Monday, December 29, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Monday, December 29, 2025 | Latest Paper

Copps’ Corner

Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 23, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, shakes hands with Conservative MP Laila Goodridge after speaking before his caucus in the West Block on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 23, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 23, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, right, shakes hands with Conservative MP Laila Goodridge after speaking before his caucus in the West Block on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 15, 2025
Canadian Culture Minister Marc Miller, pictured. Indigenous friendship centres are scrambling because they literally do not know what will happen in three months with their funding. Meanwhile, Indigenous Services deputy minister Gina Wilson has confirmed funding will be renewed, but no one know by how much or when, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 15, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 15, 2025
Canadian Culture Minister Marc Miller, pictured. Indigenous friendship centres are scrambling because they literally do not know what will happen in three months with their funding. Meanwhile, Indigenous Services deputy minister Gina Wilson has confirmed funding will be renewed, but no one know by how much or when, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 8, 2025
The support of women during the 2025 election campaign is what helped the Liberals win this past spring, which is something Prime Minister Mark Carney should keep in mind when he makes policies that impact this demographic, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 8, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 8, 2025
The support of women during the 2025 election campaign is what helped the Liberals win this past spring, which is something Prime Minister Mark Carney should keep in mind when he makes policies that impact this demographic, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 1, 2025
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, left, and former immigration minister Sergio Marchi. Marchi was quoted in a Quebec newspaper saying he was instructed by Chrétien to speed up citizenship applications in advance of a potential referendum vote.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and handout photograph
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 1, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | December 1, 2025
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, left, and former immigration minister Sergio Marchi. Marchi was quoted in a Quebec newspaper saying he was instructed by Chrétien to speed up citizenship applications in advance of a potential referendum vote.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and handout photograph
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 24, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Having just come off a federal election this past the spring, there was zero appetite to go back to the polls for most political parties. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 24, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 24, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Having just come off a federal election this past the spring, there was zero appetite to go back to the polls for most political parties. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 17, 2025
Ten months into the mandate of U.S. President Donald Trump, the number of Canadians who visit the United States has slumped dramatically.   Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 17, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 17, 2025
Ten months into the mandate of U.S. President Donald Trump, the number of Canadians who visit the United States has slumped dramatically.   Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 10, 2025
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured at Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet's swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on March 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 10, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 10, 2025
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured at Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet's swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall on March 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 3, 2025
Photographs courtesy of Joël Truchon, Antoine Taveneaux, and Ralph Alswang, William J. Clinton Presidential Library, and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 3, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | November 3, 2025
Photographs courtesy of Joël Truchon, Antoine Taveneaux, and Ralph Alswang, William J. Clinton Presidential Library, and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 27, 2025
Since making comments about the RCMP that were published on a YouTube channel over a week ago, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been on the receiving end of public and anonymous criticism from Conservative insiders. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 27, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 27, 2025
Since making comments about the RCMP that were published on a YouTube channel over a week ago, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been on the receiving end of public and anonymous criticism from Conservative insiders. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 20, 2025
Mark Carney
This spring, Prime Minister Mark Carney was able to present himself as a new face in Parliament, with plenty of experience in the business and international communities, but more attention needs to be paid to rural regions that have been painted a deep swath of blue for the past two decades, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 20, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 20, 2025
Mark Carney
This spring, Prime Minister Mark Carney was able to present himself as a new face in Parliament, with plenty of experience in the business and international communities, but more attention needs to be paid to rural regions that have been painted a deep swath of blue for the past two decades, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 13, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured Oct. 6, 2025, on the Hill, will be releasing the federal budget on Nov. 4 in the House. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 13, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 13, 2025
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, pictured Oct. 6, 2025, on the Hill, will be releasing the federal budget on Nov. 4 in the House. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 6, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference at the Fire of God Ministries food bank in Ottawa on Sept. 29, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 6, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference at the Fire of God Ministries food bank in Ottawa on Sept. 29, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 29, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, flanked by U.S. Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr., left, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, talks about Tylenol, pregnant women, and autism on Sept. 22, 2025. But there is no conclusive evidence that using acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism. Image courtesy of YouTube
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 29, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 29, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, centre, flanked by U.S. Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr., left, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, talks about Tylenol, pregnant women, and autism on Sept. 22, 2025. But there is no conclusive evidence that using acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism. Image courtesy of YouTube
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 22, 2025
The Sept. 10 murder of American activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, on the campus of Utah Valley University reverberated around the world. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 22, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 22, 2025
The Sept. 10 murder of American activist Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, on the campus of Utah Valley University reverberated around the world. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 15, 2025
The most important adventure is the chance to compare notes on our changing lives. The changes are not just personal, they are also global, writes Sheila Copps. Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 15, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 15, 2025
The most important adventure is the chance to compare notes on our changing lives. The changes are not just personal, they are also global, writes Sheila Copps. Image courtesy of Pixabay
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 8, 2025
NDP interim leader Don Davies, centre, and NDP House Leader Alexandre Boulerice are two of seven NDP MPs in the House of Commons after a dramatic election loss. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 8, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 8, 2025
NDP interim leader Don Davies, centre, and NDP House Leader Alexandre Boulerice are two of seven NDP MPs in the House of Commons after a dramatic election loss. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 1, 2025
MPs will return to their seats in the House of Commons for the fall session on Sept. 15. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 1, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 1, 2025
MPs will return to their seats in the House of Commons for the fall session on Sept. 15. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 25, 2025
Pierre and Anaida Poilievre at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa on April 28, 2025, after the Conservative leader lost his seat in the general election. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 25, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 25, 2025
Pierre and Anaida Poilievre at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa on April 28, 2025, after the Conservative leader lost his seat in the general election. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 18, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump at the G20 in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019. Photograph courtesy of Shealah Craighead, Official White House photo
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 18, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 18, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump at the G20 in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019. Photograph courtesy of Shealah Craighead, Official White House photo
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 11, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand at a press conference in the National Press Theatre on July 30, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 11, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 11, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand at a press conference in the National Press Theatre on July 30, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 4, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Prime Minister’s First Nations summit on Bill C-5 in Gatineau, Que., on July 17, 2025. The two-state solution is not dead. Countries like France, Great Britain, and Canada need to make it happen, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 4, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 4, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Prime Minister’s First Nations summit on Bill C-5 in Gatineau, Que., on July 17, 2025. The two-state solution is not dead. Countries like France, Great Britain, and Canada need to make it happen, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 28, 2025
Pete Hoekstra
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, pictured May 22, 2025, at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 28, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 28, 2025
Pete Hoekstra
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, pictured May 22, 2025, at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 21, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa on July 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 21, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 21, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa on July 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 14, 2025
If the federal Liberal government, led by Mark Carney, left, wants to fight Albertan alienation, it must invest in a daily communications presence in the province to counter the messaging from Premier Danielle Smith's government, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 14, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 14, 2025
If the federal Liberal government, led by Mark Carney, left, wants to fight Albertan alienation, it must invest in a daily communications presence in the province to counter the messaging from Premier Danielle Smith's government, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 7, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, cannot afford to give into American demands on supply management, writes Sheila Copps. The long-standing Canadian policy already has the support of the Bloc Québécois, led by Yves-François Blanchet, centre, and the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 7, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | July 7, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, cannot afford to give into American demands on supply management, writes Sheila Copps. The long-standing Canadian policy already has the support of the Bloc Québécois, led by Yves-François Blanchet, centre, and the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | June 30, 2025
People at the Canada Day celebration in Ottawa on July 1, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | June 30, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | June 30, 2025
People at the Canada Day celebration in Ottawa on July 1, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | June 23, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | June 23, 2025
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | June 23, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre holds a press conference in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 21, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Oct. 11, 2019, at a rally in Ottawa. There is something to be said for a Westminster system that has functioned for more than 400 years. Successful Parliaments are not about doing politics differently, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 21, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 21, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Oct. 11, 2019, at a rally in Ottawa. There is something to be said for a Westminster system that has functioned for more than 400 years. Successful Parliaments are not about doing politics differently, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 14, 2019
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on Oct. 7, 2019, arriving at the English-language televised leaders debate in Gatineau, Que. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 14, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 14, 2019
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on Oct. 7, 2019, arriving at the English-language televised leaders debate in Gatineau, Que. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 7, 2019
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured Oct. 2, 2019, campaigning in Scarborough Southwest, Ont. Photograph courtesy of Andrew Scheer's Twitter
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 7, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | October 7, 2019
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured Oct. 2, 2019, campaigning in Scarborough Southwest, Ont. Photograph courtesy of Andrew Scheer's Twitter
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 30, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, pictured on Sept. 11, 2019. Voters are smart enough to make decisions based on current issues, not on fake personality politics. That explains why Justin Trudeau’s Liberals did not lose ground following the revelations that he costumed himself in blackface and brownface on more than one occasion 20 years ago, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 30, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 30, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, pictured on Sept. 11, 2019. Voters are smart enough to make decisions based on current issues, not on fake personality politics. That explains why Justin Trudeau’s Liberals did not lose ground following the revelations that he costumed himself in blackface and brownface on more than one occasion 20 years ago, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 23, 2019
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, pictured at the Maclean's CityTV leaders' debate in Toronto on Sep. 12, 2019. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 23, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 23, 2019
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, pictured at the Maclean's CityTV leaders' debate in Toronto on Sep. 12, 2019. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 16, 2019
The Globe and Mail made a splash with its front-page, above-the-fold news story about SNC-Lavalin affair on the same day as the prime minister called the federal election on Sept. 11, 2019. Screen image of The Globe and Mail
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 16, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 16, 2019
The Globe and Mail made a splash with its front-page, above-the-fold news story about SNC-Lavalin affair on the same day as the prime minister called the federal election on Sept. 11, 2019. Screen image of The Globe and Mail
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 9, 2019
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney, pictured here on the Hill on June 18, 1990, with Nelson Mandela, last week celebrated the 35th anniversary of his momentous 1984 victory against the governing Liberals. The Hill Times photograph by Jim Creskey
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 9, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 9, 2019
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney, pictured here on the Hill on June 18, 1990, with Nelson Mandela, last week celebrated the 35th anniversary of his momentous 1984 victory against the governing Liberals. The Hill Times photograph by Jim Creskey
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 2, 2019
People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier has proposed slashing annual immigration levels to nearly a third of what they are now. Cutting immigration means hurting the economy, argues Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 2, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | September 2, 2019
People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier has proposed slashing annual immigration levels to nearly a third of what they are now. Cutting immigration means hurting the economy, argues Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 26, 2019
People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier has been excluded from the federal leaders' debates because his party does not meet criteria set out by the new Leaders' Debates Commission. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 26, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 26, 2019
People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier has been excluded from the federal leaders' debates because his party does not meet criteria set out by the new Leaders' Debates Commission. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 19, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been under fire for months for pressuring his former attorney general to get Montreal's SNC-Lavalin out of a criminal prosecution. Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion's damning report on Mr. Trudeau's actions won't do much to change what Canadians think about the scandal, if they do at all, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 19, 2019
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 19, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been under fire for months for pressuring his former attorney general to get Montreal's SNC-Lavalin out of a criminal prosecution. Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion's damning report on Mr. Trudeau's actions won't do much to change what Canadians think about the scandal, if they do at all, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade