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Thursday, December 18, 2025

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Les Whittington

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

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

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

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

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

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

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

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

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

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

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

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

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

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

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

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

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • For all the effort towards building new overseas trade relationships, the prospects for an outward-focused nation like Canada—where exports account for 34 per cent
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 9, 2025
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
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2017: the year of living unpredictably

  • OTTAWA—Not since 1995, when Quebec separatists were close to breaking up the country, have Canadians faced a year of such seismic unknowns. Canada’s modern
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2016
Finance Minister Bill Morneau will be responsible for overseeing a Canadian economy subject in part to the whims of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump next year. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

2017: the year of living unpredictably

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Not since 1995, when Quebec separatists were close to breaking up the country, have Canadians faced a year of such seismic unknowns. Canada’s modern

2017: the year of living unpredictably

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Not since 1995, when Quebec separatists were close to breaking up the country, have Canadians faced a year of such seismic unknowns. Canada’s modern
Finance Minister Bill Morneau will be responsible for overseeing a Canadian economy subject in part to the whims of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump next year. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Barack Obama: nice guy in a nasty world

  • OTTAWA—It’s hard now to remember the sense of global excitement and hope that accompanied Barack Obama, the first black United States president, when he
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2016
Though he helped to steady a slumping American economy, Barack Obama's accomplishments have been meagre, argues Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Barack Obama: nice guy in a nasty world

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It’s hard now to remember the sense of global excitement and hope that accompanied Barack Obama, the first black United States president, when he

Barack Obama: nice guy in a nasty world

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It’s hard now to remember the sense of global excitement and hope that accompanied Barack Obama, the first black United States president, when he
Though he helped to steady a slumping American economy, Barack Obama's accomplishments have been meagre, argues Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Fidel’s hold on Cuba may long outlast the man

  • Ottawa—In what some saw as a last-ditch move to shore up votes among Cuban-American exiles in the crucial swing state of Florida, Donald Trump
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands alongside Cuban President Raul Castro during Mr. Trudeau's visit to Cuba earlier this month. Raul Castro took the helm of Cuba's government 10 years after his brother, Fidel, was sidelined by health problems. Photograph courtesy of the PMO

Fidel’s hold on Cuba may long outlast the man

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2016
  • Ottawa—In what some saw as a last-ditch move to shore up votes among Cuban-American exiles in the crucial swing state of Florida, Donald Trump

Fidel’s hold on Cuba may long outlast the man

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2016
  • Ottawa—In what some saw as a last-ditch move to shore up votes among Cuban-American exiles in the crucial swing state of Florida, Donald Trump
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands alongside Cuban President Raul Castro during Mr. Trudeau's visit to Cuba earlier this month. Raul Castro took the helm of Cuba's government 10 years after his brother, Fidel, was sidelined by health problems. Photograph courtesy of the PMO

Without a compass: politics and information in the social-media age

  • OTTAWA—How could teenagers in a small town in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have had an impact on the vicious, hard-fought United States
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2016
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg initially said it was 'crazy' to think the site had influenced the election but, facing growing outrage, he is now saying Facebook will make an effort to curb fake news. Photograph courtesy of Alessio Jacona

Without a compass: politics and information in the social-media age

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2016
  • OTTAWA—How could teenagers in a small town in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have had an impact on the vicious, hard-fought United States

Without a compass: politics and information in the social-media age

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2016
  • OTTAWA—How could teenagers in a small town in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have had an impact on the vicious, hard-fought United States
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg initially said it was 'crazy' to think the site had influenced the election but, facing growing outrage, he is now saying Facebook will make an effort to curb fake news. Photograph courtesy of Alessio Jacona

We’re all losers in the wake of senseless act of political vandalism that was the U.S. election

  • OTTAWA—Nearly half of United States Republicans believe Barack Obama was secretly born outside the United States, making him ineligible to be president, and the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 16, 2016
Donald Trump whipped his rural backers into a frenzy of hatred and desire for change at any cost, argues Les Whittington. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

We’re all losers in the wake of senseless act of political vandalism that was the U.S. election

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 16, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Nearly half of United States Republicans believe Barack Obama was secretly born outside the United States, making him ineligible to be president, and the

We’re all losers in the wake of senseless act of political vandalism that was the U.S. election

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 16, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Nearly half of United States Republicans believe Barack Obama was secretly born outside the United States, making him ineligible to be president, and the
Donald Trump whipped his rural backers into a frenzy of hatred and desire for change at any cost, argues Les Whittington. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Time to end Canada’s moral blind spot on mining operations abroad

  • OTTAWA—I always remember a day in the fall of 2009 shortly after Stephen Harper’s Conservative government named Marketa Evans to the post of corporate
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 9, 2016
Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland's portfolio relates to corporate social responsibility for the mining sector. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Time to end Canada’s moral blind spot on mining operations abroad

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 9, 2016
  • OTTAWA—I always remember a day in the fall of 2009 shortly after Stephen Harper’s Conservative government named Marketa Evans to the post of corporate

Time to end Canada’s moral blind spot on mining operations abroad

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 9, 2016
  • OTTAWA—I always remember a day in the fall of 2009 shortly after Stephen Harper’s Conservative government named Marketa Evans to the post of corporate
Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland's portfolio relates to corporate social responsibility for the mining sector. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Unusual fall budget takes the long view on economic challenges

  • PARLIAMENT HILL—In a fall budget, Finance Minister Bill Morneau set aside the country’s current economic shortcomings and sought to address pressing questions about how
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 2, 2016
Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured earlier this year, said Tuesday Ottawa will run a $25.1-billion deficit in the current fiscal year, and that’s after using up the $6-billion set aside as a contingency fund in the March budget. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Unusual fall budget takes the long view on economic challenges

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 2, 2016
  • PARLIAMENT HILL—In a fall budget, Finance Minister Bill Morneau set aside the country’s current economic shortcomings and sought to address pressing questions about how

Unusual fall budget takes the long view on economic challenges

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 2, 2016
  • PARLIAMENT HILL—In a fall budget, Finance Minister Bill Morneau set aside the country’s current economic shortcomings and sought to address pressing questions about how
Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured earlier this year, said Tuesday Ottawa will run a $25.1-billion deficit in the current fiscal year, and that’s after using up the $6-billion set aside as a contingency fund in the March budget. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The trade conundrum

  • OTTAWA—On Oct. 18, 2013, reporters in Ottawa were summoned to the Foreign Affairs building at 6 a.m. to get a look at some of the details
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 26, 2016
Then-prime minister Stephen Harper and European Commission president José Manuel Barroso shake hands in Brussels after announcing an ‘agreement in principle’ on CETA, Oct. 18, 2013. The deal has yet to be ratified. PMO photograph by Jason Ransom

The trade conundrum

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 26, 2016
  • OTTAWA—On Oct. 18, 2013, reporters in Ottawa were summoned to the Foreign Affairs building at 6 a.m. to get a look at some of the details

The trade conundrum

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 26, 2016
  • OTTAWA—On Oct. 18, 2013, reporters in Ottawa were summoned to the Foreign Affairs building at 6 a.m. to get a look at some of the details
Then-prime minister Stephen Harper and European Commission president José Manuel Barroso shake hands in Brussels after announcing an ‘agreement in principle’ on CETA, Oct. 18, 2013. The deal has yet to be ratified. PMO photograph by Jason Ransom

Trump demonstrates the fragility of democracy in an age of upheaval

  • In a season of hysteria over scary clowns, America has given us the scariest clown of all in the form of the Republican presidential
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 19, 2016
Donald Trump has debased and undermined the U.S. electoral process in his unprecedented run for office, says Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Trump demonstrates the fragility of democracy in an age of upheaval

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 19, 2016
  • In a season of hysteria over scary clowns, America has given us the scariest clown of all in the form of the Republican presidential

Trump demonstrates the fragility of democracy in an age of upheaval

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 19, 2016
  • In a season of hysteria over scary clowns, America has given us the scariest clown of all in the form of the Republican presidential
Donald Trump has debased and undermined the U.S. electoral process in his unprecedented run for office, says Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

A year in, Trudeau Liberals carving out risky, activist agenda

  • OTTAWA—A year ago on Thanksgiving morning, Justin Trudeau headed out into the last stretch of the election campaign. One of the first stops was
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 12, 2016
Despite some foul-ups in recent months and what some see as a tendency to rag the puck with too many public consultations, Justin Trudeau's government is showing it can pick out must-do items and forge ahead, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

A year in, Trudeau Liberals carving out risky, activist agenda

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 12, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A year ago on Thanksgiving morning, Justin Trudeau headed out into the last stretch of the election campaign. One of the first stops was

A year in, Trudeau Liberals carving out risky, activist agenda

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 12, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A year ago on Thanksgiving morning, Justin Trudeau headed out into the last stretch of the election campaign. One of the first stops was
Despite some foul-ups in recent months and what some see as a tendency to rag the puck with too many public consultations, Justin Trudeau's government is showing it can pick out must-do items and forge ahead, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Rethinking Canada: is there life beyond the oil patch?

  • OTTAWA—Twenty-six years after the Exxon Valdez hit a reef and dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into the clear, cold waters of Prince
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2016
With Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, pictured, throwing up roadblocks for the proposed Energy East pipeline, the most likely project in the works is Kinder Morgan’s plan to twin the existing Trans Mountain conduit through B.C., writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Rethinking Canada: is there life beyond the oil patch?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Twenty-six years after the Exxon Valdez hit a reef and dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into the clear, cold waters of Prince

Rethinking Canada: is there life beyond the oil patch?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Twenty-six years after the Exxon Valdez hit a reef and dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into the clear, cold waters of Prince
With Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, pictured, throwing up roadblocks for the proposed Energy East pipeline, the most likely project in the works is Kinder Morgan’s plan to twin the existing Trans Mountain conduit through B.C., writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Putting human rights back on Canada’s global agenda

  • OTTAWA—So I thought I would write something about the federal government’s attempt to make human rights a priority again in Canada’s dealings with other
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 28, 2016
Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion's mandate letter from the PM stresses the need for openness. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Putting human rights back on Canada’s global agenda

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 28, 2016
  • OTTAWA—So I thought I would write something about the federal government’s attempt to make human rights a priority again in Canada’s dealings with other

Putting human rights back on Canada’s global agenda

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 28, 2016
  • OTTAWA—So I thought I would write something about the federal government’s attempt to make human rights a priority again in Canada’s dealings with other
Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion's mandate letter from the PM stresses the need for openness. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

A fresh voice for Canada in world affairs

  • OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau is putting the force of his personality and fast-growing international reputation on the line as he bucks the trend toward bitter, beggar-thy-neighbour
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a Private Sector Forum during a UN meeting on migrants and refugees on Sept. 19 at the UN headquarters in New York. UN photograph by Rick Bajornas

A fresh voice for Canada in world affairs

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau is putting the force of his personality and fast-growing international reputation on the line as he bucks the trend toward bitter, beggar-thy-neighbour

A fresh voice for Canada in world affairs

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Justin Trudeau is putting the force of his personality and fast-growing international reputation on the line as he bucks the trend toward bitter, beggar-thy-neighbour
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a Private Sector Forum during a UN meeting on migrants and refugees on Sept. 19 at the UN headquarters in New York. UN photograph by Rick Bajornas

A Trump victory would threaten Canada’s entire modern-day economy

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government needs to start thinking seriously about the impact of an election victory by Donald Trump, whose protectionist mentality could
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2016
Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

A Trump victory would threaten Canada’s entire modern-day economy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2016
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government needs to start thinking seriously about the impact of an election victory by Donald Trump, whose protectionist mentality could

A Trump victory would threaten Canada’s entire modern-day economy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2016
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government needs to start thinking seriously about the impact of an election victory by Donald Trump, whose protectionist mentality could
Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Despite shifts in Washington, major changes in Cuba remain far down the road

  • I remember standing on the famed Havana waterfront, watching Fidel Castro speaking to thousands of his fellow Cubans one night, whipping them into a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2016
U.S. President Barack Obama has moved towards reconciliation with Cuba, despite opposition from many in the Republican-controlled Congress The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Despite shifts in Washington, major changes in Cuba remain far down the road

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2016
  • I remember standing on the famed Havana waterfront, watching Fidel Castro speaking to thousands of his fellow Cubans one night, whipping them into a

Despite shifts in Washington, major changes in Cuba remain far down the road

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2016
  • I remember standing on the famed Havana waterfront, watching Fidel Castro speaking to thousands of his fellow Cubans one night, whipping them into a
U.S. President Barack Obama has moved towards reconciliation with Cuba, despite opposition from many in the Republican-controlled Congress The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Harper leaves hardly a trace as he disappears from the political stage

  • OTTAWA—Thinking about Stephen Harper’s exit from politics last week, I recalled Pierre Trudeau’s first resignation as prime minister in 1979. It wouldn’t have occurred
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2016
You could say Stephen Harper's exit approach was a final insult to Parliament, an institution whose democratic norms and practices were regularly undermined by his PMO, argues Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Harper leaves hardly a trace as he disappears from the political stage

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Thinking about Stephen Harper’s exit from politics last week, I recalled Pierre Trudeau’s first resignation as prime minister in 1979. It wouldn’t have occurred

Harper leaves hardly a trace as he disappears from the political stage

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Thinking about Stephen Harper’s exit from politics last week, I recalled Pierre Trudeau’s first resignation as prime minister in 1979. It wouldn’t have occurred
You could say Stephen Harper's exit approach was a final insult to Parliament, an institution whose democratic norms and practices were regularly undermined by his PMO, argues Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Sadness and hope on a defining evening for the next Canada

  • OTTAWA—Could Gord Downie and company ever have chosen a more ironic band name than the one they came up with? On Saturday, the tragedy,
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2016
Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, left, embraces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before last Saturday night’s concert in Kingston, Ont., broadcast live on CBC to 11.7 million viewers. The show closed the Hip’s Man Machine Poem tour, possibly its last given Mr. Downie’s terminal cancer diagnosis. The Tragically Hip photograph by David Bastedo

Sadness and hope on a defining evening for the next Canada

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Could Gord Downie and company ever have chosen a more ironic band name than the one they came up with? On Saturday, the tragedy,

Sadness and hope on a defining evening for the next Canada

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Could Gord Downie and company ever have chosen a more ironic band name than the one they came up with? On Saturday, the tragedy,
Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, left, embraces Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before last Saturday night’s concert in Kingston, Ont., broadcast live on CBC to 11.7 million viewers. The show closed the Hip’s Man Machine Poem tour, possibly its last given Mr. Downie’s terminal cancer diagnosis. The Tragically Hip photograph by David Bastedo

Out of touch and out of gas: where are post-Harper Conservatives headed?

  • OTTAWA—I always thought Preston Manning was done as champion of the restive western-driven Reform party the day he changed his mind and decided to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 17, 2016
Declared Conservative leadership candidates, clockwise from top left: Kellie Leitch, Deepak Obhrai, Tony Clement, Brad Trost, Maxime Bernier, and Michael Chong. Hill Times and ITK photographs by Jake Wright, Andrew Meade, Cynthia Münster

Out of touch and out of gas: where are post-Harper Conservatives headed?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 17, 2016
  • OTTAWA—I always thought Preston Manning was done as champion of the restive western-driven Reform party the day he changed his mind and decided to

Out of touch and out of gas: where are post-Harper Conservatives headed?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 17, 2016
  • OTTAWA—I always thought Preston Manning was done as champion of the restive western-driven Reform party the day he changed his mind and decided to
Declared Conservative leadership candidates, clockwise from top left: Kellie Leitch, Deepak Obhrai, Tony Clement, Brad Trost, Maxime Bernier, and Michael Chong. Hill Times and ITK photographs by Jake Wright, Andrew Meade, Cynthia Münster

Ottawa and the disappearing recovery

  • OTTAWA—Canadians are sleepwalking into a long period of economic hardship—or worse. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has at least recognized the need for Ottawa
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2016
Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured speaking to reporters outside the House of Commons in June, needs to come to grips with the fact that this is not just a bad period in an otherwise sound situation. Canadians are facing a whole new economic reality where many of the old variables no longer apply, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Ottawa and the disappearing recovery

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Canadians are sleepwalking into a long period of economic hardship—or worse. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has at least recognized the need for Ottawa

Ottawa and the disappearing recovery

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Canadians are sleepwalking into a long period of economic hardship—or worse. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has at least recognized the need for Ottawa
Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured speaking to reporters outside the House of Commons in June, needs to come to grips with the fact that this is not just a bad period in an otherwise sound situation. Canadians are facing a whole new economic reality where many of the old variables no longer apply, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Treading water in a land of contradictions: Olympics descend on Brazil

  • OTTAWA—It’s a good thing the authorities in Rio de Janeiro have been using trash-collecting boats to fish out the dead bodies, sofas, and other
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2016
Brazil's suspended president, Dilma Rousseff, pictured in 2015, is facing impeachment shortly after the Olympics end. Jonas Pereira photograph courtesy of Agência Senado

Treading water in a land of contradictions: Olympics descend on Brazil

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It’s a good thing the authorities in Rio de Janeiro have been using trash-collecting boats to fish out the dead bodies, sofas, and other

Treading water in a land of contradictions: Olympics descend on Brazil

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It’s a good thing the authorities in Rio de Janeiro have been using trash-collecting boats to fish out the dead bodies, sofas, and other
Brazil's suspended president, Dilma Rousseff, pictured in 2015, is facing impeachment shortly after the Olympics end. Jonas Pereira photograph courtesy of Agência Senado

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