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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.

Poilievre’s pivot from migrant issue part of cross-party failure to offer policy solutions

  • There's a lot of political posturing on the asylum seekers and parties seem content to appeal to their bases instead of offering policy solutions.
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

Poilievre’s pivot from migrant issue part of cross-party failure to offer policy solutions

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 16, 2023
  • There's a lot of political posturing on the asylum seekers and parties seem content to appeal to their bases instead of offering policy solutions.

Poilievre’s pivot from migrant issue part of cross-party failure to offer policy solutions

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 16, 2023
  • There's a lot of political posturing on the asylum seekers and parties seem content to appeal to their bases instead of offering policy solutions.
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

Have CSIS leaders lost control of the spy agency?

  • Given the number of leaks, the onus is on CSIS senior management to comfort us that they have things under control at the spy
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2023
CSIS director David Vigneault
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

Have CSIS leaders lost control of the spy agency?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2023
  • Given the number of leaks, the onus is on CSIS senior management to comfort us that they have things under control at the spy

Have CSIS leaders lost control of the spy agency?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2023
  • Given the number of leaks, the onus is on CSIS senior management to comfort us that they have things under control at the spy
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

Joly’s India trip nothing like Canadian trade missions of the past

  • The two day trip looks to be less about trade and more about pressing the Canadian-American desire to turn India away from Russia, weaken
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 6, 2023
Mélanie Joly
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

Joly’s India trip nothing like Canadian trade missions of the past

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 6, 2023
  • The two day trip looks to be less about trade and more about pressing the Canadian-American desire to turn India away from Russia, weaken

Joly’s India trip nothing like Canadian trade missions of the past

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 6, 2023
  • The two day trip looks to be less about trade and more about pressing the Canadian-American desire to turn India away from Russia, weaken
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

Opposition parties need to up their foreign policy game

  • Opposition parties get stuck in the frame of personal attacks and reactionary scapegoating, rather than providing alternatives for hard policy questions.
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

Opposition parties need to up their foreign policy game

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2023
  • Opposition parties get stuck in the frame of personal attacks and reactionary scapegoating, rather than providing alternatives for hard policy questions.

Opposition parties need to up their foreign policy game

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2023
  • Opposition parties get stuck in the frame of personal attacks and reactionary scapegoating, rather than providing alternatives for hard policy questions.
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

Joly should reposition Canada’s foreign policy to combat Freeland after-effect

  • Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly can push the positives of foreign policy, moving away from predecessors who prefer war over peace, rule-breaking over law and
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

Joly should reposition Canada’s foreign policy to combat Freeland after-effect

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 18, 2023
  • Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly can push the positives of foreign policy, moving away from predecessors who prefer war over peace, rule-breaking over law and

Joly should reposition Canada’s foreign policy to combat Freeland after-effect

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 18, 2023
  • Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly can push the positives of foreign policy, moving away from predecessors who prefer war over peace, rule-breaking over law and
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

Liberals get a failing grade on foreign policy in 2022

  • Exuding a high moral posture or trafficking in fears and phobias might have short-term appeal, but it does not constitute good policy-making—or for that
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 29, 2022
Justin Trudeau
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

Liberals get a failing grade on foreign policy in 2022

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 29, 2022
  • Exuding a high moral posture or trafficking in fears and phobias might have short-term appeal, but it does not constitute good policy-making—or for that

Liberals get a failing grade on foreign policy in 2022

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 29, 2022
  • Exuding a high moral posture or trafficking in fears and phobias might have short-term appeal, but it does not constitute good policy-making—or for that
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

Trudeau’s Indo-Pacific plan offers Canadian stamp on an American strategy

  • The running theme in both the U.S. National Defence Strategy and Canada's recently-released strategy for the region is an 'us versus them' dichotomy. Them
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

Trudeau’s Indo-Pacific plan offers Canadian stamp on an American strategy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 30, 2022
  • The running theme in both the U.S. National Defence Strategy and Canada's recently-released strategy for the region is an 'us versus them' dichotomy. Them

Trudeau’s Indo-Pacific plan offers Canadian stamp on an American strategy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 30, 2022
  • The running theme in both the U.S. National Defence Strategy and Canada's recently-released strategy for the region is an 'us versus them' dichotomy. Them
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

Military must do its part to curb carbon emissions

  • It is not just the big industrial polluters or everyday consumers filling up their gas tanks that are poisoning the atmosphere, it is also
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

Military must do its part to curb carbon emissions

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 17, 2022
  • It is not just the big industrial polluters or everyday consumers filling up their gas tanks that are poisoning the atmosphere, it is also

Military must do its part to curb carbon emissions

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 17, 2022
  • It is not just the big industrial polluters or everyday consumers filling up their gas tanks that are poisoning the atmosphere, it is also
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

Haiti does not need gunboat diplomacy

  • It needs to be able to chart its own course, without being thwarted by unelected autocrats. It also needs Canada to mind its own
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

Haiti does not need gunboat diplomacy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 2, 2022
  • It needs to be able to chart its own course, without being thwarted by unelected autocrats. It also needs Canada to mind its own

Haiti does not need gunboat diplomacy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 2, 2022
  • It needs to be able to chart its own course, without being thwarted by unelected autocrats. It also needs Canada to mind its own
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

Canadian politicians can learn from Truss’ rapid rise and fall

  • OTTAWA—Aside from the perfunctory nod to our “shared history, values, and traditions,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Sept. 6 statement to congratulate Liz Truss, the
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

Canadian politicians can learn from Truss’ rapid rise and fall

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 26, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Aside from the perfunctory nod to our “shared history, values, and traditions,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Sept. 6 statement to congratulate Liz Truss, the

Canadian politicians can learn from Truss’ rapid rise and fall

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 26, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Aside from the perfunctory nod to our “shared history, values, and traditions,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Sept. 6 statement to congratulate Liz Truss, the
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

Feds need real feminist bonafides now to prevent backsliding later

  • OTTAWA—Two months before he became prime minister in 2015, Justin Trudeau declared: “I am a feminist. I’m proud to be a feminist.” He was
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

Feds need real feminist bonafides now to prevent backsliding later

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Two months before he became prime minister in 2015, Justin Trudeau declared: “I am a feminist. I’m proud to be a feminist.” He was

Feds need real feminist bonafides now to prevent backsliding later

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Two months before he became prime minister in 2015, Justin Trudeau declared: “I am a feminist. I’m proud to be a feminist.” He was
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

Trudeau picks strong envoy to China after two missteps

  • OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s appointment of career diplomat Jennifer May as the ambassador to China indicates one of two things. It reveals
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

Trudeau picks strong envoy to China after two missteps

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 27, 2022
  • OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s appointment of career diplomat Jennifer May as the ambassador to China indicates one of two things. It reveals

Trudeau picks strong envoy to China after two missteps

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 27, 2022
  • OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s appointment of career diplomat Jennifer May as the ambassador to China indicates one of two things. It reveals
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

Trudeau-Poilievre match up will be a clash of personalities over policy substance

  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre has pivoted. He has shelved the crazy conspiracy theories which helped him win leadership of the Conservative Party for the more mundane
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

Trudeau-Poilievre match up will be a clash of personalities over policy substance

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre has pivoted. He has shelved the crazy conspiracy theories which helped him win leadership of the Conservative Party for the more mundane

Trudeau-Poilievre match up will be a clash of personalities over policy substance

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre has pivoted. He has shelved the crazy conspiracy theories which helped him win leadership of the Conservative Party for the more mundane
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

Stoltenberg’s visit opens questions about Canada’s Arctic strategy

  • OTTAWA—Jens Stoltenberg’s recent visit to Canada’s North was unprecedented. From Aug. 25-27, NATO’s top bureaucrat was fêted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the
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

Stoltenberg’s visit opens questions about Canada’s Arctic strategy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Jens Stoltenberg’s recent visit to Canada’s North was unprecedented. From Aug. 25-27, NATO’s top bureaucrat was fêted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the

Stoltenberg’s visit opens questions about Canada’s Arctic strategy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Jens Stoltenberg’s recent visit to Canada’s North was unprecedented. From Aug. 25-27, NATO’s top bureaucrat was fêted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the
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

MP Oliphant the right choice to lead Canada’s new Africa strategy

  • The Liberal plan to develop a new African engagement strategy offers Prime Minister Justin Trudeau an opportunity to turn things around on the foreign
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

MP Oliphant the right choice to lead Canada’s new Africa strategy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 29, 2022
  • The Liberal plan to develop a new African engagement strategy offers Prime Minister Justin Trudeau an opportunity to turn things around on the foreign

MP Oliphant the right choice to lead Canada’s new Africa strategy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 29, 2022
  • The Liberal plan to develop a new African engagement strategy offers Prime Minister Justin Trudeau an opportunity to turn things around on the foreign
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

Is Canada giving Cuba the cold shoulder?

  • OTTAWA—Is Canada suddenly giving Cuba the cold shoulder? It sure seems like it. At the June 6 press conference with visiting Chilean President Gabriel
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

Is Canada giving Cuba the cold shoulder?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 17, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Is Canada suddenly giving Cuba the cold shoulder? It sure seems like it. At the June 6 press conference with visiting Chilean President Gabriel

Is Canada giving Cuba the cold shoulder?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 17, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Is Canada suddenly giving Cuba the cold shoulder? It sure seems like it. At the June 6 press conference with visiting Chilean President Gabriel
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

Get back to foreign policy basics, ditch faulty approach on Ukraine

  • OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at the lowest point in the polls he’s ever been. According to a recent Abacus Data survey, only 31
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

Get back to foreign policy basics, ditch faulty approach on Ukraine

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 10, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at the lowest point in the polls he’s ever been. According to a recent Abacus Data survey, only 31

Get back to foreign policy basics, ditch faulty approach on Ukraine

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 10, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at the lowest point in the polls he’s ever been. According to a recent Abacus Data survey, only 31
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

Poilievre’s platform offers scant details on foreign policy positions

  • OTTAWA—The problem for Conservative leadership candidate front-runner Pierre Poilievre—once he takes over the party after the race results are in and gets set to
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

Poilievre’s platform offers scant details on foreign policy positions

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 20, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The problem for Conservative leadership candidate front-runner Pierre Poilievre—once he takes over the party after the race results are in and gets set to

Poilievre’s platform offers scant details on foreign policy positions

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 20, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The problem for Conservative leadership candidate front-runner Pierre Poilievre—once he takes over the party after the race results are in and gets set to
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

Trudeau must make foreign policy course correction for South America

  • Canadian prime ministers have always exhibited an intense idiosyncratic hostility towards left-leaning governments in South America –with the possible exception of Cuba. This has
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

Trudeau must make foreign policy course correction for South America

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 8, 2022
  • Canadian prime ministers have always exhibited an intense idiosyncratic hostility towards left-leaning governments in South America –with the possible exception of Cuba. This has

Trudeau must make foreign policy course correction for South America

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 8, 2022
  • Canadian prime ministers have always exhibited an intense idiosyncratic hostility towards left-leaning governments in South America –with the possible exception of Cuba. This has
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

Global Affairs review a golden opportunity to shift gears on Canada’s incoherent foreign policy

  • It’s good Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has launched an operational review of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to modernize her department’s culture and its cadre.
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

Global Affairs review a golden opportunity to shift gears on Canada’s incoherent foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 16, 2022
  • It’s good Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has launched an operational review of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to modernize her department’s culture and its cadre.

Global Affairs review a golden opportunity to shift gears on Canada’s incoherent foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 16, 2022
  • It’s good Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has launched an operational review of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to modernize her department’s culture and its cadre.
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

Canada must push for peace in Ukraine

  • Where to next with Ukraine? If it were left to the ideological hawks, the answer would be more bombs, more death, more destruction. Three
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

Canada must push for peace in Ukraine

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 12, 2022
  • Where to next with Ukraine? If it were left to the ideological hawks, the answer would be more bombs, more death, more destruction. Three

Canada must push for peace in Ukraine

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 12, 2022
  • Where to next with Ukraine? If it were left to the ideological hawks, the answer would be more bombs, more death, more destruction. Three
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

Joly rightly called Canada a convener, and it’s time to put her words into action

  • Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is right. During a recent CTV appearance, she offered a deep political insight, noting that Canada is “a middle-sized
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

Joly rightly called Canada a convener, and it’s time to put her words into action

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 13, 2022
  • Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is right. During a recent CTV appearance, she offered a deep political insight, noting that Canada is “a middle-sized

Joly rightly called Canada a convener, and it’s time to put her words into action

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 13, 2022
  • Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is right. During a recent CTV appearance, she offered a deep political insight, noting that Canada is “a middle-sized
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

Spike in NATO member defence spending warrants closer look

  • For decades, Western powers have promised Ukrainians a lifelong insurance policy by signing up with NATO. Ukraine fell for it, though that membership never
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

Spike in NATO member defence spending warrants closer look

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 17, 2022
  • For decades, Western powers have promised Ukrainians a lifelong insurance policy by signing up with NATO. Ukraine fell for it, though that membership never

Spike in NATO member defence spending warrants closer look

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 17, 2022
  • For decades, Western powers have promised Ukrainians a lifelong insurance policy by signing up with NATO. Ukraine fell for it, though that membership never
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

Canada must take ethical stance to stop bloodshed in Yemen

  • Canada’s foreign policy is now tethered to what the Trudeau government calls a “rules-based order.” At first glance, this sounds sensible and morally satisfying:
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

Canada must take ethical stance to stop bloodshed in Yemen

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2022
  • Canada’s foreign policy is now tethered to what the Trudeau government calls a “rules-based order.” At first glance, this sounds sensible and morally satisfying:

Canada must take ethical stance to stop bloodshed in Yemen

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 2, 2022
  • Canada’s foreign policy is now tethered to what the Trudeau government calls a “rules-based order.” At first glance, this sounds sensible and morally satisfying:
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

Domestic politics in play in Canada’s posturing on Ukraine and Russia

  • The hard part of any war effort is to get the public on side. It takes a well co-ordinated messaging strategy and speaking points.
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

Domestic politics in play in Canada’s posturing on Ukraine and Russia

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 27, 2022
  • The hard part of any war effort is to get the public on side. It takes a well co-ordinated messaging strategy and speaking points.

Domestic politics in play in Canada’s posturing on Ukraine and Russia

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 27, 2022
  • The hard part of any war effort is to get the public on side. It takes a well co-ordinated messaging strategy and speaking points.
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

Trudeau should proceed with caution on Indo-Pacific policy project

  • Historically Canada has been seen by the world as an independent, peaceful country with no known enemies and a cultural identity affixed to the
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

Trudeau should proceed with caution on Indo-Pacific policy project

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 19, 2022
  • Historically Canada has been seen by the world as an independent, peaceful country with no known enemies and a cultural identity affixed to the

Trudeau should proceed with caution on Indo-Pacific policy project

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 19, 2022
  • Historically Canada has been seen by the world as an independent, peaceful country with no known enemies and a cultural identity affixed to the
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

Joly can prove critics wrong, rebrand Canada, and make her mark on foreign policy

  • The recent appointment of Mélanie Joly as Canada’s latest foreign affairs minister has been derided and ridiculed by many commentators. This is not fair.
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

Joly can prove critics wrong, rebrand Canada, and make her mark on foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
  • The recent appointment of Mélanie Joly as Canada’s latest foreign affairs minister has been derided and ridiculed by many commentators. This is not fair.

Joly can prove critics wrong, rebrand Canada, and make her mark on foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
  • The recent appointment of Mélanie Joly as Canada’s latest foreign affairs minister has been derided and ridiculed by many commentators. This is not fair.
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
More Stories

Moïse assassination calls for renewed Canadian regionally-rooted, multilateral approach in Haiti

  • For many Haiti watchers, the news of the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse came as a sudden shock. It did not come as a  surprise.
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

Moïse assassination calls for renewed Canadian regionally-rooted, multilateral approach in Haiti

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
  • For many Haiti watchers, the news of the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse came as a sudden shock. It did not come as a  surprise.

Moïse assassination calls for renewed Canadian regionally-rooted, multilateral approach in Haiti

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
  • For many Haiti watchers, the news of the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse came as a sudden shock. It did not come as a  surprise.
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

Trudeau should continue steady-as-she-goes style and demeanour with China

  • OTTAWA—Tit-for-tat is a well-established strategy in game theory. It is known to produce win-win scenarios when at least one player decides to favour cooperation
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

Trudeau should continue steady-as-she-goes style and demeanour with China

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Tit-for-tat is a well-established strategy in game theory. It is known to produce win-win scenarios when at least one player decides to favour cooperation

Trudeau should continue steady-as-she-goes style and demeanour with China

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Tit-for-tat is a well-established strategy in game theory. It is known to produce win-win scenarios when at least one player decides to favour cooperation
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

Canada needs to take a real hard look at its foreign policy, and reset it

  • From rejoining the Paris Climate Accord to rapprochement with Iran and China, the Biden administration appears to be actively resetting the U.S. government’s foreign
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

Canada needs to take a real hard look at its foreign policy, and reset it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
  • From rejoining the Paris Climate Accord to rapprochement with Iran and China, the Biden administration appears to be actively resetting the U.S. government’s foreign

Canada needs to take a real hard look at its foreign policy, and reset it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
  • From rejoining the Paris Climate Accord to rapprochement with Iran and China, the Biden administration appears to be actively resetting the U.S. government’s foreign
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

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