A European Union humanitarian aid worker in Gaza in February 2025. There is a compelling reason for Canada to be a relentless champion of international law today as it is applied and thwarted in rulings on the illegal occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, and the International Court of Justice rulings, writes Jim Creskey. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
The rule of international law in Palestine today—or on the 49th parallel tomorrow.
A European Union humanitarian aid worker in Gaza in February 2025. There is a compelling reason for Canada to be a relentless champion of international law today as it is applied and thwarted in rulings on the illegal occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, and the International Court of Justice rulings, writes Jim Creskey. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
Some 24 parliamentarians, including federal Housing Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, sent a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on Feb. 25 urging Joly to
Atomic bomb mushroom clouds over Hiroshima, far left, and Nagasaki, left, in Japan, Aug. 6, 1945, and Aug. 9, 1945.
Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Some 24 parliamentarians, including federal Housing Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, sent a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on Feb. 25 urging Joly to
Some 24 parliamentarians, including federal Housing Minister Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, sent a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on Feb. 25 urging Joly to
Atomic bomb mushroom clouds over Hiroshima, far left, and Nagasaki, left, in Japan, Aug. 6, 1945, and Aug. 9, 1945.
Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
So far, the only parliamentarians known to support Canada signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons are NDP MPs Heather McPherson, left, and Don Davies; Green Leader Elizabeth May; and non-affiliated Senator Marilou McPhedran, writes Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
For the peacemakers’ work to bear fruit, Canada’s political leadership will have to find the courage necessary to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition
So far, the only parliamentarians known to support Canada signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons are NDP MPs Heather McPherson, left, and Don Davies; Green Leader Elizabeth May; and non-affiliated Senator Marilou McPhedran, writes Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Peter Showler (Feb. 17, 1944-Oct. 30, 2023) was, among many other things, a refugee advocate with the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, former chair of the Immigration and Refugee Board, and a dear friend, writes Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photograph by Kristen Shane
Peter Showler, who died on Oct. 30 at the age of 79, was the real deal. A former Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Peter Showler (Feb. 17, 1944-Oct. 30, 2023) was, among many other things, a refugee advocate with the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, former chair of the Immigration and Refugee Board, and a dear friend, writes Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photograph by Kristen Shane
The full force of opinion and propaganda that came directly from sources such as Henry Kissinger, right, and the U.S. White House made Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet’s, second left, 1973 coup appear necessary, writes Jim Creskey. Photograph courtesy of the Chilean Ministry of Exterior Relations archives
Canada had much to learn from the tragedy that took place in Chile on Sept. 11, 1973. Entire government policies and wide public acceptance
The full force of opinion and propaganda that came directly from sources such as Henry Kissinger, right, and the U.S. White House made Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet’s, second left, 1973 coup appear necessary, writes Jim Creskey. Photograph courtesy of the Chilean Ministry of Exterior Relations archives
Now, 78 years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there is the slim possibility that the popularity of the film Oppenheimer may be awakening some small degree of public awareness of what we have set in motion, writes Jim Creskey. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
While the film Oppenheimer might remind us we are courting global suicide, the National Film Board's The Strangest Dream is a profound warning.
Now, 78 years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there is the slim possibility that the popularity of the film Oppenheimer may be awakening some small degree of public awareness of what we have set in motion, writes Jim Creskey. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The Kennedy White House Executive Committee during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Millions of lives would depend on the president’s decision.
Photograph courtesy of the White House, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
OTTAWA—Four men are seated in a room, three of them share a couch, one sits in a rocking chair. They are all attempting to
The Kennedy White House Executive Committee during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Millions of lives would depend on the president’s decision.
Photograph courtesy of the White House, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The Westminster Parliament boasts more than a few noteworthy prime ministers who were writers worth reading. Prime ministers Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli stand
Charlie Angus' eighth book, the very readable Cobalt: Cradle of the Demon Metals, Birth of a Mining Superpower, belongs in the category of Canadian history that isn't taught in school but should be, writes Jim Creskey. Image courtesy of House of Anansi Press and The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
The Westminster Parliament boasts more than a few noteworthy prime ministers who were writers worth reading. Prime ministers Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli stand
The Westminster Parliament boasts more than a few noteworthy prime ministers who were writers worth reading. Prime ministers Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli stand
Charlie Angus' eighth book, the very readable Cobalt: Cradle of the Demon Metals, Birth of a Mining Superpower, belongs in the category of Canadian history that isn't taught in school but should be, writes Jim Creskey. Image courtesy of House of Anansi Press and The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
CHELSEA, QUE.— Standing in an ice-covered parking lot outside the office of Gatineau’s CAQ MNA, Robert Bussière, and listening to several protest speeches in French
Dozens gathered in Chelsea, Que., outside the office of Gatineau’s CAQ MNA, Robert Bussière, to protest Quebec's secularism law after a teacher was removed from her position for wearing a hijab. The Hill Times photograph
CHELSEA, QUE.— Standing in an ice-covered parking lot outside the office of Gatineau’s CAQ MNA, Robert Bussière, and listening to several protest speeches in French
CHELSEA, QUE.— Standing in an ice-covered parking lot outside the office of Gatineau’s CAQ MNA, Robert Bussière, and listening to several protest speeches in French
Dozens gathered in Chelsea, Que., outside the office of Gatineau’s CAQ MNA, Robert Bussière, to protest Quebec's secularism law after a teacher was removed from her position for wearing a hijab. The Hill Times photograph
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Dec. 1, talking to reporters before the Liberal national caucus meeting in the West Block. The prime minister spoke with António Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, on Nov. 30. They spoke, said the PMO, about Ethiopia, COVID, climate change, pollution, and sustainable development, but it did not say if Guterres spoke with the PM about nuclear weapons. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
OTTAWA—A cold wind blows across Parliament Hill as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks on the north side of Wellington Street from the West Block
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Dec. 1, talking to reporters before the Liberal national caucus meeting in the West Block. The prime minister spoke with António Guterres, the secretary general of the United Nations, on Nov. 30. They spoke, said the PMO, about Ethiopia, COVID, climate change, pollution, and sustainable development, but it did not say if Guterres spoke with the PM about nuclear weapons. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The basic income amounts delivered in the Ontario pilot clearly are not a silver-bullet solution, but as in other test programs, the results were clear. Instead of having to hock their possessions to stave off eviction or pay an overdue utility bill, families were investing in their children, writes Jim Creskey. Unsplash photograph by Alexander Dummer
A basic income for all Canadians, an unconditional, guaranteed income floor below which no one’s income can fall, is an idea that has been
The basic income amounts delivered in the Ontario pilot clearly are not a silver-bullet solution, but as in other test programs, the results were clear. Instead of having to hock their possessions to stave off eviction or pay an overdue utility bill, families were investing in their children, writes Jim Creskey. Unsplash photograph by Alexander Dummer
Doug Roche, 91, one of Canada's leading advocates for peace, just self-published another book, Recover: Peace Prospects in the Biden Era, which offers hope 'in the urgent agenda for human security.' The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen
The Biden era has begun. Are we ready to make the most of it? Just when it’s needed, Recover: Peace Prospects in the Biden Era, comes
Doug Roche, 91, one of Canada's leading advocates for peace, just self-published another book, Recover: Peace Prospects in the Biden Era, which offers hope 'in the urgent agenda for human security.' The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen
The July 22 Federal Court ruling, should the government choose not to fight it, does away with the sketchy and dangerous way of dealing with asylum seekers who are coming from the United States and sent back and detained, writes Jim Creskey. Flickr photograph by Chris Connelly
It’s not often that a major court decision about a highly politicized topic turns out to be a gift to both the Liberals and
The July 22 Federal Court ruling, should the government choose not to fight it, does away with the sketchy and dangerous way of dealing with asylum seekers who are coming from the United States and sent back and detained, writes Jim Creskey. Flickr photograph by Chris Connelly
Anti-Black racism protesters, pictured June 5, 2020, on Parliament Hill. Taking money away from a problem is sometimes no better than throwing money at it, writes Hill Times publisher Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson complained that he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t join the thousands of people who marched
Anti-Black racism protesters, pictured June 5, 2020, on Parliament Hill. Taking money away from a problem is sometimes no better than throwing money at it, writes Hill Times publisher Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
OTTAWA—A journalist who writes personally enters into dangerous territory. I’m not talking about the kind of personal writing that food and fashion and sometimes
Former journalist Catherine McKercher's Shut Away: When Down Syndrome Was a Life Sentence so elegantly blends the personal and the authoritative, and it asks readers to enter its world with their hearts and their minds, writes Jim Creskey.
OTTAWA—A journalist who writes personally enters into dangerous territory. I’m not talking about the kind of personal writing that food and fashion and sometimes
OTTAWA—A journalist who writes personally enters into dangerous territory. I’m not talking about the kind of personal writing that food and fashion and sometimes
Former journalist Catherine McKercher's Shut Away: When Down Syndrome Was a Life Sentence so elegantly blends the personal and the authoritative, and it asks readers to enter its world with their hearts and their minds, writes Jim Creskey.
After training to fight in the Second World War, Murray Thomson took his responsibilities as a pacifist seriously, writes Jim Cresky. The Hill Times archive photograph
OTTAWA—Several days ago, I spoke on the phone with Murray Thomson, who told me that the retirement home in Old Ottawa South where he
After training to fight in the Second World War, Murray Thomson took his responsibilities as a pacifist seriously, writes Jim Cresky. The Hill Times archive photograph
There is no political agenda here; no partisan program but there is, says Mary Jo Leddy, a starting point. 'This would mean, for starters, saying at least this: We are not here just to make a living. We are not here just to go shopping. We are not here just to look out for ourselves—and our own barbeques. We are meant for more than this.'
We have to admit that we are not very good at asking questions in this town. When we ask a question “with respect” we
There is no political agenda here; no partisan program but there is, says Mary Jo Leddy, a starting point. 'This would mean, for starters, saying at least this: We are not here just to make a living. We are not here just to go shopping. We are not here just to look out for ourselves—and our own barbeques. We are meant for more than this.'
Dorothy Day’s youngest granddaughter, Kate Hennessy, author of Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved by Beauty, will be in Ottawa Nov. 6. Photograph courtesy of Scribners
It seems like it was in a different universe, but it was only three years ago that Pope Francis addressed the United States Congress.
Dorothy Day’s youngest granddaughter, Kate Hennessy, author of Dorothy Day: The World Will Be Saved by Beauty, will be in Ottawa Nov. 6. Photograph courtesy of Scribners
Alex Paterson, right, policy and research manager with the think tank Upstream, offers visitors to Parliament Hill an apple and a message about child poverty in Canada on Oct. 17, the UN’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Citizens for Public Justice photograph by Jim McIntyre
OTTAWA—It’s about the children. Nothing brought this home more than the 2015 photo of the body of a three-year-old Syrian refugee boy, Alan Kurdi,
Alex Paterson, right, policy and research manager with the think tank Upstream, offers visitors to Parliament Hill an apple and a message about child poverty in Canada on Oct. 17, the UN’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Citizens for Public Justice photograph by Jim McIntyre
It was July 4, 1990, and a Fourth of July party that a young Jim Watson didn't want to miss. Mr. Watson, who was working as the illustrious director of communications for then House Speaker John Fraser, is pictured here shaking the hand of then-U.S. ambassador Ed Ney who was ambassador to Canada from 1989 to 1992. Ney had injured his right hand which is why he was wearing a glove. With his wife, Judy, the former CEO of New York ad firm Young and Rubicam, turned the American embassy’s Independence Day party at his official residence in Ottawa's Rockcliffe neighbourhood into the city’s most celebrated social event of the summer. Ney died in 2014 at the age of 88. Mr. Watson, who publicly boycotted the U.S. Embassy's 2018 Fourth of July party, went on to serve as an Ontario Liberal provincial cabinet minister and today is mayor of Ottawa where he just happens to be running for re-election next Monday, Oct. 22.—by Jim Creskey The Hill Times photograph by Kate Malloy
It was July 4, 1990, and a Fourth of July party that a young Jim Watson didn’t want to miss. Mr. Watson, who was
It was July 4, 1990, and a Fourth of July party that a young Jim Watson didn't want to miss. Mr. Watson, who was working as the illustrious director of communications for then House Speaker John Fraser, is pictured here shaking the hand of then-U.S. ambassador Ed Ney who was ambassador to Canada from 1989 to 1992. Ney had injured his right hand which is why he was wearing a glove. With his wife, Judy, the former CEO of New York ad firm Young and Rubicam, turned the American embassy’s Independence Day party at his official residence in Ottawa's Rockcliffe neighbourhood into the city’s most celebrated social event of the summer. Ney died in 2014 at the age of 88. Mr. Watson, who publicly boycotted the U.S. Embassy's 2018 Fourth of July party, went on to serve as an Ontario Liberal provincial cabinet minister and today is mayor of Ottawa where he just happens to be running for re-election next Monday, Oct. 22.—by Jim Creskey The Hill Times photograph by Kate Malloy
Joe Cirincione understands the problem of nuclear weapons better than most. He has worked on nuclear weapons policy in Washington, D.C., for more than 35
Joe Cirincione is an expert on nuclear disarmament and president of the U.S.-based Ploughshares Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen
Joe Cirincione understands the problem of nuclear weapons better than most. He has worked on nuclear weapons policy in Washington, D.C., for more than 35
Joe Cirincione understands the problem of nuclear weapons better than most. He has worked on nuclear weapons policy in Washington, D.C., for more than 35
Joe Cirincione is an expert on nuclear disarmament and president of the U.S.-based Ploughshares Fund. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should heed the lesson that David Peterson learned: calling unnecessary early elections can have disastrous results, writes Hill Times publisher Jim Creskey.
The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
It’s the right time to call an early election, despite the fact that the government is barely three years into its mandate, said the
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should heed the lesson that David Peterson learned: calling unnecessary early elections can have disastrous results, writes Hill Times publisher Jim Creskey.
The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Karen Spring's husband, Edwin Espinal, was arrested in Honduras in January after protesting the outcome of the country's recent elections. His case should remind us how bad things really are in our own hemisphere, writes Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photograph by Shruti Shekar
The recent visit of Canadian human rights worker Karen Spring to Ottawa as she attempted to convince Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland to go to bat
Karen Spring's husband, Edwin Espinal, was arrested in Honduras in January after protesting the outcome of the country's recent elections. His case should remind us how bad things really are in our own hemisphere, writes Jim Creskey. The Hill Times photograph by Shruti Shekar
The story, which has now gone international, started with the motion of NDP MP Charlie Angus to invite Pope Francis to come to Canada and meet with Indigenous people in a gesture of sorrow and apology for the church’s dominant role in the government’s residential schools. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
OTTAWA—“So few people want to identify as Christians because the rest of the world thinks we’re nuts,” Green Party leader Elizabeth May told an
The story, which has now gone international, started with the motion of NDP MP Charlie Angus to invite Pope Francis to come to Canada and meet with Indigenous people in a gesture of sorrow and apology for the church’s dominant role in the government’s residential schools. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
OTTAWA—The erroneous warning about an impending nuclear missile attack on Hawaii Jan. 13 came with the reminder that any nuclear early-warning system is at
Columnist Jim Creskey says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could follow in the footsteps of his father, Pierre Trudeau, and take more action to further nuclear disarmament. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, Rob Mieremet/Dutch national archives photograph
OTTAWA—The erroneous warning about an impending nuclear missile attack on Hawaii Jan. 13 came with the reminder that any nuclear early-warning system is at
OTTAWA—The erroneous warning about an impending nuclear missile attack on Hawaii Jan. 13 came with the reminder that any nuclear early-warning system is at
Columnist Jim Creskey says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could follow in the footsteps of his father, Pierre Trudeau, and take more action to further nuclear disarmament. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, Rob Mieremet/Dutch national archives photograph
If he wants to protect the U.S. dairy industry, Donald Trump might want to have a look at how Canada handles this sector, writes Jim Creskey. Photograph by Gage Skidmore
Dairy farmers across the world are in crisis, in the United States, in Australia and New Zealand, and in Europe—almost everywhere except in Canada.
If he wants to protect the U.S. dairy industry, Donald Trump might want to have a look at how Canada handles this sector, writes Jim Creskey. Photograph by Gage Skidmore
For What? by the Group of Seven’s Fred Varley, who was an eyewitness to the First World War, can be seen at the Canadian War Museum. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Last week, I sat on a Via Rail train heading to Toronto, reading a copy of the timely and well-considered book, The Vimy Trap:
For What? by the Group of Seven’s Fred Varley, who was an eyewitness to the First World War, can be seen at the Canadian War Museum. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Having defected from the Iraqi Baathist regime in 1978 while he was on a student trip to Montreal, Khalid Mohamed studied in India and then settled with his family in Syria before immigrating to Canada. But the problems and the politics of the Middle East never left his mind. Photograph courtesy of the family of Khalid Mohamed
Khalid Mohamed came to Canada in 1989, the same year that The Hill Times began publishing. He had two advanced degrees: a master’s in
Having defected from the Iraqi Baathist regime in 1978 while he was on a student trip to Montreal, Khalid Mohamed studied in India and then settled with his family in Syria before immigrating to Canada. But the problems and the politics of the Middle East never left his mind. Photograph courtesy of the family of Khalid Mohamed
OTTAWA—Canada’s Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States has something in common with a virus. It has remained dormant, apparently harmless, for years
Demonstrators in Ottawa in January protest U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed travel ban for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
OTTAWA—Canada’s Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States has something in common with a virus. It has remained dormant, apparently harmless, for years
OTTAWA—Canada’s Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States has something in common with a virus. It has remained dormant, apparently harmless, for years
Demonstrators in Ottawa in January protest U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed travel ban for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
President-elect Donald Trump awaits the traditional high-noon inauguration date on January 20, a divisive master of scapegoating, while a Republican Congress, former fortress of obstruction, is
Buttons emblazoned with the Republican Party's iconic elephant symbol at an election night party in Ottawa, hosted by U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
President-elect Donald Trump awaits the traditional high-noon inauguration date on January 20, a divisive master of scapegoating, while a Republican Congress, former fortress of obstruction, is
President-elect Donald Trump awaits the traditional high-noon inauguration date on January 20, a divisive master of scapegoating, while a Republican Congress, former fortress of obstruction, is
Buttons emblazoned with the Republican Party's iconic elephant symbol at an election night party in Ottawa, hosted by U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
OTTAWA—Watching the Republican National Convention from Canada was like gazing at the ominous distant mountains of Mordor from a peaceful round doorway in Hobbiton.
OTTAWA—Watching the Republican National Convention from Canada was like gazing at the ominous distant mountains of Mordor from a peaceful round doorway in Hobbiton.
OTTAWA—Watching the Republican National Convention from Canada was like gazing at the ominous distant mountains of Mordor from a peaceful round doorway in Hobbiton.
Virginia Senator and Hillary Clinton's running mate Tim Kaine, pictured in June. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Education
During his visit to Hiroshima on May 27, U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori, an atomic bomb survivor who was eight when the bomb exploded on Aug. 6, 1945. Photograph courtesy of the White House
OTTAWA—Sister Virginia walked up and down the aisles in the packed classroom. Swinging from the waist of her black woollen habit was a large
During his visit to Hiroshima on May 27, U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori, an atomic bomb survivor who was eight when the bomb exploded on Aug. 6, 1945. Photograph courtesy of the White House