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Monday, October 7, 2024
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Les Whittington

Fixing the housing affordability crisis? It’s the density, stupid

  • In Ontario, the Ford government’s long-brewing housing plan fails to adequately address the single most important issue: density.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 2, 2024
Semi-detached single family homes in Ottawa’s Greenboro neighbourhood
Semi-detached single family homes in Ottawa’s Greenboro neighbourhood
It will take a great deal more concentrated effort on the part of the federal government, the provinces, and municipalities to reverse the urban sprawl trend, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Fixing the housing affordability crisis? It’s the density, stupid

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 2, 2024
  • In Ontario, the Ford government’s long-brewing housing plan fails to adequately address the single most important issue: density.

Fixing the housing affordability crisis? It’s the density, stupid

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 2, 2024
  • In Ontario, the Ford government’s long-brewing housing plan fails to adequately address the single most important issue: density.
Semi-detached single family homes in Ottawa’s Greenboro neighbourhood
It will take a great deal more concentrated effort on the part of the federal government, the provinces, and municipalities to reverse the urban sprawl trend, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Fixing the housing affordability crisis? It’s the density, stupid

  • In Ontario, the Ford government’s long-brewing housing plan fails to adequately address the single most important issue: density.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 2, 2024
Semi-detached single family homes in Ottawa’s Greenboro neighbourhood
Semi-detached single family homes in Ottawa’s Greenboro neighbourhood
It will take a great deal more concentrated effort on the part of the federal government, the provinces, and municipalities to reverse the urban sprawl trend, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Fixing the housing affordability crisis? It’s the density, stupid

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 2, 2024
  • In Ontario, the Ford government’s long-brewing housing plan fails to adequately address the single most important issue: density.

Fixing the housing affordability crisis? It’s the density, stupid

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 2, 2024
  • In Ontario, the Ford government’s long-brewing housing plan fails to adequately address the single most important issue: density.
Semi-detached single family homes in Ottawa’s Greenboro neighbourhood
It will take a great deal more concentrated effort on the part of the federal government, the provinces, and municipalities to reverse the urban sprawl trend, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What are Canadians really buying into with Poilievre?

  • Over the past two years, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has joyously capitalized on the rhetorical viciousness that has oozed out of the internet to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 25, 2024
Pierre Poilievre
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reduced the immensely complicated business of government to a few dozen words in several simplistic slogans that sound almost like a parody of a political con artist, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What are Canadians really buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 25, 2024
  • Over the past two years, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has joyously capitalized on the rhetorical viciousness that has oozed out of the internet to

What are Canadians really buying into with Poilievre?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 25, 2024
  • Over the past two years, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has joyously capitalized on the rhetorical viciousness that has oozed out of the internet to
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has reduced the immensely complicated business of government to a few dozen words in several simplistic slogans that sound almost like a parody of a political con artist, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carney’s advice to Liberals puts low-carbon future above all

  • Mark Carney made it clear he will be doubling down on the need for the government and Canadians to move heaven and earth to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 18, 2024
New Liberal Party adviser Mark Carney is calling for more government action, not less, to tackle climate change, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Carney’s advice to Liberals puts low-carbon future above all

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 18, 2024
  • Mark Carney made it clear he will be doubling down on the need for the government and Canadians to move heaven and earth to

Carney’s advice to Liberals puts low-carbon future above all

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | September 18, 2024
  • Mark Carney made it clear he will be doubling down on the need for the government and Canadians to move heaven and earth to
New Liberal Party adviser Mark Carney is calling for more government action, not less, to tackle climate change, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau is up against a worldwide phenomenon

  • The federal byelection on June 24 will be an important marker as Canadians watch how all this plays out for their democracy and their
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2024
A recent survey suggests the angry mood of voters is the most notable feature as half the world’s population holds elections in 2024, writes Les Whittington. Unsplash photograph by Yogendra Singh

Trudeau is up against a worldwide phenomenon

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2024
  • The federal byelection on June 24 will be an important marker as Canadians watch how all this plays out for their democracy and their

Trudeau is up against a worldwide phenomenon

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 19, 2024
  • The federal byelection on June 24 will be an important marker as Canadians watch how all this plays out for their democracy and their
A recent survey suggests the angry mood of voters is the most notable feature as half the world’s population holds elections in 2024, writes Les Whittington. Unsplash photograph by Yogendra Singh

G7 faces toughest tests of its 50-year history

  • The G7 is now at the forefront of anti-authoritarian forces in the deepening geostrategic struggle magnified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, and his fellow G7 leaders face a challenging situation at this week’s leaders’ summit Italy, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

G7 faces toughest tests of its 50-year history

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2024
  • The G7 is now at the forefront of anti-authoritarian forces in the deepening geostrategic struggle magnified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

G7 faces toughest tests of its 50-year history

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 12, 2024
  • The G7 is now at the forefront of anti-authoritarian forces in the deepening geostrategic struggle magnified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, and his fellow G7 leaders face a challenging situation at this week’s leaders’ summit Italy, writes Les Whittington. White House photograph by Adam Schultz

Era of sky-high interest rates coming to a close

  • Regardless of when the rate cut happens, Canada is entering a new era in which the bias is toward lower borrowing costs instead of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2024
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has warned the central bank’s key interest rate is going to be much higher in the near future than Canadians got used to in the past 10 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Era of sky-high interest rates coming to a close

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2024
  • Regardless of when the rate cut happens, Canada is entering a new era in which the bias is toward lower borrowing costs instead of

Era of sky-high interest rates coming to a close

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | June 5, 2024
  • Regardless of when the rate cut happens, Canada is entering a new era in which the bias is toward lower borrowing costs instead of
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has warned the central bank’s key interest rate is going to be much higher in the near future than Canadians got used to in the past 10 years, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Donald Trump has already subverted U.S. democracy

  • Despite Trump’s rejection of the most fundamental of democratic principles, millions of would-be voters appear ready to entrust their government and their democracy to him
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2024
The willingness by maybe half of U.S. voters to accept this kind of authoritarian behaviour in opposition to everything democracy stands for already amounts to a kind of de facto coup by Donald Trump, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of George C./Flickr

Donald Trump has already subverted U.S. democracy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2024
  • Despite Trump’s rejection of the most fundamental of democratic principles, millions of would-be voters appear ready to entrust their government and their democracy to him

Donald Trump has already subverted U.S. democracy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 29, 2024
  • Despite Trump’s rejection of the most fundamental of democratic principles, millions of would-be voters appear ready to entrust their government and their democracy to him
The willingness by maybe half of U.S. voters to accept this kind of authoritarian behaviour in opposition to everything democracy stands for already amounts to a kind of de facto coup by Donald Trump, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of George C./Flickr

Memo to Canadians: the adjusted capital gains tax will still constitute a very generous tax break for the wealthy

  • We know that a decade of personal and corporate tax cuts under the Paul Martin and Stephen Harper governments failed to produce the hoped-for
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2024
Under Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s capital gains gambit, companies and individuals making profits on the sale of assets will still enjoy special tax treatment, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Memo to Canadians: the adjusted capital gains tax will still constitute a very generous tax break for the wealthy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2024
  • We know that a decade of personal and corporate tax cuts under the Paul Martin and Stephen Harper governments failed to produce the hoped-for

Memo to Canadians: the adjusted capital gains tax will still constitute a very generous tax break for the wealthy

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 22, 2024
  • We know that a decade of personal and corporate tax cuts under the Paul Martin and Stephen Harper governments failed to produce the hoped-for
Under Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s capital gains gambit, companies and individuals making profits on the sale of assets will still enjoy special tax treatment, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political disconnect leaving Liberals far behind

  • It’s not at all clear that the Trudeau Liberals are playing the same game as their opponents.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2024
Canadians are angry and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s central argument that government can be a force to help the public solve its problems seems to be increasingly going unheard, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political disconnect leaving Liberals far behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2024
  • It’s not at all clear that the Trudeau Liberals are playing the same game as their opponents.

Political disconnect leaving Liberals far behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 15, 2024
  • It’s not at all clear that the Trudeau Liberals are playing the same game as their opponents.
Canadians are angry and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s central argument that government can be a force to help the public solve its problems seems to be increasingly going unheard, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The ‘soft landing’ for the economy may have to be a lot harder than usual

  • The economy may have to be guided toward near-recessionary levels to compensate for the housing bubble’s outsized impact on Canadians’ cost of living.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2024
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem is unfortunately caught in a vicious circle since shelter costs make up a large portion of the inflation measure used by the central bank, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The ‘soft landing’ for the economy may have to be a lot harder than usual

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2024
  • The economy may have to be guided toward near-recessionary levels to compensate for the housing bubble’s outsized impact on Canadians’ cost of living.

The ‘soft landing’ for the economy may have to be a lot harder than usual

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 8, 2024
  • The economy may have to be guided toward near-recessionary levels to compensate for the housing bubble’s outsized impact on Canadians’ cost of living.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem is unfortunately caught in a vicious circle since shelter costs make up a large portion of the inflation measure used by the central bank, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The populist charade

  • The strange part is that the populists seem to take it for granted that their voters won’t notice that they’ve voted against their own
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2024
Former U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson, left, former U.S. president Donald Trump, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles, photograph by Gage Skidmore, and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The populist charade

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2024
  • The strange part is that the populists seem to take it for granted that their voters won’t notice that they’ve voted against their own

The populist charade

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | May 1, 2024
  • The strange part is that the populists seem to take it for granted that their voters won’t notice that they’ve voted against their own
Former U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson, left, former U.S. president Donald Trump, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles, photograph by Gage Skidmore, and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The personal transformation of Pierre Poilievre

  • From an enemy of organized labour, Poilievre now depicts himself as something akin to the saviour of Canada’s workers.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s use of such themes in varying degrees has resonated with Canada’s working class during a period of high inflation and housing shortages, union leaders have responded with alarm, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The personal transformation of Pierre Poilievre

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
  • From an enemy of organized labour, Poilievre now depicts himself as something akin to the saviour of Canada’s workers.

The personal transformation of Pierre Poilievre

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 24, 2024
  • From an enemy of organized labour, Poilievre now depicts himself as something akin to the saviour of Canada’s workers.
As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s use of such themes in varying degrees has resonated with Canada’s working class during a period of high inflation and housing shortages, union leaders have responded with alarm, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Housing the latest skirmish pitting progressive government against zombie neoliberalism

  • The growing disparity in wealth between homeowners and those who cannot afford to buy into the residential lottery has become a pressing matter of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
Facing possible political devastation, Housing Minister Sean Fraser and the Trudeau government have decided to take on the national housing crisis in a full-bore, government-wide fashion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Housing the latest skirmish pitting progressive government against zombie neoliberalism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
  • The growing disparity in wealth between homeowners and those who cannot afford to buy into the residential lottery has become a pressing matter of

Housing the latest skirmish pitting progressive government against zombie neoliberalism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 17, 2024
  • The growing disparity in wealth between homeowners and those who cannot afford to buy into the residential lottery has become a pressing matter of
Facing possible political devastation, Housing Minister Sean Fraser and the Trudeau government have decided to take on the national housing crisis in a full-bore, government-wide fashion, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Horrendous death of three women brings some action on gender-based violence, but there’s a long way to go

  • The Ontario government has deeply disappointed anti-violence advocates by refusing to implement the key recommendation from the inquest jury on the murders of Nathalie
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
Left to his own devices, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems inclined to ignore the problem of domestic violence, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Horrendous death of three women brings some action on gender-based violence, but there’s a long way to go

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
  • The Ontario government has deeply disappointed anti-violence advocates by refusing to implement the key recommendation from the inquest jury on the murders of Nathalie

Horrendous death of three women brings some action on gender-based violence, but there’s a long way to go

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 10, 2024
  • The Ontario government has deeply disappointed anti-violence advocates by refusing to implement the key recommendation from the inquest jury on the murders of Nathalie
Left to his own devices, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seems inclined to ignore the problem of domestic violence, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The booming use of productivity-eroding stock buybacks will come under the microscope with new federal tax

  • Stock buybacks have played a very significant role in the growth of income inequality and the declining economic prospects of the North American middle
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
In a recent speech, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers dwelled on the long-standing lack of business investment in machinery and equipment by Canadian companies, but didn’t mention the controversial issue of share buybacks, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The booming use of productivity-eroding stock buybacks will come under the microscope with new federal tax

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
  • Stock buybacks have played a very significant role in the growth of income inequality and the declining economic prospects of the North American middle

The booming use of productivity-eroding stock buybacks will come under the microscope with new federal tax

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | April 3, 2024
  • Stock buybacks have played a very significant role in the growth of income inequality and the declining economic prospects of the North American middle
In a recent speech, Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers dwelled on the long-standing lack of business investment in machinery and equipment by Canadian companies, but didn’t mention the controversial issue of share buybacks, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Can Taylor Swift save the world from Donald Trump?

  • Swift’s ballot-box influence is untested, but Republicans clearly see her as enough of a threat to Trump that they have begun warning her to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
Former U.S. president and 2024 Republican candidate Donald Trump recently said cultural phenomenon Taylor Swift would be acting in a ‘disloyal’ way if she supported President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Can Taylor Swift save the world from Donald Trump?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
  • Swift’s ballot-box influence is untested, but Republicans clearly see her as enough of a threat to Trump that they have begun warning her to

Can Taylor Swift save the world from Donald Trump?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 27, 2024
  • Swift’s ballot-box influence is untested, but Republicans clearly see her as enough of a threat to Trump that they have begun warning her to
Former U.S. president and 2024 Republican candidate Donald Trump recently said cultural phenomenon Taylor Swift would be acting in a ‘disloyal’ way if she supported President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election, writes Les Whittington. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore

The triumph of misinformation

  • The anti-carbon tax campaign is the leading edge of a collective, well-orchestrated, and fortuitous assault on everything progressive in this country.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a clear shot at a victory for his party in the next election based, to a large extent, on this single campaign against the carbon levy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The triumph of misinformation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
  • The anti-carbon tax campaign is the leading edge of a collective, well-orchestrated, and fortuitous assault on everything progressive in this country.

The triumph of misinformation

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 20, 2024
  • The anti-carbon tax campaign is the leading edge of a collective, well-orchestrated, and fortuitous assault on everything progressive in this country.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a clear shot at a victory for his party in the next election based, to a large extent, on this single campaign against the carbon levy, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Canada as Biden kicks off rematch with Trump

  • Canadians can only hope that the potential for civil unrest and dysfunctional turmoil in the United States can be contained, as in 2021.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
It’s hard to overstate the enormity of the consequences of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s, left, rematch against incumbent President Joe Biden, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Gage Skidmore, and U.S. Department of Defense photograph by Lisa Ferdinando

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Canada as Biden kicks off rematch with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
  • Canadians can only hope that the potential for civil unrest and dysfunctional turmoil in the United States can be contained, as in 2021.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Canada as Biden kicks off rematch with Trump

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 13, 2024
  • Canadians can only hope that the potential for civil unrest and dysfunctional turmoil in the United States can be contained, as in 2021.
It’s hard to overstate the enormity of the consequences of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s, left, rematch against incumbent President Joe Biden, writes Les Whittington. Photograph by Gage Skidmore, and U.S. Department of Defense photograph by Lisa Ferdinando

Brian Mulroney: a centre-right, would-be unifier left behind in an era of divisive right-wing extremism

  • A truly progressive conservative, Mulroney inherited the democratic tradition of brokerage decision-making in the public interest.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
Then-prime minister Brian Mulroney delivers remarks in the Reading Room in Centre Block in this undated photo. The Hill Times photograph by Ingrid Phaneuf

Brian Mulroney: a centre-right, would-be unifier left behind in an era of divisive right-wing extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
  • A truly progressive conservative, Mulroney inherited the democratic tradition of brokerage decision-making in the public interest.

Brian Mulroney: a centre-right, would-be unifier left behind in an era of divisive right-wing extremism

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | March 6, 2024
  • A truly progressive conservative, Mulroney inherited the democratic tradition of brokerage decision-making in the public interest.
Then-prime minister Brian Mulroney delivers remarks in the Reading Room in Centre Block in this undated photo. The Hill Times photograph by Ingrid Phaneuf

A dire nursing shortage, private-sector windfall profits all part of Ford’s disastrous approach to Ontario health care

  • Bill 124 contributed to a mass exodus of front-line nurses, creating of a unique opportunity for private-nurse-hiring agencies to realize a huge windfall of
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
Ontario Premier Doug Ford finally scrapped Bill 124 last week, but not before it contributed to the deterioration of some of the health-care services Ontarians count on, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A dire nursing shortage, private-sector windfall profits all part of Ford’s disastrous approach to Ontario health care

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
  • Bill 124 contributed to a mass exodus of front-line nurses, creating of a unique opportunity for private-nurse-hiring agencies to realize a huge windfall of

A dire nursing shortage, private-sector windfall profits all part of Ford’s disastrous approach to Ontario health care

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 28, 2024
  • Bill 124 contributed to a mass exodus of front-line nurses, creating of a unique opportunity for private-nurse-hiring agencies to realize a huge windfall of
Ontario Premier Doug Ford finally scrapped Bill 124 last week, but not before it contributed to the deterioration of some of the health-care services Ontarians count on, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians must take a closer look at the populist-themed juggernaut that’s leaving the Liberals behind

  • As practiced in Canada, populism thrives on persistent expressions of alarm about the state of national affairs, and policies don’t really count.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approach is typical of what one political scientist called ‘the empty heart of populism,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canadians must take a closer look at the populist-themed juggernaut that’s leaving the Liberals behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
  • As practiced in Canada, populism thrives on persistent expressions of alarm about the state of national affairs, and policies don’t really count.

Canadians must take a closer look at the populist-themed juggernaut that’s leaving the Liberals behind

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 21, 2024
  • As practiced in Canada, populism thrives on persistent expressions of alarm about the state of national affairs, and policies don’t really count.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s approach is typical of what one political scientist called ‘the empty heart of populism,’ writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Port of Montreal: a long history of crime—and a lack of adequate responses

  • Organized crime and the inability on the part of elected leaders and bureaucrats to take the issue seriously has made Canada the source for
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2024
Justice Minister Arif Virani speaks at a press conference at the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft on Feb. 8. Finally doing something about stolen cars leaving from the country’s large ports will require a lot more than gathering people around a table in Ottawa to talk it over, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Port of Montreal: a long history of crime—and a lack of adequate responses

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2024
  • Organized crime and the inability on the part of elected leaders and bureaucrats to take the issue seriously has made Canada the source for

Port of Montreal: a long history of crime—and a lack of adequate responses

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 14, 2024
  • Organized crime and the inability on the part of elected leaders and bureaucrats to take the issue seriously has made Canada the source for
Justice Minister Arif Virani speaks at a press conference at the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft on Feb. 8. Finally doing something about stolen cars leaving from the country’s large ports will require a lot more than gathering people around a table in Ottawa to talk it over, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Right at home in Canada: Tucker Carlson spews lies and hate in Alberta

  • Despite Carlson having no real political weight, it’s still disgusting that we now have a pro-Trump MAGA influencer being wildly applauded on Canadian soil
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2024
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, had no problem lending her official stature to the barrage of insults and false accusations about Canada by right-wing provocateur Tucker Carlson, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Right at home in Canada: Tucker Carlson spews lies and hate in Alberta

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2024
  • Despite Carlson having no real political weight, it’s still disgusting that we now have a pro-Trump MAGA influencer being wildly applauded on Canadian soil

Right at home in Canada: Tucker Carlson spews lies and hate in Alberta

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | February 7, 2024
  • Despite Carlson having no real political weight, it’s still disgusting that we now have a pro-Trump MAGA influencer being wildly applauded on Canadian soil
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, had no problem lending her official stature to the barrage of insults and false accusations about Canada by right-wing provocateur Tucker Carlson, Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Almost apologetic Federal Court ruling revives truckers’ 2022 anti-vaccine rampage

  • This court decision based on a cherry-picking of the facts and questionable second guessing only serves to supercharge what has turned out to be
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2024
Freedom Convoy supporters gather along Wellington Street on Feb. 17, 2022, as the occupation of downtown Ottawa entered its third week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Almost apologetic Federal Court ruling revives truckers’ 2022 anti-vaccine rampage

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2024
  • This court decision based on a cherry-picking of the facts and questionable second guessing only serves to supercharge what has turned out to be

Almost apologetic Federal Court ruling revives truckers’ 2022 anti-vaccine rampage

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 29, 2024
  • This court decision based on a cherry-picking of the facts and questionable second guessing only serves to supercharge what has turned out to be
Freedom Convoy supporters gather along Wellington Street on Feb. 17, 2022, as the occupation of downtown Ottawa entered its third week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Four years on, Brexit is demonstrating the long-term risks of shaping a country’s future on nativist, populist anger

  • Besides slowing economic growth, Brexit shared part of the responsibility for soaring prices by increasing trade barriers with the EU, the U.K.’s biggest trading
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2024
Among the four prime ministers who have departed 10 Downing Street in the ensuing chaos is Boris Johnson, who captured the job on the basis of his long-time Euroskeptic laurels, but was forced out amid a series of ethics scandals, writes Les Whittington. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles

Four years on, Brexit is demonstrating the long-term risks of shaping a country’s future on nativist, populist anger

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2024
  • Besides slowing economic growth, Brexit shared part of the responsibility for soaring prices by increasing trade barriers with the EU, the U.K.’s biggest trading

Four years on, Brexit is demonstrating the long-term risks of shaping a country’s future on nativist, populist anger

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 17, 2024
  • Besides slowing economic growth, Brexit shared part of the responsibility for soaring prices by increasing trade barriers with the EU, the U.K.’s biggest trading
Among the four prime ministers who have departed 10 Downing Street in the ensuing chaos is Boris Johnson, who captured the job on the basis of his long-time Euroskeptic laurels, but was forced out amid a series of ethics scandals, writes Les Whittington. No. 10 Downing Street photograph by Pippa Fowles

Mark Carney has unlimited possibilities, but Liberals shouldn’t assume he’s the solution to their woes

  • While Carney can be charming and down to earth, he is certainly not attuned to the low-level, thuggish discourse dominating today’s public discourse.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2024
With the polls showing that Canadians seem ready to accept almost anyone as national leader to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, long-standing speculation about former central bank governor Mark Carney’s political ambitions has taken on a new tempo, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Mark Carney has unlimited possibilities, but Liberals shouldn’t assume he’s the solution to their woes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2024
  • While Carney can be charming and down to earth, he is certainly not attuned to the low-level, thuggish discourse dominating today’s public discourse.

Mark Carney has unlimited possibilities, but Liberals shouldn’t assume he’s the solution to their woes

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | January 10, 2024
  • While Carney can be charming and down to earth, he is certainly not attuned to the low-level, thuggish discourse dominating today’s public discourse.
With the polls showing that Canadians seem ready to accept almost anyone as national leader to oust Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, long-standing speculation about former central bank governor Mark Carney’s political ambitions has taken on a new tempo, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

As Canada enters its fifth year of COVID and its aftermath, will the economic and political turmoil finally begin to recede?

  • More than anything, the Liberals have been hurt by the affordability crunch as the cost of living reached heights most Canadians have never seen.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2023
Despite all its efforts to protect Canadians since early 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government can’t seem to escape most of the blame for the seemingly never-ending trials and tribulations of the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

As Canada enters its fifth year of COVID and its aftermath, will the economic and political turmoil finally begin to recede?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2023
  • More than anything, the Liberals have been hurt by the affordability crunch as the cost of living reached heights most Canadians have never seen.

As Canada enters its fifth year of COVID and its aftermath, will the economic and political turmoil finally begin to recede?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 13, 2023
  • More than anything, the Liberals have been hurt by the affordability crunch as the cost of living reached heights most Canadians have never seen.
Despite all its efforts to protect Canadians since early 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government can’t seem to escape most of the blame for the seemingly never-ending trials and tribulations of the pandemic, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Poilievre tests the limits of populist flim-flam with his pitch to Canada’s workers

  • The current version of the strategy is to capitalize on the crushed dreams of middle-class prosperity, and the horrendous income inequality the whole right-wing
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stems from a conservative tradition that has been striving for decades to reduce the supports and services that help working people and lower-income Canadians achieve better outcomes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre tests the limits of populist flim-flam with his pitch to Canada’s workers

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
  • The current version of the strategy is to capitalize on the crushed dreams of middle-class prosperity, and the horrendous income inequality the whole right-wing

Poilievre tests the limits of populist flim-flam with his pitch to Canada’s workers

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
  • The current version of the strategy is to capitalize on the crushed dreams of middle-class prosperity, and the horrendous income inequality the whole right-wing
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stems from a conservative tradition that has been striving for decades to reduce the supports and services that help working people and lower-income Canadians achieve better outcomes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre tests the limits of populist flim-flam with his pitch to Canada’s workers

  • The current version of the strategy is to capitalize on the crushed dreams of middle-class prosperity, and the horrendous income inequality the whole right-wing
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stems from a conservative tradition that has been striving for decades to reduce the supports and services that help working people and lower-income Canadians achieve better outcomes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre tests the limits of populist flim-flam with his pitch to Canada’s workers

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
  • The current version of the strategy is to capitalize on the crushed dreams of middle-class prosperity, and the horrendous income inequality the whole right-wing

Poilievre tests the limits of populist flim-flam with his pitch to Canada’s workers

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | December 6, 2023
  • The current version of the strategy is to capitalize on the crushed dreams of middle-class prosperity, and the horrendous income inequality the whole right-wing
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre stems from a conservative tradition that has been striving for decades to reduce the supports and services that help working people and lower-income Canadians achieve better outcomes, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Missing the point of Freeland’s what-have-we-got-to-lose mini-budget

  • The Nov. 21 economic statement was the implicit recognition of the political reality facing the Liberals in the aftermath of eight years of all-in
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s, left, fall economic statement signalled that times have changed since 2016 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Liberals had a mandate from Canadians to invest, not cut spending, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Missing the point of Freeland’s what-have-we-got-to-lose mini-budget

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2023
  • The Nov. 21 economic statement was the implicit recognition of the political reality facing the Liberals in the aftermath of eight years of all-in

Missing the point of Freeland’s what-have-we-got-to-lose mini-budget

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 29, 2023
  • The Nov. 21 economic statement was the implicit recognition of the political reality facing the Liberals in the aftermath of eight years of all-in
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland’s, left, fall economic statement signalled that times have changed since 2016 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Liberals had a mandate from Canadians to invest, not cut spending, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Fixing Canada’s problems will remain an uphill struggle until voters start holding provinces accountable

  • The provinces have been unwilling to step in and use their authority over municipalities to fix the housing problem, and now they’re worried about
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2023
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is one of the provincial leaders who has accused the Trudeau government of jurisdictional creep. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Fixing Canada’s problems will remain an uphill struggle until voters start holding provinces accountable

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2023
  • The provinces have been unwilling to step in and use their authority over municipalities to fix the housing problem, and now they’re worried about

Fixing Canada’s problems will remain an uphill struggle until voters start holding provinces accountable

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 22, 2023
  • The provinces have been unwilling to step in and use their authority over municipalities to fix the housing problem, and now they’re worried about
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is one of the provincial leaders who has accused the Trudeau government of jurisdictional creep. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Still losing the war on climate change all these years later

  • The likelihood of the carbon tax becoming a game-changing problem for the government was advanced by the prime minister’s failure to effectively explain to
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2023
The price on carbon has emerged as a major symbolic liability for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Still losing the war on climate change all these years later

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2023
  • The likelihood of the carbon tax becoming a game-changing problem for the government was advanced by the prime minister’s failure to effectively explain to

Still losing the war on climate change all these years later

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 15, 2023
  • The likelihood of the carbon tax becoming a game-changing problem for the government was advanced by the prime minister’s failure to effectively explain to
The price on carbon has emerged as a major symbolic liability for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What counts with voters?

  • If policy ever counted for much, it certainly is not the case in the era of QAnon and wall-to-wall misinformation.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2023
Ontario voters returned Doug Ford, left, as premier last year, despite his track record, while according to the polls, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is now increasingly unpopular, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What counts with voters?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2023
  • If policy ever counted for much, it certainly is not the case in the era of QAnon and wall-to-wall misinformation.

What counts with voters?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 8, 2023
  • If policy ever counted for much, it certainly is not the case in the era of QAnon and wall-to-wall misinformation.
Ontario voters returned Doug Ford, left, as premier last year, despite his track record, while according to the polls, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is now increasingly unpopular, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Economic turmoil, irrepressible housing bubble leave Liberals playing for time

  • As long as the economy remains the central political issue, the Liberals’ only real friend is the time between now and the likely federal
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 1, 2023
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has no easy fixes and very little likelihood of major shifts in the key economic factors contributing to the public’s discouragement and anxiety, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Economic turmoil, irrepressible housing bubble leave Liberals playing for time

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 1, 2023
  • As long as the economy remains the central political issue, the Liberals’ only real friend is the time between now and the likely federal

Economic turmoil, irrepressible housing bubble leave Liberals playing for time

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | November 1, 2023
  • As long as the economy remains the central political issue, the Liberals’ only real friend is the time between now and the likely federal
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has no easy fixes and very little likelihood of major shifts in the key economic factors contributing to the public’s discouragement and anxiety, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is this any way to run a country?

  • Amid the urgent need to do something about the catastrophe of climate change, Canadians on the right continue to undermine the required national co-operation.
Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 23, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s willing to lead the charge with other premiers opposing the federal government’s environmental and energy policies, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Is this any way to run a country?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 23, 2023
  • Amid the urgent need to do something about the catastrophe of climate change, Canadians on the right continue to undermine the required national co-operation.

Is this any way to run a country?

Opinion | BY LES WHITTINGTON | October 23, 2023
  • Amid the urgent need to do something about the catastrophe of climate change, Canadians on the right continue to undermine the required national co-operation.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s willing to lead the charge with other premiers opposing the federal government’s environmental and energy policies, writes Les Whittington. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade