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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
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Trudeau’s future is tied to the pandemic

  • HALIFAX—Orcas, they say, are attacking boats in the waters off Spain and Portugal. Justin Trudeau will soon know exactly how those mariners feel. As
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 21, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Sept. 15, 2020, and his cabinet continue to make errors, but Canadians will forgive them as long as the pandemic remains at the top of their minds, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s future is tied to the pandemic

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 21, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Orcas, they say, are attacking boats in the waters off Spain and Portugal. Justin Trudeau will soon know exactly how those mariners feel. As

Trudeau’s future is tied to the pandemic

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 21, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Orcas, they say, are attacking boats in the waters off Spain and Portugal. Justin Trudeau will soon know exactly how those mariners feel. As
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Sept. 15, 2020, and his cabinet continue to make errors, but Canadians will forgive them as long as the pandemic remains at the top of their minds, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Donald Trump and the art of the lie

  • HALIFAX—When, I wonder, will Donald Trump write the one book he is qualified to produce: The Art of the Lie? American, Canadian, Mexican, North Korean,
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 14, 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly lied about the threat that COVID-19 poses to the public. Photograph by Andrea Hanks, courtesy of the White House

Donald Trump and the art of the lie

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 14, 2020
  • HALIFAX—When, I wonder, will Donald Trump write the one book he is qualified to produce: The Art of the Lie? American, Canadian, Mexican, North Korean,

Donald Trump and the art of the lie

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 14, 2020
  • HALIFAX—When, I wonder, will Donald Trump write the one book he is qualified to produce: The Art of the Lie? American, Canadian, Mexican, North Korean,
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly lied about the threat that COVID-19 poses to the public. Photograph by Andrea Hanks, courtesy of the White House

O’Toole’s deficit promise needs a reality check

  • HALIFAX—How fitting that an absurd CPC leadership convention, where the party that wants to run the economy demonstrated that arithmetic is a problem, should
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 7, 2020
Erin O’Toole, then the Conservative foreign affairs critic, pictured with Conservative MP Luc Berthold holding a press conference in December, 2019. Now the Conservative Party Leader, Mr. O'Toole has promised to wipe out the federal deficit in a decade. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole’s deficit promise needs a reality check

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 7, 2020
  • HALIFAX—How fitting that an absurd CPC leadership convention, where the party that wants to run the economy demonstrated that arithmetic is a problem, should

O’Toole’s deficit promise needs a reality check

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 7, 2020
  • HALIFAX—How fitting that an absurd CPC leadership convention, where the party that wants to run the economy demonstrated that arithmetic is a problem, should
Erin O’Toole, then the Conservative foreign affairs critic, pictured with Conservative MP Luc Berthold holding a press conference in December, 2019. Now the Conservative Party Leader, Mr. O'Toole has promised to wipe out the federal deficit in a decade. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A new O’Toole for the main event

  • HALIFAX—Has anyone else noticed that counting votes has suddenly become more complex than quantum mechanics? The species can land a spacecraft on Mars, but
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 31, 2020
After campaigning for the party leadership as a 'true blue' conservative, Tory Leader Erin O'Toole is promising to make the party more welcoming to non-traditional conservatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A new O’Toole for the main event

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 31, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Has anyone else noticed that counting votes has suddenly become more complex than quantum mechanics? The species can land a spacecraft on Mars, but

A new O’Toole for the main event

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 31, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Has anyone else noticed that counting votes has suddenly become more complex than quantum mechanics? The species can land a spacecraft on Mars, but
After campaigning for the party leadership as a 'true blue' conservative, Tory Leader Erin O'Toole is promising to make the party more welcoming to non-traditional conservatives. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Take note, Conservatives: Canada is not ready to move on from COVID

  • HALIFAX—For the second time in just under a year, a lot of Conservatives are wearing Cheshire Cat smiles. The first time, in 2019, the
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 24, 2020
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre is his party’s finance critic, responsible for scrutinizing government spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians are still broadly supportive of big government spending to keep the economy afloat, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Take note, Conservatives: Canada is not ready to move on from COVID

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 24, 2020
  • HALIFAX—For the second time in just under a year, a lot of Conservatives are wearing Cheshire Cat smiles. The first time, in 2019, the

Take note, Conservatives: Canada is not ready to move on from COVID

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 24, 2020
  • HALIFAX—For the second time in just under a year, a lot of Conservatives are wearing Cheshire Cat smiles. The first time, in 2019, the
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre is his party’s finance critic, responsible for scrutinizing government spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians are still broadly supportive of big government spending to keep the economy afloat, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s perception politics, where the scent of blood in political water’s enough to cause a feeding frenzy of half truths, misinformation, and garden-variety slander

  • HALIFAX—It has been the summer of discontent for Justin Trudeau. Despite a stumble start when COVID-19 first appeared in Canada, he should be basking
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 17, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, PM's chief of staff Katie Telford, Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

It’s perception politics, where the scent of blood in political water’s enough to cause a feeding frenzy of half truths, misinformation, and garden-variety slander

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 17, 2020
  • HALIFAX—It has been the summer of discontent for Justin Trudeau. Despite a stumble start when COVID-19 first appeared in Canada, he should be basking

It’s perception politics, where the scent of blood in political water’s enough to cause a feeding frenzy of half truths, misinformation, and garden-variety slander

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 17, 2020
  • HALIFAX—It has been the summer of discontent for Justin Trudeau. Despite a stumble start when COVID-19 first appeared in Canada, he should be basking
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, PM's chief of staff Katie Telford, Finance Minister Bill Morneau, Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Mark Carney. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Government by bureaucrats may be reality, but it cries out for reform

  • HALIFAX—The late John Crosbie once told me that 90 per cent of government decisions were in fact made by the public service. At the
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 10, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on June 18, 2020, speaking to reporters from the Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. When the bureaucracy returned with the same recommendation, Mr. Trudeau followed it, even voted for it in cabinet. The program was endorsed by cabinet on May 22. It was so flawed, the whole thing lasted barely a week as a government program. It remains to be seen how long it will last as a 'scandal,' writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Government by bureaucrats may be reality, but it cries out for reform

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 10, 2020
  • HALIFAX—The late John Crosbie once told me that 90 per cent of government decisions were in fact made by the public service. At the

Government by bureaucrats may be reality, but it cries out for reform

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 10, 2020
  • HALIFAX—The late John Crosbie once told me that 90 per cent of government decisions were in fact made by the public service. At the
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on June 18, 2020, speaking to reporters from the Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. When the bureaucracy returned with the same recommendation, Mr. Trudeau followed it, even voted for it in cabinet. The program was endorsed by cabinet on May 22. It was so flawed, the whole thing lasted barely a week as a government program. It remains to be seen how long it will last as a 'scandal,' writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

WE ‘scandal’ doesn’t have the firepower to take down the PM

  • HALIFAX—Justin Trudeau breezed through the rumble in the House Finance Committee last week, even though his professional detractors, and some of the sheep in
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 3, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 30, 2020, testifying virtually before the House Finance Committee. The WE 'scandal' hasn’t got the firepower to take out the PM, or trigger a mutiny in the ranks. If the opposition’s best punch is a damning report from the ethics commissioner (and they might well get one in the WE affair), we already have the evidence of how little that means, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

WE ‘scandal’ doesn’t have the firepower to take down the PM

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 3, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Justin Trudeau breezed through the rumble in the House Finance Committee last week, even though his professional detractors, and some of the sheep in

WE ‘scandal’ doesn’t have the firepower to take down the PM

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 3, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Justin Trudeau breezed through the rumble in the House Finance Committee last week, even though his professional detractors, and some of the sheep in
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 30, 2020, testifying virtually before the House Finance Committee. The WE 'scandal' hasn’t got the firepower to take out the PM, or trigger a mutiny in the ranks. If the opposition’s best punch is a damning report from the ethics commissioner (and they might well get one in the WE affair), we already have the evidence of how little that means, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

This is not how things are supposed to work in Camelot

  • HALIFAX—Canada’s salesman of hope, the man on the top of the political wedding cake, is learning that Camelot has a way of turning into
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 27, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at his daily press conference at the Rideau Cottage June 4, 2020. Canada’s salesman of hope, the man on the top of the political wedding cake, is learning that Camelot has a way of turning into a seedy tenement building as time goes by, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

This is not how things are supposed to work in Camelot

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 27, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Canada’s salesman of hope, the man on the top of the political wedding cake, is learning that Camelot has a way of turning into

This is not how things are supposed to work in Camelot

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 27, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Canada’s salesman of hope, the man on the top of the political wedding cake, is learning that Camelot has a way of turning into
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at his daily press conference at the Rideau Cottage June 4, 2020. Canada’s salesman of hope, the man on the top of the political wedding cake, is learning that Camelot has a way of turning into a seedy tenement building as time goes by, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau better hope that his base is pissed off, but still with him

  • HALIFAX—“As a result of not wanting the Cons rule again, I’m still supporting Justin. WTF is he thinking with this decision? Does he not
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 20, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on June 18, 2020, speaking to reporters from his home at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. For the foreseeable future, the political opposition and the ethics commissioner will conduct a painstaking autopsy on this now dead $900-million sole-sourced program. That is bad news for the PM, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau better hope that his base is pissed off, but still with him

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 20, 2020
  • HALIFAX—“As a result of not wanting the Cons rule again, I’m still supporting Justin. WTF is he thinking with this decision? Does he not

Trudeau better hope that his base is pissed off, but still with him

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 20, 2020
  • HALIFAX—“As a result of not wanting the Cons rule again, I’m still supporting Justin. WTF is he thinking with this decision? Does he not
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on June 18, 2020, speaking to reporters from his home at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. For the foreseeable future, the political opposition and the ethics commissioner will conduct a painstaking autopsy on this now dead $900-million sole-sourced program. That is bad news for the PM, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The price of everything and the value of nothing

  • HALIFAX—The King of Quip once said that the cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Oscar Wilde could have been
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 13, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has already borrowed hundreds of billions of dollars to send to Canadians and businesses harmed by public lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. No one knows how long the virus will remain a threat to public safety. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The price of everything and the value of nothing

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 13, 2020
  • HALIFAX—The King of Quip once said that the cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Oscar Wilde could have been

The price of everything and the value of nothing

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 13, 2020
  • HALIFAX—The King of Quip once said that the cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Oscar Wilde could have been
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has already borrowed hundreds of billions of dollars to send to Canadians and businesses harmed by public lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. No one knows how long the virus will remain a threat to public safety. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Selling armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia is not exactly justice for Jamal

  • HALIFAX—I have spent a career in journalism believing that in the end, the truth wins out. It sometimes takes time, even a heartbreaking amount
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 6, 2020
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pictured, and his henchmen, were behind Jamal Khashoggi’s death, the kingdom has indulged in gross lies and closed-door justice to brush off this brutal crime, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin/Flickr

Selling armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia is not exactly justice for Jamal

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 6, 2020
  • HALIFAX—I have spent a career in journalism believing that in the end, the truth wins out. It sometimes takes time, even a heartbreaking amount

Selling armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia is not exactly justice for Jamal

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 6, 2020
  • HALIFAX—I have spent a career in journalism believing that in the end, the truth wins out. It sometimes takes time, even a heartbreaking amount
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pictured, and his henchmen, were behind Jamal Khashoggi’s death, the kingdom has indulged in gross lies and closed-door justice to brush off this brutal crime, writes Michael Harris. Photograph courtesy of the Kremlin/Flickr

Four reasons why Conservative Party should leave Andrew Scheer right where he is

  • HALIFAX—There are four reasons the Conservative Party of Canada should leave Andrew Scheer right where he is. All of them were were on display
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 22, 2020
CPC leadership contenders Peter MacKay, Erin O'Toole, Leslyn Lewis, and Derek Sloan took part in their French and English televised debates on June 17 and June 18 in Toronto. How do you hold a debate in Canada’s other official language when all four candidates would be puzzled by cereal-box French, let alone a real conversation with a real voter from Quebec, asks Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, file photo, and photographs courtesy of Twitter

Four reasons why Conservative Party should leave Andrew Scheer right where he is

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 22, 2020
  • HALIFAX—There are four reasons the Conservative Party of Canada should leave Andrew Scheer right where he is. All of them were were on display

Four reasons why Conservative Party should leave Andrew Scheer right where he is

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 22, 2020
  • HALIFAX—There are four reasons the Conservative Party of Canada should leave Andrew Scheer right where he is. All of them were were on display
CPC leadership contenders Peter MacKay, Erin O'Toole, Leslyn Lewis, and Derek Sloan took part in their French and English televised debates on June 17 and June 18 in Toronto. How do you hold a debate in Canada’s other official language when all four candidates would be puzzled by cereal-box French, let alone a real conversation with a real voter from Quebec, asks Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, file photo, and photographs courtesy of Twitter

Liberals in strong position should an election come sooner than later

  • HALIFAX—No matter when the next election comes, the battle lines were only thinly camouflaged in last week’s political jousting over the government’s fight against
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 15, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured June 11, 2020, in Ottawa. It is true that the Trudeau government has invested an immense amount of money in battling the pandemic. But what would the CPC have done had they been the government? Thrown money at corporations like Donald Trump has in the U.S., and reopen come hell or high water, asks Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Liberals in strong position should an election come sooner than later

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 15, 2020
  • HALIFAX—No matter when the next election comes, the battle lines were only thinly camouflaged in last week’s political jousting over the government’s fight against

Liberals in strong position should an election come sooner than later

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 15, 2020
  • HALIFAX—No matter when the next election comes, the battle lines were only thinly camouflaged in last week’s political jousting over the government’s fight against
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured June 11, 2020, in Ottawa. It is true that the Trudeau government has invested an immense amount of money in battling the pandemic. But what would the CPC have done had they been the government? Thrown money at corporations like Donald Trump has in the U.S., and reopen come hell or high water, asks Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Nagging questions are again bubbling around Trudeau’s leadership

  • HALIFAX—With his often masterful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Justin Trudeau seemed well on the road to refurbishing his image as prime minister. That
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 8, 2020
When Justin Trudeau was asked about the death of George Floyd, Donald Trump’s threat of military force to quell protests on the streets of the U.S., and brutal force against peaceful protesters, he fell silent for 21 seconds. Mr. Trudeau has forgotten something very basic. The office never sanctifies the man. And when it comes to civil and human rights, you must stand up without thinking about your self-interest, or how powerful your adversary may be, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade & Flickr

Nagging questions are again bubbling around Trudeau’s leadership

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 8, 2020
  • HALIFAX—With his often masterful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Justin Trudeau seemed well on the road to refurbishing his image as prime minister. That

Nagging questions are again bubbling around Trudeau’s leadership

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 8, 2020
  • HALIFAX—With his often masterful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Justin Trudeau seemed well on the road to refurbishing his image as prime minister. That
When Justin Trudeau was asked about the death of George Floyd, Donald Trump’s threat of military force to quell protests on the streets of the U.S., and brutal force against peaceful protesters, he fell silent for 21 seconds. Mr. Trudeau has forgotten something very basic. The office never sanctifies the man. And when it comes to civil and human rights, you must stand up without thinking about your self-interest, or how powerful your adversary may be, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade & Flickr

Canada and Ontario tell Trump to buzz off

  • HALIFAX—What do the governments of Canada and Ontario have in common with a coalition of states from both U.S. coasts and the Midwest?  They
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 20, 2020
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured on March 27, 2020, at a daily press briefing on the Hill in Ottawa, has been doing most of the heavy lifting for the Liberals these days, told U.S. President Donald Trump point blank that Canadians would decide when their border with the U.S. reopens—not Trump. Trump had earlier mused that he would like to see the border with Canada open as part of his economic recovery plan, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada and Ontario tell Trump to buzz off

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 20, 2020
  • HALIFAX—What do the governments of Canada and Ontario have in common with a coalition of states from both U.S. coasts and the Midwest?  They

Canada and Ontario tell Trump to buzz off

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 20, 2020
  • HALIFAX—What do the governments of Canada and Ontario have in common with a coalition of states from both U.S. coasts and the Midwest?  They
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured on March 27, 2020, at a daily press briefing on the Hill in Ottawa, has been doing most of the heavy lifting for the Liberals these days, told U.S. President Donald Trump point blank that Canadians would decide when their border with the U.S. reopens—not Trump. Trump had earlier mused that he would like to see the border with Canada open as part of his economic recovery plan, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We’re all whistling past the graveyard

  • HALIFAX—This is Easter weekend, COVID-19 style, in rural Nova Scotia where I live. The Red Maple Leaf at the fire station is at half
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 9, 2020
A woman, pictured April 8, 2020, in downtown Ottawa. Ever since the people who 'call out the news' reported that a person might get COVID-19 by talking to another person, or merely breathing the same air, habits have changed, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

We’re all whistling past the graveyard

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 9, 2020
  • HALIFAX—This is Easter weekend, COVID-19 style, in rural Nova Scotia where I live. The Red Maple Leaf at the fire station is at half

We’re all whistling past the graveyard

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 9, 2020
  • HALIFAX—This is Easter weekend, COVID-19 style, in rural Nova Scotia where I live. The Red Maple Leaf at the fire station is at half
A woman, pictured April 8, 2020, in downtown Ottawa. Ever since the people who 'call out the news' reported that a person might get COVID-19 by talking to another person, or merely breathing the same air, habits have changed, writes Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Beyond life and death issues presented by COVID-19, is there a social phenomenon brewing?

  • HALIFAX—Beyond the life and death issues presented by COVID-19, is there a social phenomenon brewing? We have had the Great Depression and the Great
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 6, 2020
A man, pictured on March 27, 2020, wearing a protective mask walking past the Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa. 'A lot of people are afraid of incoming bills that they won’t be able to pay. Is a consumer- and debt-driven life, sustained by ubiquitous marketing, the good life? Is choosing a life that needs to get an emergency bailout or loan deferral to survive a smart and sustainable choice,' asks columnist Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Beyond life and death issues presented by COVID-19, is there a social phenomenon brewing?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 6, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Beyond the life and death issues presented by COVID-19, is there a social phenomenon brewing? We have had the Great Depression and the Great

Beyond life and death issues presented by COVID-19, is there a social phenomenon brewing?

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | April 6, 2020
  • HALIFAX—Beyond the life and death issues presented by COVID-19, is there a social phenomenon brewing? We have had the Great Depression and the Great
A man, pictured on March 27, 2020, wearing a protective mask walking past the Bank of Canada Museum in Ottawa. 'A lot of people are afraid of incoming bills that they won’t be able to pay. Is a consumer- and debt-driven life, sustained by ubiquitous marketing, the good life? Is choosing a life that needs to get an emergency bailout or loan deferral to survive a smart and sustainable choice,' asks columnist Michael Harris. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump seems to think prayer rather than personal protective equipment is the answer to COVID-19

  • HALIFAX—U.S. soldiers stationed on our southern border with America in the name of fighting the coronavirus?   Salvador Dali must be providing inspiration to
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 30, 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured on Jan. 29, 2020, at the signing ceremony for the USMCA. Photograph courtesy of White House Flickr

Trump seems to think prayer rather than personal protective equipment is the answer to COVID-19

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 30, 2020
  • HALIFAX—U.S. soldiers stationed on our southern border with America in the name of fighting the coronavirus?   Salvador Dali must be providing inspiration to

Trump seems to think prayer rather than personal protective equipment is the answer to COVID-19

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 30, 2020
  • HALIFAX—U.S. soldiers stationed on our southern border with America in the name of fighting the coronavirus?   Salvador Dali must be providing inspiration to
U.S. President Donald Trump, pictured on Jan. 29, 2020, at the signing ceremony for the USMCA. Photograph courtesy of White House Flickr

One incontrovertible fact about pandemic that’s both admirable and puzzling

  • HALIFAX—I am neither a scientist or a doctor, so I don’t really know if governments are saving us from COVID-19. If words were deeds,
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 23, 2020
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, Transport Minister Marc Garneau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos, and moderator Toronto Star reporter Bruce Campion-Smith, pictured on March 16, 2020, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

One incontrovertible fact about pandemic that’s both admirable and puzzling

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 23, 2020
  • HALIFAX—I am neither a scientist or a doctor, so I don’t really know if governments are saving us from COVID-19. If words were deeds,

One incontrovertible fact about pandemic that’s both admirable and puzzling

Opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | March 23, 2020
  • HALIFAX—I am neither a scientist or a doctor, so I don’t really know if governments are saving us from COVID-19. If words were deeds,
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, Transport Minister Marc Garneau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Health Minister Patty Hajdu, Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos, and moderator Toronto Star reporter Bruce Campion-Smith, pictured on March 16, 2020, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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