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Thursday, March 12, 2026

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Tim Powers

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

Carney contends with the politics of war

  • The sunshine of the polls is colliding with the fog of war for the Liberal government.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 11, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney is being tested, with the war in Iran putting him in a sticky spot, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney contends with the politics of war

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 11, 2026
  • The sunshine of the polls is colliding with the fog of war for the Liberal government.

Carney contends with the politics of war

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 11, 2026
  • The sunshine of the polls is colliding with the fog of war for the Liberal government.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is being tested, with the war in Iran putting him in a sticky spot, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pilgrimages prove politicians paying attention

  • Arguably, at no time in our current history has it been more important for Canada to take our show on the road now that
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 4, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney have both struck out on trips abroad during the House recess to make Canada’s case to international partners, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Pilgrimages prove politicians paying attention

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 4, 2026
  • Arguably, at no time in our current history has it been more important for Canada to take our show on the road now that

Pilgrimages prove politicians paying attention

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 4, 2026
  • Arguably, at no time in our current history has it been more important for Canada to take our show on the road now that
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney have both struck out on trips abroad during the House recess to make Canada’s case to international partners, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

One year in a leaky boat

  • Pierre Poilievre is not done as Conservative leader, but neither is he back on solid ground.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 25, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre took steps in the right direction with the address he delivered at the party's recent convention, which showed an arguably more human and reflective leader, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Amir Said

One year in a leaky boat

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 25, 2026
  • Pierre Poilievre is not done as Conservative leader, but neither is he back on solid ground.

One year in a leaky boat

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 25, 2026
  • Pierre Poilievre is not done as Conservative leader, but neither is he back on solid ground.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre took steps in the right direction with the address he delivered at the party's recent convention, which showed an arguably more human and reflective leader, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Amir Said

Faster, higher, stronger—together

  • During the Olympics, sports fans can find space to recognize, celebrate, and suffer with competitors from other countries whose politics are not our cup
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 11, 2026
Team Canada flagbearers Mikaël Kingsbury, left, and Marielle Thompson enter the Milano Cortina Games on Feb. 6. The ongoing Winter Olympics serve as a healthy escape, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of the CBC

Faster, higher, stronger—together

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 11, 2026
  • During the Olympics, sports fans can find space to recognize, celebrate, and suffer with competitors from other countries whose politics are not our cup

Faster, higher, stronger—together

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 11, 2026
  • During the Olympics, sports fans can find space to recognize, celebrate, and suffer with competitors from other countries whose politics are not our cup
Team Canada flagbearers Mikaël Kingsbury, left, and Marielle Thompson enter the Milano Cortina Games on Feb. 6. The ongoing Winter Olympics serve as a healthy escape, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of the CBC

What happens after the convention dust settles?

  • The Conservative leader and his team have bought themselves time, but there’s still much work to do because waiting for the other guy to
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 4, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre did himself and the party some good at last weekend’s convention, but the jury is likely to be out for a while on whether his message of hope is real, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What happens after the convention dust settles?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 4, 2026
  • The Conservative leader and his team have bought themselves time, but there’s still much work to do because waiting for the other guy to

What happens after the convention dust settles?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 4, 2026
  • The Conservative leader and his team have bought themselves time, but there’s still much work to do because waiting for the other guy to
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre did himself and the party some good at last weekend’s convention, but the jury is likely to be out for a while on whether his message of hope is real, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Learning to exhale when dealing with Trump

  • When it comes to dealing with the president and his pronouncements, follow the 24-hour rule when angry or upset.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 28, 2026
In a world dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump, we need all the mental health management tools that can be mustered, writes Tim Powers. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Tiburi

Learning to exhale when dealing with Trump

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 28, 2026
  • When it comes to dealing with the president and his pronouncements, follow the 24-hour rule when angry or upset.

Learning to exhale when dealing with Trump

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 28, 2026
  • When it comes to dealing with the president and his pronouncements, follow the 24-hour rule when angry or upset.
In a world dominated by U.S. President Donald Trump, we need all the mental health management tools that can be mustered, writes Tim Powers. Image courtesy of Pixabay/Tiburi

Interesting times like these

  • Will global dynamics further influence our ecosystem? What will bond us now, or divide us? These are weighty questions we can’t escape in 2026.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 14, 2026
Maybe, by month's end, the Conservative convention and the future of Leader Pierre Poilievre will be the biggest thing occupying our time. Or not, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Interesting times like these

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 14, 2026
  • Will global dynamics further influence our ecosystem? What will bond us now, or divide us? These are weighty questions we can’t escape in 2026.

Interesting times like these

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 14, 2026
  • Will global dynamics further influence our ecosystem? What will bond us now, or divide us? These are weighty questions we can’t escape in 2026.
Maybe, by month's end, the Conservative convention and the future of Leader Pierre Poilievre will be the biggest thing occupying our time. Or not, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Poilievre find the right thread to pull, or will his coalition unravel in 2026?

  • OTTAWA—It was one year ago that federal politics changed dramatically. Then-deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland wrote her poison pen letter to
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 17, 2025
Ahead of Conservative Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review, he has shown more pugnacity than the kind of reasonableness with which his opponent seems to be scoring well with the public, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Poilievre find the right thread to pull, or will his coalition unravel in 2026?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 17, 2025
  • OTTAWA—It was one year ago that federal politics changed dramatically. Then-deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland wrote her poison pen letter to

Will Poilievre find the right thread to pull, or will his coalition unravel in 2026?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 17, 2025
  • OTTAWA—It was one year ago that federal politics changed dramatically. Then-deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland wrote her poison pen letter to
Ahead of Conservative Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review, he has shown more pugnacity than the kind of reasonableness with which his opponent seems to be scoring well with the public, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The MOU’s real value may be for those on the outside looking in

  • It will not go unnoticed among those who move money around and make investments that the prime minister is currently not encumbered by the
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 10, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
The energy framework Prime Minister Mark Carney signed with Alberta last month sends a message to the domestic and global investment community that in Carney’s Canada, the door is now open again to do business, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The MOU’s real value may be for those on the outside looking in

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 10, 2025
  • It will not go unnoticed among those who move money around and make investments that the prime minister is currently not encumbered by the

The MOU’s real value may be for those on the outside looking in

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 10, 2025
  • It will not go unnoticed among those who move money around and make investments that the prime minister is currently not encumbered by the
Mark Carney
The energy framework Prime Minister Mark Carney signed with Alberta last month sends a message to the domestic and global investment community that in Carney’s Canada, the door is now open again to do business, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In-house relief: new Conservative campaign manager a positive signal

  • It’s good news, but the Conservatives' ultimate path to success still rests with the leader and his willingness to empower Steve Outhouse and others.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 26, 2025
Widely viewed as a mature professional, Steve Outhouse has run and won campaigns for different Canadian conservative leaders in different parts of the country, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Steve Outhouse

In-house relief: new Conservative campaign manager a positive signal

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 26, 2025
  • It’s good news, but the Conservatives' ultimate path to success still rests with the leader and his willingness to empower Steve Outhouse and others.

In-house relief: new Conservative campaign manager a positive signal

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 26, 2025
  • It’s good news, but the Conservatives' ultimate path to success still rests with the leader and his willingness to empower Steve Outhouse and others.
Widely viewed as a mature professional, Steve Outhouse has run and won campaigns for different Canadian conservative leaders in different parts of the country, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Steve Outhouse

Heralding Hiscox: a storyteller for the ages

  • Recently retired CBC News anchor Heather Hiscox gave it her all to make sure the job was done right.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 19, 2025
Heather Hiscox signed off from the CBC morning show on Nov. 6 after 20 years at its helm. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Heralding Hiscox: a storyteller for the ages

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 19, 2025
  • Recently retired CBC News anchor Heather Hiscox gave it her all to make sure the job was done right.

Heralding Hiscox: a storyteller for the ages

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 19, 2025
  • Recently retired CBC News anchor Heather Hiscox gave it her all to make sure the job was done right.
Heather Hiscox signed off from the CBC morning show on Nov. 6 after 20 years at its helm. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Poilievre and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

  • The Conservatives did everything the wrong way in dealing with Chris d’Entremont's floor crossing, handing their political opponents a win.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 12, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his team need to want to be better to overcome the vulnerability exposed last week, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 12, 2025
  • The Conservatives did everything the wrong way in dealing with Chris d’Entremont's floor crossing, handing their political opponents a win.

Poilievre and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 12, 2025
  • The Conservatives did everything the wrong way in dealing with Chris d’Entremont's floor crossing, handing their political opponents a win.
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his team need to want to be better to overcome the vulnerability exposed last week, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The recipe for dealing with Trump: a stiff spine and a stiff drink

  • Resistance isn’t futile when it comes to the U.S. president, but it has to be clever and well calculated.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 29, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump clearly preferred the federal government’s charm offensive, but it had—at least publicly—not borne any fruit, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian

The recipe for dealing with Trump: a stiff spine and a stiff drink

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 29, 2025
  • Resistance isn’t futile when it comes to the U.S. president, but it has to be clever and well calculated.

The recipe for dealing with Trump: a stiff spine and a stiff drink

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 29, 2025
  • Resistance isn’t futile when it comes to the U.S. president, but it has to be clever and well calculated.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump clearly preferred the federal government’s charm offensive, but it had—at least publicly—not borne any fruit, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian

A message to Conservatives: it’s time to cut the cord with Trudeau

  • The Conservatives’ focus vanishes as quickly as a former prime minister’s shirt on a yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara when they turn
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 22, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Whether it is a personal animus towards Justin Trudeau or habitual behaviour, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured, is doing neither the nation nor his party any favours by making accusations against him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A message to Conservatives: it’s time to cut the cord with Trudeau

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 22, 2025
  • The Conservatives’ focus vanishes as quickly as a former prime minister’s shirt on a yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara when they turn

A message to Conservatives: it’s time to cut the cord with Trudeau

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 22, 2025
  • The Conservatives’ focus vanishes as quickly as a former prime minister’s shirt on a yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara when they turn
Pierre Poilievre
Whether it is a personal animus towards Justin Trudeau or habitual behaviour, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured, is doing neither the nation nor his party any favours by making accusations against him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Can Carney connect before goodwill, space, and grace run out?

  • The government needs to realize the armchair play-calling about its aptitude or lack thereof in dealing with the U.S. is going to kick up.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 15, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, may have had a good meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, but there is a restiveness forming at home, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Can Carney connect before goodwill, space, and grace run out?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 15, 2025
  • The government needs to realize the armchair play-calling about its aptitude or lack thereof in dealing with the U.S. is going to kick up.

Can Carney connect before goodwill, space, and grace run out?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 15, 2025
  • The government needs to realize the armchair play-calling about its aptitude or lack thereof in dealing with the U.S. is going to kick up.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, may have had a good meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, but there is a restiveness forming at home, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

A peek into the Rock’s political race

  • Newfoundland and Labrador voters will go to the provincial ballot box on Oct. 14, but all is quiet on the polling front.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 1, 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Premier John Hogan, left, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham, and NDP Leader Jim Dinn are facing off in a provincial race. Photographs courtesy of Facebook and Wikimedia Commons

A peek into the Rock’s political race

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 1, 2025
  • Newfoundland and Labrador voters will go to the provincial ballot box on Oct. 14, but all is quiet on the polling front.

A peek into the Rock’s political race

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 1, 2025
  • Newfoundland and Labrador voters will go to the provincial ballot box on Oct. 14, but all is quiet on the polling front.
Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Premier John Hogan, left, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham, and NDP Leader Jim Dinn are facing off in a provincial race. Photographs courtesy of Facebook and Wikimedia Commons

Want to tackle national pride? Give Canadian women’s rugby a try

  • As Canada's senior women’s rugby squad heads into a World Cup final, the country can take a lesson from their passionate and disciplined approach.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 24, 2025
The Canadian women’s rugby team will take on England at the World Cup finals on Sept. 27. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/Rugby World Cup

Want to tackle national pride? Give Canadian women’s rugby a try

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 24, 2025
  • As Canada's senior women’s rugby squad heads into a World Cup final, the country can take a lesson from their passionate and disciplined approach.

Want to tackle national pride? Give Canadian women’s rugby a try

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 24, 2025
  • As Canada's senior women’s rugby squad heads into a World Cup final, the country can take a lesson from their passionate and disciplined approach.
The Canadian women’s rugby team will take on England at the World Cup finals on Sept. 27. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/Rugby World Cup

A life worth learning from

  • Given his pedigree, Ken Dryden was arguably the smartest person in every room he ever entered, but he never behaved that way.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 10, 2025
Ken Dryden
Ken Dryden
Even in death, former hockey legend and cabinet minister Ken Dryden makes us think, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

A life worth learning from

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 10, 2025
  • Given his pedigree, Ken Dryden was arguably the smartest person in every room he ever entered, but he never behaved that way.

A life worth learning from

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 10, 2025
  • Given his pedigree, Ken Dryden was arguably the smartest person in every room he ever entered, but he never behaved that way.
Ken Dryden
Even in death, former hockey legend and cabinet minister Ken Dryden makes us think, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The fall political roadmap has plenty of potholes

  • The Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP all need to show signs of life when Parliament resumes.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, and interim NDP Leader Don Davies. The fall has the potential to be an interesting one, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The fall political roadmap has plenty of potholes

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 3, 2025
  • The Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP all need to show signs of life when Parliament resumes.

The fall political roadmap has plenty of potholes

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 3, 2025
  • The Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP all need to show signs of life when Parliament resumes.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, and interim NDP Leader Don Davies. The fall has the potential to be an interesting one, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

This year’s Canada Games offer lessons for us all

  • Participants and volunteers in the 2025 Canada Games gave us a great example of what a motivated civil society does for and with each
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 27, 2025
These games represented the best of Canada, not only because of what happened on the pitches, in the pool, or at the track, but because of how competitors from all across the country came together to help each other, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Pexels

This year’s Canada Games offer lessons for us all

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 27, 2025
  • Participants and volunteers in the 2025 Canada Games gave us a great example of what a motivated civil society does for and with each

This year’s Canada Games offer lessons for us all

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 27, 2025
  • Participants and volunteers in the 2025 Canada Games gave us a great example of what a motivated civil society does for and with each
These games represented the best of Canada, not only because of what happened on the pitches, in the pool, or at the track, but because of how competitors from all across the country came together to help each other, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Pexels

Rumours of the death of the political long game have been greatly exaggerated

  • Just in the last week, we have seen three examples of a more-plodding type of politics, proving the old-school has some life in it
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s, centre, July 28 announcement of the Confederation Bridge toll cut is is old-school pork-barrel politics at its best, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Rumours of the death of the political long game have been greatly exaggerated

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 30, 2025
  • Just in the last week, we have seen three examples of a more-plodding type of politics, proving the old-school has some life in it

Rumours of the death of the political long game have been greatly exaggerated

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 30, 2025
  • Just in the last week, we have seen three examples of a more-plodding type of politics, proving the old-school has some life in it
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s, centre, July 28 announcement of the Confederation Bridge toll cut is is old-school pork-barrel politics at its best, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Hurly-burly nonsense around Carney’s assets is standard politicking—and a shame

  • The noise about the PM’s blind trust can turn people off from politics, particularly those in sectors where they were compensated commensurately for their
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 16, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre knows that this—sadly—is when you start building the narrative of Prime Minister Mark Carney as the wealthy, self-interested, effete leader, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hurly-burly nonsense around Carney’s assets is standard politicking—and a shame

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 16, 2025
  • The noise about the PM’s blind trust can turn people off from politics, particularly those in sectors where they were compensated commensurately for their

Hurly-burly nonsense around Carney’s assets is standard politicking—and a shame

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 16, 2025
  • The noise about the PM’s blind trust can turn people off from politics, particularly those in sectors where they were compensated commensurately for their
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre knows that this—sadly—is when you start building the narrative of Prime Minister Mark Carney as the wealthy, self-interested, effete leader, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The world could use more like Musgrave

  • When people crap on the mainstream media and talk about bias and self-interest, they clearly have never met anyone like Sharon Musgrave.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 9, 2025
Sharon Musgrave
Sharon Musgrave
Recently retired senior CBC producer Sharon Musgrave is an unforgettable force, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The world could use more like Musgrave

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 9, 2025
  • When people crap on the mainstream media and talk about bias and self-interest, they clearly have never met anyone like Sharon Musgrave.

The world could use more like Musgrave

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 9, 2025
  • When people crap on the mainstream media and talk about bias and self-interest, they clearly have never met anyone like Sharon Musgrave.
Sharon Musgrave
Recently retired senior CBC producer Sharon Musgrave is an unforgettable force, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Conservatives, NDP should make the most of the summer recess

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney’s team is off to a good start, and hoping the honeymoon will eventually end is not enough of a plan
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 25, 2025
Conservatives Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and interim NDP Leader Don Davies. The NDP’s biggest challenge over the coming months is figuring out what their leadership race looks like, and who might contest it, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservatives, NDP should make the most of the summer recess

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 25, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney’s team is off to a good start, and hoping the honeymoon will eventually end is not enough of a plan

Conservatives, NDP should make the most of the summer recess

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 25, 2025
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney’s team is off to a good start, and hoping the honeymoon will eventually end is not enough of a plan
Conservatives Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and interim NDP Leader Don Davies. The NDP’s biggest challenge over the coming months is figuring out what their leadership race looks like, and who might contest it, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservatives could use some outside perspective

  • A third-party review could help the Conservatives present themselves as a responsible body, not a cult of personality.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 18, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may be getting some instructive feedback from the people with whom he is speaking, but there is reportedly some cynicism about the outreach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives could use some outside perspective

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 18, 2025
  • A third-party review could help the Conservatives present themselves as a responsible body, not a cult of personality.

Conservatives could use some outside perspective

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 18, 2025
  • A third-party review could help the Conservatives present themselves as a responsible body, not a cult of personality.
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may be getting some instructive feedback from the people with whom he is speaking, but there is reportedly some cynicism about the outreach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Carney’s moonshot become cannon fodder?

  • Domestically, the biggest current threat to Mark Carney’s success is tripping over his own heels while trying to keep a blistering pace towards tangible
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 11, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is running at an Olympic champion sprinter’s pace to complete his list of tasks, and the public—for now—is giving him all the track he needs, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Carney’s moonshot become cannon fodder?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 11, 2025
  • Domestically, the biggest current threat to Mark Carney’s success is tripping over his own heels while trying to keep a blistering pace towards tangible

Will Carney’s moonshot become cannon fodder?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 11, 2025
  • Domestically, the biggest current threat to Mark Carney’s success is tripping over his own heels while trying to keep a blistering pace towards tangible
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is running at an Olympic champion sprinter’s pace to complete his list of tasks, and the public—for now—is giving him all the track he needs, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Recount survivors displayed grace under political fire

  • The candidates in Terra Nova–The Peninsulas, N.L., put on a great display of what good a political competition should be.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
Conservative MP Jonathan Rowe, left, and Liberal candidate Anthony Germain both demonstrated great class and decency towards each other over the course of their recount ordeal. Photographs courtesy of the the Conservative Party and Liberal Party

Recount survivors displayed grace under political fire

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
  • The candidates in Terra Nova–The Peninsulas, N.L., put on a great display of what good a political competition should be.

Recount survivors displayed grace under political fire

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
  • The candidates in Terra Nova–The Peninsulas, N.L., put on a great display of what good a political competition should be.
Conservative MP Jonathan Rowe, left, and Liberal candidate Anthony Germain both demonstrated great class and decency towards each other over the course of their recount ordeal. Photographs courtesy of the the Conservative Party and Liberal Party
More Stories

Where are the sharp edges in the Liberals’ Cotton Revolution?

  • Knives seem to have been replaced by quills in this gentle revolt to oust the prime minister.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 23, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
As a boxer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might be somehow disappointed that his timid opponents didn’t throw a real punch at him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Where are the sharp edges in the Liberals’ Cotton Revolution?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 23, 2024
  • Knives seem to have been replaced by quills in this gentle revolt to oust the prime minister.

Where are the sharp edges in the Liberals’ Cotton Revolution?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 23, 2024
  • Knives seem to have been replaced by quills in this gentle revolt to oust the prime minister.
Justin Trudeau
As a boxer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might be somehow disappointed that his timid opponents didn’t throw a real punch at him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is the Liberal ‘Light Brigade’ following their leader into disaster?

  • Are the Liberals content to walk into the political valley of Death as the Light Brigade did in Alfred Tennyson’s poem?
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 9, 2024
Ultimately, Liberal caucus members need to decide if they will be complicit in accepting the terms and conditions of an almost-certain political defeat, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is the Liberal ‘Light Brigade’ following their leader into disaster?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 9, 2024
  • Are the Liberals content to walk into the political valley of Death as the Light Brigade did in Alfred Tennyson’s poem?

Is the Liberal ‘Light Brigade’ following their leader into disaster?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 9, 2024
  • Are the Liberals content to walk into the political valley of Death as the Light Brigade did in Alfred Tennyson’s poem?
Ultimately, Liberal caucus members need to decide if they will be complicit in accepting the terms and conditions of an almost-certain political defeat, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

This isn’t the halcyon era of heckling

  • We have moved from the days of parliamentary plays to an environment rife with true personal animus, and collective disdain.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 2, 2024
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis speaks in the House on Sept. 26. Parliament is meant to be passionate, but the personal attacks need to stop, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

This isn’t the halcyon era of heckling

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 2, 2024
  • We have moved from the days of parliamentary plays to an environment rife with true personal animus, and collective disdain.

This isn’t the halcyon era of heckling

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 2, 2024
  • We have moved from the days of parliamentary plays to an environment rife with true personal animus, and collective disdain.
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis speaks in the House on Sept. 26. Parliament is meant to be passionate, but the personal attacks need to stop, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Setting the stage for a proper parliamentary rumble

  • Just like the wrestling pros, politicians on Parliament Hill are posturing for a prime position come election time.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 18, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Setting the stage for a proper parliamentary rumble

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 18, 2024
  • Just like the wrestling pros, politicians on Parliament Hill are posturing for a prime position come election time.

Setting the stage for a proper parliamentary rumble

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 18, 2024
  • Just like the wrestling pros, politicians on Parliament Hill are posturing for a prime position come election time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Learning from Gaudreau

  • The deaths of hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau give us all the chance to reflect on how they brought people together during their
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 11, 2024
As we grieve the Gaudreaus, let us remember the simple lessons their lives taught us, and that they are transferable beyond the ice, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CityNews

Learning from Gaudreau

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 11, 2024
  • The deaths of hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau give us all the chance to reflect on how they brought people together during their

Learning from Gaudreau

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 11, 2024
  • The deaths of hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau give us all the chance to reflect on how they brought people together during their
As we grieve the Gaudreaus, let us remember the simple lessons their lives taught us, and that they are transferable beyond the ice, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CityNews

It’s the prime minister’s ship, and everyone is just along for the ride

  • It is hard to conceive that any other organization would mimic the approach of the current government to right its ship.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 28, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves the Liberal party caucus meeting in West Block on Sept. 27, 2023.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves the Liberal party caucus meeting in West Block on Sept. 27, 2023.
Perhaps Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team have their path perfectly mapped out, but right now they look like their strategy is to put their heads in the sand and hope for the best, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s the prime minister’s ship, and everyone is just along for the ride

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 28, 2024
  • It is hard to conceive that any other organization would mimic the approach of the current government to right its ship.

It’s the prime minister’s ship, and everyone is just along for the ride

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 28, 2024
  • It is hard to conceive that any other organization would mimic the approach of the current government to right its ship.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves the Liberal party caucus meeting in West Block on Sept. 27, 2023.
Perhaps Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team have their path perfectly mapped out, but right now they look like their strategy is to put their heads in the sand and hope for the best, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Remembering Chuck Strahl and his lessons of leadership

  • The late MP was a true model for how to be both a good family man, and a committed public servant.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 21, 2024
Chuck Strahl
Chuck Strahl
While he never sought the credit, Chuck Strahl was a key figure in ending the conservative wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, and putting conservatives on the path to one unified entity, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph

Remembering Chuck Strahl and his lessons of leadership

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 21, 2024
  • The late MP was a true model for how to be both a good family man, and a committed public servant.

Remembering Chuck Strahl and his lessons of leadership

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 21, 2024
  • The late MP was a true model for how to be both a good family man, and a committed public servant.
Chuck Strahl
While he never sought the credit, Chuck Strahl was a key figure in ending the conservative wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, and putting conservatives on the path to one unified entity, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph

Paris Olympics reaffirmed the power of sport

  • We should be thanking Canada's Olympians for the way they've lifted the country, and showed the true potency and goodness of the power of
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 14, 2024
The cost of hosting the games and the real day-to-day policy needs of people means we are unlikely to see an Olympics in Canada anytime soon. But the world still needs a platform to come together through sport for our collective betterment, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Paris Olympics reaffirmed the power of sport

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 14, 2024
  • We should be thanking Canada's Olympians for the way they've lifted the country, and showed the true potency and goodness of the power of

Paris Olympics reaffirmed the power of sport

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 14, 2024
  • We should be thanking Canada's Olympians for the way they've lifted the country, and showed the true potency and goodness of the power of
The cost of hosting the games and the real day-to-day policy needs of people means we are unlikely to see an Olympics in Canada anytime soon. But the world still needs a platform to come together through sport for our collective betterment, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Hold the hypocrisy: Canadian leaders not practising what they preach on political rhetoric

  • Playing people off of one another, and exploiting collective anxiety is a common practice among the major party leaders, and is tip-toeing to something
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 17, 2024
Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau
Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau
The calls from parties led by Conservative Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for ending violence and it having no place in our democracies will take likely take a back seat to whatever appears to be the best electoral strategy of the moment, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Hold the hypocrisy: Canadian leaders not practising what they preach on political rhetoric

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 17, 2024
  • Playing people off of one another, and exploiting collective anxiety is a common practice among the major party leaders, and is tip-toeing to something

Hold the hypocrisy: Canadian leaders not practising what they preach on political rhetoric

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 17, 2024
  • Playing people off of one another, and exploiting collective anxiety is a common practice among the major party leaders, and is tip-toeing to something
Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau
The calls from parties led by Conservative Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for ending violence and it having no place in our democracies will take likely take a back seat to whatever appears to be the best electoral strategy of the moment, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Snap out of it: hair-trigger elections won’t save you

  • Strategy can’t outplay the public’s deeply entrenched, times-up temperament.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 10, 2024
Canadian political parties will find different lessons in the campaigns led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron, writes Tim Powers. 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Snap out of it: hair-trigger elections won’t save you

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 10, 2024
  • Strategy can’t outplay the public’s deeply entrenched, times-up temperament.

Snap out of it: hair-trigger elections won’t save you

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 10, 2024
  • Strategy can’t outplay the public’s deeply entrenched, times-up temperament.
Canadian political parties will find different lessons in the campaigns led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron, writes Tim Powers. 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

I know what political parties should do this summer

  • The Liberals need to show proof of life, the Conservatives need to stay vigilant, and the NDP have to show they matter.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 26, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh still have lots to do now that the House has risen for the summer, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

I know what political parties should do this summer

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 26, 2024
  • The Liberals need to show proof of life, the Conservatives need to stay vigilant, and the NDP have to show they matter.

I know what political parties should do this summer

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 26, 2024
  • The Liberals need to show proof of life, the Conservatives need to stay vigilant, and the NDP have to show they matter.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh still have lots to do now that the House has risen for the summer, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Action, not avoidance, necessary on foreign interference

  • Instead of fuelling chatter and wannabe Joe McCarthys, political leaders should be taking a united approach to addressing whatever security challenges we may be
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 19, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is doing nothing more than the bare minimum of public disclosure, and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have avoided digging their teeth into the NSICOP report in a constructive manner that could be constructive, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Action, not avoidance, necessary on foreign interference

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 19, 2024
  • Instead of fuelling chatter and wannabe Joe McCarthys, political leaders should be taking a united approach to addressing whatever security challenges we may be

Action, not avoidance, necessary on foreign interference

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 19, 2024
  • Instead of fuelling chatter and wannabe Joe McCarthys, political leaders should be taking a united approach to addressing whatever security challenges we may be
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is doing nothing more than the bare minimum of public disclosure, and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have avoided digging their teeth into the NSICOP report in a constructive manner that could be constructive, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The minister who cried capital gains

  • The feds are trying to weaponize the capital gains framework as some form of class warfare under the cover of a call for fairness.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 12, 2024
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s direction on the changes to the capital gains tax structure is facile at best, and deliberately divisive at worst, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The minister who cried capital gains

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 12, 2024
  • The feds are trying to weaponize the capital gains framework as some form of class warfare under the cover of a call for fairness.

The minister who cried capital gains

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 12, 2024
  • The feds are trying to weaponize the capital gains framework as some form of class warfare under the cover of a call for fairness.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s direction on the changes to the capital gains tax structure is facile at best, and deliberately divisive at worst, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Return of lost son a welcome symbol of selflessness

  • The repatriation of an unknown First World War soldier back to the Rock has been an impressive moment of unity.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 29, 2024
A Newfoundland Regiment soldier who died in France in 1916 was returned to his home province on May 25, the first time a sub-national government has ever brought an unknown soldier home. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Return of lost son a welcome symbol of selflessness

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 29, 2024
  • The repatriation of an unknown First World War soldier back to the Rock has been an impressive moment of unity.

Return of lost son a welcome symbol of selflessness

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 29, 2024
  • The repatriation of an unknown First World War soldier back to the Rock has been an impressive moment of unity.
A Newfoundland Regiment soldier who died in France in 1916 was returned to his home province on May 25, the first time a sub-national government has ever brought an unknown soldier home. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Never-changing playlist of political hits growing stale

  • Thoughtful, solution-based policy will be hard to find amid the main players’ established routine of combat.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 22, 2024
The Justin Trudeau-Pierre Poilievre tango doesn't have much room for much else, and that is not good for political discourse, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Never-changing playlist of political hits growing stale

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 22, 2024
  • Thoughtful, solution-based policy will be hard to find amid the main players’ established routine of combat.

Never-changing playlist of political hits growing stale

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 22, 2024
  • Thoughtful, solution-based policy will be hard to find amid the main players’ established routine of combat.
The Justin Trudeau-Pierre Poilievre tango doesn't have much room for much else, and that is not good for political discourse, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Rex Murphy: rollicking, rowdy, and uproarious

  • Commentator and writer Rex Murphy, who died on May 9, was the gold standard of no-holds-barred analysis.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 15, 2024
Rex Murphy’s passion for Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canada is something difficult to replicate, but crucial to emulate, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Münster

Rex Murphy: rollicking, rowdy, and uproarious

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 15, 2024
  • Commentator and writer Rex Murphy, who died on May 9, was the gold standard of no-holds-barred analysis.

Rex Murphy: rollicking, rowdy, and uproarious

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 15, 2024
  • Commentator and writer Rex Murphy, who died on May 9, was the gold standard of no-holds-barred analysis.
Rex Murphy’s passion for Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canada is something difficult to replicate, but crucial to emulate, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Cynthia Münster

Poilievre’s clarion call to corporate Canada

  • While business has generally been complacent in political marketing, others have filled the void and taken greater control of the agenda.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 8, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is delivering a valuable message to the Canadian business community: if you want to move the policy needle, get more into the public selling and politicking of key agenda items, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s clarion call to corporate Canada

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 8, 2024
  • While business has generally been complacent in political marketing, others have filled the void and taken greater control of the agenda.

Poilievre’s clarion call to corporate Canada

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 8, 2024
  • While business has generally been complacent in political marketing, others have filled the void and taken greater control of the agenda.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is delivering a valuable message to the Canadian business community: if you want to move the policy needle, get more into the public selling and politicking of key agenda items, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The call of Canadian decency

  • Though not a politician, Bob Cole arguably had a more potent pulpit than many a frontbencher in the House of Commons.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 1, 2024
In this time of division, disrespect, and disruption, our nation is poorer without Saturday nights with hockey broadcaster Bob Cole, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of Sportsnet

The call of Canadian decency

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 1, 2024
  • Though not a politician, Bob Cole arguably had a more potent pulpit than many a frontbencher in the House of Commons.

The call of Canadian decency

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 1, 2024
  • Though not a politician, Bob Cole arguably had a more potent pulpit than many a frontbencher in the House of Commons.
In this time of division, disrespect, and disruption, our nation is poorer without Saturday nights with hockey broadcaster Bob Cole, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of Sportsnet

Time for some Liberal soul searching

  • The Liberals are getting to a place where they need to decide if they are going to stumble into an election walloping, or do
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 17, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has done a lot of good for the Liberal Party, but it feels like he has reached his best-before date, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time for some Liberal soul searching

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 17, 2024
  • The Liberals are getting to a place where they need to decide if they are going to stumble into an election walloping, or do

Time for some Liberal soul searching

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 17, 2024
  • The Liberals are getting to a place where they need to decide if they are going to stumble into an election walloping, or do
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has done a lot of good for the Liberal Party, but it feels like he has reached his best-before date, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Are Canadians buying what the Liberals are selling in their pre-budget push?

  • The massive mountain the feds need to overcome for success is what seems to be an already deeply ingrained frustration with the prime minister,
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 10, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s myriad pre-budget announcements since the end of March haven’t immediately appeared to move the needle in his party’s favour, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Are Canadians buying what the Liberals are selling in their pre-budget push?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 10, 2024
  • The massive mountain the feds need to overcome for success is what seems to be an already deeply ingrained frustration with the prime minister,

Are Canadians buying what the Liberals are selling in their pre-budget push?

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 10, 2024
  • The massive mountain the feds need to overcome for success is what seems to be an already deeply ingrained frustration with the prime minister,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s myriad pre-budget announcements since the end of March haven’t immediately appeared to move the needle in his party’s favour, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

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