Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | Latest Paper

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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
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
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 | 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 | August 3, 2022
The art installation Broken, by Dennis Josef Meseg, is pictured in Bonn, Germany. In 2021 alone, 173 women and girls were violently killed in Canada, with the vast majority of the accused being male, research shows. Unsplash photograph by Mika Baumeister
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 3, 2022
The art installation Broken, by Dennis Josef Meseg, is pictured in Bonn, Germany. In 2021 alone, 173 women and girls were violently killed in Canada, with the vast majority of the accused being male, research shows. Unsplash photograph by Mika Baumeister
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 25, 2022
RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell testified before the Mass Casualty Commission on July 25. It’s hard to imagine how any other single individual could have come to the attention of the various police forces in the region more than the Nova Scotia shooter during his decades-long run of lawless behaviour before the 2020 shooting, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of the Mass Casualty Commission
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 25, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 25, 2022
RCMP Supt. Darren Campbell testified before the Mass Casualty Commission on July 25. It’s hard to imagine how any other single individual could have come to the attention of the various police forces in the region more than the Nova Scotia shooter during his decades-long run of lawless behaviour before the 2020 shooting, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of the Mass Casualty Commission
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 20, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly sits alongside her Chinese, America, Brazilian, and German counterparts at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia on July 8. The relatively young G20 was designed to bring together leading wealthy and developing nations to tackle world problems, but it has instead laid bare the acceptance in some capitals of Putin’s bloodletting, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Ron Przysucha courtesy of Flickr/the U.S. Department of State
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 20, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 20, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly sits alongside her Chinese, America, Brazilian, and German counterparts at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, Indonesia on July 8. The relatively young G20 was designed to bring together leading wealthy and developing nations to tackle world problems, but it has instead laid bare the acceptance in some capitals of Putin’s bloodletting, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Ron Przysucha courtesy of Flickr/the U.S. Department of State
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 13, 2022
Outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers his resignation statement outside 10 Downing Street on July 7. Johnson helped give rise to Brexit, sold it to Britons in 2016, and got the keys to 10 Downing Street to finally make the separation with the EU happen. Which he did. But, after only three years, he is giving up as prime minister, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Tim Hammond courtesy of No 10 Downing Street's Flickr
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 13, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 13, 2022
Outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers his resignation statement outside 10 Downing Street on July 7. Johnson helped give rise to Brexit, sold it to Britons in 2016, and got the keys to 10 Downing Street to finally make the separation with the EU happen. Which he did. But, after only three years, he is giving up as prime minister, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Tim Hammond courtesy of No 10 Downing Street's Flickr
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 6, 2022
The general thinking has been that choosing chief trucker convoy apologist Pierre Poilievre as Conservative leader would be a huge gift for the Liberals. But that may prove fanciful, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 6, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | July 6, 2022
The general thinking has been that choosing chief trucker convoy apologist Pierre Poilievre as Conservative leader would be a huge gift for the Liberals. But that may prove fanciful, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 6, 2022
One way to view Doug Ford’s victory can be as support for a pragmatic focus on cost-of-living issues as opposed to aspirational calls to create a fairer and/or greener society, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Twitter/fordnation
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 6, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 6, 2022
One way to view Doug Ford’s victory can be as support for a pragmatic focus on cost-of-living issues as opposed to aspirational calls to create a fairer and/or greener society, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Twitter/fordnation
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 1, 2022
Pierre Poilievre has tapped into baseless suspicion of the central bank to beef up his popular campaign for Conservative leader, but it’s clear he correctly sees the affordability crisis as a potent political force with the potential to scramble the outlook for all federal and provincial parties over the next few years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 1, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 1, 2022
Pierre Poilievre has tapped into baseless suspicion of the central bank to beef up his popular campaign for Conservative leader, but it’s clear he correctly sees the affordability crisis as a potent political force with the potential to scramble the outlook for all federal and provincial parties over the next few years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 25, 2022
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford still depicts himself as being for the little guy, but most of his government’s actual policies are geared to his upscale supporters and business backers, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 25, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 25, 2022
Doug Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford still depicts himself as being for the little guy, but most of his government’s actual policies are geared to his upscale supporters and business backers, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 18, 2022
Doug Ford
If anything, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems to have shown that, although people are worried about impending climate disasters, they’re not too fussy about accountability when it comes to what governments are actually doing, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 18, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 18, 2022
Doug Ford
If anything, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems to have shown that, although people are worried about impending climate disasters, they’re not too fussy about accountability when it comes to what governments are actually doing, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 11, 2022
MP Leslyn Lewis participates in a Conservative leadership debate in Ottawa on May 5. Would-be leaders of the official opposition are consumed with the outpouring of anti-government grievance in February related to the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 11, 2022
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 11, 2022
MP Leslyn Lewis participates in a Conservative leadership debate in Ottawa on May 5. Would-be leaders of the official opposition are consumed with the outpouring of anti-government grievance in February related to the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade