Ht-Logo-gigapixel-icon
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989
Thursday, November 21, 2024 | Latest Paper

Bhagwant Sandhu

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

Parliament is a gong-show, MPs care more about their political parties

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
Mashup
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade/illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
Mashup
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade/illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
Mashup
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade/illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
Mashup
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade/illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 7, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and President Vladimir Putin.
Donald Trump, left, has a soft spot for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, like the incoming U.S. president, also exudes an air of despotic edginess. Trump has barely discussed foreign policy, making it very difficult to predict his plans, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 7, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 7, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and President Vladimir Putin.
Donald Trump, left, has a soft spot for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, like the incoming U.S. president, also exudes an air of despotic edginess. Trump has barely discussed foreign policy, making it very difficult to predict his plans, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 16, 2024
Justin Trudeau
This week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada has expelled India's high commissioner and five diplomats who are all persons of interest in what the RCMP alleges is serious criminal activity. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 16, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 16, 2024
Justin Trudeau
This week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada has expelled India's high commissioner and five diplomats who are all persons of interest in what the RCMP alleges is serious criminal activity. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 10, 2024
Neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
Neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, nor Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are offering leadership amid a rising death toll and widening regional conflict in the Middle East, writes Bhagwant Sandu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 10, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 10, 2024
Neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
Neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, nor Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are offering leadership amid a rising death toll and widening regional conflict in the Middle East, writes Bhagwant Sandu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 25, 2024
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly's call for public consultation on Canada's approach to Africa emphasizes our 'feminist foreign policy' and 'engaging' African countries 'to build stronger, and more visible partnerships,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 25, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 25, 2024
Mélanie Joly
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly's call for public consultation on Canada's approach to Africa emphasizes our 'feminist foreign policy' and 'engaging' African countries 'to build stronger, and more visible partnerships,' writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should be worried about the Bloc and the NDP, his chief rivals in the riding of Lasalle-Émard-Verdun, Que., writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should be worried about the Bloc and the NDP, his chief rivals in the riding of Lasalle-Émard-Verdun, Que., writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs a reset, and some ministers have held their files for far too long, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 26, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs a reset, and some ministers have held their files for far too long, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 15, 2024
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, Yves-François Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh, above left, and Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 15, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | August 15, 2024
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, Yves-François Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh, above left, and Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 24, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Political marketing machines intend to have voters react to ballot questions as consumers of celebrity, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 24, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 24, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Political marketing machines intend to have voters react to ballot questions as consumers of celebrity, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 11, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Some argue that NATO is no more than a lobbyist for defence manufacturing based on its persistent pressure to squeeze out two per cent of the GDP of its 32 members, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 11, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 11, 2024
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Some argue that NATO is no more than a lobbyist for defence manufacturing based on its persistent pressure to squeeze out two per cent of the GDP of its 32 members, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 4, 2024
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau truly cared about the Haitian people, he would end the flawed Transitional Council, and replace it with a national reconciliation project, writes Bhagwant Sandhu.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 4, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 4, 2024
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau truly cared about the Haitian people, he would end the flawed Transitional Council, and replace it with a national reconciliation project, writes Bhagwant Sandhu.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 26, 2024
The surprise win by Conservative Don Stewart in downtown Toronto likely suggests the party's on the right track to win the general election, as long as Leader Pierre Poilievre stays the course, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of X
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 26, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 26, 2024
The surprise win by Conservative Don Stewart in downtown Toronto likely suggests the party's on the right track to win the general election, as long as Leader Pierre Poilievre stays the course, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of X
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 20, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ottawa in April 2018. Stoltenberg was again in Ottawa on April 19. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 20, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 20, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ottawa in April 2018. Stoltenberg was again in Ottawa on April 19. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 12, 2024
Following the stunning NSICOP report, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, is on the attack while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries to hold the line, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 12, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 12, 2024
Following the stunning NSICOP report, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, is on the attack while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries to hold the line, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 5, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre peddles empty ideas like ‘freedom’ instead of hard policies to help workers, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 5, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | June 5, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre peddles empty ideas like ‘freedom’ instead of hard policies to help workers, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 29, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has enshrined a net-zero goal by 2050 into law, but the data suggests that won’t be met, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 29, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 29, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has enshrined a net-zero goal by 2050 into law, but the data suggests that won’t be met, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 16, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has sanctioned over 2,100 Russian individuals and entities since the start of the war in Ukraine. Sanctions, it turns out, disenfranchise the poor, not the political elites, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 16, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 16, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has sanctioned over 2,100 Russian individuals and entities since the start of the war in Ukraine. Sanctions, it turns out, disenfranchise the poor, not the political elites, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 2, 2024
Lucky for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trending even lower on personal likeability than he is The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 2, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 2, 2024
Lucky for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trending even lower on personal likeability than he is The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 29, 2024
Justice Marie-Josée Hogue will release her first report on foreign interference this week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 29, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 29, 2024
Justice Marie-Josée Hogue will release her first report on foreign interference this week. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 18, 2024
If Pierre Poilievre becomes prime minister, he could build our foreign policy on tact, soft diplomacy, negotiations, and dialogue. That won’t happen though, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. He is apt to label those kinds of things as too ‘woke.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 18, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 18, 2024
If Pierre Poilievre becomes prime minister, he could build our foreign policy on tact, soft diplomacy, negotiations, and dialogue. That won’t happen though, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. He is apt to label those kinds of things as too ‘woke.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 15, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, should pay attention to the costs wasted on drug prices in Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. At least Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, centre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have pushed for a more cost-effective approach for Canadians.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 15, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | April 15, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, should pay attention to the costs wasted on drug prices in Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. At least Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, centre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have pushed for a more cost-effective approach for Canadians.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 28, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has hinged his campaign on 'common sense,' but he should be careful not to affix his political cause on that notion alone—Canadians will eventually catch on, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 28, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 28, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has hinged his campaign on 'common sense,' but he should be careful not to affix his political cause on that notion alone—Canadians will eventually catch on, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 21, 2024
Foreign Affairs recently shared a photo of Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, meeting with humanitarian groups in Gaza, with the caption 'the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic.' You don't say, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 21, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 21, 2024
Foreign Affairs recently shared a photo of Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured, meeting with humanitarian groups in Gaza, with the caption 'the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic.' You don't say, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 18, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may not want to risk his lead in the polls by speaking about policy issues, but the pitfall of his silence is that it will get filled with speculation, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 18, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 18, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may not want to risk his lead in the polls by speaking about policy issues, but the pitfall of his silence is that it will get filled with speculation, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 6, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan, pictured, delivered a report on the ArriveCan app to the House of Commons on Feb. 12, stating she found a 'glaring disregard for basic management practices' in her investigation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 6, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 6, 2024
Auditor General Karen Hogan, pictured, delivered a report on the ArriveCan app to the House of Commons on Feb. 12, stating she found a 'glaring disregard for basic management practices' in her investigation. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 21, 2024
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen pictured speaking to reporters before Question Period on Feb. 15, 2024. Canada can play a constructive role in Africa's Sahel region, but the Liberal government nor the Conservative Party are willing to spend the money to do so, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 21, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 21, 2024
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen pictured speaking to reporters before Question Period on Feb. 15, 2024. Canada can play a constructive role in Africa's Sahel region, but the Liberal government nor the Conservative Party are willing to spend the money to do so, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 14, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, could lobby U.S. President Joe Biden, left, to reverse his predecessor Donald Trump's abrupt decision to put Cuba on the U.S. hit list of state sponsors of terrorism, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 14, 2024
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 14, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, could lobby U.S. President Joe Biden, left, to reverse his predecessor Donald Trump's abrupt decision to put Cuba on the U.S. hit list of state sponsors of terrorism, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia