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Thursday, March 12, 2026

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Les Whittington

Iran war underscores Canada’s vulnerability when it comes to the U.S.

  • Thousands of Canadian livelihoods are at stake in this year’s CUSMA review, so it’s understandable that the prime minister would generally express support for
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 11, 2026
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
The launch of a widening regional war by U.S. President Donald Trump without a compelling justification has underscored the vulnerability of relying on the U.S. for security and economic well-being for 75 years, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Iran war underscores Canada’s vulnerability when it comes to the U.S.

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 11, 2026
  • Thousands of Canadian livelihoods are at stake in this year’s CUSMA review, so it’s understandable that the prime minister would generally express support for

Iran war underscores Canada’s vulnerability when it comes to the U.S.

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 11, 2026
  • Thousands of Canadian livelihoods are at stake in this year’s CUSMA review, so it’s understandable that the prime minister would generally express support for
Donald Trump
The launch of a widening regional war by U.S. President Donald Trump without a compelling justification has underscored the vulnerability of relying on the U.S. for security and economic well-being for 75 years, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

What’s next for Cuba?

  • Now that the U.S. president has reimagined Washington’s right to control hemispheric affairs, the next steps with Cuba are a more pressing question than
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 4, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. It seems the U.S. may be ready to trade oil availability for Cuba for reforms that would begin to open up private sector activities, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok and courtesy of COP28/Mahmoud Khaled

What’s next for Cuba?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 4, 2026
  • Now that the U.S. president has reimagined Washington’s right to control hemispheric affairs, the next steps with Cuba are a more pressing question than

What’s next for Cuba?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 4, 2026
  • Now that the U.S. president has reimagined Washington’s right to control hemispheric affairs, the next steps with Cuba are a more pressing question than
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel. It seems the U.S. may be ready to trade oil availability for Cuba for reforms that would begin to open up private sector activities, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok and courtesy of COP28/Mahmoud Khaled

Will Trump eventually get Epsteined? The scandal laps closer to the White House door

  • The astounding story of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex abuses and his vast network of friends and contacts continues to spin off in all directions.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 18, 2026
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
The ties to Jeffrey Epstein among the U.S. president’s associates represent a serious political liability for Donald Trump, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Will Trump eventually get Epsteined? The scandal laps closer to the White House door

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 18, 2026
  • The astounding story of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex abuses and his vast network of friends and contacts continues to spin off in all directions.

Will Trump eventually get Epsteined? The scandal laps closer to the White House door

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 18, 2026
  • The astounding story of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex abuses and his vast network of friends and contacts continues to spin off in all directions.
Donald Trump
The ties to Jeffrey Epstein among the U.S. president’s associates represent a serious political liability for Donald Trump, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Trump finally went too far for Stephen Harper 

  • The former PM has devoted much of his post-political career to helping to empower right-wing political parties, but drew the line at threatening Canada’s
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 11, 2026
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper used his anniversary appearances to drive home the idea that the American president spells the end of the era of beneficial Canada-U.S. co-operation, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump finally went too far for Stephen Harper 

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 11, 2026
  • The former PM has devoted much of his post-political career to helping to empower right-wing political parties, but drew the line at threatening Canada’s

Trump finally went too far for Stephen Harper 

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 11, 2026
  • The former PM has devoted much of his post-political career to helping to empower right-wing political parties, but drew the line at threatening Canada’s
Stephen Harper
Former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper used his anniversary appearances to drive home the idea that the American president spells the end of the era of beneficial Canada-U.S. co-operation, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre lends credence to western separatists’ blame-it-all-on-Ottawa bias

  • The Tory leader claimed his government would end separatist sentiment by renewing historic pride and delivering policies that would bring hope to disaffected youth
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 4, 2026
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
In his convention speech, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre steered clear of commenting directly on the risks posed to Canada by separatists, laying the whole problem at the feet of the Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Amir Said

Poilievre lends credence to western separatists’ blame-it-all-on-Ottawa bias

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 4, 2026
  • The Tory leader claimed his government would end separatist sentiment by renewing historic pride and delivering policies that would bring hope to disaffected youth

Poilievre lends credence to western separatists’ blame-it-all-on-Ottawa bias

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 4, 2026
  • The Tory leader claimed his government would end separatist sentiment by renewing historic pride and delivering policies that would bring hope to disaffected youth
Pierre Poilievre
In his convention speech, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre steered clear of commenting directly on the risks posed to Canada by separatists, laying the whole problem at the feet of the Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Amir Said

Canada-U.S. relations heading into uncharted territory

  • PM Mark Carney’s takedown of the president in the world spotlight, while popular, has added profound new uncertainties to the entire Ottawa-Washington matrix.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 28, 2026
Mark Carney and Donald Trump
Mark Carney and Donald Trump
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump take media questions in the Oval Office on Oct. 7, 2025. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Canada-U.S. relations heading into uncharted territory

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 28, 2026
  • PM Mark Carney’s takedown of the president in the world spotlight, while popular, has added profound new uncertainties to the entire Ottawa-Washington matrix.

Canada-U.S. relations heading into uncharted territory

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 28, 2026
  • PM Mark Carney’s takedown of the president in the world spotlight, while popular, has added profound new uncertainties to the entire Ottawa-Washington matrix.
Mark Carney and Donald Trump
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump take media questions in the Oval Office on Oct. 7, 2025. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

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
More Stories

Backing blithely into the storm

  • OTTAWA—In a season of confusion, denial, and self-defeating causes, the man who will be leading Quebec again has been a standout. Last week, while
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2022
Quebec Premier François Legault, left, Alberta United Conservative Party leadership front-runner Danielle Smith, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are championing self-defeating causes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photograph

Backing blithely into the storm

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In a season of confusion, denial, and self-defeating causes, the man who will be leading Quebec again has been a standout. Last week, while

Backing blithely into the storm

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In a season of confusion, denial, and self-defeating causes, the man who will be leading Quebec again has been a standout. Last week, while
Quebec Premier François Legault, left, Alberta United Conservative Party leadership front-runner Danielle Smith, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are championing self-defeating causes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photograph

The West should prepare for the worst from Putin

  • The Russian president is not up against significant pressure from his key allies to temper his deluded attempt to destroy Ukraine in the name
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 26, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems ready to push his self-appointed war with the West into even more dangerous realms, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The West should prepare for the worst from Putin

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 26, 2022
  • The Russian president is not up against significant pressure from his key allies to temper his deluded attempt to destroy Ukraine in the name

The West should prepare for the worst from Putin

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 26, 2022
  • The Russian president is not up against significant pressure from his key allies to temper his deluded attempt to destroy Ukraine in the name
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems ready to push his self-appointed war with the West into even more dangerous realms, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Canadians’ support for the monarchy now likely to decline, but don’t expect major changes

  • OTTAWA—The main thing I remember about Queen Elizabeth II was how normal, unaffected, and selfless she seemed. At least that’s how she appeared at
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2022
There’s no compelling reason for this country to have the British monarch, now King Charles III, as head of state; however, there’s no easy way to get rid of this antiquated situation, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Canadians’ support for the monarchy now likely to decline, but don’t expect major changes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The main thing I remember about Queen Elizabeth II was how normal, unaffected, and selfless she seemed. At least that’s how she appeared at

Canadians’ support for the monarchy now likely to decline, but don’t expect major changes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The main thing I remember about Queen Elizabeth II was how normal, unaffected, and selfless she seemed. At least that’s how she appeared at
There’s no compelling reason for this country to have the British monarch, now King Charles III, as head of state; however, there’s no easy way to get rid of this antiquated situation, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Poilievre rides a wave of anti-Liberal, convoy anger into Stornoway. Now what?

  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre got a lot of applause during his victory speech on the night of Sept. 10, but the strongest ovation from the assembled
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2022
Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida greet the audience after he becomes the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on Sept. 10. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre rides a wave of anti-Liberal, convoy anger into Stornoway. Now what?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre got a lot of applause during his victory speech on the night of Sept. 10, but the strongest ovation from the assembled

Poilievre rides a wave of anti-Liberal, convoy anger into Stornoway. Now what?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre got a lot of applause during his victory speech on the night of Sept. 10, but the strongest ovation from the assembled
Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida greet the audience after he becomes the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on Sept. 10. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s leaders should be confronting, not encouraging, the rage movement and its anti-progressive haters

  • OTTAWA—It’s hard not to laugh at the guy in the tin foil crown, cargo shorts, and dishwashing gloves holding forth in front of a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2022
The United People of Canada supporters gather outside their location in the former St. Brigid’s church in Ottawa’s Lowertown neighbourhood on Aug. 25, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s leaders should be confronting, not encouraging, the rage movement and its anti-progressive haters

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It’s hard not to laugh at the guy in the tin foil crown, cargo shorts, and dishwashing gloves holding forth in front of a

Canada’s leaders should be confronting, not encouraging, the rage movement and its anti-progressive haters

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It’s hard not to laugh at the guy in the tin foil crown, cargo shorts, and dishwashing gloves holding forth in front of a
The United People of Canada supporters gather outside their location in the former St. Brigid’s church in Ottawa’s Lowertown neighbourhood on Aug. 25, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds made a bit of progress on the wealth inequality index, but did anyone notice?

  • OTTAWA—They say no good deed goes unpunished. That certainly applies to the Trudeau government’s billions of dollars in spending meant to keep storefronts open
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2022
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland addresses Laurier Club members at the Canadian War Museum on June 13. The improvement in wealth inequality has attracted little media attention, and a lot of the people helped by the federal government’s anti-poverty efforts are not among those with a high voting tendency, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds made a bit of progress on the wealth inequality index, but did anyone notice?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2022
  • OTTAWA—They say no good deed goes unpunished. That certainly applies to the Trudeau government’s billions of dollars in spending meant to keep storefronts open

Feds made a bit of progress on the wealth inequality index, but did anyone notice?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2022
  • OTTAWA—They say no good deed goes unpunished. That certainly applies to the Trudeau government’s billions of dollars in spending meant to keep storefronts open
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland addresses Laurier Club members at the Canadian War Museum on June 13. The improvement in wealth inequality has attracted little media attention, and a lot of the people helped by the federal government’s anti-poverty efforts are not among those with a high voting tendency, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What are people buying into with Poilievre?

  • OTTAWA—In 2008, when then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered a formal apology to former students of the residential schools program, Pierre Poilievre said the Indigenous
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2022
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre hasn’t said much yet about economic policy, but you can bet his plan to make Canada ‘the freest nation on earth’ will include freedom for the rich to pay fewer income taxes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What are people buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In 2008, when then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered a formal apology to former students of the residential schools program, Pierre Poilievre said the Indigenous

What are people buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In 2008, when then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered a formal apology to former students of the residential schools program, Pierre Poilievre said the Indigenous
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre hasn’t said much yet about economic policy, but you can bet his plan to make Canada ‘the freest nation on earth’ will include freedom for the rich to pay fewer income taxes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford helps undermine Ontario’s public health system, then eyes more privatization

  • OTTAWA—Swallowing a bee while discussing the possible privatization of Ontario health care, Doug Ford reflexively thought he might have to undergo emergency treatment. “I’ll
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 17, 2022
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
By refusing to lift the effective wage freeze Ontario Premier Doug Ford imposed on nurses, he is hastening the decline in the health-care system and without doubt setting the stage for further privatization in the province, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/CityNews

Ford helps undermine Ontario’s public health system, then eyes more privatization

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 17, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Swallowing a bee while discussing the possible privatization of Ontario health care, Doug Ford reflexively thought he might have to undergo emergency treatment. “I’ll

Ford helps undermine Ontario’s public health system, then eyes more privatization

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 17, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Swallowing a bee while discussing the possible privatization of Ontario health care, Doug Ford reflexively thought he might have to undergo emergency treatment. “I’ll
Doug Ford
By refusing to lift the effective wage freeze Ontario Premier Doug Ford imposed on nurses, he is hastening the decline in the health-care system and without doubt setting the stage for further privatization in the province, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/CityNews

Trump’s Canadian proxy catches a wave

  • OTTAWA—In the last Conservative debate on Aug. 3, Jean Charest looked like a guy who took the wrong bus to a part of town
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, pictured during the party's first leadership debate held at the Canada Strong and Free Network's conference in Ottawa on May 5. It gets more obvious every week that Poilievre, a sort of Trump stand-in, is riding a wave of angry anti-establishment sentiment with a lot more momentum than anyone expected, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s Canadian proxy catches a wave

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In the last Conservative debate on Aug. 3, Jean Charest looked like a guy who took the wrong bus to a part of town

Trump’s Canadian proxy catches a wave

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In the last Conservative debate on Aug. 3, Jean Charest looked like a guy who took the wrong bus to a part of town
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, pictured during the party's first leadership debate held at the Canada Strong and Free Network's conference in Ottawa on May 5. It gets more obvious every week that Poilievre, a sort of Trump stand-in, is riding a wave of angry anti-establishment sentiment with a lot more momentum than anyone expected, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds, Ontario must heed recommendations from inquiry into preventable murders of Ottawa Valley women

  • OTTAWA—Parliamentarians can expect to hear urgent requests this fall to finally do something about the shocking state of violence against women in Canada—a call
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2022
The art installation Broken, by Dennis Josef Meseg, is pictured in Bonn, Germany. In 2021 alone, 173 women and girls were violently killed in Canada, with the vast majority of the accused being male, research shows. Unsplash photograph by Mika Baumeister

Feds, Ontario must heed recommendations from inquiry into preventable murders of Ottawa Valley women

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Parliamentarians can expect to hear urgent requests this fall to finally do something about the shocking state of violence against women in Canada—a call

Feds, Ontario must heed recommendations from inquiry into preventable murders of Ottawa Valley women

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Parliamentarians can expect to hear urgent requests this fall to finally do something about the shocking state of violence against women in Canada—a call
The art installation Broken, by Dennis Josef Meseg, is pictured in Bonn, Germany. In 2021 alone, 173 women and girls were violently killed in Canada, with the vast majority of the accused being male, research shows. Unsplash photograph by Mika Baumeister

How years of giving a rich, white man the benefit of doubt enabled a sociopathic murderer

  • OTTAWA—In recent weeks, the Mass Casualty Commission examining the killing of 22 people on April 18-19, 2020, in Nova Scotia has released details of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 25, 2022
RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell testified before the Mass Casualty Commission on July 25. It’s hard to imagine how any other single individual could have come to the attention of the various police forces in the region more than the Nova Scotia shooter during his decades-long run of lawless behaviour before the 2020 shooting, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of the Mass Casualty Commission

How years of giving a rich, white man the benefit of doubt enabled a sociopathic murderer

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In recent weeks, the Mass Casualty Commission examining the killing of 22 people on April 18-19, 2020, in Nova Scotia has released details of

How years of giving a rich, white man the benefit of doubt enabled a sociopathic murderer

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In recent weeks, the Mass Casualty Commission examining the killing of 22 people on April 18-19, 2020, in Nova Scotia has released details of
RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell testified before the Mass Casualty Commission on July 25. It’s hard to imagine how any other single individual could have come to the attention of the various police forces in the region more than the Nova Scotia shooter during his decades-long run of lawless behaviour before the 2020 shooting, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of the Mass Casualty Commission

What good is the G20 if it can’t even oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

  • OTTAWA—No doubt there are millions of people who, like me, wake up every morning thinking: the Russians are actually conducting a war of outright,
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 20, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly sits alongside her Chinese, America, Brazilian, and German counterparts at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia on July 8. The relatively young G20 was designed to bring together leading wealthy and developing nations to tackle world problems, but it has instead laid bare the acceptance in some capitals of Putin’s bloodletting, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Ron Przysucha courtesy of Flickr/the U.S. Department of State

What good is the G20 if it can’t even oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 20, 2022
  • OTTAWA—No doubt there are millions of people who, like me, wake up every morning thinking: the Russians are actually conducting a war of outright,

What good is the G20 if it can’t even oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 20, 2022
  • OTTAWA—No doubt there are millions of people who, like me, wake up every morning thinking: the Russians are actually conducting a war of outright,
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly sits alongside her Chinese, America, Brazilian, and German counterparts at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia on July 8. The relatively young G20 was designed to bring together leading wealthy and developing nations to tackle world problems, but it has instead laid bare the acceptance in some capitals of Putin’s bloodletting, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Ron Przysucha courtesy of Flickr/the U.S. Department of State

The joke wears thin: Boris quits

  • OTTAWA—They used to argue in Britain over whether Boris Johnson really favoured Brexit or whether he jumped into the 2016 referendum on the United
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 13, 2022
Outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers his resignation statement outside 10 Downing Street on July 7. Johnson helped give rise to Brexit, sold it to Britons in 2016, and got the keys to 10 Downing Street to finally make the separation with the EU happen. Which he did. But, after only three years, he is giving up as prime minister, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Tim Hammond courtesy of No 10 Downing Street's Flickr

The joke wears thin: Boris quits

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—They used to argue in Britain over whether Boris Johnson really favoured Brexit or whether he jumped into the 2016 referendum on the United

The joke wears thin: Boris quits

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—They used to argue in Britain over whether Boris Johnson really favoured Brexit or whether he jumped into the 2016 referendum on the United
Outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers his resignation statement outside 10 Downing Street on July 7. Johnson helped give rise to Brexit, sold it to Britons in 2016, and got the keys to 10 Downing Street to finally make the separation with the EU happen. Which he did. But, after only three years, he is giving up as prime minister, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Tim Hammond courtesy of No 10 Downing Street's Flickr

The politics of the post-COVID era could lead anywhere

  • OTTAWA—Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s re-election told us a lot about the emerging post-COVID political landscape. Ford held onto his right-wing support and benefitted from
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 6, 2022
The general thinking has been that choosing chief trucker convoy apologist Pierre Poilievre as Conservative leader would be a huge gift for the Liberals. But that may prove fanciful, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The politics of the post-COVID era could lead anywhere

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 6, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s re-election told us a lot about the emerging post-COVID political landscape. Ford held onto his right-wing support and benefitted from

The politics of the post-COVID era could lead anywhere

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 6, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s re-election told us a lot about the emerging post-COVID political landscape. Ford held onto his right-wing support and benefitted from
The general thinking has been that choosing chief trucker convoy apologist Pierre Poilievre as Conservative leader would be a huge gift for the Liberals. But that may prove fanciful, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

What, if anything, does Ford’s victory in Ontario actually tell us?

  • OTTAWA—The outpouring of analysis on the re-election of Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative majority in Ontario makes interesting reading, but it may
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 6, 2022
One way to view Doug Ford’s victory can be as support for a pragmatic focus on cost-of-living issues as opposed to aspirational calls to create a fairer and/or greener society, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Twitter/fordnation

What, if anything, does Ford’s victory in Ontario actually tell us?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 6, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The outpouring of analysis on the re-election of Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative majority in Ontario makes interesting reading, but it may

What, if anything, does Ford’s victory in Ontario actually tell us?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 6, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The outpouring of analysis on the re-election of Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative majority in Ontario makes interesting reading, but it may
One way to view Doug Ford’s victory can be as support for a pragmatic focus on cost-of-living issues as opposed to aspirational calls to create a fairer and/or greener society, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Twitter/fordnation

The economy leaves COVID behind as a make-or-break political issue

  • OTTAWA—We knew how to stop the economy to slow Canadians’ interactions during the pandemic, but restarting it is a lot harder, Bank of Canada
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 1, 2022
Pierre Poilievre has tapped into baseless suspicion of the central bank to beef up his popular campaign for Conservative leader, but it’s clear he correctly sees the affordability crisis as a potent political force with the potential to scramble the outlook for all federal and provincial parties over the next few years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The economy leaves COVID behind as a make-or-break political issue

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 1, 2022
  • OTTAWA—We knew how to stop the economy to slow Canadians’ interactions during the pandemic, but restarting it is a lot harder, Bank of Canada

The economy leaves COVID behind as a make-or-break political issue

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 1, 2022
  • OTTAWA—We knew how to stop the economy to slow Canadians’ interactions during the pandemic, but restarting it is a lot harder, Bank of Canada
Pierre Poilievre has tapped into baseless suspicion of the central bank to beef up his popular campaign for Conservative leader, but it’s clear he correctly sees the affordability crisis as a potent political force with the potential to scramble the outlook for all federal and provincial parties over the next few years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Lost in the COVID haze: Ford’s record in Ontario seems largely forgotten by voters

  • OTTAWA—Whatever is in those mandate letters, it must be really politically embarrassing or damaging. In the summer of 2018, shortly after Premier Doug Ford
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 25, 2022
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford still depicts himself as being for the little guy, but most of his government’s actual policies are geared to his upscale supporters and business backers, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Lost in the COVID haze: Ford’s record in Ontario seems largely forgotten by voters

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Whatever is in those mandate letters, it must be really politically embarrassing or damaging. In the summer of 2018, shortly after Premier Doug Ford

Lost in the COVID haze: Ford’s record in Ontario seems largely forgotten by voters

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 25, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Whatever is in those mandate letters, it must be really politically embarrassing or damaging. In the summer of 2018, shortly after Premier Doug Ford
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford still depicts himself as being for the little guy, but most of his government’s actual policies are geared to his upscale supporters and business backers, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Heading backwards in Ontario

  • OTTAWA—Call him the Highwayman. Ontario Premier Doug Ford appears to have staked his party’s re-election on the perception that the province’s commuters want more,
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 18, 2022
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
If anything, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems to have shown that, although people are worried about impending climate disasters, they’re not too fussy about accountability when it comes to what governments are actually doing, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Heading backwards in Ontario

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 18, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Call him the Highwayman. Ontario Premier Doug Ford appears to have staked his party’s re-election on the perception that the province’s commuters want more,

Heading backwards in Ontario

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 18, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Call him the Highwayman. Ontario Premier Doug Ford appears to have staked his party’s re-election on the perception that the province’s commuters want more,
Doug Ford
If anything, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems to have shown that, although people are worried about impending climate disasters, they’re not too fussy about accountability when it comes to what governments are actually doing, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How COVID won the political battle

  • OTTAWA—Anyone watching the first Conservative leadership debate on May 5 may have thought they were watching a satire or some kind of theatre-of-the-absurd take-off
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 11, 2022
MP Leslyn Lewis participates in a Conservative leadership debate in Ottawa on May 5. Would-be leaders of the official opposition are consumed with the outpouring of anti-government grievance in February related to the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How COVID won the political battle

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 11, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Anyone watching the first Conservative leadership debate on May 5 may have thought they were watching a satire or some kind of theatre-of-the-absurd take-off

How COVID won the political battle

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 11, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Anyone watching the first Conservative leadership debate on May 5 may have thought they were watching a satire or some kind of theatre-of-the-absurd take-off
MP Leslyn Lewis participates in a Conservative leadership debate in Ottawa on May 5. Would-be leaders of the official opposition are consumed with the outpouring of anti-government grievance in February related to the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Beneath all the vague talk, the causes of populist chaos are clear enough

  • OTTAWA—The idea of motorcyclists rolling into town and sort of taking over is a unique North American postwar cultural phenomenon. The whole outlaw biker
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 4, 2022
Inflamed by reams of conspiratorial misinformation, the thinking behind events like the weekend Rolling Thunder protest in Ottawa plays out as a rejection of today’s cosmopolitan, tolerant, and multicultural Canada, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Beneath all the vague talk, the causes of populist chaos are clear enough

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 4, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The idea of motorcyclists rolling into town and sort of taking over is a unique North American postwar cultural phenomenon. The whole outlaw biker

Beneath all the vague talk, the causes of populist chaos are clear enough

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 4, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The idea of motorcyclists rolling into town and sort of taking over is a unique North American postwar cultural phenomenon. The whole outlaw biker
Inflamed by reams of conspiratorial misinformation, the thinking behind events like the weekend Rolling Thunder protest in Ottawa plays out as a rejection of today’s cosmopolitan, tolerant, and multicultural Canada, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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