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Bhagwant Sandhu

Bhagwant Sandhu is a retired director general from the federal government. Between 2002-21 he held senior roles in several departments, including Fisheries and Ocean Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, and Public Works Canada. He has also held executive positions in the governments of Ontario and British Columbia.

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 16, 2023
In February, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre gave the government one month to stop illegal migrants from crossing through Quebec’s Roxham Road border crossing, but that demand is no longer his focus with other issues more damaging to the Liberals in his sight line. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 16, 2023
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 16, 2023
In February, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre gave the government one month to stop illegal migrants from crossing through Quebec’s Roxham Road border crossing, but that demand is no longer his focus with other issues more damaging to the Liberals in his sight line. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2023
CSIS director David Vigneault
Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director David Vigneault, seen here on July 16, 2020. Where are the senior managers at CSIS, asks Bhagwant Sandhu. Should they not reassure us that Canadian democracy and public institutions are safe-guarded with due process and management controls? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2023
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2023
CSIS director David Vigneault
Canadian Security Intelligence Service Director David Vigneault, seen here on July 16, 2020. Where are the senior managers at CSIS, asks Bhagwant Sandhu. Should they not reassure us that Canadian democracy and public institutions are safe-guarded with due process and management controls? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 6, 2023
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly should be careful and clear-headed in what she wants out of India, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 6, 2023
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 6, 2023
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly should be careful and clear-headed in what she wants out of India, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2023
Both NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre want to increase their appeal to new Canadians voters. To do that, they will have to speak up and offer tangible foreign policy alternatives, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2023
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2023
Both NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre want to increase their appeal to new Canadians voters. To do that, they will have to speak up and offer tangible foreign policy alternatives, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 18, 2023
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is getting a new chief of staff and with that fresh start comes a golden opportunity to turn the page on our ineffective and ultimately costly foreign policy framework, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 18, 2023
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 18, 2023
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is getting a new chief of staff and with that fresh start comes a golden opportunity to turn the page on our ineffective and ultimately costly foreign policy framework, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 29, 2022
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was supposed to shine in 2022 as dean of the G7. That didn’t happen, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 29, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 29, 2022
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was supposed to shine in 2022 as dean of the G7. That didn’t happen, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 30, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured Feb. 23, 2021, delivering a joint press statement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the East Room of the White House. Canada’s new Indo-Pacific strategy is about the Trudeau’s Liberals propping up the U.S. Democrats on the one hand, and fighting off the Conservatives on the other, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 30, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 30, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured Feb. 23, 2021, delivering a joint press statement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the East Room of the White House. Canada’s new Indo-Pacific strategy is about the Trudeau’s Liberals propping up the U.S. Democrats on the one hand, and fighting off the Conservatives on the other, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 17, 2022
If Justin Trudeau's Liberals are unable to produce results after seven years in government, maybe we should look to the Conservatives and their new leader, Pierre Poilievre, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 17, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 17, 2022
If Justin Trudeau's Liberals are unable to produce results after seven years in government, maybe we should look to the Conservatives and their new leader, Pierre Poilievre, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 2, 2022
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken hold a joint press conference on Oct. 27 in Ottawa. Canada doesn't have to support Blinken’s agenda. We could mediate a national reconciliation process, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 2, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 2, 2022
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken hold a joint press conference on Oct. 27 in Ottawa. Canada doesn't have to support Blinken’s agenda. We could mediate a national reconciliation process, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 26, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets then-British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, at COP26 in November 2021. Just before resigning her post, Truss was still touting herself as 'a fighter, not a quitter,' self-characterizations reducing her to a caricature: strident, superficial, and predictable, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. U.K. Government photograph by Karwai Tang
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 26, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 26, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets then-British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, at COP26 in November 2021. Just before resigning her post, Truss was still touting herself as 'a fighter, not a quitter,' self-characterizations reducing her to a caricature: strident, superficial, and predictable, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. U.K. Government photograph by Karwai Tang
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 13, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to crank up the feminist agenda to a pitch from which it can never be rolled back, by anyone, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 13, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 13, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to crank up the feminist agenda to a pitch from which it can never be rolled back, by anyone, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 27, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s marching orders to his new ambassador to China are very direct. He wants her to advance 'Canadian priorities in the Canada-China relationship, including supporting the long-standing people-to-people, economic, and business ties between our two countries,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 27, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 27, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s marching orders to his new ambassador to China are very direct. He wants her to advance 'Canadian priorities in the Canada-China relationship, including supporting the long-standing people-to-people, economic, and business ties between our two countries,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 21, 2022
New Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. From these two, don't expect any meaningful debates to overhaul the way we do policy and run our institutions in Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 21, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 21, 2022
New Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. From these two, don't expect any meaningful debates to overhaul the way we do policy and run our institutions in Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2022
From Aug. 25-27, NATO’s top bureaucrat, Jens Stoltenberg, pictured in 2018, was fêted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the manner normally reserved for visiting heads of state, full of ceremonial-style military inspections, photo-ops, and joint press conferences. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2022
From Aug. 25-27, NATO’s top bureaucrat, Jens Stoltenberg, pictured in 2018, was fêted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the manner normally reserved for visiting heads of state, full of ceremonial-style military inspections, photo-ops, and joint press conferences. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 29, 2022
Rob Oliphant, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, was tapped to lead Canada in developing an Africa strategy. He has been a tenacious voice for the continent, but will face challenges, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 29, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 29, 2022
Rob Oliphant, parliamentary secretary to Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, was tapped to lead Canada in developing an Africa strategy. He has been a tenacious voice for the continent, but will face challenges, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 17, 2022
At the June 6 press conference with visiting Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked if he opposed the American decision to keep Cuba out of the Organization of American States meeting in Los Angeles. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 17, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 17, 2022
At the June 6 press conference with visiting Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked if he opposed the American decision to keep Cuba out of the Organization of American States meeting in Los Angeles. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 10, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers, pictured on Feb. 24 announcing measures following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have alternated between wanting a regime change in Russia and strengthening the NATO alliance to consolidating democracy in Ukraine, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 10, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 10, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers, pictured on Feb. 24 announcing measures following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have alternated between wanting a regime change in Russia and strengthening the NATO alliance to consolidating democracy in Ukraine, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 20, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre answers a question during the party's first leadership contest debate, held at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s conference in Ottawa on May 5, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 20, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 20, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre answers a question during the party's first leadership contest debate, held at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s conference in Ottawa on May 5, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 8, 2022
The election of social-democratic governments across South America puts Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his foreign policy postures in a tight spot, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 8, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 8, 2022
The election of social-democratic governments across South America puts Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his foreign policy postures in a tight spot, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 16, 2022
Mélanie Joly is the fifth minister to oversee foreign affairs since the Liberals swept to power in 2015. The problem is not the rank and file, nor the departmental culture. It is the lack of political leadership and informed policy direction, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 16, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 16, 2022
Mélanie Joly is the fifth minister to oversee foreign affairs since the Liberals swept to power in 2015. The problem is not the rank and file, nor the departmental culture. It is the lack of political leadership and informed policy direction, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 12, 2022
On April 7, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said 'the world’s democracies—including our own—can be safe only once the Russian tyrant and his armies are entirely vanquished.' That's essentially urging for regime change in Russia, writes Bhagwant Sandhu, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 12, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 12, 2022
On April 7, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said 'the world’s democracies—including our own—can be safe only once the Russian tyrant and his armies are entirely vanquished.' That's essentially urging for regime change in Russia, writes Bhagwant Sandhu, The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 13, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s assessments are accurate: middle-sized powers should stay away from the geo-political games of the big guns, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 13, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 13, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s assessments are accurate: middle-sized powers should stay away from the geo-political games of the big guns, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 17, 2022
Defence Minister Anita Anand says she is looking at 'aggressive options' to increase Canada's military spending to address a NATO request that allied nations spend a minimum of two per cent. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 17, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 17, 2022
Defence Minister Anita Anand says she is looking at 'aggressive options' to increase Canada's military spending to address a NATO request that allied nations spend a minimum of two per cent. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should cancel our shipments of combat machinery to Saudi Arabia. Unlike the Ukrainians under attack by Russia, the Yemenis offer no domestic political capital to our well-disposed politicians. Yemen, unfortunately, is on its own, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should cancel our shipments of combat machinery to Saudi Arabia. Unlike the Ukrainians under attack by Russia, the Yemenis offer no domestic political capital to our well-disposed politicians. Yemen, unfortunately, is on its own, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 27, 2022
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly just spent a week in Ukraine meeting with the Ukrainian officials to demonstrate, as she put it, 'Canada’s unwavering solidarity in the ongoing crisis,' adding shortly thereafter that 'Canada’s position has not changed. We believe that Ukraine should be able to join NATO.' That last remark might have been an unintended slip, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 27, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 27, 2022
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly just spent a week in Ukraine meeting with the Ukrainian officials to demonstrate, as she put it, 'Canada’s unwavering solidarity in the ongoing crisis,' adding shortly thereafter that 'Canada’s position has not changed. We believe that Ukraine should be able to join NATO.' That last remark might have been an unintended slip, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 19, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, left, and Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge, right, on Dec. 8, 2021, to announce the government’s diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games. Trudeau should mandate Joly to normalize relations with China as a priority, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 19, 2022
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 19, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, left, and Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge, right, on Dec. 8, 2021, to announce the government’s diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games. Trudeau should mandate Joly to normalize relations with China as a priority, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured leaving a Liberal caucus meeting Nov. 8, is the fifth minister to hold the foreign affairs portfolio in the six years prime minister Justin Trudeau has been in power. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured leaving a Liberal caucus meeting Nov. 8, is the fifth minister to hold the foreign affairs portfolio in the six years prime minister Justin Trudeau has been in power. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
Haitian President Jovenel Moise, pictured in Port au Prince on Feb. 7, 2017, after being sworn in as the 58th president of Haiti. Canada, unfortunately, remains a steadfast supporter of Haiti’s political status quo, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of Flickr
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
Haitian President Jovenel Moise, pictured in Port au Prince on Feb. 7, 2017, after being sworn in as the 58th president of Haiti. Canada, unfortunately, remains a steadfast supporter of Haiti’s political status quo, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of Flickr
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
Justin Trudeau, pictured April 22, 2021, taking part in the leaders' summit on climate change, should recruit U.S. President Joe Biden into the mix also. Unlike his predecessor, Biden sees China more of a competitive threat to American trade and commerce, not as a political risk to American hegemony, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
Justin Trudeau, pictured April 22, 2021, taking part in the leaders' summit on climate change, should recruit U.S. President Joe Biden into the mix also. Unlike his predecessor, Biden sees China more of a competitive threat to American trade and commerce, not as a political risk to American hegemony, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 5, 2021, should task Bob Rae, the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, with resolving Canada’s apparent foreign policy contradictions as a top priority, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 5, 2021, should task Bob Rae, the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, with resolving Canada’s apparent foreign policy contradictions as a top priority, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade