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Paul Wells

Paul Wells is a national affairs columnist for The Toronto Star.

Right, not fast, is Morneau’s principle

  • TORONTO—Bill Morneau works in a building named after Jim Flaherty. No pressure there. The very walls seem to ask why Morneau, a political rookie
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 27, 2017
Finance Minister Bill Morneau suggests that very little of his budget has anything to do with Donald Trump being president of the United States, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Right, not fast, is Morneau’s principle

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 27, 2017
  • TORONTO—Bill Morneau works in a building named after Jim Flaherty. No pressure there. The very walls seem to ask why Morneau, a political rookie

Right, not fast, is Morneau’s principle

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 27, 2017
  • TORONTO—Bill Morneau works in a building named after Jim Flaherty. No pressure there. The very walls seem to ask why Morneau, a political rookie
Finance Minister Bill Morneau suggests that very little of his budget has anything to do with Donald Trump being president of the United States, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

War is hell and Freeland has nothing to be ashamed of

  • In 1992, I studied for a school year in Paris. My roommate was French. One night, over cheap port from the local grocery, we
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 13, 2017
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, left, pictured Jan. 10 at Rideau Hall at the cabinet shuffle, with Labour Minister Patty Hadju, Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef, Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould, and Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

War is hell and Freeland has nothing to be ashamed of

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 13, 2017
  • In 1992, I studied for a school year in Paris. My roommate was French. One night, over cheap port from the local grocery, we

War is hell and Freeland has nothing to be ashamed of

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 13, 2017
  • In 1992, I studied for a school year in Paris. My roommate was French. One night, over cheap port from the local grocery, we
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, left, pictured Jan. 10 at Rideau Hall at the cabinet shuffle, with Labour Minister Patty Hadju, Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef, Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould, and Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Trudeau government should adjust Trump strategy

  • It’s time to conclude, on a balance of probabilities, that Donald Trump will be merely an ineffectual president. For a while it seemed the
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 6, 2017
It's time to conclude, on a balance of probabilities, that Donald Trump will be merely an ineffectual president. Photograph courtesy of the Gage Skidmore

Trudeau government should adjust Trump strategy

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 6, 2017
  • It’s time to conclude, on a balance of probabilities, that Donald Trump will be merely an ineffectual president. For a while it seemed the

Trudeau government should adjust Trump strategy

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | March 6, 2017
  • It’s time to conclude, on a balance of probabilities, that Donald Trump will be merely an ineffectual president. For a while it seemed the
It's time to conclude, on a balance of probabilities, that Donald Trump will be merely an ineffectual president. Photograph courtesy of the Gage Skidmore

The middle class is still waiting

  • OTTAWA—A funny thing happened on the way to Justin Trudeau’s new world of justice for the middle class: The federal government ran out of
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 27, 2017
Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured in this file photo at Public Policy Forum event on Oct. 5, 2016 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The middle class is still waiting

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 27, 2017
  • OTTAWA—A funny thing happened on the way to Justin Trudeau’s new world of justice for the middle class: The federal government ran out of

The middle class is still waiting

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 27, 2017
  • OTTAWA—A funny thing happened on the way to Justin Trudeau’s new world of justice for the middle class: The federal government ran out of
Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured in this file photo at Public Policy Forum event on Oct. 5, 2016 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Anti-Islamophobia motion puts Conservatives on the horns of dilemma

  • OTTAWA—Most Fridays, I appear as an all-purpose pundit-for-hire on Radio-Canada’s popular noon-hour radio current-affairs show out of Montreal. Five days after the massacre at
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 20, 2017
The House of Commons is considering a motion from Liberal MP Iqra Khalid that would, if adopted, have the House of Commons 'condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination.' The Hill Times photograph by Maureen McEwan

Anti-Islamophobia motion puts Conservatives on the horns of dilemma

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 20, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Most Fridays, I appear as an all-purpose pundit-for-hire on Radio-Canada’s popular noon-hour radio current-affairs show out of Montreal. Five days after the massacre at

Anti-Islamophobia motion puts Conservatives on the horns of dilemma

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 20, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Most Fridays, I appear as an all-purpose pundit-for-hire on Radio-Canada’s popular noon-hour radio current-affairs show out of Montreal. Five days after the massacre at
The House of Commons is considering a motion from Liberal MP Iqra Khalid that would, if adopted, have the House of Commons 'condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination.' The Hill Times photograph by Maureen McEwan

Liberals shore up their left flank

  • In the eternal balancing act of Canadian Liberalism, it’s a week for tilting left. One after another, cabinet ministers are lining up to resuscitate
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 13, 2017

Liberals shore up their left flank

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 13, 2017
  • In the eternal balancing act of Canadian Liberalism, it’s a week for tilting left. One after another, cabinet ministers are lining up to resuscitate

Liberals shore up their left flank

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 13, 2017
  • In the eternal balancing act of Canadian Liberalism, it’s a week for tilting left. One after another, cabinet ministers are lining up to resuscitate

A tale of two cities for defiantly eccentric Dion

  • In the end, today’s not that different from the day in 1995 when he moved to Ottawa. In the perilous hour, Stéphane Dion is
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 6, 2017
In Ottawa, Stéphane Dion was still in valedictory mode, savouring the memory of a political career that had lasted longer than anyone expected—though not as long as he had hoped. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

A tale of two cities for defiantly eccentric Dion

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 6, 2017
  • In the end, today’s not that different from the day in 1995 when he moved to Ottawa. In the perilous hour, Stéphane Dion is

A tale of two cities for defiantly eccentric Dion

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | February 6, 2017
  • In the end, today’s not that different from the day in 1995 when he moved to Ottawa. In the perilous hour, Stéphane Dion is
In Ottawa, Stéphane Dion was still in valedictory mode, savouring the memory of a political career that had lasted longer than anyone expected—though not as long as he had hoped. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Politicians guiding journalism? No, thanks

  • Here’s what happened to newspapers. In the early 1990s, I worked at the Gazette in Montreal. In those days, on a Saturday you’d pick
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 30, 2017

Politicians guiding journalism? No, thanks

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 30, 2017
  • Here’s what happened to newspapers. In the early 1990s, I worked at the Gazette in Montreal. In those days, on a Saturday you’d pick

Politicians guiding journalism? No, thanks

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 30, 2017
  • Here’s what happened to newspapers. In the early 1990s, I worked at the Gazette in Montreal. In those days, on a Saturday you’d pick

Stephen Harper sees ‘glass half-full’ in Trump’s victory

  • OTTAWA—Well, look who’s talking. Mr. Optimist. “I know we are all worried about what this means,” Stephen Harper said last week in New Delhi. “I’m
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 23, 2017
While Stephen Harper noted how Donald Trump's election as U.S. president is part of growing global uncertainty, he said there could be some positive aspects to his presidency as well. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Stephen Harper sees ‘glass half-full’ in Trump’s victory

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 23, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Well, look who’s talking. Mr. Optimist. “I know we are all worried about what this means,” Stephen Harper said last week in New Delhi. “I’m

Stephen Harper sees ‘glass half-full’ in Trump’s victory

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 23, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Well, look who’s talking. Mr. Optimist. “I know we are all worried about what this means,” Stephen Harper said last week in New Delhi. “I’m
While Stephen Harper noted how Donald Trump's election as U.S. president is part of growing global uncertainty, he said there could be some positive aspects to his presidency as well. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Prime Minister Trudeau tours grassroots Canada while the world rushes ahead

  • There’s an odd disconnect between Justin Trudeau’s industrious tour of small-town and mid-sized Canada this week and the events rattling the world outside. Politically,
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 18, 2017
Prime Minister Trudeau is wise to catch up with ordinary Canadians, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Prime Minister Trudeau tours grassroots Canada while the world rushes ahead

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 18, 2017
  • There’s an odd disconnect between Justin Trudeau’s industrious tour of small-town and mid-sized Canada this week and the events rattling the world outside. Politically,

Prime Minister Trudeau tours grassroots Canada while the world rushes ahead

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 18, 2017
  • There’s an odd disconnect between Justin Trudeau’s industrious tour of small-town and mid-sized Canada this week and the events rattling the world outside. Politically,
Prime Minister Trudeau is wise to catch up with ordinary Canadians, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Dion has always cramped Liberal style

  • OTTAWA—Stéphane Dion has always been every Liberal leader’s special gift. When Justin Trudeau announced a renewed Liberal cabinet that had no place for Dion,
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 16, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo with Stéphane Dion, who was dumped from cabinet last week. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Dion has always cramped Liberal style

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 16, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Stéphane Dion has always been every Liberal leader’s special gift. When Justin Trudeau announced a renewed Liberal cabinet that had no place for Dion,

Dion has always cramped Liberal style

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 16, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Stéphane Dion has always been every Liberal leader’s special gift. When Justin Trudeau announced a renewed Liberal cabinet that had no place for Dion,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo with Stéphane Dion, who was dumped from cabinet last week. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Private island getaway could be Trudeau’s tipping point

  • OTTAWA—Somewhere in the sullen sandstone bunker of Ottawa’s Langevin Block, somebody has finally pulled the populism alarm. You know the one. It says IN
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 11, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured last month in Ottawa, is about to embark on a tour to talk to average Canadians to nip small problems before they get big, Paul Wells argues. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Private island getaway could be Trudeau’s tipping point

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 11, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Somewhere in the sullen sandstone bunker of Ottawa’s Langevin Block, somebody has finally pulled the populism alarm. You know the one. It says IN

Private island getaway could be Trudeau’s tipping point

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 11, 2017
  • OTTAWA—Somewhere in the sullen sandstone bunker of Ottawa’s Langevin Block, somebody has finally pulled the populism alarm. You know the one. It says IN
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured last month in Ottawa, is about to embark on a tour to talk to average Canadians to nip small problems before they get big, Paul Wells argues. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Trouble and opportunities in the new Trump world

  • Count back from known events. Late this month, the Trudeau cabinet will hold a two-day retreat outside Ottawa. The last time the prime minister
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 9, 2017

Trouble and opportunities in the new Trump world

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 9, 2017
  • Count back from known events. Late this month, the Trudeau cabinet will hold a two-day retreat outside Ottawa. The last time the prime minister

Trouble and opportunities in the new Trump world

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | January 9, 2017
  • Count back from known events. Late this month, the Trudeau cabinet will hold a two-day retreat outside Ottawa. The last time the prime minister

Can Trudeau counter populist angst?

  • In his meeting with The Star’s editorial board the other day, Justin Trudeau said some things about the rise of populism in western politics
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | December 12, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Nov. 29 at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa with Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Can Trudeau counter populist angst?

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | December 12, 2016
  • In his meeting with The Star’s editorial board the other day, Justin Trudeau said some things about the rise of populism in western politics

Can Trudeau counter populist angst?

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | December 12, 2016
  • In his meeting with The Star’s editorial board the other day, Justin Trudeau said some things about the rise of populism in western politics
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Nov. 29 at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa with Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Rising nationalism a test for Liberals

  • OTTAWA—It’s way too early to guess how this will turn out, but it’s becoming clear that Justin Trudeau now leads a government in crisis.
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 30, 2016
Donald Trump was elected president on the back of a campaign that relied on nationalist rhetoric, a trend that has spread across the democratic world over the past few years. Photograph courtesy of Matthew McBain and Devin Dreeshen

Rising nationalism a test for Liberals

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 30, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It’s way too early to guess how this will turn out, but it’s becoming clear that Justin Trudeau now leads a government in crisis.

Rising nationalism a test for Liberals

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 30, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It’s way too early to guess how this will turn out, but it’s becoming clear that Justin Trudeau now leads a government in crisis.
Donald Trump was elected president on the back of a campaign that relied on nationalist rhetoric, a trend that has spread across the democratic world over the past few years. Photograph courtesy of Matthew McBain and Devin Dreeshen

Trudeau chose family first, but Ottawa’s Castro policy has always been ambivalent

  • I want to talk about the rest of Canada’s weird, hesitant relationship with Cuba. But first, since I’m just getting to it now, a
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 29, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Cuba in November 2016 and meets with Fidel Castro's brother, and now president, Raúl Castro. Photograph courtesy of Adam Scotti

Trudeau chose family first, but Ottawa’s Castro policy has always been ambivalent

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 29, 2016
  • I want to talk about the rest of Canada’s weird, hesitant relationship with Cuba. But first, since I’m just getting to it now, a

Trudeau chose family first, but Ottawa’s Castro policy has always been ambivalent

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 29, 2016
  • I want to talk about the rest of Canada’s weird, hesitant relationship with Cuba. But first, since I’m just getting to it now, a
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Cuba in November 2016 and meets with Fidel Castro's brother, and now president, Raúl Castro. Photograph courtesy of Adam Scotti

Liberal fundraiser raising a stink with opposition

  • Justin Trudeau’s government was three weeks old when his office released ethics guidelines for cabinet ministers. Trudeau was eager for everyone to notice. “We
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 28, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could meet all the swells he wants, as long as he doesn't charge admission. In the meantime, he and his ministers do what he bragged they wouldn't. A classic case of promising more than he feels like delivering. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Liberal fundraiser raising a stink with opposition

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 28, 2016
  • Justin Trudeau’s government was three weeks old when his office released ethics guidelines for cabinet ministers. Trudeau was eager for everyone to notice. “We

Liberal fundraiser raising a stink with opposition

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 28, 2016
  • Justin Trudeau’s government was three weeks old when his office released ethics guidelines for cabinet ministers. Trudeau was eager for everyone to notice. “We
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could meet all the swells he wants, as long as he doesn't charge admission. In the meantime, he and his ministers do what he bragged they wouldn't. A classic case of promising more than he feels like delivering. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Show some composure, Canada

  • A reliable Canadian reflex ensures that whenever something big and surprising happens in the United States, somebody here will decide it’s the fault of
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 21, 2016
Before deciding Donald Trump will fleece Justin Trudeau in bilateral talks, prognosticators would do well to wait until everyone knows what Trump plans to ask, or demand, or threaten. For greater certainty, they should then wait a little longer to ascertain whether Trump will contradict himself a day later, writes Paul Wells.

Show some composure, Canada

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 21, 2016
  • A reliable Canadian reflex ensures that whenever something big and surprising happens in the United States, somebody here will decide it’s the fault of

Show some composure, Canada

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 21, 2016
  • A reliable Canadian reflex ensures that whenever something big and surprising happens in the United States, somebody here will decide it’s the fault of
Before deciding Donald Trump will fleece Justin Trudeau in bilateral talks, prognosticators would do well to wait until everyone knows what Trump plans to ask, or demand, or threaten. For greater certainty, they should then wait a little longer to ascertain whether Trump will contradict himself a day later, writes Paul Wells.

Trudeau prepares to sell Canada

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will kick one of his most ambitious and uncertain projects into high gear in Toronto today: a plan to attract
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 14, 2016
The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Trudeau prepares to sell Canada

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 14, 2016
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will kick one of his most ambitious and uncertain projects into high gear in Toronto today: a plan to attract

Trudeau prepares to sell Canada

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 14, 2016
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will kick one of his most ambitious and uncertain projects into high gear in Toronto today: a plan to attract
The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Best-case scenario with Trump still isn’t great

  • OTTAWA—A few thoughts about this mess. First, if you think Donald Trump is an idiot, of course you’re not alone. But you’re also hardly
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 14, 2016
There are a range of problems, some bigger than others, that will arise for Canada as a result of Donald Trump's election as U.S. president, writes Paul Wells. Photograph by Gage Skidmore

Best-case scenario with Trump still isn’t great

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 14, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A few thoughts about this mess. First, if you think Donald Trump is an idiot, of course you’re not alone. But you’re also hardly

Best-case scenario with Trump still isn’t great

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 14, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A few thoughts about this mess. First, if you think Donald Trump is an idiot, of course you’re not alone. But you’re also hardly
There are a range of problems, some bigger than others, that will arise for Canada as a result of Donald Trump's election as U.S. president, writes Paul Wells. Photograph by Gage Skidmore

Public’s goodwill already traded away

  • TORONTO—A reader wrote after my last column on the Belgians and the Canada-EU trade deal. “Hi Paul: Just a note to express disappointment.” Yeah,
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 7, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at a youth labour forum on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Public’s goodwill already traded away

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 7, 2016
  • TORONTO—A reader wrote after my last column on the Belgians and the Canada-EU trade deal. “Hi Paul: Just a note to express disappointment.” Yeah,

Public’s goodwill already traded away

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | November 7, 2016
  • TORONTO—A reader wrote after my last column on the Belgians and the Canada-EU trade deal. “Hi Paul: Just a note to express disappointment.” Yeah,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured at a youth labour forum on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Chasing trillions to build billions in infrastructure

  • Justin Trudeau had been prime minister for barely two months when he made his first visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, a
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 24, 2016

Chasing trillions to build billions in infrastructure

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 24, 2016
  • Justin Trudeau had been prime minister for barely two months when he made his first visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, a

Chasing trillions to build billions in infrastructure

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 24, 2016
  • Justin Trudeau had been prime minister for barely two months when he made his first visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, a

Tories use bad math to fight carbon tax

  • OTTAWA—Thanks to everyone for all the kind notes after a column I wrote last week about Conservative MP Lisa Raitt’s friend, Marie, who is
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 12, 2016
Lisa Raitt, pictured earlier this year, in Question Period last week spoke of Marie, whom she said was a friend of hers worried she would have to pull one of her kids out of hockey next year because of the Trudeau government's carbon tax that would kick in a year later. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Tories use bad math to fight carbon tax

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 12, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Thanks to everyone for all the kind notes after a column I wrote last week about Conservative MP Lisa Raitt’s friend, Marie, who is

Tories use bad math to fight carbon tax

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 12, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Thanks to everyone for all the kind notes after a column I wrote last week about Conservative MP Lisa Raitt’s friend, Marie, who is
Lisa Raitt, pictured earlier this year, in Question Period last week spoke of Marie, whom she said was a friend of hers worried she would have to pull one of her kids out of hockey next year because of the Trudeau government's carbon tax that would kick in a year later. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Fallout from Senate revamp takes time

  • OTTAWA—It is only fair to let you know there are rumblings from the Senate. “I think that what you’re seeing here is a transformation,”
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 10, 2016
Justin Trudeau, pictured Tuesday, Oct. 4 on the Hill with Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Fallout from Senate revamp takes time

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 10, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It is only fair to let you know there are rumblings from the Senate. “I think that what you’re seeing here is a transformation,”

Fallout from Senate revamp takes time

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | October 10, 2016
  • OTTAWA—It is only fair to let you know there are rumblings from the Senate. “I think that what you’re seeing here is a transformation,”
Justin Trudeau, pictured Tuesday, Oct. 4 on the Hill with Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Pipeline pandering and broken promises

  • OTTAWA—I don’t know about all y’all, but I’m wondering when the social licence shows up. “Social licence” is a term, never too carefully defined,
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 28, 2016
The social-licence philosophy of Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured last year, may be put to the test by pipeline projects, suggests Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Pipeline pandering and broken promises

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 28, 2016
  • OTTAWA—I don’t know about all y’all, but I’m wondering when the social licence shows up. “Social licence” is a term, never too carefully defined,

Pipeline pandering and broken promises

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 28, 2016
  • OTTAWA—I don’t know about all y’all, but I’m wondering when the social licence shows up. “Social licence” is a term, never too carefully defined,
The social-licence philosophy of Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured last year, may be put to the test by pipeline projects, suggests Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Even safe issues haunt Liberals

  • OTTAWA—Everyone suspected the return of Parliament would provide a bumpy ride for a Liberal government still enjoying sustained popularity nearly a year after the
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 26, 2016
To some extent, what's happened is, simply, that Catherine McKenna, the rookie environment minister, has been slow to learn the cost of promising a little extra. When she got her job last autumn, she was eager to proclaim that the carbon-reduction targets set by the Conservatives were a minimum. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Even safe issues haunt Liberals

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 26, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Everyone suspected the return of Parliament would provide a bumpy ride for a Liberal government still enjoying sustained popularity nearly a year after the

Even safe issues haunt Liberals

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 26, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Everyone suspected the return of Parliament would provide a bumpy ride for a Liberal government still enjoying sustained popularity nearly a year after the
To some extent, what's happened is, simply, that Catherine McKenna, the rookie environment minister, has been slow to learn the cost of promising a little extra. When she got her job last autumn, she was eager to proclaim that the carbon-reduction targets set by the Conservatives were a minimum. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

IMF’s love affair with Liberals’ policy

  • Standing next to Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons foyer on Sept. 13, International Monetary Fund boss Christine Lagarde delivered odes to big-ticket
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 19, 2016
Christine Lagarde and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hold a joint press conference in the House of Commons Foyer, Centre Block, on September 13, 2016. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

IMF’s love affair with Liberals’ policy

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 19, 2016
  • Standing next to Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons foyer on Sept. 13, International Monetary Fund boss Christine Lagarde delivered odes to big-ticket

IMF’s love affair with Liberals’ policy

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 19, 2016
  • Standing next to Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons foyer on Sept. 13, International Monetary Fund boss Christine Lagarde delivered odes to big-ticket
Christine Lagarde and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hold a joint press conference in the House of Commons Foyer, Centre Block, on September 13, 2016. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
More Stories

Identity politics is one way for Leitch to stand out

  • OTTAWA—In fairness to Kellie Leitch—no wait, come back—it would have been surprising if no candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership had run
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 12, 2016
Kellie Leitch's proposal for values test for immigrants is one way for her to stand out in the crowd of candidates for the Conservative leadership, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Identity politics is one way for Leitch to stand out

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 12, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In fairness to Kellie Leitch—no wait, come back—it would have been surprising if no candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership had run

Identity politics is one way for Leitch to stand out

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 12, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In fairness to Kellie Leitch—no wait, come back—it would have been surprising if no candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership had run
Kellie Leitch's proposal for values test for immigrants is one way for her to stand out in the crowd of candidates for the Conservative leadership, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Everyday science still starving for money

  • At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada on Sept. 6 might have looked like evidence of a new era
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 12, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo. At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada on Sept. 6 might have looked like evidence of a new era in federal support for science, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Everyday science still starving for money

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 12, 2016
  • At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada on Sept. 6 might have looked like evidence of a new era

Everyday science still starving for money

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 12, 2016
  • At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada on Sept. 6 might have looked like evidence of a new era
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo. At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada on Sept. 6 might have looked like evidence of a new era in federal support for science, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Don’t skip the early-career scientists when doling out research dollars

  • At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada yesterday might have looked like evidence of a new era in
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 8, 2016
Scott Brison, president of the Treasury Board, was on hand at Dalhousie University when it was awarded a $94 million grant for a multidisciplinary ocean studies project with the University of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland's Memorial University. The Hill Times Photograph by Cynthia Münster

Don’t skip the early-career scientists when doling out research dollars

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 8, 2016
  • At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada yesterday might have looked like evidence of a new era in

Don’t skip the early-career scientists when doling out research dollars

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 8, 2016
  • At first glance, the parade of cabinet ministers on university campuses across Canada yesterday might have looked like evidence of a new era in
Scott Brison, president of the Treasury Board, was on hand at Dalhousie University when it was awarded a $94 million grant for a multidisciplinary ocean studies project with the University of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland's Memorial University. The Hill Times Photograph by Cynthia Münster

New era of peacekeeping will bring new risks

  • OTTAWA—Harjit Sajjan’s office offered me an interview with the defence minister. This was after Sajjan landed in Vancouver from a weeklong visit to Africa.
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 7, 2016
'This is not the peacekeeping of the past,' Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, pictured, told columnist Paul Wells. "There's no peace to keep.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New era of peacekeeping will bring new risks

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 7, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Harjit Sajjan’s office offered me an interview with the defence minister. This was after Sajjan landed in Vancouver from a weeklong visit to Africa.

New era of peacekeeping will bring new risks

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 7, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Harjit Sajjan’s office offered me an interview with the defence minister. This was after Sajjan landed in Vancouver from a weeklong visit to Africa.
'This is not the peacekeeping of the past,' Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, pictured, told columnist Paul Wells. "There's no peace to keep.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Electoral reform consultations receive limited participation from Canadians

  • OTTAWA—Now we’re cooking with grease. After a lazy summer during which Canadians could not be made to care about anything in particular in any
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 5, 2016
Democratic Reform Minister Maryam Monsef recently launched a national tour to hear the views of Canadians on electoral reform The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Electoral reform consultations receive limited participation from Canadians

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 5, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Now we’re cooking with grease. After a lazy summer during which Canadians could not be made to care about anything in particular in any

Electoral reform consultations receive limited participation from Canadians

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | September 5, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Now we’re cooking with grease. After a lazy summer during which Canadians could not be made to care about anything in particular in any
Democratic Reform Minister Maryam Monsef recently launched a national tour to hear the views of Canadians on electoral reform The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Quiet departure in keeping with Harper’s character

  • Like so much of Stephen Harper’s last years in politics, his final resignation as member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage was surprising only for
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 29, 2016
Harper did not leave public life on Friday, he only finished leaving it. He has been extracting himself from the public eye, in stages, for nearly as long as he was in it, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade.

Quiet departure in keeping with Harper’s character

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 29, 2016
  • Like so much of Stephen Harper’s last years in politics, his final resignation as member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage was surprising only for

Quiet departure in keeping with Harper’s character

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 29, 2016
  • Like so much of Stephen Harper’s last years in politics, his final resignation as member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage was surprising only for
Harper did not leave public life on Friday, he only finished leaving it. He has been extracting himself from the public eye, in stages, for nearly as long as he was in it, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times Photograph by Andrew Meade.

Cabinet committee changes give clues about happenings inside Trudeau government

  • OTTAWA—In the bad old days of the Soviet Union, western intelligence agencies used to grab at the tiniest details to figure out, in the
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 29, 2016
Among the ex-members of the committee on Growing the Middle Class is Chrystia Freeland, which is odd, writes Paul Wells, since she wrote a book on growing the middle class. Photograph courtesy of World Economic Forum

Cabinet committee changes give clues about happenings inside Trudeau government

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 29, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In the bad old days of the Soviet Union, western intelligence agencies used to grab at the tiniest details to figure out, in the

Cabinet committee changes give clues about happenings inside Trudeau government

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 29, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In the bad old days of the Soviet Union, western intelligence agencies used to grab at the tiniest details to figure out, in the
Among the ex-members of the committee on Growing the Middle Class is Chrystia Freeland, which is odd, writes Paul Wells, since she wrote a book on growing the middle class. Photograph courtesy of World Economic Forum

Sometimes, there are no tools to stop terrorism

  • So Canada is not immune to terrorist threat. Did anyone still think we aren’t immune? Already there have been deaths—Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, run
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 12, 2016
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured here in a file photo, said in a statement "Canadians can be confident that whenever credible information is obtained about a potential terrorist threat, the RCMP, CSIS and other police and security agencies take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of this country and its citizens." The Hill Times Photograph by Jake Wright

Sometimes, there are no tools to stop terrorism

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 12, 2016
  • So Canada is not immune to terrorist threat. Did anyone still think we aren’t immune? Already there have been deaths—Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, run

Sometimes, there are no tools to stop terrorism

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 12, 2016
  • So Canada is not immune to terrorist threat. Did anyone still think we aren’t immune? Already there have been deaths—Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, run
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, pictured here in a file photo, said in a statement "Canadians can be confident that whenever credible information is obtained about a potential terrorist threat, the RCMP, CSIS and other police and security agencies take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of this country and its citizens." The Hill Times Photograph by Jake Wright

Enough shirtless Trudeau pics: time for work

  • Enough of summer silly-season stories. Justin Trudeau’s biggest problem isn’t that he has spent August wearing only half his clothes. It’s that Canada has
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 10, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a changing of the guards ceremony on July 21. The Hill Times Photograph by Sam Garcia

Enough shirtless Trudeau pics: time for work

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 10, 2016
  • Enough of summer silly-season stories. Justin Trudeau’s biggest problem isn’t that he has spent August wearing only half his clothes. It’s that Canada has

Enough shirtless Trudeau pics: time for work

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 10, 2016
  • Enough of summer silly-season stories. Justin Trudeau’s biggest problem isn’t that he has spent August wearing only half his clothes. It’s that Canada has
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a changing of the guards ceremony on July 21. The Hill Times Photograph by Sam Garcia

Cabinet hell-bent on your input

  • OTTAWA—Canada must be a nation of innovators. “684 ideas for #CdnInnovation,” Navdeep Bains, the federal minister for innovation, science and economic development, wrote on
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 8, 2016
By my count, Navdeep Bains is the fourth industry minister (as people in his office used to be called) to launch an innovation agenda since the turn of the century, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Cabinet hell-bent on your input

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 8, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Canada must be a nation of innovators. “684 ideas for #CdnInnovation,” Navdeep Bains, the federal minister for innovation, science and economic development, wrote on

Cabinet hell-bent on your input

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 8, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Canada must be a nation of innovators. “684 ideas for #CdnInnovation,” Navdeep Bains, the federal minister for innovation, science and economic development, wrote on
By my count, Navdeep Bains is the fourth industry minister (as people in his office used to be called) to launch an innovation agenda since the turn of the century, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

History has chosen different path for a country Hurtig so loved

  • OTTAWA—Edmonton publisher Mel Hurtig, one of the lions of Canadian nationalism and a true gentleman, died on Wednesday at 84. It is awful news,
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 8, 2016
Mel Hurtig, pictured in Ottawa in 2008 on book tour for The Truth About Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

History has chosen different path for a country Hurtig so loved

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 8, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Edmonton publisher Mel Hurtig, one of the lions of Canadian nationalism and a true gentleman, died on Wednesday at 84. It is awful news,

History has chosen different path for a country Hurtig so loved

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 8, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Edmonton publisher Mel Hurtig, one of the lions of Canadian nationalism and a true gentleman, died on Wednesday at 84. It is awful news,
Mel Hurtig, pictured in Ottawa in 2008 on book tour for The Truth About Canada. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

PM on a high-stakes mission, set against idyllic backdrops

  • The appointment was right there July 22 in Justin Trudeau’s public itinerary, which the Prime Minister’s Office sends daily to every Ottawa reporter who cares
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 1, 2016
Four big themes will drive Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's economic policy through next year's budget: innovation, infrastructure, immigration and foreign investment. Where will the money come from? Mr. Trudeau has been talking to executives at Blackrock, the world's largest asset manager, which controls $5-trillion in investments worldwide, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

PM on a high-stakes mission, set against idyllic backdrops

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 1, 2016
  • The appointment was right there July 22 in Justin Trudeau’s public itinerary, which the Prime Minister’s Office sends daily to every Ottawa reporter who cares

PM on a high-stakes mission, set against idyllic backdrops

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | August 1, 2016
  • The appointment was right there July 22 in Justin Trudeau’s public itinerary, which the Prime Minister’s Office sends daily to every Ottawa reporter who cares
Four big themes will drive Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's economic policy through next year's budget: innovation, infrastructure, immigration and foreign investment. Where will the money come from? Mr. Trudeau has been talking to executives at Blackrock, the world's largest asset manager, which controls $5-trillion in investments worldwide, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Canada’s return to NATO’s front line has air of familiarity to it

  • And so Canadian soldiers are heading back to Europe. Times change and the world, despite a steady drumbeat of appalling headlines, is safer for
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 13, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laughs with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic at the NATO heads of state and government meeting in Warsaw last week. Photo courtesy of NATO

Canada’s return to NATO’s front line has air of familiarity to it

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 13, 2016
  • And so Canadian soldiers are heading back to Europe. Times change and the world, despite a steady drumbeat of appalling headlines, is safer for

Canada’s return to NATO’s front line has air of familiarity to it

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 13, 2016
  • And so Canadian soldiers are heading back to Europe. Times change and the world, despite a steady drumbeat of appalling headlines, is safer for
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laughs with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic at the NATO heads of state and government meeting in Warsaw last week. Photo courtesy of NATO

Coffee, tea, or electoral reform?

  • TORONTO—”Congratulations! You have decided to host a dialogue on Canadian federal electoral reform,” I read in the federal government’s new handbook, Your Guide to
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 11, 2016
Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef is an 'eternal optimist' who believes Canadians are raring to have discussions all across the country on the topic of electoral reform, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Coffee, tea, or electoral reform?

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 11, 2016
  • TORONTO—”Congratulations! You have decided to host a dialogue on Canadian federal electoral reform,” I read in the federal government’s new handbook, Your Guide to

Coffee, tea, or electoral reform?

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 11, 2016
  • TORONTO—”Congratulations! You have decided to host a dialogue on Canadian federal electoral reform,” I read in the federal government’s new handbook, Your Guide to
Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef is an 'eternal optimist' who believes Canadians are raring to have discussions all across the country on the topic of electoral reform, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

‘Leave’ campaign’s wish list is lying in tatters

  • A paradox. No important British or European personality has said publicly that the U.K. shouldn’t leave the European Union in the wake of the
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 11, 2016
British Prime Minister David Cameron, pictured in September 2011 in Ottawa. No important British or European personality has said publicly that the U.K. shouldn't leave the European Union in the wake of the Brexit referendum. They're unanimous that Leave means Leave. This includes every candidate to replace Mr. Cameron as British Tory leader, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

‘Leave’ campaign’s wish list is lying in tatters

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 11, 2016
  • A paradox. No important British or European personality has said publicly that the U.K. shouldn’t leave the European Union in the wake of the

‘Leave’ campaign’s wish list is lying in tatters

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | July 11, 2016
  • A paradox. No important British or European personality has said publicly that the U.K. shouldn’t leave the European Union in the wake of the
British Prime Minister David Cameron, pictured in September 2011 in Ottawa. No important British or European personality has said publicly that the U.K. shouldn't leave the European Union in the wake of the Brexit referendum. They're unanimous that Leave means Leave. This includes every candidate to replace Mr. Cameron as British Tory leader, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Path to power in Alberta tricky for Jason Kenney

  • Jason Kenney wouldn’t tell me when we exchanged emails on Wednesday whether he’s going to leave federal politics to unite Alberta’s conservative forces. I
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 27, 2016
Jason Kenney is smart, widely read and travelled, almost comically hardworking, and was a key contributor to Harper's success, when Harper was successful. Like Stephen Harper, he would run near the right end of the leadership spectrum, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Path to power in Alberta tricky for Jason Kenney

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 27, 2016
  • Jason Kenney wouldn’t tell me when we exchanged emails on Wednesday whether he’s going to leave federal politics to unite Alberta’s conservative forces. I

Path to power in Alberta tricky for Jason Kenney

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 27, 2016
  • Jason Kenney wouldn’t tell me when we exchanged emails on Wednesday whether he’s going to leave federal politics to unite Alberta’s conservative forces. I
Jason Kenney is smart, widely read and travelled, almost comically hardworking, and was a key contributor to Harper's success, when Harper was successful. Like Stephen Harper, he would run near the right end of the leadership spectrum, writes Paul Wells. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Helping to heal a shattered city’s wounds

  • ORLANDO, FLA.—There is satisfaction in even a grim job done well. On June 14, doctors at the Orlando Regional Medical Centre described for reporters the
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 20, 2016

Helping to heal a shattered city’s wounds

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 20, 2016
  • ORLANDO, FLA.—There is satisfaction in even a grim job done well. On June 14, doctors at the Orlando Regional Medical Centre described for reporters the

Helping to heal a shattered city’s wounds

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 20, 2016
  • ORLANDO, FLA.—There is satisfaction in even a grim job done well. On June 14, doctors at the Orlando Regional Medical Centre described for reporters the

‘A big first step’: prime minister rejects critics who say assisted dying bill doesn’t go far enough, but suggests rules may evolve

  • OTTAWA—As the Supreme Court’s deadline for assisted-dying legislation passed with no new law in place, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rejected claims his proposed
Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 13, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called C-14 'a big first step that is going to be followed by a lot of discussions and evolution over the coming decade as we begin to develop practices and case law.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

‘A big first step’: prime minister rejects critics who say assisted dying bill doesn’t go far enough, but suggests rules may evolve

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 13, 2016
  • OTTAWA—As the Supreme Court’s deadline for assisted-dying legislation passed with no new law in place, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rejected claims his proposed

‘A big first step’: prime minister rejects critics who say assisted dying bill doesn’t go far enough, but suggests rules may evolve

Opinion | BY PAUL WELLS | June 13, 2016
  • OTTAWA—As the Supreme Court’s deadline for assisted-dying legislation passed with no new law in place, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rejected claims his proposed
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called C-14 'a big first step that is going to be followed by a lot of discussions and evolution over the coming decade as we begin to develop practices and case law.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

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