Thursday, July 3, 2025

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Thursday, July 3, 2025 | Latest Paper

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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 | June 11, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith would have been in her late teens when the Exxon Valdez forever changed the public attitude on pipelines on B.C.’s northern coast, so maybe she didn’t pay much attention, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Jim Brickett
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 11, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 11, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith would have been in her late teens when the Exxon Valdez forever changed the public attitude on pipelines on B.C.’s northern coast, so maybe she didn’t pay much attention, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Jim Brickett
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 4, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
One might indeed be forgiven for thinking Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a bit focused on the rear-view mirror, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 4, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 4, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
One might indeed be forgiven for thinking Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a bit focused on the rear-view mirror, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 28, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s last trip to Canada was for the G7 Leaders’ Summit in 2018. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 28, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 28, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump’s last trip to Canada was for the G7 Leaders’ Summit in 2018. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 21, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be entering into a more difficult phase in his unorthodox economic project, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 21, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 21, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be entering into a more difficult phase in his unorthodox economic project, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 14, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly stated he's willing to adopt a new approach to energy development, combining increased conventional oil production with climate mitigation tactics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 14, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 14, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney has repeatedly stated he's willing to adopt a new approach to energy development, combining increased conventional oil production with climate mitigation tactics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 7, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
It’s not clear what would motivate Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to back off the anti-Liberal crusade he has been profiting off of for years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 7, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 7, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
It’s not clear what would motivate Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to back off the anti-Liberal crusade he has been profiting off of for years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 30, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump can’t seem to get through a day in the Oval Office without reverting to his accusations about those freeloaders in Canada, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 30, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 30, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump can’t seem to get through a day in the Oval Office without reverting to his accusations about those freeloaders in Canada, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney greets supporters at a rally outside of the Lusitania Portuguese Club of Ottawa on April 20. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 23, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 23, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney greets supporters at a rally outside of the Lusitania Portuguese Club of Ottawa on April 20. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 16, 2025
Stephen Harper
The current Conservative leader’s campaign is taking on more and more aspects of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 16, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 16, 2025
Stephen Harper
The current Conservative leader’s campaign is taking on more and more aspects of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s politics, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 9, 2025
Donald Trump
Within days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement, most of the world was united in its criticism of his decision to wreck everyone’s economy, including his own, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 9, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 9, 2025
Donald Trump
Within days of U.S. President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement, most of the world was united in its criticism of his decision to wreck everyone’s economy, including his own, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 2, 2025
Donald Trump
Dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump is like having a pet rattlesnake—as the whole world has learned the hard way, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 2, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 2, 2025
Donald Trump
Dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump is like having a pet rattlesnake—as the whole world has learned the hard way, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 26, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems unlikely to soon give up on his promise to wreck the economy of the land he now deems his country's worst enemy, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 26, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 26, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump seems unlikely to soon give up on his promise to wreck the economy of the land he now deems his country's worst enemy, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 19, 2025
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the March 13 meeting with the U.S. commerce secretary was ‘productive,’ but he could be grasping at straws, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 19, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 19, 2025
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the March 13 meeting with the U.S. commerce secretary was ‘productive,’ but he could be grasping at straws, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 12, 2025
Mark Carney
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that having a prime minister like Liberal Leader Mark Carney with economic skills, global awareness, and experience working with world leaders at the highest level on make-or-break issues might not be such a bad idea, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 12, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 12, 2025
Mark Carney
It hasn’t gone unnoticed that having a prime minister like Liberal Leader Mark Carney with economic skills, global awareness, and experience working with world leaders at the highest level on make-or-break issues might not be such a bad idea, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 5, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Feb. 28 clash at the White House drove home what everyone has been struggling to process about Trump, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/TheWhiteHouse
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 5, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 5, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Feb. 28 clash at the White House drove home what everyone has been struggling to process about Trump, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/TheWhiteHouse
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 26, 2025
For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, the Feb. 24 call to action in Kyiv on behalf of Ukraine may be remembered as his best moment in nearly a decade in power, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 26, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 26, 2025
For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, the Feb. 24 call to action in Kyiv on behalf of Ukraine may be remembered as his best moment in nearly a decade in power, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 19, 2025
Donald Trump
After a month of nearly daily threats of economically devastating tariffs, Canadians are beginning to accept the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump actually does want to erase the Canada-U.S. border, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 19, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 19, 2025
Donald Trump
After a month of nearly daily threats of economically devastating tariffs, Canadians are beginning to accept the possibility that U.S. President Donald Trump actually does want to erase the Canada-U.S. border, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 12, 2025
Donald Trump
In Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump’s flailing about in his new king-of-the-world act has sparked a political upheaval unlike anything seen in decades, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 12, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 12, 2025
Donald Trump
In Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump’s flailing about in his new king-of-the-world act has sparked a political upheaval unlike anything seen in decades, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 5, 2025
Anita Anand
The work by Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand to overhaul the country’s internal trade blockages is the most obvious way to bolster the economy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 5, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 5, 2025
Anita Anand
The work by Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand to overhaul the country’s internal trade blockages is the most obvious way to bolster the economy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2025
Donald Trump
By re-electing Donald Trump, Americans have opened the way to the end of a world order centred on rules-based trade and democratic alliances that western countries have promoted and benefitted from throughout the postwar era, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2025
Donald Trump
By re-electing Donald Trump, Americans have opened the way to the end of a world order centred on rules-based trade and democratic alliances that western countries have promoted and benefitted from throughout the postwar era, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 15, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s expressed willingness to use force to erase the borders of sovereign countries signals an end to the fundamental principle of international order, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 15, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 15, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s expressed willingness to use force to erase the borders of sovereign countries signals an end to the fundamental principle of international order, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 6, 2025
Donald Trump
Like any bully, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump needs someone to pick on for the sake of his audience, and for that role he seems to have chosen Canada. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 6, 2025
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 6, 2025
Donald Trump
Like any bully, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump needs someone to pick on for the sake of his audience, and for that role he seems to have chosen Canada. White House photograph by Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 18, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from cabinet will make stability and a unified front against Donald Trump that much harder to achieve. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 18, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 18, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from cabinet will make stability and a unified front against Donald Trump that much harder to achieve. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 11, 2024
Donald Trump.
A recent interview confirmed U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is serious about putting a tariffs-for-income-tax-cuts trade-off at the centre of his economic agenda, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of NBC News
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 11, 2024
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 11, 2024
Donald Trump.
A recent interview confirmed U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is serious about putting a tariffs-for-income-tax-cuts trade-off at the centre of his economic agenda, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of NBC News
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 13, 2020
Protesters participate in a rally in Vancouver on April 27. It is well known that extremist, right-wing groups are trying to capitalize on COVID-born fear and frustration to drum up thousands of new recruits—pumping conspiracy theories and taking advantage of anti-shelter-in-place demonstrations, writes Les Whittington. Flickr photograph courtesy of GoToVan
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 13, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 13, 2020
Protesters participate in a rally in Vancouver on April 27. It is well known that extremist, right-wing groups are trying to capitalize on COVID-born fear and frustration to drum up thousands of new recruits—pumping conspiracy theories and taking advantage of anti-shelter-in-place demonstrations, writes Les Whittington. Flickr photograph courtesy of GoToVan
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 6, 2020
Tiff Macklem is pictured at the May 1 announcement of his appointment as the next Bank of Canada governor. These days the governor’s job has evolved into the much broader task of complementing governments’ fiscal measures with a range of other robust policy initiatives, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 6, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 6, 2020
Tiff Macklem is pictured at the May 1 announcement of his appointment as the next Bank of Canada governor. These days the governor’s job has evolved into the much broader task of complementing governments’ fiscal measures with a range of other robust policy initiatives, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 29, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters in front of Rideau Cottage on April 14. Mr. Trudeau has promised action on gun controls, but not much is likely to happen until Canadians join together to forcefully demand tougher firearms restrictions to break through the influence of the gun lobby and Conservatives’ opposition, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 29, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 29, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters in front of Rideau Cottage on April 14. Mr. Trudeau has promised action on gun controls, but not much is likely to happen until Canadians join together to forcefully demand tougher firearms restrictions to break through the influence of the gun lobby and Conservatives’ opposition, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 22, 2020
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured at a West Block press conference on April 20, always seemed to be trying to channel a bit of Donald Trump’s populist appeal, has seized on the issue of China’s handling of the outbreak as a way to slam the Liberals today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 22, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 22, 2020
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, pictured at a West Block press conference on April 20, always seemed to be trying to channel a bit of Donald Trump’s populist appeal, has seized on the issue of China’s handling of the outbreak as a way to slam the Liberals today. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 15, 2020
In an Easter Sunday video, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked his country’s health service for steering him through his own bout with COVID-19. Screenshot courtesy of Boris Johnson’s Facebook
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 15, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 15, 2020
In an Easter Sunday video, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked his country’s health service for steering him through his own bout with COVID-19. Screenshot courtesy of Boris Johnson’s Facebook
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 8, 2020
Conservative efforts to hollow out government in the name of austerity and private sector superiority were championed by the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, pictured at Camp David in 1984, and often bankrolled by the super-rich. Photograph courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 8, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 8, 2020
Conservative efforts to hollow out government in the name of austerity and private sector superiority were championed by the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, pictured at Camp David in 1984, and often bankrolled by the super-rich. Photograph courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 1, 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the White House Coronavirus Task Force update briefing on March 29. The fact that half of Americans can find something to approve in his performance shows how much he has converted his leadership into a cult, write Les Whittington. White House photograph courtesy of Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 1, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 1, 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the White House Coronavirus Task Force update briefing on March 29. The fact that half of Americans can find something to approve in his performance shows how much he has converted his leadership into a cult, write Les Whittington. White House photograph courtesy of Andrea Hanks
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 25, 2020
If anyone has gained in terms of personal stature, it has been Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured at a March 20 press conference providing updates to the government’s response to COVID-19, who looks increasingly like the Liberals’ best choice as the next leader, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 25, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 25, 2020
If anyone has gained in terms of personal stature, it has been Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured at a March 20 press conference providing updates to the government’s response to COVID-19, who looks increasingly like the Liberals’ best choice as the next leader, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 18, 2020
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and U.S. President Donald Trump will all find their leadership tested in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, No. 10 Downing Street photograph courtesy of Andrew Parsons, and White House photograph courtesy of D. Myles Cullen
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 18, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 18, 2020
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and U.S. President Donald Trump will all find their leadership tested in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, No. 10 Downing Street photograph courtesy of Andrew Parsons, and White House photograph courtesy of D. Myles Cullen
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 11, 2020
Whether he faces off against Bernie Sanders, left, or Joe Biden, right, U.S. President Donald Trump will unleash plenty of ugliness against his Democratic rival, writes Les Whittington. Flickr photographs by Gage Skidmore and White House photograph courtesy of Joyce N. Boghosian
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 11, 2020
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 11, 2020
Whether he faces off against Bernie Sanders, left, or Joe Biden, right, U.S. President Donald Trump will unleash plenty of ugliness against his Democratic rival, writes Les Whittington. Flickr photographs by Gage Skidmore and White House photograph courtesy of Joyce N. Boghosian