Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Sunday, May 4, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Latest Paper
Sunday, May 4, 2025 | Latest Paper
Subscribe Now

TRENDING:

Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

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

Will Trumpism change Canada’s political parties?

  • In the years ahead, we can expect Conservative populism, Liberal pragmatism, and NDP contemplation. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
Donald Trump.
Donald Trump.
Some questions about how Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory will impact Canadian politics are easier to answer than others, writes Gerry Nicholls. Caricature courtesy of DonkeyHotey/Wikimedia Commons

Will Trumpism change Canada’s political parties?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
  • In the years ahead, we can expect Conservative populism, Liberal pragmatism, and NDP contemplation. 

Will Trumpism change Canada’s political parties?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
  • In the years ahead, we can expect Conservative populism, Liberal pragmatism, and NDP contemplation. 
Donald Trump.
Some questions about how Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory will impact Canadian politics are easier to answer than others, writes Gerry Nicholls. Caricature courtesy of DonkeyHotey/Wikimedia Commons

The anger versus joy election

  • What does all this joy-versus-anger stuff teach us? If you’re going to campaign solely on emotion, make sure that it's in sync with the public
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris. In the U.S. election campaign, the vibe Harris chose to emphasize was 'joy,' whereas Trump chose 'anger.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

The anger versus joy election

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
  • What does all this joy-versus-anger stuff teach us? If you’re going to campaign solely on emotion, make sure that it's in sync with the public

The anger versus joy election

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
  • What does all this joy-versus-anger stuff teach us? If you’re going to campaign solely on emotion, make sure that it's in sync with the public
Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris. In the U.S. election campaign, the vibe Harris chose to emphasize was 'joy,' whereas Trump chose 'anger.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

Trump’s win is bad for news for Trudeau

  • Just as Americans seemed determined to punish the Biden administration, Canadians seem ready to topple the Trudeau regime. Just as Americans had a populist
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 18, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before the Liberal caucus meeting in West Block on Nov. 6, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s win is bad for news for Trudeau

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 18, 2024
  • Just as Americans seemed determined to punish the Biden administration, Canadians seem ready to topple the Trudeau regime. Just as Americans had a populist

Trump’s win is bad for news for Trudeau

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 18, 2024
  • Just as Americans seemed determined to punish the Biden administration, Canadians seem ready to topple the Trudeau regime. Just as Americans had a populist
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before the Liberal caucus meeting in West Block on Nov. 6, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The coming ad war

  • If the Conservatives see their poll numbers dropping, they’ll quickly respond by increasing their own ad buys and intensifying their attacks on the Liberals.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Given the huge advantage the Conservatives have for raising money, it’ll be hard for the Liberals to match them dollar for dollar when it comes to duking it out in an all-out advertising war, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The coming ad war

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
  • If the Conservatives see their poll numbers dropping, they’ll quickly respond by increasing their own ad buys and intensifying their attacks on the Liberals.

The coming ad war

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
  • If the Conservatives see their poll numbers dropping, they’ll quickly respond by increasing their own ad buys and intensifying their attacks on the Liberals.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Given the huge advantage the Conservatives have for raising money, it’ll be hard for the Liberals to match them dollar for dollar when it comes to duking it out in an all-out advertising war, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The problem of political homelessness

  • According to Nik Nanos, 'more than four in 10 people likely consider themselves (politically) homeless in Canada.' So, what’s causing this to happen and
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2024
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The politically homeless won't necessarily be attracted to the main parties if they move to the centre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia/illustration by Neena Singhal

The problem of political homelessness

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2024
  • According to Nik Nanos, 'more than four in 10 people likely consider themselves (politically) homeless in Canada.' So, what’s causing this to happen and

The problem of political homelessness

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2024
  • According to Nik Nanos, 'more than four in 10 people likely consider themselves (politically) homeless in Canada.' So, what’s causing this to happen and
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The politically homeless won't necessarily be attracted to the main parties if they move to the centre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia/illustration by Neena Singhal

U.S. election offers Liberals a glimmer of hope

  • In short, the U.S. election results may help the Liberals, but it won’t be their political salvation. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

U.S. election offers Liberals a glimmer of hope

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
  • In short, the U.S. election results may help the Liberals, but it won’t be their political salvation. 

U.S. election offers Liberals a glimmer of hope

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
  • In short, the U.S. election results may help the Liberals, but it won’t be their political salvation. 
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Poilievre’s real ‘hidden’ agenda?

  • Conservatives talk like conservatives while in opposition, but govern like liberals when they’re in power. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 17, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, flanked by Conservative MPs Melissa Lantsman, left, Raquel Dancho and Don Stewart. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s real ‘hidden’ agenda?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 17, 2024
  • Conservatives talk like conservatives while in opposition, but govern like liberals when they’re in power. 

Poilievre’s real ‘hidden’ agenda?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 17, 2024
  • Conservatives talk like conservatives while in opposition, but govern like liberals when they’re in power. 
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, flanked by Conservative MPs Melissa Lantsman, left, Raquel Dancho and Don Stewart. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The decline and fall of the Liberal empire

  • On top of everything else, the Liberals are losing the ability to set the national agenda as the NDP and Bloc Québécois are continually
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
Under pressure: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau's getting it from all sides as his Liberals face a big loss in the next election, according to the public opinion polls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal

The decline and fall of the Liberal empire

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
  • On top of everything else, the Liberals are losing the ability to set the national agenda as the NDP and Bloc Québécois are continually

The decline and fall of the Liberal empire

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
  • On top of everything else, the Liberals are losing the ability to set the national agenda as the NDP and Bloc Québécois are continually
Under pressure: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau's getting it from all sides as his Liberals face a big loss in the next election, according to the public opinion polls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal
More Stories

The problem with Scheer’s passive conservatism

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ever since he came up short in the 2019 federal election, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer has been taking an awful lot of
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2019
Ever since he came up short in the 2019 federal election, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured arriving at the English-language televised leadership debate on Oct. 7, 2019, has been taking an awful lot of heat, which is too bad because, after all, he’s really such a nice guy, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problem with Scheer’s passive conservatism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ever since he came up short in the 2019 federal election, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer has been taking an awful lot of

The problem with Scheer’s passive conservatism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ever since he came up short in the 2019 federal election, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer has been taking an awful lot of
Ever since he came up short in the 2019 federal election, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured arriving at the English-language televised leadership debate on Oct. 7, 2019, has been taking an awful lot of heat, which is too bad because, after all, he’s really such a nice guy, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Have Trudeau’s tactics torn us apart?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the ironies of the 2019 election is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who pledged to end the politics of division in
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 28, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, pictured at the Palais des congrès in Montreal on Oct. 21, 2019, after winning his second term in office. In a democracy, the side that loses today at least knows it can regroup and win tomorrow. So, yes, the tactics of democracy might divide us, but its ideals bind us together, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Have Trudeau’s tactics torn us apart?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 28, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the ironies of the 2019 election is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who pledged to end the politics of division in

Have Trudeau’s tactics torn us apart?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 28, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One of the ironies of the 2019 election is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who pledged to end the politics of division in
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, pictured at the Palais des congrès in Montreal on Oct. 21, 2019, after winning his second term in office. In a democracy, the side that loses today at least knows it can regroup and win tomorrow. So, yes, the tactics of democracy might divide us, but its ideals bind us together, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

An election where the past haunted the present

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If the 2019 federal election has taught us anything (and it probably hasn’t) it’s that political parties need some genius scientist to invent
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 21, 2019
It's been a real slice: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer both learned some tough lessons in the election campaign, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

An election where the past haunted the present

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 21, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If the 2019 federal election has taught us anything (and it probably hasn’t) it’s that political parties need some genius scientist to invent

An election where the past haunted the present

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 21, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If the 2019 federal election has taught us anything (and it probably hasn’t) it’s that political parties need some genius scientist to invent
It's been a real slice: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer both learned some tough lessons in the election campaign, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Buckle up, it’s going to get nastier

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you think the ongoing Canadian election has featured too much negativity, better buckle your seat belt because it’s likely going to get
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeht May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. If you think the ongoing Canadian election has featured too much negativity, better buckle your seat belt because it’s likely going to get worse, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Buckle up, it’s going to get nastier

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you think the ongoing Canadian election has featured too much negativity, better buckle your seat belt because it’s likely going to get

Buckle up, it’s going to get nastier

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you think the ongoing Canadian election has featured too much negativity, better buckle your seat belt because it’s likely going to get
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeht May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. If you think the ongoing Canadian election has featured too much negativity, better buckle your seat belt because it’s likely going to get worse, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

When it comes to climate change, Scheer should ignore the media

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One fun thing about elections is how they suddenly turn journalists and columnists into masters of political strategy. Indeed, if you scan social
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2019
Climate change protesters, pictured Sept. 27, 2019, on Parliament Hill. It's estimated that 5,000 people took to the Hill for the protest. 'A recent Ipsos poll indicated that 46 per cent of Canadians do not want to spend any additional money in the form of taxes or higher costs of goods to combat climate change. Isn’t this evidence that many Canadians will put their economic welfare ahead of melting glaciers,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

When it comes to climate change, Scheer should ignore the media

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One fun thing about elections is how they suddenly turn journalists and columnists into masters of political strategy. Indeed, if you scan social

When it comes to climate change, Scheer should ignore the media

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—One fun thing about elections is how they suddenly turn journalists and columnists into masters of political strategy. Indeed, if you scan social
Climate change protesters, pictured Sept. 27, 2019, on Parliament Hill. It's estimated that 5,000 people took to the Hill for the protest. 'A recent Ipsos poll indicated that 46 per cent of Canadians do not want to spend any additional money in the form of taxes or higher costs of goods to combat climate change. Isn’t this evidence that many Canadians will put their economic welfare ahead of melting glaciers,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

In the name of banning ‘fake news,’ the government is infringing on free speech

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With all the furore that’s surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s blackface scandal, it’d be easy to miss an important news item that came
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2019
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, top left, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, top right, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, above left, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, above right. Ideally elections should be the time when we vigorously engage in a free and open exchange of ideas; the more ideas discussed and debated the better it is for democracy. Sec. 91, as it now stands, would seriously hinder that debate, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Twitter

In the name of banning ‘fake news,’ the government is infringing on free speech

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With all the furore that’s surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s blackface scandal, it’d be easy to miss an important news item that came

In the name of banning ‘fake news,’ the government is infringing on free speech

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—With all the furore that’s surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s blackface scandal, it’d be easy to miss an important news item that came
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, top left, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, top right, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, above left, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, above right. Ideally elections should be the time when we vigorously engage in a free and open exchange of ideas; the more ideas discussed and debated the better it is for democracy. Sec. 91, as it now stands, would seriously hinder that debate, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Twitter

Scheer’s marketing problem

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—For better or worse, electoral politics in Canada has evolved into a leader-centric form of political combat. In other words, the current federal
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer. The current federal election isn’t really about pitting political parties or ideologies against each other, it’s more of a one-on-one contest between party champions, i.e., between Mr. Scheer and Mr. Trudeau, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Scheer’s marketing problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—For better or worse, electoral politics in Canada has evolved into a leader-centric form of political combat. In other words, the current federal

Scheer’s marketing problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—For better or worse, electoral politics in Canada has evolved into a leader-centric form of political combat. In other words, the current federal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer. The current federal election isn’t really about pitting political parties or ideologies against each other, it’s more of a one-on-one contest between party champions, i.e., between Mr. Scheer and Mr. Trudeau, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Elections, media, and the politics of politics

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that the federal election is officially underway, we can all sit back and watch the Canadian media’s fascination with the politics of
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 16, 2019
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. Now that the federal election is officially underway, we can all sit back and watch the Canadian media’s fascination with the politics of politics go into overdrive. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Elections, media, and the politics of politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 16, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that the federal election is officially underway, we can all sit back and watch the Canadian media’s fascination with the politics of

Elections, media, and the politics of politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 16, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that the federal election is officially underway, we can all sit back and watch the Canadian media’s fascination with the politics of
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. Now that the federal election is officially underway, we can all sit back and watch the Canadian media’s fascination with the politics of politics go into overdrive. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The nasty primal subtext of Liberal attacks

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When trying to gauge the true power and intent of a political communication strategy, sometimes you need to look past the words which
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 9, 2019
Hop on the bus Jus: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on a city bus, in the Liberals' 'Choose Forward' ad released on Aug. 25, 2019. He's also pictured in this ad talking to people in coffee shops, running and laughing with chidlren, gazing out the bus window at a dollar store, and meeting with mothers and their babies. Screen capture image courtesy of Liberal Party of Canada

The nasty primal subtext of Liberal attacks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 9, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When trying to gauge the true power and intent of a political communication strategy, sometimes you need to look past the words which

The nasty primal subtext of Liberal attacks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 9, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—When trying to gauge the true power and intent of a political communication strategy, sometimes you need to look past the words which
Hop on the bus Jus: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on a city bus, in the Liberals' 'Choose Forward' ad released on Aug. 25, 2019. He's also pictured in this ad talking to people in coffee shops, running and laughing with chidlren, gazing out the bus window at a dollar store, and meeting with mothers and their babies. Screen capture image courtesy of Liberal Party of Canada

Scheer’s elephant problem

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The recent spate of Liberal attacks on the Conservative Party reminds me of the six blind men and the elephant parable. You’ve heard
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 2, 2019
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer's party is polling roughly evenly with the governing Liberals, and has faced sustained attacks from the Grits over his positions on abortion and gay rights. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Scheer’s elephant problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 2, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The recent spate of Liberal attacks on the Conservative Party reminds me of the six blind men and the elephant parable. You’ve heard

Scheer’s elephant problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 2, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The recent spate of Liberal attacks on the Conservative Party reminds me of the six blind men and the elephant parable. You’ve heard
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer's party is polling roughly evenly with the governing Liberals, and has faced sustained attacks from the Grits over his positions on abortion and gay rights. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t worry, political ads still work

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A poll came out recently which, if taken at face value, would be bad news for all the good people in this country
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 26, 2019
A recent poll by Forum Research suggested that supporters of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's party respond more positively to political ads than those who support other parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t worry, political ads still work

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 26, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A poll came out recently which, if taken at face value, would be bad news for all the good people in this country

Don’t worry, political ads still work

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 26, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—A poll came out recently which, if taken at face value, would be bad news for all the good people in this country
A recent poll by Forum Research suggested that supporters of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's party respond more positively to political ads than those who support other parties. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Beware the Twitter Sapiens

  • Maybe it’s just me, but I think the nature of humanity is being dramatically altered by Twitter. As a matter of fact, I’d say
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 19, 2019
Toronto man Damany Skeene was convicted in 2015 of criminal harassment and uttering threats after making a stream of violent threats on Twitter against Conservative MP Michelle Rempel, pictured last year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Beware the Twitter Sapiens

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 19, 2019
  • Maybe it’s just me, but I think the nature of humanity is being dramatically altered by Twitter. As a matter of fact, I’d say

Beware the Twitter Sapiens

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 19, 2019
  • Maybe it’s just me, but I think the nature of humanity is being dramatically altered by Twitter. As a matter of fact, I’d say
Toronto man Damany Skeene was convicted in 2015 of criminal harassment and uttering threats after making a stream of violent threats on Twitter against Conservative MP Michelle Rempel, pictured last year. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The NDP needs a better story

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If the federal NDP is ever going to have a hope of reversing its sagging political fortunes, it needs a better story. After
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 12, 2019
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured. If the federal NDP is ever going to have a hope of reversing its sagging political fortunes, it needs a better story, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The NDP needs a better story

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 12, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If the federal NDP is ever going to have a hope of reversing its sagging political fortunes, it needs a better story. After

The NDP needs a better story

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 12, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If the federal NDP is ever going to have a hope of reversing its sagging political fortunes, it needs a better story. After
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured. If the federal NDP is ever going to have a hope of reversing its sagging political fortunes, it needs a better story, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Putting populism in perspective

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever Canadian pundits, pollsters, or columnists discuss the topic of populism they often operate under the assumption that it’s an inarguably bad thing.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 5, 2019
Voters will bang the drum of populism whenever they want to catch the attention of the ruling classes. And there’s nothing wrong with that; as a matter of fact, sometimes it’s a good thing when the ruling classes get the message that discontent is brewing within the populace, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Putting populism in perspective

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 5, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever Canadian pundits, pollsters, or columnists discuss the topic of populism they often operate under the assumption that it’s an inarguably bad thing.

Putting populism in perspective

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 5, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Whenever Canadian pundits, pollsters, or columnists discuss the topic of populism they often operate under the assumption that it’s an inarguably bad thing.
Voters will bang the drum of populism whenever they want to catch the attention of the ruling classes. And there’s nothing wrong with that; as a matter of fact, sometimes it’s a good thing when the ruling classes get the message that discontent is brewing within the populace, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Targeting the undecideds

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We’re now entering August, the last month of relative tranquility before the craziness of federal election politics descends upon the country with hurricane
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 29, 2019
The undecideds: In a tight race, winning the undecided voters over can make a big difference to an election’s outcome. But how do you win them over, asks Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times file photograph

Targeting the undecideds

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 29, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We’re now entering August, the last month of relative tranquility before the craziness of federal election politics descends upon the country with hurricane

Targeting the undecideds

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 29, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—We’re now entering August, the last month of relative tranquility before the craziness of federal election politics descends upon the country with hurricane
The undecideds: In a tight race, winning the undecided voters over can make a big difference to an election’s outcome. But how do you win them over, asks Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times file photograph

Kinsellian tactics vs. the zen room

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the movie, Avengers: Infinity War, arch-villain Thanos declares, “Reality is often disappointing.” And so it is. In fact, reality can be especially
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 22, 2019
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and Warren Kinsella, a.k.a. The Prince of Darkness, pictured. When Mr. Kinsella went on Twitter and tweeted this line: 'Elizabeth May brings on Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics author Warren Kinsella to help Green war room,' Ms. May responded with this tweet: 'Greens do politics differently.@kinsellawarren knows we have no ‘war room.’ Peace Room? Situation Room? Room of Zen?' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Kinsellian tactics vs. the zen room

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 22, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the movie, Avengers: Infinity War, arch-villain Thanos declares, “Reality is often disappointing.” And so it is. In fact, reality can be especially

Kinsellian tactics vs. the zen room

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 22, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—In the movie, Avengers: Infinity War, arch-villain Thanos declares, “Reality is often disappointing.” And so it is. In fact, reality can be especially
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and Warren Kinsella, a.k.a. The Prince of Darkness, pictured. When Mr. Kinsella went on Twitter and tweeted this line: 'Elizabeth May brings on Kicking Ass in Canadian Politics author Warren Kinsella to help Green war room,' Ms. May responded with this tweet: 'Greens do politics differently.@kinsellawarren knows we have no ‘war room.’ Peace Room? Situation Room? Room of Zen?' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Federal parties are racing against time and losing

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canada’s three main federal political parties have all managed to squander one of their most valuable resources—time. And yes, time is a resource,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 15, 2019
Time keeps on slippin' into the future: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Federal parties are racing against time and losing

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 15, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canada’s three main federal political parties have all managed to squander one of their most valuable resources—time. And yes, time is a resource,

Federal parties are racing against time and losing

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 15, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Canada’s three main federal political parties have all managed to squander one of their most valuable resources—time. And yes, time is a resource,
Time keeps on slippin' into the future: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The power of political polling

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that Canada Day is in the rear-view mirror and the summer season is finally in full swing, it’s a good time, I
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 8, 2019
Let's get the party started: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The power of political polling

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 8, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that Canada Day is in the rear-view mirror and the summer season is finally in full swing, it’s a good time, I

The power of political polling

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 8, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Now that Canada Day is in the rear-view mirror and the summer season is finally in full swing, it’s a good time, I
Let's get the party started: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

When it comes to climate change, Scheer can’t win

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer’s recently released climate change plan will help his political opponents a lot more than it’ll help the environment.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 1, 2019
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on June 17, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. His recently released climate change plan will help his political opponents a lot more than it’ll help the environment, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When it comes to climate change, Scheer can’t win

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 1, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer’s recently released climate change plan will help his political opponents a lot more than it’ll help the environment.

When it comes to climate change, Scheer can’t win

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 1, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer’s recently released climate change plan will help his political opponents a lot more than it’ll help the environment.
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on June 17, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. His recently released climate change plan will help his political opponents a lot more than it’ll help the environment, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

By avoiding risks, Scheer is taking a risk

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If he were judged solely by his recent actions, you’d have to say Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is an extremist, and that
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 24, 2019
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on June 17, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa reacting to the Liberal government's announcement confirming its commitment to go forward with building the Kinder Morgan Trans-Mountain pipeline.

By avoiding risks, Scheer is taking a risk

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 24, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If he were judged solely by his recent actions, you’d have to say Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is an extremist, and that

By avoiding risks, Scheer is taking a risk

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 24, 2019
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If he were judged solely by his recent actions, you’d have to say Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer is an extremist, and that
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured on June 17, 2019, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa reacting to the Liberal government's announcement confirming its commitment to go forward with building the Kinder Morgan Trans-Mountain pipeline.

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Follow us

Advertise

get help

Subscribe
CloseMenu