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Tim Powers

Tim Powers is vice-chairman of Summa Strategies and managing director of Abacus Data. He is a former adviser to Conservative political leaders.

In a bid to serve his country, Johnston has entered a political cage match

  • Given the moment we are in, David Johnston should have avoided putting his hand up to serve. But he also doesn’t deserve some of
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 22, 2023
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thought his March 15 appointment of former governor general David Johnston as the special rapporteur investigating election interference would subdue the political masses, he got that wrong, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

In a bid to serve his country, Johnston has entered a political cage match

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 22, 2023
  • Given the moment we are in, David Johnston should have avoided putting his hand up to serve. But he also doesn’t deserve some of

In a bid to serve his country, Johnston has entered a political cage match

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 22, 2023
  • Given the moment we are in, David Johnston should have avoided putting his hand up to serve. But he also doesn’t deserve some of
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thought his March 15 appointment of former governor general David Johnston as the special rapporteur investigating election interference would subdue the political masses, he got that wrong, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

MAID and mental health deserve thoughtful debate

  • Moronic flamethrower rhetoric and talking points from all sides won’t do the job of properly figuring out what is best here.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 8, 2023
Conservative Senator Denise Batters and MP Ed Fast are involved in the official opposition's work around the inclusion of mental illness as grounds for MAID, and are particularly thoughtful individuals on this subject, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

MAID and mental health deserve thoughtful debate

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 8, 2023
  • Moronic flamethrower rhetoric and talking points from all sides won’t do the job of properly figuring out what is best here.

MAID and mental health deserve thoughtful debate

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 8, 2023
  • Moronic flamethrower rhetoric and talking points from all sides won’t do the job of properly figuring out what is best here.
Conservative Senator Denise Batters and MP Ed Fast are involved in the official opposition's work around the inclusion of mental illness as grounds for MAID, and are particularly thoughtful individuals on this subject, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t sleep on the Churchill Falls talks

  • What happens here influences everything from inter-provincial relations, to the federal treasury, to the 2030 climate reductions emission plan, and beyond.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 1, 2023
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, left, and Quebec Premier François Legault met on Feb. 24 to discuss the future of the Churchill Falls energy contract between the two provinces. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Don’t sleep on the Churchill Falls talks

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 1, 2023
  • What happens here influences everything from inter-provincial relations, to the federal treasury, to the 2030 climate reductions emission plan, and beyond.

Don’t sleep on the Churchill Falls talks

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 1, 2023
  • What happens here influences everything from inter-provincial relations, to the federal treasury, to the 2030 climate reductions emission plan, and beyond.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, left, and Quebec Premier François Legault met on Feb. 24 to discuss the future of the Churchill Falls energy contract between the two provinces. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Aero-curiosities and affairs a welcome distraction for Trudeau, Ford

  • Doug Ford’s wedding woes have been getting some attention, but it’s certainly not at the forefront of the news agenda, nor are Canadians’ economic
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 15, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, is greatest benefactor of Toronto Mayor John Tory’s downfall and the war of the worlds in the celestial space, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and file photograph

Aero-curiosities and affairs a welcome distraction for Trudeau, Ford

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 15, 2023
  • Doug Ford’s wedding woes have been getting some attention, but it’s certainly not at the forefront of the news agenda, nor are Canadians’ economic

Aero-curiosities and affairs a welcome distraction for Trudeau, Ford

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 15, 2023
  • Doug Ford’s wedding woes have been getting some attention, but it’s certainly not at the forefront of the news agenda, nor are Canadians’ economic
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, is greatest benefactor of Toronto Mayor John Tory’s downfall and the war of the worlds in the celestial space, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and file photograph

Planning the post health-care summit to-do list

  • The big cheques and the hopeful political communications that will flow in the days ahead can’t be enough to satisfy us.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 8, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with his provincial counterparts on Feb. 7. But before people start doing victory laps about new cash and our attention shifts elsewhere, Tim Powers lays out what we should be demanding from our leaders and ourselves on health care. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Planning the post health-care summit to-do list

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 8, 2023
  • The big cheques and the hopeful political communications that will flow in the days ahead can’t be enough to satisfy us.

Planning the post health-care summit to-do list

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 8, 2023
  • The big cheques and the hopeful political communications that will flow in the days ahead can’t be enough to satisfy us.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with his provincial counterparts on Feb. 7. But before people start doing victory laps about new cash and our attention shifts elsewhere, Tim Powers lays out what we should be demanding from our leaders and ourselves on health care. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh should stop raising spectre of health-care boogeyman

  • Canadians want politicians to pursue real solutions, not take things off the table simply because there is some political opportunity in posturing on a
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 1, 2023
The only one talking about ‘American-style’ medicine is NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who seems to prefer scaring people with another boogeyman as opposed to finding a solution that isn’t a dated status quo approach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh should stop raising spectre of health-care boogeyman

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 1, 2023
  • Canadians want politicians to pursue real solutions, not take things off the table simply because there is some political opportunity in posturing on a

Singh should stop raising spectre of health-care boogeyman

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 1, 2023
  • Canadians want politicians to pursue real solutions, not take things off the table simply because there is some political opportunity in posturing on a
The only one talking about ‘American-style’ medicine is NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who seems to prefer scaring people with another boogeyman as opposed to finding a solution that isn’t a dated status quo approach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Farewell to one of a kind

  • Former conservative staffer Asad Wali, who died on Jan. 12, enriched many lives and worked to make the country a better place.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 25, 2023
Asad Wali, whose roles on Parliament Hill included that of director of communications in the office of then-Tory leader Jean Charest, had the skills, talent, and blazing personality to play on the big stage, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Daniel Nowlan

Farewell to one of a kind

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 25, 2023
  • Former conservative staffer Asad Wali, who died on Jan. 12, enriched many lives and worked to make the country a better place.

Farewell to one of a kind

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 25, 2023
  • Former conservative staffer Asad Wali, who died on Jan. 12, enriched many lives and worked to make the country a better place.
Asad Wali, whose roles on Parliament Hill included that of director of communications in the office of then-Tory leader Jean Charest, had the skills, talent, and blazing personality to play on the big stage, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Daniel Nowlan

Balancing on the tipping point

  • Broken might be taking it a bit far, but you’d be hard pressed to make a compelling argument that some of the nation’s biggest
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 11, 2023
Despite the House Transport Committee’s emergency show trial-like hearings to examine what happened over the holidays, it’s somehow doubtful that will get your bag back faster or get any real compensation, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Balancing on the tipping point

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 11, 2023
  • Broken might be taking it a bit far, but you’d be hard pressed to make a compelling argument that some of the nation’s biggest

Balancing on the tipping point

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 11, 2023
  • Broken might be taking it a bit far, but you’d be hard pressed to make a compelling argument that some of the nation’s biggest
Despite the House Transport Committee’s emergency show trial-like hearings to examine what happened over the holidays, it’s somehow doubtful that will get your bag back faster or get any real compensation, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Thank you, Jim Carr

  • Canada has lost a smart, reliable, and wise hand from Western Canada at the cabinet table at a crucial time in our history.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 14, 2022
The one thing I never heard in Ottawa about the late Liberal MP Jim Carr was a bad word, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Thank you, Jim Carr

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 14, 2022
  • Canada has lost a smart, reliable, and wise hand from Western Canada at the cabinet table at a crucial time in our history.

Thank you, Jim Carr

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 14, 2022
  • Canada has lost a smart, reliable, and wise hand from Western Canada at the cabinet table at a crucial time in our history.
The one thing I never heard in Ottawa about the late Liberal MP Jim Carr was a bad word, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Brazen was the word of the week

  • From reports of Chinese police stations in Canada, to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's Sovereignty Act, to opportunism over Bill C-21, last week was a
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 7, 2022
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith must face the electorate in May; a path to victory for her appears to involve a big racket with Father Ottawa, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph

Brazen was the word of the week

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 7, 2022
  • From reports of Chinese police stations in Canada, to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's Sovereignty Act, to opportunism over Bill C-21, last week was a

Brazen was the word of the week

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 7, 2022
  • From reports of Chinese police stations in Canada, to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's Sovereignty Act, to opportunism over Bill C-21, last week was a
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith must face the electorate in May; a path to victory for her appears to involve a big racket with Father Ottawa, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph

Canada was right not to skip out on the Qatar World Cup

  • Neither FIFA nor Qatar would have lost a night’s sleep over Canada’s non-participation, while a generation of Canadian soccer dreams would have been wiped
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 30, 2022
International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan meets with Canada Soccer players in Qatar. Those Canadian government officials who have gone to Qatar to support our team have spoken out on human rights issues there, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Canada Soccer's Twitter

Canada was right not to skip out on the Qatar World Cup

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 30, 2022
  • Neither FIFA nor Qatar would have lost a night’s sleep over Canada’s non-participation, while a generation of Canadian soccer dreams would have been wiped

Canada was right not to skip out on the Qatar World Cup

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 30, 2022
  • Neither FIFA nor Qatar would have lost a night’s sleep over Canada’s non-participation, while a generation of Canadian soccer dreams would have been wiped
International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan meets with Canada Soccer players in Qatar. Those Canadian government officials who have gone to Qatar to support our team have spoken out on human rights issues there, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Canada Soccer's Twitter

Trudeau right to avoid Rock ’em Sock ’em approach to foreign diplomacy

  • Give the government the gears on having no clear Canadian-Chinese strategy, question the prime minister on his past comments about accommodation with China—the list
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 23, 2022
Listening to some of the critiques of how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed to stand up to Chinese President Xi Jinping made me think those critics would have opted for a Don Cherry's Rock 'em Sock 'em Hockey approach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Trudeau right to avoid Rock ’em Sock ’em approach to foreign diplomacy

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 23, 2022
  • Give the government the gears on having no clear Canadian-Chinese strategy, question the prime minister on his past comments about accommodation with China—the list

Trudeau right to avoid Rock ’em Sock ’em approach to foreign diplomacy

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 23, 2022
  • Give the government the gears on having no clear Canadian-Chinese strategy, question the prime minister on his past comments about accommodation with China—the list
Listening to some of the critiques of how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed to stand up to Chinese President Xi Jinping made me think those critics would have opted for a Don Cherry's Rock 'em Sock 'em Hockey approach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

A Goofy gaffe on the road to finding an authentic connection

  • In the short term, the Liberals have given the Conservatives more ammunition to make the case that the current government is not just like
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 9, 2022
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland gets marks for her post-Disney Plus apology, but it’s not the first time her attempts to connect with average Canadians have gone amuck, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A Goofy gaffe on the road to finding an authentic connection

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 9, 2022
  • In the short term, the Liberals have given the Conservatives more ammunition to make the case that the current government is not just like

A Goofy gaffe on the road to finding an authentic connection

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 9, 2022
  • In the short term, the Liberals have given the Conservatives more ammunition to make the case that the current government is not just like
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland gets marks for her post-Disney Plus apology, but it’s not the first time her attempts to connect with average Canadians have gone amuck, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is a blue wave headed for the Rock?

  • OTTAWA—Over the last few weeks, I have been home in Newfoundland and Labrador more frequently. No, it is not because I am plotting some
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 2, 2022
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addresses the Tory caucus on Sept. 12. While the Conservatives have certainly advertised in the province before, the sheer volume, specific issue targeting, and length of time from the election suggests they might be taking a new approach to winning in Newfoundland and Labrador, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is a blue wave headed for the Rock?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 2, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Over the last few weeks, I have been home in Newfoundland and Labrador more frequently. No, it is not because I am plotting some

Is a blue wave headed for the Rock?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 2, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Over the last few weeks, I have been home in Newfoundland and Labrador more frequently. No, it is not because I am plotting some
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre addresses the Tory caucus on Sept. 12. While the Conservatives have certainly advertised in the province before, the sheer volume, specific issue targeting, and length of time from the election suggests they might be taking a new approach to winning in Newfoundland and Labrador, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Critics list casts a shadow over Conservatives’ idle hands

  • OTTAWA—A month after being elected Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre appointed his shadow cabinet. Given aspects of my crusty disposition and length of time here
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 19, 2022
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, with wife Anaida Poilievre on Sept. 19, has tasked most of his 118 members with a role, clearly living by the adage that ‘idle hands are the devil’s workshop,’ writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Critics list casts a shadow over Conservatives’ idle hands

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 19, 2022
  • OTTAWA—A month after being elected Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre appointed his shadow cabinet. Given aspects of my crusty disposition and length of time here

Critics list casts a shadow over Conservatives’ idle hands

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 19, 2022
  • OTTAWA—A month after being elected Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre appointed his shadow cabinet. Given aspects of my crusty disposition and length of time here
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, with wife Anaida Poilievre on Sept. 19, has tasked most of his 118 members with a role, clearly living by the adage that ‘idle hands are the devil’s workshop,’ writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hockey Canada has forgotten that no one is bigger than the game

  • OTTAWA—I hate to write about the trials and tribulations of Hockey Canada again, given I know good people, with good intentions, and of good
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 12, 2022
Hockey Canada announced the departure of president Scott Smith, right, on Oct. 11. For too long, Hockey Canada looked like the only people in the country who just didn’t get it, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hockey Canada has forgotten that no one is bigger than the game

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—I hate to write about the trials and tribulations of Hockey Canada again, given I know good people, with good intentions, and of good

Hockey Canada has forgotten that no one is bigger than the game

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—I hate to write about the trials and tribulations of Hockey Canada again, given I know good people, with good intentions, and of good
Hockey Canada announced the departure of president Scott Smith, right, on Oct. 11. For too long, Hockey Canada looked like the only people in the country who just didn’t get it, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Continued federal-provincial faceoff not a winning strategy for the country

  • OTTAWA—This week has the potential to be a fascinating and important week in Canadian politics. Why? With a just re-elected Coalition Avenir Québec government
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 5, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are going to have to do some deft stickhandling to manage the challenges coming from Quebec and Alberta, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Continued federal-provincial faceoff not a winning strategy for the country

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 5, 2022
  • OTTAWA—This week has the potential to be a fascinating and important week in Canadian politics. Why? With a just re-elected Coalition Avenir Québec government

Continued federal-provincial faceoff not a winning strategy for the country

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 5, 2022
  • OTTAWA—This week has the potential to be a fascinating and important week in Canadian politics. Why? With a just re-elected Coalition Avenir Québec government
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are going to have to do some deft stickhandling to manage the challenges coming from Quebec and Alberta, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Don’t look to QP for the Tory leader’s biggest waves

  • OTTAWA—While much of the focus over the last week was on the highly anticipated first Question Period encounter between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 28, 2022
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has made some smart moves in his early weeks, including bringing in a respected chief of staff, breaking bread with Brian Mulroney, and meeting with caucus members, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t look to QP for the Tory leader’s biggest waves

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 28, 2022
  • OTTAWA—While much of the focus over the last week was on the highly anticipated first Question Period encounter between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and

Don’t look to QP for the Tory leader’s biggest waves

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 28, 2022
  • OTTAWA—While much of the focus over the last week was on the highly anticipated first Question Period encounter between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has made some smart moves in his early weeks, including bringing in a respected chief of staff, breaking bread with Brian Mulroney, and meeting with caucus members, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Queen represented the last bastion of decency in public service

  • OTTAWA—Queen Elizabeth II has been laid to rest. After a comprehensive 10-day mourning period and a magnificent funeral and committal service, her family, I
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 21, 2022
Regrettably, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre meet during Question Period this week, polite, constructive debate isn’t going to happen, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The Queen represented the last bastion of decency in public service

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Queen Elizabeth II has been laid to rest. After a comprehensive 10-day mourning period and a magnificent funeral and committal service, her family, I

The Queen represented the last bastion of decency in public service

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Queen Elizabeth II has been laid to rest. After a comprehensive 10-day mourning period and a magnificent funeral and committal service, her family, I
Regrettably, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre meet during Question Period this week, polite, constructive debate isn’t going to happen, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The new Conservative king takes his throne

  • OTTAWA—Canada got two new kings last week. Of course, with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, we now have
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 14, 2022
While Pierre Poilievre can be accused of offering a lot of empty rhetoric, it would be a fool’s errand to discount the connection he has made with different swaths of Canadians, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The new Conservative king takes his throne

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 14, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Canada got two new kings last week. Of course, with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, we now have

The new Conservative king takes his throne

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 14, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Canada got two new kings last week. Of course, with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, we now have
While Pierre Poilievre can be accused of offering a lot of empty rhetoric, it would be a fool’s errand to discount the connection he has made with different swaths of Canadians, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A user’s guide for what comes after the Tory leadership race

  • OTTAWA—The six-month-long Conservative leadership race, barring some unforeseen circumstance, ends this weekend. This time next week, they will have their third “permanent” leader in
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 7, 2022
What the new leader says and how he or she recognizes those they battled with over the last half year will matter to the audience that’s watching them make their first remarks on Saturday, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen

A user’s guide for what comes after the Tory leadership race

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The six-month-long Conservative leadership race, barring some unforeseen circumstance, ends this weekend. This time next week, they will have their third “permanent” leader in

A user’s guide for what comes after the Tory leadership race

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The six-month-long Conservative leadership race, barring some unforeseen circumstance, ends this weekend. This time next week, they will have their third “permanent” leader in
What the new leader says and how he or she recognizes those they battled with over the last half year will matter to the audience that’s watching them make their first remarks on Saturday, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Samantha Wright Allen

How much closer does the health-care crisis have to hit?

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The challenged and fractured state of the Canadian health-care system was brought home to our family last week. Fortunately, the outcome was
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 31, 2022
For Tim Powers and his family, who you know mattered in terms of access to care, and it shouldn’t. That is not legitimate universal health care for others, he writes. Unsplash photograph by Olga Kononenko

How much closer does the health-care crisis have to hit?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 31, 2022
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The challenged and fractured state of the Canadian health-care system was brought home to our family last week. Fortunately, the outcome was

How much closer does the health-care crisis have to hit?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 31, 2022
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The challenged and fractured state of the Canadian health-care system was brought home to our family last week. Fortunately, the outcome was
For Tim Powers and his family, who you know mattered in terms of access to care, and it shouldn’t. That is not legitimate universal health care for others, he writes. Unsplash photograph by Olga Kononenko

Open minds, not dated rhetoric, needed to fix ailing health-care system

  • OTTAWA—Go to any media outlet web page, paper, podcast, radio station, or TV station across Canada and you’ll find an identical story about a
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 17, 2022
Both Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Health Minister Sylvia Jones have said all options need to be on the table when it comes to addressing the broken health-care system, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Open minds, not dated rhetoric, needed to fix ailing health-care system

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 17, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Go to any media outlet web page, paper, podcast, radio station, or TV station across Canada and you’ll find an identical story about a

Open minds, not dated rhetoric, needed to fix ailing health-care system

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 17, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Go to any media outlet web page, paper, podcast, radio station, or TV station across Canada and you’ll find an identical story about a
Both Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Health Minister Sylvia Jones have said all options need to be on the table when it comes to addressing the broken health-care system, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Future Conservative Party unity hangs on post-victory leadership approach

  • OTTAWA—In recent days, as the Conservative leadership contest draws to a close, more is being written and said about the need for Conservatives to
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, left, Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, former Quebec premier Jean Charest, former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, and Conservative MP Scott Aitchison are running for Conservative leadership. The skills and abilities of the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, along with how they are deployed, will determine whether the CPC remains united, divided, or fragments, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts

Future Conservative Party unity hangs on post-victory leadership approach

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 10, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In recent days, as the Conservative leadership contest draws to a close, more is being written and said about the need for Conservatives to

Future Conservative Party unity hangs on post-victory leadership approach

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 10, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In recent days, as the Conservative leadership contest draws to a close, more is being written and said about the need for Conservatives to
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, left, Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, former Quebec premier Jean Charest, former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, and Conservative MP Scott Aitchison are running for Conservative leadership. The skills and abilities of the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, along with how they are deployed, will determine whether the CPC remains united, divided, or fragments, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts

Sending Hockey Canada execs to the farm team won’t solve structural issues

  • OTTAWA—It is August; the time of year many parents begin to register their children for fall and winter sports. Among those sports, of course,
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 3, 2022
It’s easy politics to call for Hockey Canada president Scott Smith, pictured right speaking to reporters in Ottawa on July 27, to resign, but it’s not clear blowing up the organization solves the cultural problems that exist in hockey and in other sports, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Sending Hockey Canada execs to the farm team won’t solve structural issues

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 3, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It is August; the time of year many parents begin to register their children for fall and winter sports. Among those sports, of course,

Sending Hockey Canada execs to the farm team won’t solve structural issues

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 3, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It is August; the time of year many parents begin to register their children for fall and winter sports. Among those sports, of course,
It’s easy politics to call for Hockey Canada president Scott Smith, pictured right speaking to reporters in Ottawa on July 27, to resign, but it’s not clear blowing up the organization solves the cultural problems that exist in hockey and in other sports, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The convoy’s tire tracks are still all over the face of politics

  • OTTAWA—Another week and a couple more stories about high-profile Conservatives engaging with people connected to the Freedom Convoy. The day before Canada Day, it
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 6, 2022
Ironically, Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, left, may have just received an assist from former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall among Conservative voters and others initially uncertain of how to react to the federal MP’s footsie with freedom convoyers, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, file photograph

The convoy’s tire tracks are still all over the face of politics

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 6, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Another week and a couple more stories about high-profile Conservatives engaging with people connected to the Freedom Convoy. The day before Canada Day, it

The convoy’s tire tracks are still all over the face of politics

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 6, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Another week and a couple more stories about high-profile Conservatives engaging with people connected to the Freedom Convoy. The day before Canada Day, it
Ironically, Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, left, may have just received an assist from former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall among Conservative voters and others initially uncertain of how to react to the federal MP’s footsie with freedom convoyers, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, file photograph

Let’s recognize our resiliency as we find a way out of the swamp

  • OTTAWA—As Canada Day 2022 comes upon us, hopefully a summer of relief and escape awaits. But such optimism may be misguided. Trust me, I
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 29, 2022
Pedestrians walk past a stack of metal fencing on Parliament Hill on June 27, ahead of Canada Day and the anticipated return of Freedom Convoy supporters. While maybe joy should be found just by the fact we can have mass Canada Day celebrations, stories still circulate about new disease variants and fall waves of the illness, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Let’s recognize our resiliency as we find a way out of the swamp

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 29, 2022
  • OTTAWA—As Canada Day 2022 comes upon us, hopefully a summer of relief and escape awaits. But such optimism may be misguided. Trust me, I

Let’s recognize our resiliency as we find a way out of the swamp

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 29, 2022
  • OTTAWA—As Canada Day 2022 comes upon us, hopefully a summer of relief and escape awaits. But such optimism may be misguided. Trust me, I
Pedestrians walk past a stack of metal fencing on Parliament Hill on June 27, ahead of Canada Day and the anticipated return of Freedom Convoy supporters. While maybe joy should be found just by the fact we can have mass Canada Day celebrations, stories still circulate about new disease variants and fall waves of the illness, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Do the Liberals need to make a few trades to curb pattern of own goals?

  • OTTAWA—Maybe it is a bit of seasonal affective disorder or plain fatigue, but it seems the Justin Trudeau government is in a lag. From
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 22, 2022
From late responses to things like inflation support packages or the relaxing of travel mandates, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government seems adrift, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Do the Liberals need to make a few trades to curb pattern of own goals?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 22, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Maybe it is a bit of seasonal affective disorder or plain fatigue, but it seems the Justin Trudeau government is in a lag. From

Do the Liberals need to make a few trades to curb pattern of own goals?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 22, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Maybe it is a bit of seasonal affective disorder or plain fatigue, but it seems the Justin Trudeau government is in a lag. From
From late responses to things like inflation support packages or the relaxing of travel mandates, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government seems adrift, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Playing the numbers game

  • OTTAWA—What is in a number? For example, the number 600,000—the unconfirmed and yet-to-be-denied figure that could represent the people who have signed up to
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 8, 2022
Without releasing any numbers, Jean Charest’s team says it has a path to victory. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Playing the numbers game

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 8, 2022
  • OTTAWA—What is in a number? For example, the number 600,000—the unconfirmed and yet-to-be-denied figure that could represent the people who have signed up to

Playing the numbers game

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 8, 2022
  • OTTAWA—What is in a number? For example, the number 600,000—the unconfirmed and yet-to-be-denied figure that could represent the people who have signed up to
Without releasing any numbers, Jean Charest’s team says it has a path to victory. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Partisan bickering over guns doesn’t solve for ‘why’

  • OTTAWA—On May 24, 19 children and two adults were brutally massacred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. As has happened almost every time
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 1, 2022
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino gestures to his Liberal cabinet colleagues, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Justice Minister David Lametti, during a press conference announce new government gun control measures on May 30. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Partisan bickering over guns doesn’t solve for ‘why’

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 1, 2022
  • OTTAWA—On May 24, 19 children and two adults were brutally massacred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. As has happened almost every time

Partisan bickering over guns doesn’t solve for ‘why’

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 1, 2022
  • OTTAWA—On May 24, 19 children and two adults were brutally massacred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. As has happened almost every time
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino gestures to his Liberal cabinet colleagues, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Justice Minister David Lametti, during a press conference announce new government gun control measures on May 30. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Kenney caught in quagmire of his own making

  • OTTAWA—Prior to the pandemic, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was arguably the most powerful and influential conservative leader in Canada. Andrew Scheer, when he was
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 25, 2022
Like competitive sports, if you run the same play repeatedly in politics, its effectiveness declines over time. For Jason Kenney, being the hard-working bulldozer plowing obstacles down worked until it didn’t, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Kenney caught in quagmire of his own making

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Prior to the pandemic, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was arguably the most powerful and influential conservative leader in Canada. Andrew Scheer, when he was

Kenney caught in quagmire of his own making

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Prior to the pandemic, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was arguably the most powerful and influential conservative leader in Canada. Andrew Scheer, when he was
Like competitive sports, if you run the same play repeatedly in politics, its effectiveness declines over time. For Jason Kenney, being the hard-working bulldozer plowing obstacles down worked until it didn’t, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s time for Poilievre’s caucus supporters to speak out

  • OTTAWA—Believe you me, I would really like to write about something other than the Conservative leadership race. I can pick any topic I want
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 18, 2022
During the May 11 Conservative leadership debate, perceived frontrunner Pierre Poilievre, left, said he would fire Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem. Tim Powers asks: why aren’t his caucus supporters asking him to reconsider his position? The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

It’s time for Poilievre’s caucus supporters to speak out

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 18, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Believe you me, I would really like to write about something other than the Conservative leadership race. I can pick any topic I want

It’s time for Poilievre’s caucus supporters to speak out

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 18, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Believe you me, I would really like to write about something other than the Conservative leadership race. I can pick any topic I want
During the May 11 Conservative leadership debate, perceived frontrunner Pierre Poilievre, left, said he would fire Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem. Tim Powers asks: why aren’t his caucus supporters asking him to reconsider his position? The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Time for Tory leadership race to climb out of the sewer

  • OTTAWA—Apologies. Yet another commentator is going to wade into last week’s Conservative leadership debate hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network, formerly the
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 11, 2022
Uber-partisan fanboys and girls or anger-infused Liberal haters might love it when the apparent leading contender Pierre Poilievre repetitively and rudely went after Jean Charest, but most reasonable people are left scratching their heads about the ability of the Conservative Party to govern, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time for Tory leadership race to climb out of the sewer

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 11, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Apologies. Yet another commentator is going to wade into last week’s Conservative leadership debate hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network, formerly the

Time for Tory leadership race to climb out of the sewer

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 11, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Apologies. Yet another commentator is going to wade into last week’s Conservative leadership debate hosted by the Canada Strong and Free Network, formerly the
Uber-partisan fanboys and girls or anger-infused Liberal haters might love it when the apparent leading contender Pierre Poilievre repetitively and rudely went after Jean Charest, but most reasonable people are left scratching their heads about the ability of the Conservative Party to govern, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Make-or-break May for Conservative contenders

  • OTTAWA—The Conservative leadership race has gotten real. Wannabe candidates have now fallen out of the competition and six “verified” candidates remain. Just to be
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 4, 2022
Mistakes or missteps this month could be paralyzing to top candidates like Pierre Poilievre, left, Patrick Brown, Jean Charest, and Leslyn Lewis. Similarly for Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison, this is their time of opportunity, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia, file photographs, and photographs courtesy of Twitter and Wikimedia Commons

Make-or-break May for Conservative contenders

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 4, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The Conservative leadership race has gotten real. Wannabe candidates have now fallen out of the competition and six “verified” candidates remain. Just to be

Make-or-break May for Conservative contenders

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 4, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The Conservative leadership race has gotten real. Wannabe candidates have now fallen out of the competition and six “verified” candidates remain. Just to be
Mistakes or missteps this month could be paralyzing to top candidates like Pierre Poilievre, left, Patrick Brown, Jean Charest, and Leslyn Lewis. Similarly for Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison, this is their time of opportunity, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia, file photographs, and photographs courtesy of Twitter and Wikimedia Commons

Some hope, amid this merry-go-round of cow dung

  • OTTAWA—One headline cries out that Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca is going to end private long-term care for seniors. Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 27, 2022
Boston Marathon runners, pictured in 2014. For four-and-a-half hours—despite those miles underfoot—it was a blessed escape to see thousands of different people from a multitude of backgrounds working to achieve the same goal: conquering the Boston Marathon, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/JD

Some hope, amid this merry-go-round of cow dung

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 27, 2022
  • OTTAWA—One headline cries out that Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca is going to end private long-term care for seniors. Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk

Some hope, amid this merry-go-round of cow dung

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 27, 2022
  • OTTAWA—One headline cries out that Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca is going to end private long-term care for seniors. Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk
Boston Marathon runners, pictured in 2014. For four-and-a-half hours—despite those miles underfoot—it was a blessed escape to see thousands of different people from a multitude of backgrounds working to achieve the same goal: conquering the Boston Marathon, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/JD

Size doesn’t always matter, unless you know what to do with it

  • OTTAWA—You reap what you sow. I have always loved that statement because it is so absolutely true. Over the years, through good fortune, I
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 13, 2022
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative leadership campaign team is smart and experienced and they know crowd size is a tool to portray enthusiasm and momentum for candidates or causes, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Size doesn’t always matter, unless you know what to do with it

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—You reap what you sow. I have always loved that statement because it is so absolutely true. Over the years, through good fortune, I

Size doesn’t always matter, unless you know what to do with it

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—You reap what you sow. I have always loved that statement because it is so absolutely true. Over the years, through good fortune, I
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative leadership campaign team is smart and experienced and they know crowd size is a tool to portray enthusiasm and momentum for candidates or causes, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia