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Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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Les Whittington

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

  • All the countries sending athletes to next year’s event have been struggling with the damage caused by Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Prime Minister Mark Carney participate in the FIFA World Cup drawing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 10, 2025
  • All the countries sending athletes to next year’s event have been struggling with the damage caused by Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 10, 2025
  • All the countries sending athletes to next year’s event have been struggling with the damage caused by Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Donald Trump
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Prime Minister Mark Carney participate in the FIFA World Cup drawing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

  • The decision to put the possibility of a pipeline back in the national conversation marks a seismic shift in the Liberals’ approach to climate
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking to lessen the binary choices on the environment and conventional energy development, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 3, 2025
  • The decision to put the possibility of a pipeline back in the national conversation marks a seismic shift in the Liberals’ approach to climate

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 3, 2025
  • The decision to put the possibility of a pipeline back in the national conversation marks a seismic shift in the Liberals’ approach to climate
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking to lessen the binary choices on the environment and conventional energy development, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With even Conservatives conspiring to pass Carney’s budget, PM turns attention to the wider world

  • The prime minister is engaged in a series of strikingly ambitious undertakings from leveraging Canada’s status as a global middle power to launching a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 26, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been going ahead with what has to be called a top-to-bottom renovation of Canada’s economic posture and place in the world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

With even Conservatives conspiring to pass Carney’s budget, PM turns attention to the wider world

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 26, 2025
  • The prime minister is engaged in a series of strikingly ambitious undertakings from leveraging Canada’s status as a global middle power to launching a

With even Conservatives conspiring to pass Carney’s budget, PM turns attention to the wider world

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 26, 2025
  • The prime minister is engaged in a series of strikingly ambitious undertakings from leveraging Canada’s status as a global middle power to launching a
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been going ahead with what has to be called a top-to-bottom renovation of Canada’s economic posture and place in the world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

  • It is clear that the upward pressure on prices exerted by Donald Trump’s tariffs is becoming a political liability for the United States president.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 19, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently broke with his usual patter by admitting tariffs may ‘in some cases’ drive up consumer prices, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 19, 2025
  • It is clear that the upward pressure on prices exerted by Donald Trump’s tariffs is becoming a political liability for the United States president.

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 19, 2025
  • It is clear that the upward pressure on prices exerted by Donald Trump’s tariffs is becoming a political liability for the United States president.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently broke with his usual patter by admitting tariffs may ‘in some cases’ drive up consumer prices, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Pierre Poilievre may be done

  • The Conservative leader has shown no inclination or ability to temper his highly polarized style, which makes his chances in the next election appear
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 12, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
If the turmoil in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reached the point where MPs who might be considering defecting are getting threats to destroy their futures, as has been widely reported, it’s obvious that the leader is in serious trouble, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pierre Poilievre may be done

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 12, 2025
  • The Conservative leader has shown no inclination or ability to temper his highly polarized style, which makes his chances in the next election appear

Pierre Poilievre may be done

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 12, 2025
  • The Conservative leader has shown no inclination or ability to temper his highly polarized style, which makes his chances in the next election appear
Pierre Poilievre
If the turmoil in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reached the point where MPs who might be considering defecting are getting threats to destroy their futures, as has been widely reported, it’s obvious that the leader is in serious trouble, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney rewrites the Liberals’ vision in a pro-growth budget for a post-NAFTA era

  • The historic budget will forever mark the end of Canada’s era of economic integration over 75 years with its erstwhile U.S. ally.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 4, 2025
The budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne embodies a business-focused, expansionist strategy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney rewrites the Liberals’ vision in a pro-growth budget for a post-NAFTA era

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 4, 2025
  • The historic budget will forever mark the end of Canada’s era of economic integration over 75 years with its erstwhile U.S. ally.

Carney rewrites the Liberals’ vision in a pro-growth budget for a post-NAFTA era

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 4, 2025
  • The historic budget will forever mark the end of Canada’s era of economic integration over 75 years with its erstwhile U.S. ally.
The budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne embodies a business-focused, expansionist strategy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Outrage sells: with Poilievre, it’s got nothing to do with attracting moderates

  • It doesn’t matter about the facts or reality involved. It’s all about the media attention a stunt generates.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 29, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is well aware that in today’s social media-driven political ecosphere, outrage sells, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Outrage sells: with Poilievre, it’s got nothing to do with attracting moderates

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 29, 2025
  • It doesn’t matter about the facts or reality involved. It’s all about the media attention a stunt generates.

Outrage sells: with Poilievre, it’s got nothing to do with attracting moderates

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 29, 2025
  • It doesn’t matter about the facts or reality involved. It’s all about the media attention a stunt generates.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is well aware that in today’s social media-driven political ecosphere, outrage sells, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Remaking Canada at warp speed: Nov. 4 will be a budget like no other

  • The Liberals have been left to draw up a budget package in the midst of the destruction of the trade relationship that is the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 22, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
In his first budget, Prime Minister Mark Carney has on his shoulders a collective task that surpasses the long-term challenges undertaken by a single prime minister in decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Remaking Canada at warp speed: Nov. 4 will be a budget like no other

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 22, 2025
  • The Liberals have been left to draw up a budget package in the midst of the destruction of the trade relationship that is the

Remaking Canada at warp speed: Nov. 4 will be a budget like no other

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 22, 2025
  • The Liberals have been left to draw up a budget package in the midst of the destruction of the trade relationship that is the
Mark Carney
In his first budget, Prime Minister Mark Carney has on his shoulders a collective task that surpasses the long-term challenges undertaken by a single prime minister in decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s always do or die on budget day

  • Budgets have always tended to be historical markers that stood as a defining or make-or-break moment for federal governments.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 15, 2025
As finance ministers, the likes of John Crosbie, left, Allan MacEachen, Jim Flaherty, and Chrystia Freeland all had to plant their respective governments’ flagpoles. Photographs courtesy of Library and Archives Canada and The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright and Andrew Meade

It’s always do or die on budget day

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 15, 2025
  • Budgets have always tended to be historical markers that stood as a defining or make-or-break moment for federal governments.

It’s always do or die on budget day

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 15, 2025
  • Budgets have always tended to be historical markers that stood as a defining or make-or-break moment for federal governments.
As finance ministers, the likes of John Crosbie, left, Allan MacEachen, Jim Flaherty, and Chrystia Freeland all had to plant their respective governments’ flagpoles. Photographs courtesy of Library and Archives Canada and The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright and Andrew Meade

A crisis in search of a cause: Smith brandishes unity issue in dangerous new pipeline gambit

  • Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made it clear she would see anything but a go-ahead from Ottawa as a powerful accelerant for the smouldering Alberta
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 8, 2025
Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith
Asking the Liberals to scrap one of their signature environmental policies is just a political stunt, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith seems to see her move as a win-win, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A crisis in search of a cause: Smith brandishes unity issue in dangerous new pipeline gambit

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 8, 2025
  • Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made it clear she would see anything but a go-ahead from Ottawa as a powerful accelerant for the smouldering Alberta

A crisis in search of a cause: Smith brandishes unity issue in dangerous new pipeline gambit

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 8, 2025
  • Alberta Premier Danielle Smith made it clear she would see anything but a go-ahead from Ottawa as a powerful accelerant for the smouldering Alberta
Danielle Smith
Asking the Liberals to scrap one of their signature environmental policies is just a political stunt, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith seems to see her move as a win-win, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

At the UN, Zelenskyy urges action to avert a world of war

  • In his Sept. 24 UN General Assembly address, the Ukrainian president gave a stark warning about the collapse of international law.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 1, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the UN General Assembly on Sept. 24. Photograph courtesy of the Office of the President of Ukraine

At the UN, Zelenskyy urges action to avert a world of war

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 1, 2025
  • In his Sept. 24 UN General Assembly address, the Ukrainian president gave a stark warning about the collapse of international law.

At the UN, Zelenskyy urges action to avert a world of war

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 1, 2025
  • In his Sept. 24 UN General Assembly address, the Ukrainian president gave a stark warning about the collapse of international law.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the UN General Assembly on Sept. 24. Photograph courtesy of the Office of the President of Ukraine

Waiting for the truckers to come back

  • A great deal has changed in federal politics in a few months, but Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre? Not so much.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 24, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership review this winter, so we shouldn't assume he'll suddenly begin prioritizing moderate, incremental, and fact-based politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Waiting for the truckers to come back

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 24, 2025
  • A great deal has changed in federal politics in a few months, but Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre? Not so much.

Waiting for the truckers to come back

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 24, 2025
  • A great deal has changed in federal politics in a few months, but Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre? Not so much.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership review this winter, so we shouldn't assume he'll suddenly begin prioritizing moderate, incremental, and fact-based politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

  • If we are going to succeed in the historic task of reinventing our economic culture, it will take hitherto unknown co-operation, compromise, and good-faith
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 17, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney makes a housing announcement in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14. Carney has set out a roadmap for the biggest upheaval in this country’s economic life in many decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 17, 2025
  • If we are going to succeed in the historic task of reinventing our economic culture, it will take hitherto unknown co-operation, compromise, and good-faith

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 17, 2025
  • If we are going to succeed in the historic task of reinventing our economic culture, it will take hitherto unknown co-operation, compromise, and good-faith
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney makes a housing announcement in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14. Carney has set out a roadmap for the biggest upheaval in this country’s economic life in many decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

  • There is no reason to think a Poilievre government wouldn’t find ways to seriously weaken the country's social programs.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 10, 2025
Ken Dryden
Ken Dryden
As minister of social development, Ken Dryden laid the groundwork for the Liberals’ early learning and childcare plan, which was the most important Canadian social program since medicare, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 10, 2025
  • There is no reason to think a Poilievre government wouldn’t find ways to seriously weaken the country's social programs.

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 10, 2025
  • There is no reason to think a Poilievre government wouldn’t find ways to seriously weaken the country's social programs.
Ken Dryden
As minister of social development, Ken Dryden laid the groundwork for the Liberals’ early learning and childcare plan, which was the most important Canadian social program since medicare, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Putin’s gulling of Trump a historic setback for Ukraine and the world’s democracies

  • The Aug. 15 meeting gave Russia the green light to continue its invasion without worrying too much about Washington intervening in a major way
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 3, 2025
It’s clear that U.S. President Donald Trump, right, has decided that it’s up to somebody else to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin’s obsession with wiping out Ukraine and other in eastern Europe, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Putin’s gulling of Trump a historic setback for Ukraine and the world’s democracies

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 3, 2025
  • The Aug. 15 meeting gave Russia the green light to continue its invasion without worrying too much about Washington intervening in a major way

Putin’s gulling of Trump a historic setback for Ukraine and the world’s democracies

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 3, 2025
  • The Aug. 15 meeting gave Russia the green light to continue its invasion without worrying too much about Washington intervening in a major way
It’s clear that U.S. President Donald Trump, right, has decided that it’s up to somebody else to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin’s obsession with wiping out Ukraine and other in eastern Europe, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

A world without principles

  • The commitment to democracy and individual rights has been and continues to be badly eroded, in part because of U.S. regression under its current
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 30, 2025
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The horrors being visited on the people of Gaza are one of the most grievous of the many atrocities consistent with a world increasingly steered by rights-ignoring leaders, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

A world without principles

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 30, 2025
  • The commitment to democracy and individual rights has been and continues to be badly eroded, in part because of U.S. regression under its current

A world without principles

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 30, 2025
  • The commitment to democracy and individual rights has been and continues to be badly eroded, in part because of U.S. regression under its current
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The horrors being visited on the people of Gaza are one of the most grievous of the many atrocities consistent with a world increasingly steered by rights-ignoring leaders, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Disconnect on Canada-U.S. trade as CUSMA eludes Trump menace

  • The continuation of the broad CUSMA exemption is still a significant positive development for this country in the context of the full-blown trade war
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Unsurprisingly, with Ottawa’s negotiations with the U.S. taking place behind closed doors, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his ministers aren’t saying a lot about CUSMA’s status, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Disconnect on Canada-U.S. trade as CUSMA eludes Trump menace

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 23, 2025
  • The continuation of the broad CUSMA exemption is still a significant positive development for this country in the context of the full-blown trade war

Disconnect on Canada-U.S. trade as CUSMA eludes Trump menace

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 23, 2025
  • The continuation of the broad CUSMA exemption is still a significant positive development for this country in the context of the full-blown trade war
Mark Carney
Unsurprisingly, with Ottawa’s negotiations with the U.S. taking place behind closed doors, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his ministers aren’t saying a lot about CUSMA’s status, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Has Trump realized Putin was making a fool out of him on the world stage?

  • The Russian leader’s ability to hoodwink the American former reality show host has been a constant element of Trump’s actuality for more than a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 16, 2025
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have finally changed his tune on the Russians because Russian President Vladimir Putin has run circles around the self-appointed great dealmaker, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Has Trump realized Putin was making a fool out of him on the world stage?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 16, 2025
  • The Russian leader’s ability to hoodwink the American former reality show host has been a constant element of Trump’s actuality for more than a

Has Trump realized Putin was making a fool out of him on the world stage?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 16, 2025
  • The Russian leader’s ability to hoodwink the American former reality show host has been a constant element of Trump’s actuality for more than a
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have finally changed his tune on the Russians because Russian President Vladimir Putin has run circles around the self-appointed great dealmaker, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Canada today: an exporting country in a trade-compromised world

  • For all the effort towards building new overseas trade relationships, the prospects for an outward-focused nation like Canada—where exports account for 34 per cent
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 9, 2025
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. The reordering of Canadian export options is taking place in a world of increasing anti-globalization, splintering trade frameworks, and deteriorating supply chains, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada today: an exporting country in a trade-compromised world

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 9, 2025
  • For all the effort towards building new overseas trade relationships, the prospects for an outward-focused nation like Canada—where exports account for 34 per cent

Canada today: an exporting country in a trade-compromised world

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 9, 2025
  • For all the effort towards building new overseas trade relationships, the prospects for an outward-focused nation like Canada—where exports account for 34 per cent
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. The reordering of Canadian export options is taking place in a world of increasing anti-globalization, splintering trade frameworks, and deteriorating supply chains, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The failed $5-billion program the feds can’t shake

  • With the deployment of 200 people and the use of AI in some instances, the Phoenix backlog is gradually coming under control, but a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada in whose lap this mess has landed, estimated on June 23 that the cost of fixing and replacing Phoenix would be $5.1-billion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The failed $5-billion program the feds can’t shake

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
  • With the deployment of 200 people and the use of AI in some instances, the Phoenix backlog is gradually coming under control, but a

The failed $5-billion program the feds can’t shake

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
  • With the deployment of 200 people and the use of AI in some instances, the Phoenix backlog is gradually coming under control, but a
Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada in whose lap this mess has landed, estimated on June 23 that the cost of fixing and replacing Phoenix would be $5.1-billion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney blows the roof off inertia-bound Ottawa, but there’s no guarantee of success

  • Canada’s highly decentralized federation requires time, energy, and good fortune to reach consensus.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney
It remains to be seen whether Prime Minister Mark Carney's government can make all this work in a timeframe that complies with his refreshing, unconventional campaign to rapidly bring the country together to start building a stronger, more independent economy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney blows the roof off inertia-bound Ottawa, but there’s no guarantee of success

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 25, 2025
  • Canada’s highly decentralized federation requires time, energy, and good fortune to reach consensus.

Carney blows the roof off inertia-bound Ottawa, but there’s no guarantee of success

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 25, 2025
  • Canada’s highly decentralized federation requires time, energy, and good fortune to reach consensus.
Prime Minister Mark Carney
It remains to be seen whether Prime Minister Mark Carney's government can make all this work in a timeframe that complies with his refreshing, unconventional campaign to rapidly bring the country together to start building a stronger, more independent economy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

That’s what dictators do

  • This plunge into totalitarian-style histrionics is just a minor manifestation of the upheaval in public norms radiating across the U.S. from Trump’s White House.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 18, 2025
Only five months into his new term, U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed moved quite a ways down the road to his own version of one-man rule, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

That’s what dictators do

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 18, 2025
  • This plunge into totalitarian-style histrionics is just a minor manifestation of the upheaval in public norms radiating across the U.S. from Trump’s White House.

That’s what dictators do

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 18, 2025
  • This plunge into totalitarian-style histrionics is just a minor manifestation of the upheaval in public norms radiating across the U.S. from Trump’s White House.
Only five months into his new term, U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed moved quite a ways down the road to his own version of one-man rule, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Visions of a gold rush in expanded oil exports fly in the face of a decades-old reality

  • The potential for a conduit to load oil tankers in the dangerous waters of the northern B.C. coast actually ended more than three decades
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 11, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith would have been in her late teens when the Exxon Valdez forever changed the public attitude on pipelines on B.C.’s northern coast, so maybe she didn’t pay much attention, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Jim Brickett

Visions of a gold rush in expanded oil exports fly in the face of a decades-old reality

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 11, 2025
  • The potential for a conduit to load oil tankers in the dangerous waters of the northern B.C. coast actually ended more than three decades

Visions of a gold rush in expanded oil exports fly in the face of a decades-old reality

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 11, 2025
  • The potential for a conduit to load oil tankers in the dangerous waters of the northern B.C. coast actually ended more than three decades
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith would have been in her late teens when the Exxon Valdez forever changed the public attitude on pipelines on B.C.’s northern coast, so maybe she didn’t pay much attention, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Jim Brickett

Election? What election?

  • The Conservatives seem to be trying to juggle the need to be constructive during a national crisis, and the belief that they got cheated
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 4, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
One might indeed be forgiven for thinking Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a bit focused on the rear-view mirror, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Election? What election?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 4, 2025
  • The Conservatives seem to be trying to juggle the need to be constructive during a national crisis, and the belief that they got cheated

Election? What election?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 4, 2025
  • The Conservatives seem to be trying to juggle the need to be constructive during a national crisis, and the belief that they got cheated
Pierre Poilievre
One might indeed be forgiven for thinking Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a bit focused on the rear-view mirror, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In 50 years, the G7’s never had a summit like the one Carney is hosting next month

  • It’s hard to imagine how the stakes could be higher in the midst of the U.S. president's economic warfare against most of the other
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 28, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s last trip to Canada was for the G7 Leaders’ Summit in 2018. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

In 50 years, the G7’s never had a summit like the one Carney is hosting next month

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 28, 2025
  • It’s hard to imagine how the stakes could be higher in the midst of the U.S. president's economic warfare against most of the other

In 50 years, the G7’s never had a summit like the one Carney is hosting next month

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 28, 2025
  • It’s hard to imagine how the stakes could be higher in the midst of the U.S. president's economic warfare against most of the other
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s last trip to Canada was for the G7 Leaders’ Summit in 2018. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Unchartable as ever: Canada’s future still up in the air as Trump juggles his trade strategy

  • Canada needs some kind of breakthrough soon because the combination of existing tariffs and the uncertainty from Trump’s tariff shell game has this country
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 21, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be entering into a more difficult phase in his unorthodox economic project, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Unchartable as ever: Canada’s future still up in the air as Trump juggles his trade strategy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 21, 2025
  • Canada needs some kind of breakthrough soon because the combination of existing tariffs and the uncertainty from Trump’s tariff shell game has this country

Unchartable as ever: Canada’s future still up in the air as Trump juggles his trade strategy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 21, 2025
  • Canada needs some kind of breakthrough soon because the combination of existing tariffs and the uncertainty from Trump’s tariff shell game has this country
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be entering into a more difficult phase in his unorthodox economic project, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

  • The Alberta premier and Conservative leader’s regular excoriations of Ottawa policy never seem to contain a reference to Trans Mountain.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 14, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly stated he's willing to adopt a new approach to energy development, combining increased conventional oil production with climate mitigation tactics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 14, 2025
  • The Alberta premier and Conservative leader’s regular excoriations of Ottawa policy never seem to contain a reference to Trans Mountain.

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 14, 2025
  • The Alberta premier and Conservative leader’s regular excoriations of Ottawa policy never seem to contain a reference to Trans Mountain.
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly stated he's willing to adopt a new approach to energy development, combining increased conventional oil production with climate mitigation tactics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Hungary cranks up anti-immigrant populism, jeopardizing EU stability

  • OTTAWA—Of all the indignities and blows the European unity project has suffered in recent years, the most galling has to be the decisive re-election
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 11, 2018
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is now in his third straight term in power, after having won an April 8 election. Photograph courtesy of the European People's Party

Hungary cranks up anti-immigrant populism, jeopardizing EU stability

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 11, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Of all the indignities and blows the European unity project has suffered in recent years, the most galling has to be the decisive re-election

Hungary cranks up anti-immigrant populism, jeopardizing EU stability

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 11, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Of all the indignities and blows the European unity project has suffered in recent years, the most galling has to be the decisive re-election
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is now in his third straight term in power, after having won an April 8 election. Photograph courtesy of the European People's Party

Vimy: a reminder to the world of the senselessness of war

  • VIMY RIDGE, FRANCE—It all started on April 9 at 5:30 a.m., now 101 years ago. After weeks of furious preparation intended to give the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 4, 2018
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. Last year marked 100 years since the First World War fight in which nearly 3,600 Canadians died. Photograph courtesy of openroads.com

Vimy: a reminder to the world of the senselessness of war

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 4, 2018
  • VIMY RIDGE, FRANCE—It all started on April 9 at 5:30 a.m., now 101 years ago. After weeks of furious preparation intended to give the

Vimy: a reminder to the world of the senselessness of war

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 4, 2018
  • VIMY RIDGE, FRANCE—It all started on April 9 at 5:30 a.m., now 101 years ago. After weeks of furious preparation intended to give the
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. Last year marked 100 years since the First World War fight in which nearly 3,600 Canadians died. Photograph courtesy of openroads.com

U.K. careens into economic, political unknown as time runs short on Brexit

  • OTTAWA—Euroskeptics are worried that British Prime Minister Theresa May will allow her country’s historic Brexit endeavour to degrade into nothing more than Brino. An
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 21, 2018
U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking in the House of Commons foyer during a September 2017 visit to Canada, faces backlash from Brexit hardliners in her divided caucus if she doesn't commit to a strong break from the EU. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

U.K. careens into economic, political unknown as time runs short on Brexit

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 21, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Euroskeptics are worried that British Prime Minister Theresa May will allow her country’s historic Brexit endeavour to degrade into nothing more than Brino. An

U.K. careens into economic, political unknown as time runs short on Brexit

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 21, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Euroskeptics are worried that British Prime Minister Theresa May will allow her country’s historic Brexit endeavour to degrade into nothing more than Brino. An
U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, speaking in the House of Commons foyer during a September 2017 visit to Canada, faces backlash from Brexit hardliners in her divided caucus if she doesn't commit to a strong break from the EU. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Donald Trump and the strange case of the populist disconnect

  • OTTAWA—Steve Verheul, a seasoned and usually circumspect Canadian trade negotiator, recently told an audience in Ottawa that the current talks on NAFTA bringing Canada,
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 14, 2018
One consulting firm estimated that while U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs could create about 33,000 jobs in the steel and aluminum sectors, they would cost 179,000 throughout the rest of the economy. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Donald Trump and the strange case of the populist disconnect

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 14, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Steve Verheul, a seasoned and usually circumspect Canadian trade negotiator, recently told an audience in Ottawa that the current talks on NAFTA bringing Canada,

Donald Trump and the strange case of the populist disconnect

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 14, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Steve Verheul, a seasoned and usually circumspect Canadian trade negotiator, recently told an audience in Ottawa that the current talks on NAFTA bringing Canada,
One consulting firm estimated that while U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs could create about 33,000 jobs in the steel and aluminum sectors, they would cost 179,000 throughout the rest of the economy. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Liberals are right to leave the deficit fixation behind

  • OTTAWA—It was Paul Martin, in full Mr. Dithers mode, who some 20 years ago explicitly adopted the idea of a contingency fund in budget
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 7, 2018
Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s third budget was a ‘fairly tame effort,’ writes Les Whittington, without using up too much of the fiscal ammunition the Liberals may want to roll out in advance of the 2019 campaign. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals are right to leave the deficit fixation behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 7, 2018
  • OTTAWA—It was Paul Martin, in full Mr. Dithers mode, who some 20 years ago explicitly adopted the idea of a contingency fund in budget

Liberals are right to leave the deficit fixation behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 7, 2018
  • OTTAWA—It was Paul Martin, in full Mr. Dithers mode, who some 20 years ago explicitly adopted the idea of a contingency fund in budget
Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s third budget was a ‘fairly tame effort,’ writes Les Whittington, without using up too much of the fiscal ammunition the Liberals may want to roll out in advance of the 2019 campaign. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals set their pre-election machine in motion with generous, progressive-themed budget

  • OTTAWA—The Liberals began laying the groundwork for next year’s re-election campaign with a wide-ranging budget package built around billions of dollars of new funding
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2018
Finance Minister Bill Morneau addresses the media during the Budget 2018 lock-up. The finance minister took credit for the country’s current economic strength, linking it to spending in the government’s first two budgets, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals set their pre-election machine in motion with generous, progressive-themed budget

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2018
  • OTTAWA—The Liberals began laying the groundwork for next year’s re-election campaign with a wide-ranging budget package built around billions of dollars of new funding

Liberals set their pre-election machine in motion with generous, progressive-themed budget

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2018
  • OTTAWA—The Liberals began laying the groundwork for next year’s re-election campaign with a wide-ranging budget package built around billions of dollars of new funding
Finance Minister Bill Morneau addresses the media during the Budget 2018 lock-up. The finance minister took credit for the country’s current economic strength, linking it to spending in the government’s first two budgets, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

NDP on hold as Singh era takes shape

  • OTTAWA—Nearly two years after Thomas Mulcair got caught between Alberta oil workers and anti-energy activists, costing him the NDP leadership, the party is still
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2018
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh speaks at the party's 2018 national policy convention in Ottawa on Feb. 17. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

NDP on hold as Singh era takes shape

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Nearly two years after Thomas Mulcair got caught between Alberta oil workers and anti-energy activists, costing him the NDP leadership, the party is still

NDP on hold as Singh era takes shape

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Nearly two years after Thomas Mulcair got caught between Alberta oil workers and anti-energy activists, costing him the NDP leadership, the party is still
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh speaks at the party's 2018 national policy convention in Ottawa on Feb. 17. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Expect Liberal budget to focus on science, women’s role in economy

  • OTTAWA—Thomas Mulcair got it right a few years back when, commenting on the approach of Stephen Harper’s government to the role of science in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2018
‘The previous government dug a big hole; it’s going to take time to fix,' said Science Minister Kirsty Duncan at a November speech at the Canadian Science Policy Conference. The Liberal government is expected to boost fundamental science funding in its 2018 budget. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Expect Liberal budget to focus on science, women’s role in economy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Thomas Mulcair got it right a few years back when, commenting on the approach of Stephen Harper’s government to the role of science in

Expect Liberal budget to focus on science, women’s role in economy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Thomas Mulcair got it right a few years back when, commenting on the approach of Stephen Harper’s government to the role of science in
‘The previous government dug a big hole; it’s going to take time to fix,' said Science Minister Kirsty Duncan at a November speech at the Canadian Science Policy Conference. The Liberal government is expected to boost fundamental science funding in its 2018 budget. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Trudeau has defied expectations, but the next two years may only get tougher

  • OTTAWA—Toward the end of the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau was chatting with reporters on the tarmac near his chartered Liberal aircraft when someone
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2018
While the government's performance—and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's— has been pretty bumpy at times, the Liberals have benefitted from a rebounding economy and the PM's image as a relentless champion of Canada's better possibilities, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau has defied expectations, but the next two years may only get tougher

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Toward the end of the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau was chatting with reporters on the tarmac near his chartered Liberal aircraft when someone

Trudeau has defied expectations, but the next two years may only get tougher

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Toward the end of the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau was chatting with reporters on the tarmac near his chartered Liberal aircraft when someone
While the government's performance—and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's— has been pretty bumpy at times, the Liberals have benefitted from a rebounding economy and the PM's image as a relentless champion of Canada's better possibilities, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For Cuba, it’s the calm before (and after) the storm

  • CAYO COCO, Cuba—Uprooted mangrove thickets are still piled up behind the beaches along Cuba’s north coast, interspersed with shards of concrete and steel and
News | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 31, 2018
Cuba's presidency is expected to be passed to vice-president Miguel Díaz-Canel, pictured centre, after Raúl Castro, 86, opts for retirement in April. Photograph courtesy of El Salvador's president's office

For Cuba, it’s the calm before (and after) the storm

News | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 31, 2018
  • CAYO COCO, Cuba—Uprooted mangrove thickets are still piled up behind the beaches along Cuba’s north coast, interspersed with shards of concrete and steel and

For Cuba, it’s the calm before (and after) the storm

News | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 31, 2018
  • CAYO COCO, Cuba—Uprooted mangrove thickets are still piled up behind the beaches along Cuba’s north coast, interspersed with shards of concrete and steel and
Cuba's presidency is expected to be passed to vice-president Miguel Díaz-Canel, pictured centre, after Raúl Castro, 86, opts for retirement in April. Photograph courtesy of El Salvador's president's office

Trump, the first Twit-tator, enabling tyrants worldwide

  • OTTAWA—Donald Trump, the first Twit-tator, is changing the world, whether we like it or not. Backed by the malleable and undiscerning base he energizes
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 24, 2018
A new Human Rights Watch report is a scathing review of the first 12 months of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Trump, the first Twit-tator, enabling tyrants worldwide

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 24, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Donald Trump, the first Twit-tator, is changing the world, whether we like it or not. Backed by the malleable and undiscerning base he energizes

Trump, the first Twit-tator, enabling tyrants worldwide

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 24, 2018
  • OTTAWA—Donald Trump, the first Twit-tator, is changing the world, whether we like it or not. Backed by the malleable and undiscerning base he energizes
A new Human Rights Watch report is a scathing review of the first 12 months of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Democrats would be lucky to have Oprah as a candidate

  • OTTAWA—It’s fascinating, in the eruption of excitement over a possible United States presidential run by Oprah Winfrey, to hear the cognoscenti prattling on about
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2018
Then-U.S. president Barack Obama awards the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom to former talk-show host Oprah Winfrey. After a powerful Golden Globes speech this month, her name is being floated as a potential presidential nominee for the Democrats. White House photograph by Lawrence Jackson

Democrats would be lucky to have Oprah as a candidate

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2018
  • OTTAWA—It’s fascinating, in the eruption of excitement over a possible United States presidential run by Oprah Winfrey, to hear the cognoscenti prattling on about

Democrats would be lucky to have Oprah as a candidate

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2018
  • OTTAWA—It’s fascinating, in the eruption of excitement over a possible United States presidential run by Oprah Winfrey, to hear the cognoscenti prattling on about
Then-U.S. president Barack Obama awards the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom to former talk-show host Oprah Winfrey. After a powerful Golden Globes speech this month, her name is being floated as a potential presidential nominee for the Democrats. White House photograph by Lawrence Jackson

Greed is not a social policy

  • OTTAWA—When the CBC sought comment about efforts by Tim Hortons heirs Ron Joyce Jr. and Jeri Lynn Horton-Joyce to recoup benefits from employees soon
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2018
Tim Hortons has traditionally been a safe space for politicians to show they're in touch with down-to-earth Canadians and small businesses. But the small-business mythology, at least as it applies to Tim Hortons, is becoming tattered now that the chain is controlled by a hard-nosed Brazilian buy-out king known for brutally cutting costs and jobs at acquired companies, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Michael Gil

Greed is not a social policy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2018
  • OTTAWA—When the CBC sought comment about efforts by Tim Hortons heirs Ron Joyce Jr. and Jeri Lynn Horton-Joyce to recoup benefits from employees soon

Greed is not a social policy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2018
  • OTTAWA—When the CBC sought comment about efforts by Tim Hortons heirs Ron Joyce Jr. and Jeri Lynn Horton-Joyce to recoup benefits from employees soon
Tim Hortons has traditionally been a safe space for politicians to show they're in touch with down-to-earth Canadians and small businesses. But the small-business mythology, at least as it applies to Tim Hortons, is becoming tattered now that the chain is controlled by a hard-nosed Brazilian buy-out king known for brutally cutting costs and jobs at acquired companies, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Michael Gil

Future focused: Canadians need to re-evaluate American ties in the age of Trump

  • OTTAWA—Even before President Donald Trump’s latest invocation of his “America First” thinking, it was clear the close relationship with the United States that has
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 20, 2017
The United States and Canada, under the leadership of Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau, respectively, couldn’t be further apart, writes Les Whittington. Energy Department photo courtesy of Simon Edelman and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Future focused: Canadians need to re-evaluate American ties in the age of Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 20, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Even before President Donald Trump’s latest invocation of his “America First” thinking, it was clear the close relationship with the United States that has

Future focused: Canadians need to re-evaluate American ties in the age of Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 20, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Even before President Donald Trump’s latest invocation of his “America First” thinking, it was clear the close relationship with the United States that has
The United States and Canada, under the leadership of Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau, respectively, couldn’t be further apart, writes Les Whittington. Energy Department photo courtesy of Simon Edelman and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For Liberals, it was a year of spinning their wheels

  • OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have spent another year sort of getting a feel for governing. In many ways, it seems the government is
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2017
The appeal of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in Ottawa in October, might not be enough to carry the Liberals into a second mandate in 2019 after a mediocre start, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For Liberals, it was a year of spinning their wheels

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have spent another year sort of getting a feel for governing. In many ways, it seems the government is

For Liberals, it was a year of spinning their wheels

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have spent another year sort of getting a feel for governing. In many ways, it seems the government is
The appeal of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in Ottawa in October, might not be enough to carry the Liberals into a second mandate in 2019 after a mediocre start, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

U.S. descending into truly uncharted territory

  • OTTAWA—Just when one thought things couldn’t get any worse in Washington, United States President Donald Trump appears to be veering completely out of control.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2017
Between his public statements about fired national security adviser Michael Flynn, his endorsement of embattled Senate candidate Roy Moore, and his spat with U.K. prime minister Theresa May, U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured giving remarks at an event in June, is showing himself to be increasingly unstable, writes Les Whittington. U.S. Energy Department photo courtesy of Simon Edelman

U.S. descending into truly uncharted territory

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Just when one thought things couldn’t get any worse in Washington, United States President Donald Trump appears to be veering completely out of control.

U.S. descending into truly uncharted territory

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Just when one thought things couldn’t get any worse in Washington, United States President Donald Trump appears to be veering completely out of control.
Between his public statements about fired national security adviser Michael Flynn, his endorsement of embattled Senate candidate Roy Moore, and his spat with U.K. prime minister Theresa May, U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured giving remarks at an event in June, is showing himself to be increasingly unstable, writes Les Whittington. U.S. Energy Department photo courtesy of Simon Edelman

Torstar-Postmedia deal drives home need for government support

  • OTTAWA—If the rise of Donald Trump proved anything worth knowing, it’s the risk to democracy posed by an uninformed electorate. The story of the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2017
Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured last month, told reporters Nov. 27 she’s sad to hear about the closures of local newspapers announced this week, but she wouldn’t commit to any new aid. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Torstar-Postmedia deal drives home need for government support

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2017
  • OTTAWA—If the rise of Donald Trump proved anything worth knowing, it’s the risk to democracy posed by an uninformed electorate. The story of the

Torstar-Postmedia deal drives home need for government support

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2017
  • OTTAWA—If the rise of Donald Trump proved anything worth knowing, it’s the risk to democracy posed by an uninformed electorate. The story of the
Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured last month, told reporters Nov. 27 she’s sad to hear about the closures of local newspapers announced this week, but she wouldn’t commit to any new aid. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

City bends rules to burden struggling area near the Hill with huge homeless shelter

  • OTTAWA—The House of Commons regularly reverberates with paeans to equality, the aspirations of Canadians seeking to better themselves, and fairness for all. Yet only
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2017
Ottawa city council, led by Mayor Jim Watson, is expected to give the final go-ahead on Nov. 22 to the construction of a homeless shelter in the Vanier area, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

City bends rules to burden struggling area near the Hill with huge homeless shelter

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2017
  • OTTAWA—The House of Commons regularly reverberates with paeans to equality, the aspirations of Canadians seeking to better themselves, and fairness for all. Yet only

City bends rules to burden struggling area near the Hill with huge homeless shelter

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2017
  • OTTAWA—The House of Commons regularly reverberates with paeans to equality, the aspirations of Canadians seeking to better themselves, and fairness for all. Yet only
Ottawa city council, led by Mayor Jim Watson, is expected to give the final go-ahead on Nov. 22 to the construction of a homeless shelter in the Vanier area, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Americans finally start shaking off Trump-induced slumber

  • OTTAWA—In what was widely seen as a litmus test of Donald Trump’s appeal a year after the norm-shattering United States presidential election, voters in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2017
Outgoing Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, right, is seen in 2013 with his successor, Ralph Northam. Mr. Northam was among several Democrats who won state and local elections on Nov. 7. Photograph courtesy of Edward Kimmel

Americans finally start shaking off Trump-induced slumber

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2017
  • OTTAWA—In what was widely seen as a litmus test of Donald Trump’s appeal a year after the norm-shattering United States presidential election, voters in

Americans finally start shaking off Trump-induced slumber

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2017
  • OTTAWA—In what was widely seen as a litmus test of Donald Trump’s appeal a year after the norm-shattering United States presidential election, voters in
Outgoing Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, right, is seen in 2013 with his successor, Ralph Northam. Mr. Northam was among several Democrats who won state and local elections on Nov. 7. Photograph courtesy of Edward Kimmel

What’s missing in Ottawa’s ethics regime: ethics

  • OTTAWA—For a journalist working in Ottawa, trying to cover issues of ethics was always a frustrating, time-wasting affair. The people appointed to the largely
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2017
Work by the office of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson, pictured ahead of an Oct. 17 House committee meeting, has been ‘maddeningly incremental,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What’s missing in Ottawa’s ethics regime: ethics

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2017
  • OTTAWA—For a journalist working in Ottawa, trying to cover issues of ethics was always a frustrating, time-wasting affair. The people appointed to the largely

What’s missing in Ottawa’s ethics regime: ethics

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2017
  • OTTAWA—For a journalist working in Ottawa, trying to cover issues of ethics was always a frustrating, time-wasting affair. The people appointed to the largely
Work by the office of Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson, pictured ahead of an Oct. 17 House committee meeting, has been ‘maddeningly incremental,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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