Friday, February 6, 2026

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Friday, February 6, 2026 | Latest Paper

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Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 4, 2026
Pierre Poilievre
In his convention speech, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre steered clear of commenting directly on the risks posed to Canada by separatists, laying the whole problem at the feet of the Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Amir Said
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 4, 2026
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 4, 2026
Pierre Poilievre
In his convention speech, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre steered clear of commenting directly on the risks posed to Canada by separatists, laying the whole problem at the feet of the Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Amir Said
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 28, 2026
Mark Carney and Donald Trump
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump take media questions in the Oval Office on Oct. 7, 2025. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 28, 2026
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 28, 2026
Mark Carney and Donald Trump
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump take media questions in the Oval Office on Oct. 7, 2025. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 21, 2026
Gregor Robertson
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson. The federal government will have to revolutionize the country’s notoriously unproductive homebuilding sector, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 21, 2026
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 21, 2026
Gregor Robertson
Housing Minister Gregor Robertson. The federal government will have to revolutionize the country’s notoriously unproductive homebuilding sector, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 14, 2026
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats may at times be just pressure tactics and it’s also possible he is going too far, even for today’s Americans, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 14, 2026
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 14, 2026
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats may at times be just pressure tactics and it’s also possible he is going too far, even for today’s Americans, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 17, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is dealing with a Rubik’s cube of provincial, financial, environmental, political, labour force, and Indigenous issues, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 17, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 17, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is dealing with a Rubik’s cube of provincial, financial, environmental, political, labour force, and Indigenous issues, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 10, 2025
Donald Trump
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Prime Minister Mark Carney participate in the FIFA World Cup drawing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 10, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 10, 2025
Donald Trump
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Prime Minister Mark Carney participate in the FIFA World Cup drawing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking to lessen the binary choices on the environment and conventional energy development, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 3, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeking to lessen the binary choices on the environment and conventional energy development, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 26, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been going ahead with what has to be called a top-to-bottom renovation of Canada’s economic posture and place in the world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 26, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 26, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been going ahead with what has to be called a top-to-bottom renovation of Canada’s economic posture and place in the world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 19, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently broke with his usual patter by admitting tariffs may ‘in some cases’ drive up consumer prices, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 19, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 19, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump recently broke with his usual patter by admitting tariffs may ‘in some cases’ drive up consumer prices, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 12, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
If the turmoil in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reached the point where MPs who might be considering defecting are getting threats to destroy their futures, as has been widely reported, it’s obvious that the leader is in serious trouble, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 12, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 12, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
If the turmoil in Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reached the point where MPs who might be considering defecting are getting threats to destroy their futures, as has been widely reported, it’s obvious that the leader is in serious trouble, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 4, 2025
The budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne embodies a business-focused, expansionist strategy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 4, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 4, 2025
The budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne embodies a business-focused, expansionist strategy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 29, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is well aware that in today’s social media-driven political ecosphere, outrage sells, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 29, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 29, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is well aware that in today’s social media-driven political ecosphere, outrage sells, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 22, 2025
Mark Carney
In his first budget, Prime Minister Mark Carney has on his shoulders a collective task that surpasses the long-term challenges undertaken by a single prime minister in decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 22, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 22, 2025
Mark Carney
In his first budget, Prime Minister Mark Carney has on his shoulders a collective task that surpasses the long-term challenges undertaken by a single prime minister in decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 15, 2025
As finance ministers, the likes of John Crosbie, left, Allan MacEachen, Jim Flaherty, and Chrystia Freeland all had to plant their respective governments’ flagpoles. Photographs courtesy of Library and Archives Canada and The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 15, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 15, 2025
As finance ministers, the likes of John Crosbie, left, Allan MacEachen, Jim Flaherty, and Chrystia Freeland all had to plant their respective governments’ flagpoles. Photographs courtesy of Library and Archives Canada and The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 8, 2025
Danielle Smith
Asking the Liberals to scrap one of their signature environmental policies is just a political stunt, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith seems to see her move as a win-win, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 8, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 8, 2025
Danielle Smith
Asking the Liberals to scrap one of their signature environmental policies is just a political stunt, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith seems to see her move as a win-win, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 1, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the UN General Assembly on Sept. 24. Photograph courtesy of the Office of the President of Ukraine
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 1, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 1, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the UN General Assembly on Sept. 24. Photograph courtesy of the Office of the President of Ukraine
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 24, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership review this winter, so we shouldn't assume he'll suddenly begin prioritizing moderate, incremental, and fact-based politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 24, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 24, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre faces a leadership review this winter, so we shouldn't assume he'll suddenly begin prioritizing moderate, incremental, and fact-based politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 17, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney makes a housing announcement in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14. Carney has set out a roadmap for the biggest upheaval in this country’s economic life in many decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 17, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 17, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney makes a housing announcement in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14. Carney has set out a roadmap for the biggest upheaval in this country’s economic life in many decades, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 10, 2025
Ken Dryden
As minister of social development, Ken Dryden laid the groundwork for the Liberals’ early learning and childcare plan, which was the most important Canadian social program since medicare, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 10, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 10, 2025
Ken Dryden
As minister of social development, Ken Dryden laid the groundwork for the Liberals’ early learning and childcare plan, which was the most important Canadian social program since medicare, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 3, 2025
It’s clear that U.S. President Donald Trump, right, has decided that it’s up to somebody else to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin’s obsession with wiping out Ukraine and other in eastern Europe, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 3, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 3, 2025
It’s clear that U.S. President Donald Trump, right, has decided that it’s up to somebody else to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin’s obsession with wiping out Ukraine and other in eastern Europe, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 30, 2025
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The horrors being visited on the people of Gaza are one of the most grievous of the many atrocities consistent with a world increasingly steered by rights-ignoring leaders, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 30, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 30, 2025
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The horrors being visited on the people of Gaza are one of the most grievous of the many atrocities consistent with a world increasingly steered by rights-ignoring leaders, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Unsurprisingly, with Ottawa’s negotiations with the U.S. taking place behind closed doors, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his ministers aren’t saying a lot about CUSMA’s status, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 23, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Unsurprisingly, with Ottawa’s negotiations with the U.S. taking place behind closed doors, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his ministers aren’t saying a lot about CUSMA’s status, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 16, 2025
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have finally changed his tune on the Russians because Russian President Vladimir Putin has run circles around the self-appointed great dealmaker, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 16, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 16, 2025
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have finally changed his tune on the Russians because Russian President Vladimir Putin has run circles around the self-appointed great dealmaker, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 9, 2025
Maninder Sidhu
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. The reordering of Canadian export options is taking place in a world of increasing anti-globalization, splintering trade frameworks, and deteriorating supply chains, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 9, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 9, 2025
Maninder Sidhu
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. The reordering of Canadian export options is taking place in a world of increasing anti-globalization, splintering trade frameworks, and deteriorating supply chains, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada in whose lap this mess has landed, estimated on June 23 that the cost of fixing and replacing Phoenix would be $5.1-billion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 2, 2025
Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada in whose lap this mess has landed, estimated on June 23 that the cost of fixing and replacing Phoenix would be $5.1-billion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
It remains to be seen whether Prime Minister Mark Carney's government can make all this work in a timeframe that complies with his refreshing, unconventional campaign to rapidly bring the country together to start building a stronger, more independent economy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 25, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 25, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
It remains to be seen whether Prime Minister Mark Carney's government can make all this work in a timeframe that complies with his refreshing, unconventional campaign to rapidly bring the country together to start building a stronger, more independent economy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 18, 2025
Only five months into his new term, U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed moved quite a ways down the road to his own version of one-man rule, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 18, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 18, 2025
Only five months into his new term, U.S. President Donald Trump has indeed moved quite a ways down the road to his own version of one-man rule, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
Doug Ford
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
Doug Ford
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
Chrystia Freeland
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
Chrystia Freeland
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
Doug Ford
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
Doug Ford
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
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2022
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her signature legislation are saying the province of Alberta does not have to comply with laws passed by the democratically chosen Members of Parliament, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2022
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her signature legislation are saying the province of Alberta does not have to comply with laws passed by the democratically chosen Members of Parliament, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies at the Public Order Emergency Commission on Nov. 25. The federal government was left with no option but to use emergency powers as a last-resort tactic to move the truckers who clearly had no intention of voluntarily doing so, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies at the Public Order Emergency Commission on Nov. 25. The federal government was left with no option but to use emergency powers as a last-resort tactic to move the truckers who clearly had no intention of voluntarily doing so, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2022
For anyone who appreciates the importance of openness and bottom-up buy-in politics, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came off as the better of the two during the now-famous exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of Twitter
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2022
For anyone who appreciates the importance of openness and bottom-up buy-in politics, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came off as the better of the two during the now-famous exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of Twitter