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Les Whittington

The slow, uphill climb to fix the housing mess

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

The slow, uphill climb to fix the housing mess

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

The slow, uphill climb to fix the housing mess

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

How far will Trump go?

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

How far will Trump go?

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

How far will Trump go?

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

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

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

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

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

2026: Another year on the edge for Carney and Canada

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

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

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

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

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

Welcome to the ‘Trade War World Cup’

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

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

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

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

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

Untrodden ground: Carney looks to kickstart post-NAFTA economy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

The laws of economics finally catch up with Trump

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

Pierre Poilievre may be done

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

It’s always do or die on budget day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Waiting for the truckers to come back

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

Is Canada ready for the nation-defining challenges ahead?

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

The Canada that Dryden believed in remains at risk today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

A world without principles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s what dictators do

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

That’s what dictators do

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

That’s what dictators do

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Election? What election?

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

Election? What election?

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

Election? What election?

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

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

Will trucker-enabling Conservatives bet the house on a Republican-style, COVID-driven culture war?

  • OTTAWA—Local police established a very problematic precedent in allowing an angry, rebellious crowd to take control of the nation’s capital for more than a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 9, 2022
A Freedom Convoy supporter waves a flag at the intersection of Kent and Slater streets on Feb. 5. For the Conservatives to throw their lot in with the extremists behind the nihilistic mob is obviously risky, as one assumes the majority of Canadians will probably return to their centrist political orientation once they get their frustrations over COVID out of their systems, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will trucker-enabling Conservatives bet the house on a Republican-style, COVID-driven culture war?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 9, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Local police established a very problematic precedent in allowing an angry, rebellious crowd to take control of the nation’s capital for more than a

Will trucker-enabling Conservatives bet the house on a Republican-style, COVID-driven culture war?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 9, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Local police established a very problematic precedent in allowing an angry, rebellious crowd to take control of the nation’s capital for more than a
A Freedom Convoy supporter waves a flag at the intersection of Kent and Slater streets on Feb. 5. For the Conservatives to throw their lot in with the extremists behind the nihilistic mob is obviously risky, as one assumes the majority of Canadians will probably return to their centrist political orientation once they get their frustrations over COVID out of their systems, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump comes to Ottawa

  • OTTAWA—The crowd of agitators, dissidents, right-wing extremists, and conspiracy dupes in Ottawa didn’t actually take over the Capitol (building) on the weekend as they
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 31, 2022
Trucker convoy protesters are pictured in downtown Ottawa on Jan. 30. Misguided, down-the-rabbit-hole thinking is being seen on a wider basis in the Ottawa trucker demonstration, including calls by convoy organizers to use some kind of far-fetched legal process to remove Trudeau from office, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trump comes to Ottawa

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 31, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The crowd of agitators, dissidents, right-wing extremists, and conspiracy dupes in Ottawa didn’t actually take over the Capitol (building) on the weekend as they

Trump comes to Ottawa

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 31, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The crowd of agitators, dissidents, right-wing extremists, and conspiracy dupes in Ottawa didn’t actually take over the Capitol (building) on the weekend as they
Trucker convoy protesters are pictured in downtown Ottawa on Jan. 30. Misguided, down-the-rabbit-hole thinking is being seen on a wider basis in the Ottawa trucker demonstration, including calls by convoy organizers to use some kind of far-fetched legal process to remove Trudeau from office, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

COVID’s very real demands taking a toll on purveyors of populist flimflam

  • OTTAWA—Boris Johnson’s troubles have ballooned to the point of creating a moment of truth for the British prime minister. By the weekend, his ability
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 26, 2022
The uproar over ‘partygate’ has reminded Britons of Boris Johnson’s childish, ineffective approach to the enduring economic disruptions of Brexit and led U.K. observers to say that people should have known all along that it would come to this when they put a self-promoting flimflammer in charge of the nation, writes Les Whittington. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson

COVID’s very real demands taking a toll on purveyors of populist flimflam

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 26, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Boris Johnson’s troubles have ballooned to the point of creating a moment of truth for the British prime minister. By the weekend, his ability

COVID’s very real demands taking a toll on purveyors of populist flimflam

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 26, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Boris Johnson’s troubles have ballooned to the point of creating a moment of truth for the British prime minister. By the weekend, his ability
The uproar over ‘partygate’ has reminded Britons of Boris Johnson’s childish, ineffective approach to the enduring economic disruptions of Brexit and led U.K. observers to say that people should have known all along that it would come to this when they put a self-promoting flimflammer in charge of the nation, writes Les Whittington. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson

Shifting trade away from the U.S. never more urgent

  • OTTAWA—Reducing Canada’s economic dependence on the United States by diversifying trade away from the U.S. to what the federal government now calls “overseas” markets
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2022
It’s obvious that Canada is seen as easy pickings for a Biden administration that is just Trump-without-the-nasty-talk when it comes to the domestic politics of protectionism, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Shifting trade away from the U.S. never more urgent

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Reducing Canada’s economic dependence on the United States by diversifying trade away from the U.S. to what the federal government now calls “overseas” markets

Shifting trade away from the U.S. never more urgent

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Reducing Canada’s economic dependence on the United States by diversifying trade away from the U.S. to what the federal government now calls “overseas” markets
It’s obvious that Canada is seen as easy pickings for a Biden administration that is just Trump-without-the-nasty-talk when it comes to the domestic politics of protectionism, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

What insurrection? The appalling U.S. Capitol riot may have only added to Trump’s momentum

  • OTTAWA—A year later, it’s clear that the Jan. 6 insurrection by Donald Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol wasn’t so much an aberration as
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 12, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden is hemmed in by the scorched-earth mentality of Senate Republicans and Trump’s ongoing rage circus, writes Les Whittington. Flickr photograph by Brett Davis

What insurrection? The appalling U.S. Capitol riot may have only added to Trump’s momentum

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—A year later, it’s clear that the Jan. 6 insurrection by Donald Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol wasn’t so much an aberration as

What insurrection? The appalling U.S. Capitol riot may have only added to Trump’s momentum

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—A year later, it’s clear that the Jan. 6 insurrection by Donald Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol wasn’t so much an aberration as
U.S. President Joe Biden is hemmed in by the scorched-earth mentality of Senate Republicans and Trump’s ongoing rage circus, writes Les Whittington. Flickr photograph by Brett Davis

Inquiry into Nova Scotia mass killing plods along in private

  • OTTAWA—In the you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up department, consider that the hard-won public inquiry into the murder of 22 people by a lone gunman in Nova Scotia in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 15, 2021
RCMP vehicles are pictured responding to the mass shooting that began in Portapique, N.S., on April 18, 2020. Victims’ families and the public are demanding to know the details of the RCMP’s cascading ineptitude on the night of the murders, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Inquiry into Nova Scotia mass killing plods along in private

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 15, 2021
  • OTTAWA—In the you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up department, consider that the hard-won public inquiry into the murder of 22 people by a lone gunman in Nova Scotia in

Inquiry into Nova Scotia mass killing plods along in private

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 15, 2021
  • OTTAWA—In the you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up department, consider that the hard-won public inquiry into the murder of 22 people by a lone gunman in Nova Scotia in
RCMP vehicles are pictured responding to the mass shooting that began in Portapique, N.S., on April 18, 2020. Victims’ families and the public are demanding to know the details of the RCMP’s cascading ineptitude on the night of the murders, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Finally, an issue the Conservatives’ unlikely populists can work with

  • OTTAWA—As with the housing market, hollowed-out commercial real estate, remote work, and the massive rethink of desirable jobs, the global tornado known as the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 8, 2021
What Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre has in common with the so-called ‘left-behind’ and ‘forgotten’ Canadians the Conservatives are trying to court with their anti-elitist pitch is difficult to imagine, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Finally, an issue the Conservatives’ unlikely populists can work with

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 8, 2021
  • OTTAWA—As with the housing market, hollowed-out commercial real estate, remote work, and the massive rethink of desirable jobs, the global tornado known as the

Finally, an issue the Conservatives’ unlikely populists can work with

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 8, 2021
  • OTTAWA—As with the housing market, hollowed-out commercial real estate, remote work, and the massive rethink of desirable jobs, the global tornado known as the
What Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre has in common with the so-called ‘left-behind’ and ‘forgotten’ Canadians the Conservatives are trying to court with their anti-elitist pitch is difficult to imagine, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Food banks’ COVID experience validated federal aid but the crisis for Canada’s poor is worsening

  • OTTAWA—When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, Canadians who try to care for the less-well-off were facing increased hardship and tragedy of incalculable dimensions. Millions
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 1, 2021
Government COVID aid policies in Canada provided key support for food banks struggling to meet the early challenges of the pandemic, but there are changes needed to try to fix this long-broken system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Food banks’ COVID experience validated federal aid but the crisis for Canada’s poor is worsening

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 1, 2021
  • OTTAWA—When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, Canadians who try to care for the less-well-off were facing increased hardship and tragedy of incalculable dimensions. Millions

Food banks’ COVID experience validated federal aid but the crisis for Canada’s poor is worsening

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 1, 2021
  • OTTAWA—When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, Canadians who try to care for the less-well-off were facing increased hardship and tragedy of incalculable dimensions. Millions
Government COVID aid policies in Canada provided key support for food banks struggling to meet the early challenges of the pandemic, but there are changes needed to try to fix this long-broken system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A parliamentary session like no other

  • OTTAWA—Politicians droning on day after day in service of complicated legislative endeavours, amendments, and obscure procedure may not rank high on the average person’s
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 24, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces a political landscape jammed with crises, long-overdue action, unexpected challenges, regional tension, and a multi-faceted, expensive, and publicly demanding policy agenda, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A parliamentary session like no other

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 24, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Politicians droning on day after day in service of complicated legislative endeavours, amendments, and obscure procedure may not rank high on the average person’s

A parliamentary session like no other

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 24, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Politicians droning on day after day in service of complicated legislative endeavours, amendments, and obscure procedure may not rank high on the average person’s
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces a political landscape jammed with crises, long-overdue action, unexpected challenges, regional tension, and a multi-faceted, expensive, and publicly demanding policy agenda, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Amigos in Trump’s America: time to rethink Canada’s long-term interests

  • OTTAWA—Canadians have been paying a price for months for the U.S. government’s monumental failure to bring some order and sense of justice to the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 17, 2021
Despite saying the right things about U.S. diplomacy and climate in particular, President Joe Biden hasn’t deviated a great deal from America’s profoundly nationalist, inward-looking shift in recent years. White House photograph by Erin Scott

Amigos in Trump’s America: time to rethink Canada’s long-term interests

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 17, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Canadians have been paying a price for months for the U.S. government’s monumental failure to bring some order and sense of justice to the

Amigos in Trump’s America: time to rethink Canada’s long-term interests

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 17, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Canadians have been paying a price for months for the U.S. government’s monumental failure to bring some order and sense of justice to the
Despite saying the right things about U.S. diplomacy and climate in particular, President Joe Biden hasn’t deviated a great deal from America’s profoundly nationalist, inward-looking shift in recent years. White House photograph by Erin Scott

Doug Ford’s political porn cheapens Ontario democracy

  • OTTAWA—Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who will face voters next June, wants to run against former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne again. Eight months before the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 10, 2021
Doug Ford
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has started early because of election spending rules and because he has to try to overcome his low personal standing with voters resulting from his inept handling of the later stages of the COVID-19 emergency, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Doug Ford’s political porn cheapens Ontario democracy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 10, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who will face voters next June, wants to run against former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne again. Eight months before the

Doug Ford’s political porn cheapens Ontario democracy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 10, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who will face voters next June, wants to run against former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne again. Eight months before the
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has started early because of election spending rules and because he has to try to overcome his low personal standing with voters resulting from his inept handling of the later stages of the COVID-19 emergency, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Searching for unity of purpose in a world beset by crisis

  • OTTAWA—U.S. President Joe Biden has recommitted his country and his power to the world of multilateral co-operation. But the G20 summit in Rome was
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 3, 2021
Even with the Pope urging them on, the leaders of the 20 economic powers accounting for 80 per cent of global carbon emissions failed in Rome to agree in their communiqué on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as environmentalists had hoped, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Paul Kagame’s Flickr

Searching for unity of purpose in a world beset by crisis

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 3, 2021
  • OTTAWA—U.S. President Joe Biden has recommitted his country and his power to the world of multilateral co-operation. But the G20 summit in Rome was

Searching for unity of purpose in a world beset by crisis

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 3, 2021
  • OTTAWA—U.S. President Joe Biden has recommitted his country and his power to the world of multilateral co-operation. But the G20 summit in Rome was
Even with the Pope urging them on, the leaders of the 20 economic powers accounting for 80 per cent of global carbon emissions failed in Rome to agree in their communiqué on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as environmentalists had hoped, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Paul Kagame’s Flickr

Post-COVID imponderables up the risks with Freeland’s recovery outlook

  • OTTAWA—Will the global economy prove to be a COVID long-hauler? The diagnosis remains uncertain, as with every other factor concerning the virus and its
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 27, 2021
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has now put her confidence in Canada’s reviving economy on the line by replacing broad-based COVID support programs with more targeted, less expensive measures, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Post-COVID imponderables up the risks with Freeland’s recovery outlook

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 27, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Will the global economy prove to be a COVID long-hauler? The diagnosis remains uncertain, as with every other factor concerning the virus and its

Post-COVID imponderables up the risks with Freeland’s recovery outlook

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 27, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Will the global economy prove to be a COVID long-hauler? The diagnosis remains uncertain, as with every other factor concerning the virus and its
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has now put her confidence in Canada’s reviving economy on the line by replacing broad-based COVID support programs with more targeted, less expensive measures, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s only the survival of the planet: will the world come up short again at Scottish climate change summit?

  • OTTAWA—Nearly a third of a century has passed since global leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, agreed to try to do something to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 18, 2021
Within the meeting’s limited prospects, Canada can still play a leadership role, writes Les Whittington. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will take an upgraded pledge by Canada to Glasgow and Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has been working with his German counterpart to convince wealthy nations to fulfill their promise to allocate $100-billion per year to developing countries. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

It’s only the survival of the planet: will the world come up short again at Scottish climate change summit?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 18, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Nearly a third of a century has passed since global leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, agreed to try to do something to

It’s only the survival of the planet: will the world come up short again at Scottish climate change summit?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 18, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Nearly a third of a century has passed since global leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, agreed to try to do something to
Within the meeting’s limited prospects, Canada can still play a leadership role, writes Les Whittington. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will take an upgraded pledge by Canada to Glasgow and Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has been working with his German counterpart to convince wealthy nations to fulfill their promise to allocate $100-billion per year to developing countries. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

The Conservatives’ post- election inquiry and the future of Canada’s politics

  • OTTAWA—Had the Conservatives won the election, what would Canadians be expecting now? People who should know say Erin O’Toole is indeed a centrist, and,
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 13, 2021
How the Conservatives assess the 2021 campaign, their leader, and their raison d’être in the months ahead will have particular significance at a time when right-wing zealots of every variety are testing the boundaries of traditional democratic activity across the western world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The Conservatives’ post- election inquiry and the future of Canada’s politics

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Had the Conservatives won the election, what would Canadians be expecting now? People who should know say Erin O’Toole is indeed a centrist, and,

The Conservatives’ post- election inquiry and the future of Canada’s politics

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Had the Conservatives won the election, what would Canadians be expecting now? People who should know say Erin O’Toole is indeed a centrist, and,
How the Conservatives assess the 2021 campaign, their leader, and their raison d’être in the months ahead will have particular significance at a time when right-wing zealots of every variety are testing the boundaries of traditional democratic activity across the western world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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