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Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

Harper, from brawler to statesman

  • When Stephen Harper retired from politics, he put aside his brawler persona and took on the role of a wise elder statesman, whose portrait
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2026
Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper speaks at an event held by Library and Archives Canada on Feb. 5, 2026, about the launch his archival collection at the Library and Archives Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Harper, from brawler to statesman

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2026
  • When Stephen Harper retired from politics, he put aside his brawler persona and took on the role of a wise elder statesman, whose portrait

Harper, from brawler to statesman

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2026
  • When Stephen Harper retired from politics, he put aside his brawler persona and took on the role of a wise elder statesman, whose portrait
Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper speaks at an event held by Library and Archives Canada on Feb. 5, 2026, about the launch his archival collection at the Library and Archives Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney now ‘owns’ the anti-Trump issue

  • If the No. 1 issue in the next election is protecting Canada from Donald Trump, and if Mark Carney is seen as the most
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for Question Period on Feb. 3, 2026. As Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin put it, 'The prime minister is now seen as leading the resistance among middle powers of the world to American subjugation.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney now ‘owns’ the anti-Trump issue

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2026
  • If the No. 1 issue in the next election is protecting Canada from Donald Trump, and if Mark Carney is seen as the most

Carney now ‘owns’ the anti-Trump issue

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2026
  • If the No. 1 issue in the next election is protecting Canada from Donald Trump, and if Mark Carney is seen as the most
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for Question Period on Feb. 3, 2026. As Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin put it, 'The prime minister is now seen as leading the resistance among middle powers of the world to American subjugation.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s grand political plan

  • Mark Carney is both energizing his Liberal legions in the Eastern Canada while potentially making friends and allies in the Western Canada. It could all
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 29, 2026
Even though Prime Minister Mark Carney is relatively new to the game, he seems to be quickly developing the instincts of an expert political tactician, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s grand political plan

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 29, 2026
  • Mark Carney is both energizing his Liberal legions in the Eastern Canada while potentially making friends and allies in the Western Canada. It could all

Carney’s grand political plan

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 29, 2026
  • Mark Carney is both energizing his Liberal legions in the Eastern Canada while potentially making friends and allies in the Western Canada. It could all
Even though Prime Minister Mark Carney is relatively new to the game, he seems to be quickly developing the instincts of an expert political tactician, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative convention promises drama

  • Will Pierre Poilievre use the convention to showcase a new political persona? Will we see a new and improved Poilievre, one perhaps who is
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will go through his leadership review at the Conservative convention in Calgary. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative convention promises drama

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2026
  • Will Pierre Poilievre use the convention to showcase a new political persona? Will we see a new and improved Poilievre, one perhaps who is

Conservative convention promises drama

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2026
  • Will Pierre Poilievre use the convention to showcase a new political persona? Will we see a new and improved Poilievre, one perhaps who is
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will go through his leadership review at the Conservative convention in Calgary. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The NDP and the 11th Commandment

  • It makes sense for a front-runner to make a virtue of cordial campaigning and to shame opponents who decide to go on the attack. In
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 19, 2026
NDP leadership candidates Rob Ashton, left, Heather McPherson, and Avi Lewis, pictured in Ottawa on Oct. 28, 2025. Ashton came under fire from within his own party's ranks because he publicly criticized Lewis, the NDP's perceived leadership front-runner, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson

The NDP and the 11th Commandment

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 19, 2026
  • It makes sense for a front-runner to make a virtue of cordial campaigning and to shame opponents who decide to go on the attack. In

The NDP and the 11th Commandment

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 19, 2026
  • It makes sense for a front-runner to make a virtue of cordial campaigning and to shame opponents who decide to go on the attack. In
NDP leadership candidates Rob Ashton, left, Heather McPherson, and Avi Lewis, pictured in Ottawa on Oct. 28, 2025. Ashton came under fire from within his own party's ranks because he publicly criticized Lewis, the NDP's perceived leadership front-runner, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson

Harperism is back

  • The principles, values, and political goals that guided former prime minister Stephen Harper’s actions while he led Canada’s government more than a decade ago
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2026
Former prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured on March 22, 2023, at the Canada Strong and Free Networking conference in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Harperism is back

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2026
  • The principles, values, and political goals that guided former prime minister Stephen Harper’s actions while he led Canada’s government more than a decade ago

Harperism is back

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2026
  • The principles, values, and political goals that guided former prime minister Stephen Harper’s actions while he led Canada’s government more than a decade ago
Former prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured on March 22, 2023, at the Canada Strong and Free Networking conference in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre needs the NDP

  • If the Carney Liberals sense there’s a threat emerging on their left-wing flank, they might themselves move to the left, which would give Pierre
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 22, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill. No matter how many punches Poilievre throws at the Liberal government, nothing seems to change; he doesn’t seem to be having any impact. The reason for that, I’d argue, is that Prime Minister Mark Carney has basically adopted Conservative-style policies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre needs the NDP

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 22, 2025
  • If the Carney Liberals sense there’s a threat emerging on their left-wing flank, they might themselves move to the left, which would give Pierre

Poilievre needs the NDP

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 22, 2025
  • If the Carney Liberals sense there’s a threat emerging on their left-wing flank, they might themselves move to the left, which would give Pierre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill. No matter how many punches Poilievre throws at the Liberal government, nothing seems to change; he doesn’t seem to be having any impact. The reason for that, I’d argue, is that Prime Minister Mark Carney has basically adopted Conservative-style policies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney, cynic or idealist?

  • By making this one pipeline deal, Mark Carney might be hoping to destroy the stereotype that Liberals are a bunch of progressive, tree-hugging greens
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Dec. 3, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney, cynic or idealist?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2025
  • By making this one pipeline deal, Mark Carney might be hoping to destroy the stereotype that Liberals are a bunch of progressive, tree-hugging greens

Carney, cynic or idealist?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2025
  • By making this one pipeline deal, Mark Carney might be hoping to destroy the stereotype that Liberals are a bunch of progressive, tree-hugging greens
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Dec. 3, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Outhouse will tweak the Tory engine

  • The upshot is that the changes Steve Outhouse will bring to the party will likely be subtle, not flashy, more about tweaking the party’s
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
When the Conservatives hired Steve Outhouse as their latest campaign manager, they acquired a new face, but, to my mind, it’s unlikely the party will get much of a new look, writes Gerry Nicholls. Handout photograph

Outhouse will tweak the Tory engine

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
  • The upshot is that the changes Steve Outhouse will bring to the party will likely be subtle, not flashy, more about tweaking the party’s

Outhouse will tweak the Tory engine

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
  • The upshot is that the changes Steve Outhouse will bring to the party will likely be subtle, not flashy, more about tweaking the party’s
When the Conservatives hired Steve Outhouse as their latest campaign manager, they acquired a new face, but, to my mind, it’s unlikely the party will get much of a new look, writes Gerry Nicholls. Handout photograph

The controversy of hiring foreign help

  • I don’t think the Alberta NDP should apologize for hiring Fight Agency; it’s perfectly legitimate. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
American political ad company Fight Agency has produced one ad to reintroduce former Calgary mayor and current Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to Albertans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The controversy of hiring foreign help

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
  • I don’t think the Alberta NDP should apologize for hiring Fight Agency; it’s perfectly legitimate. 

The controversy of hiring foreign help

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
  • I don’t think the Alberta NDP should apologize for hiring Fight Agency; it’s perfectly legitimate. 
American political ad company Fight Agency has produced one ad to reintroduce former Calgary mayor and current Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to Albertans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of Poilievre’s personality

  • Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre should not pay attention to his critics.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured holding press conference in the House foyer to speak about Conservative MP Frank Caputo’s private member's bill C-225 to strengthen responses to intimate partner violence in Canada on Oct. 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of Poilievre’s personality

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
  • Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre should not pay attention to his critics.

The politics of Poilievre’s personality

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
  • Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre should not pay attention to his critics.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured holding press conference in the House foyer to speak about Conservative MP Frank Caputo’s private member's bill C-225 to strengthen responses to intimate partner violence in Canada on Oct. 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s fundraising problem

  • Considering the Liberals are still basking in their electoral triumph from earlier this year and seeing how they’re still doing relatively well in the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 13, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Carney’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 13, 2025
  • Considering the Liberals are still basking in their electoral triumph from earlier this year and seeing how they’re still doing relatively well in the

Carney’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 13, 2025
  • Considering the Liberals are still basking in their electoral triumph from earlier this year and seeing how they’re still doing relatively well in the
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

How Bill Gates has shifted the politics of climate change

  • The environmental movement has suffered a loss. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

How Bill Gates has shifted the politics of climate change

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
  • The environmental movement has suffered a loss. 

How Bill Gates has shifted the politics of climate change

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
  • The environmental movement has suffered a loss. 
Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Will the budget kill Carney’s honeymoon?

  • Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will the budget kill Carney’s honeymoon?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
  • Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It

Will the budget kill Carney’s honeymoon?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
  • Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How social media impacts politics

  • A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How social media impacts politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
  • A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across

How social media impacts politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
  • A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s changing right

  • For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Oct. 9, 2025, on the Hill. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues are fading away, which will likely have at least some influence on the direction the Conservative party will take under Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s changing right

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2025
  • For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues

Canada’s changing right

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 20, 2025
  • For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Oct. 9, 2025, on the Hill. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues are fading away, which will likely have at least some influence on the direction the Conservative party will take under Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The power of photo-ops

  • Doug Ford's photo-op may have been a silly and overly theatrical stunt, but as someone once said, 'if it’s stupid but works, then it
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News

The power of photo-ops

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
  • Doug Ford's photo-op may have been a silly and overly theatrical stunt, but as someone once said, 'if it’s stupid but works, then it

The power of photo-ops

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
  • Doug Ford's photo-op may have been a silly and overly theatrical stunt, but as someone once said, 'if it’s stupid but works, then it
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News

Differences emerge in base politics

  • Until their respective political circumstances change, Canada’s political parties will be heading down different strategic paths. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

Differences emerge in base politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
  • Until their respective political circumstances change, Canada’s political parties will be heading down different strategic paths. 

Differences emerge in base politics

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
  • Until their respective political circumstances change, Canada’s political parties will be heading down different strategic paths. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

For Carney, it’s all about the economy

  • Mark Carney realizes that, for the average voter, economics trumps everything else, including the environment. But he has his work cut out for him.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For Carney, it’s all about the economy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
  • Mark Carney realizes that, for the average voter, economics trumps everything else, including the environment. But he has his work cut out for him.

For Carney, it’s all about the economy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
  • Mark Carney realizes that, for the average voter, economics trumps everything else, including the environment. But he has his work cut out for him.
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Revenge of the Blue Liberals

  • If Carney moves too far to the right, especially on environmental issues, he risks alienating his own political base and possibly creating a rift
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes Project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Revenge of the Blue Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2025
  • If Carney moves too far to the right, especially on environmental issues, he risks alienating his own political base and possibly creating a rift

Revenge of the Blue Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2025
  • If Carney moves too far to the right, especially on environmental issues, he risks alienating his own political base and possibly creating a rift
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes Project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s Trump problem

  • By putting his elbows down, Mark Carney could end up paying a political price. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok

Carney’s Trump problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
  • By putting his elbows down, Mark Carney could end up paying a political price. 

Carney’s Trump problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
  • By putting his elbows down, Mark Carney could end up paying a political price. 
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok

Poilievre needs issues that cut

  • To win the next election, the Conservative leader doesn’t have to be liked; he just needs to get people to agree with him.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre needs issues that cut

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
  • To win the next election, the Conservative leader doesn’t have to be liked; he just needs to get people to agree with him.

Poilievre needs issues that cut

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
  • To win the next election, the Conservative leader doesn’t have to be liked; he just needs to get people to agree with him.
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Doug Ford’s political nihilism

  • The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Doug Ford’s political nihilism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
  • The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,

Doug Ford’s political nihilism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
  • The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

De Gaulle’s ‘Vive le Quebec libre!’ haunts Canada

  • The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

De Gaulle’s ‘Vive le Quebec libre!’ haunts Canada

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
  • The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded

De Gaulle’s ‘Vive le Quebec libre!’ haunts Canada

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
  • The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fixing our social media problem

  • In my view, more funding of local news or the regulation of 'Big Tech' won’t really help either journalism or democracy. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
Media
Media
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Fixing our social media problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
  • In my view, more funding of local news or the regulation of 'Big Tech' won’t really help either journalism or democracy. 

Fixing our social media problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
  • In my view, more funding of local news or the regulation of 'Big Tech' won’t really help either journalism or democracy. 
Media
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Embracing pragmatism isn’t the answer for Poilievre

  • In my view, if Pierre Poilievre is going to win, he’ll do so not by copying Mark Carney’s pragmatism, which would mean fighting him
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre at the opening of the Calgary Stampede on July 4, 2025. Photograph courtesy of X/Pierre Poilievre

Embracing pragmatism isn’t the answer for Poilievre

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
  • In my view, if Pierre Poilievre is going to win, he’ll do so not by copying Mark Carney’s pragmatism, which would mean fighting him

Embracing pragmatism isn’t the answer for Poilievre

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
  • In my view, if Pierre Poilievre is going to win, he’ll do so not by copying Mark Carney’s pragmatism, which would mean fighting him
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre at the opening of the Calgary Stampede on July 4, 2025. Photograph courtesy of X/Pierre Poilievre

The NDP’s fundraising problem

  • Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The NDP’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
  • Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard

The NDP’s fundraising problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
  • Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Poilievre’s notwithstanding clause gambit 

  • If Pierre Poilievre keeps his focus on fixing the economy, his side musings about how he might use the notwithstanding clause likely won’t raise
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 15, 2024
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at a press conference on April 16, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s notwithstanding clause gambit 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 15, 2024
  • If Pierre Poilievre keeps his focus on fixing the economy, his side musings about how he might use the notwithstanding clause likely won’t raise

Poilievre’s notwithstanding clause gambit 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 15, 2024
  • If Pierre Poilievre keeps his focus on fixing the economy, his side musings about how he might use the notwithstanding clause likely won’t raise
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at a press conference on April 16, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is Carney the Liberals’ emergency option?

  • As journalist Stephen Maher recently put it, 'Trudeau is not likely to be ousted, Liz Truss-style, since he single-handedly built the modern Liberal Party,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 13, 2024
Mark Carney at the Liberal National Convention in Ottawa on May 4, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Is Carney the Liberals’ emergency option?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 13, 2024
  • As journalist Stephen Maher recently put it, 'Trudeau is not likely to be ousted, Liz Truss-style, since he single-handedly built the modern Liberal Party,

Is Carney the Liberals’ emergency option?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 13, 2024
  • As journalist Stephen Maher recently put it, 'Trudeau is not likely to be ousted, Liz Truss-style, since he single-handedly built the modern Liberal Party,
Mark Carney at the Liberal National Convention in Ottawa on May 4, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Is it time for Singh and Trudeau to make bold moves?

  • In politics, it’s often worth taking a risk. As the ancients understood, sometimes fortune does favour the bold.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 6, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Is it time for Singh and Trudeau to make bold moves?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 6, 2024
  • In politics, it’s often worth taking a risk. As the ancients understood, sometimes fortune does favour the bold.

Is it time for Singh and Trudeau to make bold moves?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 6, 2024
  • In politics, it’s often worth taking a risk. As the ancients understood, sometimes fortune does favour the bold.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Polls have Singh worried and it shows

  • NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s polls have spooked him, and his change of tone on the carbon tax is him admitting it.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2024
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on the Hill, isn't doing well in the polls right now. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Polls have Singh worried and it shows

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2024
  • NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s polls have spooked him, and his change of tone on the carbon tax is him admitting it.

Polls have Singh worried and it shows

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 29, 2024
  • NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s polls have spooked him, and his change of tone on the carbon tax is him admitting it.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on the Hill, isn't doing well in the polls right now. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s betting on himself

  • If the Liberals release an election TV ad highlighting Trudeau’s beaming face, the public's reaction could be along the lines of 'Not that guy
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 22, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s betting on himself

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 22, 2024
  • If the Liberals release an election TV ad highlighting Trudeau’s beaming face, the public's reaction could be along the lines of 'Not that guy

Trudeau’s betting on himself

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 22, 2024
  • If the Liberals release an election TV ad highlighting Trudeau’s beaming face, the public's reaction could be along the lines of 'Not that guy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Liberals’ time problem

  • How do you combat wistfulness for the past when you can’t offer a better future?
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 11, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the Hill on March 20, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Liberals’ time problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 11, 2024
  • How do you combat wistfulness for the past when you can’t offer a better future?

The Liberals’ time problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 11, 2024
  • How do you combat wistfulness for the past when you can’t offer a better future?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the Hill on March 20, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s grand strategic plan

  • When the next federal election rolls around, Pierre Poilievre won’t be hoping a stronger NDP will weaken the Liberals. He’ll be hoping a weaker
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 4, 2024
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at a national caucus meeting on the Hill on March 20, 2024. As he put it after the non-confidence vote, for 'true change, common sense change,' voters have only a Conservative choice. Expect to hear that line a lot, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s grand strategic plan

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 4, 2024
  • When the next federal election rolls around, Pierre Poilievre won’t be hoping a stronger NDP will weaken the Liberals. He’ll be hoping a weaker

Poilievre’s grand strategic plan

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 4, 2024
  • When the next federal election rolls around, Pierre Poilievre won’t be hoping a stronger NDP will weaken the Liberals. He’ll be hoping a weaker
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at a national caucus meeting on the Hill on March 20, 2024. As he put it after the non-confidence vote, for 'true change, common sense change,' voters have only a Conservative choice. Expect to hear that line a lot, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s unpopularity is hurting more than just his party

  • Justin Trudeau and the carbon tax are intertwined, and his political unpopularity is putting the whole concept of a carbon tax on death’s door.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 1, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for the Liberal Party caucus meeting in West Block on Feb. 14, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s unpopularity is hurting more than just his party

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 1, 2024
  • Justin Trudeau and the carbon tax are intertwined, and his political unpopularity is putting the whole concept of a carbon tax on death’s door.

Trudeau’s unpopularity is hurting more than just his party

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 1, 2024
  • Justin Trudeau and the carbon tax are intertwined, and his political unpopularity is putting the whole concept of a carbon tax on death’s door.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for the Liberal Party caucus meeting in West Block on Feb. 14, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t demonize populism

  • The best way to stop populism isn’t to fight it, but to defuse it. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 21, 2024
Political leaders should address and allay the anxieties and fears which lead to populist uprisings because if our elites simply demonize populism, it will only make it stronger, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Don’t demonize populism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 21, 2024
  • The best way to stop populism isn’t to fight it, but to defuse it. 

Don’t demonize populism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 21, 2024
  • The best way to stop populism isn’t to fight it, but to defuse it. 
Political leaders should address and allay the anxieties and fears which lead to populist uprisings because if our elites simply demonize populism, it will only make it stronger, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

America’s worrying political trend 

  • No matter who wins the presidential election on Nov. 5, the majority of Americans will probably feel like they lost, and that’s not good
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 18, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden. The New York Times/Siena poll also shows that Biden’s net favourable rating is even worse than Trump’s, as it currently sits at around negative 21 (38 per cent view him positively, 59 view him negatively), meaning he’s less popular now than Trump was four years ago.  Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

America’s worrying political trend 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 18, 2024
  • No matter who wins the presidential election on Nov. 5, the majority of Americans will probably feel like they lost, and that’s not good

America’s worrying political trend 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 18, 2024
  • No matter who wins the presidential election on Nov. 5, the majority of Americans will probably feel like they lost, and that’s not good
Donald Trump, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden. The New York Times/Siena poll also shows that Biden’s net favourable rating is even worse than Trump’s, as it currently sits at around negative 21 (38 per cent view him positively, 59 view him negatively), meaning he’s less popular now than Trump was four years ago.  Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

Mulroney never played the game in half measures

  • Throughout his career, Brian Mulroney—a charismatic, ambitious, and shrewd political tactician—enjoyed great achievements, but also suffered spectacular failures.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 7, 2024
Brian Mulroney at a Canada 2020 event in Ottawa in April 2014. Mulroney’s career had an almost Shakespearean flavour: he was a hero whose gifts propelled him to the heavens, but whose flaws dragged him back down to Earth, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Mulroney never played the game in half measures

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 7, 2024
  • Throughout his career, Brian Mulroney—a charismatic, ambitious, and shrewd political tactician—enjoyed great achievements, but also suffered spectacular failures.

Mulroney never played the game in half measures

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 7, 2024
  • Throughout his career, Brian Mulroney—a charismatic, ambitious, and shrewd political tactician—enjoyed great achievements, but also suffered spectacular failures.
Brian Mulroney at a Canada 2020 event in Ottawa in April 2014. Mulroney’s career had an almost Shakespearean flavour: he was a hero whose gifts propelled him to the heavens, but whose flaws dragged him back down to Earth, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Can Singh woo millennials?

  • If the NDP is to succeed in the next federal election, it’ll have to come up with something better than a TikTok communication strategy. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 4, 2024
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh during a press conference in the West Block on the Hill on Feb. 13, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Can Singh woo millennials?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 4, 2024
  • If the NDP is to succeed in the next federal election, it’ll have to come up with something better than a TikTok communication strategy. 

Can Singh woo millennials?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 4, 2024
  • If the NDP is to succeed in the next federal election, it’ll have to come up with something better than a TikTok communication strategy. 
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh during a press conference in the West Block on the Hill on Feb. 13, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of anxiety

  • Pierre Poilievre doesn’t have to spend effort convincing voters they should feel anxious about the economy because they already do. All he must do is
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 22, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If you’re currently feeling anxious, don’t expect our politicians to make you feel any better, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

The politics of anxiety

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 22, 2024
  • Pierre Poilievre doesn’t have to spend effort convincing voters they should feel anxious about the economy because they already do. All he must do is

The politics of anxiety

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 22, 2024
  • Pierre Poilievre doesn’t have to spend effort convincing voters they should feel anxious about the economy because they already do. All he must do is
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If you’re currently feeling anxious, don’t expect our politicians to make you feel any better, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

Rebranding the carbon tax won’t help the Liberals

  • If people don’t like Justin Trudeau, it follows they won’t like his policies, either. It’s guilt by association. If the rebate had another name, the carbon
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 19, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses his Liberal winter caucus on the Hill on Jan. 25, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Rebranding the carbon tax won’t help the Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 19, 2024
  • If people don’t like Justin Trudeau, it follows they won’t like his policies, either. It’s guilt by association. If the rebate had another name, the carbon

Rebranding the carbon tax won’t help the Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 19, 2024
  • If people don’t like Justin Trudeau, it follows they won’t like his policies, either. It’s guilt by association. If the rebate had another name, the carbon
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses his Liberal winter caucus on the Hill on Jan. 25, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre and the politics of perception

  • Pierre Poilievre should not release detailed policies because the minute he shows his 'hand on some key policy areas,' is the minute he could
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 12, 2024
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre addresses his national caucus on Parliament Hill on Jan. 28, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre and the politics of perception

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 12, 2024
  • Pierre Poilievre should not release detailed policies because the minute he shows his 'hand on some key policy areas,' is the minute he could

Poilievre and the politics of perception

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 12, 2024
  • Pierre Poilievre should not release detailed policies because the minute he shows his 'hand on some key policy areas,' is the minute he could
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre addresses his national caucus on Parliament Hill on Jan. 28, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau needs to match Poilievre’s energy

  • Maybe the Liberals do have a path to victory. It just won’t be a sunny way.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 5, 2024
Justin Trudeau, left, and Pierre Poilievre. The prime minister may want to tap into positive energy, presenting himself as the forward-looking and hopeful alternative to populism, if only because that reflects his own persona, but he will ultimately be forced to match Poilievre’s negative energy, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal

Trudeau needs to match Poilievre’s energy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 5, 2024
  • Maybe the Liberals do have a path to victory. It just won’t be a sunny way.

Trudeau needs to match Poilievre’s energy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 5, 2024
  • Maybe the Liberals do have a path to victory. It just won’t be a sunny way.
Justin Trudeau, left, and Pierre Poilievre. The prime minister may want to tap into positive energy, presenting himself as the forward-looking and hopeful alternative to populism, if only because that reflects his own persona, but he will ultimately be forced to match Poilievre’s negative energy, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal

Would a united left stop Poilievre?

  • The Toronto Star's Martin Regg Cohn recently urged the Liberals and NDP to join forces, but even though the parties get along in the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 24, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Would a united left stop Poilievre?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 24, 2024
  • The Toronto Star's Martin Regg Cohn recently urged the Liberals and NDP to join forces, but even though the parties get along in the

Would a united left stop Poilievre?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 24, 2024
  • The Toronto Star's Martin Regg Cohn recently urged the Liberals and NDP to join forces, but even though the parties get along in the
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The RCMP’s gift to Rebel News

  • As someone who has worked for activist groups, I know they spend almost as much time and energy trying to figure out how to
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 17, 2024
Rebel News' David Menzies and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Screen capture image courtesy of CTV News and Rebel News

The RCMP’s gift to Rebel News

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 17, 2024
  • As someone who has worked for activist groups, I know they spend almost as much time and energy trying to figure out how to

The RCMP’s gift to Rebel News

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 17, 2024
  • As someone who has worked for activist groups, I know they spend almost as much time and energy trying to figure out how to
Rebel News' David Menzies and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Screen capture image courtesy of CTV News and Rebel News

Trudeau still best option for Liberals

  • My free, non-scientific assessment is the Liberals should keep Justin Trudeau as their leader. All things considered, it might be best for their party.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 10, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill on Dec. 13, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau still best option for Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 10, 2024
  • My free, non-scientific assessment is the Liberals should keep Justin Trudeau as their leader. All things considered, it might be best for their party.

Trudeau still best option for Liberals

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 10, 2024
  • My free, non-scientific assessment is the Liberals should keep Justin Trudeau as their leader. All things considered, it might be best for their party.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill on Dec. 13, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s the economy, Justin

  • Perhaps Justin Trudeau can win over Canadians by bashing Pierre Poilievre on 'moral issues,' But right now, looking at the polls, if I were Trudeau,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 3, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can't play the 'change' card anymore, nor can he make COVID the primary issue, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s the economy, Justin

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 3, 2024
  • Perhaps Justin Trudeau can win over Canadians by bashing Pierre Poilievre on 'moral issues,' But right now, looking at the polls, if I were Trudeau,

It’s the economy, Justin

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 3, 2024
  • Perhaps Justin Trudeau can win over Canadians by bashing Pierre Poilievre on 'moral issues,' But right now, looking at the polls, if I were Trudeau,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can't play the 'change' card anymore, nor can he make COVID the primary issue, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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