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Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

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

The theatre of leaders’ debates

  • The election debates we see on TV nowadays are little more than political leaders going on a stage to express carefully crafted talking points
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2025
It's showtime: Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault will face off this week in Montreal for the English and French-language televised leaders' debates. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The theatre of leaders’ debates

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2025
  • The election debates we see on TV nowadays are little more than political leaders going on a stage to express carefully crafted talking points

The theatre of leaders’ debates

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2025
  • The election debates we see on TV nowadays are little more than political leaders going on a stage to express carefully crafted talking points
It's showtime: Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault will face off this week in Montreal for the English and French-language televised leaders' debates. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Controlling the campaign message

  • One of the more interesting battles that occur during elections is the one between politicians and journalists over who is going to control the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2025
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, top left, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, bottom left, Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, Green co-Leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, top right, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

Controlling the campaign message

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2025
  • One of the more interesting battles that occur during elections is the one between politicians and journalists over who is going to control the

Controlling the campaign message

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2025
  • One of the more interesting battles that occur during elections is the one between politicians and journalists over who is going to control the
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, top left, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, bottom left, Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, Green co-Leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, top right, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

  • Social media puts emotion much more front and centre. Unfortunately, for Pierre Poilievre, the vibes surrounding him for the past few weeks have been largely
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2025
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Thanks to the emergence of social media platforms, 'vibe politics' is more important than ever, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2025
  • Social media puts emotion much more front and centre. Unfortunately, for Pierre Poilievre, the vibes surrounding him for the past few weeks have been largely

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2025
  • Social media puts emotion much more front and centre. Unfortunately, for Pierre Poilievre, the vibes surrounding him for the past few weeks have been largely
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Thanks to the emergence of social media platforms, 'vibe politics' is more important than ever, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

  • The Liberals have done a 180-degree shift; they’ve ditched the politics of pizzazz and personality and replaced it with the politics of mundane political
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Liberals have picked boring over sparkle, but it could work, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2025
  • The Liberals have done a 180-degree shift; they’ve ditched the politics of pizzazz and personality and replaced it with the politics of mundane political

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2025
  • The Liberals have done a 180-degree shift; they’ve ditched the politics of pizzazz and personality and replaced it with the politics of mundane political
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Liberals have picked boring over sparkle, but it could work, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

  • Most political consumers will reject the Conservative ad attacking Mark Carney as helping Donald Trump by driving jobs south because it won’t seem rooted
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2025
The Conservative Party's recent attack ad, called 'Trump wants our jobs.' Image courtesy of the Conservative Party of Canada

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2025
  • Most political consumers will reject the Conservative ad attacking Mark Carney as helping Donald Trump by driving jobs south because it won’t seem rooted

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2025
  • Most political consumers will reject the Conservative ad attacking Mark Carney as helping Donald Trump by driving jobs south because it won’t seem rooted
The Conservative Party's recent attack ad, called 'Trump wants our jobs.' Image courtesy of the Conservative Party of Canada

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

  • My point is, given how the Liberals essentially 'own' anti-American-style nationalism, it’ll be difficult for the Conservatives to exploit anti-Trump feeling. Difficult, but not impossible.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 6, 2025
Watch for Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, to echo this argument in his efforts to push a 'Canada First' agenda. Already, Conservative TV ads are branding Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney as 'weak,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 6, 2025
  • My point is, given how the Liberals essentially 'own' anti-American-style nationalism, it’ll be difficult for the Conservatives to exploit anti-Trump feeling. Difficult, but not impossible.

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 6, 2025
  • My point is, given how the Liberals essentially 'own' anti-American-style nationalism, it’ll be difficult for the Conservatives to exploit anti-Trump feeling. Difficult, but not impossible.
Watch for Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, to echo this argument in his efforts to push a 'Canada First' agenda. Already, Conservative TV ads are branding Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney as 'weak,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

Singh’s no-win scenario

  • It’s hard to see how Jagmeet Singh can overcome this no-win scenario. Of course, Captain Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru test, but he cheated. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 3, 2025
No matter what strategy he employs in the next federal election, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will fail to improve his party’s standing, predicts Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh’s no-win scenario

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 3, 2025
  • It’s hard to see how Jagmeet Singh can overcome this no-win scenario. Of course, Captain Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru test, but he cheated. 

Singh’s no-win scenario

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 3, 2025
  • It’s hard to see how Jagmeet Singh can overcome this no-win scenario. Of course, Captain Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru test, but he cheated. 
No matter what strategy he employs in the next federal election, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will fail to improve his party’s standing, predicts Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Conservative course correction

  • Only time will tell if this new plan survives contact with the enemy. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
Pierre Poilievre and his son, Cruz, pictured Feb. 15, 2025, at the Conservative Party's rally in Ottawa at the Rogers Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The Conservative course correction

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
  • Only time will tell if this new plan survives contact with the enemy. 

The Conservative course correction

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
  • Only time will tell if this new plan survives contact with the enemy. 
Pierre Poilievre and his son, Cruz, pictured Feb. 15, 2025, at the Conservative Party's rally in Ottawa at the Rogers Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The paradox of free trade

  • Bad economics sometimes makes for good politics. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
Canadians see Trump’s tariff threats as an attack on our country, a feeling which was further fuelled by his frightening rhetoric about absorbing Canada as America’s '51st state,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

The paradox of free trade

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
  • Bad economics sometimes makes for good politics. 

The paradox of free trade

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
  • Bad economics sometimes makes for good politics. 
Canadians see Trump’s tariff threats as an attack on our country, a feeling which was further fuelled by his frightening rhetoric about absorbing Canada as America’s '51st state,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Freeland’s flaws

  • Chrystia Freeland should have vacated the scene for a while, put some distance between herself and the prime minister, and then she could have
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s flaws

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
  • Chrystia Freeland should have vacated the scene for a while, put some distance between herself and the prime minister, and then she could have

Freeland’s flaws

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
  • Chrystia Freeland should have vacated the scene for a while, put some distance between herself and the prime minister, and then she could have
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

  • This is why I always tell activists, if you want to stay true to your cause, stay out of partisan politics. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault recently admitted that he was open to implementing alternatives to the carbon tax.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
  • This is why I always tell activists, if you want to stay true to your cause, stay out of partisan politics. 

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
  • This is why I always tell activists, if you want to stay true to your cause, stay out of partisan politics. 
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault recently admitted that he was open to implementing alternatives to the carbon tax.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time to redefine liberalism

  • With Trump's return and the Liberals’ sagging poll numbers, that brand of progressivism seems to be a spent force. This is why the party will
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured on Jan. 10, 2024, once said: 'When ... the left says of you you’re a right winger, and when the people on the right say you’re a left winger, you’re a good Canadian Liberal.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time to redefine liberalism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
  • With Trump's return and the Liberals’ sagging poll numbers, that brand of progressivism seems to be a spent force. This is why the party will

Time to redefine liberalism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
  • With Trump's return and the Liberals’ sagging poll numbers, that brand of progressivism seems to be a spent force. This is why the party will
Jean Chrétien
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured on Jan. 10, 2024, once said: 'When ... the left says of you you’re a right winger, and when the people on the right say you’re a left winger, you’re a good Canadian Liberal.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

  • Panama’s president met Trump’s threats with defiance, declaring 'we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.' That’s the way of politics: nationalism on one side
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
One of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's defining characters is that he's totally unpredictable, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
  • Panama’s president met Trump’s threats with defiance, declaring 'we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.' That’s the way of politics: nationalism on one side

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
  • Panama’s president met Trump’s threats with defiance, declaring 'we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.' That’s the way of politics: nationalism on one side
Donald Trump
One of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's defining characters is that he's totally unpredictable, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

  • When anxiety is the population’s dominant emotion, voters want leaders who show strength instead of empathy, toughness instead of sensitivity. Trudeau’s political fragility is
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Cottage on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
  • When anxiety is the population’s dominant emotion, voters want leaders who show strength instead of empathy, toughness instead of sensitivity. Trudeau’s political fragility is

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
  • When anxiety is the population’s dominant emotion, voters want leaders who show strength instead of empathy, toughness instead of sensitivity. Trudeau’s political fragility is
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Cottage on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

  • My Christmas conspiracy theory is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided—long before his dramatic split with former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland—to resign his position,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a Hill scrum on Oct. 29, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
  • My Christmas conspiracy theory is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided—long before his dramatic split with former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland—to resign his position,

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
  • My Christmas conspiracy theory is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided—long before his dramatic split with former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland—to resign his position,
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a Hill scrum on Oct. 29, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The importance of internal polls

  • Those public opinion polls you see on TV and in newspapers are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the polling action is actually
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau recently suggested Poilievre can’t 'unite Canadians' against president-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, which was likely based on internal polling, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The importance of internal polls

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
  • Those public opinion polls you see on TV and in newspapers are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the polling action is actually

The importance of internal polls

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
  • Those public opinion polls you see on TV and in newspapers are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the polling action is actually
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau recently suggested Poilievre can’t 'unite Canadians' against president-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, which was likely based on internal polling, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The politics of climate change are changing

  • Economists tell us such carbon taxes are the most efficient way to fight climate change. Yet, regular people will often see them as disproportionately harming
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 9, 2024
Canada's federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of climate change are changing

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 9, 2024
  • Economists tell us such carbon taxes are the most efficient way to fight climate change. Yet, regular people will often see them as disproportionately harming

The politics of climate change are changing

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 9, 2024
  • Economists tell us such carbon taxes are the most efficient way to fight climate change. Yet, regular people will often see them as disproportionately harming
Canada's federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Don’t underestimate Poilievre 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.”  This saying perfectly sums up
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2022
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, pictured May 5, 2022, at the first leadership debate at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s conference in Ottawa. Perhaps Canadians would reject Poilievre's message today, but the question is, will they reject it in two or three years?  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t underestimate Poilievre 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.”  This saying perfectly sums up

Don’t underestimate Poilievre 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.”  This saying perfectly sums up
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, pictured May 5, 2022, at the first leadership debate at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s conference in Ottawa. Perhaps Canadians would reject Poilievre's message today, but the question is, will they reject it in two or three years?  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In politics, ideological opposites feed off each other

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the truisms of politics is that ideological opposites feed off each other. For this reason, I’m pretty sure NDP Leader Jagmeet
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2022
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre. As former prime minister Brian Mulroney once aptly put it, 'In politics ... you need two things: friends, but above all an enemy,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

In politics, ideological opposites feed off each other

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the truisms of politics is that ideological opposites feed off each other. For this reason, I’m pretty sure NDP Leader Jagmeet

In politics, ideological opposites feed off each other

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the truisms of politics is that ideological opposites feed off each other. For this reason, I’m pretty sure NDP Leader Jagmeet
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre. As former prime minister Brian Mulroney once aptly put it, 'In politics ... you need two things: friends, but above all an enemy,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

An ominous poll for the Liberals

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—According to a recent Nanos poll, the leaderless Conservative Party of Canada is currently a whopping five percentage points ahead of the Liberals,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 30, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured June 21, 2022, after delivering remarks at a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at the Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa. Things aren’t trending well for the Liberals, writes Gerry Nicholls, and as pollster Nik Nanos put it, 'Canadians are grumpy and the Conservatives are in the driver's seat.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

An ominous poll for the Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 30, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—According to a recent Nanos poll, the leaderless Conservative Party of Canada is currently a whopping five percentage points ahead of the Liberals,

An ominous poll for the Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 30, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—According to a recent Nanos poll, the leaderless Conservative Party of Canada is currently a whopping five percentage points ahead of the Liberals,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured June 21, 2022, after delivering remarks at a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at the Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa. Things aren’t trending well for the Liberals, writes Gerry Nicholls, and as pollster Nik Nanos put it, 'Canadians are grumpy and the Conservatives are in the driver's seat.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Playing the game of politics 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A successful political consultant once told me the thing he loved most about his job was “playing the game.”  In other words, he
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2022
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, pictured March 31, 2022, at a rally in Ottawa. His campaign team recently made an interesting tactical move when it called upon Elections Canada to investigate fellow candidate Patrick Brown over alleged election law violations, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Playing the game of politics 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A successful political consultant once told me the thing he loved most about his job was “playing the game.”  In other words, he

Playing the game of politics 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A successful political consultant once told me the thing he loved most about his job was “playing the game.”  In other words, he
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, pictured March 31, 2022, at a rally in Ottawa. His campaign team recently made an interesting tactical move when it called upon Elections Canada to investigate fellow candidate Patrick Brown over alleged election law violations, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The case against uniting the left

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A famous old adage says, “United we stand; divided we fall.” Yet, even though, most of the time, that’s an inspiring rallying cry,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2022
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Writer Gerry Nicholls argues that in politics, division is often better than unity, and that it's better for the Liberals to remain a separate political entity from the NDP. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

The case against uniting the left

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A famous old adage says, “United we stand; divided we fall.” Yet, even though, most of the time, that’s an inspiring rallying cry,

The case against uniting the left

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A famous old adage says, “United we stand; divided we fall.” Yet, even though, most of the time, that’s an inspiring rallying cry,
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Writer Gerry Nicholls argues that in politics, division is often better than unity, and that it's better for the Liberals to remain a separate political entity from the NDP. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

Ontario’s perfect storm for apathy

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Ontario election’s historically low voter turnout has generated lots of anxious handwringing. University professor and author Emmett Macfarlane bluntly summed up much
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2022
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on the Hill on Nov. 21, 2019, just won a massive majority victory by getting the votes of just 18 per cent of Ontario’s eligible voters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ontario’s perfect storm for apathy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Ontario election’s historically low voter turnout has generated lots of anxious handwringing. University professor and author Emmett Macfarlane bluntly summed up much

Ontario’s perfect storm for apathy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Ontario election’s historically low voter turnout has generated lots of anxious handwringing. University professor and author Emmett Macfarlane bluntly summed up much
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured on the Hill on Nov. 21, 2019, just won a massive majority victory by getting the votes of just 18 per cent of Ontario’s eligible voters. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Sore losers are bad for democracy, so don’t be a sore loser 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—To operate as it should, democracy requires good losers.  That’s to say, people who are on the losing side of a democratic election,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 2, 2022
Conservative leadership candidates Pierre Poilievre, top left, Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, Leslyn Lewis, above left, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts

Sore losers are bad for democracy, so don’t be a sore loser 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 2, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—To operate as it should, democracy requires good losers.  That’s to say, people who are on the losing side of a democratic election,

Sore losers are bad for democracy, so don’t be a sore loser 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 2, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—To operate as it should, democracy requires good losers.  That’s to say, people who are on the losing side of a democratic election,
Conservative leadership candidates Pierre Poilievre, top left, Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, Leslyn Lewis, above left, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts

Making the case for an unlikely comeback

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s crossed my mind that Jason Kenney’s decision to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party has set the stage for
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2022
It's too crazy an idea to even contemplate, since former prime minister Stephen Harper is happily retired from partisan politics. But, as crazy as it might sound, there’s still a lot about the idea which makes sense. For one thing, throughout his career, Harper has always made protecting Alberta’s culture and economy his number one priority, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Making the case for an unlikely comeback

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s crossed my mind that Jason Kenney’s decision to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party has set the stage for

Making the case for an unlikely comeback

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—It’s crossed my mind that Jason Kenney’s decision to step down as leader of the United Conservative Party has set the stage for
It's too crazy an idea to even contemplate, since former prime minister Stephen Harper is happily retired from partisan politics. But, as crazy as it might sound, there’s still a lot about the idea which makes sense. For one thing, throughout his career, Harper has always made protecting Alberta’s culture and economy his number one priority, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In praise of polling

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—American politician Sarah Palin once dismissed polls saying they were for “strippers and cross-country skiers.” Of course, Palin isn’t the only politician who
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2022
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath are running to win the June 2 election. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

In praise of polling

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—American politician Sarah Palin once dismissed polls saying they were for “strippers and cross-country skiers.” Of course, Palin isn’t the only politician who

In praise of polling

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—American politician Sarah Palin once dismissed polls saying they were for “strippers and cross-country skiers.” Of course, Palin isn’t the only politician who
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath are running to win the June 2 election. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

In Conservative leadership race, everyone has an angle

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Well, that certainly didn’t take long. Before the dust had even settled from the very first Conservative Party leadership debate, concerned voices were
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 11, 2022
At the first—unofficial—Conservative leadership debate, Pierre Poilievre, left, had some heated moments with opponents including Leslyn Lewis, right. Scott Aitchison, centre, said in an email to supporters after the debate that he was 'embarrassed' by its tone. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In Conservative leadership race, everyone has an angle

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 11, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Well, that certainly didn’t take long. Before the dust had even settled from the very first Conservative Party leadership debate, concerned voices were

In Conservative leadership race, everyone has an angle

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 11, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Well, that certainly didn’t take long. Before the dust had even settled from the very first Conservative Party leadership debate, concerned voices were
At the first—unofficial—Conservative leadership debate, Pierre Poilievre, left, had some heated moments with opponents including Leslyn Lewis, right. Scott Aitchison, centre, said in an email to supporters after the debate that he was 'embarrassed' by its tone. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Liberal branding advantage

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—American billionaire (and soon to be the owner of Twitter) Elon Musk once said, “Brand is just a perception, and perception will match
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on April 28, 2022, in Ottawa. Branding, in short, provides, what I call, 'structural support.' Certainly, Liberals in Canada have strong branding, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The Liberal branding advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—American billionaire (and soon to be the owner of Twitter) Elon Musk once said, “Brand is just a perception, and perception will match

The Liberal branding advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—American billionaire (and soon to be the owner of Twitter) Elon Musk once said, “Brand is just a perception, and perception will match
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on April 28, 2022, in Ottawa. Branding, in short, provides, what I call, 'structural support.' Certainly, Liberals in Canada have strong branding, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau versus Blue Liberals?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s lots of discussion these days about whether the federal Conservatives are moving too far to the right. And yes, I certainly get
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 22, 2022, on the Hill. There’s lots of discussion these days about whether the federal Conservatives are moving too far to the right. And yes, I certainly get why that’s happening. But maybe we should also spend some time discussing whether the federal Liberals are moving too far to the left, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times Photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau versus Blue Liberals?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s lots of discussion these days about whether the federal Conservatives are moving too far to the right. And yes, I certainly get

Trudeau versus Blue Liberals?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s lots of discussion these days about whether the federal Conservatives are moving too far to the right. And yes, I certainly get
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 22, 2022, on the Hill. There’s lots of discussion these days about whether the federal Conservatives are moving too far to the right. And yes, I certainly get why that’s happening. But maybe we should also spend some time discussing whether the federal Liberals are moving too far to the left, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times Photograph by Sam Garcia

The power of small numbers

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Winston Churchill once said, “short words are best.” What that means is, unless you’re talking to Conrad Black, if you want to make
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2022
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured in Ottawa on Nov. 21, 2019. Ford's government, in the name of refunding the cost of past licence sticker fees which are being phased out, recently mailed every qualified driver in the province a cheque for $280. That’s smart politics because receiving that bit of cash will likely please Ontarians more than if the government had announced some sort of multi-billion-dollar spending scheme, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The power of small numbers

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Winston Churchill once said, “short words are best.” What that means is, unless you’re talking to Conrad Black, if you want to make

The power of small numbers

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Winston Churchill once said, “short words are best.” What that means is, unless you’re talking to Conrad Black, if you want to make
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured in Ottawa on Nov. 21, 2019. Ford's government, in the name of refunding the cost of past licence sticker fees which are being phased out, recently mailed every qualified driver in the province a cheque for $280. That’s smart politics because receiving that bit of cash will likely please Ontarians more than if the government had announced some sort of multi-billion-dollar spending scheme, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Charting a path for a Charest victory

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the ongoing Conservative Party leadership race, Pierre Poilievre has a clear advantage over his main rival, Jean Charet. This is mainly because
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2022
Even though Jean Charest is a 'non-winged' underdog candidate, he can still come up with a theory for winning, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Charting a path for a Charest victory

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the ongoing Conservative Party leadership race, Pierre Poilievre has a clear advantage over his main rival, Jean Charet. This is mainly because

Charting a path for a Charest victory

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the ongoing Conservative Party leadership race, Pierre Poilievre has a clear advantage over his main rival, Jean Charet. This is mainly because
Even though Jean Charest is a 'non-winged' underdog candidate, he can still come up with a theory for winning, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Why Poilievre will ignore Bergen’s plea 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—I don’t consider myself a rebel, but years ago, while working in a U.S. Senatorial Republican primary race, I was part of a
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2022
This is me: Conservative MP Pierre Poillievre, pictured Feb. 14, 2022, speaking with reporters outside the House of Commons before Question Period. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Poilievre will ignore Bergen’s plea 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—I don’t consider myself a rebel, but years ago, while working in a U.S. Senatorial Republican primary race, I was part of a

Why Poilievre will ignore Bergen’s plea 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—I don’t consider myself a rebel, but years ago, while working in a U.S. Senatorial Republican primary race, I was part of a
This is me: Conservative MP Pierre Poillievre, pictured Feb. 14, 2022, speaking with reporters outside the House of Commons before Question Period. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The New Democrats throw the Liberals a lifeline

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—So, the New Democrats have agreed to a deal which will see them prop up the Liberal government until 2025. I’m not entirely
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2022
Let's do this: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on Nov. 14, 2019, publicly announced on Monday, March 21, 2022, that they had struck a rare 'supply and confidence' agreement aimed at keeping this Parliament and the prime minister's mandate going until the fall of 2025, when the next fixed election date is scheduled. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

The New Democrats throw the Liberals a lifeline

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—So, the New Democrats have agreed to a deal which will see them prop up the Liberal government until 2025. I’m not entirely

The New Democrats throw the Liberals a lifeline

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—So, the New Democrats have agreed to a deal which will see them prop up the Liberal government until 2025. I’m not entirely
Let's do this: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on Nov. 14, 2019, publicly announced on Monday, March 21, 2022, that they had struck a rare 'supply and confidence' agreement aimed at keeping this Parliament and the prime minister's mandate going until the fall of 2025, when the next fixed election date is scheduled. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

Why political dilettantes have a path to power

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne recently had blunt advice for federal Conservatives as they ponder choosing a new leader. He wrote: “Clown
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2022
One of the ancient Roman Republic’s most successful politicians was general Gaius Marius, who styled himself as a novo homo, 'new man,' writes Gerry Nicholls. Image courtesy of www.bridgemanart.com

Why political dilettantes have a path to power

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne recently had blunt advice for federal Conservatives as they ponder choosing a new leader. He wrote: “Clown

Why political dilettantes have a path to power

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Coyne recently had blunt advice for federal Conservatives as they ponder choosing a new leader. He wrote: “Clown
One of the ancient Roman Republic’s most successful politicians was general Gaius Marius, who styled himself as a novo homo, 'new man,' writes Gerry Nicholls. Image courtesy of www.bridgemanart.com

The world’s bad news is good news for the CPC

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The federal Conservative leadership race will be decided on Sept. 10, which, reckoned in political-events time, is about a million years from now.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 10, 2022
Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen, pictured in Ottawa. With Russia pummelling Ukraine and China sabre-rattling over Taiwan, Canadians will likely see the world as a much more dangerous place. This works for the Conservatives because they’ve always been known as the party which favours having a strong defence and a well-equipped, well-funded military, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The world’s bad news is good news for the CPC

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 10, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The federal Conservative leadership race will be decided on Sept. 10, which, reckoned in political-events time, is about a million years from now.

The world’s bad news is good news for the CPC

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 10, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The federal Conservative leadership race will be decided on Sept. 10, which, reckoned in political-events time, is about a million years from now.
Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen, pictured in Ottawa. With Russia pummelling Ukraine and China sabre-rattling over Taiwan, Canadians will likely see the world as a much more dangerous place. This works for the Conservatives because they’ve always been known as the party which favours having a strong defence and a well-equipped, well-funded military, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is there such a thing as a ‘real Conservative?’

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Apparently, former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t think much of former Progressive Conservative Party leader Jean Charest’s brand of conservatism. Indeed, it seems
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2022
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney, pictured at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on March 5, 2019, posing for a selfie with people who attended The Prime Ministers Series, a partnership between the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute and the Canada School of Public Service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is there such a thing as a ‘real Conservative?’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Apparently, former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t think much of former Progressive Conservative Party leader Jean Charest’s brand of conservatism. Indeed, it seems

Is there such a thing as a ‘real Conservative?’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Apparently, former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t think much of former Progressive Conservative Party leader Jean Charest’s brand of conservatism. Indeed, it seems
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney, pictured at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on March 5, 2019, posing for a selfie with people who attended The Prime Ministers Series, a partnership between the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute and the Canada School of Public Service. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s sad, polarized political future 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Mark Twain once said, “The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 25, 2022
A Freedom Convoy supporter, pictured on Wellington Street on Feb. 17, 2022. Justin Trudeau has helped create a political climate where everybody despises everybody and everyone will eventually have to pick a side—the good guys or the bad guys. There will be no in between. This is known as polarizing the electorate, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s sad, polarized political future 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 25, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Mark Twain once said, “The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he

Canada’s sad, polarized political future 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 25, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Mark Twain once said, “The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he
A Freedom Convoy supporter, pictured on Wellington Street on Feb. 17, 2022. Justin Trudeau has helped create a political climate where everybody despises everybody and everyone will eventually have to pick a side—the good guys or the bad guys. There will be no in between. This is known as polarizing the electorate, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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