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Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

Does Doug Ford want Pierre Poilievre’s job?

  • Some polls are showing Doug Ford and his party are polling 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, but if the polls start
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on March 21, 2025, is riding high in public opinion right now and is 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, according to a June 10 Abacus Data poll. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does Doug Ford want Pierre Poilievre’s job?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2025
  • Some polls are showing Doug Ford and his party are polling 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, but if the polls start

Does Doug Ford want Pierre Poilievre’s job?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 23, 2025
  • Some polls are showing Doug Ford and his party are polling 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, but if the polls start
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on March 21, 2025, is riding high in public opinion right now and is 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, according to a June 10 Abacus Data poll. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s ideological advantage

  • Mark Carney might only be a rookie politician, but it looks like he knows how to play the game. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s ideological advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2025
  • Mark Carney might only be a rookie politician, but it looks like he knows how to play the game. 

Carney’s ideological advantage

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 16, 2025
  • Mark Carney might only be a rookie politician, but it looks like he knows how to play the game. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on June 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feeding the fundraising beast

  • One of the key principles of fundraising is that you don’t give your donor base a chance to relax, which is to say, you
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Political parties may have their differences, but when it comes to fundraising, they all share the same principles, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

Feeding the fundraising beast

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2025
  • One of the key principles of fundraising is that you don’t give your donor base a chance to relax, which is to say, you

Feeding the fundraising beast

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 9, 2025
  • One of the key principles of fundraising is that you don’t give your donor base a chance to relax, which is to say, you
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Political parties may have their differences, but when it comes to fundraising, they all share the same principles, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

Economic ambush awaits Carney

  • Unfortunately, for the prime minister, when it comes to mending the economy, there are no easy solutions, no quick fixes, no magic answers. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and his wife Diana Fox Carney tour Ottawa's Lansdowne Park with King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 26, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Economic ambush awaits Carney

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2025
  • Unfortunately, for the prime minister, when it comes to mending the economy, there are no easy solutions, no quick fixes, no magic answers. 

Economic ambush awaits Carney

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2025
  • Unfortunately, for the prime minister, when it comes to mending the economy, there are no easy solutions, no quick fixes, no magic answers. 
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and his wife Diana Fox Carney tour Ottawa's Lansdowne Park with King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 26, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Carney’s boomer base

  • Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2025
Generation X: Pierre Poilievre, left, and Mark Carney, are both technically generation Xers, people born between 1965 and 1980. Poilievre was born in 1979 and Carney was born in 1965, but Carney comes across like a boomer, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

Carney’s boomer base

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2025
  • Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider

Carney’s boomer base

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 26, 2025
  • Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider
Generation X: Pierre Poilievre, left, and Mark Carney, are both technically generation Xers, people born between 1965 and 1980. Poilievre was born in 1979 and Carney was born in 1965, but Carney comes across like a boomer, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

New book reappraises Diefenbaker’s legacy

  • Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2025
Former prime minister John Diefenbaker has gotten a raw deal when it comes to his historical reputation, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

New book reappraises Diefenbaker’s legacy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2025
  • Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people. 

New book reappraises Diefenbaker’s legacy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 19, 2025
  • Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people. 
Former prime minister John Diefenbaker has gotten a raw deal when it comes to his historical reputation, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Ford’s embrace of realpolitik

  • If it’s in Doug Ford’s own self-interest to have you as a friend, then he’s your friend; but if it’s in his interest to
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 12, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are not buddies. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Ford’s embrace of realpolitik

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 12, 2025
  • If it’s in Doug Ford’s own self-interest to have you as a friend, then he’s your friend; but if it’s in his interest to

Ford’s embrace of realpolitik

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 12, 2025
  • If it’s in Doug Ford’s own self-interest to have you as a friend, then he’s your friend; but if it’s in his interest to
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are not buddies. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The CPC’s Harper problem

  • The Harper syndrome is weakening the Conservative Party because instead of looking forward, it keeps looking back. It’s hard for a party to advance that
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
Even though former prime minister Stephen Harper has been off the political stage for nearly 10 years now, the memory of his leadership, the force of his personality, and the power of his intellect, still looms over the Conservative Party like a ghostly colossus, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The CPC’s Harper problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
  • The Harper syndrome is weakening the Conservative Party because instead of looking forward, it keeps looking back. It’s hard for a party to advance that

The CPC’s Harper problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
  • The Harper syndrome is weakening the Conservative Party because instead of looking forward, it keeps looking back. It’s hard for a party to advance that
Even though former prime minister Stephen Harper has been off the political stage for nearly 10 years now, the memory of his leadership, the force of his personality, and the power of his intellect, still looms over the Conservative Party like a ghostly colossus, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How to face defeat

  • People vote for parties because they believe in ideas, not because they want Parliament to work better, and fighting to the end is always
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
Green co-Leader Elizabeth May in a Hill scrum on Dec. 3, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How to face defeat

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
  • People vote for parties because they believe in ideas, not because they want Parliament to work better, and fighting to the end is always

How to face defeat

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
  • People vote for parties because they believe in ideas, not because they want Parliament to work better, and fighting to the end is always
Green co-Leader Elizabeth May in a Hill scrum on Dec. 3, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s backseat drivers

  • It’s easy to say things like a campaign should change its messaging or alter its tone, but to do this during an election campaign
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Kory Teneycke, former campaign manager for Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Teneycke recently accused the federal Conservatives of 'campaign malpractice.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Stuart Benson

Poilievre’s backseat drivers

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
  • It’s easy to say things like a campaign should change its messaging or alter its tone, but to do this during an election campaign

Poilievre’s backseat drivers

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
  • It’s easy to say things like a campaign should change its messaging or alter its tone, but to do this during an election campaign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Kory Teneycke, former campaign manager for Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Teneycke recently accused the federal Conservatives of 'campaign malpractice.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Stuart Benson

The theatre of leaders’ debates

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

The theatre of leaders’ debates

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

The theatre of leaders’ debates

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

Controlling the campaign message

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

Controlling the campaign message

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

Controlling the campaign message

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

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

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

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

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

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

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

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

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

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

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

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

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

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

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

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

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

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

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

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

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

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

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

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

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

Singh’s no-win scenario

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

Singh’s no-win scenario

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

Singh’s no-win scenario

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

The Conservative course correction

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

The Conservative course correction

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

The Conservative course correction

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

The paradox of free trade

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

The paradox of free trade

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

The paradox of free trade

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

Freeland’s flaws

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

Freeland’s flaws

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

Freeland’s flaws

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

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

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

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

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

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

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

Time to redefine liberalism

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

Time to redefine liberalism

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

Time to redefine liberalism

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

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

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

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

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

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

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

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

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

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

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

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

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

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

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

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

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

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

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

The importance of internal polls

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

The importance of internal polls

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

The importance of internal polls

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

The politics of climate change are changing

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

The politics of climate change are changing

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

The politics of climate change are changing

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

  • Given all the negative news swirling around Alberta's premier, you’d think she would be an underdog going into the upcoming provincial election. On the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 4, 2023
The political situation facing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith presents an interesting paradox, writes Gerry Nicholls.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Danielle Smith paradox

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 4, 2023
  • Given all the negative news swirling around Alberta's premier, you’d think she would be an underdog going into the upcoming provincial election. On the

The Danielle Smith paradox

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 4, 2023
  • Given all the negative news swirling around Alberta's premier, you’d think she would be an underdog going into the upcoming provincial election. On the
The political situation facing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith presents an interesting paradox, writes Gerry Nicholls.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre: Incredible Hulk or Captain America?

  • It’s possible Pierre Poilievre might overplay his SOB-ness and come across as more menacing than aggressive, which is why he must stay disciplined and
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Captain America, and the Incredible Hulk. If you’re a Liberal, you’ll likely view Poilievre as a rampaging Hulk, but if you’re a Conservative, you’ll likely see him as a Captain America-figure, a righteous avenger who’ll smite their enemies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, and courtesy of Flickr

Poilievre: Incredible Hulk or Captain America?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2023
  • It’s possible Pierre Poilievre might overplay his SOB-ness and come across as more menacing than aggressive, which is why he must stay disciplined and

Poilievre: Incredible Hulk or Captain America?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2023
  • It’s possible Pierre Poilievre might overplay his SOB-ness and come across as more menacing than aggressive, which is why he must stay disciplined and
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Captain America, and the Incredible Hulk. If you’re a Liberal, you’ll likely view Poilievre as a rampaging Hulk, but if you’re a Conservative, you’ll likely see him as a Captain America-figure, a righteous avenger who’ll smite their enemies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, and courtesy of Flickr

Trudeau, climate change and aliens

  • Nationalism will always trump internationalism. That's why polls usually show one of the least popular government programs is foreign aid. Trudeau likely understands this
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 19, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill on April 19, 2023, will emphasize how Canada will become a world leader in green technology, which will ultimately increase both the country’s prosperity and its world-wide prestige. In other words, if you happily pay your carbon tax, you’re a good patriot, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau, climate change and aliens

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 19, 2023
  • Nationalism will always trump internationalism. That's why polls usually show one of the least popular government programs is foreign aid. Trudeau likely understands this

Trudeau, climate change and aliens

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 19, 2023
  • Nationalism will always trump internationalism. That's why polls usually show one of the least popular government programs is foreign aid. Trudeau likely understands this
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on the Hill on April 19, 2023, will emphasize how Canada will become a world leader in green technology, which will ultimately increase both the country’s prosperity and its world-wide prestige. In other words, if you happily pay your carbon tax, you’re a good patriot, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Liberal succession problem

  • Regardless of talent, it will be difficult for anybody to fill Justin Trudeau’s shoes because the Liberal Party has been transformed over the years
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 13, 2023
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eventually decides to exit the political stage (or he’s pushed off it), his Liberal Party could face a serious succession problem, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Liberal succession problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 13, 2023
  • Regardless of talent, it will be difficult for anybody to fill Justin Trudeau’s shoes because the Liberal Party has been transformed over the years

The Liberal succession problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 13, 2023
  • Regardless of talent, it will be difficult for anybody to fill Justin Trudeau’s shoes because the Liberal Party has been transformed over the years
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau eventually decides to exit the political stage (or he’s pushed off it), his Liberal Party could face a serious succession problem, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The myth of a rational budget

  • All I know is politicians would rather please voters than economists. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 5, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured on March 27, 2023, buying her new budget day shoes at Simons at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The myth of a rational budget

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 5, 2023
  • All I know is politicians would rather please voters than economists. 

The myth of a rational budget

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 5, 2023
  • All I know is politicians would rather please voters than economists. 
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured on March 27, 2023, buying her new budget day shoes at Simons at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A new Harperian strategy? 

  • Former prime minister Stephen Harper believes a populist-oriented Conservative Party could stand for its traditional values while at the same time freely rail against
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 29, 2023
Former prime minister Stephen Harper delivers the keynote address at the Canada Strong and Free Networking conference in Ottawa on March 22, 2023. Harper may have retired from Canada’s political ring, but he still knows how to throw a partisan jab, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A new Harperian strategy? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 29, 2023
  • Former prime minister Stephen Harper believes a populist-oriented Conservative Party could stand for its traditional values while at the same time freely rail against

A new Harperian strategy? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 29, 2023
  • Former prime minister Stephen Harper believes a populist-oriented Conservative Party could stand for its traditional values while at the same time freely rail against
Former prime minister Stephen Harper delivers the keynote address at the Canada Strong and Free Networking conference in Ottawa on March 22, 2023. Harper may have retired from Canada’s political ring, but he still knows how to throw a partisan jab, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals have a theory for winning

  • So, what is this Liberal theory for winning? I can’t say for sure, but it will likely be to emphasize Trudeau’s persona, or more specifically
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 23, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If the Conservatives can’t make Poilievre more likeable, their second choice is to make Trudeau seem unlikeable. That’ll require them to come up with a well-crafted, well-researched communication strategy aimed at undermining Trudeau's brand. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Liberals have a theory for winning

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 23, 2023
  • So, what is this Liberal theory for winning? I can’t say for sure, but it will likely be to emphasize Trudeau’s persona, or more specifically

Liberals have a theory for winning

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 23, 2023
  • So, what is this Liberal theory for winning? I can’t say for sure, but it will likely be to emphasize Trudeau’s persona, or more specifically
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If the Conservatives can’t make Poilievre more likeable, their second choice is to make Trudeau seem unlikeable. That’ll require them to come up with a well-crafted, well-researched communication strategy aimed at undermining Trudeau's brand. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Playing the game of attack and counter-attack

  • Justin Trudeau is trying to turn the tables on Pierre Poilievre, he wants to put him on the defensive and put him into a
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 16, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre have been going at it lately—hammer and tong—exchanging insults bordering on the savage. How you view this sort of rough-and-tumble political combat depends on your perspective, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Playing the game of attack and counter-attack

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 16, 2023
  • Justin Trudeau is trying to turn the tables on Pierre Poilievre, he wants to put him on the defensive and put him into a

Playing the game of attack and counter-attack

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 16, 2023
  • Justin Trudeau is trying to turn the tables on Pierre Poilievre, he wants to put him on the defensive and put him into a
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre have been going at it lately—hammer and tong—exchanging insults bordering on the savage. How you view this sort of rough-and-tumble political combat depends on your perspective, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Is ‘Canada’s Broken’ a good slogan?

  • It's concise, it’s straightforward, and it’s easy to understand—all the hallmarks of a great political slogan. But there’s still a big communication problem with
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 8, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre seen recently on the Hill. If Poilievre keeps saying 'Canada is broken,' that the status quo isn’t working, and Trudeau keeps responding with, 'Everything is fine, let’s keep things the way they are', it could work to the Conservative Party’s benefit, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is ‘Canada’s Broken’ a good slogan?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 8, 2023
  • It's concise, it’s straightforward, and it’s easy to understand—all the hallmarks of a great political slogan. But there’s still a big communication problem with

Is ‘Canada’s Broken’ a good slogan?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 8, 2023
  • It's concise, it’s straightforward, and it’s easy to understand—all the hallmarks of a great political slogan. But there’s still a big communication problem with
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre seen recently on the Hill. If Poilievre keeps saying 'Canada is broken,' that the status quo isn’t working, and Trudeau keeps responding with, 'Everything is fine, let’s keep things the way they are', it could work to the Conservative Party’s benefit, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New ‘Cold War’ helps Poilievre

  • Given the aggressive nature of Chinese diplomacy, it’s likely new incidents will occur over the next year or so which will further fuel anxiety
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2023
Pierre Poilievre, pictured recently on the Hill, and his Conservative party can now play the anti-communism card to their base which should absolutely help them both with their fundraising and recruiting efforts, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New ‘Cold War’ helps Poilievre

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2023
  • Given the aggressive nature of Chinese diplomacy, it’s likely new incidents will occur over the next year or so which will further fuel anxiety

New ‘Cold War’ helps Poilievre

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2023
  • Given the aggressive nature of Chinese diplomacy, it’s likely new incidents will occur over the next year or so which will further fuel anxiety
Pierre Poilievre, pictured recently on the Hill, and his Conservative party can now play the anti-communism card to their base which should absolutely help them both with their fundraising and recruiting efforts, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives turn attacks into cash

  • If the Conservative Party of Canada handed out trophies to fundraisers, it would probably award one to CBC President Catherine Tait.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 22, 2023
CBC President Catherine Tait, left, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Soon after Tait criticized him, Polievre declared in a fundraising email, 'The president and CEO of Trudeau’s $1.2-billion propaganda arm, the CBC is now openly attacking me. They’re not even pretending to be unbiased.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservatives turn attacks into cash

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 22, 2023
  • If the Conservative Party of Canada handed out trophies to fundraisers, it would probably award one to CBC President Catherine Tait.

Conservatives turn attacks into cash

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 22, 2023
  • If the Conservative Party of Canada handed out trophies to fundraisers, it would probably award one to CBC President Catherine Tait.
CBC President Catherine Tait, left, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Soon after Tait criticized him, Polievre declared in a fundraising email, 'The president and CEO of Trudeau’s $1.2-billion propaganda arm, the CBC is now openly attacking me. They’re not even pretending to be unbiased.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Singh needs a few sparks

  • Sometimes it just takes a few sparks to get a political bandwagon moving.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2023
New Democratic Leader Jagmeet Singh's party more than doubled its fundraising totals from the previous quarter, raising more than $2.5-million, but the NDP should be publicizing this good financial news, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh needs a few sparks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2023
  • Sometimes it just takes a few sparks to get a political bandwagon moving.

Singh needs a few sparks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2023
  • Sometimes it just takes a few sparks to get a political bandwagon moving.
New Democratic Leader Jagmeet Singh's party more than doubled its fundraising totals from the previous quarter, raising more than $2.5-million, but the NDP should be publicizing this good financial news, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Trudeau and Poilievre won’t play nice

  • The hard political reality of the situation is Pierre Poilievre needs to bash away at Justin Trudeau and Trudeau needs to bash away at
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau and Poilievre will keep insulting each other from now until Election Day. To put it bluntly: if they’re nice, they’ll lose, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Why Trudeau and Poilievre won’t play nice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2023
  • The hard political reality of the situation is Pierre Poilievre needs to bash away at Justin Trudeau and Trudeau needs to bash away at

Why Trudeau and Poilievre won’t play nice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2023
  • The hard political reality of the situation is Pierre Poilievre needs to bash away at Justin Trudeau and Trudeau needs to bash away at
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau and Poilievre will keep insulting each other from now until Election Day. To put it bluntly: if they’re nice, they’ll lose, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

How polls help parties plan policy

  • I recently turned down a chance to participate in a phone survey dealing with federal politics, a decision I almost instantly regretted. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 2, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

How polls help parties plan policy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 2, 2023
  • I recently turned down a chance to participate in a phone survey dealing with federal politics, a decision I almost instantly regretted. 

How polls help parties plan policy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 2, 2023
  • I recently turned down a chance to participate in a phone survey dealing with federal politics, a decision I almost instantly regretted. 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

It’s better for Singh to be Singh

  • To be successful, a politician has to be real. That’s to say if a politician tries to be something he or she isn’t, it
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2023
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on the Hill. New Democrat strategists should focus on addressing Singh’s true political vulnerabilities, argues Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s better for Singh to be Singh

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2023
  • To be successful, a politician has to be real. That’s to say if a politician tries to be something he or she isn’t, it

It’s better for Singh to be Singh

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2023
  • To be successful, a politician has to be real. That’s to say if a politician tries to be something he or she isn’t, it
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on the Hill. New Democrat strategists should focus on addressing Singh’s true political vulnerabilities, argues Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Politics and the five-issue clusters

  • In a tight race, other issues could play a pivotal part in deciding who wins and who loses. Maybe a new slogan should be: 'It’s
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Co-Leader Elizabeth May. The next federal election will be won by whichever political party puts together a campaign which best reflects that famous slogan, 'It’s the economy, stupid.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Politics and the five-issue clusters

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 18, 2023
  • In a tight race, other issues could play a pivotal part in deciding who wins and who loses. Maybe a new slogan should be: 'It’s

Politics and the five-issue clusters

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 18, 2023
  • In a tight race, other issues could play a pivotal part in deciding who wins and who loses. Maybe a new slogan should be: 'It’s
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Co-Leader Elizabeth May. The next federal election will be won by whichever political party puts together a campaign which best reflects that famous slogan, 'It’s the economy, stupid.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Trudeau’s ‘boredom’ problem

  • If Canadians are simply bored of Justin Trudeau, he still has a path to victory. But if Canadians are bored of Trudeau and also think
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2023
A Nanos poll came out recently which seemed to have bad news for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Indeed, according to this poll, just over half of Canadians (51 per cent) want the Liberals to dump Trudeau as their leader before the next federal election.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s ‘boredom’ problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2023
  • If Canadians are simply bored of Justin Trudeau, he still has a path to victory. But if Canadians are bored of Trudeau and also think

Trudeau’s ‘boredom’ problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2023
  • If Canadians are simply bored of Justin Trudeau, he still has a path to victory. But if Canadians are bored of Trudeau and also think
A Nanos poll came out recently which seemed to have bad news for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Indeed, according to this poll, just over half of Canadians (51 per cent) want the Liberals to dump Trudeau as their leader before the next federal election.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Notley’s policy gambit

  • Anyone who’s expecting the Alberta election to be a battle of policy platforms will be sorely disappointed.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 4, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, will face off against Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley in the provincial election this spring. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright and courtesy of Flickr

Notley’s policy gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 4, 2023
  • Anyone who’s expecting the Alberta election to be a battle of policy platforms will be sorely disappointed.

Notley’s policy gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 4, 2023
  • Anyone who’s expecting the Alberta election to be a battle of policy platforms will be sorely disappointed.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, will face off against Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley in the provincial election this spring. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright and courtesy of Flickr

Harper’s ideals live on

  • The Canadian Alliance Stephen Harper, not the Conservative Harper, exuded ideological fervour, which mobilized the conservative base. And right now, the conservative base needs mobilizing. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2022
Stephen Harper, pictured campaigning in New Brunswick in the 2015 federal election. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has branded himself as conservatism’s true champion and as an adamant foe of wishy-washy Red Toryism, seems to be taking a page out of Canadian Alliance Harper’s playbook, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Harper’s ideals live on

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2022
  • The Canadian Alliance Stephen Harper, not the Conservative Harper, exuded ideological fervour, which mobilized the conservative base. And right now, the conservative base needs mobilizing. 

Harper’s ideals live on

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2022
  • The Canadian Alliance Stephen Harper, not the Conservative Harper, exuded ideological fervour, which mobilized the conservative base. And right now, the conservative base needs mobilizing. 
Stephen Harper, pictured campaigning in New Brunswick in the 2015 federal election. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has branded himself as conservatism’s true champion and as an adamant foe of wishy-washy Red Toryism, seems to be taking a page out of Canadian Alliance Harper’s playbook, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problem with applause lines

  • Message discipline should always trump the urge to score with applause lines. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2022
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May recently landed in some hot water after she attempted an applause line.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problem with applause lines

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2022
  • Message discipline should always trump the urge to score with applause lines. 

The problem with applause lines

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2022
  • Message discipline should always trump the urge to score with applause lines. 
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May recently landed in some hot water after she attempted an applause line.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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