Monday, October 27, 2025

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Plain Speak

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 22, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Whether it is a personal animus towards Justin Trudeau or habitual behaviour, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured, is doing neither the nation nor his party any favours by making accusations against him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 22, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 22, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Whether it is a personal animus towards Justin Trudeau or habitual behaviour, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured, is doing neither the nation nor his party any favours by making accusations against him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 15, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, may have had a good meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, but there is a restiveness forming at home, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 15, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 15, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, may have had a good meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, but there is a restiveness forming at home, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 1, 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Premier John Hogan, left, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham, and NDP Leader Jim Dinn are facing off in a provincial race. Photographs courtesy of Facebook and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 1, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 1, 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Premier John Hogan, left, Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham, and NDP Leader Jim Dinn are facing off in a provincial race. Photographs courtesy of Facebook and Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 24, 2025
The Canadian women’s rugby team will take on England at the World Cup finals on Sept. 27. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/Rugby World Cup
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 24, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 24, 2025
The Canadian women’s rugby team will take on England at the World Cup finals on Sept. 27. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/Rugby World Cup
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 10, 2025
Ken Dryden
Even in death, former hockey legend and cabinet minister Ken Dryden makes us think, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 10, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 10, 2025
Ken Dryden
Even in death, former hockey legend and cabinet minister Ken Dryden makes us think, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 27, 2025
These games represented the best of Canada, not only because of what happened on the pitches, in the pool, or at the track, but because of how competitors from all across the country came together to help each other, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Pexels
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 27, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 27, 2025
These games represented the best of Canada, not only because of what happened on the pitches, in the pool, or at the track, but because of how competitors from all across the country came together to help each other, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Pexels
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s, centre, July 28 announcement of the Confederation Bridge toll cut is is old-school pork-barrel politics at its best, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 30, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 30, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s, centre, July 28 announcement of the Confederation Bridge toll cut is is old-school pork-barrel politics at its best, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 16, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre knows that this—sadly—is when you start building the narrative of Prime Minister Mark Carney as the wealthy, self-interested, effete leader, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 16, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 16, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre knows that this—sadly—is when you start building the narrative of Prime Minister Mark Carney as the wealthy, self-interested, effete leader, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 9, 2025
Sharon Musgrave
Recently retired senior CBC producer Sharon Musgrave is an unforgettable force, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 9, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 9, 2025
Sharon Musgrave
Recently retired senior CBC producer Sharon Musgrave is an unforgettable force, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 25, 2025
Conservatives Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and interim NDP Leader Don Davies. The NDP’s biggest challenge over the coming months is figuring out what their leadership race looks like, and who might contest it, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 25, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 25, 2025
Conservatives Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and interim NDP Leader Don Davies. The NDP’s biggest challenge over the coming months is figuring out what their leadership race looks like, and who might contest it, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 18, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may be getting some instructive feedback from the people with whom he is speaking, but there is reportedly some cynicism about the outreach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 18, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 18, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may be getting some instructive feedback from the people with whom he is speaking, but there is reportedly some cynicism about the outreach, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 11, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is running at an Olympic champion sprinter’s pace to complete his list of tasks, and the public—for now—is giving him all the track he needs, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 11, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | June 11, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney is running at an Olympic champion sprinter’s pace to complete his list of tasks, and the public—for now—is giving him all the track he needs, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
Conservative MP Jonathan Rowe, left, and Liberal candidate Anthony Germain both demonstrated great class and decency towards each other over the course of their recount ordeal. Photographs courtesy of the the Conservative Party and Liberal Party
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 28, 2025
Conservative MP Jonathan Rowe, left, and Liberal candidate Anthony Germain both demonstrated great class and decency towards each other over the course of their recount ordeal. Photographs courtesy of the the Conservative Party and Liberal Party
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 21, 2025
Adam van Koeverden
If the prime minister and Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden lean in here they could produce some big wins from which we’d all benefit, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 21, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 21, 2025
Adam van Koeverden
If the prime minister and Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden lean in here they could produce some big wins from which we’d all benefit, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 7, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party should avoid rushing back into predictable oppositional politics with the same cast of characters, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 7, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | May 7, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party should avoid rushing back into predictable oppositional politics with the same cast of characters, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 30, 2025
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, left, Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will all have some things to take away from this campaign, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and illustration by Joey Sabourin
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 30, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 30, 2025
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, left, Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will all have some things to take away from this campaign, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia, and illustration by Joey Sabourin
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 16, 2025
Mark Carney
While the team running Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign may deserve credit when all said and done, character and circumstance have played a big role to date—not Liberal strategic brilliance, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 16, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 16, 2025
Mark Carney
While the team running Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign may deserve credit when all said and done, character and circumstance have played a big role to date—not Liberal strategic brilliance, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 9, 2025
Preston Manning
Preston Manning’s forecast of national disharmony should the Liberals remain in office seems selfish, and ignores the reality of the human-to-human respect we demonstrate as a nation, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 9, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 9, 2025
Preston Manning
Preston Manning’s forecast of national disharmony should the Liberals remain in office seems selfish, and ignores the reality of the human-to-human respect we demonstrate as a nation, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 2, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre still has a path to victory, but all of his political polish and pitches are working against him now, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 2, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 2, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre still has a path to victory, but all of his political polish and pitches are working against him now, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 26, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump are two factors who may help shape an outcome for this election, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 26, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 26, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump are two factors who may help shape an outcome for this election, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 19, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a skilled politician with smart, able advisers who must see that the field they set to win the 2025 election is not the one where the current game is being played, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 19, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 19, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a skilled politician with smart, able advisers who must see that the field they set to win the 2025 election is not the one where the current game is being played, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 5, 2025
Andrew Furey
There are capable people putting their hand up to succeed Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, but his service won’t be forgotten, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 5, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 5, 2025
Andrew Furey
There are capable people putting their hand up to succeed Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, but his service won’t be forgotten, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump likes winners, so let’s use sports to Canada’s global benefit, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/NHL
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 26, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump likes winners, so let’s use sports to Canada’s global benefit, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/NHL
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 12, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland has positioned herself as being the best foil for the U.S. president, but that may be too premature a posture, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 12, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 12, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland has positioned herself as being the best foil for the U.S. president, but that may be too premature a posture, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 2, 2022
Without a doubt leadership matters, but whether it is Erin O’Toole or somebody else leading the party in the next election, that alone will not determine the party’s fate, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 2, 2022
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 2, 2022
Without a doubt leadership matters, but whether it is Erin O’Toole or somebody else leading the party in the next election, that alone will not determine the party’s fate, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 26, 2022
Fascinating subplots will also be in Justin Trudeau’s flourishing 'will he or won’t he stay or go' dance and Erin O’Toole’s ongoing game of Survivor, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 26, 2022
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 26, 2022
Fascinating subplots will also be in Justin Trudeau’s flourishing 'will he or won’t he stay or go' dance and Erin O’Toole’s ongoing game of Survivor, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 19, 2022
Doug Ford
While there clearly was some showcasing for political benefit in Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Jan. 17 Good Samaritan gig, there was also some authenticity in it, too, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CityNews
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 19, 2022
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 19, 2022
Doug Ford
While there clearly was some showcasing for political benefit in Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Jan. 17 Good Samaritan gig, there was also some authenticity in it, too, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CityNews
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 12, 2022
After nearly two years of ever-changing conditions and rules, all citizens seek is one key outcome—the endemic. No politician—whether governing like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or opposing like Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole—can realistically promise and deliver on that, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 12, 2022
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 12, 2022
After nearly two years of ever-changing conditions and rules, all citizens seek is one key outcome—the endemic. No politician—whether governing like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or opposing like Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole—can realistically promise and deliver on that, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 15, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, left, Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge, and Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden in the West Block on Dec. 8. The greatest immediate threat to Beijing is not the posturing of other nations, it is the prevalence of the Omicron variant, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 15, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 15, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, left, Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge, and Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden in the West Block on Dec. 8. The greatest immediate threat to Beijing is not the posturing of other nations, it is the prevalence of the Omicron variant, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 8, 2021
People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier is pictured leaving the West Block on April 15. It would be foolhardy to entirely dismiss PPC supporters as knuckle-dragging moon-howlers. The sense of dislocation that Bernier thrives on, preys on, generates fear about, needs to be responsibly addressed or it could grow, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 8, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 8, 2021
People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier is pictured leaving the West Block on April 15. It would be foolhardy to entirely dismiss PPC supporters as knuckle-dragging moon-howlers. The sense of dislocation that Bernier thrives on, preys on, generates fear about, needs to be responsibly addressed or it could grow, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 1, 2021
According to medical experts, it is likely going to be weeks until we know what the omicron variant of COVID-19 will mean in terms of impact on our national and global health systems, writes Tim Powers. Unsplash photograph by Parastoo Maleki
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 1, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 1, 2021
According to medical experts, it is likely going to be weeks until we know what the omicron variant of COVID-19 will mean in terms of impact on our national and global health systems, writes Tim Powers. Unsplash photograph by Parastoo Maleki
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 24, 2021
Some of the issues to watch during this parliamentary session are how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, co-operates with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and dodges attacks from Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole’s party. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 24, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 24, 2021
Some of the issues to watch during this parliamentary session are how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, co-operates with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and dodges attacks from Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole’s party. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 17, 2021
There were massive non-violent protests in Belarus last year after President Alexander Lukashenko rigged yet another election, and although they were crushed with mass arrests and beatings he is now in a state of perpetual anxiety, writes Gwynne Dyer. Wikimedia Commons photograph by Serge Serebro
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 17, 2021
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 17, 2021
There were massive non-violent protests in Belarus last year after President Alexander Lukashenko rigged yet another election, and although they were crushed with mass arrests and beatings he is now in a state of perpetual anxiety, writes Gwynne Dyer. Wikimedia Commons photograph by Serge Serebro
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 17, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured at a post-election Conservative caucus meeting at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Oct. 5. Given the current pace at which things are happening in Conservative circles, both the leader and the party could be a withered, weakened body crippled by their own hands when next a writ is dropped, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 17, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 17, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured at a post-election Conservative caucus meeting at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building on Oct. 5. Given the current pace at which things are happening in Conservative circles, both the leader and the party could be a withered, weakened body crippled by their own hands when next a writ is dropped, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia