Friday, July 4, 2025

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Book Review

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 30, 2025
Mark Carney
On June 9, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada would spend and extra $9-billion on defence this fiscal year, to finally reach the military alliance's then-two per cent of GDP spending target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 30, 2025
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 30, 2025
Mark Carney
On June 9, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada would spend and extra $9-billion on defence this fiscal year, to finally reach the military alliance's then-two per cent of GDP spending target. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his new book, Andrew Coyne says he tries to show that centralized power is ‘worse here than in other countries.’
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | June 26, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney. In his new book, Andrew Coyne says he tries to show that centralized power is ‘worse here than in other countries.’
FeatureBY BRYCE C. TINGLE | May 19, 2025
Author Bryce C. Tingle on why he wrote this book: 'Business corporations are among the most important and powerful institutions in our society, but most Canadians don’t actually know how they are governed and who gets a say in what they do.' Book cover and author photograph courtesy of Cambridge University Press
FeatureBY BRYCE C. TINGLE | May 19, 2025
FeatureBY BRYCE C. TINGLE | May 19, 2025
Author Bryce C. Tingle on why he wrote this book: 'Business corporations are among the most important and powerful institutions in our society, but most Canadians don’t actually know how they are governed and who gets a say in what they do.' Book cover and author photograph courtesy of Cambridge University Press
Seized By Uncertainty: The Markets, Media and Special Interests That Shaped Canada’s Response to COVID-19, by Kevin Quigley, Kaitlynne Lowe, Sarah Moore, and Brianna Wolfe, published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Book cover and author photographs courtesy of McGill-Queen's University Press
Seized By Uncertainty: The Markets, Media and Special Interests That Shaped Canada’s Response to COVID-19, by Kevin Quigley, Kaitlynne Lowe, Sarah Moore, and Brianna Wolfe, published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Book cover and author photographs courtesy of McGill-Queen's University Press
FeatureBY JAMES B. KELLY | May 5, 2025
James B. Kelly: 'This book should be read by any prime minister or premier that contemplates using Section 33 of the Charter of Rights, in a pre-emptive fashion.' Book cover and author's photo courtesy of UBC Press
FeatureBY JAMES B. KELLY | May 5, 2025
FeatureBY JAMES B. KELLY | May 5, 2025
James B. Kelly: 'This book should be read by any prime minister or premier that contemplates using Section 33 of the Charter of Rights, in a pre-emptive fashion.' Book cover and author's photo courtesy of UBC Press
FeatureBY PAMELA CROSS | April 28, 2025
Author Pamela Cross' book, And Sometimes They Kill You: Confronting the Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence is one of five books on this year's Donner Prize shortlist, and considered one of the best public policy books of the year. Book cover and photograph courtesy of
FeatureBY PAMELA CROSS | April 28, 2025
FeatureBY PAMELA CROSS | April 28, 2025
Author Pamela Cross' book, And Sometimes They Kill You: Confronting the Epidemic of Intimate Partner Violence is one of five books on this year's Donner Prize shortlist, and considered one of the best public policy books of the year. Book cover and photograph courtesy of
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | April 21, 2025
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured April 12, 2025, making an announcement on a campaign stop at the Tomlinson Environmental Services shop in Nepean, Ont. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | April 21, 2025
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | April 21, 2025
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured April 12, 2025, making an announcement on a campaign stop at the Tomlinson Environmental Services shop in Nepean, Ont. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Authors Mou Haizhen and Michael Atkinson on why they wrote this book: 'We wrote Fiscal Choices out of a genuine concern for Canada’s capacity to cope with both short-term economic shocks and long term-fiscal challenges.' Book cover and photograph courtesy of the University of Toronto Press
Authors Mou Haizhen and Michael Atkinson on why they wrote this book: 'We wrote Fiscal Choices out of a genuine concern for Canada’s capacity to cope with both short-term economic shocks and long term-fiscal challenges.' Book cover and photograph courtesy of the University of Toronto Press
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | April 21, 2025
Rose LeMay is the author of Ally Is a Verb. Book cover courtesy of Page Two and handout photograph
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | April 21, 2025
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | April 21, 2025
Rose LeMay is the author of Ally Is a Verb. Book cover courtesy of Page Two and handout photograph
FeatureBY JAMIE CARROLL | April 2, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre launched his campaign outside of the Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on March 23. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
FeatureBY JAMIE CARROLL | April 2, 2025
FeatureBY JAMIE CARROLL | April 2, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre launched his campaign outside of the Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on March 23. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | March 1, 2025
Alasdair Roberts
Alasdair Roberts, author of 'The Adaptable Country,' says 'this is a book about the capacity of all Canadians to determine the future of their country. In other words, it is a book for Canadians who want to take back control.' Book cover and author photograph courtesy of McGill-Queen's University Press
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | March 1, 2025
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | March 1, 2025
Alasdair Roberts
Alasdair Roberts, author of 'The Adaptable Country,' says 'this is a book about the capacity of all Canadians to determine the future of their country. In other words, it is a book for Canadians who want to take back control.' Book cover and author photograph courtesy of McGill-Queen's University Press
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | January 9, 2025
In his new book, Shadows of Tyranny, left, Ken McGoogan argues we're at a historical juncture, where an ascendant right—personified by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, right—is fed up with this system of laws, regulations, and institutions and means to rewrite them, writes Christopher Dornan. Book cover courtesy of Douglas & McIntyre and Trump photo courtesy of Commons Wikimedia
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | January 9, 2025
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | January 9, 2025
In his new book, Shadows of Tyranny, left, Ken McGoogan argues we're at a historical juncture, where an ascendant right—personified by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, right—is fed up with this system of laws, regulations, and institutions and means to rewrite them, writes Christopher Dornan. Book cover courtesy of Douglas & McIntyre and Trump photo courtesy of Commons Wikimedia
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | January 2, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, with Chrystia Freeland prior to her resignation from cabinet. A new biography on Freeland details the former finance minister and deputy prime minister's past. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | January 2, 2025
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | January 2, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, with Chrystia Freeland prior to her resignation from cabinet. A new biography on Freeland details the former finance minister and deputy prime minister's past. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY MARK JOHNSON | December 23, 2024
Tonay Blair’s On Leadership describes the necessity of having a 'hinterland' of family, non-political friends, hobbies, and interests that keep you sane, grounded, and ultimately make you a better leader, writes Mark Johnson. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
Opinion | BY MARK JOHNSON | December 23, 2024
Opinion | BY MARK JOHNSON | December 23, 2024
Tonay Blair’s On Leadership describes the necessity of having a 'hinterland' of family, non-political friends, hobbies, and interests that keep you sane, grounded, and ultimately make you a better leader, writes Mark Johnson. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | December 17, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured Dec. 3, 2024, resigned from cabinet on Dec. 16. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | December 17, 2024
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | December 17, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured Dec. 3, 2024, resigned from cabinet on Dec. 16. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | December 16, 2024
Book covers courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada, Simon & Schuster, Véhicule Press, James Lorimer, Signal/McClelland & Stewart, Penguin Random House Canada, and McGill-Queen's University Press
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | December 16, 2024
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | December 16, 2024
Book covers courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada, Simon & Schuster, Véhicule Press, James Lorimer, Signal/McClelland & Stewart, Penguin Random House Canada, and McGill-Queen's University Press
FeatureBY BRUCE CAMPBELL | December 16, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Trudeau's office on Parliament Hill on March 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY BRUCE CAMPBELL | December 16, 2024
FeatureBY BRUCE CAMPBELL | December 16, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Trudeau's office on Parliament Hill on March 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | December 16, 2024
Carol Off's At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage is a worthwhile assessment of the world we face, taking a step back from the daily news and examining why we're divided, how this has happened, and who stands to benefit the most from a polity that cannot find a common ground on basic reality. Photographs courtesy of Penguin Random House
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | December 16, 2024
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | December 16, 2024
Carol Off's At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage is a worthwhile assessment of the world we face, taking a step back from the daily news and examining why we're divided, how this has happened, and who stands to benefit the most from a polity that cannot find a common ground on basic reality. Photographs courtesy of Penguin Random House
FeatureBY PAUL PARK | December 16, 2024
Former Jean Chrétien-era foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, pictured in Ottawa on March 25, 2019. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
FeatureBY PAUL PARK | December 16, 2024
FeatureBY PAUL PARK | December 16, 2024
Former Jean Chrétien-era foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, pictured in Ottawa on March 25, 2019. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | November 4, 2024
NDP MP Charlie Angus just released a new book, Dangerous Memory: Coming of Age in the Decade of Greed, his ninth book: 'I don’t think I would have been able to keep doing the political work if I didn’t nurture space for musical creativity and research.' Photograph courtesy of Paul Rincon and House of Anansi Press
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | November 4, 2024
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | November 4, 2024
NDP MP Charlie Angus just released a new book, Dangerous Memory: Coming of Age in the Decade of Greed, his ninth book: 'I don’t think I would have been able to keep doing the political work if I didn’t nurture space for musical creativity and research.' Photograph courtesy of Paul Rincon and House of Anansi Press
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | October 30, 2024
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh. Author Jonathan Manthorpe insists our representative democracy is crucially misrepresentative. The first-past-the-post electoral system skews the outcome, so the governments we get are a triple distortion of voters’ political will, writes Chris Dornan. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | October 30, 2024
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | October 30, 2024
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh. Author Jonathan Manthorpe insists our representative democracy is crucially misrepresentative. The first-past-the-post electoral system skews the outcome, so the governments we get are a triple distortion of voters’ political will, writes Chris Dornan. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | June 10, 2024
Hot tickets: Stephen Maher's The Prince: The Turbulent Reign of Justin Trudeau, and Paul Wells' Justin Trudeau on the Ropes are must-reads this spring. Images courtesy of Simon & Schuster, Sutherland House, and The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | June 10, 2024
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | June 10, 2024
Hot tickets: Stephen Maher's The Prince: The Turbulent Reign of Justin Trudeau, and Paul Wells' Justin Trudeau on the Ropes are must-reads this spring. Images courtesy of Simon & Schuster, Sutherland House, and The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | May 27, 2024
Justin Trudeau: 'The contrast between the vision that Mr. Poilievre is putting forward and what we continue to work for every single day couldn't be clearer, couldn't be crisper. As a competitor, as a leader, as someone committed to this country, being there for that conversation with Canadians touches me at the ore of what I feel my purpose is.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | May 27, 2024
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | May 27, 2024
Justin Trudeau: 'The contrast between the vision that Mr. Poilievre is putting forward and what we continue to work for every single day couldn't be clearer, couldn't be crisper. As a competitor, as a leader, as someone committed to this country, being there for that conversation with Canadians touches me at the ore of what I feel my purpose is.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | May 6, 2024
Not Here: Why American Democracy is Eroding and How Canada Can Protect Itself, by Rob Goodman, and Canada: Beyond Grudges, Grievances, and Disunity, by Donald J. Savoie, McGill-Queen’s University Press. Book covers courtesy Simon & Schuster Canada and McGill-Queen's University Press
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | May 6, 2024
FeatureBY CHRISTOPHER DORNAN | May 6, 2024
Not Here: Why American Democracy is Eroding and How Canada Can Protect Itself, by Rob Goodman, and Canada: Beyond Grudges, Grievances, and Disunity, by Donald J. Savoie, McGill-Queen’s University Press. Book covers courtesy Simon & Schuster Canada and McGill-Queen's University Press
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | May 6, 2024
An aerial view of the aftermath of wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta.,as seen in September 2016. Flickr photo by Jason Woodhead
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | May 6, 2024
FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY | May 6, 2024
An aerial view of the aftermath of wildfire in Fort McMurray, Alta.,as seen in September 2016. Flickr photo by Jason Woodhead
FeatureBY JOHN VAILLANT | May 6, 2024
Author John Vaillant: 'Anyone concerned about the future of our nation, and why a—quarter of a million—Canadians were forced to flee their homes due to wildfires last summer.' Book cover and photo courtesy Knopf Canada
FeatureBY JOHN VAILLANT | May 6, 2024
FeatureBY JOHN VAILLANT | May 6, 2024
Author John Vaillant: 'Anyone concerned about the future of our nation, and why a—quarter of a million—Canadians were forced to flee their homes due to wildfires last summer.' Book cover and photo courtesy Knopf Canada
FeatureBY ROB GOODMAN | May 6, 2024
Rob Goodman: 'Our future depends on our mental independence from America. We can’t effectively protect our own institutions—from parliamentary government to a remarkable openness to immigration—without understanding what makes them our own. We can’t aspire to anything meaningfully better until we are secure in our difference.' Book cover and author photograph courtesy of Simon & Schuster
FeatureBY ROB GOODMAN | May 6, 2024
FeatureBY ROB GOODMAN | May 6, 2024
Rob Goodman: 'Our future depends on our mental independence from America. We can’t effectively protect our own institutions—from parliamentary government to a remarkable openness to immigration—without understanding what makes them our own. We can’t aspire to anything meaningfully better until we are secure in our difference.' Book cover and author photograph courtesy of Simon & Schuster
FeatureBY DAN BREZNITZ | May 2, 2022
Author Dan Breznitz, author of Innovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World, published by Oxford University Press. 'Innovation is the whole progression of taking new ideas and devising new or improved products and services. It comes in all stages of the production of goods and services, from the first vision, de­sign, development, production, sale, and usage to the after-sale.' Images courtesy of the Donner Prize
FeatureBY DAN BREZNITZ | May 2, 2022
FeatureBY DAN BREZNITZ | May 2, 2022
Author Dan Breznitz, author of Innovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World, published by Oxford University Press. 'Innovation is the whole progression of taking new ideas and devising new or improved products and services. It comes in all stages of the production of goods and services, from the first vision, de­sign, development, production, sale, and usage to the after-sale.' Images courtesy of the Donner Prize
FeatureBY ALEX MARLAND | December 20, 2021
A must-read for anyone interested in the Senate is Constitutional Pariah: Reference re Senate Reform and the Future of Parliament (UBC Press), by Emmett Macfarlane. Grounded in the Supreme Court’s reference decision in 2014 about electing Senators and setting term limits, Constitutional Pariah branches into a detailed examination of the role of the Senate and the fallout of that landmark decision, writes Alex Marland. Image courtesy of Pixabay
FeatureBY ALEX MARLAND | December 20, 2021
FeatureBY ALEX MARLAND | December 20, 2021
A must-read for anyone interested in the Senate is Constitutional Pariah: Reference re Senate Reform and the Future of Parliament (UBC Press), by Emmett Macfarlane. Grounded in the Supreme Court’s reference decision in 2014 about electing Senators and setting term limits, Constitutional Pariah branches into a detailed examination of the role of the Senate and the fallout of that landmark decision, writes Alex Marland. Image courtesy of Pixabay
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | December 20, 2021
Michael Wernick served as clerk of the Privy Council between 2016 and 2019. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | December 20, 2021
FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW | December 20, 2021
Michael Wernick served as clerk of the Privy Council between 2016 and 2019. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | December 20, 2021
This year's list of 100 best books includes an eclectic mix of books about Canadian politics, the machinery of government, Indigenous issues, anti-Black racism, public affairs, reconciliation, Canadian history, memoirs, national security, Canadian foreign policy, the pandemic, and much more. Image compilation by Serena Masonde/photographs from The Hill Times files and handouts
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | December 20, 2021
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | December 20, 2021
This year's list of 100 best books includes an eclectic mix of books about Canadian politics, the machinery of government, Indigenous issues, anti-Black racism, public affairs, reconciliation, Canadian history, memoirs, national security, Canadian foreign policy, the pandemic, and much more. Image compilation by Serena Masonde/photographs from The Hill Times files and handouts
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | November 5, 2021
Former Senator Don Oliver, who is also a former deputy Senate Speaker, pictured Feb. 9, 2012, in the Senate Chamber. Sen. Oliver retired on Nov. 16, 2013, and has recently written a book about his life. 'I wanted to write a short book about some of my life’s experiences and how I dealt with anti-Black systemic racism in Canada. I outlined some specific steps I took through lived experiences of turning anger into action to attempt to bring racism to an end. My hope is that the book can become a call to action for our leadership in all levels of our society.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | November 5, 2021
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | November 5, 2021
Former Senator Don Oliver, who is also a former deputy Senate Speaker, pictured Feb. 9, 2012, in the Senate Chamber. Sen. Oliver retired on Nov. 16, 2013, and has recently written a book about his life. 'I wanted to write a short book about some of my life’s experiences and how I dealt with anti-Black systemic racism in Canada. I outlined some specific steps I took through lived experiences of turning anger into action to attempt to bring racism to an end. My hope is that the book can become a call to action for our leadership in all levels of our society.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
FeatureBY OBADIAH M. | October 18, 2021
Die Walking: A Child’s Journey Through Genocide is a book written by a Rwandan author living in East Africa under the pseudonym Obadiah M. Photograph courtesy of House of Anansi Press
FeatureBY OBADIAH M. | October 18, 2021
FeatureBY OBADIAH M. | October 18, 2021
Die Walking: A Child’s Journey Through Genocide is a book written by a Rwandan author living in East Africa under the pseudonym Obadiah M. Photograph courtesy of House of Anansi Press
FeatureBY LYNN GEHL | October 14, 2021
Author Lynn Gehl, pictured, questions whether legislative reform in Canada is ultimately an opportunity to make things worse at the level of policy and in practice for Indigenous people. Photograph courtesy of Nik K. Gehl
FeatureBY LYNN GEHL | October 14, 2021
FeatureBY LYNN GEHL | October 14, 2021
Author Lynn Gehl, pictured, questions whether legislative reform in Canada is ultimately an opportunity to make things worse at the level of policy and in practice for Indigenous people. Photograph courtesy of Nik K. Gehl
FeatureBY CHLOE GIRVAN | September 27, 2021
Ronald J. Deibert: 'The title was suggested to me by Philip Coulter, CBC radio producer, based on that old concept of resetting a computer. The idea of resetting to remove the unintended consequences of our work. The internet is flawed right now and needs to be restructured. We need to back up, reverse course, and move forward in a new way.' Images courtesy of the Writers' Trust of Canada
FeatureBY CHLOE GIRVAN | September 27, 2021
FeatureBY CHLOE GIRVAN | September 27, 2021
Ronald J. Deibert: 'The title was suggested to me by Philip Coulter, CBC radio producer, based on that old concept of resetting a computer. The idea of resetting to remove the unintended consequences of our work. The internet is flawed right now and needs to be restructured. We need to back up, reverse course, and move forward in a new way.' Images courtesy of the Writers' Trust of Canada
FeatureBY CHLOE GIRVAN | September 27, 2021
Karin Wells, author of The Abortion Caravan: When Women Shut Down Government in the Battle for the Right to Choose, talks about her book. Photographs courtesy of the Writers' Trust of Canada
FeatureBY CHLOE GIRVAN | September 27, 2021
FeatureBY CHLOE GIRVAN | September 27, 2021
Karin Wells, author of The Abortion Caravan: When Women Shut Down Government in the Battle for the Right to Choose, talks about her book. Photographs courtesy of the Writers' Trust of Canada
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | September 27, 2021
Alex Marland: 'Party discipline is much stricter for government-side backbenchers for all sorts of reasons, in particular, the confidence convention.' Photograph courtesy of Alex Marland
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | September 27, 2021
FeatureBY KATE MALLOY | September 27, 2021
Alex Marland: 'Party discipline is much stricter for government-side backbenchers for all sorts of reasons, in particular, the confidence convention.' Photograph courtesy of Alex Marland