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Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

Outhouse will tweak the Tory engine

  • The upshot is that the changes Steve Outhouse will bring to the party will likely be subtle, not flashy, more about tweaking the party’s
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
When the Conservatives hired Steve Outhouse as their latest campaign manager, they acquired a new face, but, to my mind, it’s unlikely the party will get much of a new look, writes Gerry Nicholls. Handout photograph

Outhouse will tweak the Tory engine

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
  • The upshot is that the changes Steve Outhouse will bring to the party will likely be subtle, not flashy, more about tweaking the party’s

Outhouse will tweak the Tory engine

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
  • The upshot is that the changes Steve Outhouse will bring to the party will likely be subtle, not flashy, more about tweaking the party’s
When the Conservatives hired Steve Outhouse as their latest campaign manager, they acquired a new face, but, to my mind, it’s unlikely the party will get much of a new look, writes Gerry Nicholls. Handout photograph

The controversy of hiring foreign help

  • I don’t think the Alberta NDP should apologize for hiring Fight Agency; it’s perfectly legitimate. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
American political ad company Fight Agency has produced one ad to reintroduce former Calgary mayor and current Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to Albertans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The controversy of hiring foreign help

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
  • I don’t think the Alberta NDP should apologize for hiring Fight Agency; it’s perfectly legitimate. 

The controversy of hiring foreign help

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
  • I don’t think the Alberta NDP should apologize for hiring Fight Agency; it’s perfectly legitimate. 
American political ad company Fight Agency has produced one ad to reintroduce former Calgary mayor and current Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to Albertans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of Poilievre’s personality

  • Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre should not pay attention to his critics.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured holding press conference in the House foyer to speak about Conservative MP Frank Caputo’s private member's bill C-225 to strengthen responses to intimate partner violence in Canada on Oct. 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of Poilievre’s personality

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
  • Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre should not pay attention to his critics.

The politics of Poilievre’s personality

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
  • Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre should not pay attention to his critics.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured holding press conference in the House foyer to speak about Conservative MP Frank Caputo’s private member's bill C-225 to strengthen responses to intimate partner violence in Canada on Oct. 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s fundraising problem

  • Considering the Liberals are still basking in their electoral triumph from earlier this year and seeing how they’re still doing relatively well in the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 13, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Carney’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 13, 2025
  • Considering the Liberals are still basking in their electoral triumph from earlier this year and seeing how they’re still doing relatively well in the

Carney’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 13, 2025
  • Considering the Liberals are still basking in their electoral triumph from earlier this year and seeing how they’re still doing relatively well in the
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

How Bill Gates has shifted the politics of climate change

  • The environmental movement has suffered a loss. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

How Bill Gates has shifted the politics of climate change

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
  • The environmental movement has suffered a loss. 

How Bill Gates has shifted the politics of climate change

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
  • The environmental movement has suffered a loss. 
Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Will the budget kill Carney’s honeymoon?

  • Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will the budget kill Carney’s honeymoon?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
  • Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It

Will the budget kill Carney’s honeymoon?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
  • Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How social media impacts politics

  • A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How social media impacts politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
  • A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across

How social media impacts politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
  • A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s changing right

  • For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Oct. 9, 2025, on the Hill. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues are fading away, which will likely have at least some influence on the direction the Conservative party will take under Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s changing right

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2025
  • For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues

Canada’s changing right

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2025
  • For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Oct. 9, 2025, on the Hill. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues are fading away, which will likely have at least some influence on the direction the Conservative party will take under Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The power of photo-ops

  • Doug Ford's photo-op may have been a silly and overly theatrical stunt, but as someone once said, 'if it’s stupid but works, then it
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News

The power of photo-ops

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
  • Doug Ford's photo-op may have been a silly and overly theatrical stunt, but as someone once said, 'if it’s stupid but works, then it

The power of photo-ops

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
  • Doug Ford's photo-op may have been a silly and overly theatrical stunt, but as someone once said, 'if it’s stupid but works, then it
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News

Differences emerge in base politics

  • Until their respective political circumstances change, Canada’s political parties will be heading down different strategic paths. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

Differences emerge in base politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
  • Until their respective political circumstances change, Canada’s political parties will be heading down different strategic paths. 

Differences emerge in base politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
  • Until their respective political circumstances change, Canada’s political parties will be heading down different strategic paths. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

For Carney, it’s all about the economy

  • Mark Carney realizes that, for the average voter, economics trumps everything else, including the environment. But he has his work cut out for him.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For Carney, it’s all about the economy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
  • Mark Carney realizes that, for the average voter, economics trumps everything else, including the environment. But he has his work cut out for him.

For Carney, it’s all about the economy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
  • Mark Carney realizes that, for the average voter, economics trumps everything else, including the environment. But he has his work cut out for him.
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Revenge of the Blue Liberals

  • If Carney moves too far to the right, especially on environmental issues, he risks alienating his own political base and possibly creating a rift
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes Project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Revenge of the Blue Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2025
  • If Carney moves too far to the right, especially on environmental issues, he risks alienating his own political base and possibly creating a rift

Revenge of the Blue Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2025
  • If Carney moves too far to the right, especially on environmental issues, he risks alienating his own political base and possibly creating a rift
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes Project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s Trump problem

  • By putting his elbows down, Mark Carney could end up paying a political price. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok

Carney’s Trump problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
  • By putting his elbows down, Mark Carney could end up paying a political price. 

Carney’s Trump problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
  • By putting his elbows down, Mark Carney could end up paying a political price. 
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok

Poilievre needs issues that cut

  • To win the next election, the Conservative leader doesn’t have to be liked; he just needs to get people to agree with him.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre needs issues that cut

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
  • To win the next election, the Conservative leader doesn’t have to be liked; he just needs to get people to agree with him.

Poilievre needs issues that cut

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
  • To win the next election, the Conservative leader doesn’t have to be liked; he just needs to get people to agree with him.
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Doug Ford’s political nihilism

  • The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Doug Ford’s political nihilism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
  • The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,

Doug Ford’s political nihilism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
  • The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

De Gaulle’s ‘Vive le Quebec libre!’ haunts Canada

  • The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

De Gaulle’s ‘Vive le Quebec libre!’ haunts Canada

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
  • The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded

De Gaulle’s ‘Vive le Quebec libre!’ haunts Canada

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
  • The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fixing our social media problem

  • In my view, more funding of local news or the regulation of 'Big Tech' won’t really help either journalism or democracy. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
Media
Media
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Fixing our social media problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
  • In my view, more funding of local news or the regulation of 'Big Tech' won’t really help either journalism or democracy. 

Fixing our social media problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
  • In my view, more funding of local news or the regulation of 'Big Tech' won’t really help either journalism or democracy. 
Media
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Embracing pragmatism isn’t the answer for Poilievre

  • In my view, if Pierre Poilievre is going to win, he’ll do so not by copying Mark Carney’s pragmatism, which would mean fighting him
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre at the opening of the Calgary Stampede on July 4, 2025. Photograph courtesy of X/Pierre Poilievre

Embracing pragmatism isn’t the answer for Poilievre

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
  • In my view, if Pierre Poilievre is going to win, he’ll do so not by copying Mark Carney’s pragmatism, which would mean fighting him

Embracing pragmatism isn’t the answer for Poilievre

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
  • In my view, if Pierre Poilievre is going to win, he’ll do so not by copying Mark Carney’s pragmatism, which would mean fighting him
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre at the opening of the Calgary Stampede on July 4, 2025. Photograph courtesy of X/Pierre Poilievre

The NDP’s fundraising problem

  • Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The NDP’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
  • Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard

The NDP’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
  • Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Musk versus Goliath

  • Musk’s America Party lacks a regional base, it doesn’t represent a defined demographic group, and its ideology is vague.  But new parties in the United
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2025
Elon Musk
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, pictured at the Kennedy Space Centre on May 30, 2020, was born in South Africa, meaning, according to the U.S. Constitution, he can’t run for president.  Photograph courtesy of NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr

Musk versus Goliath

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2025
  • Musk’s America Party lacks a regional base, it doesn’t represent a defined demographic group, and its ideology is vague.  But new parties in the United

Musk versus Goliath

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2025
  • Musk’s America Party lacks a regional base, it doesn’t represent a defined demographic group, and its ideology is vague.  But new parties in the United
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, pictured at the Kennedy Space Centre on May 30, 2020, was born in South Africa, meaning, according to the U.S. Constitution, he can’t run for president.  Photograph courtesy of NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr

Carney faces storm clouds ahead

  • Essentially, when the dark clouds gather, Carney will have to convince Canadians he’s making the best decisions he can based on the realities he
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. Photograph courtesy of X/Mark Carney

Carney faces storm clouds ahead

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 21, 2025
  • Essentially, when the dark clouds gather, Carney will have to convince Canadians he’s making the best decisions he can based on the realities he

Carney faces storm clouds ahead

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 21, 2025
  • Essentially, when the dark clouds gather, Carney will have to convince Canadians he’s making the best decisions he can based on the realities he
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. Photograph courtesy of X/Mark Carney

The value of strategic praise

  • Sometimes in politics, loving your enemies can be the right political play, and not just because it’ll drive them a little bit crazy.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 14, 2025
Advocacy groups should note that it's beneficial to their cause if they publicly praise a politician or government that's acting on an issue important to the group even if the political leanings between the two are different, writes Gerry Nicholls. For one, that praise will make it harder for the politician to reverse their decision. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The value of strategic praise

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 14, 2025
  • Sometimes in politics, loving your enemies can be the right political play, and not just because it’ll drive them a little bit crazy.

The value of strategic praise

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 14, 2025
  • Sometimes in politics, loving your enemies can be the right political play, and not just because it’ll drive them a little bit crazy.
Advocacy groups should note that it's beneficial to their cause if they publicly praise a politician or government that's acting on an issue important to the group even if the political leanings between the two are different, writes Gerry Nicholls. For one, that praise will make it harder for the politician to reverse their decision. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Will the NDP emulate New York City’s Mamdani?

  • Just because a 'new American left' might be surging in the U.S., that doesn’t mean it’ll also happen here in Canada.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 7, 2025
NDP interim leader Don Davies, left, and Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, who won New York City's mayoral primary race last week, may have dramatically changed the dynamics of left-wing politics in the U.S., writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Will the NDP emulate New York City’s Mamdani?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 7, 2025
  • Just because a 'new American left' might be surging in the U.S., that doesn’t mean it’ll also happen here in Canada.

Will the NDP emulate New York City’s Mamdani?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 7, 2025
  • Just because a 'new American left' might be surging in the U.S., that doesn’t mean it’ll also happen here in Canada.
NDP interim leader Don Davies, left, and Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, who won New York City's mayoral primary race last week, may have dramatically changed the dynamics of left-wing politics in the U.S., writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

When conservatives battle conservatives

  • It's unclear how much money Project Ontario will spend to advance its cause. But one thing we do know is that some conservatives are unhappy
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 30, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will soon face some friendly fire, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When conservatives battle conservatives

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 30, 2025
  • It's unclear how much money Project Ontario will spend to advance its cause. But one thing we do know is that some conservatives are unhappy

When conservatives battle conservatives

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 30, 2025
  • It's unclear how much money Project Ontario will spend to advance its cause. But one thing we do know is that some conservatives are unhappy
Ontario Premier Doug Ford will soon face some friendly fire, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does Doug Ford want Pierre Poilievre’s job?

  • Some polls are showing Doug Ford and his party are polling 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, but if the polls start
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on March 21, 2025, is riding high in public opinion right now and is 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, according to a June 10 Abacus Data poll. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does Doug Ford want Pierre Poilievre’s job?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2025
  • Some polls are showing Doug Ford and his party are polling 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, but if the polls start

Does Doug Ford want Pierre Poilievre’s job?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2025
  • Some polls are showing Doug Ford and his party are polling 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, but if the polls start
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on March 21, 2025, is riding high in public opinion right now and is 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, according to a June 10 Abacus Data poll. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s ideological advantage

  • Mark Carney might only be a rookie politician, but it looks like he knows how to play the game. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s ideological advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2025
  • Mark Carney might only be a rookie politician, but it looks like he knows how to play the game. 

Carney’s ideological advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2025
  • Mark Carney might only be a rookie politician, but it looks like he knows how to play the game. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feeding the fundraising beast

  • One of the key principles of fundraising is that you don’t give your donor base a chance to relax, which is to say, you
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Political parties may have their differences, but when it comes to fundraising, they all share the same principles, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

Feeding the fundraising beast

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2025
  • One of the key principles of fundraising is that you don’t give your donor base a chance to relax, which is to say, you

Feeding the fundraising beast

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2025
  • One of the key principles of fundraising is that you don’t give your donor base a chance to relax, which is to say, you
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Political parties may have their differences, but when it comes to fundraising, they all share the same principles, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
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Trudeau should put off that ‘walk in the snow’

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ever since he was denied a majority victory for a second straight time, there have been rumblings in some quarters suggesting it’s time
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2021
Ever since he was denied a majority victory for a second straight time, there have been rumblings in some quarters suggesting it's time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pack it in. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau should put off that ‘walk in the snow’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ever since he was denied a majority victory for a second straight time, there have been rumblings in some quarters suggesting it’s time

Trudeau should put off that ‘walk in the snow’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ever since he was denied a majority victory for a second straight time, there have been rumblings in some quarters suggesting it’s time
Ever since he was denied a majority victory for a second straight time, there have been rumblings in some quarters suggesting it's time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pack it in. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Will O’Toole rethink his stance on carbon taxes?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—I wonder if Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole is thinking about backtracking his support for carbon taxes? That’s the question I pondered this
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured Oct. 5, 2021, at the Conservative national caucus meeting on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Will O’Toole rethink his stance on carbon taxes?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—I wonder if Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole is thinking about backtracking his support for carbon taxes? That’s the question I pondered this

Will O’Toole rethink his stance on carbon taxes?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—I wonder if Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole is thinking about backtracking his support for carbon taxes? That’s the question I pondered this
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured Oct. 5, 2021, at the Conservative national caucus meeting on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Explaining a fundraising folly

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s hard to believe that a single fundraising letter could cause a storm of controversy. But it actually happened. About a month ago,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2021
Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford, pictured Sept. 18, 2020, in Ottawa. About a month ago, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party landed in hot water after it sent out a fundraising letter in an envelope labelled 'important: invoice enclosed.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Explaining a fundraising folly

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s hard to believe that a single fundraising letter could cause a storm of controversy. But it actually happened. About a month ago,

Explaining a fundraising folly

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s hard to believe that a single fundraising letter could cause a storm of controversy. But it actually happened. About a month ago,
Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford, pictured Sept. 18, 2020, in Ottawa. About a month ago, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party landed in hot water after it sent out a fundraising letter in an envelope labelled 'important: invoice enclosed.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Get ready for O’Toole 2.5 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Should he stay or should he go?  That’s the burning question people in political circles are asking these days about Conservative Party Leader
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured with his wife Rebecca in Oshawa, Ont., in the wee hours of the morning on Sept. 21, 2021, after the elections results were announced and after delivering his concession speech. Screengrab image courtesy of CBCNN

Get ready for O’Toole 2.5 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Should he stay or should he go?  That’s the burning question people in political circles are asking these days about Conservative Party Leader

Get ready for O’Toole 2.5 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Should he stay or should he go?  That’s the burning question people in political circles are asking these days about Conservative Party Leader
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured with his wife Rebecca in Oshawa, Ont., in the wee hours of the morning on Sept. 21, 2021, after the elections results were announced and after delivering his concession speech. Screengrab image courtesy of CBCNN

O’Toole’s flawed strategy was destined to fail

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s a commandment in the pundit’s playbook that says: “Thou Shalt Always Second Guess Political Party Strategists.” So, who am I, as a
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured with his wife Rebecca, and their children Mollie and Jack, in Oshawa, in the wee hours of the morning on Sept. 21, 2021, after the election results were announced late on Sept. 20. Screen capture image photograph courtesy of CBC News

O’Toole’s flawed strategy was destined to fail

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s a commandment in the pundit’s playbook that says: “Thou Shalt Always Second Guess Political Party Strategists.” So, who am I, as a

O’Toole’s flawed strategy was destined to fail

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s a commandment in the pundit’s playbook that says: “Thou Shalt Always Second Guess Political Party Strategists.” So, who am I, as a
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured with his wife Rebecca, and their children Mollie and Jack, in Oshawa, in the wee hours of the morning on Sept. 21, 2021, after the election results were announced late on Sept. 20. Screen capture image photograph courtesy of CBC News

Trudeau should have ignored Rebel News

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau knows a thing or two about boxing, it makes me wonder why he recently made the tactical
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 20, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blasted Rebel News on Sept. 9, 2021, after the English-language televised debates, and said the organization was spreading 'disinformation and misinformation about vaccines, around how we’re actually going to get through this pandemic.' Image courtesy of Global News

Trudeau should have ignored Rebel News

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 20, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau knows a thing or two about boxing, it makes me wonder why he recently made the tactical

Trudeau should have ignored Rebel News

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 20, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau knows a thing or two about boxing, it makes me wonder why he recently made the tactical
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blasted Rebel News on Sept. 9, 2021, after the English-language televised debates, and said the organization was spreading 'disinformation and misinformation about vaccines, around how we’re actually going to get through this pandemic.' Image courtesy of Global News

The problem with great expectations 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The way things are going right now, the only federal political party leader who might be truly happy when this federal election is
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 13, 2021
People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier, left, pictured April 15, 2021, with Ontario MPP Randy Hillier after a press conference on the Hill to protest provincial and federal restrictions in the fight against COVID-19. The way things are going right now, the only federal political party leader who might be truly happy when this federal election is over is Maxime Bernier.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problem with great expectations 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 13, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The way things are going right now, the only federal political party leader who might be truly happy when this federal election is

The problem with great expectations 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 13, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The way things are going right now, the only federal political party leader who might be truly happy when this federal election is
People’s Party Leader Maxime Bernier, left, pictured April 15, 2021, with Ontario MPP Randy Hillier after a press conference on the Hill to protest provincial and federal restrictions in the fight against COVID-19. The way things are going right now, the only federal political party leader who might be truly happy when this federal election is over is Maxime Bernier.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The importance of honest attacks

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re running the communications efforts of an election campaign you must never, ever lie about your opponents. That really should go without
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2021
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland tweeted a video of Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole early in the election campaign that was labelled 'manipulated media' by Twitter. The Conservatives should remind voters of that every time the Liberals attack them, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The importance of honest attacks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re running the communications efforts of an election campaign you must never, ever lie about your opponents. That really should go without

The importance of honest attacks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re running the communications efforts of an election campaign you must never, ever lie about your opponents. That really should go without
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland tweeted a video of Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole early in the election campaign that was labelled 'manipulated media' by Twitter. The Conservatives should remind voters of that every time the Liberals attack them, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s wingless election

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A former consultant colleague of mine was fond of saying “winged” candidates do better in elections than “non-winged” candidates. By that he meant,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 26, 2021
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh are keeping their parties close to the ideological middle, which could make for a dull election campaign, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times file photographs

Canada’s wingless election

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 26, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A former consultant colleague of mine was fond of saying “winged” candidates do better in elections than “non-winged” candidates. By that he meant,

Canada’s wingless election

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 26, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A former consultant colleague of mine was fond of saying “winged” candidates do better in elections than “non-winged” candidates. By that he meant,
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh are keeping their parties close to the ideological middle, which could make for a dull election campaign, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times file photographs

Will anybody’s election plan survive the campaign?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s an old military maxim that says, “no plan survives contact with the enemy.” The same, of course, can be said for political
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 23, 2021
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney won the 1988 election after the campaign turned into a referendum on free trade with the United States. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will anybody’s election plan survive the campaign?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 23, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s an old military maxim that says, “no plan survives contact with the enemy.” The same, of course, can be said for political

Will anybody’s election plan survive the campaign?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 23, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s an old military maxim that says, “no plan survives contact with the enemy.” The same, of course, can be said for political
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney won the 1988 election after the campaign turned into a referendum on free trade with the United States. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Erin O’Toole and the Harper paradox

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole has caught himself up in what I like to call the “Harper paradox.” That paradox is this: the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 12, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, pictured on the Hill on Feb. 18, 2021. So how can O’Toole escape this paradox? Well, I suppose he could try to come across as both friendly and strong. But unless your name is Ronald Reagan, that’s a tough trick to pull off, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Erin O’Toole and the Harper paradox

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 12, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole has caught himself up in what I like to call the “Harper paradox.” That paradox is this: the

Erin O’Toole and the Harper paradox

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 12, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole has caught himself up in what I like to call the “Harper paradox.” That paradox is this: the
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, pictured on the Hill on Feb. 18, 2021. So how can O’Toole escape this paradox? Well, I suppose he could try to come across as both friendly and strong. But unless your name is Ronald Reagan, that’s a tough trick to pull off, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Sloan should ditch his party idea

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It seems former Conservative MP Derek Sloan wants to form his own political party—tentatively called “True North”—as a vehicle to promote his ideological
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2021
It seems former Conservative MP Derek Sloan, pictured, wants to form his own political party—tentatively called 'True North'—as a vehicle to promote his ideological values. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Sloan should ditch his party idea

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It seems former Conservative MP Derek Sloan wants to form his own political party—tentatively called “True North”—as a vehicle to promote his ideological

Sloan should ditch his party idea

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It seems former Conservative MP Derek Sloan wants to form his own political party—tentatively called “True North”—as a vehicle to promote his ideological
It seems former Conservative MP Derek Sloan, pictured, wants to form his own political party—tentatively called 'True North'—as a vehicle to promote his ideological values. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The need for politicians to state the problem

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Successful politicians are usually good at crisis management, by which I mean, they know how to manage it so that voters believe there’s
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

The need for politicians to state the problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Successful politicians are usually good at crisis management, by which I mean, they know how to manage it so that voters believe there’s

The need for politicians to state the problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Successful politicians are usually good at crisis management, by which I mean, they know how to manage it so that voters believe there’s
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Will the election pit Rocky against Thanos?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—About three thousand years ago, the ancient Greeks invented what we call “drama” and ever since then our society has had an insatiable
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 22, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s will try to play Thanos, the world-conquering alien, from the MCU Avenger movies. Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole will be more of a Rocky Balboa figure. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh might be good as a kind of Billy Bean character from the movie Moneyball. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and Commons Wikimedia

Will the election pit Rocky against Thanos?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 22, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—About three thousand years ago, the ancient Greeks invented what we call “drama” and ever since then our society has had an insatiable

Will the election pit Rocky against Thanos?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 22, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—About three thousand years ago, the ancient Greeks invented what we call “drama” and ever since then our society has had an insatiable
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s will try to play Thanos, the world-conquering alien, from the MCU Avenger movies. Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole will be more of a Rocky Balboa figure. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh might be good as a kind of Billy Bean character from the movie Moneyball. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and Commons Wikimedia

Turning guilt into political dollars

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party wants me to feel guilty. Indeed, the party recently sent me an email solely for the purpose of
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 15, 2021
Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, led by premier Doug Ford, wants me to feel guilty, says Gerry Nicholls, of the party's fundraising campaign. Sometimes you have to jolt people into giving, because it’s important to bear in mind that the longer a donor goes without making a donation, the greater the odds he or she will eventually lose total interest in your cause. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Turning guilt into political dollars

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 15, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party wants me to feel guilty. Indeed, the party recently sent me an email solely for the purpose of

Turning guilt into political dollars

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 15, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party wants me to feel guilty. Indeed, the party recently sent me an email solely for the purpose of
Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, led by premier Doug Ford, wants me to feel guilty, says Gerry Nicholls, of the party's fundraising campaign. Sometimes you have to jolt people into giving, because it’s important to bear in mind that the longer a donor goes without making a donation, the greater the odds he or she will eventually lose total interest in your cause. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of Trudeau’s shave

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shaved off his beard, it was a strong signal that the Liberals are getting election-ready. After all, maybe
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 7, 2021
Before, and after: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured left on June 4, and right, on June 30. When he shaved off his beard, it was a strong signal that the Liberals are getting election-ready. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

The politics of Trudeau’s shave

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 7, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shaved off his beard, it was a strong signal that the Liberals are getting election-ready. After all, maybe

The politics of Trudeau’s shave

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 7, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shaved off his beard, it was a strong signal that the Liberals are getting election-ready. After all, maybe
Before, and after: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured left on June 4, and right, on June 30. When he shaved off his beard, it was a strong signal that the Liberals are getting election-ready. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

The NDP’s disadvantage

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Anyone wanting to handicap the NDP’s chances in the next federal election, should bear in mind what I’d call the party’s polling disadvantage.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 1, 2021
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured April 14, 2021, on the Hill. If the New Democrats can’t afford to undertake such rapid polling, they’ll basically be flying partially blind. In a sense, the NDP might be playing the game short-handed. Doesn’t mean they can’t score, but it’ll be much more difficult, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The NDP’s disadvantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 1, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Anyone wanting to handicap the NDP’s chances in the next federal election, should bear in mind what I’d call the party’s polling disadvantage.

The NDP’s disadvantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 1, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Anyone wanting to handicap the NDP’s chances in the next federal election, should bear in mind what I’d call the party’s polling disadvantage.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured April 14, 2021, on the Hill. If the New Democrats can’t afford to undertake such rapid polling, they’ll basically be flying partially blind. In a sense, the NDP might be playing the game short-handed. Doesn’t mean they can’t score, but it’ll be much more difficult, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford takes the easy way out

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Maybe the official motto for Canada’s conservative political parties should be, “We Like to Take the Easy Way Out.” After all, it seems
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 17, 2021
If you want an even more egregious example of a Conservative politician taking the easy way out, there’s Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on the Hill on Nov. 21, 2010, who, rather than battling his opponents, fair and square, decided instead to silence them, using the heavy-handed power of the state, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford takes the easy way out

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 17, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Maybe the official motto for Canada’s conservative political parties should be, “We Like to Take the Easy Way Out.” After all, it seems

Ford takes the easy way out

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 17, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Maybe the official motto for Canada’s conservative political parties should be, “We Like to Take the Easy Way Out.” After all, it seems
If you want an even more egregious example of a Conservative politician taking the easy way out, there’s Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on the Hill on Nov. 21, 2010, who, rather than battling his opponents, fair and square, decided instead to silence them, using the heavy-handed power of the state, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When Conservatives battle Conservatives

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the odd things about politics is how quickly ideological allies can turn into enemies. Certainly, in the conservative world, for instance,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 10, 2021
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured Sept. 18, 2020, on the Hill. Colin T. Brown, the chair of the National Citizens Coalition, one of Canada’s oldest conservative groups and an organization known for savagely assailing Liberals, recently posted a message on the NCC’s website that severely castigated Mr. Ford. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When Conservatives battle Conservatives

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 10, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the odd things about politics is how quickly ideological allies can turn into enemies. Certainly, in the conservative world, for instance,

When Conservatives battle Conservatives

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 10, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the odd things about politics is how quickly ideological allies can turn into enemies. Certainly, in the conservative world, for instance,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured Sept. 18, 2020, on the Hill. Colin T. Brown, the chair of the National Citizens Coalition, one of Canada’s oldest conservative groups and an organization known for savagely assailing Liberals, recently posted a message on the NCC’s website that severely castigated Mr. Ford. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The allure of foreign consultants

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s interesting how the hiring practices of Canada’s Conservative Party always seem to generate news. Or more specifically, the media’s interest tends to
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 7, 2021
Conservative party Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured June 1, 2021, holding a press conference in the West Block. It’s interesting how the hiring practices of Canada’s Conservative Party always seem to generate news. Or more specifically, the media’s interest tends to get piqued whenever Conservatives hire foreign political consultants, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The allure of foreign consultants

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 7, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s interesting how the hiring practices of Canada’s Conservative Party always seem to generate news. Or more specifically, the media’s interest tends to

The allure of foreign consultants

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 7, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s interesting how the hiring practices of Canada’s Conservative Party always seem to generate news. Or more specifically, the media’s interest tends to
Conservative party Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured June 1, 2021, holding a press conference in the West Block. It’s interesting how the hiring practices of Canada’s Conservative Party always seem to generate news. Or more specifically, the media’s interest tends to get piqued whenever Conservatives hire foreign political consultants, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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