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Friday, September 29, 2023
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Friday, September 29, 2023 | Latest Paper

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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
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 28, 2023
The overall economic picture is likely to be too expansive to prevent Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem from raising interest costs again at the next setting date in July, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 28, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 28, 2023
The overall economic picture is likely to be too expansive to prevent Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem from raising interest costs again at the next setting date in July, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has wagered much of his political fortunes on trying to shape Canada’s energy sector to deal with major challenges and chart what the Liberals see as a better future for the country, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has wagered much of his political fortunes on trying to shape Canada’s energy sector to deal with major challenges and chart what the Liberals see as a better future for the country, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 14, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s video appearance at the June 10 Press Gallery Dinner alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had the effect of pointing out that there are matters of state more pressing than the nasty, pox-on-all-your houses skirmish in Parliament, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 14, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 14, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s video appearance at the June 10 Press Gallery Dinner alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had the effect of pointing out that there are matters of state more pressing than the nasty, pox-on-all-your houses skirmish in Parliament, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is already playing the tax-cut card, as has every leader of Canada’s main right-wing party going back 40 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is already playing the tax-cut card, as has every leader of Canada’s main right-wing party going back 40 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, far left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling in the Oval Office of the White House on May 9. White House photograph by Adam Schultz
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, far left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling in the Oval Office of the White House on May 9. White House photograph by Adam Schultz
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
The new, apparently permanent, financial reality Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem described—and the painful fallout it entails—has the potential to scramble the political outlook, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
The new, apparently permanent, financial reality Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem described—and the painful fallout it entails—has the potential to scramble the political outlook, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might not support all or any of the authoritarian policies of the Republicans in the U.S., but she would still be right at home politically with many of these legislators, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might not support all or any of the authoritarian policies of the Republicans in the U.S., but she would still be right at home politically with many of these legislators, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
The May 6 coronation of King Charles III was forecast to create a one-time boom for much of the U.K. economy, with the hospitality and travel sector alone looking for a $1-billion-plus shot in the arm, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/The Royal Family Channel
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
The May 6 coronation of King Charles III was forecast to create a one-time boom for much of the U.K. economy, with the hospitality and travel sector alone looking for a $1-billion-plus shot in the arm, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/The Royal Family Channel
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s success has to be seen as emblematic of the way politics has changed since 2015 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put the Liberals back in power federally, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s success has to be seen as emblematic of the way politics has changed since 2015 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put the Liberals back in power federally, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
Canadians might want to give some thought to what kind of country they want as they sidle up to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose post-truth, pernicious, and divisive tactics would win high marks from any Republican organizer, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
Canadians might want to give some thought to what kind of country they want as they sidle up to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose post-truth, pernicious, and divisive tactics would win high marks from any Republican organizer, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is the minister responsible for the RCMP. The Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's report is a scathing indictment of Canadians’ lack of progress over many years in reducing and dealing with deeply ingrained and widespread violence against women, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is the minister responsible for the RCMP. The Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's report is a scathing indictment of Canadians’ lack of progress over many years in reducing and dealing with deeply ingrained and widespread violence against women, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
The deterioration of 24 Sussex Drive reflects Canada’s innate regional divisions and the resentment of centralized power in a very decentralized, regionally oriented federal system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Kevin Philipupillai
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
The deterioration of 24 Sussex Drive reflects Canada’s innate regional divisions and the resentment of centralized power in a very decentralized, regionally oriented federal system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Kevin Philipupillai
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
The response to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's latest attempt to balance the country’s priorities is a reminder of how divided Canadians have become along conservative versus progressive lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
The response to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's latest attempt to balance the country’s priorities is a reminder of how divided Canadians have become along conservative versus progressive lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
Caught up as U.S. President Joe Biden was in the spirit of good neighbourliness during his visit, his expressed willingness to abandon Buy America where Canada is concerned was probably overstated, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
Caught up as U.S. President Joe Biden was in the spirit of good neighbourliness during his visit, his expressed willingness to abandon Buy America where Canada is concerned was probably overstated, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s repeated drive-by smears accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of colluding with China are an obvious attempt to whip up conspiracy thinking about the legitimacy of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s repeated drive-by smears accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of colluding with China are an obvious attempt to whip up conspiracy thinking about the legitimacy of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
The 2023 federal budget will be tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on March 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
The 2023 federal budget will be tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on March 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, has vowed to stand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as long as necessary, but Biden’s ability to keep up the current level of assistance is increasingly being questioned, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, has vowed to stand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as long as necessary, but Biden’s ability to keep up the current level of assistance is increasingly being questioned, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
The future of public health care may depend on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to break the mould and translate commitments forged with the provinces into actual improvements for Canadian patients, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
The future of public health care may depend on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to break the mould and translate commitments forged with the provinces into actual improvements for Canadian patients, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
Public Order Emergency Commissioner Paul Rouleau doesn’t mince words when it comes to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s hands-off approach to the blockade of streets and the lawlessness around Parliament Hill in February 2022, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
Public Order Emergency Commissioner Paul Rouleau doesn’t mince words when it comes to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s hands-off approach to the blockade of streets and the lawlessness around Parliament Hill in February 2022, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provincial integrity czar OK’d a party at his house in which guests, including people who do business with the government, purchased tickets and donated money to Ford’s daughter to pay for her wedding, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provincial integrity czar OK’d a party at his house in which guests, including people who do business with the government, purchased tickets and donated money to Ford’s daughter to pay for her wedding, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted a new corporate stock buyback tax in last November’s fall economic statement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted a new corporate stock buyback tax in last November’s fall economic statement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 1, 2023
The 'Freedom Convoy 2.0' anniversary protests held at Parliament Hill on Jan. 28. When it comes to public life, the generally accepted notions about shared realities, the limits of advocacy, establishing the truth, and working toward reasonable solutions have been left behind in much of the western world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 1, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 1, 2023
The 'Freedom Convoy 2.0' anniversary protests held at Parliament Hill on Jan. 28. When it comes to public life, the generally accepted notions about shared realities, the limits of advocacy, establishing the truth, and working toward reasonable solutions have been left behind in much of the western world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 25, 2023
There’s a lot of money to be made in private health services and Premier Doug Ford, as with his other projects, seems determined to make sure Ontario’s wealthy business class gets a big chunk of it, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 25, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 25, 2023
There’s a lot of money to be made in private health services and Premier Doug Ford, as with his other projects, seems determined to make sure Ontario’s wealthy business class gets a big chunk of it, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend the North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City, Mexico, on Jan. 10. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Eneas De Troya
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend the North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City, Mexico, on Jan. 10. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Eneas De Troya
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 11, 2023
The health-care clash pitting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against the premiers is likely to continue to destabilize national political affairs in 2023, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 11, 2023
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 11, 2023
The health-care clash pitting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against the premiers is likely to continue to destabilize national political affairs in 2023, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2022
The country’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers met virtually on Dec. 9. The first ministers' meetings are political theatre of the most highly charged variety, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2022
The country’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers met virtually on Dec. 9. The first ministers' meetings are political theatre of the most highly charged variety, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC