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Friday, July 4, 2025 | Latest Paper

Canada & The 21st Century

Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 27, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne at a press conference in the West Block on June 19, 2025. The challenge for the Carney government is to get Canada's banks and other financial institutions to think beyond pipelines to new sources of economic growth that are based on ideas, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 27, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 27, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne at a press conference in the West Block on June 19, 2025. The challenge for the Carney government is to get Canada's banks and other financial institutions to think beyond pipelines to new sources of economic growth that are based on ideas, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 23, 2025
European Council President Antonio Costa, front left, Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s PM Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. PM Keir Starmer, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on June 16, 2025. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 23, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 23, 2025
European Council President Antonio Costa, front left, Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s PM Mark Carney, U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. PM Keir Starmer, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on June 16, 2025. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 16, 2025
China's President Xi Jinping, pictured, was not invited to the G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta, but Canada is making it quite clear that China has an important and positive role to play if our country is going to be economically less dependent on the United States, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 16, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 16, 2025
China's President Xi Jinping, pictured, was not invited to the G7 Leaders' Summit in Alberta, but Canada is making it quite clear that China has an important and positive role to play if our country is going to be economically less dependent on the United States, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 9, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured May 25, 2025, addressing the Liberal caucus on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 9, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 9, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured May 25, 2025, addressing the Liberal caucus on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 2, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
If we want to keep our country, we cannot afford yet another failure. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has to deliver a plan that will achieve success this time. Action not just words. And with much urgency, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 2, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | June 2, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
If we want to keep our country, we cannot afford yet another failure. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has to deliver a plan that will achieve success this time. Action not just words. And with much urgency, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House's Oval Office on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 26, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House's Oval Office on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 19, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said there will be a fall economic statement, but no federal budget before the summer, which is being slammed by the opposition parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 19, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 19, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said there will be a fall economic statement, but no federal budget before the summer, which is being slammed by the opposition parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 12, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney said that economy would become the strongest 'in the G7.' No matter the outcome of Canada-U.S. negotiations, this new economy matters even more, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 12, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 12, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney said that economy would become the strongest 'in the G7.' No matter the outcome of Canada-U.S. negotiations, this new economy matters even more, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet will face a mind-boggling agenda far beyond the typical demands facing a new government, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 5, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | May 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet will face a mind-boggling agenda far beyond the typical demands facing a new government, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025.
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. Canada proclaims to be a world leader in AI, but Stanford University’s AI index ranking countries on various key indicators does not rank Canada in the top 10 AI nations, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 24, 2025
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025.
A person walks past the Queen’s Gate on April 23, 2025. Canada proclaims to be a world leader in AI, but Stanford University’s AI index ranking countries on various key indicators does not rank Canada in the top 10 AI nations, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
This is our new world and, in it, we will face intense pressures to find out where we best fit. Can we build a Canada much less dependent on the oil and gas and auto industries? There’s a good chance we will have to, and there's no time to waste, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 18, 2025
This is our new world and, in it, we will face intense pressures to find out where we best fit. Can we build a Canada much less dependent on the oil and gas and auto industries? There’s a good chance we will have to, and there's no time to waste, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, top left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trump's trade war has forced Canada to rethink its economic position in the world, but David Crane says Canada's political leaders are missing the mark with talk of accelerating oil and gas projects and critical minerals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and Pixabay, and illustration courtesy of Joey Sabourin
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 14, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, Prime Minister Mark Carney, top left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trump's trade war has forced Canada to rethink its economic position in the world, but David Crane says Canada's political leaders are missing the mark with talk of accelerating oil and gas projects and critical minerals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and Pixabay, and illustration courtesy of Joey Sabourin
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | April 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
Pro-pipeline demonstrators on the Hill on Feb. 19, 2019. Even the world’s biggest petrostate, Saudi Arabia, recognizes that it can't rely on oil and gas to keep it afloat, and is busy diversifying away from its reliance on oil. We must as well, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 31, 2025
Pro-pipeline demonstrators on the Hill on Feb. 19, 2019. Even the world’s biggest petrostate, Saudi Arabia, recognizes that it can't rely on oil and gas to keep it afloat, and is busy diversifying away from its reliance on oil. We must as well, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons, illustration courtesy of The Hill Times' Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons, illustration courtesy of The Hill Times' Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's 'MAGA aggression,' if implemented, would be even more destructive than the highly protectionist trade policies of the 1930s that played such a great role in extending and deepening the Great Depression, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | March 3, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's 'MAGA aggression,' if implemented, would be even more destructive than the highly protectionist trade policies of the 1930s that played such a great role in extending and deepening the Great Depression, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
At some point there has to be an adult conversation between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on the future continental relationship. But the Trump administration is still focused on coercion rather than negotiation, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 24, 2025
At some point there has to be an adult conversation between Canada, the United States, and Mexico on the future continental relationship. But the Trump administration is still focused on coercion rather than negotiation, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
Donald Trump's disruption to trade will have seriously damaging consequences for the U.S. and its workers. Inflation, job losses, and high interest rates could be broad consequences. His political position at home is weak. He did not win an overwhelming victory in last year's election, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Owantana
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 17, 2025
Donald Trump's disruption to trade will have seriously damaging consequences for the U.S. and its workers. Inflation, job losses, and high interest rates could be broad consequences. His political position at home is weak. He did not win an overwhelming victory in last year's election, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Owantana
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's insults have done us a big favour: he has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump's insults have done us a big favour: he has re-energized the feeling of Canadians for their country, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 3, 2025
We need to be an innovative nation: The needed changes will be disruptive, maybe painful, and will take time. But, if the result is an innovative country, it will be worth it, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Jimmy Chan/Pexels
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 3, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 3, 2025
We need to be an innovative nation: The needed changes will be disruptive, maybe painful, and will take time. But, if the result is an innovative country, it will be worth it, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Jimmy Chan/Pexels
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 27, 2025
An illustration of U.S. President Donald Trump. It is hard to think of a time when the quality of Canadian leadership mattered so much. We face four years of formidable pressure to become a vassal state with severely limited capacity to act in our own interest, writes David Crane. Illustration courtesy of Pixabay/Gabriel Douglas
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 27, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 27, 2025
An illustration of U.S. President Donald Trump. It is hard to think of a time when the quality of Canadian leadership mattered so much. We face four years of formidable pressure to become a vassal state with severely limited capacity to act in our own interest, writes David Crane. Illustration courtesy of Pixabay/Gabriel Douglas
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 20, 2025
First ministers' meeting
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 16, 2025. The Trump administration is expected to pursue a hostile policy toward Canada, intent on making us a vassal state. Our best bet is to focus on nation building, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 20, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 20, 2025
First ministers' meeting
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on Jan. 16, 2025. The Trump administration is expected to pursue a hostile policy toward Canada, intent on making us a vassal state. Our best bet is to focus on nation building, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 13, 2025
Justin Trudeau
The Trudeau government had quickly adapted to Trumpism, declaring that Canada was fully in line on the U.S. president-elect's China policy, and agreeing that Mexico posed a threat because of its Chinese investment, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 13, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 13, 2025
Justin Trudeau
The Trudeau government had quickly adapted to Trumpism, declaring that Canada was fully in line on the U.S. president-elect's China policy, and agreeing that Mexico posed a threat because of its Chinese investment, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 6, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney at the Liberal National Convention at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on May 4, 2023. 'My own suspicion is that Carney is thinking hard about vying for the country’s top job, and is leaning towards stepping up should Trudeau leave,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 6, 2025
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 6, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney at the Liberal National Convention at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on May 4, 2023. 'My own suspicion is that Carney is thinking hard about vying for the country’s top job, and is leaning towards stepping up should Trudeau leave,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 25, 2024
New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc shortly after being sworn into his current role at Rideau Hall on Dec. 16, 2024. Since this year’s fall economic statement is the government’s latest plan for the economy, it deserves to be examined in detail, despite its bizarre unveiling, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 25, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 25, 2024
New Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc shortly after being sworn into his current role at Rideau Hall on Dec. 16, 2024. Since this year’s fall economic statement is the government’s latest plan for the economy, it deserves to be examined in detail, despite its bizarre unveiling, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 16, 2024
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. Over a decade or more of stagnant wages, working Canadians have benefitted from low-cost imports, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 16, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 16, 2024
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly. Over a decade or more of stagnant wages, working Canadians have benefitted from low-cost imports, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 9, 2024
The response from Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured, sounded promising. The industrial benefits policy, Champagne said, reflected “the importance of fostering homegrown innovation and developing our industrial capacity, given industry’s critical role in supporting Canada’s national security,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 9, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 9, 2024
The response from Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured, sounded promising. The industrial benefits policy, Champagne said, reflected “the importance of fostering homegrown innovation and developing our industrial capacity, given industry’s critical role in supporting Canada’s national security,' writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 19, 2024
Carpe diem: In his report, MIT economist David Autor argues that AI could be a boon for many workers with basic or foundational skills. This is not a forecast, he says—it depends on what we do to make this possibility a reality. Our challenge is to help make this happen. Image courtesy of Pexels.com
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 19, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 19, 2024
Carpe diem: In his report, MIT economist David Autor argues that AI could be a boon for many workers with basic or foundational skills. This is not a forecast, he says—it depends on what we do to make this possibility a reality. Our challenge is to help make this happen. Image courtesy of Pexels.com
Opinion | February 12, 2024
Southwestern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, pictured. As the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute says, 'the challenges facing agriculture and food underscore the need for a new social contract,' writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of by Reinhard Pienitz, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
Opinion | February 12, 2024
Opinion | February 12, 2024
Southwestern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, pictured. As the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute says, 'the challenges facing agriculture and food underscore the need for a new social contract,' writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of by Reinhard Pienitz, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 5, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 5, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | February 5, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 29, 2024
In the report, extreme weather events are defined as 'loss of human life, damage to ecosystems, destruction of property, and/or financial loss due to extreme weather events.' They are 'inclusive of land-based (wildfires), water-based (floods), and atmospheric and temperature-related (heat-waves) events, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Cpl. Marc-André Leclerc, DND
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 29, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 29, 2024
In the report, extreme weather events are defined as 'loss of human life, damage to ecosystems, destruction of property, and/or financial loss due to extreme weather events.' They are 'inclusive of land-based (wildfires), water-based (floods), and atmospheric and temperature-related (heat-waves) events, writes David Crane. Photograph courtesy of Cpl. Marc-André Leclerc, DND
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 22, 2024
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured recently on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 22, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 22, 2024
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured recently on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 15, 2024
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Health Minister Mark Holland at the National Press Theatre on Dec. 12, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 15, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 15, 2024
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Health Minister Mark Holland at the National Press Theatre on Dec. 12, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 8, 2024
Building an economy with high-value jobs and sustained, productive growth will not happen overnight. It has to be a longer-term commitment and the benefits will take time to be realized, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pexel.com
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 8, 2024
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | January 8, 2024
Building an economy with high-value jobs and sustained, productive growth will not happen overnight. It has to be a longer-term commitment and the benefits will take time to be realized, writes David Crane. Image courtesy of Pexel.com
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 28, 2023
In the 2022 federal budget, Finance Minster Chrystia Freeland unveiled plans for a Canada Innovation Corporation that would support Canadian businesses to develop and protect IP, and enhance their ability to act as high-value suppliers in global value chains. But Ottawa is in no rush. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 28, 2023
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 28, 2023
In the 2022 federal budget, Finance Minster Chrystia Freeland unveiled plans for a Canada Innovation Corporation that would support Canadian businesses to develop and protect IP, and enhance their ability to act as high-value suppliers in global value chains. But Ottawa is in no rush. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 18, 2023
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 18, 2023
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 18, 2023
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 18, 2023
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured, should provide serious analysis on the barriers to supply-enhancing productivity growth in Canada in the 2024 budget, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 18, 2023
Opinion | BY DAVID CRANE | December 18, 2023
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured, should provide serious analysis on the barriers to supply-enhancing productivity growth in Canada in the 2024 budget, writes David Crane. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade