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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

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Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

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

Economic ambush awaits Carney

  • Unfortunately, for the prime minister, when it comes to mending the economy, there are no easy solutions, no quick fixes, no magic answers. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and his wife Diana Fox Carney tour Ottawa's Lansdowne Park with King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 26, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Economic ambush awaits Carney

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2025
  • Unfortunately, for the prime minister, when it comes to mending the economy, there are no easy solutions, no quick fixes, no magic answers. 

Economic ambush awaits Carney

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2025
  • Unfortunately, for the prime minister, when it comes to mending the economy, there are no easy solutions, no quick fixes, no magic answers. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and his wife Diana Fox Carney tour Ottawa's Lansdowne Park with King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 26, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Carney’s boomer base

  • Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2025
Generation X: Pierre Poilievre, left, and Mark Carney, are both technically generation Xers, people born between 1965 and 1980. Poilievre was born in 1979 and Carney was born in 1965, but Carney comes across like a boomer, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

Carney’s boomer base

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2025
  • Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider

Carney’s boomer base

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2025
  • Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider
Generation X: Pierre Poilievre, left, and Mark Carney, are both technically generation Xers, people born between 1965 and 1980. Poilievre was born in 1979 and Carney was born in 1965, but Carney comes across like a boomer, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

New book reappraises Diefenbaker’s legacy

  • Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2025
Former prime minister John Diefenbaker has gotten a raw deal when it comes to his historical reputation, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

New book reappraises Diefenbaker’s legacy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2025
  • Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people. 

New book reappraises Diefenbaker’s legacy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2025
  • Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people. 
Former prime minister John Diefenbaker has gotten a raw deal when it comes to his historical reputation, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Ford’s embrace of realpolitik

  • If it’s in Doug Ford’s own self-interest to have you as a friend, then he’s your friend; but if it’s in his interest to
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 12, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are not buddies. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Ford’s embrace of realpolitik

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 12, 2025
  • If it’s in Doug Ford’s own self-interest to have you as a friend, then he’s your friend; but if it’s in his interest to

Ford’s embrace of realpolitik

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 12, 2025
  • If it’s in Doug Ford’s own self-interest to have you as a friend, then he’s your friend; but if it’s in his interest to
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are not buddies. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The CPC’s Harper problem

  • The Harper syndrome is weakening the Conservative Party because instead of looking forward, it keeps looking back. It’s hard for a party to advance that
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
Even though former prime minister Stephen Harper has been off the political stage for nearly 10 years now, the memory of his leadership, the force of his personality, and the power of his intellect, still looms over the Conservative Party like a ghostly colossus, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The CPC’s Harper problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
  • The Harper syndrome is weakening the Conservative Party because instead of looking forward, it keeps looking back. It’s hard for a party to advance that

The CPC’s Harper problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
  • The Harper syndrome is weakening the Conservative Party because instead of looking forward, it keeps looking back. It’s hard for a party to advance that
Even though former prime minister Stephen Harper has been off the political stage for nearly 10 years now, the memory of his leadership, the force of his personality, and the power of his intellect, still looms over the Conservative Party like a ghostly colossus, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How to face defeat

  • People vote for parties because they believe in ideas, not because they want Parliament to work better, and fighting to the end is always
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
Green co-Leader Elizabeth May in a Hill scrum on Dec. 3, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How to face defeat

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
  • People vote for parties because they believe in ideas, not because they want Parliament to work better, and fighting to the end is always

How to face defeat

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
  • People vote for parties because they believe in ideas, not because they want Parliament to work better, and fighting to the end is always
Green co-Leader Elizabeth May in a Hill scrum on Dec. 3, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s backseat drivers

  • It’s easy to say things like a campaign should change its messaging or alter its tone, but to do this during an election campaign
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Kory Teneycke, former campaign manager for Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Teneycke recently accused the federal Conservatives of 'campaign malpractice.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Stuart Benson

Poilievre’s backseat drivers

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
  • It’s easy to say things like a campaign should change its messaging or alter its tone, but to do this during an election campaign

Poilievre’s backseat drivers

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
  • It’s easy to say things like a campaign should change its messaging or alter its tone, but to do this during an election campaign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Kory Teneycke, former campaign manager for Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Teneycke recently accused the federal Conservatives of 'campaign malpractice.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Stuart Benson
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Trudeau, Canada’s Sun King?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given that we’re smack dab in the middle of summer and given that everyone is consequently in a vacation mindset right now, I
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 31, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 25, 2017, on Parliament Hill. Whenever a leader claims to speak for everyone in his country, to my mind it reveals a regal-style hubris, that’s ill-suited for a democracy, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau, Canada’s Sun King?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 31, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given that we’re smack dab in the middle of summer and given that everyone is consequently in a vacation mindset right now, I

Trudeau, Canada’s Sun King?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 31, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given that we’re smack dab in the middle of summer and given that everyone is consequently in a vacation mindset right now, I
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 25, 2017, on Parliament Hill. Whenever a leader claims to speak for everyone in his country, to my mind it reveals a regal-style hubris, that’s ill-suited for a democracy, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Conspiracy theories could spark Conservative feud

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canadian conservative politics is irredeemably dull, unless that is, it becomes embroiled in some sort of conspiracy theory, at which point it can
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 24, 2017
Then prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured Oct. 16, 2015, at a rally in Fredericton, N.B. About 20 years ago, certain members of the now defunct Reform Party grew suspicious about the political motives of the NCC’s president at the time—a guy named Stephen Harper. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conspiracy theories could spark Conservative feud

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 24, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canadian conservative politics is irredeemably dull, unless that is, it becomes embroiled in some sort of conspiracy theory, at which point it can

Conspiracy theories could spark Conservative feud

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 24, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canadian conservative politics is irredeemably dull, unless that is, it becomes embroiled in some sort of conspiracy theory, at which point it can
Then prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured Oct. 16, 2015, at a rally in Fredericton, N.B. About 20 years ago, certain members of the now defunct Reform Party grew suspicious about the political motives of the NCC’s president at the time—a guy named Stephen Harper. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Beware the Twitter echo chamber trap

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever I’m plagued with self-doubt or afflicted with uncertainty, I turn to that one source guaranteed to provide me with the spiritual peace
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 17, 2017
Stop battling Twitter trolls and start listening to real people in the real world. In short, open up your echo chamber, and let your political message go free, Gerry Nicholls advises politicians. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Beware the Twitter echo chamber trap

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 17, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever I’m plagued with self-doubt or afflicted with uncertainty, I turn to that one source guaranteed to provide me with the spiritual peace

Beware the Twitter echo chamber trap

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 17, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever I’m plagued with self-doubt or afflicted with uncertainty, I turn to that one source guaranteed to provide me with the spiritual peace
Stop battling Twitter trolls and start listening to real people in the real world. In short, open up your echo chamber, and let your political message go free, Gerry Nicholls advises politicians. Image courtesy of Pixabay

New world requires new arguments

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We hear a lot these days about how we need to prepare for global climate change, but there’s another kind of global change
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 10, 2017
Remember Hillary Clinton’s crack about 'deplorables'? Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

New world requires new arguments

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 10, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We hear a lot these days about how we need to prepare for global climate change, but there’s another kind of global change

New world requires new arguments

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 10, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We hear a lot these days about how we need to prepare for global climate change, but there’s another kind of global change
Remember Hillary Clinton’s crack about 'deplorables'? Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

It’s time for summertime political predictions

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that summer is officially upon us, and the political world is a little more relaxed, it’s a good time to have some
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 3, 2017
The Conservatives, led by Andrew Scheer, will meticulously avoid the kind of blatantly populist messaging associated with U.S. President Donald Trump because (a) they will want to avoid comparisons to Trump and (b) they are too stodgily pro-establishment to embrace populism, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

It’s time for summertime political predictions

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 3, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that summer is officially upon us, and the political world is a little more relaxed, it’s a good time to have some

It’s time for summertime political predictions

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 3, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that summer is officially upon us, and the political world is a little more relaxed, it’s a good time to have some
The Conservatives, led by Andrew Scheer, will meticulously avoid the kind of blatantly populist messaging associated with U.S. President Donald Trump because (a) they will want to avoid comparisons to Trump and (b) they are too stodgily pro-establishment to embrace populism, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Here’s why the Netflix tax is a non-starter

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven once declared, “As long as the Austrians have their brown beer and little sausages, they will never revolt.”
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 26, 2017
While Canadians might forgive Trudeau for breaking promises and for fundraising scandals and for photo bombing high school proms, they would never forgive him for making them pay more to watch House of Cards.House of Cards. Photograph courtesy of House of Cards

Here’s why the Netflix tax is a non-starter

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 26, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven once declared, “As long as the Austrians have their brown beer and little sausages, they will never revolt.”

Here’s why the Netflix tax is a non-starter

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 26, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven once declared, “As long as the Austrians have their brown beer and little sausages, they will never revolt.”
While Canadians might forgive Trudeau for breaking promises and for fundraising scandals and for photo bombing high school proms, they would never forgive him for making them pay more to watch House of Cards.House of Cards. Photograph courtesy of House of Cards

Trudeau’s impractical politics

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If nothing else, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must be credited with ushering in a glorious new era of marvellous political impracticality. He’s a
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 19, 2017
The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s impractical politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 19, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If nothing else, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must be credited with ushering in a glorious new era of marvellous political impracticality. He’s a

Trudeau’s impractical politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 19, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If nothing else, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must be credited with ushering in a glorious new era of marvellous political impracticality. He’s a
The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals won’t retract their claws

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With his genial smile, cherubic face, and pleasant personality, it’s easy to think that newly elected Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is genuinely
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 12, 2017
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on May 27 in Toronto shortly after getting elected leader of the party. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Liberals won’t retract their claws

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 12, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With his genial smile, cherubic face, and pleasant personality, it’s easy to think that newly elected Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is genuinely

Liberals won’t retract their claws

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 12, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With his genial smile, cherubic face, and pleasant personality, it’s easy to think that newly elected Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is genuinely
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on May 27 in Toronto shortly after getting elected leader of the party. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Whither libertarianism?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—For libertarian-minded Canadians, i.e., those Canadians who support the idea of minimal government and maximum freedom, the end result of the Conservative leadership race
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 5, 2017
Conservative MP Maxime Bernier was the perceived front-runner in the leadership race, but lost to Conservative MP Andrew Scheer last Saturday night in Toronto. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Whither libertarianism?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 5, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—For libertarian-minded Canadians, i.e., those Canadians who support the idea of minimal government and maximum freedom, the end result of the Conservative leadership race

Whither libertarianism?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 5, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—For libertarian-minded Canadians, i.e., those Canadians who support the idea of minimal government and maximum freedom, the end result of the Conservative leadership race
Conservative MP Maxime Bernier was the perceived front-runner in the leadership race, but lost to Conservative MP Andrew Scheer last Saturday night in Toronto. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The importance of coolness

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.–“I came, I saw, I conquered.” That simple six-word sentence, first coined by Julius Caesar more than 2,000 years ago, is not only
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2017
'I came, I saw, I conquered.' That simple six-word sentence, first coined by Julius Caesar more than 2,000 years ago, is not only one of history’s most memorable lines, it’s also one of its coolest, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The importance of coolness

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.–“I came, I saw, I conquered.” That simple six-word sentence, first coined by Julius Caesar more than 2,000 years ago, is not only

The importance of coolness

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.–“I came, I saw, I conquered.” That simple six-word sentence, first coined by Julius Caesar more than 2,000 years ago, is not only
'I came, I saw, I conquered.' That simple six-word sentence, first coined by Julius Caesar more than 2,000 years ago, is not only one of history’s most memorable lines, it’s also one of its coolest, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Sorting out the Conservative leadership race

  • OAKVILLE, ONT. —In just a few days we’ll get the exciting news as to who will be the next leader of Canada’s Conservative Party.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 22, 2017
Conservative leadership candidates Chris Alexander, Maxime Bernier, Andrew Scheer, Erin O'Toole, Lisa Raitt, Andrew Saxton, Michael Chong, Brad Trost, and Deepak Obhrai. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Sorting out the Conservative leadership race

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 22, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT. —In just a few days we’ll get the exciting news as to who will be the next leader of Canada’s Conservative Party.

Sorting out the Conservative leadership race

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 22, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT. —In just a few days we’ll get the exciting news as to who will be the next leader of Canada’s Conservative Party.
Conservative leadership candidates Chris Alexander, Maxime Bernier, Andrew Scheer, Erin O'Toole, Lisa Raitt, Andrew Saxton, Michael Chong, Brad Trost, and Deepak Obhrai. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Liberals pressing the personality advantage

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If I had to sum up the Liberal government’s communication strategy in just five words, I’d say, “Trudeau, Trudeau and more Trudeau.” My
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 15, 2017
The Liberals have been airdropping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau into just about every federal by-election race in the country, (sometimes also in provincial ones) where he holds highly-publicized campaign-style partisan rallies, including in ridings where the Liberals have little chance of winning. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals pressing the personality advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 15, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If I had to sum up the Liberal government’s communication strategy in just five words, I’d say, “Trudeau, Trudeau and more Trudeau.” My

Liberals pressing the personality advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 15, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If I had to sum up the Liberal government’s communication strategy in just five words, I’d say, “Trudeau, Trudeau and more Trudeau.” My
The Liberals have been airdropping Prime Minister Justin Trudeau into just about every federal by-election race in the country, (sometimes also in provincial ones) where he holds highly-publicized campaign-style partisan rallies, including in ridings where the Liberals have little chance of winning. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of nasty

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—”I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 8, 2017
Speaking of obnoxious rudeness, U.S. President Donald Trump is, without a doubt, the grandmaster of disrespectful invective, writes Gerry Nicholls. When The New York Times published a mere sampling of his Twitter insults, it took up two full pages. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

The politics of nasty

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 8, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—”I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and

The politics of nasty

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 8, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—”I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and
Speaking of obnoxious rudeness, U.S. President Donald Trump is, without a doubt, the grandmaster of disrespectful invective, writes Gerry Nicholls. When The New York Times published a mere sampling of his Twitter insults, it took up two full pages. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Time for NDP to wave the red flag

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the Bible’s Book of Job, there’s a cheery little line that reads, “After dark, I hope for light.” I suspect that perfectly
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 1, 2017
Pat Stogran’s willingness to stir things up, while perhaps entertaining, won’t be enough to really give the NDP race the jolt it needs. Photograph courtesy of Pat Stogran

Time for NDP to wave the red flag

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 1, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the Bible’s Book of Job, there’s a cheery little line that reads, “After dark, I hope for light.” I suspect that perfectly

Time for NDP to wave the red flag

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 1, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the Bible’s Book of Job, there’s a cheery little line that reads, “After dark, I hope for light.” I suspect that perfectly
Pat Stogran’s willingness to stir things up, while perhaps entertaining, won’t be enough to really give the NDP race the jolt it needs. Photograph courtesy of Pat Stogran

Don’t let the media dictate strategy

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A political strategist has to learn how to deal with hate. Or more specifically, a strategist has to accept the fact that media
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 24, 2017
The B.C. Liberals, led by Christy Clark, didn’t seem to care much about the media’s opinion in the 2013 provincial election and basically sunk the NDP with relentless and highly effective attacks, writes Gerry Nicholls. Ms. Clark was defeated in her riding, but was re-elected in a subsequent byelection. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Don’t let the media dictate strategy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 24, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A political strategist has to learn how to deal with hate. Or more specifically, a strategist has to accept the fact that media

Don’t let the media dictate strategy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 24, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A political strategist has to learn how to deal with hate. Or more specifically, a strategist has to accept the fact that media
The B.C. Liberals, led by Christy Clark, didn’t seem to care much about the media’s opinion in the 2013 provincial election and basically sunk the NDP with relentless and highly effective attacks, writes Gerry Nicholls. Ms. Clark was defeated in her riding, but was re-elected in a subsequent byelection. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The perils of poll propaganda

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A good “think tank” should also be a good “propaganda tank.” In other words, an organization dedicated to thinking, should also be dedicated
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2017

The perils of poll propaganda

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A good “think tank” should also be a good “propaganda tank.” In other words, an organization dedicated to thinking, should also be dedicated

The perils of poll propaganda

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A good “think tank” should also be a good “propaganda tank.” In other words, an organization dedicated to thinking, should also be dedicated

A modest political proposal

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—After much careful study of recent current events, I’ve come to the conclusion that what Canada desperately needs right now is a brand
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 10, 2017
Maclean's columnist Scott Gilmore, pictured on April 7 on Don Martin's CTV Power Play show, says it's time to build a new right-of-centre party and he is starting a cross Canada dinner tour to talk to Conservatives about it. CTV Power Play screen capture

A modest political proposal

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 10, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—After much careful study of recent current events, I’ve come to the conclusion that what Canada desperately needs right now is a brand

A modest political proposal

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 10, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—After much careful study of recent current events, I’ve come to the conclusion that what Canada desperately needs right now is a brand
Maclean's columnist Scott Gilmore, pictured on April 7 on Don Martin's CTV Power Play show, says it's time to build a new right-of-centre party and he is starting a cross Canada dinner tour to talk to Conservatives about it. CTV Power Play screen capture

Party civil wars and why they happen

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Back in the summer of 2010, while working in America, I responded to a sincerely offered peace initiative with an equally sincere declaration
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 3, 2017
It’s easy for somebody like interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose, who actually isn’t in the leadership race herself and who has nothing to lose personally, to hover above the fray and lecture, as she recently did, all the leadership candidates about the strategic importance of speaking with 'one united voice.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Party civil wars and why they happen

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 3, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Back in the summer of 2010, while working in America, I responded to a sincerely offered peace initiative with an equally sincere declaration

Party civil wars and why they happen

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 3, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Back in the summer of 2010, while working in America, I responded to a sincerely offered peace initiative with an equally sincere declaration
It’s easy for somebody like interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose, who actually isn’t in the leadership race herself and who has nothing to lose personally, to hover above the fray and lecture, as she recently did, all the leadership candidates about the strategic importance of speaking with 'one united voice.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The problem with ‘Big Tents’

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The thing that makes Canada a great country, besides its vast maple syrup reservoirs, is we Canadians enthusiastically embrace diversity and tolerance. (And
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 27, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo. Gerry Nicholls says 'history shows us that political tents which get too big are invariably unstable.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problem with ‘Big Tents’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 27, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The thing that makes Canada a great country, besides its vast maple syrup reservoirs, is we Canadians enthusiastically embrace diversity and tolerance. (And

The problem with ‘Big Tents’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 27, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The thing that makes Canada a great country, besides its vast maple syrup reservoirs, is we Canadians enthusiastically embrace diversity and tolerance. (And
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo. Gerry Nicholls says 'history shows us that political tents which get too big are invariably unstable.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The real populist question

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to the phenomenon known as “populism,” political observers in this country keep asking the wrong question. In the editorial pages
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 20, 2017
The most blatant populist wannabe, of course, is Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch, whose campaign strategy can be described as a continuous diatribe against the 'elites,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The real populist question

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 20, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to the phenomenon known as “populism,” political observers in this country keep asking the wrong question. In the editorial pages

The real populist question

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 20, 2017
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to the phenomenon known as “populism,” political observers in this country keep asking the wrong question. In the editorial pages
The most blatant populist wannabe, of course, is Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch, whose campaign strategy can be described as a continuous diatribe against the 'elites,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

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