Thursday, December 18, 2025

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Thursday, December 18, 2025 | Latest Paper

Plain Speak

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 17, 2025
Ahead of Conservative Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review, he has shown more pugnacity than the kind of reasonableness with which his opponent seems to be scoring well with the public, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 17, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 17, 2025
Ahead of Conservative Pierre Poilievre’s leadership review, he has shown more pugnacity than the kind of reasonableness with which his opponent seems to be scoring well with the public, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 10, 2025
Mark Carney
The energy framework Prime Minister Mark Carney signed with Alberta last month sends a message to the domestic and global investment community that in Carney’s Canada, the door is now open again to do business, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 10, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 10, 2025
Mark Carney
The energy framework Prime Minister Mark Carney signed with Alberta last month sends a message to the domestic and global investment community that in Carney’s Canada, the door is now open again to do business, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 26, 2025
Widely viewed as a mature professional, Steve Outhouse has run and won campaigns for different Canadian conservative leaders in different parts of the country, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Steve Outhouse
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 26, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 26, 2025
Widely viewed as a mature professional, Steve Outhouse has run and won campaigns for different Canadian conservative leaders in different parts of the country, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Steve Outhouse
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 12, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his team need to want to be better to overcome the vulnerability exposed last week, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 12, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 12, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his team need to want to be better to overcome the vulnerability exposed last week, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 29, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump clearly preferred the federal government’s charm offensive, but it had—at least publicly—not borne any fruit, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 29, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 29, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump clearly preferred the federal government’s charm offensive, but it had—at least publicly—not borne any fruit, writes Tim Powers. White House photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian
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 | April 21, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured during a March 23 press conference following the Conservative Party's policy convention, and the Conservative Party have lots of work to do to be competitive against the Liberals in the next election. But what O’Toole did on carbon pricing was his first major significant action, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 21, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | April 21, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured during a March 23 press conference following the Conservative Party's policy convention, and the Conservative Party have lots of work to do to be competitive against the Liberals in the next election. But what O’Toole did on carbon pricing was his first major significant action, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 31, 2021
It is hard not to wonder if many of the physicians get the full degree of suffering that happens when they call for and have lockdowns transpire, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 31, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 31, 2021
It is hard not to wonder if many of the physicians get the full degree of suffering that happens when they call for and have lockdowns transpire, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 24, 2021
Erin O’Toole, pictured in Ottawa on March 23, is going to have more tough days ahead. He is the chief dietician of a party that hasn’t yet fully accepted it is time to lose some weight, writes Tim Powers.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 24, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 24, 2021
Erin O’Toole, pictured in Ottawa on March 23, is going to have more tough days ahead. He is the chief dietician of a party that hasn’t yet fully accepted it is time to lose some weight, writes Tim Powers.
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 17, 2021
Since last April, WE and its leaders Craig and Marc Kielburger have been embroiled in a national mess and the thrust of their pushback during a virtual committee appearance, along with legal counsel William McDowell, left, on March 15 was it was the dastardly politicians who undid WE, not any action of the self-righteous and always-certain-of-their-choices brothers, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 17, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 17, 2021
Since last April, WE and its leaders Craig and Marc Kielburger have been embroiled in a national mess and the thrust of their pushback during a virtual committee appearance, along with legal counsel William McDowell, left, on March 15 was it was the dastardly politicians who undid WE, not any action of the self-righteous and always-certain-of-their-choices brothers, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 10, 2021
Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie, left, and Liberal Leader Andrew Furey. Newfoundland and Labrador is effectively in suspended political animation until the chief electoral officer Bruce Chaulk, arguably right now the most powerful person in N.L., gets all his mail-in ballots counted, writes Tim Powers.  Photographs courtesy of Ches Crosbie's campaign and Andrew Furey's Facebook
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 10, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 10, 2021
Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie, left, and Liberal Leader Andrew Furey. Newfoundland and Labrador is effectively in suspended political animation until the chief electoral officer Bruce Chaulk, arguably right now the most powerful person in N.L., gets all his mail-in ballots counted, writes Tim Powers.  Photographs courtesy of Ches Crosbie's campaign and Andrew Furey's Facebook
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 3, 2021
In the lead up to this month’s policy convention, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has to find a way to use the virtual to keep his members motivated and focused on their opponents, not on his navel, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 3, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 3, 2021
In the lead up to this month’s policy convention, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole has to find a way to use the virtual to keep his members motivated and focused on their opponents, not on his navel, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 24, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured Feb. 18 during a press conference on his party's opposition day motion to have the House of Commons declare China's treatment of Uighur Muslims a genocide and call on the federal government to do the same. The Conservatives should be applauded for forcing the Trudeau government to take a harder line on China, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 24, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 24, 2021
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, pictured Feb. 18 during a press conference on his party's opposition day motion to have the House of Commons declare China's treatment of Uighur Muslims a genocide and call on the federal government to do the same. The Conservatives should be applauded for forcing the Trudeau government to take a harder line on China, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 17, 2021
Newfoundland and Labrador Chief Electoral Officer Bruce Chaulk has had to change the guidelines for the still-ongoing provincial election multiple times since a COVID-19 outbreak swept the province ahead of voting day. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 17, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 17, 2021
Newfoundland and Labrador Chief Electoral Officer Bruce Chaulk has had to change the guidelines for the still-ongoing provincial election multiple times since a COVID-19 outbreak swept the province ahead of voting day. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 3, 2021
For now, political leaders like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole, right, need to keep rowing in the same direction—anything else is a disservice to us. Fix the problems, don’t just exacerbate them for short-term political gain, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 3, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 3, 2021
For now, political leaders like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole, right, need to keep rowing in the same direction—anything else is a disservice to us. Fix the problems, don’t just exacerbate them for short-term political gain, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 27, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s celebrity blind spot has produced more than a few embarrassments for the government, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 27, 2021
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 27, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s celebrity blind spot has produced more than a few embarrassments for the government, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade