Wednesday, February 25, 2026

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Leadership campaign

NDP leadership contender Rob Ashton, left, recently proved that starting a fight can lead to media coverage after he accused Avi Lewis, right, of undermining provincial NDP governments, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 22, 2026
NDP leadership candidate Heather McPherson, centre, is leading in endorsements, followed by Avi Lewis, left, and Rob Ashton. New Democrats will select their new leader at the end of March at the party's convention in Winnipeg, Man. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 22, 2026
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | January 22, 2026
NDP leadership candidate Heather McPherson, centre, is leading in endorsements, followed by Avi Lewis, left, and Rob Ashton. New Democrats will select their new leader at the end of March at the party's convention in Winnipeg, Man. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 18, 2025
The five NDP leadership contenders take to the stage on Oct. 22. The contest should be a chance for the diminished New Democratic Party to rediscover its roots, but it's failing that task, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 18, 2025
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 18, 2025
The five NDP leadership contenders take to the stage on Oct. 22. The contest should be a chance for the diminished New Democratic Party to rediscover its roots, but it's failing that task, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Feature | BY STUART BENSON | October 30, 2025
NDP leadership candidates Rob Ashton, left, MP Heather McPherson, and Avi Lewis participated in a panel discussion, moderated by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Jordan Leichnitz on Oct. 28, at the third annual Mouseland Gala. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
Feature | BY STUART BENSON | October 30, 2025
Feature | BY STUART BENSON | October 30, 2025
NDP leadership candidates Rob Ashton, left, MP Heather McPherson, and Avi Lewis participated in a panel discussion, moderated by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Jordan Leichnitz on Oct. 28, at the third annual Mouseland Gala. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 28, 2025
NDP leadership candidates Heather McPherson, left, Rob Ashton, and Avi Lewis addressed the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation gala as part of a panel in Ottawa on Oct. 28. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 28, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 28, 2025
NDP leadership candidates Heather McPherson, left, Rob Ashton, and Avi Lewis addressed the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation gala as part of a panel in Ottawa on Oct. 28. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 22, 2025
NDP leadership candidates Tanille Johnston, left, Avi Lewis, Tony McQuail, Heather McPherson, and Rob Ashton stand with with CLC president Bea Bruske at a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress in Ottawa on Oct. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 22, 2025
News | BY ELEANOR WAND | October 22, 2025
NDP leadership candidates Tanille Johnston, left, Avi Lewis, Tony McQuail, Heather McPherson, and Rob Ashton stand with with CLC president Bea Bruske at a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress in Ottawa on Oct. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY CHISHOLM POTHIER | August 17, 2022
Many at the Aug. 11 conference felt, I would suggest, a profound concern that the conversation prompted by Pierre Poilievre, pictured, and the direction he wants to take the party has little to do with traditional Canadian Conservatism, writes Chisholm Pothier. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY CHISHOLM POTHIER | August 17, 2022
Opinion | BY CHISHOLM POTHIER | August 17, 2022
Many at the Aug. 11 conference felt, I would suggest, a profound concern that the conversation prompted by Pierre Poilievre, pictured, and the direction he wants to take the party has little to do with traditional Canadian Conservatism, writes Chisholm Pothier. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 15, 2022
Three-term Conservative MP Joël Godin, pictured left on June 23, 2019, with then-Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer, centre, at a Fête Nationale celebration in Pont-Rouge, Que. Godin, who represents Portneuf-Jacques-Cartier, Que., says if Pierre Poilievre wins the leadership election and does not pivot to the centre, he will have to consider his options whether he wants to stay in the caucus or not. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 15, 2022
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 15, 2022
Three-term Conservative MP Joël Godin, pictured left on June 23, 2019, with then-Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer, centre, at a Fête Nationale celebration in Pont-Rouge, Que. Godin, who represents Portneuf-Jacques-Cartier, Que., says if Pierre Poilievre wins the leadership election and does not pivot to the centre, he will have to consider his options whether he wants to stay in the caucus or not. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, pictured during the party's first leadership debate held at the Canada Strong and Free Network's conference in Ottawa on May 5. It gets more obvious every week that Poilievre, a sort of Trump stand-in, is riding a wave of angry anti-establishment sentiment with a lot more momentum than anyone expected, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, pictured during the party's first leadership debate held at the Canada Strong and Free Network's conference in Ottawa on May 5. It gets more obvious every week that Poilievre, a sort of Trump stand-in, is riding a wave of angry anti-establishment sentiment with a lot more momentum than anyone expected, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | August 10, 2022
Conservative leadership candidates and MPs Pierre Poilievre, left, and Leslyn Lewis. Both Poilievre and Lewis have taken swipes at international organizations like the World Economic Forum, something which experts say helps with fundraising and outreach, but also feeds off disinformation. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | August 10, 2022
News | BY MIKE LAPOINTE | August 10, 2022
Conservative leadership candidates and MPs Pierre Poilievre, left, and Leslyn Lewis. Both Poilievre and Lewis have taken swipes at international organizations like the World Economic Forum, something which experts say helps with fundraising and outreach, but also feeds off disinformation. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY STUART BENSON | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP and leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, pictured on stage during a rally in Ottawa on March 31. According to Elections Canada's numbers, Poilievre raised a total of $4,042,717 during the second quarter of 2022, coming close to the Conservative Party's total haul of $4,431,464 for the same period. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
News | BY STUART BENSON | August 10, 2022
News | BY STUART BENSON | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP and leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre, pictured on stage during a rally in Ottawa on March 31. According to Elections Canada's numbers, Poilievre raised a total of $4,042,717 during the second quarter of 2022, coming close to the Conservative Party's total haul of $4,431,464 for the same period. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, left, Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, former Quebec premier Jean Charest, former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, and Conservative MP Scott Aitchison are running for Conservative leadership. The skills and abilities of the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, along with how they are deployed, will determine whether the CPC remains united, divided, or fragments, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 10, 2022
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 10, 2022
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, left, Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis, former Quebec premier Jean Charest, former Ontario MPP Roman Baber, and Conservative MP Scott Aitchison are running for Conservative leadership. The skills and abilities of the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, along with how they are deployed, will determine whether the CPC remains united, divided, or fragments, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 8, 2022
Jean Charest, pictured on May 5, 2022, at the Conservative party of Canada’s first leadership debate, held at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s conference in Ottawa. Charest stands the best chance of all Tory candidates of defeating the current government. He is seen as capable, moderate, and appeals to those in the centre who have kept the Tories out of power for years, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 8, 2022
Opinion | BY SHEILA COPPS | August 8, 2022
Jean Charest, pictured on May 5, 2022, at the Conservative party of Canada’s first leadership debate, held at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s conference in Ottawa. Charest stands the best chance of all Tory candidates of defeating the current government. He is seen as capable, moderate, and appeals to those in the centre who have kept the Tories out of power for years, writes Sheila Copps. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT, STUART BENSON | August 8, 2022
These are the teams that will be taking Pierre Poilievre, left, Leslyn Lewis, Jean Charest, and Roman Baber into the final stretch of the Conservative Leadership race. Scott Aitchison did not respond to The Hill Times by publication deadline. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT, STUART BENSON | August 8, 2022
News | BY JESSE CNOCKAERT, STUART BENSON | August 8, 2022
These are the teams that will be taking Pierre Poilievre, left, Leslyn Lewis, Jean Charest, and Roman Baber into the final stretch of the Conservative Leadership race. Scott Aitchison did not respond to The Hill Times by publication deadline. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 8, 2022
With the Conservative leadership contest in the home stretch, all candidates, including Pierre Poilievre, left, Leslyn Lewis, Jean Charest, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison and their campaign staff are putting in all the efforts in the get-out-the-vote to ensure their voters cast their vote in the leadership election. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and handouts
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 8, 2022
News | BY ABBAS RANA | August 8, 2022
With the Conservative leadership contest in the home stretch, all candidates, including Pierre Poilievre, left, Leslyn Lewis, Jean Charest, Roman Baber and Scott Aitchison and their campaign staff are putting in all the efforts in the get-out-the-vote to ensure their voters cast their vote in the leadership election. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia, and handouts
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | August 5, 2022
Conservative leadership candidates Pierre Poilievre, left, and Leslyn Lewis took a pass on the campaign’s third and final official leadership debate on Aug. 3, while Jean Charest, Roman Baber, and Scott Aitchison met at a roundtable in Ottawa for the event. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | August 5, 2022
News | BY IAN CAMPBELL | August 5, 2022
Conservative leadership candidates Pierre Poilievre, left, and Leslyn Lewis took a pass on the campaign’s third and final official leadership debate on Aug. 3, while Jean Charest, Roman Baber, and Scott Aitchison met at a roundtable in Ottawa for the event. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and handouts
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2022
Harper picks his favourite to win: Former prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured in his video posted on Facebook and Twitter on July 25, 2022, endorsing Pierre Poilievre for leader of the Conservative Party. If Poilievre ends up winning the leadership, the torch will have been passed. Maybe then, Harper will finally disappear into the background; maybe then the 'Harper effect' will come to an end, writes Gerry Nicholls. Screen capture images courtesy of Stephen Harper's Facebook
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2022
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2022
Harper picks his favourite to win: Former prime minister Stephen Harper, pictured in his video posted on Facebook and Twitter on July 25, 2022, endorsing Pierre Poilievre for leader of the Conservative Party. If Poilievre ends up winning the leadership, the torch will have been passed. Maybe then, Harper will finally disappear into the background; maybe then the 'Harper effect' will come to an end, writes Gerry Nicholls. Screen capture images courtesy of Stephen Harper's Facebook
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HATFIELD | August 4, 2022
Networking at the Calgary Stampede: Jean Charest, left, greeting a woman, and Pierre Poilievre with a supporter, both pictured at the Calgary Stampede last month. A closer analysis of a recent Angus Reid poll reveals that Charest has the support needed to return the Conservatives to power, while Poilievre would continue the legacy of defeat started by Harper in 2015 and continued under the leadership of Andrew Scheer and Erin O’Toole, writes Michael Hatfield. Photographs courtesy of Twitter
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HATFIELD | August 4, 2022
Opinion | BY MICHAEL HATFIELD | August 4, 2022
Networking at the Calgary Stampede: Jean Charest, left, greeting a woman, and Pierre Poilievre with a supporter, both pictured at the Calgary Stampede last month. A closer analysis of a recent Angus Reid poll reveals that Charest has the support needed to return the Conservatives to power, while Poilievre would continue the legacy of defeat started by Harper in 2015 and continued under the leadership of Andrew Scheer and Erin O’Toole, writes Michael Hatfield. Photographs courtesy of Twitter