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Saturday, December 21, 2024
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Bruce Carson

Bruce Carson was senior adviser to prime minister Stephen Harper from 2006-09 and involved in the preparation of four Harper budgets. He publishes a daily commentary on political issues: The Morning Brief.

Welcome to Trudeau 3.0. Can he navigate smooth recovery to post-COVID economy?

  • The third government of Justin Trudeau formally took office in the last week of October with two developments critical to its success—a new cabinet
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | November 8, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the media on Oct. 26 after unveiling his new cabinet. This cabinet is much too large to be an effective decision-making body, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Welcome to Trudeau 3.0. Can he navigate smooth recovery to post-COVID economy?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | November 8, 2021
  • The third government of Justin Trudeau formally took office in the last week of October with two developments critical to its success—a new cabinet

Welcome to Trudeau 3.0. Can he navigate smooth recovery to post-COVID economy?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | November 8, 2021
  • The third government of Justin Trudeau formally took office in the last week of October with two developments critical to its success—a new cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the media on Oct. 26 after unveiling his new cabinet. This cabinet is much too large to be an effective decision-making body, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Weeks in, what is the point of this election?

  • We are now into the third week of the federal election and Justin Trudeau has yet to offer anything to voters that could not
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 30, 2021
Developing a frame for this election emphasizes the need to put forward a positive, forward-looking alternative. This election might actually be about trust and authenticity and electing someone whom Canadians believe will keep their promises, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

Weeks in, what is the point of this election?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 30, 2021
  • We are now into the third week of the federal election and Justin Trudeau has yet to offer anything to voters that could not

Weeks in, what is the point of this election?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 30, 2021
  • We are now into the third week of the federal election and Justin Trudeau has yet to offer anything to voters that could not
Developing a frame for this election emphasizes the need to put forward a positive, forward-looking alternative. This election might actually be about trust and authenticity and electing someone whom Canadians believe will keep their promises, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

Promises, promises, but the GG might actually keep hers

  • In Beauty and the Beast, there is a scene where the Beast is looking for advice as to how he can win the love
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 18, 2021
During the July 26 installation ceremony and in Mary Simon’s speech following, one just knew that we were dealing with someone who made promises she did intend to keep and set goals she attended to accomplish, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Promises, promises, but the GG might actually keep hers

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 18, 2021
  • In Beauty and the Beast, there is a scene where the Beast is looking for advice as to how he can win the love

Promises, promises, but the GG might actually keep hers

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 18, 2021
  • In Beauty and the Beast, there is a scene where the Beast is looking for advice as to how he can win the love
During the July 26 installation ceremony and in Mary Simon’s speech following, one just knew that we were dealing with someone who made promises she did intend to keep and set goals she attended to accomplish, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

When is a cabinet shuffle more than a shuffle? When it means an election is coming soon

  • Just before starting a four-day virtual cabinet retreat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet Jan. 12, probably for the last time before a
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | January 13, 2021
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured top left, Privy Council Clerk Ian Shugart, new Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, new Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau, Governor General Julie Payette, Jim Carr, special representative to the Prairies, and new Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, were on hand for the first virtual swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 12. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

When is a cabinet shuffle more than a shuffle? When it means an election is coming soon

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | January 13, 2021
  • Just before starting a four-day virtual cabinet retreat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet Jan. 12, probably for the last time before a

When is a cabinet shuffle more than a shuffle? When it means an election is coming soon

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | January 13, 2021
  • Just before starting a four-day virtual cabinet retreat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet Jan. 12, probably for the last time before a
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured top left, Privy Council Clerk Ian Shugart, new Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, new Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau, Governor General Julie Payette, Jim Carr, special representative to the Prairies, and new Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, were on hand for the first virtual swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 12. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A year like none other in living memory

  • The year 2020 did not start off well and then quickly went downhill into an unforgettable quagmire from which we have yet to recover.
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | December 31, 2020
As we look towards a new, and hopefully better, year, there is still much to be thankful for coming from 2020. We can celebrate the indomitable nature of the human spirit, which has been displayed once again, and we really are our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers during the worst of times. Unsplash photograph by Manuel Peris Tirado

A year like none other in living memory

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | December 31, 2020
  • The year 2020 did not start off well and then quickly went downhill into an unforgettable quagmire from which we have yet to recover.

A year like none other in living memory

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | December 31, 2020
  • The year 2020 did not start off well and then quickly went downhill into an unforgettable quagmire from which we have yet to recover.
As we look towards a new, and hopefully better, year, there is still much to be thankful for coming from 2020. We can celebrate the indomitable nature of the human spirit, which has been displayed once again, and we really are our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers during the worst of times. Unsplash photograph by Manuel Peris Tirado

Trudeau’s government needs to take control of the rapid COVID-19 test debate

  • Perhaps it was the release of Bob Woodward’s book on U.S. President Donald Trump, Rage, and its detailed telling of the story of when
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | October 7, 2020
Patty Hajdu
Patty Hajdu
Health Minister Patty Hajdu is pictured speaking to reporters outside of the West Block on Sept. 30. It is time the government acted to attract other rapid test manufacturers to Canada and increase the focus on gaining results from Health Canada, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s government needs to take control of the rapid COVID-19 test debate

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | October 7, 2020
  • Perhaps it was the release of Bob Woodward’s book on U.S. President Donald Trump, Rage, and its detailed telling of the story of when

Trudeau’s government needs to take control of the rapid COVID-19 test debate

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | October 7, 2020
  • Perhaps it was the release of Bob Woodward’s book on U.S. President Donald Trump, Rage, and its detailed telling of the story of when
Patty Hajdu
Health Minister Patty Hajdu is pictured speaking to reporters outside of the West Block on Sept. 30. It is time the government acted to attract other rapid test manufacturers to Canada and increase the focus on gaining results from Health Canada, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Three possible election date scenarios

  • There are three possible election date scenarios facing Canadians: the first coming on the heels of the Speech from the Throne, presumably on a
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | September 23, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Hovering over any decision to force an election by either the government or opposition is the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Three possible election date scenarios

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | September 23, 2020
  • There are three possible election date scenarios facing Canadians: the first coming on the heels of the Speech from the Throne, presumably on a

Three possible election date scenarios

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | September 23, 2020
  • There are three possible election date scenarios facing Canadians: the first coming on the heels of the Speech from the Throne, presumably on a
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Hovering over any decision to force an election by either the government or opposition is the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

And then there was one: the demise of 2015’s star candidates

  • Looking back on the actions of the Trudeau government since 2015 there are at least three matters that stand out: election promises broken, such
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | September 7, 2020
Of the four star recruits, only one remains, Chrystia Freeland, deputy prime minister, and now finance minister. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

And then there was one: the demise of 2015’s star candidates

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | September 7, 2020
  • Looking back on the actions of the Trudeau government since 2015 there are at least three matters that stand out: election promises broken, such

And then there was one: the demise of 2015’s star candidates

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | September 7, 2020
  • Looking back on the actions of the Trudeau government since 2015 there are at least three matters that stand out: election promises broken, such
Of the four star recruits, only one remains, Chrystia Freeland, deputy prime minister, and now finance minister. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Grey Cup: will iconic symbol of Canadian culture be shuttered for good?

  • The dust has settled on a number of issues as we wait for Prime Minister Trudeau’s Sept. 23 Speech from the Throne. House Committees
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 31, 2020
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault told the Canadian Press that his department pointed the CFL to the government's existing COVID-19 relief programs for businesses. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Grey Cup: will iconic symbol of Canadian culture be shuttered for good?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 31, 2020
  • The dust has settled on a number of issues as we wait for Prime Minister Trudeau’s Sept. 23 Speech from the Throne. House Committees

Grey Cup: will iconic symbol of Canadian culture be shuttered for good?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 31, 2020
  • The dust has settled on a number of issues as we wait for Prime Minister Trudeau’s Sept. 23 Speech from the Throne. House Committees
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault told the Canadian Press that his department pointed the CFL to the government's existing COVID-19 relief programs for businesses. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Two lost weeks: one lost student program

  • OTTAWA—When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his chief of staff Katie Telford appeared before the Commons Finance Committee on July 30, their objective was
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 5, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 30, 2020, testifying remotely before the House Finance Committee which is looking into the WE Charity controversy. What is unusual is that prime minister didn’t know about the recommendation of WE Charity as the only entity capable of delivering the program until the May 8 cabinet meeting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Two lost weeks: one lost student program

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 5, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his chief of staff Katie Telford appeared before the Commons Finance Committee on July 30, their objective was

Two lost weeks: one lost student program

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 5, 2020
  • OTTAWA—When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his chief of staff Katie Telford appeared before the Commons Finance Committee on July 30, their objective was
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured July 30, 2020, testifying remotely before the House Finance Committee which is looking into the WE Charity controversy. What is unusual is that prime minister didn’t know about the recommendation of WE Charity as the only entity capable of delivering the program until the May 8 cabinet meeting. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

New foreign policy may grow out of Canada’s COVID-19 crisis

  • There seem to be at least two venues for the fight against COVID-19. One COVID-19 war is in the hospitals and their intensive care
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | April 15, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bids farewell to U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in February 2017. Because of the deep connections between Canada and the U.S., Canada is really not in a position to strike out looking for a new best friend, especially if the choice is China, writes Bruce Carson. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

New foreign policy may grow out of Canada’s COVID-19 crisis

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | April 15, 2020
  • There seem to be at least two venues for the fight against COVID-19. One COVID-19 war is in the hospitals and their intensive care

New foreign policy may grow out of Canada’s COVID-19 crisis

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | April 15, 2020
  • There seem to be at least two venues for the fight against COVID-19. One COVID-19 war is in the hospitals and their intensive care
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bids farewell to U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in February 2017. Because of the deep connections between Canada and the U.S., Canada is really not in a position to strike out looking for a new best friend, especially if the choice is China, writes Bruce Carson. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead

How Conservative Party of Canada can recover its soul: look to the past

  • OTTAWA—Since Oct. 21 questions have been flying about the Conservative Party of Canada—what does it stand for, what will be its policies, and, most
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | February 10, 2020
The history of the Progressive Conservative Party in the modern era could be said to have begun with the leadership of Robert Stanfield. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

How Conservative Party of Canada can recover its soul: look to the past

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | February 10, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Since Oct. 21 questions have been flying about the Conservative Party of Canada—what does it stand for, what will be its policies, and, most

How Conservative Party of Canada can recover its soul: look to the past

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | February 10, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Since Oct. 21 questions have been flying about the Conservative Party of Canada—what does it stand for, what will be its policies, and, most
The history of the Progressive Conservative Party in the modern era could be said to have begun with the leadership of Robert Stanfield. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Muddling through a minority Parliament: a view from government and opposition benches

  • OTTAWA—Whether a government is a strong minority—as now—or a weak one—as in 2006 under Stephen Harper—the challenges and opportunities are pretty much the same,
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | January 27, 2020
On major confidence matters, such as approval of the budget, outreach to opposition parties should occur at a very early stage. In this Parliament, that task could be given to Associate Minister of Finance Mona Fortier, pictured. If budget promises are made to opposition parties, they must be fulfilled, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Muddling through a minority Parliament: a view from government and opposition benches

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | January 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Whether a government is a strong minority—as now—or a weak one—as in 2006 under Stephen Harper—the challenges and opportunities are pretty much the same,

Muddling through a minority Parliament: a view from government and opposition benches

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | January 27, 2020
  • OTTAWA—Whether a government is a strong minority—as now—or a weak one—as in 2006 under Stephen Harper—the challenges and opportunities are pretty much the same,
On major confidence matters, such as approval of the budget, outreach to opposition parties should occur at a very early stage. In this Parliament, that task could be given to Associate Minister of Finance Mona Fortier, pictured. If budget promises are made to opposition parties, they must be fulfilled, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trade, jobs, economic growth, income equality: is the budget working?

  • OTTAWA—On Friday, Aug. 5, Statistics Canada released numbers for both jobs and international trade. Both numbers were discouraging and continued a trend of poor
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 15, 2016
At the end of August, GDP numbers for June will be announced and they are predicted to show that the economy in the second quarter has contracted beyond the numbers set out by Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz, pictured, in last month's Monetary Policy Update. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Trade, jobs, economic growth, income equality: is the budget working?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 15, 2016
  • OTTAWA—On Friday, Aug. 5, Statistics Canada released numbers for both jobs and international trade. Both numbers were discouraging and continued a trend of poor

Trade, jobs, economic growth, income equality: is the budget working?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | August 15, 2016
  • OTTAWA—On Friday, Aug. 5, Statistics Canada released numbers for both jobs and international trade. Both numbers were discouraging and continued a trend of poor
At the end of August, GDP numbers for June will be announced and they are predicted to show that the economy in the second quarter has contracted beyond the numbers set out by Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz, pictured, in last month's Monetary Policy Update. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Prime minister, it’s time to get moving on that agenda

  • OTTAWA—In the July 18 issue of The Hill Times, Abbas Rana and Derek Abma wrote about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s agenda calling it “more
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | July 25, 2016
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's rhetoric may carry through another year, but not much beyond that, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Prime minister, it’s time to get moving on that agenda

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | July 25, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In the July 18 issue of The Hill Times, Abbas Rana and Derek Abma wrote about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s agenda calling it “more

Prime minister, it’s time to get moving on that agenda

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | July 25, 2016
  • OTTAWA—In the July 18 issue of The Hill Times, Abbas Rana and Derek Abma wrote about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s agenda calling it “more
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's rhetoric may carry through another year, but not much beyond that, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Trudeau’s summer just got a lot more complicated after Federal Court decision on Northern Gateway

  • OTTAWA—On the eve of Canada Day, June 30, the law firm acting for the seven First Nations contesting the Harper cabinet’s approval of the
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | July 11, 2016
With this court decision on the Northern Gateway pipeline, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's summer just got a lot more complicated, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Trudeau’s summer just got a lot more complicated after Federal Court decision on Northern Gateway

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | July 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—On the eve of Canada Day, June 30, the law firm acting for the seven First Nations contesting the Harper cabinet’s approval of the

Trudeau’s summer just got a lot more complicated after Federal Court decision on Northern Gateway

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | July 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—On the eve of Canada Day, June 30, the law firm acting for the seven First Nations contesting the Harper cabinet’s approval of the
With this court decision on the Northern Gateway pipeline, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's summer just got a lot more complicated, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Senate did alright on medically assisted dying Bill C-14, Senate reform in action

  • OTTAWA—A short time after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named his first group of seven independent Senators, I wrote a column in The Hill Times which
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | June 27, 2016
Liberal Senate Leader James Cowan, pictured in this file photo on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Senate did alright on medically assisted dying Bill C-14, Senate reform in action

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | June 27, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A short time after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named his first group of seven independent Senators, I wrote a column in The Hill Times which

Senate did alright on medically assisted dying Bill C-14, Senate reform in action

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | June 27, 2016
  • OTTAWA—A short time after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named his first group of seven independent Senators, I wrote a column in The Hill Times which
Liberal Senate Leader James Cowan, pictured in this file photo on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Mundane task of governing seems difficult for Trudeau Liberals

  • OTTAWA—Just over seven months ago, Canadians voted for change and elected a majority Liberal government. Throughout the campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau had promised that
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | May 30, 2016
Perhaps it is time for the prime minister to step back, take a deep breath and reflect on the fact that governing in a parliamentary democracy is hard work, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Mundane task of governing seems difficult for Trudeau Liberals

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | May 30, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Just over seven months ago, Canadians voted for change and elected a majority Liberal government. Throughout the campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau had promised that

Mundane task of governing seems difficult for Trudeau Liberals

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | May 30, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Just over seven months ago, Canadians voted for change and elected a majority Liberal government. Throughout the campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau had promised that
Perhaps it is time for the prime minister to step back, take a deep breath and reflect on the fact that governing in a parliamentary democracy is hard work, writes Bruce Carson. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Federal budget, Canada’s indigenous people: hope for the future or just promises?

  • OTTAWA—The federal budget contains an entire chapter, “A Better Future for Indigenous People,” allocating finances to various issues facing Canada’s indigenous peoples. In total,
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | April 11, 2016

Federal budget, Canada’s indigenous people: hope for the future or just promises?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | April 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—The federal budget contains an entire chapter, “A Better Future for Indigenous People,” allocating finances to various issues facing Canada’s indigenous peoples. In total,

Federal budget, Canada’s indigenous people: hope for the future or just promises?

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | April 11, 2016
  • OTTAWA—The federal budget contains an entire chapter, “A Better Future for Indigenous People,” allocating finances to various issues facing Canada’s indigenous peoples. In total,

Budget reflects Trudeau’s view of Canadian federalism, big government spending

  • OTTAWA—Last Tuesday, Finance Minister Morneau presented the Trudeau government’s first budget, but it was less of a budget and more of statement regarding Prime
Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | March 28, 2016
If growth is to come, it will be when the second round of infrastructure spending occurs, as Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 22 in Ottawa, said 'over the course of the next decade, we will invest more than $120-billion in infrastructure.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Budget reflects Trudeau’s view of Canadian federalism, big government spending

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | March 28, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Last Tuesday, Finance Minister Morneau presented the Trudeau government’s first budget, but it was less of a budget and more of statement regarding Prime

Budget reflects Trudeau’s view of Canadian federalism, big government spending

Opinion | BY BRUCE CARSON | March 28, 2016
  • OTTAWA—Last Tuesday, Finance Minister Morneau presented the Trudeau government’s first budget, but it was less of a budget and more of statement regarding Prime
If growth is to come, it will be when the second round of infrastructure spending occurs, as Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 22 in Ottawa, said 'over the course of the next decade, we will invest more than $120-billion in infrastructure.' The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
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