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Tuesday, January 27, 2026

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Susan Riley

Susan Riley is a veteran political columnist and regular contributor to The Hill Times.

Who’s Tory now? It’s complicated

  • If traditional conservative voters, and others, are looking for an effective, intelligent and nimble centre-right leader, they already have one in Mark Carney. We’ll
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 26, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured in silhouette, walking up the stairs in the West Block on Parliament Hill on April 3, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who’s Tory now? It’s complicated

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 26, 2026
  • If traditional conservative voters, and others, are looking for an effective, intelligent and nimble centre-right leader, they already have one in Mark Carney. We’ll

Who’s Tory now? It’s complicated

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 26, 2026
  • If traditional conservative voters, and others, are looking for an effective, intelligent and nimble centre-right leader, they already have one in Mark Carney. We’ll
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured in silhouette, walking up the stairs in the West Block on Parliament Hill on April 3, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump-era diplomacy: what is gained from poking the bear and what is lost?

  • In retrospect, Mark Carney’s low-key approach—coupled with his tireless attempts to broaden our trade network—may prove to be the wisest course. Not as emotionally
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 12, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on Dec. 3, 2025, on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump-era diplomacy: what is gained from poking the bear and what is lost?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 12, 2026
  • In retrospect, Mark Carney’s low-key approach—coupled with his tireless attempts to broaden our trade network—may prove to be the wisest course. Not as emotionally

Trump-era diplomacy: what is gained from poking the bear and what is lost?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 12, 2026
  • In retrospect, Mark Carney’s low-key approach—coupled with his tireless attempts to broaden our trade network—may prove to be the wisest course. Not as emotionally
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured on Dec. 3, 2025, on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The door’s wide open for a re-invigorated NDP, and Parliament and Canada need it

  • Avi Lewis’ daring, refreshing campaign may come to nothing; end of discussion. Or maybe, if New Democrats are feeling frisky, beginning of discussion. The
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 15, 2025
NDP leadership candidates Avi Lewis, left, Tony McQuail, Heather McPherson, Tanille Johnston, and Rob Ashton pose for a photo before a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress in Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The door’s wide open for a re-invigorated NDP, and Parliament and Canada need it

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 15, 2025
  • Avi Lewis’ daring, refreshing campaign may come to nothing; end of discussion. Or maybe, if New Democrats are feeling frisky, beginning of discussion. The

The door’s wide open for a re-invigorated NDP, and Parliament and Canada need it

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 15, 2025
  • Avi Lewis’ daring, refreshing campaign may come to nothing; end of discussion. Or maybe, if New Democrats are feeling frisky, beginning of discussion. The
NDP leadership candidates Avi Lewis, left, Tony McQuail, Heather McPherson, Tanille Johnston, and Rob Ashton pose for a photo before a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress in Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pipelines and planes: when does ‘bold’ start, Prime Minister Carney?

  • Many hoped the new prime minister would break from a timid, risk-averse, national tradition, assert our economic independence as promised, and exploit our natural
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 1, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, with Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a welcome ceremony on the Hill on Nov. 18, 2025. Carney could purchase the next fighter jets from Sweden, an odd way of reassuring progressive voters, but this is an odd moment in our history, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pipelines and planes: when does ‘bold’ start, Prime Minister Carney?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 1, 2025
  • Many hoped the new prime minister would break from a timid, risk-averse, national tradition, assert our economic independence as promised, and exploit our natural

Pipelines and planes: when does ‘bold’ start, Prime Minister Carney?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 1, 2025
  • Many hoped the new prime minister would break from a timid, risk-averse, national tradition, assert our economic independence as promised, and exploit our natural
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, with Queen Silvia and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a welcome ceremony on the Hill on Nov. 18, 2025. Carney could purchase the next fighter jets from Sweden, an odd way of reassuring progressive voters, but this is an odd moment in our history, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney walks a timid line on climate instead of full speed ahead

  • The longer Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to play both sides of the street—and this game has been going on for decades—the farther behind
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 17, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured in Ottawa on Oct. 10, 2025. Tackling climate change is not a priority for his government, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney walks a timid line on climate instead of full speed ahead

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 17, 2025
  • The longer Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to play both sides of the street—and this game has been going on for decades—the farther behind

Carney walks a timid line on climate instead of full speed ahead

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 17, 2025
  • The longer Prime Minister Mark Carney tries to play both sides of the street—and this game has been going on for decades—the farther behind
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured in Ottawa on Oct. 10, 2025. Tackling climate change is not a priority for his government, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The case for a Christmas election: bring it on

  • For many Canadians, if an election would rid the country of Pierre Poilievre’s snarky social media hits, his obsessive focus on enemies, his hypocrisy—lamenting
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 3, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. If Carney is lucky, the opposition parties will defeat the budget and we will be plunged into a Christmas election, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The case for a Christmas election: bring it on

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 3, 2025
  • For many Canadians, if an election would rid the country of Pierre Poilievre’s snarky social media hits, his obsessive focus on enemies, his hypocrisy—lamenting

The case for a Christmas election: bring it on

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 3, 2025
  • For many Canadians, if an election would rid the country of Pierre Poilievre’s snarky social media hits, his obsessive focus on enemies, his hypocrisy—lamenting
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. If Carney is lucky, the opposition parties will defeat the budget and we will be plunged into a Christmas election, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

This is a wake-up call for Canada’s slumbering corporate class

  • The question: is corporate Canada ready to do its part? It certainly won’t refuse emergency funding to see it through the current uncertainty. But
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 20, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the House of Commons for Question Period on Oct. 1, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

This is a wake-up call for Canada’s slumbering corporate class

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 20, 2025
  • The question: is corporate Canada ready to do its part? It certainly won’t refuse emergency funding to see it through the current uncertainty. But

This is a wake-up call for Canada’s slumbering corporate class

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 20, 2025
  • The question: is corporate Canada ready to do its part? It certainly won’t refuse emergency funding to see it through the current uncertainty. But
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the House of Commons for Question Period on Oct. 1, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Finally, the left fights back

  • Whatever the outcome of the NDP leadership campaign, Avi Lewis is a lively, intelligent player who could bring confidence and colour to a lustreless
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 6, 2025
Avi Lewis, left, pictured in Ottawa in 2016, could bring some life back into the NDP, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times file photograph

Finally, the left fights back

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 6, 2025
  • Whatever the outcome of the NDP leadership campaign, Avi Lewis is a lively, intelligent player who could bring confidence and colour to a lustreless

Finally, the left fights back

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 6, 2025
  • Whatever the outcome of the NDP leadership campaign, Avi Lewis is a lively, intelligent player who could bring confidence and colour to a lustreless
Avi Lewis, left, pictured in Ottawa in 2016, could bring some life back into the NDP, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times file photograph

Mark Carney and the politics of subtlety

  • Mark Carney appears open to changing details, if not his overall direction, in the face of pushback, and that direction is not dictated by
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 22, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney appears to be following a different course. And, so far, it is winning him popular support. Rather than engaging in a constant game of one-upmanship, making new enemies and fuelling old divisions, he is getting things done—getting things launched, at least, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Mark Carney and the politics of subtlety

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 22, 2025
  • Mark Carney appears open to changing details, if not his overall direction, in the face of pushback, and that direction is not dictated by

Mark Carney and the politics of subtlety

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 22, 2025
  • Mark Carney appears open to changing details, if not his overall direction, in the face of pushback, and that direction is not dictated by
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney appears to be following a different course. And, so far, it is winning him popular support. Rather than engaging in a constant game of one-upmanship, making new enemies and fuelling old divisions, he is getting things done—getting things launched, at least, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s leading AI-generated politician is back

  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is unlikely to offer any serious, fact-based critiques of the government’s shortcomings. He's a glib man, playing in the shallows,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 25, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and wife Anaida, left, celebrate winning the byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot, Alta., on Aug. 18. Screenshot courtesy of X

Canada’s leading AI-generated politician is back

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 25, 2025
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is unlikely to offer any serious, fact-based critiques of the government’s shortcomings. He's a glib man, playing in the shallows,

Canada’s leading AI-generated politician is back

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 25, 2025
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is unlikely to offer any serious, fact-based critiques of the government’s shortcomings. He's a glib man, playing in the shallows,
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and wife Anaida, left, celebrate winning the byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot, Alta., on Aug. 18. Screenshot courtesy of X

In the midst of a national climate crisis, Carney’s government falls silent

  • The words 'climate change' have barely passed Carney’s lips, nor did they feature in communiqués from June's G7 summit in Alberta. It has been
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 11, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney enters The Office of the Prime Minister in downtown Ottawa on Aug. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney enters The Office of the Prime Minister in downtown Ottawa on Aug. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney enters the Prime Minister's Office in downtown Ottawa on Aug. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

In the midst of a national climate crisis, Carney’s government falls silent

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 11, 2025
  • The words 'climate change' have barely passed Carney’s lips, nor did they feature in communiqués from June's G7 summit in Alberta. It has been

In the midst of a national climate crisis, Carney’s government falls silent

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 11, 2025
  • The words 'climate change' have barely passed Carney’s lips, nor did they feature in communiqués from June's G7 summit in Alberta. It has been
Prime Minister Mark Carney enters The Office of the Prime Minister in downtown Ottawa on Aug. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney enters the Prime Minister's Office in downtown Ottawa on Aug. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What will kill the electric car this time: Trump or Canada’s haplessness?

  • Until further notice, we are passengers in this environmental and economic setback, and Donald Trump is at the wheel.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 14, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre, and Mélanie Joly, right, who was then foreign affairs minister, met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on May 6. Joly, now industry minister, is the federal lead on the auto file. Photograph courtesy of X/Mélanie Joly

What will kill the electric car this time: Trump or Canada’s haplessness?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 14, 2025
  • Until further notice, we are passengers in this environmental and economic setback, and Donald Trump is at the wheel.

What will kill the electric car this time: Trump or Canada’s haplessness?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 14, 2025
  • Until further notice, we are passengers in this environmental and economic setback, and Donald Trump is at the wheel.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre, and Mélanie Joly, right, who was then foreign affairs minister, met with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on May 6. Joly, now industry minister, is the federal lead on the auto file. Photograph courtesy of X/Mélanie Joly

Canadians are offering Carney a lot of rope in these early days

  • The message seems to be 'trust me'—and so far, most Canadians are inclined to. Besides, a honeymoon is not the time for awkward questions.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney is still doing well in public opinion polls, despite some of his controversial and contentious moves, so far, Susan Riley writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians are offering Carney a lot of rope in these early days

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 30, 2025
  • The message seems to be 'trust me'—and so far, most Canadians are inclined to. Besides, a honeymoon is not the time for awkward questions.

Canadians are offering Carney a lot of rope in these early days

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 30, 2025
  • The message seems to be 'trust me'—and so far, most Canadians are inclined to. Besides, a honeymoon is not the time for awkward questions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is still doing well in public opinion polls, despite some of his controversial and contentious moves, so far, Susan Riley writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney has energy to burn, that’s a problem

  • The federal government’s legislation encouraging the building of pipelines comes as wildfires in parts of British Columbia and Manitoba force residents to flee their
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 16, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the Prime Minister’s Office in Ottawa, Ont. on May 20, 2025, to head to a cabinet forum at Meech Lake, Que. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the Prime Minister’s Office in Ottawa, Ont. on May 20, 2025, to head to a cabinet forum at Meech Lake, Que. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s his recent talk of 'decarbonized oil' deals a near-fatal blow to climate hopes for his new government. No one who is serious about fighting climate change would parrot this ludicrous talking point, drawn directly from the oil and gas sector’s well-funded marketing department, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney has energy to burn, that’s a problem

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 16, 2025
  • The federal government’s legislation encouraging the building of pipelines comes as wildfires in parts of British Columbia and Manitoba force residents to flee their

Carney has energy to burn, that’s a problem

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 16, 2025
  • The federal government’s legislation encouraging the building of pipelines comes as wildfires in parts of British Columbia and Manitoba force residents to flee their
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the Prime Minister’s Office in Ottawa, Ont. on May 20, 2025, to head to a cabinet forum at Meech Lake, Que. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s his recent talk of 'decarbonized oil' deals a near-fatal blow to climate hopes for his new government. No one who is serious about fighting climate change would parrot this ludicrous talking point, drawn directly from the oil and gas sector’s well-funded marketing department, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hurricane Carney blows into town

  • Mark Carney is also, at this early stage, a conundrum: a man who speaks in giant steps, but promises pragmatism.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 2, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the Senate of Canada building in Ottawa to attend the Speech from the Throne on May 27, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the Senate of Canada building in Ottawa to attend the Speech from the Throne on May 27, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa to attend the Throne Speech on May 27, 2025. He is so extraordinarily ambitious for this country, so focused, deliberate, and determined to do big things in record time, that it seems churlish to doubt him, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hurricane Carney blows into town

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 2, 2025
  • Mark Carney is also, at this early stage, a conundrum: a man who speaks in giant steps, but promises pragmatism.

Hurricane Carney blows into town

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 2, 2025
  • Mark Carney is also, at this early stage, a conundrum: a man who speaks in giant steps, but promises pragmatism.
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the Senate of Canada building in Ottawa to attend the Speech from the Throne on May 27, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa to attend the Throne Speech on May 27, 2025. He is so extraordinarily ambitious for this country, so focused, deliberate, and determined to do big things in record time, that it seems churlish to doubt him, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney era begins: will the low-drama prime minister’s promise of ‘harmony and hard’ work prevail?

  • We will soon see how Carney manages in the fiery pit of partisan politics. Unfortunately, that pit is unavoidable. It is part of democracy,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 25, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds a press conference in West Block on May 21, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney era begins: will the low-drama prime minister’s promise of ‘harmony and hard’ work prevail?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 25, 2025
  • We will soon see how Carney manages in the fiery pit of partisan politics. Unfortunately, that pit is unavoidable. It is part of democracy,

Carney era begins: will the low-drama prime minister’s promise of ‘harmony and hard’ work prevail?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 25, 2025
  • We will soon see how Carney manages in the fiery pit of partisan politics. Unfortunately, that pit is unavoidable. It is part of democracy,
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney holds a press conference in West Block on May 21, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Carney bow, bribe, and buckle to win over Danielle Smith? We know how that ends

  • Maybe, if this summer’s wildfires and other disruptions become bad enough, they will refocus public attention on climate and Mark Carney’s new government will
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 19, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
It took Alberta Premier Danielle Smith a nano-second (after her 'positive' first conversation with the new prime minister), to trash some of his new cabinet choices, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Carney bow, bribe, and buckle to win over Danielle Smith? We know how that ends

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 19, 2025
  • Maybe, if this summer’s wildfires and other disruptions become bad enough, they will refocus public attention on climate and Mark Carney’s new government will

Will Carney bow, bribe, and buckle to win over Danielle Smith? We know how that ends

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 19, 2025
  • Maybe, if this summer’s wildfires and other disruptions become bad enough, they will refocus public attention on climate and Mark Carney’s new government will
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
It took Alberta Premier Danielle Smith a nano-second (after her 'positive' first conversation with the new prime minister), to trash some of his new cabinet choices, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

All we are saying, is give peace a chance

  • Once the Trump business is resolved, will Poilievre’s troops return to attacks on wokeism, the legacy media, and the ideologically impure, even within their
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 5, 2025
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, right, and his wife Anaida arrive at the federal leaders' debate in Montréal, Que., on April 17, 2025. How our new political era unfolds largely depends on Poilievre's strategy, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

All we are saying, is give peace a chance

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 5, 2025
  • Once the Trump business is resolved, will Poilievre’s troops return to attacks on wokeism, the legacy media, and the ideologically impure, even within their

All we are saying, is give peace a chance

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 5, 2025
  • Once the Trump business is resolved, will Poilievre’s troops return to attacks on wokeism, the legacy media, and the ideologically impure, even within their
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, right, and his wife Anaida arrive at the federal leaders' debate in Montréal, Que., on April 17, 2025. How our new political era unfolds largely depends on Poilievre's strategy, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre: we’re just not that into him

  • Pierre Poilievre’s polished daily performances continue to be, primarily, laments for the sorry state of the country, extended complaints about the 'lost Liberal decade,'
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 14, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured March 4, 2025, on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre: we’re just not that into him

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 14, 2025
  • Pierre Poilievre’s polished daily performances continue to be, primarily, laments for the sorry state of the country, extended complaints about the 'lost Liberal decade,'

Poilievre: we’re just not that into him

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 14, 2025
  • Pierre Poilievre’s polished daily performances continue to be, primarily, laments for the sorry state of the country, extended complaints about the 'lost Liberal decade,'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured March 4, 2025, on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bread, not circuses: dwindling appetite for politics as usual is helping Carney

  • If polls and general chatter are accurate, voters may be ready for more content, less contempt.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 31, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured March 23, 2025, after holding a press conference outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa after dissolving Parliament and calling an election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bread, not circuses: dwindling appetite for politics as usual is helping Carney

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 31, 2025
  • If polls and general chatter are accurate, voters may be ready for more content, less contempt.

Bread, not circuses: dwindling appetite for politics as usual is helping Carney

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 31, 2025
  • If polls and general chatter are accurate, voters may be ready for more content, less contempt.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, pictured March 23, 2025, after holding a press conference outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa after dissolving Parliament and calling an election. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who’s Tory now?

  • There is a new Liberal in town, a blue-suit Liberal, and all these ordinary concerns—although climate change is hardly trivial—seem to be set aside
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 17, 2025
Newly elected party leader Mark Carney arrives for the Liberal Party caucus meeting in West Block on March 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Newly elected party leader Mark Carney arrives for the Liberal Party caucus meeting in West Block on March 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Newly elected party leader Mark Carney arrives for the Liberal Party caucus meeting in the West Block on March 10, 2025. You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. In Canada, it is blowing right, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who’s Tory now?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 17, 2025
  • There is a new Liberal in town, a blue-suit Liberal, and all these ordinary concerns—although climate change is hardly trivial—seem to be set aside

Who’s Tory now?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 17, 2025
  • There is a new Liberal in town, a blue-suit Liberal, and all these ordinary concerns—although climate change is hardly trivial—seem to be set aside
Newly elected party leader Mark Carney arrives for the Liberal Party caucus meeting in West Block on March 10, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Newly elected party leader Mark Carney arrives for the Liberal Party caucus meeting in the West Block on March 10, 2025. You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. In Canada, it is blowing right, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump is coming: quick, build a pipeline!

  • Donald Trump is an all-purpose distraction, a threat on so many fronts, that concern about climate has been temporarily pushed aside. But people still
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Mark Carney
Liberal leadership front-runner Mark Carney, picture in Montreal on Feb. 25, 2025. Dubbed 'Carbon-Tax Carney' by the Conservatives, Carney has rejected the consumer-based carbon tax that the Liberal government adopted, but failed to sell, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump is coming: quick, build a pipeline!

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 3, 2025
  • Donald Trump is an all-purpose distraction, a threat on so many fronts, that concern about climate has been temporarily pushed aside. But people still

Trump is coming: quick, build a pipeline!

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 3, 2025
  • Donald Trump is an all-purpose distraction, a threat on so many fronts, that concern about climate has been temporarily pushed aside. But people still
Mark Carney
Liberal leadership front-runner Mark Carney, picture in Montreal on Feb. 25, 2025. Dubbed 'Carbon-Tax Carney' by the Conservatives, Carney has rejected the consumer-based carbon tax that the Liberal government adopted, but failed to sell, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The battle to be Canada’s flag-bearer

  • Canadians will continue to boycott U.S. products, cancel trips down south, drop Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV subscriptions, and wait for someone to lead
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 17, 2025
The race to be our national flag-bearer is tightening. Mark Carney, left, comes across as a sober, able, low-key manager, but he needs to turn up the volume. Pierre Poilievre is a snappy, energetic communicator, but he needs to tone down the hatred, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, illustration by Neena Singhal

The battle to be Canada’s flag-bearer

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 17, 2025
  • Canadians will continue to boycott U.S. products, cancel trips down south, drop Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV subscriptions, and wait for someone to lead

The battle to be Canada’s flag-bearer

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 17, 2025
  • Canadians will continue to boycott U.S. products, cancel trips down south, drop Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV subscriptions, and wait for someone to lead
The race to be our national flag-bearer is tightening. Mark Carney, left, comes across as a sober, able, low-key manager, but he needs to turn up the volume. Pierre Poilievre is a snappy, energetic communicator, but he needs to tone down the hatred, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, illustration by Neena Singhal

Trump defends continent’s sacred right to choke on our own smoke

  • A triumphant U.S. president set out a damaging and costly scenario last week: the reversal of all attempts to stop climate change and a
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 27, 2025
Donald Trump doesn't care about climate change, but Canada does have one important card to play. We could significantly reduce the 100-per-cent tariff it imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles, and induce China to build some of their EV cars here, to get a toehold on a huge continent market, writes Susan Riley. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Trump defends continent’s sacred right to choke on our own smoke

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 27, 2025
  • A triumphant U.S. president set out a damaging and costly scenario last week: the reversal of all attempts to stop climate change and a

Trump defends continent’s sacred right to choke on our own smoke

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 27, 2025
  • A triumphant U.S. president set out a damaging and costly scenario last week: the reversal of all attempts to stop climate change and a
Donald Trump doesn't care about climate change, but Canada does have one important card to play. We could significantly reduce the 100-per-cent tariff it imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles, and induce China to build some of their EV cars here, to get a toehold on a huge continent market, writes Susan Riley. Image courtesy of Pixabay

The race is on! Let it be merciful

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Here is the choice facing the federal Liberal Party in this moment of national peril—and it needs to decide, pronto. In broad strokes:
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 13, 2025
The Liberals' placeholder candidate cannot be the genial Dominic LeBlanc, newly-minted finance minister and beloved party veteran, who has taken himself out of contention so he can attend to the business of the nation, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The race is on! Let it be merciful

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 13, 2025
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Here is the choice facing the federal Liberal Party in this moment of national peril—and it needs to decide, pronto. In broad strokes:

The race is on! Let it be merciful

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 13, 2025
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Here is the choice facing the federal Liberal Party in this moment of national peril—and it needs to decide, pronto. In broad strokes:
The Liberals' placeholder candidate cannot be the genial Dominic LeBlanc, newly-minted finance minister and beloved party veteran, who has taken himself out of contention so he can attend to the business of the nation, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s isolation and arrogance will be his undoing

  • Did Freeland's firing expose Trudeau as a fake feminist? To some, this is an irrefutable fact, but Trudeau has also humiliated male ministers, including
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 17, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau addresses Liberal Party supporters at a Laurier Club fundraiser at the Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Dec. 16, 2024. There is something to be said for rising above the political weather bomb that hit the Hill this week, and 'reflecting' as Trudeau apparently assured his shell-shocked caucus that he would, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s isolation and arrogance will be his undoing

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 17, 2024
  • Did Freeland's firing expose Trudeau as a fake feminist? To some, this is an irrefutable fact, but Trudeau has also humiliated male ministers, including

Trudeau’s isolation and arrogance will be his undoing

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 17, 2024
  • Did Freeland's firing expose Trudeau as a fake feminist? To some, this is an irrefutable fact, but Trudeau has also humiliated male ministers, including
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau addresses Liberal Party supporters at a Laurier Club fundraiser at the Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Dec. 16, 2024. There is something to be said for rising above the political weather bomb that hit the Hill this week, and 'reflecting' as Trudeau apparently assured his shell-shocked caucus that he would, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Are we happy? Are we supposed to be?

  • Economic gears have been grinding in unsettling ways since the pandemic, there are no quick fixes, and the first responsibility of any government should
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 9, 2024
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, in announcing her government’s two-month GST holiday on certain goods and a $250 check for working Canadians in the spring—referred to the 'vibe-session,' a newly-coined phrase that refers to the divide between complicated economic reality and the way people are feeling. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Are we happy? Are we supposed to be?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 9, 2024
  • Economic gears have been grinding in unsettling ways since the pandemic, there are no quick fixes, and the first responsibility of any government should

Are we happy? Are we supposed to be?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 9, 2024
  • Economic gears have been grinding in unsettling ways since the pandemic, there are no quick fixes, and the first responsibility of any government should
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, in announcing her government’s two-month GST holiday on certain goods and a $250 check for working Canadians in the spring—referred to the 'vibe-session,' a newly-coined phrase that refers to the divide between complicated economic reality and the way people are feeling. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Have they no shame? No, but they have excuses

  • Politicians are not all bottom-feeding sleazes out to feather their own nests, but some are just simply too important. Excuse us if we stop
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 20, 2023
John Tory’s revelation that he had an affair with a younger staffer provoked a widespread shudder of disgust, especially among women. Ethics breach, or creepy behaviour? Beyond the public betrayal of his wife of 45 years, there was also the power imbalance, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Have they no shame? No, but they have excuses

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 20, 2023
  • Politicians are not all bottom-feeding sleazes out to feather their own nests, but some are just simply too important. Excuse us if we stop

Have they no shame? No, but they have excuses

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 20, 2023
  • Politicians are not all bottom-feeding sleazes out to feather their own nests, but some are just simply too important. Excuse us if we stop
John Tory’s revelation that he had an affair with a younger staffer provoked a widespread shudder of disgust, especially among women. Ethics breach, or creepy behaviour? Beyond the public betrayal of his wife of 45 years, there was also the power imbalance, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

As election looms, a full-time pursuit of the trivial takes over federal politics

  • The instances of seat-of-the-pants management and failure to anticipate change are so numerous, they raise a pertinent question: can our parliamentary system serve the
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 6, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, former ambassador Dominic Barton, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet all grabbed headlines last week in time-wasting controversies, writes Susan Riley. Welcome to Ottawa, where every disagreement ends up as ammunition for someone. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

As election looms, a full-time pursuit of the trivial takes over federal politics

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 6, 2023
  • The instances of seat-of-the-pants management and failure to anticipate change are so numerous, they raise a pertinent question: can our parliamentary system serve the

As election looms, a full-time pursuit of the trivial takes over federal politics

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 6, 2023
  • The instances of seat-of-the-pants management and failure to anticipate change are so numerous, they raise a pertinent question: can our parliamentary system serve the
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, former ambassador Dominic Barton, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet all grabbed headlines last week in time-wasting controversies, writes Susan Riley. Welcome to Ottawa, where every disagreement ends up as ammunition for someone. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Progressive Afghan women in dangerous limbo, while we wring our hands uselessly

  • Can Canada not, at least, rescue individual women, especially those who worked with Canadians on various women’s 'empowerment programs' during the war? You would
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 23, 2023
The group of MPs who have been working behind the scenes, includes Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, left, the Green Party's Elizabeth May, the NDP's Heather McPherson, the Conservatives' Alex Ruff and the Liberals' Marcus Powlowski and Leah Taylor Roy. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Progressive Afghan women in dangerous limbo, while we wring our hands uselessly

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 23, 2023
  • Can Canada not, at least, rescue individual women, especially those who worked with Canadians on various women’s 'empowerment programs' during the war? You would

Progressive Afghan women in dangerous limbo, while we wring our hands uselessly

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 23, 2023
  • Can Canada not, at least, rescue individual women, especially those who worked with Canadians on various women’s 'empowerment programs' during the war? You would
The group of MPs who have been working behind the scenes, includes Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, left, the Green Party's Elizabeth May, the NDP's Heather McPherson, the Conservatives' Alex Ruff and the Liberals' Marcus Powlowski and Leah Taylor Roy. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

One more year to stop talking, start acting, on reducing emissions

  • The ongoing war in Ukraine is a wrenching issue, so is the lack of affordable housing in major cities; and, the COVID crisis is
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 9, 2023
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, for instance, is supposed to be announcing the long-promised “just transition” plan in the coming months. This is intended to help oil and gas workers, mostly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, move to equally lucrative and engaging jobs in the burgeoning green energy sector. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

One more year to stop talking, start acting, on reducing emissions

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 9, 2023
  • The ongoing war in Ukraine is a wrenching issue, so is the lack of affordable housing in major cities; and, the COVID crisis is

One more year to stop talking, start acting, on reducing emissions

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 9, 2023
  • The ongoing war in Ukraine is a wrenching issue, so is the lack of affordable housing in major cities; and, the COVID crisis is
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, for instance, is supposed to be announcing the long-promised “just transition” plan in the coming months. This is intended to help oil and gas workers, mostly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, move to equally lucrative and engaging jobs in the burgeoning green energy sector. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If politicians weren’t so snarly, more collegial, ratings might rebound

  • Has Question Period always been so joyless? Even if the show is free, there is only so much vitriol audiences can tolerate. A little
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 12, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. While every Parliament features ferocious rivalries, harsh personal attacks and outlandish accusations, some have also offered moments of humour, good-natured teasing, or simple acknowledgement of humanity across the aisle, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

If politicians weren’t so snarly, more collegial, ratings might rebound

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 12, 2022
  • Has Question Period always been so joyless? Even if the show is free, there is only so much vitriol audiences can tolerate. A little

If politicians weren’t so snarly, more collegial, ratings might rebound

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 12, 2022
  • Has Question Period always been so joyless? Even if the show is free, there is only so much vitriol audiences can tolerate. A little
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. While every Parliament features ferocious rivalries, harsh personal attacks and outlandish accusations, some have also offered moments of humour, good-natured teasing, or simple acknowledgement of humanity across the aisle, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s inscrutable China policy

  • It would be naive to believe that foreign governments don’t attempt to steal trade secrets, or undermine public trust in our democracy. For our
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 28, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping, pictured on Nov. 16, 2022, at the G20 in Bali, Indonesia. Xi chided Trudeau for 'leaked' discussions to the newspapers. Screen capture image courtesy of CBCNN

Trudeau’s inscrutable China policy

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 28, 2022
  • It would be naive to believe that foreign governments don’t attempt to steal trade secrets, or undermine public trust in our democracy. For our

Trudeau’s inscrutable China policy

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 28, 2022
  • It would be naive to believe that foreign governments don’t attempt to steal trade secrets, or undermine public trust in our democracy. For our
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping, pictured on Nov. 16, 2022, at the G20 in Bali, Indonesia. Xi chided Trudeau for 'leaked' discussions to the newspapers. Screen capture image courtesy of CBCNN

Trudeau ‘COPs out’ on the world climate stage

  • Perhaps Justin Trudeau thinks Canada has a better story to tell on biodiversity—although, this, like everything, is influenced by climate change. Or, when it
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 14, 2022
It is both striking and unsurprising that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured taking questions from reporters on the Hill on Oct. 26, 2022, isn’t attending the latest international climate conference in Egypt, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau ‘COPs out’ on the world climate stage

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 14, 2022
  • Perhaps Justin Trudeau thinks Canada has a better story to tell on biodiversity—although, this, like everything, is influenced by climate change. Or, when it

Trudeau ‘COPs out’ on the world climate stage

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 14, 2022
  • Perhaps Justin Trudeau thinks Canada has a better story to tell on biodiversity—although, this, like everything, is influenced by climate change. Or, when it
It is both striking and unsurprising that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured taking questions from reporters on the Hill on Oct. 26, 2022, isn’t attending the latest international climate conference in Egypt, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Inflationary rhetoric is as dangerous as the real thing

  • Nobody is uniquely responsible. How about moving beyond the futile, repetitive exchange of ideological antiquities to relief—at least for the most harshly affected.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 31, 2022
At Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem's well-attended press conference last week, he predicted a period of discomfort followed by a return to two per cent inflation by 2024 and a healthy and growing economy, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Inflationary rhetoric is as dangerous as the real thing

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 31, 2022
  • Nobody is uniquely responsible. How about moving beyond the futile, repetitive exchange of ideological antiquities to relief—at least for the most harshly affected.

Inflationary rhetoric is as dangerous as the real thing

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 31, 2022
  • Nobody is uniquely responsible. How about moving beyond the futile, repetitive exchange of ideological antiquities to relief—at least for the most harshly affected.
At Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem's well-attended press conference last week, he predicted a period of discomfort followed by a return to two per cent inflation by 2024 and a healthy and growing economy, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time to clean up our language 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Political language has become so degraded that a gross betrayal of supporters, a shameless climbdown from previously embraced imperatives, the sudden disappearance of
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 17, 2022
Newly elected Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured arriving at the Conservative national caucus meeting in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Sept. 12, 2022, with his wife Anaida and their son Cruz. It looks like a Poilievre 'pivot' on climate is inevitable—although it will be dressed up as a fairer, more equitable approach to containing emissions, not a complete policy reversal, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time to clean up our language 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 17, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Political language has become so degraded that a gross betrayal of supporters, a shameless climbdown from previously embraced imperatives, the sudden disappearance of

Time to clean up our language 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 17, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Political language has become so degraded that a gross betrayal of supporters, a shameless climbdown from previously embraced imperatives, the sudden disappearance of
Newly elected Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured arriving at the Conservative national caucus meeting in the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Sept. 12, 2022, with his wife Anaida and their son Cruz. It looks like a Poilievre 'pivot' on climate is inevitable—although it will be dressed up as a fairer, more equitable approach to containing emissions, not a complete policy reversal, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Widespread labour shortages a growing economic, political, and moral tinderbox 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—There is another storm brewing in Canada this season and it isn’t a hurricane. It is a broad and disruptive labour shortage that
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 3, 2022
There is another storm brewing in Canada this season and it isn’t a hurricane. It is a broad and disruptive labour shortage that is creating havoc everywhere, in our everyday life—and laying bare some troubling undercurrents, writes Susan Riley. The Hill TImes photograph by Andrew Meade

Widespread labour shortages a growing economic, political, and moral tinderbox 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 3, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—There is another storm brewing in Canada this season and it isn’t a hurricane. It is a broad and disruptive labour shortage that

Widespread labour shortages a growing economic, political, and moral tinderbox 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 3, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—There is another storm brewing in Canada this season and it isn’t a hurricane. It is a broad and disruptive labour shortage that
There is another storm brewing in Canada this season and it isn’t a hurricane. It is a broad and disruptive labour shortage that is creating havoc everywhere, in our everyday life—and laying bare some troubling undercurrents, writes Susan Riley. The Hill TImes photograph by Andrew Meade

Politicians won’t be caught dead agreeing, even when there’s common ground

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—This will come as a shock to many, but, looked at from a certain angle, our major federal parties—even premiers and municipal leaders—actually
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 19, 2022
Politicians, like the new Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, might be more productive if they admitted they actually do agree on certain basic points, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Politicians won’t be caught dead agreeing, even when there’s common ground

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 19, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—This will come as a shock to many, but, looked at from a certain angle, our major federal parties—even premiers and municipal leaders—actually

Politicians won’t be caught dead agreeing, even when there’s common ground

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 19, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—This will come as a shock to many, but, looked at from a certain angle, our major federal parties—even premiers and municipal leaders—actually
Politicians, like the new Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, might be more productive if they admitted they actually do agree on certain basic points, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A Poilievre Conservative leadership would be a test: is love really stronger than hate?

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Here’s some “plain language” for the presumptive Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has announced that all government communication must be comprehensible and direct
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 5, 2022
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre has tapped into a deep vein of discontent that has arisen in part out of economic uncertainty. Screenshot courtesy of Pierre Poilievre/YouTube

A Poilievre Conservative leadership would be a test: is love really stronger than hate?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 5, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Here’s some “plain language” for the presumptive Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has announced that all government communication must be comprehensible and direct

A Poilievre Conservative leadership would be a test: is love really stronger than hate?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 5, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Here’s some “plain language” for the presumptive Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has announced that all government communication must be comprehensible and direct
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre has tapped into a deep vein of discontent that has arisen in part out of economic uncertainty. Screenshot courtesy of Pierre Poilievre/YouTube

Federal fight against climate change stops at the oil patch

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Is there anyone in Canada—anyone?—who believes that Justin Trudeau’s government is serious about tackling climate change? It seems unlikely, given the ongoing failure
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 8, 2022
Oilsands, pictured in Fort McMurray, Alta., in 2008. How can Ottawa justify billion-dollar programs—to clean up orphan wells, capture fugitive methane emissions, underwrite the construction of $50-billion carbon capture projects of dubious effectiveness—when the industry has emerged from a seven-year downturn rolling in cash? It can’t. It shouldn’t bother trying, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Federal fight against climate change stops at the oil patch

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 8, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Is there anyone in Canada—anyone?—who believes that Justin Trudeau’s government is serious about tackling climate change? It seems unlikely, given the ongoing failure

Federal fight against climate change stops at the oil patch

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 8, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Is there anyone in Canada—anyone?—who believes that Justin Trudeau’s government is serious about tackling climate change? It seems unlikely, given the ongoing failure
Oilsands, pictured in Fort McMurray, Alta., in 2008. How can Ottawa justify billion-dollar programs—to clean up orphan wells, capture fugitive methane emissions, underwrite the construction of $50-billion carbon capture projects of dubious effectiveness—when the industry has emerged from a seven-year downturn rolling in cash? It can’t. It shouldn’t bother trying, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

COVID already in the rear-view mirror for politicians—and we’re all potential roadkill 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—We trusted the science, until it got complicated. We revered medical officers of health, like Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Deena Hinshaw, until
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 25, 2022
A pedestrian, pictured on May 15, 2020, on Bank Street in downtown Ottawa. The most reliable medical advice now—amid a daily diet of contradictions, counter-claims, and lame reassurances from politicians—is to get your third shot, if you are among the 52 per cent of Canadians who haven’t yet been boosted. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

COVID already in the rear-view mirror for politicians—and we’re all potential roadkill 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 25, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—We trusted the science, until it got complicated. We revered medical officers of health, like Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Deena Hinshaw, until

COVID already in the rear-view mirror for politicians—and we’re all potential roadkill 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 25, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—We trusted the science, until it got complicated. We revered medical officers of health, like Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Deena Hinshaw, until
A pedestrian, pictured on May 15, 2020, on Bank Street in downtown Ottawa. The most reliable medical advice now—amid a daily diet of contradictions, counter-claims, and lame reassurances from politicians—is to get your third shot, if you are among the 52 per cent of Canadians who haven’t yet been boosted. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The summer of our disconnect 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Politics in Canada almost always slows down in summer. Backyard barbecues and community festivals are still threatened by visits from glad-handing federal, municipal,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 4, 2022
The Prime Minister's Office, pictured on June 26, 2019, in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The summer of our disconnect 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 4, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Politics in Canada almost always slows down in summer. Backyard barbecues and community festivals are still threatened by visits from glad-handing federal, municipal,

The summer of our disconnect 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 4, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Politics in Canada almost always slows down in summer. Backyard barbecues and community festivals are still threatened by visits from glad-handing federal, municipal,
The Prime Minister's Office, pictured on June 26, 2019, in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s over for you and Justin? Be careful what you wish for 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Justin Trudeau’s main political challenge these days isn’t his enemies. It’s his friends. Many Canadians who share the prime minister’s values, generally approve
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 20, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on June 1, 2022, taking a photo with school children. The barrage of negativity that threatens the Trudeau government isn’t unique. It's how our parliamentary system operates, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s over for you and Justin? Be careful what you wish for 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 20, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Justin Trudeau’s main political challenge these days isn’t his enemies. It’s his friends. Many Canadians who share the prime minister’s values, generally approve

It’s over for you and Justin? Be careful what you wish for 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 20, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Justin Trudeau’s main political challenge these days isn’t his enemies. It’s his friends. Many Canadians who share the prime minister’s values, generally approve
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on June 1, 2022, taking a photo with school children. The barrage of negativity that threatens the Trudeau government isn’t unique. It's how our parliamentary system operates, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Every Ottawa crisis needs a good report, or two, or three… 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Another week, another former Supreme Court justice, another damning report. To be followed, in another few years no doubt, by another damning report
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 6, 2022
Louise Arbour, pictured May 30 on the Hill, wants the minister to appoint an 'external monitor' to follow up on her recommendations and to give Anand a monthly progress report. This happens often with expert reports/commissions/audits—a requirement that progress be tracked, which is meant to keep the issue alive once the media moves on. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Every Ottawa crisis needs a good report, or two, or three… 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 6, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Another week, another former Supreme Court justice, another damning report. To be followed, in another few years no doubt, by another damning report

Every Ottawa crisis needs a good report, or two, or three… 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 6, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Another week, another former Supreme Court justice, another damning report. To be followed, in another few years no doubt, by another damning report
Louise Arbour, pictured May 30 on the Hill, wants the minister to appoint an 'external monitor' to follow up on her recommendations and to give Anand a monthly progress report. This happens often with expert reports/commissions/audits—a requirement that progress be tracked, which is meant to keep the issue alive once the media moves on. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative leadership: right versus evil, or right versus right? 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—In the chippy, content-light federal Conservative leadership race, there are two (at least) emerging puzzles. First, why isn’t the affable backbench Ontario MP,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 23, 2022
Why isn’t the affable backbench Ontario MP, Scott Aitchison, pictured May 5, 2022, at the Canada Strong and Free Network's debate in Ottawa, leading the non-crazy contingent in the battle for the soul of the party? He is, unlike the rest of the field, demonstrably relatable, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Conservative leadership: right versus evil, or right versus right? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 23, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—In the chippy, content-light federal Conservative leadership race, there are two (at least) emerging puzzles. First, why isn’t the affable backbench Ontario MP,

Conservative leadership: right versus evil, or right versus right? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 23, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—In the chippy, content-light federal Conservative leadership race, there are two (at least) emerging puzzles. First, why isn’t the affable backbench Ontario MP,
Why isn’t the affable backbench Ontario MP, Scott Aitchison, pictured May 5, 2022, at the Canada Strong and Free Network's debate in Ottawa, leading the non-crazy contingent in the battle for the soul of the party? He is, unlike the rest of the field, demonstrably relatable, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will the incoherence of federal climate ambition hurt national unity? 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Well, that didn’t take long. Mere weeks after the federal budget offered a generous tax credit to help oil and gas companies create
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 9, 2022
In a recent interview on the popular Herle Burly podcast, Natural Resources Minister Wilkinson, pictured, justified his recent decision to allow the oil patch to increase production by 300,000 barrels a day—allegedly to replace the Russian oil that keeps European homes warm. Asked if this extra production doesn’t upend federal emissions reduction targets, Wilkinson insisted: 'You can actually do both.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will the incoherence of federal climate ambition hurt national unity? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 9, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Well, that didn’t take long. Mere weeks after the federal budget offered a generous tax credit to help oil and gas companies create

Will the incoherence of federal climate ambition hurt national unity? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 9, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Well, that didn’t take long. Mere weeks after the federal budget offered a generous tax credit to help oil and gas companies create
In a recent interview on the popular Herle Burly podcast, Natural Resources Minister Wilkinson, pictured, justified his recent decision to allow the oil patch to increase production by 300,000 barrels a day—allegedly to replace the Russian oil that keeps European homes warm. Asked if this extra production doesn’t upend federal emissions reduction targets, Wilkinson insisted: 'You can actually do both.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Child care is Trudeau Liberals’ greatest legacy, but everyone appears to have moved on

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Ten years from now—perhaps sooner—the national child-care program launched by the federal Liberals last year, and finalized in recent months, could well be
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 25, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 22, 2022, on his way to a press conference at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. Ten years from now—perhaps sooner—the national child-care program launched by the federal Liberals last year, and finalized in recent months, could well be celebrated as the country’s most important social and economic reform since medicare. If it survives, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Child care is Trudeau Liberals’ greatest legacy, but everyone appears to have moved on

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 25, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Ten years from now—perhaps sooner—the national child-care program launched by the federal Liberals last year, and finalized in recent months, could well be

Child care is Trudeau Liberals’ greatest legacy, but everyone appears to have moved on

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 25, 2022
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Ten years from now—perhaps sooner—the national child-care program launched by the federal Liberals last year, and finalized in recent months, could well be
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 22, 2022, on his way to a press conference at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. Ten years from now—perhaps sooner—the national child-care program launched by the federal Liberals last year, and finalized in recent months, could well be celebrated as the country’s most important social and economic reform since medicare. If it survives, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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