menu_open Columnists

The Hill Times

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Russia, home of the Potemkin nuclear weapons?

Russia, home of the Potemkin nuclear weapons?

LONDON, U.K.—There’s a lot of performative militarism in Russia at the moment, which is unsurprising given that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is...

yesterday 10

The Hill Times

Gwynne Dyer

The Air Force’s latest pipe dream

The Air Force’s latest pipe dream

OTTAWA—Last week, the big defence story making national headlines was the announcement that Canada has become the first observer nation to sign on...

yesterday 2

The Hill Times

Scott Taylor

‘AI for all’ must be accountable to all

‘AI for all’ must be accountable to all

Trust is the centrepiece of Canada’s artificial intelligence ambitions. In fact, trust is the self-proclaimed “North Star” of Canada’s AI for...

yesterday 1

The Hill Times

Sarah Laframboise

Will this Ukraine-Russia ‘forever war’ come to an end?

Will this Ukraine-Russia ‘forever war’ come to an end?

As United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made abundantly  clear in his Feb. 13 announcement, America's commitments to supporting...

yesterday 1

The Hill Times

David Carment

Canada must expel Russian diplomats, declare Russia a terrorist state

Canada must expel Russian diplomats, declare Russia a terrorist state

The Russian bombing of a children's hospital in Kyiv on July 8 represents a brutal new low in President Vladimir Putin's genocidal war...

yesterday 1

The Hill Times

Isg Senator Stanley Kutcher

We will never surrender: Canada

We will never surrender: Canada

CHELSEA, QUE.—Rage, fear, contempt: an incomplete list, but it captures this country’s overall reaction to United States President Donald Trump,...

yesterday 10

The Hill Times

Susan Riley

Unforced error on Gordie Howe Bridge issue offers PM Carney an early political lesson

Unforced error on Gordie Howe Bridge issue offers PM Carney an early political lesson

Throughout his professional life, Prime Minister Mark Carney has excelled in all of the most senior positions in both the public and private sectors....

yesterday 10

The Hill Times

Editorial

We need a new and muscular Canada Post

We need a new and muscular Canada Post

TORONTO—When it comes to digital sovereignty, we need more public “agitation.” We need another nickel moment. It was back in 1915 that a royal...

yesterday 10

The Hill Times

David Crane

Poilievre needs a tourniquet, not a knife

Poilievre needs a tourniquet, not a knife

OTTAWA—Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre must be tearing his hair out. To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider. Only $7.76 a...

yesterday 10

The Hill Times

Sheila Copps

Does racism have a face in wildfire response?

Does racism have a face in wildfire response?

OTTAWA—Does racism have a face in wildfire response? You’ve seen the shocking video as people escape by boat from the wildfire, towering smoke on...

yesterday 10

The Hill Times

Rose Lemay

Poilievre is not the right Conservative leader for these times

Poilievre is not the right Conservative leader for these times

HALIFAX—So, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is making an image adjustment.  He has decided to exchange his signature smirk and the snarky...

yesterday 10

The Hill Times

Michael Harris

Nobody cares anymore, blame it on Trump

Nobody cares anymore, blame it on Trump

SCARBOROUGH, ONT.—In a series of increasingly dubious justifications for his blatant corruption, United States President Donald J. Trump’s last...

24.07.2026 2

The Hill Times

John McKay

Premiers agree to address Canada’s patchwork accessibility policy

Premiers agree to address Canada’s patchwork accessibility policy

Forty years ago, I wheeled out of Vancouver's Oakridge Centre and set out to cross 34 countries tallying 40,000 kilometres, driven by a simple...

24.07.2026 2

The Hill Times

Rick Hansen

The NDP needs a good architect

The NDP needs a good architect

OAKVILLE, ONT.—The biblical parable about two architects reminds me of a problem currently facing the federal New Democratic Party.  To keep...

23.07.2026 2

The Hill Times

Gerry Nicholls

New task force offers advice on modernizing public service delivery

New task force offers advice on modernizing public service delivery

Canada has big plans. To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider. Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription. Enjoy unlimited website...

23.07.2026 2

The Hill Times

David McLaughlin

A war-weary world

A war-weary world

LONDON, U.K.—I have been writing this column twice a week for a long time, so I have a finely developed sense for when the audience is sick of a...

23.07.2026 2

The Hill Times

Gwynne Dyer

Ottawa’s social media ban will come too late for today’s kids

Ottawa’s social media ban will come too late for today’s kids

Before you get too excited about Online Harms 3.0, consider that it’s unlikely any child currently in school will directly benefit from it. To keep...

23.07.2026 3

The Hill Times

Peter Menzies

Feds should take credit for some of their actual energy achievements

Feds should take credit for some of their actual energy achievements

Governments champion the production of low-carbon renewable energy, and they often provide a range of incentives for the output of clean energy from...

23.07.2026 2

The Hill Times

Bill Eggertson

Of knowledge, research, and Arctic diplomacy through a next generation global lens: Students On Ice connect with communities

Of knowledge, research, and Arctic diplomacy through a next generation global lens: Students On Ice connect with communities

OTTAWA—Inundated as we are with so much public-policy debate along with incessant social media about security, sovereignty, and simple solutions, it...

23.07.2026 4

The Hill Times

Paul Dufour

Carney’s money-pit 24 Sussex project

Carney’s money-pit 24 Sussex project

There are many stories that can be told about 24 Sussex's existence as the past home or facility provider to Canada’s prime ministers. To keep...

23.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Ken Rubin

The Commonwealth’s greatest prize lies beyond the Games

The Commonwealth’s greatest prize lies beyond the Games

ST. JOHN'S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA—Today, Glasgow will once again become the meeting place of the Commonwealth, as athletes and supporters from 56...

23.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Gaston Browne

Canada’s CUSMA problem is a productivity problem

Canada’s CUSMA problem is a productivity problem

When Canada went into its recent review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, debate centred on tariffs, market access, and potential job...

22.07.2026 3

The Hill Times

Parisa Mahboubi

Agriculture needs more than a voice—it needs a long-term vision

Agriculture needs more than a voice—it needs a long-term vision

Canada's next agricultural policy framework arrives at a defining moment. Agriculture is no longer simply about producing food. It is...

22.07.2026 5

The Hill Times

John Simpson

Trump plays the blame fiddle while forests in both countries burn

Trump plays the blame fiddle while forests in both countries burn

OTTAWA—If you were asked to rank the most absurd or outlandish thing United States President Donald Trump has said since coming into office that...

22.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Tim Powers

Feds should show low-income Canadians the same grace extended to yacht and private jet owners

Feds should show low-income Canadians the same grace extended to yacht and private jet owners

In 2020, one in four workers relied ... To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider. Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription. Enjoy...

22.07.2026 7

The Hill Times

Amanda Therrien

You’ll pay for Alberta’s new pipeline because government policy has chased away private investment

You’ll pay for Alberta’s new pipeline because government policy has chased away private investment

Earlier this month, the Alberta and federal governments jointly submitted a new oil pipeline proposal to the Major Projects Office where Prime...

22.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Julio Mejia

Wildfires should be putting climate change in stark relief

Wildfires should be putting climate change in stark relief

This past weekend, Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly had to sit through a lecture from United States President Donald Trump about the state of...

22.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Editorial

Labrador doesn’t belong to Quebec

Labrador doesn’t belong to Quebec

KAMOURASKA, QUE.—In the news media, the deep summer is known as the “silly season” because there is normally not much hard news, so obscure...

22.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Andrew Caddell

Challenges, hopes, and reality: can Carney reinvent Canada’s economy?

Challenges, hopes, and reality: can Carney reinvent Canada’s economy?

OTTAWA—Ensuring the go-ahead of a new Windsor-Detroit bridge that will bring significant trade benefits to Canada is only the latest in Prime...

22.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Les Whittington

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

A uniquely Canadian national embarrassment

OTTAWA—During the 2015 campaign, then-third party leader Justin Trudeau joked that he had to win because the lease was ending on the house he...

21.07.2026 7

The Hill Times

Les Whittington

Carney’s proactive message strategy

Carney’s proactive message strategy

OAKVILLE, ONT.—The adage “any publicity is good publicity” isn’t exactly true—at least when it comes to politics.  To keep reading,...

20.07.2026 5

The Hill Times

Gerry Nicholls

Iran, Trump, and the threshold of pain

Iran, Trump, and the threshold of pain

LONDON, U.K.— It would be so easy for Donald Trump to escape from the trap the American president has built for himself in the Persian Gulf. Just...

20.07.2026 7

The Hill Times

Gwynne Dyer

Dane Lloyd’s challenge and a Conservative answer to separatism

Dane Lloyd’s challenge and a Conservative answer to separatism

OTTAWA— On Oct. 19, Albertans will not vote to leave Canada. They will answer a much narrower question: whether the province should begin the legal...

20.07.2026 5

The Hill Times

Bhagwant Sandhu

Supporting the arts is not cultural charity because stories are a nation’s memory

Supporting the arts is not cultural charity because stories are a nation’s memory

OTTAWA—Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to roll back the CRTC's plan requiring foreign streaming services to contribute more to...

20.07.2026 8

The Hill Times

Kelly Patrick

Canadians agree sovereignty is vitally important, but what exactly is it?

Canadians agree sovereignty is vitally important, but what exactly is it?

Polls all tell the same story: Canadians care a great deal about protecting our sovereignty. And governments fervently claim to be doing all they can....

20.07.2026 8

The Hill Times

Kevin Lynch

The CAF’s recruitment illusion

The CAF’s recruitment illusion

OTTAWA—Recent headlines in the Canadian media have heralded a significant spike in military recruiting.  To keep reading, subscribe and become a...

20.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Scott Taylor

Here’s why South Africa’s EV environment should wake up Ottawa

Here’s why South Africa’s EV environment should wake up Ottawa

The handover in Rosslyn, South Africa, should ring alarm bells in Ottawa and Queen’s Park.  To keep reading, subscribe and become a political...

20.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Wenran Jiang

Could Canada Post be our answer to digital sovereignty?

Could Canada Post be our answer to digital sovereignty?

TORONTO—Without a federal Crown corporation, there would be no oil pipeline on the West Coast carrying oil from Alberta to markets in Asia. And...

20.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

David Crane

Canada commits public money to LNG infrastructure as Asian demand turns

Canada commits public money to LNG infrastructure as Asian demand turns

When the first LNG tanker departed Kitimat, B.C., for Asia on June 30, 2025, it carried the assumption that has shaped a decade of Canadian public...

20.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Seoyoon Kim

Canada’s move away from U.S. reliance is a Herculean task, but a necessary one

Canada’s move away from U.S. reliance is a Herculean task, but a necessary one

HALIFAX—While United States President Donald Trump continues to promote political marriage, it’s high time Canada revisited the wisdom of going...

20.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Michael Harris

Senators should show up to vote—it’s their job

Senators should show up to vote—it’s their job

Back in 1998, then-Liberal Senator Andrew Thompson was stripped of his Senate office and privileges, after which he resigned, in response to media...

20.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Editorial

Reflections on an American president who seems to be outside of the law

Reflections on an American president who seems to be outside of the law

OTTAWA—Gordie Howe must be turning over in his grave. The political football attached to the bridge bearing the legendary hockey player’s name has...

20.07.2026 20

The Hill Times

Sheila Copps

Is medicare a national treasure, or a squandered inheritance?

Is medicare a national treasure, or a squandered inheritance?   To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider. Only $7.76 a week for an...

16.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Ken Fyke

How to restore relations with India

Some bilateral relations are simply too big to fail. India is one of them. To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider. Only $7.76 a...

16.07.2026 9

The Hill Times

Fen Osler Hampson

Trudeau and Carney both missed chances for climate leadership

GIBSONS, B.C.—A decade ago, at the time of the Paris Agreement, a new Liberal prime minister promised that Canada would be a climate leader. With a...

16.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Bill Henderson

Polling disengaged Ontarians

TORONTO—Former prime minister John Diefenbaker was famous for his wit if not wisdom. Asked by a reporter about an unfavourable election result, he...

16.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Nelson Wiseman

Canada should treat environmental crime like organized crime

Canadians understand the importance of environmental protection. Nature protects biodiversity, public health, economic resilience and Indigenous...

16.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Robert Muggah

Federal return-to-office mandate risks reversing gains for women workers in Canada

The federal government expanded its return-to-office requirements as of July 6, with many federal employees now expected to work in the office four...

15.07.2026 8

The Hill Times

Angela Joya

The Faustian bargain behind Carney’s pipeline politics

Every bargain carries a price the signer hasn't yet read. That is the lesson of the legendary Faust, and it is now written into Canadian energy...

15.07.2026 10

The Hill Times

Bhagwant Sandhu

Shakedown at the bridge

OTTAWA—The new bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., is a monument to a long-gone era. To keep reading, subscribe and become a political...

15.07.2026 9

The Hill Times

Les Whittington