Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | Latest Paper

Plain Speak

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 | 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 | October 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have mostly provided a mature, responsible response the unfolding war in Israel and the Gaza Strip, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 18, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have mostly provided a mature, responsible response the unfolding war in Israel and the Gaza Strip, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 11, 2023
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
All of Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s moxie and enthusiasm likely won’t be enough to convince Canadians the Liberals are wrestling food inflation and runaway prices to the ground, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 11, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 11, 2023
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
All of Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s moxie and enthusiasm likely won’t be enough to convince Canadians the Liberals are wrestling food inflation and runaway prices to the ground, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 4, 2023
The cost of living is such an acute political problem in Newfoundland and Labrador for the Liberals because so many residents indicated they are either living paycheque to paycheque, or falling behind, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 4, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 4, 2023
The cost of living is such an acute political problem in Newfoundland and Labrador for the Liberals because so many residents indicated they are either living paycheque to paycheque, or falling behind, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 27, 2023
Anthony Rota is a well-liked and well-respected person, but even good people of integrity make mistakes. When that happens, don’t fight for your job—do what is patently right, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 27, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 27, 2023
Anthony Rota is a well-liked and well-respected person, but even good people of integrity make mistakes. When that happens, don’t fight for your job—do what is patently right, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 13, 2023
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet in July and then gathered them in P.E.I. in mid-August, there were a lot of crocodile tears about listening and recognizing how tough it was for people. But his audience has moved past words and seems to be longing for action, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 13, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 13, 2023
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet in July and then gathered them in P.E.I. in mid-August, there were a lot of crocodile tears about listening and recognizing how tough it was for people. But his audience has moved past words and seems to be longing for action, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 6, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not likely to have a road-to-Damascus-like conversion to middle-of-the-road policy, he will look to continue to demonstrate he feels people’s pain on the affordability front at the party’s convention this week, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 6, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 6, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not likely to have a road-to-Damascus-like conversion to middle-of-the-road policy, he will look to continue to demonstrate he feels people’s pain on the affordability front at the party’s convention this week, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 30, 2023
Publicly released research from different national data firms over the last six-plus weeks have shown Pierre Poilievre’s, left, Conservatives with healthy support over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 30, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 30, 2023
Publicly released research from different national data firms over the last six-plus weeks have shown Pierre Poilievre’s, left, Conservatives with healthy support over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberals. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 16, 2023
Former senator Hugh Segal leaves the National Press Building in Ottawa in 2008. Segal worked hard to make the case for whatever he championed, but he did it with kindness, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 16, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 16, 2023
Former senator Hugh Segal leaves the National Press Building in Ottawa in 2008. Segal worked hard to make the case for whatever he championed, but he did it with kindness, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 9, 2023
It is no coincidence that the day immediately following the cabinet shuffle, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went east, as did his finance minister and other senior government figures, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 9, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 9, 2023
It is no coincidence that the day immediately following the cabinet shuffle, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went east, as did his finance minister and other senior government figures, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 12, 2023
Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge and Michel Ruest, senior director of programs with the Department of Heritage's Sports Canada branch, appear before the House Heritage Committee on July 26, 2022, to speak about the investigation into Hockey Canada's handling of sexual misconduct allegations. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 12, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 12, 2023
Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge and Michel Ruest, senior director of programs with the Department of Heritage's Sports Canada branch, appear before the House Heritage Committee on July 26, 2022, to speak about the investigation into Hockey Canada's handling of sexual misconduct allegations. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade