Wednesday, April 24, 2024
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Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s use of such themes in varying degrees has resonated with Canada’s working class during a period of high inflation and housing shortages, union leaders have responded with alarm, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s use of such themes in varying degrees has resonated with Canada’s working class during a period of high inflation and housing shortages, union leaders have responded with alarm, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
Facing possible political devastation, Housing Minister Sean Fraser and the Trudeau government have decided to take on the national housing crisis in a full-bore, government-wide fashion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
Facing possible political devastation, Housing Minister Sean Fraser and the Trudeau government have decided to take on the national housing crisis in a full-bore, government-wide fashion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
Left to his own devices, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems inclined to ignore the problem of domestic violence, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
Left to his own devices, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems inclined to ignore the problem of domestic violence, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
In a recent speech, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers dwelled on the long-standing lack of business investment in machinery and equipment by Canadian companies, but didn’t mention the controversial issue of share buybacks, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
In a recent speech, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers dwelled on the long-standing lack of business investment in machinery and equipment by Canadian companies, but didn’t mention the controversial issue of share buybacks, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
Former U.S. president and 2024 Republican candidate Donald Trump recently said cultural phenomenon Taylor Swift would be acting in a ‘disloyal’ way if she supported President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
Former U.S. president and 2024 Republican candidate Donald Trump recently said cultural phenomenon Taylor Swift would be acting in a ‘disloyal’ way if she supported President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a clear shot at a victory for his party in the next election based, to a large extent, on this single campaign against the carbon levy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a clear shot at a victory for his party in the next election based, to a large extent, on this single campaign against the carbon levy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
It’s hard to overstate the enormity of the consequences of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s, left, rematch against incumbent President Joe Biden, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Gage Skidmore, and U.S. Department of Defense photograph by Lisa Ferdinando
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
It’s hard to overstate the enormity of the consequences of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s, left, rematch against incumbent President Joe Biden, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Gage Skidmore, and U.S. Department of Defense photograph by Lisa Ferdinando
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
Then-prime minister Brian Mulroney delivers remarks in the Reading Room in Centre Block in this undated photo. The Hill Times photograph by Ingrid Phaneuf
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
Then-prime minister Brian Mulroney delivers remarks in the Reading Room in Centre Block in this undated photo. The Hill Times photograph by Ingrid Phaneuf
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
Ontario Premier Doug Ford finally scrapped Bill 124 last week, but not before it contributed to the deterioration of some of the health-care services Ontarians count on, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
Ontario Premier Doug Ford finally scrapped Bill 124 last week, but not before it contributed to the deterioration of some of the health-care services Ontarians count on, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approach is typical of what one political scientist called ‘the empty heart of populism,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approach is typical of what one political scientist called ‘the empty heart of populism,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2024
Justice Minister Arif Virani speaks at a press conference at the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft on Feb. 8. Finally doing something about stolen cars leaving from the country’s large ports will require a lot more than gathering people around a table in Ottawa to talk it over, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2024
Justice Minister Arif Virani speaks at a press conference at the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft on Feb. 8. Finally doing something about stolen cars leaving from the country’s large ports will require a lot more than gathering people around a table in Ottawa to talk it over, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, had no problem lending her official stature to the barrage of insults and false accusations about Canada by right-wing provocateur Tucker Carlson, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, had no problem lending her official stature to the barrage of insults and false accusations about Canada by right-wing provocateur Tucker Carlson, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2024
Freedom Convoy supporters gather along Wellington Street on Feb. 17, 2022, as the occupation of downtown Ottawa entered its third week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2024
Freedom Convoy supporters gather along Wellington Street on Feb. 17, 2022, as the occupation of downtown Ottawa entered its third week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2024
Among the four prime ministers who have departed 10 Downing Street in the ensuing chaos is Boris Johnson, who captured the job on the basis of his long-time Euroskeptic laurels, but was forced out amid a series of ethics scandals, writes Les Whittington. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2024
Among the four prime ministers who have departed 10 Downing Street in the ensuing chaos is Boris Johnson, who captured the job on the basis of his long-time Euroskeptic laurels, but was forced out amid a series of ethics scandals, writes Les Whittington. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2024
With the polls showing that Canadians seem ready to accept almost anyone as national leader to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, long-standing speculation about former central bank governor Mark Carney’s political ambitions has taken on a new tempo, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2024
With the polls showing that Canadians seem ready to accept almost anyone as national leader to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, long-standing speculation about former central bank governor Mark Carney’s political ambitions has taken on a new tempo, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2023
Despite all its efforts to protect Canadians since early 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government can’t seem to escape most of the blame for the seemingly never-ending trials and tribulations of the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2023
Despite all its efforts to protect Canadians since early 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government can’t seem to escape most of the blame for the seemingly never-ending trials and tribulations of the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stems from a conservative tradition that has been striving for decades to reduce the supports and services that help working people and lower-income Canadians achieve better outcomes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stems from a conservative tradition that has been striving for decades to reduce the supports and services that help working people and lower-income Canadians achieve better outcomes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s, left, fall economic statement signalled that times have changed since 2016 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Liberals had a mandate from Canadians to invest, not cut spending, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s, left, fall economic statement signalled that times have changed since 2016 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Liberals had a mandate from Canadians to invest, not cut spending, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is one of the provincial leaders who has accused the Trudeau government of jurisdictional creep. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is one of the provincial leaders who has accused the Trudeau government of jurisdictional creep. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2023
The price on carbon has emerged as a major symbolic liability for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2023
The price on carbon has emerged as a major symbolic liability for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2023
Ontario voters returned Doug Ford, left, as premier last year, despite his track record, while according to the polls, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is now increasingly unpopular, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2023
Ontario voters returned Doug Ford, left, as premier last year, despite his track record, while according to the polls, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is now increasingly unpopular, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 1, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has no easy fixes and very little likelihood of major shifts in the key economic factors contributing to the public’s discouragement and anxiety, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 1, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 1, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has no easy fixes and very little likelihood of major shifts in the key economic factors contributing to the public’s discouragement and anxiety, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 23, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s willing to lead the charge with other premiers opposing the federal government’s environmental and energy policies, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 23, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 23, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s willing to lead the charge with other premiers opposing the federal government’s environmental and energy policies, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 18, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, modulated his all-out support for Israel to stress the need for its military to abide by the ‘rules of war,’ while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau balanced Canada’s support for Israel with an expression of serious concerns about ‘the dire humanitarian situation’ in the Gaza Strip, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 18, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 18, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, modulated his all-out support for Israel to stress the need for its military to abide by the ‘rules of war,’ while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau balanced Canada’s support for Israel with an expression of serious concerns about ‘the dire humanitarian situation’ in the Gaza Strip, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 11, 2023
While Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to have had direct responsibility for the new assault on Israel, Hamas’ action has to be seen in a wider geo-political context, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 11, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 11, 2023
While Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to have had direct responsibility for the new assault on Israel, Hamas’ action has to be seen in a wider geo-political context, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 4, 2023
Parental rights protestors gather at Parliament Hill on Sept. 20 for the 1 Million March 4 Children, opposing, among other things, teaching LGBTQ2S+ issues in schools. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 4, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 4, 2023
Parental rights protestors gather at Parliament Hill on Sept. 20 for the 1 Million March 4 Children, opposing, among other things, teaching LGBTQ2S+ issues in schools. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 27, 2023
The furor over the questionable Greenbelt land deal is only likely to get louder, despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford trying to change the channel, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 27, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 27, 2023
The furor over the questionable Greenbelt land deal is only likely to get louder, despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford trying to change the channel, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 20, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s down-in-the-polls Liberals have belatedly began stepping up their response to problems, but there won’t likely to be quick resolutions, as the post-COVID crises are an intensification of decades-old economic fault lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 20, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 20, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s down-in-the-polls Liberals have belatedly began stepping up their response to problems, but there won’t likely to be quick resolutions, as the post-COVID crises are an intensification of decades-old economic fault lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 30, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has asked the province’s integrity commissioner to examine if his housing minister’s former chief of staff broke public service conflict-of-interest rules, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 30, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 30, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has asked the province’s integrity commissioner to examine if his housing minister’s former chief of staff broke public service conflict-of-interest rules, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 23, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford claims that there was no ‘preferential treatment’ of developers by his government, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 23, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 23, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford claims that there was no ‘preferential treatment’ of developers by his government, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 16, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2022 Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square. Putin seems to have made a serious miscalculation when he decided to weaponize food as part of his war effort, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 16, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 16, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2022 Victory Day parade in Moscow's Red Square. Putin seems to have made a serious miscalculation when he decided to weaponize food as part of his war effort, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 9, 2023
The province is rolling in money as a result of Premier Doug Ford’s preference for leaving Ontarians’ needs unmet by refusing to spend taxpayer dollars, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 9, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 9, 2023
The province is rolling in money as a result of Premier Doug Ford’s preference for leaving Ontarians’ needs unmet by refusing to spend taxpayer dollars, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 2, 2023
At a meeting in India last week, G20 environment ministers, including Canada's Steven Guilbeault, were meant to set the stage for their national leaders on the climate issue. The outcome was notable for the lack of consensus in the face of global pleas for united action, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 2, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 2, 2023
At a meeting in India last week, G20 environment ministers, including Canada's Steven Guilbeault, were meant to set the stage for their national leaders on the climate issue. The outcome was notable for the lack of consensus in the face of global pleas for united action, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 26, 2023
Despite endless opportunities, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal cabinet has largely failed when it comes to communications, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 26, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 26, 2023
Despite endless opportunities, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal cabinet has largely failed when it comes to communications, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 19, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says new Financial Consumer Agency of Canada rules are about ensuring the ‘support that banks and other financial institutions should be providing to Canadians who are struggling with rising mortgage payments.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 19, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 19, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says new Financial Consumer Agency of Canada rules are about ensuring the ‘support that banks and other financial institutions should be providing to Canadians who are struggling with rising mortgage payments.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 12, 2023
If leader Pierre Poilievre is going to capitalize on the Conservatives’ current advantages, he will have to convince Canadians that he has the policies and mindset that make him an acceptable alternative to Justin Trudeau as prime minister, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 12, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 12, 2023
If leader Pierre Poilievre is going to capitalize on the Conservatives’ current advantages, he will have to convince Canadians that he has the policies and mindset that make him an acceptable alternative to Justin Trudeau as prime minister, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 5, 2023
A relic of the 1980s when policymakers felt bigger was better for the Canadian economy, our version of anti-trust policy has over the years reduced competition and allowed concentration to take place across the business sector, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Pexels
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 5, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 5, 2023
A relic of the 1980s when policymakers felt bigger was better for the Canadian economy, our version of anti-trust policy has over the years reduced competition and allowed concentration to take place across the business sector, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Pexels