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Bhagwant Sandhu

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

Can Poilievre capitalize on Carney’s weak spots?

  • To derail Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upsurge, Conservatives must adjust their strategy—focusing on unity, the social safety net, and practical policies that confront America
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 19, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s team should adopt an approach that takes stock of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strengths and why he is clicking with Canadians, and then adjust their strategy, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia

Can Poilievre capitalize on Carney’s weak spots?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 19, 2025
  • To derail Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upsurge, Conservatives must adjust their strategy—focusing on unity, the social safety net, and practical policies that confront America

Can Poilievre capitalize on Carney’s weak spots?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 19, 2025
  • To derail Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upsurge, Conservatives must adjust their strategy—focusing on unity, the social safety net, and practical policies that confront America
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s team should adopt an approach that takes stock of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strengths and why he is clicking with Canadians, and then adjust their strategy, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Sam Garcia

Carney vs. Poilievre: who will restore Canada’s global independence?

  • As U.S. President Donald Trump abandons Western alliances, our next prime minister must act decisively to secure Canada’s autonomy, and restore our global influence.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 5, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Liberal leadership front-runner Mark Carney need to offer vision and foresight—qualities that seem to be in short supply in Canada’s hyper-partisan politics these days, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Carney vs. Poilievre: who will restore Canada’s global independence?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 5, 2025
  • As U.S. President Donald Trump abandons Western alliances, our next prime minister must act decisively to secure Canada’s autonomy, and restore our global influence.

Carney vs. Poilievre: who will restore Canada’s global independence?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 5, 2025
  • As U.S. President Donald Trump abandons Western alliances, our next prime minister must act decisively to secure Canada’s autonomy, and restore our global influence.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Liberal leadership front-runner Mark Carney need to offer vision and foresight—qualities that seem to be in short supply in Canada’s hyper-partisan politics these days, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Party leaders should shift gears as Liberal popularity surges

  • Even with his ’Canada First’ rebrand, Pierre Poilievre’s clock is ticking. If he doesn’t shift gears soon, he might find himself watching the Liberals
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 19, 2025
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. A wholesale change in party leadership would be good for Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Party leaders should shift gears as Liberal popularity surges

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 19, 2025
  • Even with his ’Canada First’ rebrand, Pierre Poilievre’s clock is ticking. If he doesn’t shift gears soon, he might find himself watching the Liberals

Party leaders should shift gears as Liberal popularity surges

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 19, 2025
  • Even with his ’Canada First’ rebrand, Pierre Poilievre’s clock is ticking. If he doesn’t shift gears soon, he might find himself watching the Liberals
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. A wholesale change in party leadership would be good for Canada, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Civil servants the unsung heroes steadying the ship against Trump’s tariff waves

  • OTTAWA—With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation, Parliament in prorogation, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre struggling to define a cohesive narrative for why
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 5, 2025
Union members picket the old post office on April 25, 2023. Often-overlooked, public servants have kept the country’s public administration running smoothly with solid policy proposals to mitigate against shockwaves from the United States, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Civil servants the unsung heroes steadying the ship against Trump’s tariff waves

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 5, 2025
  • OTTAWA—With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation, Parliament in prorogation, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre struggling to define a cohesive narrative for why

Civil servants the unsung heroes steadying the ship against Trump’s tariff waves

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | February 5, 2025
  • OTTAWA—With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation, Parliament in prorogation, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre struggling to define a cohesive narrative for why
Union members picket the old post office on April 25, 2023. Often-overlooked, public servants have kept the country’s public administration running smoothly with solid policy proposals to mitigate against shockwaves from the United States, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Liberal race is on, so where’s Poilievre?

  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre appears stuck in a twilight zone, locked in a bubble with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Liberal leadership candidates
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 23, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, needs to adjust his talking points with Liberal leadership front-runners Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland now in the mix, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia, Andrew Meade, and illustration by Joey Sabourin

The Liberal race is on, so where’s Poilievre?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 23, 2025
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre appears stuck in a twilight zone, locked in a bubble with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Liberal leadership candidates

The Liberal race is on, so where’s Poilievre?

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 23, 2025
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre appears stuck in a twilight zone, locked in a bubble with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Liberal leadership candidates
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, needs to adjust his talking points with Liberal leadership front-runners Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland now in the mix, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia, Andrew Meade, and illustration by Joey Sabourin

Leadership race positions Liberals to own coming news cycles about Donald Trump

  • Tight timelines, rigid rules, and a big-ticket entry fee will force most Liberal leadership lightweights to bow out.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 10, 2025
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
By invoking U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, left, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has raised the stakes for the Liberal leadership race, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Leadership race positions Liberals to own coming news cycles about Donald Trump

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 10, 2025
  • Tight timelines, rigid rules, and a big-ticket entry fee will force most Liberal leadership lightweights to bow out.

Leadership race positions Liberals to own coming news cycles about Donald Trump

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 10, 2025
  • Tight timelines, rigid rules, and a big-ticket entry fee will force most Liberal leadership lightweights to bow out.
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
By invoking U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, left, outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has raised the stakes for the Liberal leadership race, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Memo to Liberals: Canada needs another Trudeau, but without the baggage 

  • Liberal Party members have much to consider after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to resign as party leader and then as prime minister
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 6, 2025
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
After weeks of building pressure from his caucus to resign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his plan to step down as Liberal Party leader on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Memo to Liberals: Canada needs another Trudeau, but without the baggage 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 6, 2025
  • Liberal Party members have much to consider after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to resign as party leader and then as prime minister

Memo to Liberals: Canada needs another Trudeau, but without the baggage 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | January 6, 2025
  • Liberal Party members have much to consider after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to resign as party leader and then as prime minister
Justin Trudeau
After weeks of building pressure from his caucus to resign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his plan to step down as Liberal Party leader on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s opportunism on display in stunning resignation letter

  • Chrystia Freeland ought to be reminded that she's held the finance portfolio since 2020. Not one of her budgets was ever balanced.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 18, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland. Being booted from finance was likely a tough pill to swallow if you see yourself as smart and indispensable, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s opportunism on display in stunning resignation letter

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 18, 2024
  • Chrystia Freeland ought to be reminded that she's held the finance portfolio since 2020. Not one of her budgets was ever balanced.

Freeland’s opportunism on display in stunning resignation letter

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 18, 2024
  • Chrystia Freeland ought to be reminded that she's held the finance portfolio since 2020. Not one of her budgets was ever balanced.
Chrystia Freeland
Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland. Being booted from finance was likely a tough pill to swallow if you see yourself as smart and indispensable, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau could offer change by proposing a bold, structural overhaul of Canada’s political system

  • These changes could address oversight of the federal public service, such as the seemingly political stances of Privy Council Clerk John Hannaford.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 2, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to prove that he grasps the psychology of why many voters feel let down by his government, and present a comprehensive package of reforms, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau could offer change by proposing a bold, structural overhaul of Canada’s political system

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 2, 2024
  • These changes could address oversight of the federal public service, such as the seemingly political stances of Privy Council Clerk John Hannaford.

Trudeau could offer change by proposing a bold, structural overhaul of Canada’s political system

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | December 2, 2024
  • These changes could address oversight of the federal public service, such as the seemingly political stances of Privy Council Clerk John Hannaford.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to prove that he grasps the psychology of why many voters feel let down by his government, and present a comprehensive package of reforms, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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

  • Real change will occur only if parliamentary reform is an election issue. It will force party leaders to unite to address emergent crises.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
Mashup
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

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

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
  • Real change will occur only if parliamentary reform is an election issue. It will force party leaders to unite to address emergent crises.

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

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 18, 2024
  • Real change will occur only if parliamentary reform is an election issue. It will force party leaders to unite to address emergent crises.
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

Bracing for a geopolitical shock with Trump

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hands-down best suited to take on Donald Trump, having a proven track-record dealing with the Republican's trade attacks and
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 7, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and President Vladimir Putin.
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

Bracing for a geopolitical shock with Trump

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 7, 2024
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hands-down best suited to take on Donald Trump, having a proven track-record dealing with the Republican's trade attacks and

Bracing for a geopolitical shock with Trump

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 7, 2024
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hands-down best suited to take on Donald Trump, having a proven track-record dealing with the Republican's trade attacks and
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

Canadian politicians should get real about India

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took too long to heed the warnings of India’s meddling, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been too quiet on
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 16, 2024
Justin Trudeau
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

Canadian politicians should get real about India

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 16, 2024
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took too long to heed the warnings of India’s meddling, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been too quiet on

Canadian politicians should get real about India

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 16, 2024
  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took too long to heed the warnings of India’s meddling, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been too quiet on
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

Trudeau and Poilievre playing politics with Middle East conflict

  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not pressuring Canada to use multilateral diplomacy to stop the war in the Middle East. Instead, he’s sowing division.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 10, 2024
Neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre
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

Trudeau and Poilievre playing politics with Middle East conflict

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 10, 2024
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not pressuring Canada to use multilateral diplomacy to stop the war in the Middle East. Instead, he’s sowing division.

Trudeau and Poilievre playing politics with Middle East conflict

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | October 10, 2024
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is not pressuring Canada to use multilateral diplomacy to stop the war in the Middle East. Instead, he’s sowing division.
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

Joly’s Africa engagement strategy copies the American approach

  • If the Liberal government cared about engaging constructively with Africa, it would have developed the strategy in its first or second terms when it
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 25, 2024
Mélanie Joly
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

Joly’s Africa engagement strategy copies the American approach

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 25, 2024
  • If the Liberal government cared about engaging constructively with Africa, it would have developed the strategy in its first or second terms when it

Joly’s Africa engagement strategy copies the American approach

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 25, 2024
  • If the Liberal government cared about engaging constructively with Africa, it would have developed the strategy in its first or second terms when it
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

Trudeau needs a post-byelection game plan 

  • On the heels of the byelection collapse of a Liberal stronghold in June, a loss of another Liberal-held riding would be a big blow
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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

Trudeau needs a post-byelection game plan 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2024
  • On the heels of the byelection collapse of a Liberal stronghold in June, a loss of another Liberal-held riding would be a big blow

Trudeau needs a post-byelection game plan 

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | September 12, 2024
  • On the heels of the byelection collapse of a Liberal stronghold in June, a loss of another Liberal-held riding would be a big blow
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

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

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

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

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

Trudeau misses opportunity for brand reset ahead of cabinet retreat 

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

It won’t be easy when the election rolls in

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

It won’t be easy when the election rolls in

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

It won’t be easy when the election rolls in

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

Dumbing down the electoral process

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

Dumbing down the electoral process

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

Dumbing down the electoral process

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canadians want authenticity in their political candidates

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

Canadians want authenticity in their political candidates

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

Canadians want authenticity in their political candidates

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

G7 faces legitimacy crisis as new players gain influence

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

G7 faces legitimacy crisis as new players gain influence

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

G7 faces legitimacy crisis as new players gain influence

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

Poilievre, Trudeau choose partisan politicking over action on NSICOP report

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

Poilievre, Trudeau choose partisan politicking over action on NSICOP report

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

Poilievre, Trudeau choose partisan politicking over action on NSICOP report

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

Poilievre’s messaging signals plans for an austerity agenda

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

Poilievre’s messaging signals plans for an austerity agenda

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

Poilievre’s messaging signals plans for an austerity agenda

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

Trudeau’s climate strategy a master class in greenwashing 

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

Trudeau’s climate strategy a master class in greenwashing 

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

Trudeau’s climate strategy a master class in greenwashing 

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

Sanctions do nothing to promote democracy

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

Sanctions do nothing to promote democracy

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

Sanctions do nothing to promote democracy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • The recent appointment of Mélanie Joly as Canada’s latest foreign affairs minister has been derided and ridiculed by many commentators. This is not fair.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured leaving a Liberal caucus meeting Nov. 8, is the fifth minister to hold the foreign affairs portfolio in the six years prime minister Justin Trudeau has been in power. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Joly can prove critics wrong, rebrand Canada, and make her mark on foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
  • The recent appointment of Mélanie Joly as Canada’s latest foreign affairs minister has been derided and ridiculed by many commentators. This is not fair.

Joly can prove critics wrong, rebrand Canada, and make her mark on foreign policy

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | November 10, 2021
  • The recent appointment of Mélanie Joly as Canada’s latest foreign affairs minister has been derided and ridiculed by many commentators. This is not fair.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, pictured leaving a Liberal caucus meeting Nov. 8, is the fifth minister to hold the foreign affairs portfolio in the six years prime minister Justin Trudeau has been in power. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Moïse assassination calls for renewed Canadian regionally-rooted, multilateral approach in Haiti

  • For many Haiti watchers, the news of the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse came as a sudden shock. It did not come as a  surprise.
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
Haitian President Jovenel Moise, pictured in Port au Prince on Feb. 7, 2017, after being sworn in as the 58th president of Haiti. Canada, unfortunately, remains a steadfast supporter of Haiti’s political status quo, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Moïse assassination calls for renewed Canadian regionally-rooted, multilateral approach in Haiti

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
  • For many Haiti watchers, the news of the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse came as a sudden shock. It did not come as a  surprise.

Moïse assassination calls for renewed Canadian regionally-rooted, multilateral approach in Haiti

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | July 14, 2021
  • For many Haiti watchers, the news of the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse came as a sudden shock. It did not come as a  surprise.
Haitian President Jovenel Moise, pictured in Port au Prince on Feb. 7, 2017, after being sworn in as the 58th president of Haiti. Canada, unfortunately, remains a steadfast supporter of Haiti’s political status quo, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Trudeau should continue steady-as-she-goes style and demeanour with China

  • OTTAWA—Tit-for-tat is a well-established strategy in game theory. It is known to produce win-win scenarios when at least one player decides to favour cooperation
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
Justin Trudeau, pictured April 22, 2021, taking part in the leaders' summit on climate change, should recruit U.S. President Joe Biden into the mix also. Unlike his predecessor, Biden sees China more of a competitive threat to American trade and commerce, not as a political risk to American hegemony, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Trudeau should continue steady-as-she-goes style and demeanour with China

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Tit-for-tat is a well-established strategy in game theory. It is known to produce win-win scenarios when at least one player decides to favour cooperation

Trudeau should continue steady-as-she-goes style and demeanour with China

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | May 13, 2021
  • OTTAWA—Tit-for-tat is a well-established strategy in game theory. It is known to produce win-win scenarios when at least one player decides to favour cooperation
Justin Trudeau, pictured April 22, 2021, taking part in the leaders' summit on climate change, should recruit U.S. President Joe Biden into the mix also. Unlike his predecessor, Biden sees China more of a competitive threat to American trade and commerce, not as a political risk to American hegemony, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. Screenshot courtesy of CBC News

Canada needs to take a real hard look at its foreign policy, and reset it

  • From rejoining the Paris Climate Accord to rapprochement with Iran and China, the Biden administration appears to be actively resetting the U.S. government’s foreign
Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 5, 2021, should task Bob Rae, the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, with resolving Canada’s apparent foreign policy contradictions as a top priority, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada needs to take a real hard look at its foreign policy, and reset it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
  • From rejoining the Paris Climate Accord to rapprochement with Iran and China, the Biden administration appears to be actively resetting the U.S. government’s foreign

Canada needs to take a real hard look at its foreign policy, and reset it

Opinion | BY BHAGWANT SANDHU | March 22, 2021
  • From rejoining the Paris Climate Accord to rapprochement with Iran and China, the Biden administration appears to be actively resetting the U.S. government’s foreign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured March 5, 2021, should task Bob Rae, the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, with resolving Canada’s apparent foreign policy contradictions as a top priority, writes Bhagwant Sandhu. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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