Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls.
Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls.
Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It
Watch for provincial governments to attack Carney for not doing enough in the budget. Mind you, none of this means Carney won’t survive the onslaught. It
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across
A recent study by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network, noted that '[social media] influencers, not parties, or newsrooms, dominated distribution and attention across
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Oct. 9, 2025, on the Hill. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues are fading away, which will likely have at least some influence on the direction the Conservative party will take under Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues
For better or worse, the Canadian conservative movement is morphing into something new, something different. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured Oct. 9, 2025, on the Hill. The voices which once mainly focused on pushing economic issues are fading away, which will likely have at least some influence on the direction the Conservative party will take under Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News
Doug Ford's photo-op may have been a silly and overly theatrical stunt, but as someone once said, 'if it’s stupid but works, then it
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin
Until their respective political circumstances change, Canada’s political parties will be heading down different strategic paths.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok
By putting his elbows down, Mark Carney could end up paying a political price.
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
To win the next election, the Conservative leader doesn’t have to be liked; he just needs to get people to agree with him.
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,
The Ontario premier seems to lack any ideological connection to his political base. Although his approach to politics might come across as supremely cynical,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded
The “us versus them” mentality is baked into Quebec’s political psyche. With all the uncertainty in today's world, it’s not hard for Quebec’s separatist-minded
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
In my view, more funding of local news or the regulation of 'Big Tech' won’t really help either journalism or democracy.
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard
Things are dreary for the NDP, which makes it extremely difficult for the party’s fundraisers to convince donors to generously open their wallets. It’s hard
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Elon Musk, pictured at the Kennedy Space Centre on May 30, 2020, was born in South Africa, meaning, according to the U.S. Constitution, he can’t run for president. Photograph courtesy of NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr
Musk’s America Party lacks a regional base, it doesn’t represent a defined demographic group, and its ideology is vague.
But new parties in the United
Elon Musk, pictured at the Kennedy Space Centre on May 30, 2020, was born in South Africa, meaning, according to the U.S. Constitution, he can’t run for president. Photograph courtesy of NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr
Advocacy groups should note that it's beneficial to their cause if they publicly praise a politician or government that's acting on an issue important to the group even if the political leanings between the two are different, writes Gerry Nicholls. For one, that praise will make it harder for the politician to reverse their decision. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Sometimes in politics, loving your enemies can be the right political play, and not just because it’ll drive them a little bit crazy.
Advocacy groups should note that it's beneficial to their cause if they publicly praise a politician or government that's acting on an issue important to the group even if the political leanings between the two are different, writes Gerry Nicholls. For one, that praise will make it harder for the politician to reverse their decision. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
NDP interim leader Don Davies, left, and Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, who won New York City's mayoral primary race last week, may have dramatically changed the dynamics of left-wing politics in the U.S., writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Just because a 'new American left' might be surging in the U.S., that doesn’t mean it’ll also happen here in Canada.
NDP interim leader Don Davies, left, and Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, who won New York City's mayoral primary race last week, may have dramatically changed the dynamics of left-wing politics in the U.S., writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on March 21, 2025, is riding high in public opinion right now and is 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, according to a June 10 Abacus Data poll. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Some polls are showing Doug Ford and his party are polling 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, but if the polls start
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, pictured at a first ministers' meeting in Ottawa on March 21, 2025, is riding high in public opinion right now and is 21 points ahead of the Ontario provincial Liberals, according to a June 10 Abacus Data poll. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Political parties may have their differences, but when it comes to fundraising, they all share the same principles, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
One of the key principles of fundraising is that you don’t give your donor base a chance to relax, which is to say, you
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Political parties may have their differences, but when it comes to fundraising, they all share the same principles, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and his wife Diana Fox Carney tour Ottawa's Lansdowne Park with King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 26, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Unfortunately, for the prime minister, when it comes to mending the economy, there are no easy solutions, no quick fixes, no magic answers.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and his wife Diana Fox Carney tour Ottawa's Lansdowne Park with King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 26, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider
Generation X: Pierre Poilievre, left, and Mark Carney, are both technically generation Xers, people born between 1965 and 1980. Poilievre was born in 1979 and Carney was born in 1965, but Carney comes across like a boomer, writes Gerry Nicholls.
The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider
Mark Carney’s alliance with the boomer generation could pose future challenges for the Liberals. For one thing, if the Liberals do anything that boomers consider
Generation X: Pierre Poilievre, left, and Mark Carney, are both technically generation Xers, people born between 1965 and 1980. Poilievre was born in 1979 and Carney was born in 1965, but Carney comes across like a boomer, writes Gerry Nicholls.
The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer
Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people.
Former prime minister John Diefenbaker has gotten a raw deal when it comes to his historical reputation, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people.
Bob Plamondon paints Diefenbaker as a passionate, charismatic, quick-witted politician who, above all else, strongly identified with the common people.
Former prime minister John Diefenbaker has gotten a raw deal when it comes to his historical reputation, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Now it’s the media crafting the Liberals' story, with negative headlines such as 'Justin Trudeau, seller of Sunny Ways, has no answer' and 'Justin Trudeau’s political career is over, popping up all over the place, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
By losing the recent byelection, the Liberals not only lost a chance at creating a good narrative, but also lost control of the narrative. If
Now it’s the media crafting the Liberals' story, with negative headlines such as 'Justin Trudeau, seller of Sunny Ways, has no answer' and 'Justin Trudeau’s political career is over, popping up all over the place, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Freeland's recent attacks on Poilievre miss the mark, argues Gerry Nicholls, who says Polievre has jumped on the populist bandwagon, meaning he's not a Reaganite, or a Thatcherite, or a Fraser Institute devotee. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Conservatism is increasingly all about opposing the three main 'isms' of the 21st century: globalism, wokism, and elitism.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Freeland's recent attacks on Poilievre miss the mark, argues Gerry Nicholls, who says Polievre has jumped on the populist bandwagon, meaning he's not a Reaganite, or a Thatcherite, or a Fraser Institute devotee. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Donald Trumpat a rally in Florence, Arizona, on Jan. 17, 2022. Columnist Gerry Nicholls says there’s still one variable out there that could stop Trump’s campaign in its tracks if he’s jailed before the next election. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Gage Skidmore
The judge who sentences Donald Trump could determine his political fate.
Donald Trumpat a rally in Florence, Arizona, on Jan. 17, 2022. Columnist Gerry Nicholls says there’s still one variable out there that could stop Trump’s campaign in its tracks if he’s jailed before the next election. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Gage Skidmore
Three years ago, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford took an already existing provincial election gag law, one that imposed strict limits on how much groups or individuals could spend on political advertising and made it even stricter, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade
For better or worse, gag laws are here to stay. All that’s left now is for the courts and politicians to haggle over the details.
Three years ago, Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford took an already existing provincial election gag law, one that imposed strict limits on how much groups or individuals could spend on political advertising and made it even stricter, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade
Campaigns prefer victory to proselytization. So, unless the Liberals are confident they have more than just a small chance of success they won’t march into
Campaigns prefer victory to proselytization. So, unless the Liberals are confident they have more than just a small chance of success they won’t march into
Campaigns prefer victory to proselytization. So, unless the Liberals are confident they have more than just a small chance of success they won’t march into
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Liberal caucus meeting on the Hill on April 17, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
So, what's the problem with this, you ask? The problem is the 'power people' will inevitably clash with the true-blue conservative ideologues who form the
Not to rain on Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre’s parade, but I’d just like to note for the record that his current big lead in the polls carries the seeds of a potentially serious problem, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
So, what's the problem with this, you ask? The problem is the 'power people' will inevitably clash with the true-blue conservative ideologues who form the
So, what's the problem with this, you ask? The problem is the 'power people' will inevitably clash with the true-blue conservative ideologues who form the
Not to rain on Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre’s parade, but I’d just like to note for the record that his current big lead in the polls carries the seeds of a potentially serious problem, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
As journalist Stephen Maher recently put it, 'Trudeau is not likely to be ousted, Liz Truss-style, since he single-handedly built the modern Liberal Party,
As journalist Stephen Maher recently put it, 'Trudeau is not likely to be ousted, Liz Truss-style, since he single-handedly built the modern Liberal Party,
As journalist Stephen Maher recently put it, 'Trudeau is not likely to be ousted, Liz Truss-style, since he single-handedly built the modern Liberal Party,
Mark Carney at the Liberal National Convention in Ottawa on May 4, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at a national caucus meeting on the Hill on March 20, 2024. As he put it after the non-confidence vote, for 'true change, common sense change,' voters have only a Conservative choice. Expect to hear that line a lot, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
When the next federal election rolls around, Pierre Poilievre won’t be hoping a stronger NDP will weaken the Liberals. He’ll be hoping a weaker
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre at a national caucus meeting on the Hill on March 20, 2024. As he put it after the non-confidence vote, for 'true change, common sense change,' voters have only a Conservative choice. Expect to hear that line a lot, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Political leaders should address and allay the anxieties and fears which lead to populist uprisings because if our elites simply demonize populism, it will only make it stronger, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The best way to stop populism isn’t to fight it, but to defuse it.
Political leaders should address and allay the anxieties and fears which lead to populist uprisings because if our elites simply demonize populism, it will only make it stronger, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Donald Trump, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden. The New York Times/Siena poll also shows that Biden’s net favourable rating is even worse than Trump’s, as it currently sits at around negative 21 (38 per cent view him positively, 59 view him negatively), meaning he’s less popular now than Trump was four years ago. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
No matter who wins the presidential election on Nov. 5, the majority of Americans will probably feel like they lost, and that’s not good
Donald Trump, left, and U.S. President Joe Biden. The New York Times/Siena poll also shows that Biden’s net favourable rating is even worse than Trump’s, as it currently sits at around negative 21 (38 per cent view him positively, 59 view him negatively), meaning he’s less popular now than Trump was four years ago. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
Throughout his career, Brian Mulroney—a charismatic, ambitious, and shrewd political tactician—enjoyed great achievements, but also suffered spectacular failures.
Brian Mulroney at a Canada 2020 event in Ottawa in April 2014. Mulroney’s career had an almost Shakespearean flavour: he was a hero whose gifts propelled him to the heavens, but whose flaws dragged him back down to Earth, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Throughout his career, Brian Mulroney—a charismatic, ambitious, and shrewd political tactician—enjoyed great achievements, but also suffered spectacular failures.
Throughout his career, Brian Mulroney—a charismatic, ambitious, and shrewd political tactician—enjoyed great achievements, but also suffered spectacular failures.
Brian Mulroney at a Canada 2020 event in Ottawa in April 2014. Mulroney’s career had an almost Shakespearean flavour: he was a hero whose gifts propelled him to the heavens, but whose flaws dragged him back down to Earth, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright