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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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Should the Conservatives ‘stand athwart’ history? 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Napoleon once stated, “History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.”  But the “Little Corporal” probably got
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2020
The Canadian flag, pictured June 26, 2019. In 2015, then opposition leader Justin Trudeau sharply criticized the Harper Conservative government for not doing enough to celebrate the Maple Leaf flag’s 50th anniversary, implying the Conservatives might still be secretly opposed to the Liberal-created national banner, writes Gerry Nicholls.     The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Should the Conservatives ‘stand athwart’ history? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Napoleon once stated, “History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.”  But the “Little Corporal” probably got

Should the Conservatives ‘stand athwart’ history? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Napoleon once stated, “History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.”  But the “Little Corporal” probably got
The Canadian flag, pictured June 26, 2019. In 2015, then opposition leader Justin Trudeau sharply criticized the Harper Conservative government for not doing enough to celebrate the Maple Leaf flag’s 50th anniversary, implying the Conservatives might still be secretly opposed to the Liberal-created national banner, writes Gerry Nicholls.     The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump versus Biden will be negatively unique 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Russian author Leo Tolstoy wrote, “Happy families are all alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”  The same thing, I
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 29, 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. The Democrats are hoping to creating a warm and fuzzy, nostalgic-tinged vibe around Biden, pushing him as a sane and reasonable alternative to the unstable Trump. With the current ugly state of America—race riots, pandemics, economic downturn—it's a message that will likely resonate with a weary American public that just wants social peace and an end to turbulent times, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photographs courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

Trump versus Biden will be negatively unique 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 29, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Russian author Leo Tolstoy wrote, “Happy families are all alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”  The same thing, I

Trump versus Biden will be negatively unique 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 29, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Russian author Leo Tolstoy wrote, “Happy families are all alike, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”  The same thing, I
U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. The Democrats are hoping to creating a warm and fuzzy, nostalgic-tinged vibe around Biden, pushing him as a sane and reasonable alternative to the unstable Trump. With the current ugly state of America—race riots, pandemics, economic downturn—it's a message that will likely resonate with a weary American public that just wants social peace and an end to turbulent times, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photographs courtesy of Commons Wikipedia

O’Toole’s team hired Americans, so what? 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When I learned Conservative Party leadership candidate Erin O’Toole had landed in hot water after it came out his campaign had (horror of
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 17, 2020
Conservative MP and leadership candidate Erin O'Toole, pictured in the House on April 29, 2020. It was recently reported that Mr. O’Toole's leadership campaign was paying an American-based call centre to contact Conservative Party members. 'Yup, that’s it; that’s actually the extent of the controversy,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole’s team hired Americans, so what? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 17, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When I learned Conservative Party leadership candidate Erin O’Toole had landed in hot water after it came out his campaign had (horror of

O’Toole’s team hired Americans, so what? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 17, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When I learned Conservative Party leadership candidate Erin O’Toole had landed in hot water after it came out his campaign had (horror of
Conservative MP and leadership candidate Erin O'Toole, pictured in the House on April 29, 2020. It was recently reported that Mr. O’Toole's leadership campaign was paying an American-based call centre to contact Conservative Party members. 'Yup, that’s it; that’s actually the extent of the controversy,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problems with political time travel 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When running for elected office, politicians often try to win votes by suggesting they have access to some sort of magical time machine.  
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 11, 2020
Canadians might, in theory, support the idea of quickly implementing a futuristic 'green economy' based on windmills and solar panels, but they probably wouldn’t like the idea of paying massive taxes for gas, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Pexels

The problems with political time travel 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 11, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When running for elected office, politicians often try to win votes by suggesting they have access to some sort of magical time machine.  

The problems with political time travel 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 11, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When running for elected office, politicians often try to win votes by suggesting they have access to some sort of magical time machine.  
Canadians might, in theory, support the idea of quickly implementing a futuristic 'green economy' based on windmills and solar panels, but they probably wouldn’t like the idea of paying massive taxes for gas, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Pexels

Harper versus the media 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Long lasting and bitter feuds, it seems, are an inherent part of human culture, think of the Montagues versus the Capulets, the Hatfields versus the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 4, 2020
Then-prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured on Oct. 16, 2015, campaigning in Fredericton, N.B. Long lasting and bitter feuds, it seems, are an inherent part of human culture, think of the Montagues versus the Capulets, the Hatfields versus the McCoys, and the Yankees versus the Red Sox. And to that list, we could certainly add, Stephen Harper versus the Media, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Harper versus the media 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 4, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Long lasting and bitter feuds, it seems, are an inherent part of human culture, think of the Montagues versus the Capulets, the Hatfields versus the

Harper versus the media 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 4, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Long lasting and bitter feuds, it seems, are an inherent part of human culture, think of the Montagues versus the Capulets, the Hatfields versus the
Then-prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured on Oct. 16, 2015, campaigning in Fredericton, N.B. Long lasting and bitter feuds, it seems, are an inherent part of human culture, think of the Montagues versus the Capulets, the Hatfields versus the McCoys, and the Yankees versus the Red Sox. And to that list, we could certainly add, Stephen Harper versus the Media, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

COVID-19 lockdown triggers ancient debate 

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown might be unprecedented in modern times, but the debate it has triggered within our society is actually as old
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 1, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured May 27, 2020, arriving to the West Block on Parliament Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

COVID-19 lockdown triggers ancient debate 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 1, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown might be unprecedented in modern times, but the debate it has triggered within our society is actually as old

COVID-19 lockdown triggers ancient debate 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 1, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown might be unprecedented in modern times, but the debate it has triggered within our society is actually as old
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured May 27, 2020, arriving to the West Block on Parliament Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Trump lose the battle but win the war?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conventional punditry wisdom seems to be that U.S. President Donald Trump can’t possibly get re-elected in 2020. Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 23, 2020
Conventional punditry wisdom seems to be that U.S. President Donald Trump can’t possibly get re-elected in 2020 and even though Mr. Trump might lose the election, his ideas on protectionism, anti-elitism and xenophobia might eventually win the day, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Will Trump lose the battle but win the war?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 23, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conventional punditry wisdom seems to be that U.S. President Donald Trump can’t possibly get re-elected in 2020. Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin,

Will Trump lose the battle but win the war?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 23, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conventional punditry wisdom seems to be that U.S. President Donald Trump can’t possibly get re-elected in 2020. Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin,
Conventional punditry wisdom seems to be that U.S. President Donald Trump can’t possibly get re-elected in 2020 and even though Mr. Trump might lose the election, his ideas on protectionism, anti-elitism and xenophobia might eventually win the day, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Fundraisers face tough challenge

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We all know how the COVID-19 “lockdown” has decimated the entire world’s economy. But what’s less appreciated is how the pandemic will negatively
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 20, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. As long as the virus crisis is in full swing, the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP are going to have an extremely difficult time when it comes to fundraising, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Fundraisers face tough challenge

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 20, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We all know how the COVID-19 “lockdown” has decimated the entire world’s economy. But what’s less appreciated is how the pandemic will negatively

Fundraisers face tough challenge

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 20, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We all know how the COVID-19 “lockdown” has decimated the entire world’s economy. But what’s less appreciated is how the pandemic will negatively
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. As long as the virus crisis is in full swing, the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP are going to have an extremely difficult time when it comes to fundraising, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Safeguarding democracy at a time of crisis

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The other day, I got an email from my local government that made my skin crawl. And, no, it wasn’t my latest property
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 13, 2020
Gatineau Police, pictured at the Portage Bridge on April 1, 2020, enforcing a provincial order to halt unessential travel to and from Quebec in Gatineau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Safeguarding democracy at a time of crisis

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 13, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The other day, I got an email from my local government that made my skin crawl. And, no, it wasn’t my latest property

Safeguarding democracy at a time of crisis

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 13, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The other day, I got an email from my local government that made my skin crawl. And, no, it wasn’t my latest property
Gatineau Police, pictured at the Portage Bridge on April 1, 2020, enforcing a provincial order to halt unessential travel to and from Quebec in Gatineau. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Conservative Party’s competence problem

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Instead of focusing on the depressing crisis known as COVID-19, I thought I’d focus instead on the depressing crisis known as the Conservative
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 6, 2020
Conservative leadership candidates Peter MacKay, Erin O'Toole, and Marilyn Gladu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The Conservative Party’s competence problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 6, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Instead of focusing on the depressing crisis known as COVID-19, I thought I’d focus instead on the depressing crisis known as the Conservative

The Conservative Party’s competence problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 6, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Instead of focusing on the depressing crisis known as COVID-19, I thought I’d focus instead on the depressing crisis known as the Conservative
Conservative leadership candidates Peter MacKay, Erin O'Toole, and Marilyn Gladu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Some isolated thoughts during my isolation

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Like just about everybody else in the country, I’ve put myself into self-isolation, meaning I’m stuck in my house all day, binge-watching old
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 30, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis has 'shaken the box'; nature has hit the reset button, meaning the entire world is now entering a dark room. We don’t really know what lies ahead. All we do know is everything is going to be different. So there you have my random isolated thoughts, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy Commons Wikipedia

Some isolated thoughts during my isolation

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 30, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Like just about everybody else in the country, I’ve put myself into self-isolation, meaning I’m stuck in my house all day, binge-watching old

Some isolated thoughts during my isolation

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 30, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Like just about everybody else in the country, I’ve put myself into self-isolation, meaning I’m stuck in my house all day, binge-watching old
The COVID-19 crisis has 'shaken the box'; nature has hit the reset button, meaning the entire world is now entering a dark room. We don’t really know what lies ahead. All we do know is everything is going to be different. So there you have my random isolated thoughts, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy Commons Wikipedia

Politicians are no match for a virus

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the best lines from the original Ghostbusters movie comes after the character Egon Spengler (played by the late Harold Ramis) beholds
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 23, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on March 17, 2020, holding a press conference outside the Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall. The prime minister and his children are in self-isolation since his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the coronavirus on March 12. Ms. Grégoire Trudeau has been in quarantine since March 12. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Politicians are no match for a virus

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 23, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the best lines from the original Ghostbusters movie comes after the character Egon Spengler (played by the late Harold Ramis) beholds

Politicians are no match for a virus

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 23, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the best lines from the original Ghostbusters movie comes after the character Egon Spengler (played by the late Harold Ramis) beholds
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on March 17, 2020, holding a press conference outside the Rideau Cottage on the grounds of Rideau Hall. The prime minister and his children are in self-isolation since his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for the coronavirus on March 12. Ms. Grégoire Trudeau has been in quarantine since March 12. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Politicians should beware of the ‘applause lines’

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given my status as a “pundit,” I occasionally appear on radio talk shows to discuss all things political and sometimes I’ll get into
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 16, 2020
Conservative Party leadership hopeful Peter MacKay might have been influenced by 'applause lines' a few weeks ago when he posted a controversial comment on Twitter about counter-protesters who removed blockades erected by eco-activists. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Politicians should beware of the ‘applause lines’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 16, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given my status as a “pundit,” I occasionally appear on radio talk shows to discuss all things political and sometimes I’ll get into

Politicians should beware of the ‘applause lines’

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 16, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Given my status as a “pundit,” I occasionally appear on radio talk shows to discuss all things political and sometimes I’ll get into
Conservative Party leadership hopeful Peter MacKay might have been influenced by 'applause lines' a few weeks ago when he posted a controversial comment on Twitter about counter-protesters who removed blockades erected by eco-activists. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Trudeau must overcome the wolves of fear

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s an old German proverb that says, “Fear makes the wolf look bigger.” And, of course, what that means is we sometimes allow
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 9, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Feb. 21, 2020. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau must overcome the wolves of fear

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 9, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s an old German proverb that says, “Fear makes the wolf look bigger.” And, of course, what that means is we sometimes allow

Trudeau must overcome the wolves of fear

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 9, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—There’s an old German proverb that says, “Fear makes the wolf look bigger.” And, of course, what that means is we sometimes allow
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Feb. 21, 2020. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bernie Sanders and the myth of homo politicus

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The surprising success of Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary race has dealt a stunning blow to those who believe in the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2020
The surprising success of Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary race has dealt a stunning blow to those who believe in the existence of the fabled species known as homo politicus, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Bernie Sanders and the myth of homo politicus

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The surprising success of Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary race has dealt a stunning blow to those who believe in the

Bernie Sanders and the myth of homo politicus

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The surprising success of Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary race has dealt a stunning blow to those who believe in the
The surprising success of Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary race has dealt a stunning blow to those who believe in the existence of the fabled species known as homo politicus, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

How to energize a political campaign

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—According to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, “the energy of the mind is the essence of life.” That’s a profound thought that I’d
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 24, 2020
Conservative leadership candidates Marilyn Gladu, Peter MacKay, and Erin O'Toole, pictured, must either generate their own energy like Justin Trudeau, or, like Donald Trump, find existing energy they can exploit for political gain, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

How to energize a political campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 24, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—According to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, “the energy of the mind is the essence of life.” That’s a profound thought that I’d

How to energize a political campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 24, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—According to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, “the energy of the mind is the essence of life.” That’s a profound thought that I’d
Conservative leadership candidates Marilyn Gladu, Peter MacKay, and Erin O'Toole, pictured, must either generate their own energy like Justin Trudeau, or, like Donald Trump, find existing energy they can exploit for political gain, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

When strategists and candidates conflict

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Nobody seems to like “negative” political ads. Journalists don’t like them; academics don’t like them; according to pollsters, voters don’t like them. But,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2020
Conservative Party leadership hopeful Peter MacKay, pictured in this file photo on the Hill, recently expressed dissatisfaction with a tweet his own team sent out, a tweet showing a photo of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau performing a yoga move. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

When strategists and candidates conflict

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Nobody seems to like “negative” political ads. Journalists don’t like them; academics don’t like them; according to pollsters, voters don’t like them. But,

When strategists and candidates conflict

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Nobody seems to like “negative” political ads. Journalists don’t like them; academics don’t like them; according to pollsters, voters don’t like them. But,
Conservative Party leadership hopeful Peter MacKay, pictured in this file photo on the Hill, recently expressed dissatisfaction with a tweet his own team sent out, a tweet showing a photo of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau performing a yoga move. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Political parties facing an identity crisis

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The ongoing Conservative Party leadership race isn’t just about Conservatives picking a leader; it’s also about them finding an identity. As Conservative strategist
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2020
Stephen Harper molded and hammered the Conservative Party into his image, imprinting upon it his own strategic goals, goals that were not ideological, but tactical. Screen capture image courtesy of Conservative Party of Canada

Political parties facing an identity crisis

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The ongoing Conservative Party leadership race isn’t just about Conservatives picking a leader; it’s also about them finding an identity. As Conservative strategist

Political parties facing an identity crisis

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The ongoing Conservative Party leadership race isn’t just about Conservatives picking a leader; it’s also about them finding an identity. As Conservative strategist
Stephen Harper molded and hammered the Conservative Party into his image, imprinting upon it his own strategic goals, goals that were not ideological, but tactical. Screen capture image courtesy of Conservative Party of Canada

Being nice won’t shield politicians from attack

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re pondering about running for elected office, and you’re thinking that since you’re a nice person, you won’t have to worry about
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2020
There were media reports which suggested Bernie Sanders had told fellow Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren in a private meeting last year that a woman couldn’t win the presidency. Mr. Sanders has vehemently denied ever saying this, but that didn’t save him from getting put through the ringer with some in the media suggesting he was now 'tainted by a whiff of sexism,' while others declared a Sanders victory would mean 'another misogynist as president.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Being nice won’t shield politicians from attack

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re pondering about running for elected office, and you’re thinking that since you’re a nice person, you won’t have to worry about

Being nice won’t shield politicians from attack

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re pondering about running for elected office, and you’re thinking that since you’re a nice person, you won’t have to worry about
There were media reports which suggested Bernie Sanders had told fellow Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren in a private meeting last year that a woman couldn’t win the presidency. Mr. Sanders has vehemently denied ever saying this, but that didn’t save him from getting put through the ringer with some in the media suggesting he was now 'tainted by a whiff of sexism,' while others declared a Sanders victory would mean 'another misogynist as president.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Why Harper still dominates the news

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When you hear the name “Stephen Harper,” the last word that springs to mind is “charismatic.” Words that do spring to mind, on
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2020
Then-prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured on Oct. 16, 2015, campaigning in Frdericton, N.B. It’s easy to see then why Harper still looms in the background like a conservative colossus; his experience, combined with his articulateness and insightful nature, still make him the country’s most credible spokesman for conservative thought and for conservative opinion, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Harper still dominates the news

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When you hear the name “Stephen Harper,” the last word that springs to mind is “charismatic.” Words that do spring to mind, on

Why Harper still dominates the news

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2020
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When you hear the name “Stephen Harper,” the last word that springs to mind is “charismatic.” Words that do spring to mind, on
Then-prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured on Oct. 16, 2015, campaigning in Frdericton, N.B. It’s easy to see then why Harper still looms in the background like a conservative colossus; his experience, combined with his articulateness and insightful nature, still make him the country’s most credible spokesman for conservative thought and for conservative opinion, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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