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Sunday, September 8, 2024
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Bhagwant Sandhu

Bhagwant Sandhu is a retired director general from the federal government. Between 2002-21 he held senior roles in several departments, including Fisheries and Ocean Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, and Public Works Canada. He has also held executive positions in the governments of Ontario and British Columbia.

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

  • Celebrity is hard to sustain in Canadian politics. Justin Trudeau should shine the spotlight on the rest of his team—after a shakeup of his
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs a reset, and some ministers have held their files for far too long, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
  • Celebrity is hard to sustain in Canadian politics. Justin Trudeau should shine the spotlight on the rest of his team—after a shakeup of his

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
  • Celebrity is hard to sustain in Canadian politics. Justin Trudeau should shine the spotlight on the rest of his team—after a shakeup of his
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs a reset, and some ministers have held their files for far too long, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

  • Celebrity is hard to sustain in Canadian politics. Justin Trudeau should shine the spotlight on the rest of his team—after a shakeup of his
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs a reset, and some ministers have held their files for far too long, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
  • Celebrity is hard to sustain in Canadian politics. Justin Trudeau should shine the spotlight on the rest of his team—after a shakeup of his

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
  • Celebrity is hard to sustain in Canadian politics. Justin Trudeau should shine the spotlight on the rest of his team—after a shakeup of his
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs a reset, and some ministers have held their files for far too long, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It won’t be easy when the election rolls in

  • Political parties will exploit our hopes and fears by prepping candidates to ensure our choice is driven by reactionary emotions, not critical analysis. Luckily, we
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 15, 2024
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, Yves-François Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh, above left, and Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

It won’t be easy when the election rolls in

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 15, 2024
  • Political parties will exploit our hopes and fears by prepping candidates to ensure our choice is driven by reactionary emotions, not critical analysis. Luckily, we

It won’t be easy when the election rolls in

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 15, 2024
  • Political parties will exploit our hopes and fears by prepping candidates to ensure our choice is driven by reactionary emotions, not critical analysis. Luckily, we
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, Yves-François Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh, above left, and Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Dumbing down the electoral process

  • Instead of letting voters evaluate the merits of competing policies, political parties are steering us towards simplistic diversions and visceral reactions.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 24, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Political marketing machines intend to have voters react to ballot questions as consumers of celebrity, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Dumbing down the electoral process

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 24, 2024
  • Instead of letting voters evaluate the merits of competing policies, political parties are steering us towards simplistic diversions and visceral reactions.

Dumbing down the electoral process

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 24, 2024
  • Instead of letting voters evaluate the merits of competing policies, political parties are steering us towards simplistic diversions and visceral reactions.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Political marketing machines intend to have voters react to ballot questions as consumers of celebrity, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

If NATO is not useful for democracy or to win wars, what purpose does it serve?

  • NATO may have lost all of its actual, on-the-ground wars, but armed with its scare tactics and access to top political decision-makers, it is
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 11, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Some argue that NATO is no more than a lobbyist for defence manufacturing based on its persistent pressure to squeeze out two per cent of the GDP of its 32 members, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If NATO is not useful for democracy or to win wars, what purpose does it serve?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 11, 2024
  • NATO may have lost all of its actual, on-the-ground wars, but armed with its scare tactics and access to top political decision-makers, it is

If NATO is not useful for democracy or to win wars, what purpose does it serve?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 11, 2024
  • NATO may have lost all of its actual, on-the-ground wars, but armed with its scare tactics and access to top political decision-makers, it is
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Some argue that NATO is no more than a lobbyist for defence manufacturing based on its persistent pressure to squeeze out two per cent of the GDP of its 32 members, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Haiti needs home-grown bottom-up solutions, not top-down foreign interference

  • Many Canadian prime ministers have meddled in Haiti before, but this time, we’ve outsourced the solution to Kenyan soldiers.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 4, 2024
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau truly cared about the Haitian people, he would end the flawed Transitional Council, and replace it with a national reconciliation project, writes Bhagwant Sandhu.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Haiti needs home-grown bottom-up solutions, not top-down foreign interference

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 4, 2024
  • Many Canadian prime ministers have meddled in Haiti before, but this time, we’ve outsourced the solution to Kenyan soldiers.

Haiti needs home-grown bottom-up solutions, not top-down foreign interference

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 4, 2024
  • Many Canadian prime ministers have meddled in Haiti before, but this time, we’ve outsourced the solution to Kenyan soldiers.
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau truly cared about the Haitian people, he would end the flawed Transitional Council, and replace it with a national reconciliation project, writes Bhagwant Sandhu.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians want authenticity in their political candidates

  • Political candidates who come across as caricatures fashioned by consultants and marketing machines will lose. Canadians are tired of it.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 26, 2024
The surprise win by Conservative Don Stewart in downtown Toronto likely suggests the party's on the right track to win the general election, as long as Leader Pierre Poilievre stays the course, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of X

Canadians want authenticity in their political candidates

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 26, 2024
  • Political candidates who come across as caricatures fashioned by consultants and marketing machines will lose. Canadians are tired of it.

Canadians want authenticity in their political candidates

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 26, 2024
  • Political candidates who come across as caricatures fashioned by consultants and marketing machines will lose. Canadians are tired of it.
The surprise win by Conservative Don Stewart in downtown Toronto likely suggests the party's on the right track to win the general election, as long as Leader Pierre Poilievre stays the course, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of X

G7 faces legitimacy crisis as new players gain influence

  • Trudeau can take the G7 to a new policy outlook, one which uses peace and diplomacy and makes NATO the tool of last resort,
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 20, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ottawa in April 2018. Stoltenberg was again in Ottawa on April 19. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

G7 faces legitimacy crisis as new players gain influence

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 20, 2024
  • Trudeau can take the G7 to a new policy outlook, one which uses peace and diplomacy and makes NATO the tool of last resort,

G7 faces legitimacy crisis as new players gain influence

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 20, 2024
  • Trudeau can take the G7 to a new policy outlook, one which uses peace and diplomacy and makes NATO the tool of last resort,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ottawa in April 2018. Stoltenberg was again in Ottawa on April 19. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre, Trudeau choose partisan politicking over action on NSICOP report

  • Rather than act expeditiously on the advice of intelligence agencies, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plays partisan games, and has politicized the foreign interference file. 
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 12, 2024
Following the stunning NSICOP report, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, is on the attack while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries to hold the line, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Poilievre, Trudeau choose partisan politicking over action on NSICOP report

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 12, 2024
  • Rather than act expeditiously on the advice of intelligence agencies, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plays partisan games, and has politicized the foreign interference file. 

Poilievre, Trudeau choose partisan politicking over action on NSICOP report

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 12, 2024
  • Rather than act expeditiously on the advice of intelligence agencies, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plays partisan games, and has politicized the foreign interference file. 
Following the stunning NSICOP report, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, is on the attack while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries to hold the line, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s messaging signals plans for an austerity agenda

  • Poilievre’s credentials as a member of the proletariat are lacking, but his skill in political scheming is not. He’s steering the discourse away from
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 5, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre peddles empty ideas like ‘freedom’ instead of hard policies to help workers, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s messaging signals plans for an austerity agenda

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 5, 2024
  • Poilievre’s credentials as a member of the proletariat are lacking, but his skill in political scheming is not. He’s steering the discourse away from

Poilievre’s messaging signals plans for an austerity agenda

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 5, 2024
  • Poilievre’s credentials as a member of the proletariat are lacking, but his skill in political scheming is not. He’s steering the discourse away from
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre peddles empty ideas like ‘freedom’ instead of hard policies to help workers, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s climate strategy a master class in greenwashing 

  • On climate change, Canada’s politicians have created a culture of excuses, blame games, outright denials, and fatalistic calls for adaptation strategies. Except for Green
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 29, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has enshrined a net-zero goal by 2050 into law, but the data suggests that won’t be met, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s climate strategy a master class in greenwashing 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 29, 2024
  • On climate change, Canada’s politicians have created a culture of excuses, blame games, outright denials, and fatalistic calls for adaptation strategies. Except for Green

Trudeau’s climate strategy a master class in greenwashing 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 29, 2024
  • On climate change, Canada’s politicians have created a culture of excuses, blame games, outright denials, and fatalistic calls for adaptation strategies. Except for Green
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has enshrined a net-zero goal by 2050 into law, but the data suggests that won’t be met, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Sanctions do nothing to promote democracy

  • What works in foreign policy is diplomacy, negotiations, and ethical consistency, which is hard to do when you are busy trying to topple governments.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 16, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has sanctioned over 2,100 Russian individuals and entities since the start of the war in Ukraine. Sanctions, it turns out, disenfranchise the poor, not the political elites, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Sanctions do nothing to promote democracy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 16, 2024
  • What works in foreign policy is diplomacy, negotiations, and ethical consistency, which is hard to do when you are busy trying to topple governments.

Sanctions do nothing to promote democracy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 16, 2024
  • What works in foreign policy is diplomacy, negotiations, and ethical consistency, which is hard to do when you are busy trying to topple governments.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has sanctioned over 2,100 Russian individuals and entities since the start of the war in Ukraine. Sanctions, it turns out, disenfranchise the poor, not the political elites, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Disgruntled demagogue or holier-than-thou PM? These are your options, Canada

  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre keeps digging himself into an ever-constricting corner as an extremist ideologue, motivated by derision and reactionary dogma.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 2, 2024
Lucky for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trending even lower on personal likeability than he is The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Disgruntled demagogue or holier-than-thou PM? These are your options, Canada

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 2, 2024
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre keeps digging himself into an ever-constricting corner as an extremist ideologue, motivated by derision and reactionary dogma.

Disgruntled demagogue or holier-than-thou PM? These are your options, Canada

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 2, 2024
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre keeps digging himself into an ever-constricting corner as an extremist ideologue, motivated by derision and reactionary dogma.
Lucky for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trending even lower on personal likeability than he is The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Hogue inquiry prompts questions for Canada’s spy agency

  • Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s foreign interference inquiry has enlightened us on the failings of our security apparatus and its inability to engage constructively with Canadians.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 29, 2024
Justice Marie-Josée Hogue will release her first report on foreign interference this week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hogue inquiry prompts questions for Canada’s spy agency

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 29, 2024
  • Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s foreign interference inquiry has enlightened us on the failings of our security apparatus and its inability to engage constructively with Canadians.

Hogue inquiry prompts questions for Canada’s spy agency

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 29, 2024
  • Justice Marie-Josée Hogue’s foreign interference inquiry has enlightened us on the failings of our security apparatus and its inability to engage constructively with Canadians.
Justice Marie-Josée Hogue will release her first report on foreign interference this week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Predicting Poilievre’s foreign policy plans

  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s challenge will be avoiding ideologies and instead relying on policy realism for his foreign affairs approach.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 18, 2024
If Pierre Poilievre becomes prime minister, he could build our foreign policy on tact, soft diplomacy, negotiations, and dialogue. That won’t happen though, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. He is apt to label those kinds of things as too ‘woke.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Predicting Poilievre’s foreign policy plans

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 18, 2024
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s challenge will be avoiding ideologies and instead relying on policy realism for his foreign affairs approach.

Predicting Poilievre’s foreign policy plans

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 18, 2024
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s challenge will be avoiding ideologies and instead relying on policy realism for his foreign affairs approach.
If Pierre Poilievre becomes prime minister, he could build our foreign policy on tact, soft diplomacy, negotiations, and dialogue. That won’t happen though, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. He is apt to label those kinds of things as too ‘woke.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time for Poilievre to join a constructive pharmacare conversation

  • Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have done their part as responsible opposition critics on this policy. Now it’s Pierre
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 15, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, should pay attention to the costs wasted on drug prices in Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. At least Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, centre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have pushed for a more cost-effective approach for Canadians.

Time for Poilievre to join a constructive pharmacare conversation

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 15, 2024
  • Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have done their part as responsible opposition critics on this policy. Now it’s Pierre

Time for Poilievre to join a constructive pharmacare conversation

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 15, 2024
  • Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have done their part as responsible opposition critics on this policy. Now it’s Pierre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, should pay attention to the costs wasted on drug prices in Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. At least Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, centre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have pushed for a more cost-effective approach for Canadians.

What’s behind Pierre Poilievre’s ‘common-sense crusade’?

  • Interestingly, common sense has a long political etymology.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 28, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has hinged his campaign on 'common sense,' but he should be careful not to affix his political cause on that notion alone—Canadians will eventually catch on, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What’s behind Pierre Poilievre’s ‘common-sense crusade’?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 28, 2024
  • Interestingly, common sense has a long political etymology.

What’s behind Pierre Poilievre’s ‘common-sense crusade’?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 28, 2024
  • Interestingly, common sense has a long political etymology.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has hinged his campaign on 'common sense,' but he should be careful not to affix his political cause on that notion alone—Canadians will eventually catch on, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When it comes to Gaza, political insincerity is not cutting it

  • The Liberal government is driven less by firm policy commitments than it is by soundbites and impromptu announcements to capture the news cycle. 
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 21, 2024
Foreign Affairs recently shared a photo of Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, meeting with humanitarian groups in Gaza, with the caption 'the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic.' You don't say, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When it comes to Gaza, political insincerity is not cutting it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 21, 2024
  • The Liberal government is driven less by firm policy commitments than it is by soundbites and impromptu announcements to capture the news cycle. 

When it comes to Gaza, political insincerity is not cutting it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 21, 2024
  • The Liberal government is driven less by firm policy commitments than it is by soundbites and impromptu announcements to capture the news cycle. 
Foreign Affairs recently shared a photo of Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, meeting with humanitarian groups in Gaza, with the caption 'the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic.' You don't say, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pierre Poilievre should share more of his policy agenda

  • Speculation is precisely what happens when politicians use shibboleths and slogans as substitutes for detailed policy.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 18, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may not want to risk his lead in the polls by speaking about policy issues, but the pitfall of his silence is that it will get filled with speculation, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pierre Poilievre should share more of his policy agenda

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 18, 2024
  • Speculation is precisely what happens when politicians use shibboleths and slogans as substitutes for detailed policy.

Pierre Poilievre should share more of his policy agenda

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 18, 2024
  • Speculation is precisely what happens when politicians use shibboleths and slogans as substitutes for detailed policy.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may not want to risk his lead in the polls by speaking about policy issues, but the pitfall of his silence is that it will get filled with speculation, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan failings demonstrate deep structural flaws in senior public service ranks

  • As the ArriveCan and Phoenix scandals have shown, mismanagement in the public service is far-reaching and deeply structural.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 6, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan, pictured, delivered a report on the ArriveCan app to the House of Commons on Feb. 12, stating she found a 'glaring disregard for basic management practices' in her investigation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

ArriveCan failings demonstrate deep structural flaws in senior public service ranks

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 6, 2024
  • As the ArriveCan and Phoenix scandals have shown, mismanagement in the public service is far-reaching and deeply structural.

ArriveCan failings demonstrate deep structural flaws in senior public service ranks

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 6, 2024
  • As the ArriveCan and Phoenix scandals have shown, mismanagement in the public service is far-reaching and deeply structural.
Auditor General Karen Hogan, pictured, delivered a report on the ArriveCan app to the House of Commons on Feb. 12, stating she found a 'glaring disregard for basic management practices' in her investigation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When it comes to foreign aid, Canada fails to be guided by morality

  • Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre think that morality is contingent on the management of money. Some might call that kind of logic morally bankrupt.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 21, 2024
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen pictured speaking to reporters before Question Period on Feb. 15, 2024. Canada can play a constructive role in Africa's Sahel region, but the Liberal government nor the Conservative Party are willing to spend the money to do so, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When it comes to foreign aid, Canada fails to be guided by morality

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 21, 2024
  • Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre think that morality is contingent on the management of money. Some might call that kind of logic morally bankrupt.

When it comes to foreign aid, Canada fails to be guided by morality

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 21, 2024
  • Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre think that morality is contingent on the management of money. Some might call that kind of logic morally bankrupt.
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen pictured speaking to reporters before Question Period on Feb. 15, 2024. Canada can play a constructive role in Africa's Sahel region, but the Liberal government nor the Conservative Party are willing to spend the money to do so, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

If Prime Minister Trudeau wants to score easy points in the polls, he only has to think of Cuba

  • Canadian prime ministers from John Diefenbaker to Stephen Harper realized the strategic advantages of supporting Cuba.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 14, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, could lobby U.S. President Joe Biden, left, to reverse his predecessor Donald Trump's abrupt decision to put Cuba on the U.S. hit list of state sponsors of terrorism, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

If Prime Minister Trudeau wants to score easy points in the polls, he only has to think of Cuba

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 14, 2024
  • Canadian prime ministers from John Diefenbaker to Stephen Harper realized the strategic advantages of supporting Cuba.

If Prime Minister Trudeau wants to score easy points in the polls, he only has to think of Cuba

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 14, 2024
  • Canadian prime ministers from John Diefenbaker to Stephen Harper realized the strategic advantages of supporting Cuba.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, could lobby U.S. President Joe Biden, left, to reverse his predecessor Donald Trump's abrupt decision to put Cuba on the U.S. hit list of state sponsors of terrorism, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

What a Poilievre government might look like

  • Hint: it's remarkably similar to what a Maxime Bernier government might look like.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 7, 2024
As the federal election approaches, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will have to decide where to put his political marbles: with the neoconservative grievances of Maxime Bernier’s playbook, or with the policies of pragmatism preferred by the rest of us, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What a Poilievre government might look like

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 7, 2024
  • Hint: it's remarkably similar to what a Maxime Bernier government might look like.

What a Poilievre government might look like

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 7, 2024
  • Hint: it's remarkably similar to what a Maxime Bernier government might look like.
As the federal election approaches, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will have to decide where to put his political marbles: with the neoconservative grievances of Maxime Bernier’s playbook, or with the policies of pragmatism preferred by the rest of us, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s 2024, and Black MPs are still being tokenized

  • In the confines of large organizational structures like political parties, diversity still remains a tactical device.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2024
When Black politicians succeed, they do so not because of any boost from the political structures within which they function, but because of their own merit and character. Greg Fergus, the first Black House Speaker, is a good example, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s 2024, and Black MPs are still being tokenized

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2024
  • In the confines of large organizational structures like political parties, diversity still remains a tactical device.

It’s 2024, and Black MPs are still being tokenized

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 1, 2024
  • In the confines of large organizational structures like political parties, diversity still remains a tactical device.
When Black politicians succeed, they do so not because of any boost from the political structures within which they function, but because of their own merit and character. Greg Fergus, the first Black House Speaker, is a good example, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Greg Fergus and Parliament’s structural bind

  • In Parliament, decency has lost ground to indecency as the political parties vie to control the national discourse.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 22, 2024
Greg Fergus, the first Black Speaker of the House of Commons, had to jump through hypocritical hoops to prove his sincerity to his peers, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Greg Fergus and Parliament’s structural bind

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 22, 2024
  • In Parliament, decency has lost ground to indecency as the political parties vie to control the national discourse.

Greg Fergus and Parliament’s structural bind

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 22, 2024
  • In Parliament, decency has lost ground to indecency as the political parties vie to control the national discourse.
Greg Fergus, the first Black Speaker of the House of Commons, had to jump through hypocritical hoops to prove his sincerity to his peers, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

On Israel, Justin Trudeau dances on the fence

  • On the surface it would seem as if Justin Trudeau has muddled his messaging on Israel. But perhaps there is merit to Pierre Poilievre's
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 17, 2024
Liberal MP Salma Zahid speaks to the press in December, 2023. Justin Trudeau's biggest critics on the Israel file are on his own team, and Zahid is one of them, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

On Israel, Justin Trudeau dances on the fence

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 17, 2024
  • On the surface it would seem as if Justin Trudeau has muddled his messaging on Israel. But perhaps there is merit to Pierre Poilievre's

On Israel, Justin Trudeau dances on the fence

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 17, 2024
  • On the surface it would seem as if Justin Trudeau has muddled his messaging on Israel. But perhaps there is merit to Pierre Poilievre's
Liberal MP Salma Zahid speaks to the press in December, 2023. Justin Trudeau's biggest critics on the Israel file are on his own team, and Zahid is one of them, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Justin Trudeau should employ pragmatic diplomacy

  • Pragmatic diplomacy is a first-rate diagnostic device. Used in concert with motivational factors, it can reveal options that are morally defensible and serve the
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 11, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has two options when it comes to Ukraine: uphold the illusion that ongoing war represents a victory for Ukraine; or, use pragmatic diplomacy, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Justin Trudeau should employ pragmatic diplomacy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 11, 2024
  • Pragmatic diplomacy is a first-rate diagnostic device. Used in concert with motivational factors, it can reveal options that are morally defensible and serve the

Why Justin Trudeau should employ pragmatic diplomacy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 11, 2024
  • Pragmatic diplomacy is a first-rate diagnostic device. Used in concert with motivational factors, it can reveal options that are morally defensible and serve the
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has two options when it comes to Ukraine: uphold the illusion that ongoing war represents a victory for Ukraine; or, use pragmatic diplomacy, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Justin Trudeau’s 2023 foreign policy in review

  • Justin Trudeau’s foreign policy logic is pretzeled because it tries to balance the 'forever wars' mentality of the U.S. against our moral code of
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 28, 2023

Justin Trudeau’s 2023 foreign policy in review

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 28, 2023
  • Justin Trudeau’s foreign policy logic is pretzeled because it tries to balance the 'forever wars' mentality of the U.S. against our moral code of

Justin Trudeau’s 2023 foreign policy in review

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 28, 2023
  • Justin Trudeau’s foreign policy logic is pretzeled because it tries to balance the 'forever wars' mentality of the U.S. against our moral code of
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Israel-Hamas is more complex than good versus evil

  • The immorality of apartheid, fascism, or Stalinism was defeated not because the ruling classes or managers of power saw the error of their ways.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 22, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly have looked to the Americans for moral guidance, going against the tide of world opinion and joining the U.S. to vote down UN General Assembly resolutions that denounced Israel’s belligerent behaviour. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Israel-Hamas is more complex than good versus evil

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 22, 2023
  • The immorality of apartheid, fascism, or Stalinism was defeated not because the ruling classes or managers of power saw the error of their ways.

Israel-Hamas is more complex than good versus evil

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 22, 2023
  • The immorality of apartheid, fascism, or Stalinism was defeated not because the ruling classes or managers of power saw the error of their ways.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly have looked to the Americans for moral guidance, going against the tide of world opinion and joining the U.S. to vote down UN General Assembly resolutions that denounced Israel’s belligerent behaviour. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Israel-Hamas is more complex than good versus evil

  • The immorality of apartheid, fascism, or Stalinism was defeated not because the ruling classes or managers of power saw the error of their ways.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 22, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly have looked to the Americans for moral guidance, going against the tide of world opinion and joining the U.S. to vote down UN General Assembly resolutions that denounced Israel’s belligerent behaviour. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Israel-Hamas is more complex than good versus evil

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 22, 2023
  • The immorality of apartheid, fascism, or Stalinism was defeated not because the ruling classes or managers of power saw the error of their ways.

Israel-Hamas is more complex than good versus evil

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 22, 2023
  • The immorality of apartheid, fascism, or Stalinism was defeated not because the ruling classes or managers of power saw the error of their ways.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly have looked to the Americans for moral guidance, going against the tide of world opinion and joining the U.S. to vote down UN General Assembly resolutions that denounced Israel’s belligerent behaviour. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau should not put geopolitics ahead of Canadians

  • Irrespective of the pulls of domestic politics or the pushes of foreign allies, Justin Trudeau's only priority should be the safe return of all
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 8, 2023
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is serious about making Canada an interlocutor of peace and diplomacy, he should use this time to gather academics, experts, and diaspora community members to build global goodwill, policy capacity, and programming which can be deployed once the war is over, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau should not put geopolitics ahead of Canadians

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 8, 2023
  • Irrespective of the pulls of domestic politics or the pushes of foreign allies, Justin Trudeau's only priority should be the safe return of all

Trudeau should not put geopolitics ahead of Canadians

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 8, 2023
  • Irrespective of the pulls of domestic politics or the pushes of foreign allies, Justin Trudeau's only priority should be the safe return of all
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is serious about making Canada an interlocutor of peace and diplomacy, he should use this time to gather academics, experts, and diaspora community members to build global goodwill, policy capacity, and programming which can be deployed once the war is over, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Joly unveils astute policy framework, but must bridge gaps between words and action

  • The framework stands on two planks: defending Canadian sovereignty, and using pragmatic diplomacy to prevent global conflicts.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 1, 2023
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly
Speaking at the Economic Club of Canada on Oct. 30, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly presented a detailed new foreign policy framework. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Joly unveils astute policy framework, but must bridge gaps between words and action

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 1, 2023
  • The framework stands on two planks: defending Canadian sovereignty, and using pragmatic diplomacy to prevent global conflicts.

Joly unveils astute policy framework, but must bridge gaps between words and action

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 1, 2023
  • The framework stands on two planks: defending Canadian sovereignty, and using pragmatic diplomacy to prevent global conflicts.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly
Speaking at the Economic Club of Canada on Oct. 30, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly presented a detailed new foreign policy framework. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Domestic political calculus shapes federal response to Israel-Hamas conflict

  • A review of statements by our politicians during previous Israel-Hamas conflicts shows they follow one steadfast script: 'We stand with Israel,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 25, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. When it comes to their position on Israel-Hamas conflict, federal politicians of all stripes are far too busy picking sides in hopes of scooping up votes wherever they can, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Domestic political calculus shapes federal response to Israel-Hamas conflict

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 25, 2023
  • A review of statements by our politicians during previous Israel-Hamas conflicts shows they follow one steadfast script: 'We stand with Israel,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu.

Domestic political calculus shapes federal response to Israel-Hamas conflict

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 25, 2023
  • A review of statements by our politicians during previous Israel-Hamas conflicts shows they follow one steadfast script: 'We stand with Israel,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. When it comes to their position on Israel-Hamas conflict, federal politicians of all stripes are far too busy picking sides in hopes of scooping up votes wherever they can, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Our foreign policy has turned into performative political theatre, and we’re worse off for it

  • Part of the problem is we have allowed our politicians to get way with abbreviating serious policy debates into simple wisecracks.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 19, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs' conference on Antisemitism on Oct. 17. Responding to the Israel-Hamas conflict, party leaders recite pre-scripted lines that follow a pattern of 'we stand with Israel' to 'we call on all parties to show restraint,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Our foreign policy has turned into performative political theatre, and we’re worse off for it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 19, 2023
  • Part of the problem is we have allowed our politicians to get way with abbreviating serious policy debates into simple wisecracks.

Our foreign policy has turned into performative political theatre, and we’re worse off for it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 19, 2023
  • Part of the problem is we have allowed our politicians to get way with abbreviating serious policy debates into simple wisecracks.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs' conference on Antisemitism on Oct. 17. Responding to the Israel-Hamas conflict, party leaders recite pre-scripted lines that follow a pattern of 'we stand with Israel' to 'we call on all parties to show restraint,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

As Trudeau hosts CARICOM, will he repeat mistakes of the past?

  • Justin Trudeau is at risk of repeating the mistakes of former prime minister Jean Chrétien when it comes to Haiti, relying on weapons to
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 12, 2023
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly wants 'to do more' on Haiti. That usually means humanitarian aid will rapidly follow the deployment of 1,000 armed Kenya-led soldiers to the beleaguered island. Since 2010, Canada has directed $1.87-billion in aid to Haiti. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

As Trudeau hosts CARICOM, will he repeat mistakes of the past?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 12, 2023
  • Justin Trudeau is at risk of repeating the mistakes of former prime minister Jean Chrétien when it comes to Haiti, relying on weapons to

As Trudeau hosts CARICOM, will he repeat mistakes of the past?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 12, 2023
  • Justin Trudeau is at risk of repeating the mistakes of former prime minister Jean Chrétien when it comes to Haiti, relying on weapons to
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly wants 'to do more' on Haiti. That usually means humanitarian aid will rapidly follow the deployment of 1,000 armed Kenya-led soldiers to the beleaguered island. Since 2010, Canada has directed $1.87-billion in aid to Haiti. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre failing to hold government accountable on Indian interference

  • On China, Poilievre was razor sharp. On India, he has yet to mention its prime minister by name.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 28, 2023
If Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wants to be politically astute, he can turn the heat high on the prime minister on India, as he did with China, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre failing to hold government accountable on Indian interference

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 28, 2023
  • On China, Poilievre was razor sharp. On India, he has yet to mention its prime minister by name.

Poilievre failing to hold government accountable on Indian interference

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 28, 2023
  • On China, Poilievre was razor sharp. On India, he has yet to mention its prime minister by name.
If Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wants to be politically astute, he can turn the heat high on the prime minister on India, as he did with China, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada can still be a force of global peace and prosperity if Trudeau changes his foreign policy

  • It is Justin Trudeau’s good fortune that our elections are not contested on foreign policy successes. But they could be on its failures.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 20, 2023
Instead of getting a grip on the changing nature of global politics, leaders like Justin Trudeau, pictured on Sept. 19, still view the Global South as a third-world abstraction to be used, not as a shrewd driver of its own domestic political interests and transnational agendas, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada can still be a force of global peace and prosperity if Trudeau changes his foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 20, 2023
  • It is Justin Trudeau’s good fortune that our elections are not contested on foreign policy successes. But they could be on its failures.

Canada can still be a force of global peace and prosperity if Trudeau changes his foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 20, 2023
  • It is Justin Trudeau’s good fortune that our elections are not contested on foreign policy successes. But they could be on its failures.
Instead of getting a grip on the changing nature of global politics, leaders like Justin Trudeau, pictured on Sept. 19, still view the Global South as a third-world abstraction to be used, not as a shrewd driver of its own domestic political interests and transnational agendas, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade