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Monday, October 13, 2025

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Les Whittington

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s what dictators do

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

That’s what dictators do

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

That’s what dictators do

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Election? What election?

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

Election? What election?

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

Election? What election?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

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

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

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

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

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

The man who lost his seat will soon return

  • It will be interesting to see how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre—once back in his parliamentary role—chooses to position his party as the Liberals try
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 7, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
It’s not clear what would motivate Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to back off the anti-Liberal crusade he has been profiting off of for years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The man who lost his seat will soon return

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 7, 2025
  • It will be interesting to see how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre—once back in his parliamentary role—chooses to position his party as the Liberals try

The man who lost his seat will soon return

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 7, 2025
  • It will be interesting to see how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre—once back in his parliamentary role—chooses to position his party as the Liberals try
Pierre Poilievre
It’s not clear what would motivate Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to back off the anti-Liberal crusade he has been profiting off of for years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

And now comes the hard part: negotiating with Trump

  • Canadians can’t count on a flip-flop on tariffs since the U.S. president seems obsessed with undermining Canada in keeping with his persistent lusting after
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 30, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump can’t seem to get through a day in the Oval Office without reverting to his accusations about those freeloaders in Canada, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

And now comes the hard part: negotiating with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 30, 2025
  • Canadians can’t count on a flip-flop on tariffs since the U.S. president seems obsessed with undermining Canada in keeping with his persistent lusting after

And now comes the hard part: negotiating with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 30, 2025
  • Canadians can’t count on a flip-flop on tariffs since the U.S. president seems obsessed with undermining Canada in keeping with his persistent lusting after
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump can’t seem to get through a day in the Oval Office without reverting to his accusations about those freeloaders in Canada, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok

Mark Carney puts it all on the line

  • Whatever happens on April 28, Mark Carney will be remembered as the man who stepped up to offer his services to fellow Canadians in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney greets supporters at a rally outside of the Lusitania Portuguese Club of Ottawa on April 20. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Mark Carney puts it all on the line

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 23, 2025
  • Whatever happens on April 28, Mark Carney will be remembered as the man who stepped up to offer his services to fellow Canadians in

Mark Carney puts it all on the line

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 23, 2025
  • Whatever happens on April 28, Mark Carney will be remembered as the man who stepped up to offer his services to fellow Canadians in
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney greets supporters at a rally outside of the Lusitania Portuguese Club of Ottawa on April 20. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Do Canadians really want Stephen Harper back?

  • While the former prime minister remains an icon among the Conservative base, his presence may remind voters of what they didn’t like about him
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 16, 2025
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
The current Conservative leader’s campaign is taking on more and more aspects of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Do Canadians really want Stephen Harper back?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 16, 2025
  • While the former prime minister remains an icon among the Conservative base, his presence may remind voters of what they didn’t like about him

Do Canadians really want Stephen Harper back?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 16, 2025
  • While the former prime minister remains an icon among the Conservative base, his presence may remind voters of what they didn’t like about him
Stephen Harper
The current Conservative leader’s campaign is taking on more and more aspects of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The world waits to see how long Trump’s attack on the global economy can last

  • The president has brushed off political realities that would have sunk most political actors a hundred times over.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 9, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Within days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement, most of the world was united in its criticism of his decision to wreck everyone’s economy, including his own, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

The world waits to see how long Trump’s attack on the global economy can last

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 9, 2025
  • The president has brushed off political realities that would have sunk most political actors a hundred times over.

The world waits to see how long Trump’s attack on the global economy can last

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 9, 2025
  • The president has brushed off political realities that would have sunk most political actors a hundred times over.
Donald Trump
Within days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement, most of the world was united in its criticism of his decision to wreck everyone’s economy, including his own, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Trump has flipped the election narrative, but it’s a long way to April 28

  • The knock-on effects of tariffs could be well on the way to erasing the Liberals’ advantage in the Trump survival showdown.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 2, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump is like having a pet rattlesnake—as the whole world has learned the hard way, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Trump has flipped the election narrative, but it’s a long way to April 28

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 2, 2025
  • The knock-on effects of tariffs could be well on the way to erasing the Liberals’ advantage in the Trump survival showdown.

Trump has flipped the election narrative, but it’s a long way to April 28

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 2, 2025
  • The knock-on effects of tariffs could be well on the way to erasing the Liberals’ advantage in the Trump survival showdown.
Donald Trump
Dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump is like having a pet rattlesnake—as the whole world has learned the hard way, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Trump’s most despised adversary has an election

  • It’s beyond troubling that Canada is always being singled out for its supposedly nasty negotiating stance, and alleged unfair trading relationship with Americans.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 26, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems unlikely to soon give up on his promise to wreck the economy of the land he now deems his country's worst enemy, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Trump’s most despised adversary has an election

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 26, 2025
  • It’s beyond troubling that Canada is always being singled out for its supposedly nasty negotiating stance, and alleged unfair trading relationship with Americans.

Trump’s most despised adversary has an election

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 26, 2025
  • It’s beyond troubling that Canada is always being singled out for its supposedly nasty negotiating stance, and alleged unfair trading relationship with Americans.
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems unlikely to soon give up on his promise to wreck the economy of the land he now deems his country's worst enemy, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

The real message from the Ford-initiated meeting in D.C.? Canada has no chance of dodging Trump’s trade war for now

  • As relieved as the Canadian contingent was to be engaged in an adult conversation, the March 13 discussion yielded nothing in the way of immediate
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 19, 2025
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the March 13 meeting with the U.S. commerce secretary was ‘productive,’ but he could be grasping at straws, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The real message from the Ford-initiated meeting in D.C.? Canada has no chance of dodging Trump’s trade war for now

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 19, 2025
  • As relieved as the Canadian contingent was to be engaged in an adult conversation, the March 13 discussion yielded nothing in the way of immediate

The real message from the Ford-initiated meeting in D.C.? Canada has no chance of dodging Trump’s trade war for now

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 19, 2025
  • As relieved as the Canadian contingent was to be engaged in an adult conversation, the March 13 discussion yielded nothing in the way of immediate
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the March 13 meeting with the U.S. commerce secretary was ‘productive,’ but he could be grasping at straws, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives left searching for a message as Carney demonstrates his political potential

  • The Tories’ advantage has blown up in their faces as Canadians have begun to take another look at their political options.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 12, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that having a prime minister like Liberal Leader Mark Carney with economic skills, global awareness, and experience working with world leaders at the highest level on make-or-break issues might not be such a bad idea, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives left searching for a message as Carney demonstrates his political potential

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 12, 2025
  • The Tories’ advantage has blown up in their faces as Canadians have begun to take another look at their political options.

Conservatives left searching for a message as Carney demonstrates his political potential

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 12, 2025
  • The Tories’ advantage has blown up in their faces as Canadians have begun to take another look at their political options.
Mark Carney
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that having a prime minister like Liberal Leader Mark Carney with economic skills, global awareness, and experience working with world leaders at the highest level on make-or-break issues might not be such a bad idea, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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What are Canadians really buying into with Poilievre?

  • Over the past two years, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has joyously capitalized on the rhetorical viciousness that has oozed out of the internet to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 25, 2024
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reduced the immensely complicated business of government to a few dozen words in several simplistic slogans that sound almost like a parody of a political con artist, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What are Canadians really buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 25, 2024
  • Over the past two years, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has joyously capitalized on the rhetorical viciousness that has oozed out of the internet to

What are Canadians really buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 25, 2024
  • Over the past two years, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has joyously capitalized on the rhetorical viciousness that has oozed out of the internet to
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reduced the immensely complicated business of government to a few dozen words in several simplistic slogans that sound almost like a parody of a political con artist, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s advice to Liberals puts low-carbon future above all

  • Mark Carney made it clear he will be doubling down on the need for the government and Canadians to move heaven and earth to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 18, 2024
New Liberal Party adviser Mark Carney is calling for more government action, not less, to tackle climate change, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Carney’s advice to Liberals puts low-carbon future above all

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 18, 2024
  • Mark Carney made it clear he will be doubling down on the need for the government and Canadians to move heaven and earth to

Carney’s advice to Liberals puts low-carbon future above all

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 18, 2024
  • Mark Carney made it clear he will be doubling down on the need for the government and Canadians to move heaven and earth to
New Liberal Party adviser Mark Carney is calling for more government action, not less, to tackle climate change, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau is up against a worldwide phenomenon

  • The federal byelection on June 24 will be an important marker as Canadians watch how all this plays out for their democracy and their
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2024
A recent survey suggests the angry mood of voters is the most notable feature as half the world’s population holds elections in 2024, writes Les Whittington. Unsplash photograph by Yogendra Singh

Trudeau is up against a worldwide phenomenon

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2024
  • The federal byelection on June 24 will be an important marker as Canadians watch how all this plays out for their democracy and their

Trudeau is up against a worldwide phenomenon

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2024
  • The federal byelection on June 24 will be an important marker as Canadians watch how all this plays out for their democracy and their
A recent survey suggests the angry mood of voters is the most notable feature as half the world’s population holds elections in 2024, writes Les Whittington. Unsplash photograph by Yogendra Singh

G7 faces toughest tests of its 50-year history

  • The G7 is now at the forefront of anti-authoritarian forces in the deepening geostrategic struggle magnified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, and his fellow G7 leaders face a challenging situation at this week’s leaders’ summit Italy, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

G7 faces toughest tests of its 50-year history

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2024
  • The G7 is now at the forefront of anti-authoritarian forces in the deepening geostrategic struggle magnified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

G7 faces toughest tests of its 50-year history

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2024
  • The G7 is now at the forefront of anti-authoritarian forces in the deepening geostrategic struggle magnified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, and his fellow G7 leaders face a challenging situation at this week’s leaders’ summit Italy, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Era of sky-high interest rates coming to a close

  • Regardless of when the rate cut happens, Canada is entering a new era in which the bias is toward lower borrowing costs instead of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2024
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has warned the central bank’s key interest rate is going to be much higher in the near future than Canadians got used to in the past 10 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Era of sky-high interest rates coming to a close

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2024
  • Regardless of when the rate cut happens, Canada is entering a new era in which the bias is toward lower borrowing costs instead of

Era of sky-high interest rates coming to a close

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2024
  • Regardless of when the rate cut happens, Canada is entering a new era in which the bias is toward lower borrowing costs instead of
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has warned the central bank’s key interest rate is going to be much higher in the near future than Canadians got used to in the past 10 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Donald Trump has already subverted U.S. democracy

  • Despite Trump’s rejection of the most fundamental of democratic principles, millions of would-be voters appear ready to entrust their government and their democracy to him
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2024
The willingness by maybe half of U.S. voters to accept this kind of authoritarian behaviour in opposition to everything democracy stands for already amounts to a kind of de facto coup by Donald Trump, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of George C./Flickr

Donald Trump has already subverted U.S. democracy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2024
  • Despite Trump’s rejection of the most fundamental of democratic principles, millions of would-be voters appear ready to entrust their government and their democracy to him

Donald Trump has already subverted U.S. democracy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2024
  • Despite Trump’s rejection of the most fundamental of democratic principles, millions of would-be voters appear ready to entrust their government and their democracy to him
The willingness by maybe half of U.S. voters to accept this kind of authoritarian behaviour in opposition to everything democracy stands for already amounts to a kind of de facto coup by Donald Trump, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of George C./Flickr

Memo to Canadians: the adjusted capital gains tax will still constitute a very generous tax break for the wealthy

  • We know that a decade of personal and corporate tax cuts under the Paul Martin and Stephen Harper governments failed to produce the hoped-for
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2024
Under Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s capital gains gambit, companies and individuals making profits on the sale of assets will still enjoy special tax treatment, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Memo to Canadians: the adjusted capital gains tax will still constitute a very generous tax break for the wealthy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2024
  • We know that a decade of personal and corporate tax cuts under the Paul Martin and Stephen Harper governments failed to produce the hoped-for

Memo to Canadians: the adjusted capital gains tax will still constitute a very generous tax break for the wealthy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2024
  • We know that a decade of personal and corporate tax cuts under the Paul Martin and Stephen Harper governments failed to produce the hoped-for
Under Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s capital gains gambit, companies and individuals making profits on the sale of assets will still enjoy special tax treatment, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political disconnect leaving Liberals far behind

  • It’s not at all clear that the Trudeau Liberals are playing the same game as their opponents.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2024
Canadians are angry and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s central argument that government can be a force to help the public solve its problems seems to be increasingly going unheard, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political disconnect leaving Liberals far behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2024
  • It’s not at all clear that the Trudeau Liberals are playing the same game as their opponents.

Political disconnect leaving Liberals far behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2024
  • It’s not at all clear that the Trudeau Liberals are playing the same game as their opponents.
Canadians are angry and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s central argument that government can be a force to help the public solve its problems seems to be increasingly going unheard, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The ‘soft landing’ for the economy may have to be a lot harder than usual

  • The economy may have to be guided toward near-recessionary levels to compensate for the housing bubble’s outsized impact on Canadians’ cost of living.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2024
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem is unfortunately caught in a vicious circle since shelter costs make up a large portion of the inflation measure used by the central bank, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The ‘soft landing’ for the economy may have to be a lot harder than usual

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2024
  • The economy may have to be guided toward near-recessionary levels to compensate for the housing bubble’s outsized impact on Canadians’ cost of living.

The ‘soft landing’ for the economy may have to be a lot harder than usual

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2024
  • The economy may have to be guided toward near-recessionary levels to compensate for the housing bubble’s outsized impact on Canadians’ cost of living.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem is unfortunately caught in a vicious circle since shelter costs make up a large portion of the inflation measure used by the central bank, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The populist charade

  • The strange part is that the populists seem to take it for granted that their voters won’t notice that they’ve voted against their own
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2024
Former U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson, left, former U.S. president Donald Trump, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles, photograph by Gage Skidmore, and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The populist charade

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2024
  • The strange part is that the populists seem to take it for granted that their voters won’t notice that they’ve voted against their own

The populist charade

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2024
  • The strange part is that the populists seem to take it for granted that their voters won’t notice that they’ve voted against their own
Former U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson, left, former U.S. president Donald Trump, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles, photograph by Gage Skidmore, and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The personal transformation of Pierre Poilievre

  • From an enemy of organized labour, Poilievre now depicts himself as something akin to the saviour of Canada’s workers.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s use of such themes in varying degrees has resonated with Canada’s working class during a period of high inflation and housing shortages, union leaders have responded with alarm, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The personal transformation of Pierre Poilievre

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
  • From an enemy of organized labour, Poilievre now depicts himself as something akin to the saviour of Canada’s workers.

The personal transformation of Pierre Poilievre

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
  • From an enemy of organized labour, Poilievre now depicts himself as something akin to the saviour of Canada’s workers.
As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s use of such themes in varying degrees has resonated with Canada’s working class during a period of high inflation and housing shortages, union leaders have responded with alarm, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Housing the latest skirmish pitting progressive government against zombie neoliberalism

  • The growing disparity in wealth between homeowners and those who cannot afford to buy into the residential lottery has become a pressing matter of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
Facing possible political devastation, Housing Minister Sean Fraser and the Trudeau government have decided to take on the national housing crisis in a full-bore, government-wide fashion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Housing the latest skirmish pitting progressive government against zombie neoliberalism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
  • The growing disparity in wealth between homeowners and those who cannot afford to buy into the residential lottery has become a pressing matter of

Housing the latest skirmish pitting progressive government against zombie neoliberalism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
  • The growing disparity in wealth between homeowners and those who cannot afford to buy into the residential lottery has become a pressing matter of
Facing possible political devastation, Housing Minister Sean Fraser and the Trudeau government have decided to take on the national housing crisis in a full-bore, government-wide fashion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Horrendous death of three women brings some action on gender-based violence, but there’s a long way to go

  • The Ontario government has deeply disappointed anti-violence advocates by refusing to implement the key recommendation from the inquest jury on the murders of Nathalie
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
Left to his own devices, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems inclined to ignore the problem of domestic violence, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Horrendous death of three women brings some action on gender-based violence, but there’s a long way to go

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
  • The Ontario government has deeply disappointed anti-violence advocates by refusing to implement the key recommendation from the inquest jury on the murders of Nathalie

Horrendous death of three women brings some action on gender-based violence, but there’s a long way to go

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
  • The Ontario government has deeply disappointed anti-violence advocates by refusing to implement the key recommendation from the inquest jury on the murders of Nathalie
Doug Ford
Left to his own devices, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems inclined to ignore the problem of domestic violence, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The booming use of productivity-eroding stock buybacks will come under the microscope with new federal tax

  • Stock buybacks have played a very significant role in the growth of income inequality and the declining economic prospects of the North American middle
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
In a recent speech, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers dwelled on the long-standing lack of business investment in machinery and equipment by Canadian companies, but didn’t mention the controversial issue of share buybacks, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The booming use of productivity-eroding stock buybacks will come under the microscope with new federal tax

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
  • Stock buybacks have played a very significant role in the growth of income inequality and the declining economic prospects of the North American middle

The booming use of productivity-eroding stock buybacks will come under the microscope with new federal tax

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
  • Stock buybacks have played a very significant role in the growth of income inequality and the declining economic prospects of the North American middle
In a recent speech, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers dwelled on the long-standing lack of business investment in machinery and equipment by Canadian companies, but didn’t mention the controversial issue of share buybacks, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Can Taylor Swift save the world from Donald Trump?

  • Swift’s ballot-box influence is untested, but Republicans clearly see her as enough of a threat to Trump that they have begun warning her to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
Former U.S. president and 2024 Republican candidate Donald Trump recently said cultural phenomenon Taylor Swift would be acting in a ‘disloyal’ way if she supported President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Can Taylor Swift save the world from Donald Trump?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
  • Swift’s ballot-box influence is untested, but Republicans clearly see her as enough of a threat to Trump that they have begun warning her to

Can Taylor Swift save the world from Donald Trump?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
  • Swift’s ballot-box influence is untested, but Republicans clearly see her as enough of a threat to Trump that they have begun warning her to
Former U.S. president and 2024 Republican candidate Donald Trump recently said cultural phenomenon Taylor Swift would be acting in a ‘disloyal’ way if she supported President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

The triumph of misinformation

  • The anti-carbon tax campaign is the leading edge of a collective, well-orchestrated, and fortuitous assault on everything progressive in this country.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a clear shot at a victory for his party in the next election based, to a large extent, on this single campaign against the carbon levy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The triumph of misinformation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
  • The anti-carbon tax campaign is the leading edge of a collective, well-orchestrated, and fortuitous assault on everything progressive in this country.

The triumph of misinformation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
  • The anti-carbon tax campaign is the leading edge of a collective, well-orchestrated, and fortuitous assault on everything progressive in this country.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a clear shot at a victory for his party in the next election based, to a large extent, on this single campaign against the carbon levy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Canada as Biden kicks off rematch with Trump

  • Canadians can only hope that the potential for civil unrest and dysfunctional turmoil in the United States can be contained, as in 2021.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
It’s hard to overstate the enormity of the consequences of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s, left, rematch against incumbent President Joe Biden, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Gage Skidmore, and U.S. Department of Defense photograph by Lisa Ferdinando

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Canada as Biden kicks off rematch with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
  • Canadians can only hope that the potential for civil unrest and dysfunctional turmoil in the United States can be contained, as in 2021.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Canada as Biden kicks off rematch with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
  • Canadians can only hope that the potential for civil unrest and dysfunctional turmoil in the United States can be contained, as in 2021.
It’s hard to overstate the enormity of the consequences of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s, left, rematch against incumbent President Joe Biden, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Gage Skidmore, and U.S. Department of Defense photograph by Lisa Ferdinando

Brian Mulroney: a centre-right, would-be unifier left behind in an era of divisive right-wing extremism

  • A truly progressive conservative, Mulroney inherited the democratic tradition of brokerage decision-making in the public interest.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
Then-prime minister Brian Mulroney delivers remarks in the Reading Room in Centre Block in this undated photo. The Hill Times photograph by Ingrid Phaneuf

Brian Mulroney: a centre-right, would-be unifier left behind in an era of divisive right-wing extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
  • A truly progressive conservative, Mulroney inherited the democratic tradition of brokerage decision-making in the public interest.

Brian Mulroney: a centre-right, would-be unifier left behind in an era of divisive right-wing extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
  • A truly progressive conservative, Mulroney inherited the democratic tradition of brokerage decision-making in the public interest.
Then-prime minister Brian Mulroney delivers remarks in the Reading Room in Centre Block in this undated photo. The Hill Times photograph by Ingrid Phaneuf

A dire nursing shortage, private-sector windfall profits all part of Ford’s disastrous approach to Ontario health care

  • Bill 124 contributed to a mass exodus of front-line nurses, creating of a unique opportunity for private-nurse-hiring agencies to realize a huge windfall of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
Ontario Premier Doug Ford finally scrapped Bill 124 last week, but not before it contributed to the deterioration of some of the health-care services Ontarians count on, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A dire nursing shortage, private-sector windfall profits all part of Ford’s disastrous approach to Ontario health care

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
  • Bill 124 contributed to a mass exodus of front-line nurses, creating of a unique opportunity for private-nurse-hiring agencies to realize a huge windfall of

A dire nursing shortage, private-sector windfall profits all part of Ford’s disastrous approach to Ontario health care

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
  • Bill 124 contributed to a mass exodus of front-line nurses, creating of a unique opportunity for private-nurse-hiring agencies to realize a huge windfall of
Ontario Premier Doug Ford finally scrapped Bill 124 last week, but not before it contributed to the deterioration of some of the health-care services Ontarians count on, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians must take a closer look at the populist-themed juggernaut that’s leaving the Liberals behind

  • As practiced in Canada, populism thrives on persistent expressions of alarm about the state of national affairs, and policies don’t really count.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approach is typical of what one political scientist called ‘the empty heart of populism,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians must take a closer look at the populist-themed juggernaut that’s leaving the Liberals behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
  • As practiced in Canada, populism thrives on persistent expressions of alarm about the state of national affairs, and policies don’t really count.

Canadians must take a closer look at the populist-themed juggernaut that’s leaving the Liberals behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
  • As practiced in Canada, populism thrives on persistent expressions of alarm about the state of national affairs, and policies don’t really count.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approach is typical of what one political scientist called ‘the empty heart of populism,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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