Sunday, December 21, 2025

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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
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 | June 19, 2019
Prime Minster Justin Trudeau could rise or fall in the federal election on similar economic factors that former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne failed to capitalize on last year, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2019
Prime Minster Justin Trudeau could rise or fall in the federal election on similar economic factors that former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne failed to capitalize on last year, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2019
Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford, pictured at the Manning Networking Conference in March, has had quite the first year in office, and there are a number of lessons to be learned, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2019
Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford, pictured at the Manning Networking Conference in March, has had quite the first year in office, and there are a number of lessons to be learned, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2019
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence said all the right things while in Ottawa to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau May 30, but it wasn’t long after he left that President Donald Trump unleashed a new broadside that puts the new NAFTA in peril, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2019
U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence said all the right things while in Ottawa to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau May 30, but it wasn’t long after he left that President Donald Trump unleashed a new broadside that puts the new NAFTA in peril, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2019
British Prime Minister Theresa May, pictured in May, will say goodbye to No. 10 on June 7, having found no way forward for her Brexit deal. Photograph courtesy of the office of the U.K. prime minister
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2019
British Prime Minister Theresa May, pictured in May, will say goodbye to No. 10 on June 7, having found no way forward for her Brexit deal. Photograph courtesy of the office of the U.K. prime minister
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2019
John Bolton, pictured in 2015, U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, is a caricature of a virulent military hawk, says Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2019
John Bolton, pictured in 2015, U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, is a caricature of a virulent military hawk, says Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2019
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Mexican President (then president-elect) Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexico City on July 13, 2018. The Mexican leader has proposed a US$30-billion Marshall Plan to restructure Central America’s economy. Photograph courtesy of the U.S. State Department
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2019
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Mexican President (then president-elect) Andrés Manuel López Obrador in Mexico City on July 13, 2018. The Mexican leader has proposed a US$30-billion Marshall Plan to restructure Central America’s economy. Photograph courtesy of the U.S. State Department
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2019
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, right, hasn’t unveiled his climate plan yet, but it may fall in the same vein as the conservative premiers of Ontario and Alberta, Doug Ford, middle, and Jason Kenney, right, respectively. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2019
Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer, right, hasn’t unveiled his climate plan yet, but it may fall in the same vein as the conservative premiers of Ontario and Alberta, Doug Ford, middle, and Jason Kenney, right, respectively. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2019
By downloading more cost of public-health programs to local government, a spokesperson for Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott, pictured last year, told a reporter the province is only ‘strengthening the role of municipalities in the delivery of public health,’ says author Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2019
By downloading more cost of public-health programs to local government, a spokesperson for Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott, pictured last year, told a reporter the province is only ‘strengthening the role of municipalities in the delivery of public health,’ says author Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2019
'If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state ... however, we are unable to reach that judgment,' determined special counsel Robert Mueller in his recently released report. Pete Souza photograph courtesy of the White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2019
'If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the president clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state ... however, we are unable to reach that judgment,' determined special counsel Robert Mueller in his recently released report. Pete Souza photograph courtesy of the White House
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2019
British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit endeavour could now have the United Kingdom leaving the European Union on Oct. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2019
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2019
British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit endeavour could now have the United Kingdom leaving the European Union on Oct. 31. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia