Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Sunday, October 19, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Latest Paper
Sunday, October 19, 2025 | Latest Paper
Subscribe Now

TRENDING:

Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

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

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
More Stories

Canada’s wingless election

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

Canada’s wingless election

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

Canada’s wingless election

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

Will anybody’s election plan survive the campaign?

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

Will anybody’s election plan survive the campaign?

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

Will anybody’s election plan survive the campaign?

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

Erin O’Toole and the Harper paradox

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

Erin O’Toole and the Harper paradox

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

Erin O’Toole and the Harper paradox

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

Sloan should ditch his party idea

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

Sloan should ditch his party idea

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

Sloan should ditch his party idea

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

The need for politicians to state the problem

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

The need for politicians to state the problem

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

The need for politicians to state the problem

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

Will the election pit Rocky against Thanos?

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

Will the election pit Rocky against Thanos?

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

Will the election pit Rocky against Thanos?

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

Turning guilt into political dollars

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

Turning guilt into political dollars

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

Turning guilt into political dollars

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

The politics of Trudeau’s shave

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

The politics of Trudeau’s shave

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

The politics of Trudeau’s shave

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

The NDP’s disadvantage

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

The NDP’s disadvantage

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

The NDP’s disadvantage

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

Ford takes the easy way out

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

Ford takes the easy way out

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

Ford takes the easy way out

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

When Conservatives battle Conservatives

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

When Conservatives battle Conservatives

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

When Conservatives battle Conservatives

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

The allure of foreign consultants

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

The allure of foreign consultants

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

The allure of foreign consultants

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

O’Toole’s Quebec quandary

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Conservative Party of Canada must be experiencing a disturbing case of déjà vu. I say that because, just like in times of
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 27, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole has agreed that the province of Quebec can unilaterally alter a specific part of the Constitution, as proposed by Premier François Legault. Quebec autonomy has been a sensitive subject for many Conservative Party supporters in Western Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole’s Quebec quandary

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 27, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Conservative Party of Canada must be experiencing a disturbing case of déjà vu. I say that because, just like in times of

O’Toole’s Quebec quandary

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 27, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The Conservative Party of Canada must be experiencing a disturbing case of déjà vu. I say that because, just like in times of
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole has agreed that the province of Quebec can unilaterally alter a specific part of the Constitution, as proposed by Premier François Legault. Quebec autonomy has been a sensitive subject for many Conservative Party supporters in Western Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Can’t attack the message? Then attack the messenger

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canada must be an awful place, full of horrible people. That’s certainly the takeaway you’d get, if you believed all the nasty rhetoric
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 20, 2021
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, the government’s point man on the bill, suggested those who opposed Bill C-10, did so not because they were concerned about possible government censorship, but because they were part of, as he put, it a 'deliberate campaign of misinformation' orchestrated by 'web giants.'

Can’t attack the message? Then attack the messenger

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 20, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canada must be an awful place, full of horrible people. That’s certainly the takeaway you’d get, if you believed all the nasty rhetoric

Can’t attack the message? Then attack the messenger

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 20, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canada must be an awful place, full of horrible people. That’s certainly the takeaway you’d get, if you believed all the nasty rhetoric
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, the government’s point man on the bill, suggested those who opposed Bill C-10, did so not because they were concerned about possible government censorship, but because they were part of, as he put, it a 'deliberate campaign of misinformation' orchestrated by 'web giants.'

The promise and perils of political rebranding

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was extremely unhappy with the way some of his United Conservative Party supporters were openly and brazenly defying COVID
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 13, 2021
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, pictured Sept. 18, 2020, in Ottawa after a meeting of Canada’s premiers to discuss the federal government's support to provinces during the ongoing COIVD crisis. Mr. Kenney was extremely unhappy with the way some of his United Conservative Party supporters were openly and brazenly defying COVID lockdown restrictions. In fact, he was so exasperated, it’s reported he actually said to his MLAs, 'I want a new base.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The promise and perils of political rebranding

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 13, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was extremely unhappy with the way some of his United Conservative Party supporters were openly and brazenly defying COVID

The promise and perils of political rebranding

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 13, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was extremely unhappy with the way some of his United Conservative Party supporters were openly and brazenly defying COVID
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, pictured Sept. 18, 2020, in Ottawa after a meeting of Canada’s premiers to discuss the federal government's support to provinces during the ongoing COIVD crisis. Mr. Kenney was extremely unhappy with the way some of his United Conservative Party supporters were openly and brazenly defying COVID lockdown restrictions. In fact, he was so exasperated, it’s reported he actually said to his MLAs, 'I want a new base.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How to benefit from electoral royal rumbles

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to formulating grand strategies, military planners always seek to avoid the nightmare of fighting a “two-front” war. Such is not
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 10, 2021
The Conservative Party of Canada, led by Erin O'Toole, will, in the next federal election, find itself battling the Liberals, the NDP, the Maverick Party, and the People’s Party. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How to benefit from electoral royal rumbles

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 10, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to formulating grand strategies, military planners always seek to avoid the nightmare of fighting a “two-front” war. Such is not

How to benefit from electoral royal rumbles

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 10, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When it comes to formulating grand strategies, military planners always seek to avoid the nightmare of fighting a “two-front” war. Such is not
The Conservative Party of Canada, led by Erin O'Toole, will, in the next federal election, find itself battling the Liberals, the NDP, the Maverick Party, and the People’s Party. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Playing the blame game with pandemic politics

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whoever coined the phrase “success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan” obviously never anticipated how society would react to the COVID
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Playing the blame game with pandemic politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whoever coined the phrase “success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan” obviously never anticipated how society would react to the COVID

Playing the blame game with pandemic politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whoever coined the phrase “success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan” obviously never anticipated how society would react to the COVID
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservatives waving an ideological white flag

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole decided to impose a carbon tax (I know he says it’s actually a  “price on pollution” but you
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2021
When Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole decided to impose a carbon tax (I know he says it's actually a  'price on pollution' but you and I both know it’s really a tax) he basically loosened the last tether connecting his party to its ideological moorings, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives waving an ideological white flag

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole decided to impose a carbon tax (I know he says it’s actually a  “price on pollution” but you

Conservatives waving an ideological white flag

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole decided to impose a carbon tax (I know he says it’s actually a  “price on pollution” but you
When Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole decided to impose a carbon tax (I know he says it's actually a  'price on pollution' but you and I both know it’s really a tax) he basically loosened the last tether connecting his party to its ideological moorings, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole and the problem of pessimistic conservatism

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A conservative friend recently texted me to ask if there’s any chance Stephen Harper will ever return as Conservative Party leader? When I
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2021
if public opinion polls are anything to go by, current Conservative Party leader, Erin O’Toole, pictured on the Hill on Feb. 18, 2021, isn’t exactly wowing the country with his leadership skills, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole and the problem of pessimistic conservatism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A conservative friend recently texted me to ask if there’s any chance Stephen Harper will ever return as Conservative Party leader? When I

O’Toole and the problem of pessimistic conservatism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A conservative friend recently texted me to ask if there’s any chance Stephen Harper will ever return as Conservative Party leader? When I
if public opinion polls are anything to go by, current Conservative Party leader, Erin O’Toole, pictured on the Hill on Feb. 18, 2021, isn’t exactly wowing the country with his leadership skills, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political ‘hired guns’ like to keep policies simple

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With a federal election looming, strategists from all the major political parties are currently trying to figure out which policies their leaders should
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 30, 2021, on the Hill, basically won the 2015 federal election, based on his winning, rock-star, personality. His policies went largely unnoticed, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political ‘hired guns’ like to keep policies simple

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With a federal election looming, strategists from all the major political parties are currently trying to figure out which policies their leaders should

Political ‘hired guns’ like to keep policies simple

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2021
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With a federal election looming, strategists from all the major political parties are currently trying to figure out which policies their leaders should
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 30, 2021, on the Hill, basically won the 2015 federal election, based on his winning, rock-star, personality. His policies went largely unnoticed, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Follow us

Advertise

get help

Subscribe
CloseMenu