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Les Whittington

Trickle-down economics: the hoax that will not die

  • The trend toward lower taxes has tilted the economy in favour of the well-off and left average people struggling to get by on stagnant
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is already playing the tax-cut card, as has every leader of Canada’s main right-wing party going back 40 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trickle-down economics: the hoax that will not die

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
  • The trend toward lower taxes has tilted the economy in favour of the well-off and left average people struggling to get by on stagnant

Trickle-down economics: the hoax that will not die

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 7, 2023
  • The trend toward lower taxes has tilted the economy in favour of the well-off and left average people struggling to get by on stagnant
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is already playing the tax-cut card, as has every leader of Canada’s main right-wing party going back 40 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A lesson in the dangers of extremist, scorched-earth politics from U.S. Republicans

  • While nothing in Canada is on a par with the debt ceiling clash in the U.S., voters here should think twice about endorsing a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, far left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling in the Oval Office of the White House on May 9. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

A lesson in the dangers of extremist, scorched-earth politics from U.S. Republicans

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
  • While nothing in Canada is on a par with the debt ceiling clash in the U.S., voters here should think twice about endorsing a

A lesson in the dangers of extremist, scorched-earth politics from U.S. Republicans

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 31, 2023
  • While nothing in Canada is on a par with the debt ceiling clash in the U.S., voters here should think twice about endorsing a
U.S. President Joe Biden, far left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to discuss the debt ceiling in the Oval Office of the White House on May 9. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Bank of Canada quietly signals long-term shift with potential for economic, political upheaval

  • The end of the low-interest-rate policy sets the stage for widespread household financial stress in 2025 and 2026, when the majority of mortgages are
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
The new, apparently permanent, financial reality Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem described—and the painful fallout it entails—has the potential to scramble the political outlook, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Bank of Canada quietly signals long-term shift with potential for economic, political upheaval

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
  • The end of the low-interest-rate policy sets the stage for widespread household financial stress in 2025 and 2026, when the majority of mortgages are

Bank of Canada quietly signals long-term shift with potential for economic, political upheaval

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 24, 2023
  • The end of the low-interest-rate policy sets the stage for widespread household financial stress in 2025 and 2026, when the majority of mortgages are
The new, apparently permanent, financial reality Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem described—and the painful fallout it entails—has the potential to scramble the political outlook, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism

  • The Alberta race is a potential watershed for Canadians, many of whom seem ready to give the kind of anger-based, hateful politics flourishing in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might not support all or any of the authoritarian policies of the Republicans in the U.S., but she would still be right at home politically with many of these legislators, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
  • The Alberta race is a potential watershed for Canadians, many of whom seem ready to give the kind of anger-based, hateful politics flourishing in

Alberta election will provide insight into Canadian tolerance for extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 17, 2023
  • The Alberta race is a potential watershed for Canadians, many of whom seem ready to give the kind of anger-based, hateful politics flourishing in
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith might not support all or any of the authoritarian policies of the Republicans in the U.S., but she would still be right at home politically with many of these legislators, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The coronation an upbeat interlude in a country going from Brexit to Bregret

  • U.K. consumers have been facing the worst decline in living standards since the 1950s as a result of the combination of soaring inflation and
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
The May 6 coronation of King Charles III was forecast to create a one-time boom for much of the U.K. economy, with the hospitality and travel sector alone looking for a $1-billion-plus shot in the arm, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/The Royal Family Channel

The coronation an upbeat interlude in a country going from Brexit to Bregret

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
  • U.K. consumers have been facing the worst decline in living standards since the 1950s as a result of the combination of soaring inflation and

The coronation an upbeat interlude in a country going from Brexit to Bregret

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 10, 2023
  • U.K. consumers have been facing the worst decline in living standards since the 1950s as a result of the combination of soaring inflation and
The May 6 coronation of King Charles III was forecast to create a one-time boom for much of the U.K. economy, with the hospitality and travel sector alone looking for a $1-billion-plus shot in the arm, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/The Royal Family Channel

All bets are off in today’s policy-free political environment

  • Policies, or the specific actions of governments, seem less important than ever in an era when emotion and the demagoguery that taps into it
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s success has to be seen as emblematic of the way politics has changed since 2015 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put the Liberals back in power federally, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

All bets are off in today’s policy-free political environment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
  • Policies, or the specific actions of governments, seem less important than ever in an era when emotion and the demagoguery that taps into it

All bets are off in today’s policy-free political environment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 3, 2023
  • Policies, or the specific actions of governments, seem less important than ever in an era when emotion and the demagoguery that taps into it
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s success has to be seen as emblematic of the way politics has changed since 2015 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put the Liberals back in power federally, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians should look closely at U.S. shambles before endorsing Poilievre’s Republican-style populism

  • There are many disturbing developments in the U.S. that are cause for growing alarm for anyone concerned about humanistic governance, public order, and the
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
Canadians might want to give some thought to what kind of country they want as they sidle up to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose post-truth, pernicious, and divisive tactics would win high marks from any Republican organizer, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians should look closely at U.S. shambles before endorsing Poilievre’s Republican-style populism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
  • There are many disturbing developments in the U.S. that are cause for growing alarm for anyone concerned about humanistic governance, public order, and the

Canadians should look closely at U.S. shambles before endorsing Poilievre’s Republican-style populism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 26, 2023
  • There are many disturbing developments in the U.S. that are cause for growing alarm for anyone concerned about humanistic governance, public order, and the
Canadians might want to give some thought to what kind of country they want as they sidle up to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose post-truth, pernicious, and divisive tactics would win high marks from any Republican organizer, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Mass killing report a scathing condemnation of Canada’s failure to curb violence against women

  • As the Nova Scotia inquiry found, there is no excuse for not moving ahead vigorously and forcefully to address this shameful, ongoing crisis.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is the minister responsible for the RCMP. The Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's report is a scathing indictment of Canadians’ lack of progress over many years in reducing and dealing with deeply ingrained and widespread violence against women, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Mass killing report a scathing condemnation of Canada’s failure to curb violence against women

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
  • As the Nova Scotia inquiry found, there is no excuse for not moving ahead vigorously and forcefully to address this shameful, ongoing crisis.

Mass killing report a scathing condemnation of Canada’s failure to curb violence against women

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 19, 2023
  • As the Nova Scotia inquiry found, there is no excuse for not moving ahead vigorously and forcefully to address this shameful, ongoing crisis.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is the minister responsible for the RCMP. The Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission's report is a scathing indictment of Canadians’ lack of progress over many years in reducing and dealing with deeply ingrained and widespread violence against women, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

  • It’s been obvious for many years that Canadians resent spending on the prime minister’s residence, labelling it self-indulgent and wasteful.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
The deterioration of 24 Sussex Drive reflects Canada’s innate regional divisions and the resentment of centralized power in a very decentralized, regionally oriented federal system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Kevin Philipupillai

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
  • It’s been obvious for many years that Canadians resent spending on the prime minister’s residence, labelling it self-indulgent and wasteful.

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 12, 2023
  • It’s been obvious for many years that Canadians resent spending on the prime minister’s residence, labelling it self-indulgent and wasteful.
The deterioration of 24 Sussex Drive reflects Canada’s innate regional divisions and the resentment of centralized power in a very decentralized, regionally oriented federal system, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Kevin Philipupillai

Searching for consensus in a divided country

  • The reaction to the budget is all the more pertinent for the Liberals at a time when culture war issues are eclipsing already meagre
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
The response to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's latest attempt to balance the country’s priorities is a reminder of how divided Canadians have become along conservative versus progressive lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Searching for consensus in a divided country

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
  • The reaction to the budget is all the more pertinent for the Liberals at a time when culture war issues are eclipsing already meagre

Searching for consensus in a divided country

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 5, 2023
  • The reaction to the budget is all the more pertinent for the Liberals at a time when culture war issues are eclipsing already meagre
The response to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's latest attempt to balance the country’s priorities is a reminder of how divided Canadians have become along conservative versus progressive lines, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Biden moves ahead on a ‘friendshoring’ plan amid mounting global uncertainty

  • For Canadians, it could be a turning point in our sluggish efforts to overhaul an economy weakened by a long-term slide in business investment
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
Caught up as U.S. President Joe Biden was in the spirit of good neighbourliness during his visit, his expressed willingness to abandon Buy America where Canada is concerned was probably overstated, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Biden moves ahead on a ‘friendshoring’ plan amid mounting global uncertainty

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
  • For Canadians, it could be a turning point in our sluggish efforts to overhaul an economy weakened by a long-term slide in business investment

Biden moves ahead on a ‘friendshoring’ plan amid mounting global uncertainty

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 29, 2023
  • For Canadians, it could be a turning point in our sluggish efforts to overhaul an economy weakened by a long-term slide in business investment
Caught up as U.S. President Joe Biden was in the spirit of good neighbourliness during his visit, his expressed willingness to abandon Buy America where Canada is concerned was probably overstated, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s populism or bust as Poilievre vies to bring Canada its own Trumpian moment

  • Is it really necessary to use the foreign interference issue to peremptorily label the prime minister a traitor acting in the interests of a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s repeated drive-by smears accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of colluding with China are an obvious attempt to whip up conspiracy thinking about the legitimacy of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s populism or bust as Poilievre vies to bring Canada its own Trumpian moment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
  • Is it really necessary to use the foreign interference issue to peremptorily label the prime minister a traitor acting in the interests of a

It’s populism or bust as Poilievre vies to bring Canada its own Trumpian moment

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 22, 2023
  • Is it really necessary to use the foreign interference issue to peremptorily label the prime minister a traitor acting in the interests of a
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s repeated drive-by smears accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of colluding with China are an obvious attempt to whip up conspiracy thinking about the legitimacy of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of budget-making as Canadians brace for stagflation

  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is trying to rein in spending at a time when the expected economic downturn could significantly worsen Ottawa’s deficit position.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
The 2023 federal budget will be tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on March 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of budget-making as Canadians brace for stagflation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is trying to rein in spending at a time when the expected economic downturn could significantly worsen Ottawa’s deficit position.

The politics of budget-making as Canadians brace for stagflation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 15, 2023
  • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is trying to rein in spending at a time when the expected economic downturn could significantly worsen Ottawa’s deficit position.
The 2023 federal budget will be tabled in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on March 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will the West’s support for Ukraine stand the test of time?

  • The overriding question is becoming whether the West will persist in helping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold back the invasion for the long term.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, has vowed to stand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as long as necessary, but Biden’s ability to keep up the current level of assistance is increasingly being questioned, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Will the West’s support for Ukraine stand the test of time?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
  • The overriding question is becoming whether the West will persist in helping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold back the invasion for the long term.

Will the West’s support for Ukraine stand the test of time?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 8, 2023
  • The overriding question is becoming whether the West will persist in helping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold back the invasion for the long term.
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, has vowed to stand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as long as necessary, but Biden’s ability to keep up the current level of assistance is increasingly being questioned, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Protecting publicly funded health care is shaping up as a last-ditch stand

  • Holding off the push toward private care will take measurable results.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
The future of public health care may depend on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to break the mould and translate commitments forged with the provinces into actual improvements for Canadian patients, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Protecting publicly funded health care is shaping up as a last-ditch stand

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
  • Holding off the push toward private care will take measurable results.

Protecting publicly funded health care is shaping up as a last-ditch stand

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 1, 2023
  • Holding off the push toward private care will take measurable results.
The future of public health care may depend on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ability to break the mould and translate commitments forged with the provinces into actual improvements for Canadian patients, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Rouleau lays much of the blame for Ottawa’s occupation where it belongs—with Doug Ford

  • He reminds everyone that, under Canada’s federal system, restoring order in an Ontario city in the midst of near-riotous conditions is the remit of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
Public Order Emergency Commissioner Paul Rouleau doesn’t mince words when it comes to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s hands-off approach to the blockade of streets and the lawlessness around Parliament Hill in February 2022, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Rouleau lays much of the blame for Ottawa’s occupation where it belongs—with Doug Ford

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
  • He reminds everyone that, under Canada’s federal system, restoring order in an Ontario city in the midst of near-riotous conditions is the remit of

Rouleau lays much of the blame for Ottawa’s occupation where it belongs—with Doug Ford

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 22, 2023
  • He reminds everyone that, under Canada’s federal system, restoring order in an Ontario city in the midst of near-riotous conditions is the remit of
Public Order Emergency Commissioner Paul Rouleau doesn’t mince words when it comes to Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s hands-off approach to the blockade of streets and the lawlessness around Parliament Hill in February 2022, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford’s free pass from integrity commissioner shows plenty of leeway in Ontario ethics conventions

  • The public may want to concentrate a bit more closely than it has been on the actions of the premier and his colleagues.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provincial integrity czar OK’d a party at his house in which guests, including people who do business with the government, purchased tickets and donated money to Ford’s daughter to pay for her wedding, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Ford’s free pass from integrity commissioner shows plenty of leeway in Ontario ethics conventions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
  • The public may want to concentrate a bit more closely than it has been on the actions of the premier and his colleagues.

Ford’s free pass from integrity commissioner shows plenty of leeway in Ontario ethics conventions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 15, 2023
  • The public may want to concentrate a bit more closely than it has been on the actions of the premier and his colleagues.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the provincial integrity czar OK’d a party at his house in which guests, including people who do business with the government, purchased tickets and donated money to Ford’s daughter to pay for her wedding, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The little-discussed threat to Canadians’ long-term prosperity

  • In the face of lagging business investment, there’s no guarantee the feds’ stock-buyback plan is going to be the answer.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted a new corporate stock buyback tax in last November’s fall economic statement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The little-discussed threat to Canadians’ long-term prosperity

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
  • In the face of lagging business investment, there’s no guarantee the feds’ stock-buyback plan is going to be the answer.

The little-discussed threat to Canadians’ long-term prosperity

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 8, 2023
  • In the face of lagging business investment, there’s no guarantee the feds’ stock-buyback plan is going to be the answer.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted a new corporate stock buyback tax in last November’s fall economic statement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Canadians opt for co-operative progress or nihilistic post-COVID chaos?

  • It seems 2023 will be the year that begins to clarify the aftermath—political, economic, and otherwise—of the once-in-a-century virus.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 1, 2023
The 'Freedom Convoy 2.0' anniversary protests held at Parliament Hill on Jan. 28. When it comes to public life, the generally accepted notions about shared realities, the limits of advocacy, establishing the truth, and working toward reasonable solutions have been left behind in much of the western world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson

Will Canadians opt for co-operative progress or nihilistic post-COVID chaos?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 1, 2023
  • It seems 2023 will be the year that begins to clarify the aftermath—political, economic, and otherwise—of the once-in-a-century virus.

Will Canadians opt for co-operative progress or nihilistic post-COVID chaos?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 1, 2023
  • It seems 2023 will be the year that begins to clarify the aftermath—political, economic, and otherwise—of the once-in-a-century virus.
The 'Freedom Convoy 2.0' anniversary protests held at Parliament Hill on Jan. 28. When it comes to public life, the generally accepted notions about shared realities, the limits of advocacy, establishing the truth, and working toward reasonable solutions have been left behind in much of the western world, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson

Likening medicare to communism, Ford moves ahead with plans for privatized, two-tier health care in Ontario

  • The crumbling of the country’s medical services during COVID has opened the way for a major push by those who favour private, for-profit health
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 25, 2023
There’s a lot of money to be made in private health services and Premier Doug Ford, as with his other projects, seems determined to make sure Ontario’s wealthy business class gets a big chunk of it, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Likening medicare to communism, Ford moves ahead with plans for privatized, two-tier health care in Ontario

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 25, 2023
  • The crumbling of the country’s medical services during COVID has opened the way for a major push by those who favour private, for-profit health

Likening medicare to communism, Ford moves ahead with plans for privatized, two-tier health care in Ontario

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 25, 2023
  • The crumbling of the country’s medical services during COVID has opened the way for a major push by those who favour private, for-profit health
There’s a lot of money to be made in private health services and Premier Doug Ford, as with his other projects, seems determined to make sure Ontario’s wealthy business class gets a big chunk of it, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau looks to gather momentum in clean tech race after potentially game-changing signs from U.S.

  • The issue is whether Ottawa has the money and the ability to move quickly enough to stay competitive with the U.S., which is pumping
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend the North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City, Mexico, on Jan. 10. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Eneas De Troya

Trudeau looks to gather momentum in clean tech race after potentially game-changing signs from U.S.

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2023
  • The issue is whether Ottawa has the money and the ability to move quickly enough to stay competitive with the U.S., which is pumping

Trudeau looks to gather momentum in clean tech race after potentially game-changing signs from U.S.

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 18, 2023
  • The issue is whether Ottawa has the money and the ability to move quickly enough to stay competitive with the U.S., which is pumping
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend the North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City, Mexico, on Jan. 10. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Eneas De Troya

Challenges to how Canada operates only likely to deepen in 2023

  • These situations contribute to potential chaos, distrust of government, and the weakening of the country’s system of shared governmental powers.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 11, 2023
The health-care clash pitting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against the premiers is likely to continue to destabilize national political affairs in 2023, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Challenges to how Canada operates only likely to deepen in 2023

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 11, 2023
  • These situations contribute to potential chaos, distrust of government, and the weakening of the country’s system of shared governmental powers.

Challenges to how Canada operates only likely to deepen in 2023

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 11, 2023
  • These situations contribute to potential chaos, distrust of government, and the weakening of the country’s system of shared governmental powers.
The health-care clash pitting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against the premiers is likely to continue to destabilize national political affairs in 2023, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

On health, premiers cherish their jurisdiction, not their responsibilities

  • Having let the health system reach a state of near collapse where patients run the risk of dying in emergency rooms, the premiers are
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2022
The country’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers met virtually on Dec. 9. The first ministers' meetings are political theatre of the most highly charged variety, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

On health, premiers cherish their jurisdiction, not their responsibilities

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2022
  • Having let the health system reach a state of near collapse where patients run the risk of dying in emergency rooms, the premiers are

On health, premiers cherish their jurisdiction, not their responsibilities

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 14, 2022
  • Having let the health system reach a state of near collapse where patients run the risk of dying in emergency rooms, the premiers are
The country’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers met virtually on Dec. 9. The first ministers' meetings are political theatre of the most highly charged variety, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Smith leads the way as the right challenges democratic norms in the post-COVID political wasteland

  • Alberta’s Sovereignty Act takes place against a backdrop of anger and grievance aimed at the Trudeau government that is largely based on myth.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2022
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her signature legislation are saying the province of Alberta does not have to comply with laws passed by the democratically chosen Members of Parliament, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times file photograph

Smith leads the way as the right challenges democratic norms in the post-COVID political wasteland

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2022
  • Alberta’s Sovereignty Act takes place against a backdrop of anger and grievance aimed at the Trudeau government that is largely based on myth.

Smith leads the way as the right challenges democratic norms in the post-COVID political wasteland

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 7, 2022
  • Alberta’s Sovereignty Act takes place against a backdrop of anger and grievance aimed at the Trudeau government that is largely based on myth.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her signature legislation are saying the province of Alberta does not have to comply with laws passed by the democratically chosen Members of Parliament, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times file photograph

The real Rouleau inquiry question: who was responsible for allowing the illegal trucker blockades to drag on?

  • The issue of responsibility has tended to get lost in the endless hours of legalistic testimony in the Emergencies Act review.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies at the Public Order Emergency Commission on Nov. 25. The federal government was left with no option but to use emergency powers as a last-resort tactic to move the truckers who clearly had no intention of voluntarily doing so, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The real Rouleau inquiry question: who was responsible for allowing the illegal trucker blockades to drag on?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2022
  • The issue of responsibility has tended to get lost in the endless hours of legalistic testimony in the Emergencies Act review.

The real Rouleau inquiry question: who was responsible for allowing the illegal trucker blockades to drag on?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 30, 2022
  • The issue of responsibility has tended to get lost in the endless hours of legalistic testimony in the Emergencies Act review.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies at the Public Order Emergency Commission on Nov. 25. The federal government was left with no option but to use emergency powers as a last-resort tactic to move the truckers who clearly had no intention of voluntarily doing so, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Reaction to Trudeau-Xi exchange shows partisanship trumps all, even our national interest

  • Rather than see it for what it really was, right-wing media, politicians, and commentators couldn’t resist the opportunity to portray Canada’s leader as weak
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2022
For anyone who appreciates the importance of openness and bottom-up buy-in politics, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came off as the better of the two during the now-famous exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of Twitter

Reaction to Trudeau-Xi exchange shows partisanship trumps all, even our national interest

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2022
  • Rather than see it for what it really was, right-wing media, politicians, and commentators couldn’t resist the opportunity to portray Canada’s leader as weak

Reaction to Trudeau-Xi exchange shows partisanship trumps all, even our national interest

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 23, 2022
  • Rather than see it for what it really was, right-wing media, politicians, and commentators couldn’t resist the opportunity to portray Canada’s leader as weak
For anyone who appreciates the importance of openness and bottom-up buy-in politics, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came off as the better of the two during the now-famous exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of Twitter

A week that could reverberate in Canada and beyond for years

  • From the U.S. midterm elections, to policies on China and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, last week saw an unusual constellation of events.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 16, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly recently previewed Ottawa’s long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy by signalling that Canada’s decades-long effort to improve trade integration with China will be reshaped, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A week that could reverberate in Canada and beyond for years

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 16, 2022
  • From the U.S. midterm elections, to policies on China and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, last week saw an unusual constellation of events.

A week that could reverberate in Canada and beyond for years

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 16, 2022
  • From the U.S. midterm elections, to policies on China and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, last week saw an unusual constellation of events.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly recently previewed Ottawa’s long-awaited Indo-Pacific strategy by signalling that Canada’s decades-long effort to improve trade integration with China will be reshaped, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Even with COVID receding, economic decision-making not getting any easier

  • As Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has said, governments knew how to turn off the economy to try to slow the spread of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 9, 2022
In the short run, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s government is for the most part facing a lose-lose proposition, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Even with COVID receding, economic decision-making not getting any easier

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 9, 2022
  • As Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has said, governments knew how to turn off the economy to try to slow the spread of

Even with COVID receding, economic decision-making not getting any easier

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 9, 2022
  • As Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has said, governments knew how to turn off the economy to try to slow the spread of
In the short run, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s government is for the most part facing a lose-lose proposition, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Paranoid populism arrives in force

  • OTTAWA—Danielle Smith doesn’t just want to change the rules around government vaccine mandates to suit the anti-vaxxers who put her in power in Alberta.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 2, 2022
The open question is how much damage Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s anger-based paranoid populism will bring to Canadian society and governance, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

Paranoid populism arrives in force

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 2, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Danielle Smith doesn’t just want to change the rules around government vaccine mandates to suit the anti-vaxxers who put her in power in Alberta.

Paranoid populism arrives in force

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 2, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Danielle Smith doesn’t just want to change the rules around government vaccine mandates to suit the anti-vaxxers who put her in power in Alberta.
The open question is how much damage Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s anger-based paranoid populism will bring to Canadian society and governance, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC

An ominous signal to Putin from the Republicans’ Russia apologists

  • OTTAWA—Of all the horrific developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine—a seemingly endless list—one of the most appalling is the unwillingness of Republicans in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 26, 2022
Some experts believe former U.S. president Donald Trump, left, opened the door for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expanded war against Ukraine by weakening by weakening U.S. democracy and turning Ukraine’s future into a divisive political issue, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

An ominous signal to Putin from the Republicans’ Russia apologists

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 26, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Of all the horrific developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine—a seemingly endless list—one of the most appalling is the unwillingness of Republicans in

An ominous signal to Putin from the Republicans’ Russia apologists

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 26, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Of all the horrific developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine—a seemingly endless list—one of the most appalling is the unwillingness of Republicans in
Some experts believe former U.S. president Donald Trump, left, opened the door for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expanded war against Ukraine by weakening by weakening U.S. democracy and turning Ukraine’s future into a divisive political issue, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

Convoy grifters get another boost with an equivalent voice before Rouleau

  • OTTAWA—Without intending any disrespect for Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Paul Rouleau, one has to wonder when he opened the Emergencies Act inquiry with
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 19, 2022
Convoy organizer Tamara Lich, centre, arrives for the Public Emergency Order Commission public hearing with lawyers Eva Chipiuk, left, and Keith Wilson at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa on Oct. 13. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Convoy grifters get another boost with an equivalent voice before Rouleau

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 19, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Without intending any disrespect for Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Paul Rouleau, one has to wonder when he opened the Emergencies Act inquiry with

Convoy grifters get another boost with an equivalent voice before Rouleau

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 19, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Without intending any disrespect for Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Paul Rouleau, one has to wonder when he opened the Emergencies Act inquiry with
Convoy organizer Tamara Lich, centre, arrives for the Public Emergency Order Commission public hearing with lawyers Eva Chipiuk, left, and Keith Wilson at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa on Oct. 13. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The sporting life and the cost of bad decisions

  • OTTAWA—The positive cultural value available from Canadian sport appeared to be on the upswing in 2019 when the CBC belatedly relieved us from having
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 12, 2022
Andrea Skinner’s resignation as Hockey Canada’s interim board chair isn’t likely to put the issue of payouts for player sexual misconduct to rest, as MPs are probably going to want to get to the bottom of it all, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

The sporting life and the cost of bad decisions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The positive cultural value available from Canadian sport appeared to be on the upswing in 2019 when the CBC belatedly relieved us from having

The sporting life and the cost of bad decisions

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 12, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The positive cultural value available from Canadian sport appeared to be on the upswing in 2019 when the CBC belatedly relieved us from having
Andrea Skinner’s resignation as Hockey Canada’s interim board chair isn’t likely to put the issue of payouts for player sexual misconduct to rest, as MPs are probably going to want to get to the bottom of it all, writes Les Whittington. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu

Backing blithely into the storm

  • OTTAWA—In a season of confusion, denial, and self-defeating causes, the man who will be leading Quebec again has been a standout. Last week, while
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2022
Quebec Premier François Legault, left, Alberta United Conservative Party leadership front-runner Danielle Smith, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are championing self-defeating causes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photograph

Backing blithely into the storm

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In a season of confusion, denial, and self-defeating causes, the man who will be leading Quebec again has been a standout. Last week, while

Backing blithely into the storm

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 5, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In a season of confusion, denial, and self-defeating causes, the man who will be leading Quebec again has been a standout. Last week, while
Quebec Premier François Legault, left, Alberta United Conservative Party leadership front-runner Danielle Smith, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are championing self-defeating causes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photograph

The West should prepare for the worst from Putin

  • The Russian president is not up against significant pressure from his key allies to temper his deluded attempt to destroy Ukraine in the name
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 26, 2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems ready to push his self-appointed war with the West into even more dangerous realms, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The West should prepare for the worst from Putin

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 26, 2022
  • The Russian president is not up against significant pressure from his key allies to temper his deluded attempt to destroy Ukraine in the name

The West should prepare for the worst from Putin

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 26, 2022
  • The Russian president is not up against significant pressure from his key allies to temper his deluded attempt to destroy Ukraine in the name
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems ready to push his self-appointed war with the West into even more dangerous realms, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Canadians’ support for the monarchy now likely to decline, but don’t expect major changes

  • OTTAWA—The main thing I remember about Queen Elizabeth II was how normal, unaffected, and selfless she seemed. At least that’s how she appeared at
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2022
There’s no compelling reason for this country to have the British monarch, now King Charles III, as head of state; however, there’s no easy way to get rid of this antiquated situation, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Canadians’ support for the monarchy now likely to decline, but don’t expect major changes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The main thing I remember about Queen Elizabeth II was how normal, unaffected, and selfless she seemed. At least that’s how she appeared at

Canadians’ support for the monarchy now likely to decline, but don’t expect major changes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 21, 2022
  • OTTAWA—The main thing I remember about Queen Elizabeth II was how normal, unaffected, and selfless she seemed. At least that’s how she appeared at
There’s no compelling reason for this country to have the British monarch, now King Charles III, as head of state; however, there’s no easy way to get rid of this antiquated situation, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Poilievre rides a wave of anti-Liberal, convoy anger into Stornoway. Now what?

  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre got a lot of applause during his victory speech on the night of Sept. 10, but the strongest ovation from the assembled
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2022
Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida greet the audience after he becomes the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on Sept. 10. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre rides a wave of anti-Liberal, convoy anger into Stornoway. Now what?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre got a lot of applause during his victory speech on the night of Sept. 10, but the strongest ovation from the assembled

Poilievre rides a wave of anti-Liberal, convoy anger into Stornoway. Now what?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 14, 2022
  • OTTAWA—Pierre Poilievre got a lot of applause during his victory speech on the night of Sept. 10, but the strongest ovation from the assembled
Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida greet the audience after he becomes the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on Sept. 10. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s leaders should be confronting, not encouraging, the rage movement and its anti-progressive haters

  • OTTAWA—It’s hard not to laugh at the guy in the tin foil crown, cargo shorts, and dishwashing gloves holding forth in front of a
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2022
The United People of Canada supporters gather outside their location in the former St. Brigid’s church in Ottawa’s Lowertown neighbourhood on Aug. 25, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s leaders should be confronting, not encouraging, the rage movement and its anti-progressive haters

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It’s hard not to laugh at the guy in the tin foil crown, cargo shorts, and dishwashing gloves holding forth in front of a

Canada’s leaders should be confronting, not encouraging, the rage movement and its anti-progressive haters

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 7, 2022
  • OTTAWA—It’s hard not to laugh at the guy in the tin foil crown, cargo shorts, and dishwashing gloves holding forth in front of a
The United People of Canada supporters gather outside their location in the former St. Brigid’s church in Ottawa’s Lowertown neighbourhood on Aug. 25, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds made a bit of progress on the wealth inequality index, but did anyone notice?

  • OTTAWA—They say no good deed goes unpunished. That certainly applies to the Trudeau government’s billions of dollars in spending meant to keep storefronts open
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2022
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland addresses Laurier Club members at the Canadian War Museum on June 13. The improvement in wealth inequality has attracted little media attention, and a lot of the people helped by the federal government’s anti-poverty efforts are not among those with a high voting tendency, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Feds made a bit of progress on the wealth inequality index, but did anyone notice?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2022
  • OTTAWA—They say no good deed goes unpunished. That certainly applies to the Trudeau government’s billions of dollars in spending meant to keep storefronts open

Feds made a bit of progress on the wealth inequality index, but did anyone notice?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 31, 2022
  • OTTAWA—They say no good deed goes unpunished. That certainly applies to the Trudeau government’s billions of dollars in spending meant to keep storefronts open
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland addresses Laurier Club members at the Canadian War Museum on June 13. The improvement in wealth inequality has attracted little media attention, and a lot of the people helped by the federal government’s anti-poverty efforts are not among those with a high voting tendency, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What are people buying into with Poilievre?

  • OTTAWA—In 2008, when then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered a formal apology to former students of the residential schools program, Pierre Poilievre said the Indigenous
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2022
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre hasn’t said much yet about economic policy, but you can bet his plan to make Canada ‘the freest nation on earth’ will include freedom for the rich to pay fewer income taxes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What are people buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In 2008, when then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered a formal apology to former students of the residential schools program, Pierre Poilievre said the Indigenous

What are people buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | August 24, 2022
  • OTTAWA—In 2008, when then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered a formal apology to former students of the residential schools program, Pierre Poilievre said the Indigenous
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre hasn’t said much yet about economic policy, but you can bet his plan to make Canada ‘the freest nation on earth’ will include freedom for the rich to pay fewer income taxes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade