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Saturday, November 29, 2025

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Les Whittington

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

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

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

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

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

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s what dictators do

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

That’s what dictators do

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

That’s what dictators do

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Election? What election?

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

Election? What election?

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

Election? What election?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

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

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

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

Mark Carney and the disappearing pipeline

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

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
More Stories

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

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

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

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

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

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

The joke wears thin: Boris quits

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

The joke wears thin: Boris quits

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

The joke wears thin: Boris quits

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

The politics of the post-COVID era could lead anywhere

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

The politics of the post-COVID era could lead anywhere

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

The politics of the post-COVID era could lead anywhere

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Heading backwards in Ontario

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

Heading backwards in Ontario

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

Heading backwards in Ontario

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

How COVID won the political battle

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

How COVID won the political battle

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

How COVID won the political battle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and the destruction of global institutions

  • OTTAWA—Paul Martin was instrumental in the creation of the Group of 20 international leaders’ summits, starting with meetings of finance ministers from the 20
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 27, 2022
Curtains for the G20? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pictured speaking with Australian PM Scott Morrison during the G20 meeting in Rome, Italy, in October 2021. The G20 and its goal of enhanced financial and economic co-operation is fading fast in the current context, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of PMO

Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and the destruction of global institutions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 27, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Paul Martin was instrumental in the creation of the Group of 20 international leaders’ summits, starting with meetings of finance ministers from the 20

Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and the destruction of global institutions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 27, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Paul Martin was instrumental in the creation of the Group of 20 international leaders’ summits, starting with meetings of finance ministers from the 20
Curtains for the G20? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pictured speaking with Australian PM Scott Morrison during the G20 meeting in Rome, Italy, in October 2021. The G20 and its goal of enhanced financial and economic co-operation is fading fast in the current context, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of PMO

Ford gambling on Ontarians’ health in pre-election dice roll

  • OTTAWA—Whatever you can say about Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s handling of the pandemic, it clearly didn’t have anything to do with equal treatment of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 20, 2022
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s approach all along obviously reflected the fact that his base is composed in part by social conservatives, a group that not only opposes COVID vaccines but was key to his long-shot leadership victory in 2018, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford gambling on Ontarians’ health in pre-election dice roll

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 20, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Whatever you can say about Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s handling of the pandemic, it clearly didn’t have anything to do with equal treatment of

Ford gambling on Ontarians’ health in pre-election dice roll

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 20, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Whatever you can say about Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s handling of the pandemic, it clearly didn’t have anything to do with equal treatment of
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s approach all along obviously reflected the fact that his base is composed in part by social conservatives, a group that not only opposes COVID vaccines but was key to his long-shot leadership victory in 2018, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Waking up to the threat of disinformation

  • OTTAWA—French President Emmanuel Macron is fighting to hold off hard-right candidate Marine Le Pen as voters ready for a second round of voting April
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 13, 2022
The racist froth leaking into French campaign discourse appeared to have helped Marine Le Pen, right, creep up on incumbent President Emmanuel Macron by making her extremist views appear more mainstream, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of the European Parliament

Waking up to the threat of disinformation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—French President Emmanuel Macron is fighting to hold off hard-right candidate Marine Le Pen as voters ready for a second round of voting April

Waking up to the threat of disinformation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 13, 2022
  • OTTAWA—French President Emmanuel Macron is fighting to hold off hard-right candidate Marine Le Pen as voters ready for a second round of voting April
The racist froth leaking into French campaign discourse appeared to have helped Marine Le Pen, right, creep up on incumbent President Emmanuel Macron by making her extremist views appear more mainstream, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of the European Parliament

Guesswork, hopes, and risks: budget-making in the post-COVID haze

  • OTTAWA—Subject to election cycles, political trends, and economic shifts, budgets can range from the historic to pre-election giveaways to do-nothing holding patterns. But the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 4, 2022
The choices made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland are likely to reverberate through Canada’s economy, political landscape, and international relations for years to come, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Guesswork, hopes, and risks: budget-making in the post-COVID haze

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 4, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Subject to election cycles, political trends, and economic shifts, budgets can range from the historic to pre-election giveaways to do-nothing holding patterns. But the

Guesswork, hopes, and risks: budget-making in the post-COVID haze

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 4, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Subject to election cycles, political trends, and economic shifts, budgets can range from the historic to pre-election giveaways to do-nothing holding patterns. But the
The choices made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland are likely to reverberate through Canada’s economy, political landscape, and international relations for years to come, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Western leaders will continue to be put to the test by the impact of the Ukraine attack

  • OTTAWA—This spring’s budget will be the fourth consecutive budget or economic statement delivered by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland with a post-COVID recovery focus. After
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 30, 2022
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will presumably table a nuts-and-bolts economic plan, with the exception of a down payment on a sizeable increase in defence spending, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Western leaders will continue to be put to the test by the impact of the Ukraine attack

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 30, 2022
  • OTTAWA—This spring’s budget will be the fourth consecutive budget or economic statement delivered by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland with a post-COVID recovery focus. After

Western leaders will continue to be put to the test by the impact of the Ukraine attack

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 30, 2022
  • OTTAWA—This spring’s budget will be the fourth consecutive budget or economic statement delivered by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland with a post-COVID recovery focus. After
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will presumably table a nuts-and-bolts economic plan, with the exception of a down payment on a sizeable increase in defence spending, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Yesterday’s man takes a shot at remaking Canada’s future

  • OTTAWA—One thing is for sure: you can take Jean Charest at his word when he says he’s not afraid of an uphill struggle. I
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 23, 2022
Jean Charest’s attempt to offer Conservative Party members policies aimed at winning over moderate voters is clearly a waste of energy if messaging from current leadership frontrunner Pierre Poilievre holds sway, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Yesterday’s man takes a shot at remaking Canada’s future

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 23, 2022
  • OTTAWA—One thing is for sure: you can take Jean Charest at his word when he says he’s not afraid of an uphill struggle. I

Yesterday’s man takes a shot at remaking Canada’s future

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 23, 2022
  • OTTAWA—One thing is for sure: you can take Jean Charest at his word when he says he’s not afraid of an uphill struggle. I
Jean Charest’s attempt to offer Conservative Party members policies aimed at winning over moderate voters is clearly a waste of energy if messaging from current leadership frontrunner Pierre Poilievre holds sway, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How long will China support Putin as he risks a world war?

  • OTTAWA—Exactly how much China’s Xi Jinping knew in advance about Russian ruler Vladimir Putin’s plan to invade Ukraine has been a matter of dispute.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 16, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin, personally obsessed with regaining territory lost when the Soviet Union collapsed, has found a welcome partner in Chinese President Xi Jinping, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin

How long will China support Putin as he risks a world war?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 16, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Exactly how much China’s Xi Jinping knew in advance about Russian ruler Vladimir Putin’s plan to invade Ukraine has been a matter of dispute.

How long will China support Putin as he risks a world war?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 16, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Exactly how much China’s Xi Jinping knew in advance about Russian ruler Vladimir Putin’s plan to invade Ukraine has been a matter of dispute.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, personally obsessed with regaining territory lost when the Soviet Union collapsed, has found a welcome partner in Chinese President Xi Jinping, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin

The West equivocates as Ukrainians die

  • OTTAWA—Clearly, no one knew what to make of Vladimir Putin as he pursued his barbaric assault on neighbouring Ukraine last week. His strange meeting
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 7, 2022
At a meeting on March 7 in London with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (whose government has stopped Russian oil imports), left, both British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said European countries weren’t ready for such a hit on their energy systems and economies, writes Les Whittington. Number 10 photograph by Andrew Parsons

The West equivocates as Ukrainians die

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Clearly, no one knew what to make of Vladimir Putin as he pursued his barbaric assault on neighbouring Ukraine last week. His strange meeting

The West equivocates as Ukrainians die

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Clearly, no one knew what to make of Vladimir Putin as he pursued his barbaric assault on neighbouring Ukraine last week. His strange meeting
At a meeting on March 7 in London with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (whose government has stopped Russian oil imports), left, both British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said European countries weren’t ready for such a hit on their energy systems and economies, writes Les Whittington. Number 10 photograph by Andrew Parsons

The 70-year nightmare materializes: a madman with nukes

  • OTTAWA—This will be the end of Vladimir Putin. It’s just a question of how long it takes and how many thousands (millions?) of people
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 2, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has brandished the nuclear sword before in relation to the 2014 annexation of Crimea, is doing what has been unthinkable for 70 years, writes Les Whittington. UN photograph by Mark Garten

The 70-year nightmare materializes: a madman with nukes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 2, 2022
  • OTTAWA—This will be the end of Vladimir Putin. It’s just a question of how long it takes and how many thousands (millions?) of people

The 70-year nightmare materializes: a madman with nukes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 2, 2022
  • OTTAWA—This will be the end of Vladimir Putin. It’s just a question of how long it takes and how many thousands (millions?) of people
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has brandished the nuclear sword before in relation to the 2014 annexation of Crimea, is doing what has been unthinkable for 70 years, writes Les Whittington. UN photograph by Mark Garten

Ginned up by the truck mob, Conservatives go full Republican

  • OTTAWA—Donald Trump amazed the political world by transforming the venerable Republican Party into a full-scale personal cult in the United States. But, even so,
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 23, 2022
A Freedom Convoy supporter drinks a beer and dances in front of the Senate of Canada building on Feb. 17, as the convoy’s occupation of downtown Ottawa entered the third week. Conservatives called the illegal occupiers of Ottawa “patriots” and offered to support their cause even while saying they should go home, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ginned up by the truck mob, Conservatives go full Republican

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 23, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Donald Trump amazed the political world by transforming the venerable Republican Party into a full-scale personal cult in the United States. But, even so,

Ginned up by the truck mob, Conservatives go full Republican

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 23, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Donald Trump amazed the political world by transforming the venerable Republican Party into a full-scale personal cult in the United States. But, even so,
A Freedom Convoy supporter drinks a beer and dances in front of the Senate of Canada building on Feb. 17, as the convoy’s occupation of downtown Ottawa entered the third week. Conservatives called the illegal occupiers of Ottawa “patriots” and offered to support their cause even while saying they should go home, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How many leaders will COVID blowback claim?

  • OTTAWA—Eventually we’ll find out how and why the Ottawa police managed to inspire an outpouring of illegal vehicle blockades and anti-government marches around the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 16, 2022
Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly, left, unfortunately was clearly the wrong person at the wrong time, polls show a loss of support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a result of all this, and the unpredictable chain of events initiated by some alt-right, Trump-loving populists in Western Canada a month ago could also upend the leadership hopes of Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Twitter, The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

How many leaders will COVID blowback claim?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 16, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Eventually we’ll find out how and why the Ottawa police managed to inspire an outpouring of illegal vehicle blockades and anti-government marches around the

How many leaders will COVID blowback claim?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 16, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Eventually we’ll find out how and why the Ottawa police managed to inspire an outpouring of illegal vehicle blockades and anti-government marches around the
Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly, left, unfortunately was clearly the wrong person at the wrong time, polls show a loss of support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a result of all this, and the unpredictable chain of events initiated by some alt-right, Trump-loving populists in Western Canada a month ago could also upend the leadership hopes of Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Twitter, The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

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