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Saturday, June 28, 2025

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Michael Harris

Michael Harris is a writer, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. He was awarded a doctor of laws for his “unceasing pursuit of justice for the less fortunate among us.” His nine books include Justice Denied, Unholy Orders, Rare Ambition, Lament for an Ocean and Con Game. His work has sparked four commissions of inquiry and three of his books have been made into movies. His book on the Harper majority government, Party of One, was a No. 1 bestseller. Follow Michael Harris on Twitter at @HarrisAuthor

It’s time to end Trump’s free ride

  • In a free society, the office never sanctifies the man. But the man can disgrace the office, and U.S. President Donald Trump has definitely disgraced
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 23, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump to the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alta., on June 16, 2025. The only question that remains about Trump's presidency is how much damage it can do to the U.S. and the world before it is over, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

It’s time to end Trump’s free ride

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 23, 2025
  • In a free society, the office never sanctifies the man. But the man can disgrace the office, and U.S. President Donald Trump has definitely disgraced

It’s time to end Trump’s free ride

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 23, 2025
  • In a free society, the office never sanctifies the man. But the man can disgrace the office, and U.S. President Donald Trump has definitely disgraced
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump to the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alta., on June 16, 2025. The only question that remains about Trump's presidency is how much damage it can do to the U.S. and the world before it is over, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Canada

Trump shamelessly uses U.S. military to do his bidding in Los Angeles 

  • These protesters passionately disagree with Trump’s ruthless round-up, detention, and deportation of hundreds of immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. This is the
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 16, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump deployed 700 Marines to Los Angeles in reaction to protests against his immigration raids. That is in addition to his federalizing thousands of California National Guard members for the same purpose. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House.

Trump shamelessly uses U.S. military to do his bidding in Los Angeles 

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 16, 2025
  • These protesters passionately disagree with Trump’s ruthless round-up, detention, and deportation of hundreds of immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. This is the

Trump shamelessly uses U.S. military to do his bidding in Los Angeles 

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 16, 2025
  • These protesters passionately disagree with Trump’s ruthless round-up, detention, and deportation of hundreds of immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. This is the
U.S. President Donald Trump deployed 700 Marines to Los Angeles in reaction to protests against his immigration raids. That is in addition to his federalizing thousands of California National Guard members for the same purpose. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House.

Conservatives need to do some serious soul-searching

  • Is Pierre Poilievre the right person to lead the Conservatives out of the wilderness they've inhabited since former prime minister Stephen Harper’s defeat in
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 9, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on March 21, 2025, making an announcement at LiUNA local 527 training centre in Nepean, Ont., to support training 350,000 new trades workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservatives need to do some serious soul-searching

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 9, 2025
  • Is Pierre Poilievre the right person to lead the Conservatives out of the wilderness they've inhabited since former prime minister Stephen Harper’s defeat in

Conservatives need to do some serious soul-searching

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 9, 2025
  • Is Pierre Poilievre the right person to lead the Conservatives out of the wilderness they've inhabited since former prime minister Stephen Harper’s defeat in
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on March 21, 2025, making an announcement at LiUNA local 527 training centre in Nepean, Ont., to support training 350,000 new trades workers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s tone a welcome distinction from Trump’s taunts and threats

  • Political leadership requires civility and collegiality to get things done. That is the promise of Mark Carney, compared to the Dark Ages of Donald
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 2, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House on May 6, 2025. The recent royal visit engaged Canadians, and reminded the Orange One that Canada is very much a real country, a fully sovereign nation under a constitutional monarchy, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Carney’s tone a welcome distinction from Trump’s taunts and threats

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 2, 2025
  • Political leadership requires civility and collegiality to get things done. That is the promise of Mark Carney, compared to the Dark Ages of Donald

Carney’s tone a welcome distinction from Trump’s taunts and threats

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 2, 2025
  • Political leadership requires civility and collegiality to get things done. That is the promise of Mark Carney, compared to the Dark Ages of Donald
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House on May 6, 2025. The recent royal visit engaged Canadians, and reminded the Orange One that Canada is very much a real country, a fully sovereign nation under a constitutional monarchy, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

As the world turns and burns, war is everywhere

  • War without end is also the story in Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Everyone knows the genesis of that conflict—the brutal slaughter by Hamas of 1,196
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 26, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. To Canada’s everlasting credit, Carney—in concert with other world leaders from the U.K. and France—injected a little Gandhi conscience into the ascendancy of violence in our world, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

As the world turns and burns, war is everywhere

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 26, 2025
  • War without end is also the story in Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Everyone knows the genesis of that conflict—the brutal slaughter by Hamas of 1,196

As the world turns and burns, war is everywhere

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 26, 2025
  • War without end is also the story in Israel’s invasion of Gaza. Everyone knows the genesis of that conflict—the brutal slaughter by Hamas of 1,196
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. To Canada’s everlasting credit, Carney—in concert with other world leaders from the U.K. and France—injected a little Gandhi conscience into the ascendancy of violence in our world, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Trump just tossed a $400-million jumbo jet into the swamp he was supposed to drain

  • Even though accepting the jet is clearly unconstitutional, as Representative Jamie Raskin and Senator Richard Blumenthal have pointed out, Donald Trump got the gift legally
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 19, 2025
U.S. Donald Trump accepted a $400-million jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar last week, even though he insists it was a gift to the Pentagon. What people don’t know, and probably never will, is what the other half of the exchange might have been, writes Michael Harris.   Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Trump just tossed a $400-million jumbo jet into the swamp he was supposed to drain

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 19, 2025
  • Even though accepting the jet is clearly unconstitutional, as Representative Jamie Raskin and Senator Richard Blumenthal have pointed out, Donald Trump got the gift legally

Trump just tossed a $400-million jumbo jet into the swamp he was supposed to drain

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 19, 2025
  • Even though accepting the jet is clearly unconstitutional, as Representative Jamie Raskin and Senator Richard Blumenthal have pointed out, Donald Trump got the gift legally
U.S. Donald Trump accepted a $400-million jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar last week, even though he insists it was a gift to the Pentagon. What people don’t know, and probably never will, is what the other half of the exchange might have been, writes Michael Harris.   Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House

Carney pulls off mission impossible

  • In Carney’s world, two plus two always equals four. In banking and finance, facts matter. In the navel-gazing nightmare of intuitive Trumpism, two plus two equals
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 12, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, greets Prime Minister Mark Carney at the West Wing entrance of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Official White House photographer Gabriel B. Kotico

Carney pulls off mission impossible

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 12, 2025
  • In Carney’s world, two plus two always equals four. In banking and finance, facts matter. In the navel-gazing nightmare of intuitive Trumpism, two plus two equals

Carney pulls off mission impossible

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 12, 2025
  • In Carney’s world, two plus two always equals four. In banking and finance, facts matter. In the navel-gazing nightmare of intuitive Trumpism, two plus two equals
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, greets Prime Minister Mark Carney at the West Wing entrance of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Photograph courtesy of Official White House photographer Gabriel B. Kotico

Carney steps into the fray

  • Liberals like their leaders coming out of caucus, not left field. Carney bucked that preference. He not only captured the top job, he raised the
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 5, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre, with Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, left, and International Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Carney will find that it's one thing to deliver a speech, but delivering on promises is quite another, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney steps into the fray

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 5, 2025
  • Liberals like their leaders coming out of caucus, not left field. Carney bucked that preference. He not only captured the top job, he raised the

Carney steps into the fray

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 5, 2025
  • Liberals like their leaders coming out of caucus, not left field. Carney bucked that preference. He not only captured the top job, he raised the
Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre, with Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, left, and International Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Carney will find that it's one thing to deliver a speech, but delivering on promises is quite another, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Farewell to the old order

  • With a brand new leader at the Liberal Party helm and with the distinct chance of new leadership in all the main federal parties,
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 28, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
If the polls are right, and Liberal Leader Mark Carney emerges victorious on April 28, it would be a remarkable outcome after the Trudeau era, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Farewell to the old order

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 28, 2025
  • With a brand new leader at the Liberal Party helm and with the distinct chance of new leadership in all the main federal parties,

Farewell to the old order

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 28, 2025
  • With a brand new leader at the Liberal Party helm and with the distinct chance of new leadership in all the main federal parties,
Mark Carney
If the polls are right, and Liberal Leader Mark Carney emerges victorious on April 28, it would be a remarkable outcome after the Trudeau era, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

‘This is a national election inside a local riding,’ says Fanjoy in his bid to oust Poilievre in Carleton

  • Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy is running against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who has a national profile as both party leader and a potential prime
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 21, 2025
Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, pictured, said he has worn out two pairs of sneakers in the process of knocking on 15,000 doors in Carleton, Ont. He's running against powerhouse Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who was first elected in the riding in 2004.    Photograph courtesy of X/Bruce Fanjoy

‘This is a national election inside a local riding,’ says Fanjoy in his bid to oust Poilievre in Carleton

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 21, 2025
  • Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy is running against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who has a national profile as both party leader and a potential prime

‘This is a national election inside a local riding,’ says Fanjoy in his bid to oust Poilievre in Carleton

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 21, 2025
  • Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy is running against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who has a national profile as both party leader and a potential prime
Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, pictured, said he has worn out two pairs of sneakers in the process of knocking on 15,000 doors in Carleton, Ont. He's running against powerhouse Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre who was first elected in the riding in 2004.    Photograph courtesy of X/Bruce Fanjoy

Carney grasps a key point that Poilievre has missed in the trade war

  • It can never be politics as usual again with the United States. Mark Carney has talked about the political imperative that this new and
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 14, 2025
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney understands that Canada needs to reinvent itself as a self-sufficient country, allied to new trading partners who share our values, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Carney grasps a key point that Poilievre has missed in the trade war

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 14, 2025
  • It can never be politics as usual again with the United States. Mark Carney has talked about the political imperative that this new and

Carney grasps a key point that Poilievre has missed in the trade war

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 14, 2025
  • It can never be politics as usual again with the United States. Mark Carney has talked about the political imperative that this new and
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney understands that Canada needs to reinvent itself as a self-sufficient country, allied to new trading partners who share our values, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Carney is clearly the most qualified candidate to take on Trump  

  • Even if Trump is using tariffs to negotiate better deals with trading partners, that process could take up the rest of his presidency. After all,
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 7, 2025
The song remains the same: Prime Minister Mark Carney holds a press conference on the Hill on April 3, 2025, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement. So the ballot question remains the same in this election. Who is the best candidate to deal with Donald Trump? And the answer remains the same, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney is clearly the most qualified candidate to take on Trump  

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 7, 2025
  • Even if Trump is using tariffs to negotiate better deals with trading partners, that process could take up the rest of his presidency. After all,

Carney is clearly the most qualified candidate to take on Trump  

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 7, 2025
  • Even if Trump is using tariffs to negotiate better deals with trading partners, that process could take up the rest of his presidency. After all,
The song remains the same: Prime Minister Mark Carney holds a press conference on the Hill on April 3, 2025, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement. So the ballot question remains the same in this election. Who is the best candidate to deal with Donald Trump? And the answer remains the same, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney is asking Canadians to give him a majority to deal with Trump

  • A few months ago, only people who were smoking the drapes would have thought a Liberal majority possible. Now, who knows?
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 31, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Canadians have consistently answered the most pressing issue facing the country the same way: Carney is the better choice to deal with Trump’s tariffs, tantrums, and threats, than any other candidate on offer. Poilievre has made no headway here, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

Carney is asking Canadians to give him a majority to deal with Trump

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 31, 2025
  • A few months ago, only people who were smoking the drapes would have thought a Liberal majority possible. Now, who knows?

Carney is asking Canadians to give him a majority to deal with Trump

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 31, 2025
  • A few months ago, only people who were smoking the drapes would have thought a Liberal majority possible. Now, who knows?
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Canadians have consistently answered the most pressing issue facing the country the same way: Carney is the better choice to deal with Trump’s tariffs, tantrums, and threats, than any other candidate on offer. Poilievre has made no headway here, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

April could be the cruelest month for Poilievre

  • Pierre Poilievre has been spinning his wheels in a feckless attempt to transfer the enmity he so successfully encouraged against Justin Trudeau to Mark
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 24, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured March 4, 2025, on the Hill. Most Canadians want their politicians to deal with the current U.S. president, not play partisan politics while Donald Trump pursues our demise, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

April could be the cruelest month for Poilievre

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 24, 2025
  • Pierre Poilievre has been spinning his wheels in a feckless attempt to transfer the enmity he so successfully encouraged against Justin Trudeau to Mark

April could be the cruelest month for Poilievre

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 24, 2025
  • Pierre Poilievre has been spinning his wheels in a feckless attempt to transfer the enmity he so successfully encouraged against Justin Trudeau to Mark
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured March 4, 2025, on the Hill. Most Canadians want their politicians to deal with the current U.S. president, not play partisan politics while Donald Trump pursues our demise, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For Carney and Poilievre, it’s go time

  • Both leaders of the mainstream parties need to demonstrate their credentials for the top job, and their plan to rebuff Donald Trump. An election is
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 17, 2025
On paper, Mark Carney, left, has the clear advantage. His talents have been road-tested in the 2008 financial crisis in Canada, and in the turbulence of the post-Brexit period in the U.K. But does he have the retail political skills? Pierre Poilievre has clearly demonstrated his considerable retail political skills, writes Michale Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

For Carney and Poilievre, it’s go time

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 17, 2025
  • Both leaders of the mainstream parties need to demonstrate their credentials for the top job, and their plan to rebuff Donald Trump. An election is

For Carney and Poilievre, it’s go time

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 17, 2025
  • Both leaders of the mainstream parties need to demonstrate their credentials for the top job, and their plan to rebuff Donald Trump. An election is
On paper, Mark Carney, left, has the clear advantage. His talents have been road-tested in the 2008 financial crisis in Canada, and in the turbulence of the post-Brexit period in the U.K. But does he have the retail political skills? Pierre Poilievre has clearly demonstrated his considerable retail political skills, writes Michale Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Trump’s word = the square root of bugger all

  • How bad is U.S. President Donald Trump's crazed trade war? Just a day after imposing illegal and punishing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Captain
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 10, 2025
Justin Trudeau, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at Mar-a-Lago, Nov. 29, 2024. Tough times may lie ahead for Canadians, but tough times are better than bending the knee to a mendacious con man who somehow lied his way back into the White House, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Justin Trudeau's X handle

Trump’s word = the square root of bugger all

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 10, 2025
  • How bad is U.S. President Donald Trump's crazed trade war? Just a day after imposing illegal and punishing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Captain

Trump’s word = the square root of bugger all

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 10, 2025
  • How bad is U.S. President Donald Trump's crazed trade war? Just a day after imposing illegal and punishing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Captain
Justin Trudeau, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured at Mar-a-Lago, Nov. 29, 2024. Tough times may lie ahead for Canadians, but tough times are better than bending the knee to a mendacious con man who somehow lied his way back into the White House, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Justin Trudeau's X handle

Trump sinks to new low with AI-generated Gaza video

  • Who in their right mind would put up with such a delusional buffoon?
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 3, 2025
Make it stop: Screenshots from an AI-generated video U.S. President Donald Trump posted about turning the Gaza Strip into a resort, something that Michael Harris says would be funny if it wasn’t such an abomination. Elon Musk, left, Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, a Trump hotel, and a talk gold statue of Trump. Screenshots via Bluesky

Trump sinks to new low with AI-generated Gaza video

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 3, 2025
  • Who in their right mind would put up with such a delusional buffoon?

Trump sinks to new low with AI-generated Gaza video

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 3, 2025
  • Who in their right mind would put up with such a delusional buffoon?
Make it stop: Screenshots from an AI-generated video U.S. President Donald Trump posted about turning the Gaza Strip into a resort, something that Michael Harris says would be funny if it wasn’t such an abomination. Elon Musk, left, Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, a Trump hotel, and a talk gold statue of Trump. Screenshots via Bluesky

Trump sides with Putin, a murderous dictator

  • It is usually the other way around, given that America styles itself as the leader of the Free World. Instead, we have a convicted
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 24, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, has taken the side of a brutal dictator, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, who invaded Ukraine, and he has left Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swinging in the wind, centre. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia, and courtesy Flickr/Gage Skidmore/World Economic Forum

Trump sides with Putin, a murderous dictator

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 24, 2025
  • It is usually the other way around, given that America styles itself as the leader of the Free World. Instead, we have a convicted

Trump sides with Putin, a murderous dictator

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 24, 2025
  • It is usually the other way around, given that America styles itself as the leader of the Free World. Instead, we have a convicted
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, has taken the side of a brutal dictator, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, who invaded Ukraine, and he has left Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swinging in the wind, centre. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia, and courtesy Flickr/Gage Skidmore/World Economic Forum

Does Canada need a ripper, or someone who knows the ropes?

  • Mark Carney has helped two countries navigate through some serious white water. While Pierre Poilievre’s monetary experience is a babble about Bitcoin, Carney has been
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Grit leadership candidate Mark Carney. Trump’s insulting offer to make Canada America’s 51st state as a way of avoiding his punitive tariffs, supercharged the usually understated patriotism of Canadians. We don’t pick fights, but don’t piss us off, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore

Does Canada need a ripper, or someone who knows the ropes?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 17, 2025
  • Mark Carney has helped two countries navigate through some serious white water. While Pierre Poilievre’s monetary experience is a babble about Bitcoin, Carney has been

Does Canada need a ripper, or someone who knows the ropes?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 17, 2025
  • Mark Carney has helped two countries navigate through some serious white water. While Pierre Poilievre’s monetary experience is a babble about Bitcoin, Carney has been
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Grit leadership candidate Mark Carney. Trump’s insulting offer to make Canada America’s 51st state as a way of avoiding his punitive tariffs, supercharged the usually understated patriotism of Canadians. We don’t pick fights, but don’t piss us off, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore

We can no longer trust America

  • Canada can never again assume that America is our devoted friend who will look out for our interests or appreciate our friendship. It’s time
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 10, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Out of the blue, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a savage economic attack on both of his reliable allies and his biggest trading partners, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

We can no longer trust America

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 10, 2025
  • Canada can never again assume that America is our devoted friend who will look out for our interests or appreciate our friendship. It’s time

We can no longer trust America

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 10, 2025
  • Canada can never again assume that America is our devoted friend who will look out for our interests or appreciate our friendship. It’s time
Donald Trump
Out of the blue, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a savage economic attack on both of his reliable allies and his biggest trading partners, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

Maybe, just maybe, Canadians are getting tired of slogans and trash-talk

  • A return to reasoned debate, where leaders answer each other’s points, rather than trade insults, would do a lot to restore our tired democracy.
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 3, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Liberal leadership hopeful Mark Carney, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Canadians will soon be voting in a federal election, but will they get the chance to cast an informed vote, or merely support the party that most successfully denigrates its rival, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Maybe, just maybe, Canadians are getting tired of slogans and trash-talk

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 3, 2025
  • A return to reasoned debate, where leaders answer each other’s points, rather than trade insults, would do a lot to restore our tired democracy.

Maybe, just maybe, Canadians are getting tired of slogans and trash-talk

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 3, 2025
  • A return to reasoned debate, where leaders answer each other’s points, rather than trade insults, would do a lot to restore our tired democracy.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Liberal leadership hopeful Mark Carney, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Canadians will soon be voting in a federal election, but will they get the chance to cast an informed vote, or merely support the party that most successfully denigrates its rival, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Even Jesus must be shaking his head

  • With Donald Trump’s accession to power, a fact-free zone paralyzed by ego and propaganda, the U.S. has entered liar’s heaven and democracy’s hell.  
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 27, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald Trump, pictured, claimed that he would be willing to wreck the economies of allies like Canada and Mexico ostensibly because their lax border policies were allowing illegal drugs like fentanyl to enter the U.S., writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Even Jesus must be shaking his head

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 27, 2025
  • With Donald Trump’s accession to power, a fact-free zone paralyzed by ego and propaganda, the U.S. has entered liar’s heaven and democracy’s hell.  

Even Jesus must be shaking his head

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 27, 2025
  • With Donald Trump’s accession to power, a fact-free zone paralyzed by ego and propaganda, the U.S. has entered liar’s heaven and democracy’s hell.  
Donald Trump
Donald Trump, pictured, claimed that he would be willing to wreck the economies of allies like Canada and Mexico ostensibly because their lax border policies were allowing illegal drugs like fentanyl to enter the U.S., writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Danielle Smith puts oil and gas before country

  • HALIFAX—So, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has decided not to play for Team Canada. It doesn’t get tackier than that. U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s 10-thumbed
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 20, 2025
Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith refused to agree with the other premiers and the prime minister on retaliatory measures against the U.S. Deciding not play for Team Canada is one thing, but playing for Team Trump is quite another, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Danielle Smith puts oil and gas before country

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 20, 2025
  • HALIFAX—So, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has decided not to play for Team Canada. It doesn’t get tackier than that. U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s 10-thumbed

Danielle Smith puts oil and gas before country

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 20, 2025
  • HALIFAX—So, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has decided not to play for Team Canada. It doesn’t get tackier than that. U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s 10-thumbed
Danielle Smith
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith refused to agree with the other premiers and the prime minister on retaliatory measures against the U.S. Deciding not play for Team Canada is one thing, but playing for Team Trump is quite another, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump overdoses on unlimited power

  • HALIFAX—When U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming into the United States from Canada, Ontario Premier Doug
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 13, 2025
Former President of the United States Donald Trump
Former President of the United States Donald Trump
Donald Trump is sounding more like Russian President Vladimir Putin than the incoming president of the United States, writes Michael Harris. Gage Skidmore photograph courtesy of Flickr

Trump overdoses on unlimited power

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 13, 2025
  • HALIFAX—When U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming into the United States from Canada, Ontario Premier Doug

Trump overdoses on unlimited power

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 13, 2025
  • HALIFAX—When U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened a 25 per cent tariff on all goods coming into the United States from Canada, Ontario Premier Doug
Former President of the United States Donald Trump
Donald Trump is sounding more like Russian President Vladimir Putin than the incoming president of the United States, writes Michael Harris. Gage Skidmore photograph courtesy of Flickr

Like it or not, the die is cast

  • Justin Trudeau's graceless dithering in the face of the obvious that his time is up sets up two possibilities. The possibility of an ugly
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 19, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Liberal national caucus holiday party in Ottawa on Dec. 17, 2024. In politics, the only thing harder than winning power is making a graceful exit when the party is over, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Like it or not, the die is cast

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 19, 2024
  • Justin Trudeau's graceless dithering in the face of the obvious that his time is up sets up two possibilities. The possibility of an ugly

Like it or not, the die is cast

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 19, 2024
  • Justin Trudeau's graceless dithering in the face of the obvious that his time is up sets up two possibilities. The possibility of an ugly
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Liberal national caucus holiday party in Ottawa on Dec. 17, 2024. In politics, the only thing harder than winning power is making a graceful exit when the party is over, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hey Trump, we shouldn’t be your 51st state, you should be our 11th province

  • No real leader sneers at another country’s sovereignty or its elected leader, poses on mountain tops with a Canadian flag with all that that
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 16, 2024
Walk this way: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and then-U.S. president Donald Trump, walk outside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2017. Photograph courtesy of official White House photographer Shealah Craighead

Hey Trump, we shouldn’t be your 51st state, you should be our 11th province

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 16, 2024
  • No real leader sneers at another country’s sovereignty or its elected leader, poses on mountain tops with a Canadian flag with all that that

Hey Trump, we shouldn’t be your 51st state, you should be our 11th province

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 16, 2024
  • No real leader sneers at another country’s sovereignty or its elected leader, poses on mountain tops with a Canadian flag with all that that
Walk this way: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and then-U.S. president Donald Trump, walk outside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2017. Photograph courtesy of official White House photographer Shealah Craighead

In the last days of his lame-duck presidency, Joe Biden has become Trumpian

  • Biden is not the first politician to cut a family member a break, either with a job or a pardon. But what Biden did may
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 9, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured in Ottawa on March 24, 2023. Like Trump, the aspersions Biden has cast against the U.S. Department of Justice are of a purely personal nature. They invite Americans to embrace the dangerous lie that the justice system and the rule of law it represents are corrupt and not to be trusted, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In the last days of his lame-duck presidency, Joe Biden has become Trumpian

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 9, 2024
  • Biden is not the first politician to cut a family member a break, either with a job or a pardon. But what Biden did may

In the last days of his lame-duck presidency, Joe Biden has become Trumpian

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 9, 2024
  • Biden is not the first politician to cut a family member a break, either with a job or a pardon. But what Biden did may
U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured in Ottawa on March 24, 2023. Like Trump, the aspersions Biden has cast against the U.S. Department of Justice are of a purely personal nature. They invite Americans to embrace the dangerous lie that the justice system and the rule of law it represents are corrupt and not to be trusted, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
More Stories

Conservative leadership debate shows the party is not aging well

  • HALIFAX—If you’ve ever wondered what a dinosaur looked like in its death throes, you can always count on the Conservative Party of Canada and
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 9, 2022
At last Thursday's first, but unofficial, Conservative Party leadership debate, Pierre Poilievre, pictured, went in on running mate Jean Charest, who is seen to be his chief rival, attacking him for being a 'Liberal.' Poilievre might grasp the checkers of federal conservative politics, but Charest understands the chess of the country’s federal system, writes Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative leadership debate shows the party is not aging well

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 9, 2022
  • HALIFAX—If you’ve ever wondered what a dinosaur looked like in its death throes, you can always count on the Conservative Party of Canada and

Conservative leadership debate shows the party is not aging well

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 9, 2022
  • HALIFAX—If you’ve ever wondered what a dinosaur looked like in its death throes, you can always count on the Conservative Party of Canada and
At last Thursday's first, but unofficial, Conservative Party leadership debate, Pierre Poilievre, pictured, went in on running mate Jean Charest, who is seen to be his chief rival, attacking him for being a 'Liberal.' Poilievre might grasp the checkers of federal conservative politics, but Charest understands the chess of the country’s federal system, writes Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Red light flashing over the whole world, not just over Ukraine

  • HALIFAX—It is getting clearer by the day, that a red flashing light is flashing not only over Ukraine, but the whole world. The West
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 2, 2022
While American generals talk about how badly the war is going for the Russians, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to savage Ukraine with a war that has triggered skyrocketing energy prices and rampant inflation in every Western economy. He has become a one-man global wrecking ball. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Red light flashing over the whole world, not just over Ukraine

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 2, 2022
  • HALIFAX—It is getting clearer by the day, that a red flashing light is flashing not only over Ukraine, but the whole world. The West

Red light flashing over the whole world, not just over Ukraine

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 2, 2022
  • HALIFAX—It is getting clearer by the day, that a red flashing light is flashing not only over Ukraine, but the whole world. The West
While American generals talk about how badly the war is going for the Russians, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to savage Ukraine with a war that has triggered skyrocketing energy prices and rampant inflation in every Western economy. He has become a one-man global wrecking ball. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Does the monarchy have any relevance in 2022?

  • There can’t be many more birthdays for Queen Elizabeth. When the sad arithmetic of age catches up to this sturdy figurehead, the burning question
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 25, 2022
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, pictured in Ottawa in 2010. No British monarch has ever ruled as long as the young woman who became Queen in 1952—70 trips around the sun as monarch. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Does the monarchy have any relevance in 2022?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 25, 2022
  • There can’t be many more birthdays for Queen Elizabeth. When the sad arithmetic of age catches up to this sturdy figurehead, the burning question

Does the monarchy have any relevance in 2022?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 25, 2022
  • There can’t be many more birthdays for Queen Elizabeth. When the sad arithmetic of age catches up to this sturdy figurehead, the burning question
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, pictured in Ottawa in 2010. No British monarch has ever ruled as long as the young woman who became Queen in 1952—70 trips around the sun as monarch. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

It’s still the Harper Party, a fact Poilievre is banking on

  • HALIFAX—Despite fawning praise from the usual suspects, the only thing Pierre Poilievre has going for him is the political death wish of the hard
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 18, 2022
Conservative MP and leadership front-runner Pierre Poilievre, pictured Feb. 14, 2022, in the Commons foyer. Poilievre is not without political insight. He knows that the shortest route to winning the leadership is to pass the Conservative purity test—in other words, to sanctify everything his former boss Stephen Harper ever did. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s still the Harper Party, a fact Poilievre is banking on

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 18, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Despite fawning praise from the usual suspects, the only thing Pierre Poilievre has going for him is the political death wish of the hard

It’s still the Harper Party, a fact Poilievre is banking on

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 18, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Despite fawning praise from the usual suspects, the only thing Pierre Poilievre has going for him is the political death wish of the hard
Conservative MP and leadership front-runner Pierre Poilievre, pictured Feb. 14, 2022, in the Commons foyer. Poilievre is not without political insight. He knows that the shortest route to winning the leadership is to pass the Conservative purity test—in other words, to sanctify everything his former boss Stephen Harper ever did. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bay du Nord is either a triumph or an act of immoral madness

  • HALIFAX—Depending on who you believe, Ottawa’s approval of the Bay du Nord oil development off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador is either a
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 11, 2022
Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault, pictured Oct. 27, 2021, even peered into the future and concluded the project 'is not likely to cause significant environmental effects.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bay du Nord is either a triumph or an act of immoral madness

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 11, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Depending on who you believe, Ottawa’s approval of the Bay du Nord oil development off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador is either a

Bay du Nord is either a triumph or an act of immoral madness

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 11, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Depending on who you believe, Ottawa’s approval of the Bay du Nord oil development off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador is either a
Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault, pictured Oct. 27, 2021, even peered into the future and concluded the project 'is not likely to cause significant environmental effects.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Biden faces perfect political storm

  • HALIFAX—Joe Biden is facing his 80th birthday this year, and the perfect political storm. It takes what used to be a mortgage payment to
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 4, 2022
U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured. If, after grand jury testimony, which is ongoing, Hunter Biden is indicted, the Trump conspiracy machine will be jump-started into overdrive, which will be a problem for Joe Biden. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Biden faces perfect political storm

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 4, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Joe Biden is facing his 80th birthday this year, and the perfect political storm. It takes what used to be a mortgage payment to

Biden faces perfect political storm

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 4, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Joe Biden is facing his 80th birthday this year, and the perfect political storm. It takes what used to be a mortgage payment to
U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured. If, after grand jury testimony, which is ongoing, Hunter Biden is indicted, the Trump conspiracy machine will be jump-started into overdrive, which will be a problem for Joe Biden. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

What red line could Putin cross that would result in a forceful response from NATO or the United States?

  • HALIFAX—There is something hollow and terrible about the leader of the Western World calling Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and then watching from the
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 28, 2022
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pictured March 3, 2022. Screen capture image courtesy of France 24

What red line could Putin cross that would result in a forceful response from NATO or the United States?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 28, 2022
  • HALIFAX—There is something hollow and terrible about the leader of the Western World calling Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and then watching from the

What red line could Putin cross that would result in a forceful response from NATO or the United States?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 28, 2022
  • HALIFAX—There is something hollow and terrible about the leader of the Western World calling Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and then watching from the
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pictured March 3, 2022. Screen capture image courtesy of France 24

If the West won’t war with Russia now, then when?

  • HALIFAX—Don’t poke the bear. In a nutshell, that has been the West’s ostensible approach to Russia’s sad and sickening invasion of Ukraine, now entering
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 21, 2022
The West claims to take a cautious approach towards engaging with Russia. 'Don't poke the bear.' But how is the U.S. President Joe Biden calling Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal' not poking the bear? That same message is pictured here, at a pro-Ukraine protest outside of the Russian embassy in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

If the West won’t war with Russia now, then when?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 21, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Don’t poke the bear. In a nutshell, that has been the West’s ostensible approach to Russia’s sad and sickening invasion of Ukraine, now entering

If the West won’t war with Russia now, then when?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 21, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Don’t poke the bear. In a nutshell, that has been the West’s ostensible approach to Russia’s sad and sickening invasion of Ukraine, now entering
The West claims to take a cautious approach towards engaging with Russia. 'Don't poke the bear.' But how is the U.S. President Joe Biden calling Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal' not poking the bear? That same message is pictured here, at a pro-Ukraine protest outside of the Russian embassy in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Charest’s the adult version of a leadership candidate

  • HALIFAX—Has the Conservative Party of Canada learned anything from three consecutive defeats at the hands of Justin Trudeau? That is the question. If it
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 14, 2022
Former Quebec premier Jean Charest, pictured May 8, 2018, already chosen a nice slogan for a party inured to losing: 'Built to win,' writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Charest’s the adult version of a leadership candidate

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 14, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Has the Conservative Party of Canada learned anything from three consecutive defeats at the hands of Justin Trudeau? That is the question. If it

Charest’s the adult version of a leadership candidate

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 14, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Has the Conservative Party of Canada learned anything from three consecutive defeats at the hands of Justin Trudeau? That is the question. If it
Former Quebec premier Jean Charest, pictured May 8, 2018, already chosen a nice slogan for a party inured to losing: 'Built to win,' writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The soul of the West hangs in the balance, as Russia bombs Ukraine

  • HALIFAX—Ukraine’s pop-star president, the guy in the T-shirt, says if Ukraine goes down, it’s not just the end of one country. It is the
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 7, 2022
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured March 3, 2022, says if Ukraine goes down, it’s not just the end of one country. It is the end of the world. It is true that war leaders deal in hyperbole, but Zelensky has a point. As he said, Ukraine is the border between the civilized world, and what used to be known as the evil empire; between democracy and brutal dictatorship. Screen capture image courtesy of France24

The soul of the West hangs in the balance, as Russia bombs Ukraine

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 7, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Ukraine’s pop-star president, the guy in the T-shirt, says if Ukraine goes down, it’s not just the end of one country. It is the

The soul of the West hangs in the balance, as Russia bombs Ukraine

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 7, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Ukraine’s pop-star president, the guy in the T-shirt, says if Ukraine goes down, it’s not just the end of one country. It is the
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, pictured March 3, 2022, says if Ukraine goes down, it’s not just the end of one country. It is the end of the world. It is true that war leaders deal in hyperbole, but Zelensky has a point. As he said, Ukraine is the border between the civilized world, and what used to be known as the evil empire; between democracy and brutal dictatorship. Screen capture image courtesy of France24

The United States is not coming to Ukraine’s rescue

  • HALIFAX—Former Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko has described Vladimir Putin in a nutshell. “He’s just simply mad. He’s just simply crazy. He’s just simply evil
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 28, 2022
Vladimir Putin, right, has been watching the U.S. closely in order to time his invasion of Ukraine while America is divided and distracted, argues Michael Harris. The two leaders are pictured here at a 2021 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The United States is not coming to Ukraine’s rescue

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 28, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Former Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko has described Vladimir Putin in a nutshell. “He’s just simply mad. He’s just simply crazy. He’s just simply evil

The United States is not coming to Ukraine’s rescue

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 28, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Former Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko has described Vladimir Putin in a nutshell. “He’s just simply mad. He’s just simply crazy. He’s just simply evil
Vladimir Putin, right, has been watching the U.S. closely in order to time his invasion of Ukraine while America is divided and distracted, argues Michael Harris. The two leaders are pictured here at a 2021 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Our politics in Canada has suddenly contracted rabies

  • HALIFAX—When protesters come to the door of Liberal cabinet minister Sean Fraser’s constituency office, they usually get coffee, cookies, and conversation—no matter how controversial
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 14, 2022
Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelical Christian Society, pictured on the Hill on Feb. 10, 2022. This is no longer a question of jurisdiction. It is a matter of peace, order, and good government.  If things remain as they are, it will signal that disturbing the peace, disorder, and no government at all, are the new watch words as we all sink deeper and deeper into Trump World, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Our politics in Canada has suddenly contracted rabies

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 14, 2022
  • HALIFAX—When protesters come to the door of Liberal cabinet minister Sean Fraser’s constituency office, they usually get coffee, cookies, and conversation—no matter how controversial

Our politics in Canada has suddenly contracted rabies

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 14, 2022
  • HALIFAX—When protesters come to the door of Liberal cabinet minister Sean Fraser’s constituency office, they usually get coffee, cookies, and conversation—no matter how controversial
Chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelical Christian Society, pictured on the Hill on Feb. 10, 2022. This is no longer a question of jurisdiction. It is a matter of peace, order, and good government.  If things remain as they are, it will signal that disturbing the peace, disorder, and no government at all, are the new watch words as we all sink deeper and deeper into Trump World, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Big difference between a protest and issuing an ultimatum

  • HALIFAX—Just two words for the mob holding Ottawa hostage: truck off. Everyone in this country believes in the right to protest. A protest allows
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 7, 2022
The so-called Freedom Convoy has turned into an occupation of the city of Ottawa, writes Michael Harris. For how long will this be allowed to go on? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Big difference between a protest and issuing an ultimatum

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 7, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Just two words for the mob holding Ottawa hostage: truck off. Everyone in this country believes in the right to protest. A protest allows

Big difference between a protest and issuing an ultimatum

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | February 7, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Just two words for the mob holding Ottawa hostage: truck off. Everyone in this country believes in the right to protest. A protest allows
The so-called Freedom Convoy has turned into an occupation of the city of Ottawa, writes Michael Harris. For how long will this be allowed to go on? The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s the tyranny of the minority

  • HALIFAX—So the tyranny of the minority is behind the wheel and taking dead aim at Canadian democracy. As they say about the internet, it
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 31, 2022
The so-called 'Freedom Convoy' is reminiscent of the idiots who interfered with health-care workers by conducting their ignorant anti-vaccine, anti-masking protests outside hospitals—even when it meant endangering patients, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s the tyranny of the minority

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 31, 2022
  • HALIFAX—So the tyranny of the minority is behind the wheel and taking dead aim at Canadian democracy. As they say about the internet, it

It’s the tyranny of the minority

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 31, 2022
  • HALIFAX—So the tyranny of the minority is behind the wheel and taking dead aim at Canadian democracy. As they say about the internet, it
The so-called 'Freedom Convoy' is reminiscent of the idiots who interfered with health-care workers by conducting their ignorant anti-vaccine, anti-masking protests outside hospitals—even when it meant endangering patients, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A bad week for misbehaving political elites

  • HALIFAX—It was a bad week for misbehaving political elites. Take Jason Kenney, temporarily Alberta’s premier until next year’s election. He was already on a
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 24, 2022
In an 8-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court that Donald Trump had carefully stocked with conservative judges made a crucial ruling. The court rejected Trump’s bogus claim of executive privilege to hide the facts about Jan. 6 from Americans. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Commons Wikimedia

A bad week for misbehaving political elites

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 24, 2022
  • HALIFAX—It was a bad week for misbehaving political elites. Take Jason Kenney, temporarily Alberta’s premier until next year’s election. He was already on a

A bad week for misbehaving political elites

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 24, 2022
  • HALIFAX—It was a bad week for misbehaving political elites. Take Jason Kenney, temporarily Alberta’s premier until next year’s election. He was already on a
In an 8-1 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court that Donald Trump had carefully stocked with conservative judges made a crucial ruling. The court rejected Trump’s bogus claim of executive privilege to hide the facts about Jan. 6 from Americans. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Commons Wikimedia

In the long term, nothing raises a society’s morale like the facts

  • HALIFAX—Is there such a thing as too much reporting on big issues? Robin V. Sears, one of the keenest political observers around, recently published
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 17, 2022
Hill media, pictured scrumming Government House leader Mark Holland outside the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Nov. 16, 2021. To all those journalists out there drilling down on the pandemic, keep drilling. It is a huge story, full of consequences for everyone. It may be tough to tell that story, it may bring down the mood of the country—temporarily. But in the long term, nothing raises a society’s morale like the facts, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In the long term, nothing raises a society’s morale like the facts

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 17, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Is there such a thing as too much reporting on big issues? Robin V. Sears, one of the keenest political observers around, recently published

In the long term, nothing raises a society’s morale like the facts

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 17, 2022
  • HALIFAX—Is there such a thing as too much reporting on big issues? Robin V. Sears, one of the keenest political observers around, recently published
Hill media, pictured scrumming Government House leader Mark Holland outside the Liberal cabinet meeting in West Block on Nov. 16, 2021. To all those journalists out there drilling down on the pandemic, keep drilling. It is a huge story, full of consequences for everyone. It may be tough to tell that story, it may bring down the mood of the country—temporarily. But in the long term, nothing raises a society’s morale like the facts, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Trump faithful continue to support the Big Lie, heart and soul

  • HALIFAX—U.S. President Joe Biden has finally delivered his Hail Mary speech. He is getting a lot of praise is some quarters, namely on CNN
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 10, 2022
Pro-Trump mob, pictured Jan. 6, 2021, before storming the Capitol Building on Capitol Hill. America is in a bloody-minded mood and the numbers show it. In the most recent CNN poll, just 21 per cent of Americans said they think their country is going in the right direction. More frightening than that, more than 60 per cent of Americans of both parties think that the loser in the 2024 presidential election will resort to violence, writes Michael Harris. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

The Trump faithful continue to support the Big Lie, heart and soul

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 10, 2022
  • HALIFAX—U.S. President Joe Biden has finally delivered his Hail Mary speech. He is getting a lot of praise is some quarters, namely on CNN

The Trump faithful continue to support the Big Lie, heart and soul

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | January 10, 2022
  • HALIFAX—U.S. President Joe Biden has finally delivered his Hail Mary speech. He is getting a lot of praise is some quarters, namely on CNN
Pro-Trump mob, pictured Jan. 6, 2021, before storming the Capitol Building on Capitol Hill. America is in a bloody-minded mood and the numbers show it. In the most recent CNN poll, just 21 per cent of Americans said they think their country is going in the right direction. More frightening than that, more than 60 per cent of Americans of both parties think that the loser in the 2024 presidential election will resort to violence, writes Michael Harris. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

There’s no such thing as easy money

  • HALIFAX—This is the season when the Commentariat holds the usual seance: looking into their crystal balls, and flagging the things to watch in 2022.
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 29, 2021
What the Federal Reserve has been doing in recent years is the biggest story flying under the radar of mainstream media. The 'Fed' has made a massive intervention into the U.S. economy, without precedent in the country’s history. As reported in Politico, in the six years between 2008 (the year of the financial crisis/recession), and 2014, the Fed printed $3.5-trillion in new treasury bills—nearly triple the amount it had created in the first 95 years of its existence, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

There’s no such thing as easy money

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 29, 2021
  • HALIFAX—This is the season when the Commentariat holds the usual seance: looking into their crystal balls, and flagging the things to watch in 2022.

There’s no such thing as easy money

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 29, 2021
  • HALIFAX—This is the season when the Commentariat holds the usual seance: looking into their crystal balls, and flagging the things to watch in 2022.
What the Federal Reserve has been doing in recent years is the biggest story flying under the radar of mainstream media. The 'Fed' has made a massive intervention into the U.S. economy, without precedent in the country’s history. As reported in Politico, in the six years between 2008 (the year of the financial crisis/recession), and 2014, the Fed printed $3.5-trillion in new treasury bills—nearly triple the amount it had created in the first 95 years of its existence, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

My take on Canada’s federal political leaders right now

  • HALIFAX—Politics, like professional sports, is a bottom-line proposition. Only the winner gets to smoke the real cigar. And that means a lump of coal
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 22, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Dec. 14, 2021, will get a plump stocking and a stack of presents. As the winner in 2021, he gets to smoke the real cigar. But that doesn’t mean it will be a total Bing Crosby Christmas for Trudeau. He delivered for the party, but he didn’t deliver what it wanted most in an election that was the PM’s personal call—a majority, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

My take on Canada’s federal political leaders right now

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 22, 2021
  • HALIFAX—Politics, like professional sports, is a bottom-line proposition. Only the winner gets to smoke the real cigar. And that means a lump of coal

My take on Canada’s federal political leaders right now

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 22, 2021
  • HALIFAX—Politics, like professional sports, is a bottom-line proposition. Only the winner gets to smoke the real cigar. And that means a lump of coal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Dec. 14, 2021, will get a plump stocking and a stack of presents. As the winner in 2021, he gets to smoke the real cigar. But that doesn’t mean it will be a total Bing Crosby Christmas for Trudeau. He delivered for the party, but he didn’t deliver what it wanted most in an election that was the PM’s personal call—a majority, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics is phony virtue signalling

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that the decision not to send government officials to the 2022 Games reflects Canada’s 'deep concerns' about human rights
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 13, 2021
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. With a million Uyghur Muslims in Chinese 're-education' camps, and horror stories of the mass rapes and forced labour of thousands of others, what more does it take for Canada to produce a robust response, writes Michael Harris. Wikimedia Commons photograph and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics is phony virtue signalling

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 13, 2021
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that the decision not to send government officials to the 2022 Games reflects Canada’s 'deep concerns' about human rights

Canada’s diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics is phony virtue signalling

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | December 13, 2021
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that the decision not to send government officials to the 2022 Games reflects Canada’s 'deep concerns' about human rights
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. With a million Uyghur Muslims in Chinese 're-education' camps, and horror stories of the mass rapes and forced labour of thousands of others, what more does it take for Canada to produce a robust response, writes Michael Harris. Wikimedia Commons photograph and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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