-12
  • — Hill Times
Former Ontario cabinet minister Parm Gill’s appointment as federal candidate ‘unfair and undemocratic’: grassroots Conservatives

Former Ontario cabinet minister Parm Gill’s appointment as federal candidate ‘unfair and undemocratic’: grassroots Conservatives

In a letter sent to the Conservative Party’s national council, some grassroots party members are protesting the appointment of former...

  • 2024-02-10
  • — Hill Times