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Les Whittington

The slow, uphill climb to fix the housing mess

  • Affording a home now is not quite as problematic as it was during the COVID years, but affordability is still the worst it’s been
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 21, 2026
Gregor Robertson
Gregor Robertson
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson. The federal government will have to revolutionize the country’s notoriously unproductive homebuilding sector, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The slow, uphill climb to fix the housing mess

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 21, 2026
  • Affording a home now is not quite as problematic as it was during the COVID years, but affordability is still the worst it’s been

The slow, uphill climb to fix the housing mess

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 21, 2026
  • Affording a home now is not quite as problematic as it was during the COVID years, but affordability is still the worst it’s been
Gregor Robertson
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson. The federal government will have to revolutionize the country’s notoriously unproductive homebuilding sector, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How far will Trump go?

  • It’s obvious that Donald Trump has established a situation where he can operate with little—if any—of the normal constraints of a U.S. president.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 14, 2026
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats may at times be just pressure tactics and it’s also possible he is going too far, even for today’s Americans, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

How far will Trump go?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 14, 2026
  • It’s obvious that Donald Trump has established a situation where he can operate with little—if any—of the normal constraints of a U.S. president.

How far will Trump go?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 14, 2026
  • It’s obvious that Donald Trump has established a situation where he can operate with little—if any—of the normal constraints of a U.S. president.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats may at times be just pressure tactics and it’s also possible he is going too far, even for today’s Americans, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

  • For all the Liberals’ high points since they dodged what was shaping up as certain electoral defeat, the year ahead looms as an even
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 17, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is dealing with a Rubik’s cube of provincial, financial, environmental, political, labour force, and Indigenous issues, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 17, 2025
  • For all the Liberals’ high points since they dodged what was shaping up as certain electoral defeat, the year ahead looms as an even

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 17, 2025
  • For all the Liberals’ high points since they dodged what was shaping up as certain electoral defeat, the year ahead looms as an even
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is dealing with a Rubik’s cube of provincial, financial, environmental, political, labour force, and Indigenous issues, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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
Maninder Sidhu
Maninder Sidhu
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
Maninder Sidhu
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
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Looming historic clash over energy will again redraw federal political fortunes

  • Despite talk about collaboration, the country seems headed for another bruising national fight over energy in the months ahead.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has wagered much of his political fortunes on trying to shape Canada’s energy sector to deal with major challenges and chart what the Liberals see as a better future for the country, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Looming historic clash over energy will again redraw federal political fortunes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2023
  • Despite talk about collaboration, the country seems headed for another bruising national fight over energy in the months ahead.

Looming historic clash over energy will again redraw federal political fortunes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2023
  • Despite talk about collaboration, the country seems headed for another bruising national fight over energy in the months ahead.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has wagered much of his political fortunes on trying to shape Canada’s energy sector to deal with major challenges and chart what the Liberals see as a better future for the country, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Nothing funny about this year’s Press Gallery Dinner

  • The PM skipped a situation where he would not have been able to avoid addressing the most immediate question on everyone’s mind about David
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 14, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s video appearance at the June 10 Press Gallery Dinner alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had the effect of pointing out that there are matters of state more pressing than the nasty, pox-on-all-your houses skirmish in Parliament, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube

Nothing funny about this year’s Press Gallery Dinner

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 14, 2023
  • The PM skipped a situation where he would not have been able to avoid addressing the most immediate question on everyone’s mind about David

Nothing funny about this year’s Press Gallery Dinner

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 14, 2023
  • The PM skipped a situation where he would not have been able to avoid addressing the most immediate question on everyone’s mind about David
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s video appearance at the June 10 Press Gallery Dinner alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had the effect of pointing out that there are matters of state more pressing than the nasty, pox-on-all-your houses skirmish in Parliament, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube

Trickle-down economics: the hoax that will not die

  • The trend toward lower taxes has tilted the economy in favour of the well-off and left average people struggling to get by on stagnant
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is already playing the tax-cut card, as has every leader of Canada’s main right-wing party going back 40 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trickle-down economics: the hoax that will not die

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
  • The trend toward lower taxes has tilted the economy in favour of the well-off and left average people struggling to get by on stagnant

Trickle-down economics: the hoax that will not die

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
  • The trend toward lower taxes has tilted the economy in favour of the well-off and left average people struggling to get by on stagnant
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is already playing the tax-cut card, as has every leader of Canada’s main right-wing party going back 40 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A lesson in the dangers of extremist, scorched-earth politics from U.S. Republicans

  • While nothing in Canada is on a par with the debt ceiling clash in the U.S., voters here should think twice about endorsing a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, far left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling in the Oval Office of the White House on May 9. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

A lesson in the dangers of extremist, scorched-earth politics from U.S. Republicans

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
  • While nothing in Canada is on a par with the debt ceiling clash in the U.S., voters here should think twice about endorsing a

A lesson in the dangers of extremist, scorched-earth politics from U.S. Republicans

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
  • While nothing in Canada is on a par with the debt ceiling clash in the U.S., voters here should think twice about endorsing a
U.S. President Joe Biden, far left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling in the Oval Office of the White House on May 9. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Bank of Canada quietly signals long-term shift with potential for economic, political upheaval

  • The end of the low-interest-rate policy sets the stage for widespread household financial stress in 2025 and 2026, when the majority of mortgages are
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
The new, apparently permanent, financial reality Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem described—and the painful fallout it entails—has the potential to scramble the political outlook, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bank of Canada quietly signals long-term shift with potential for economic, political upheaval

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
  • The end of the low-interest-rate policy sets the stage for widespread household financial stress in 2025 and 2026, when the majority of mortgages are

Bank of Canada quietly signals long-term shift with potential for economic, political upheaval

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
  • The end of the low-interest-rate policy sets the stage for widespread household financial stress in 2025 and 2026, when the majority of mortgages are
The new, apparently permanent, financial reality Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem described—and the painful fallout it entails—has the potential to scramble the political outlook, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism

  • The Alberta race is a potential watershed for Canadians, many of whom seem ready to give the kind of anger-based, hateful politics flourishing in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might not support all or any of the authoritarian policies of the Republicans in the U.S., but she would still be right at home politically with many of these legislators, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
  • The Alberta race is a potential watershed for Canadians, many of whom seem ready to give the kind of anger-based, hateful politics flourishing in

Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
  • The Alberta race is a potential watershed for Canadians, many of whom seem ready to give the kind of anger-based, hateful politics flourishing in
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might not support all or any of the authoritarian policies of the Republicans in the U.S., but she would still be right at home politically with many of these legislators, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The coronation an upbeat interlude in a country going from Brexit to Bregret

  • U.K. consumers have been facing the worst decline in living standards since the 1950s as a result of the combination of soaring inflation and
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
The May 6 coronation of King Charles III was forecast to create a one-time boom for much of the U.K. economy, with the hospitality and travel sector alone looking for a $1-billion-plus shot in the arm, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/The Royal Family Channel

The coronation an upbeat interlude in a country going from Brexit to Bregret

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
  • U.K. consumers have been facing the worst decline in living standards since the 1950s as a result of the combination of soaring inflation and

The coronation an upbeat interlude in a country going from Brexit to Bregret

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
  • U.K. consumers have been facing the worst decline in living standards since the 1950s as a result of the combination of soaring inflation and
The May 6 coronation of King Charles III was forecast to create a one-time boom for much of the U.K. economy, with the hospitality and travel sector alone looking for a $1-billion-plus shot in the arm, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/The Royal Family Channel

All bets are off in today’s policy-free political environment

  • Policies, or the specific actions of governments, seem less important than ever in an era when emotion and the demagoguery that taps into it
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s success has to be seen as emblematic of the way politics has changed since 2015 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put the Liberals back in power federally, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

All bets are off in today’s policy-free political environment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
  • Policies, or the specific actions of governments, seem less important than ever in an era when emotion and the demagoguery that taps into it

All bets are off in today’s policy-free political environment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
  • Policies, or the specific actions of governments, seem less important than ever in an era when emotion and the demagoguery that taps into it
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s success has to be seen as emblematic of the way politics has changed since 2015 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put the Liberals back in power federally, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians should look closely at U.S. shambles before endorsing Poilievre’s Republican-style populism

  • There are many disturbing developments in the U.S. that are cause for growing alarm for anyone concerned about humanistic governance, public order, and the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
Canadians might want to give some thought to what kind of country they want as they sidle up to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose post-truth, pernicious, and divisive tactics would win high marks from any Republican organizer, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians should look closely at U.S. shambles before endorsing Poilievre’s Republican-style populism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
  • There are many disturbing developments in the U.S. that are cause for growing alarm for anyone concerned about humanistic governance, public order, and the

Canadians should look closely at U.S. shambles before endorsing Poilievre’s Republican-style populism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
  • There are many disturbing developments in the U.S. that are cause for growing alarm for anyone concerned about humanistic governance, public order, and the
Canadians might want to give some thought to what kind of country they want as they sidle up to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose post-truth, pernicious, and divisive tactics would win high marks from any Republican organizer, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Mass killing report a scathing condemnation of Canada’s failure to curb violence against women

  • As the Nova Scotia inquiry found, there is no excuse for not moving ahead vigorously and forcefully to address this shameful, ongoing crisis.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is the minister responsible for the RCMP. The Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's report is a scathing indictment of Canadians’ lack of progress over many years in reducing and dealing with deeply ingrained and widespread violence against women, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Mass killing report a scathing condemnation of Canada’s failure to curb violence against women

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
  • As the Nova Scotia inquiry found, there is no excuse for not moving ahead vigorously and forcefully to address this shameful, ongoing crisis.

Mass killing report a scathing condemnation of Canada’s failure to curb violence against women

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
  • As the Nova Scotia inquiry found, there is no excuse for not moving ahead vigorously and forcefully to address this shameful, ongoing crisis.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is the minister responsible for the RCMP. The Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's report is a scathing indictment of Canadians’ lack of progress over many years in reducing and dealing with deeply ingrained and widespread violence against women, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

  • It’s been obvious for many years that Canadians resent spending on the prime minister’s residence, labelling it self-indulgent and wasteful.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
The deterioration of 24 Sussex Drive reflects Canada’s innate regional divisions and the resentment of centralized power in a very decentralized, regionally oriented federal system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Kevin Philipupillai

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
  • It’s been obvious for many years that Canadians resent spending on the prime minister’s residence, labelling it self-indulgent and wasteful.

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
  • It’s been obvious for many years that Canadians resent spending on the prime minister’s residence, labelling it self-indulgent and wasteful.
The deterioration of 24 Sussex Drive reflects Canada’s innate regional divisions and the resentment of centralized power in a very decentralized, regionally oriented federal system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Kevin Philipupillai

Searching for consensus in a divided country

  • The reaction to the budget is all the more pertinent for the Liberals at a time when culture war issues are eclipsing already meagre
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
The response to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's latest attempt to balance the country’s priorities is a reminder of how divided Canadians have become along conservative versus progressive lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Searching for consensus in a divided country

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
  • The reaction to the budget is all the more pertinent for the Liberals at a time when culture war issues are eclipsing already meagre

Searching for consensus in a divided country

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
  • The reaction to the budget is all the more pertinent for the Liberals at a time when culture war issues are eclipsing already meagre
Chrystia Freeland
The response to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's latest attempt to balance the country’s priorities is a reminder of how divided Canadians have become along conservative versus progressive lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Biden moves ahead on a ‘friendshoring’ plan amid mounting global uncertainty

  • For Canadians, it could be a turning point in our sluggish efforts to overhaul an economy weakened by a long-term slide in business investment
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
Caught up as U.S. President Joe Biden was in the spirit of good neighbourliness during his visit, his expressed willingness to abandon Buy America where Canada is concerned was probably overstated, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Biden moves ahead on a ‘friendshoring’ plan amid mounting global uncertainty

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
  • For Canadians, it could be a turning point in our sluggish efforts to overhaul an economy weakened by a long-term slide in business investment

Biden moves ahead on a ‘friendshoring’ plan amid mounting global uncertainty

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
  • For Canadians, it could be a turning point in our sluggish efforts to overhaul an economy weakened by a long-term slide in business investment
Caught up as U.S. President Joe Biden was in the spirit of good neighbourliness during his visit, his expressed willingness to abandon Buy America where Canada is concerned was probably overstated, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s populism or bust as Poilievre vies to bring Canada its own Trumpian moment

  • Is it really necessary to use the foreign interference issue to peremptorily label the prime minister a traitor acting in the interests of a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s repeated drive-by smears accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of colluding with China are an obvious attempt to whip up conspiracy thinking about the legitimacy of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s populism or bust as Poilievre vies to bring Canada its own Trumpian moment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
  • Is it really necessary to use the foreign interference issue to peremptorily label the prime minister a traitor acting in the interests of a

It’s populism or bust as Poilievre vies to bring Canada its own Trumpian moment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
  • Is it really necessary to use the foreign interference issue to peremptorily label the prime minister a traitor acting in the interests of a
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s repeated drive-by smears accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of colluding with China are an obvious attempt to whip up conspiracy thinking about the legitimacy of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of budget-making as Canadians brace for stagflation

  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is trying to rein in spending at a time when the expected economic downturn could significantly worsen Ottawa’s deficit position.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
The 2023 federal budget will be tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on March 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of budget-making as Canadians brace for stagflation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is trying to rein in spending at a time when the expected economic downturn could significantly worsen Ottawa’s deficit position.

The politics of budget-making as Canadians brace for stagflation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is trying to rein in spending at a time when the expected economic downturn could significantly worsen Ottawa’s deficit position.
Chrystia Freeland
The 2023 federal budget will be tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on March 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will the West’s support for Ukraine stand the test of time?

  • The overriding question is becoming whether the West will persist in helping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold back the invasion for the long term.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, has vowed to stand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as long as necessary, but Biden’s ability to keep up the current level of assistance is increasingly being questioned, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Will the West’s support for Ukraine stand the test of time?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
  • The overriding question is becoming whether the West will persist in helping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold back the invasion for the long term.

Will the West’s support for Ukraine stand the test of time?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
  • The overriding question is becoming whether the West will persist in helping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold back the invasion for the long term.
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, has vowed to stand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as long as necessary, but Biden’s ability to keep up the current level of assistance is increasingly being questioned, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Protecting publicly funded health care is shaping up as a last-ditch stand

  • Holding off the push toward private care will take measurable results.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
The future of public health care may depend on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to break the mould and translate commitments forged with the provinces into actual improvements for Canadian patients, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Protecting publicly funded health care is shaping up as a last-ditch stand

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
  • Holding off the push toward private care will take measurable results.

Protecting publicly funded health care is shaping up as a last-ditch stand

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
  • Holding off the push toward private care will take measurable results.
The future of public health care may depend on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to break the mould and translate commitments forged with the provinces into actual improvements for Canadian patients, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Rouleau lays much of the blame for Ottawa’s occupation where it belongs—with Doug Ford

  • He reminds everyone that, under Canada’s federal system, restoring order in an Ontario city in the midst of near-riotous conditions is the remit of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
Public Order Emergency Commissioner Paul Rouleau doesn’t mince words when it comes to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s hands-off approach to the blockade of streets and the lawlessness around Parliament Hill in February 2022, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Rouleau lays much of the blame for Ottawa’s occupation where it belongs—with Doug Ford

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
  • He reminds everyone that, under Canada’s federal system, restoring order in an Ontario city in the midst of near-riotous conditions is the remit of

Rouleau lays much of the blame for Ottawa’s occupation where it belongs—with Doug Ford

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
  • He reminds everyone that, under Canada’s federal system, restoring order in an Ontario city in the midst of near-riotous conditions is the remit of
Public Order Emergency Commissioner Paul Rouleau doesn’t mince words when it comes to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s hands-off approach to the blockade of streets and the lawlessness around Parliament Hill in February 2022, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford’s free pass from integrity commissioner shows plenty of leeway in Ontario ethics conventions

  • The public may want to concentrate a bit more closely than it has been on the actions of the premier and his colleagues.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provincial integrity czar OK’d a party at his house in which guests, including people who do business with the government, purchased tickets and donated money to Ford’s daughter to pay for her wedding, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford’s free pass from integrity commissioner shows plenty of leeway in Ontario ethics conventions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
  • The public may want to concentrate a bit more closely than it has been on the actions of the premier and his colleagues.

Ford’s free pass from integrity commissioner shows plenty of leeway in Ontario ethics conventions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
  • The public may want to concentrate a bit more closely than it has been on the actions of the premier and his colleagues.
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provincial integrity czar OK’d a party at his house in which guests, including people who do business with the government, purchased tickets and donated money to Ford’s daughter to pay for her wedding, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The little-discussed threat to Canadians’ long-term prosperity

  • In the face of lagging business investment, there’s no guarantee the feds’ stock-buyback plan is going to be the answer.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted a new corporate stock buyback tax in last November’s fall economic statement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The little-discussed threat to Canadians’ long-term prosperity

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
  • In the face of lagging business investment, there’s no guarantee the feds’ stock-buyback plan is going to be the answer.

The little-discussed threat to Canadians’ long-term prosperity

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
  • In the face of lagging business investment, there’s no guarantee the feds’ stock-buyback plan is going to be the answer.
Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted a new corporate stock buyback tax in last November’s fall economic statement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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