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Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

  • Social media puts emotion much more front and centre. Unfortunately, for Pierre Poilievre, the vibes surrounding him for the past few weeks have been largely
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2025
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Thanks to the emergence of social media platforms, 'vibe politics' is more important than ever, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2025
  • Social media puts emotion much more front and centre. Unfortunately, for Pierre Poilievre, the vibes surrounding him for the past few weeks have been largely

Good vibrations: why vibes matter in this election campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2025
  • Social media puts emotion much more front and centre. Unfortunately, for Pierre Poilievre, the vibes surrounding him for the past few weeks have been largely
Liberal Leader Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Thanks to the emergence of social media platforms, 'vibe politics' is more important than ever, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, Wikimedia Commons, and illustration by Naomi Wildeboer

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

  • The Liberals have done a 180-degree shift; they’ve ditched the politics of pizzazz and personality and replaced it with the politics of mundane political
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Liberals have picked boring over sparkle, but it could work, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2025
  • The Liberals have done a 180-degree shift; they’ve ditched the politics of pizzazz and personality and replaced it with the politics of mundane political

The Liberal Constanza strategy: do the opposite of usual practice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2025
  • The Liberals have done a 180-degree shift; they’ve ditched the politics of pizzazz and personality and replaced it with the politics of mundane political
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Liberals have picked boring over sparkle, but it could work, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

  • Most political consumers will reject the Conservative ad attacking Mark Carney as helping Donald Trump by driving jobs south because it won’t seem rooted
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2025
The Conservative Party's recent attack ad, called 'Trump wants our jobs.' Image courtesy of the Conservative Party of Canada

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2025
  • Most political consumers will reject the Conservative ad attacking Mark Carney as helping Donald Trump by driving jobs south because it won’t seem rooted

Conservative attack ad lacks authenticity

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2025
  • Most political consumers will reject the Conservative ad attacking Mark Carney as helping Donald Trump by driving jobs south because it won’t seem rooted
The Conservative Party's recent attack ad, called 'Trump wants our jobs.' Image courtesy of the Conservative Party of Canada

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

  • My point is, given how the Liberals essentially 'own' anti-American-style nationalism, it’ll be difficult for the Conservatives to exploit anti-Trump feeling. Difficult, but not impossible.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 6, 2025
Watch for Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, to echo this argument in his efforts to push a 'Canada First' agenda. Already, Conservative TV ads are branding Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney as 'weak,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 6, 2025
  • My point is, given how the Liberals essentially 'own' anti-American-style nationalism, it’ll be difficult for the Conservatives to exploit anti-Trump feeling. Difficult, but not impossible.

Get ready for a clash of nationalisms 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 6, 2025
  • My point is, given how the Liberals essentially 'own' anti-American-style nationalism, it’ll be difficult for the Conservatives to exploit anti-Trump feeling. Difficult, but not impossible.
Watch for Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, to echo this argument in his efforts to push a 'Canada First' agenda. Already, Conservative TV ads are branding Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney as 'weak,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia

Singh’s no-win scenario

  • It’s hard to see how Jagmeet Singh can overcome this no-win scenario. Of course, Captain Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru test, but he cheated. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 3, 2025
No matter what strategy he employs in the next federal election, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will fail to improve his party’s standing, predicts Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh’s no-win scenario

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 3, 2025
  • It’s hard to see how Jagmeet Singh can overcome this no-win scenario. Of course, Captain Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru test, but he cheated. 

Singh’s no-win scenario

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 3, 2025
  • It’s hard to see how Jagmeet Singh can overcome this no-win scenario. Of course, Captain Kirk beat the Kobayashi Maru test, but he cheated. 
No matter what strategy he employs in the next federal election, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh will fail to improve his party’s standing, predicts Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Conservative course correction

  • Only time will tell if this new plan survives contact with the enemy. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
Pierre Poilievre and his son, Cruz, pictured Feb. 15, 2025, at the Conservative Party's rally in Ottawa at the Rogers Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The Conservative course correction

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
  • Only time will tell if this new plan survives contact with the enemy. 

The Conservative course correction

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
  • Only time will tell if this new plan survives contact with the enemy. 
Pierre Poilievre and his son, Cruz, pictured Feb. 15, 2025, at the Conservative Party's rally in Ottawa at the Rogers Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The paradox of free trade

  • Bad economics sometimes makes for good politics. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
Canadians see Trump’s tariff threats as an attack on our country, a feeling which was further fuelled by his frightening rhetoric about absorbing Canada as America’s '51st state,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

The paradox of free trade

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
  • Bad economics sometimes makes for good politics. 

The paradox of free trade

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
  • Bad economics sometimes makes for good politics. 
Canadians see Trump’s tariff threats as an attack on our country, a feeling which was further fuelled by his frightening rhetoric about absorbing Canada as America’s '51st state,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia

Freeland’s flaws

  • Chrystia Freeland should have vacated the scene for a while, put some distance between herself and the prime minister, and then she could have
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s flaws

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
  • Chrystia Freeland should have vacated the scene for a while, put some distance between herself and the prime minister, and then she could have

Freeland’s flaws

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
  • Chrystia Freeland should have vacated the scene for a while, put some distance between herself and the prime minister, and then she could have
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

  • This is why I always tell activists, if you want to stay true to your cause, stay out of partisan politics. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault recently admitted that he was open to implementing alternatives to the carbon tax.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
  • This is why I always tell activists, if you want to stay true to your cause, stay out of partisan politics. 

Guilbeault’s carbon tax pivot

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
  • This is why I always tell activists, if you want to stay true to your cause, stay out of partisan politics. 
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault recently admitted that he was open to implementing alternatives to the carbon tax.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time to redefine liberalism

  • With Trump's return and the Liberals’ sagging poll numbers, that brand of progressivism seems to be a spent force. This is why the party will
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured on Jan. 10, 2024, once said: 'When ... the left says of you you’re a right winger, and when the people on the right say you’re a left winger, you’re a good Canadian Liberal.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Time to redefine liberalism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
  • With Trump's return and the Liberals’ sagging poll numbers, that brand of progressivism seems to be a spent force. This is why the party will

Time to redefine liberalism

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
  • With Trump's return and the Liberals’ sagging poll numbers, that brand of progressivism seems to be a spent force. This is why the party will
Jean Chrétien
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured on Jan. 10, 2024, once said: 'When ... the left says of you you’re a right winger, and when the people on the right say you’re a left winger, you’re a good Canadian Liberal.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

  • Panama’s president met Trump’s threats with defiance, declaring 'we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.' That’s the way of politics: nationalism on one side
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
One of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's defining characters is that he's totally unpredictable, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
  • Panama’s president met Trump’s threats with defiance, declaring 'we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.' That’s the way of politics: nationalism on one side

The politics of Trump’s Panama Canal gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
  • Panama’s president met Trump’s threats with defiance, declaring 'we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.' That’s the way of politics: nationalism on one side
Donald Trump
One of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's defining characters is that he's totally unpredictable, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

  • When anxiety is the population’s dominant emotion, voters want leaders who show strength instead of empathy, toughness instead of sensitivity. Trudeau’s political fragility is
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Cottage on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
  • When anxiety is the population’s dominant emotion, voters want leaders who show strength instead of empathy, toughness instead of sensitivity. Trudeau’s political fragility is

Trudeau brought down by his political fragility

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
  • When anxiety is the population’s dominant emotion, voters want leaders who show strength instead of empathy, toughness instead of sensitivity. Trudeau’s political fragility is
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Cottage on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

  • My Christmas conspiracy theory is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided—long before his dramatic split with former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland—to resign his position,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a Hill scrum on Oct. 29, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
  • My Christmas conspiracy theory is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided—long before his dramatic split with former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland—to resign his position,

My crazy Christmas conspiracy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
  • My Christmas conspiracy theory is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided—long before his dramatic split with former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland—to resign his position,
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a Hill scrum on Oct. 29, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The importance of internal polls

  • Those public opinion polls you see on TV and in newspapers are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the polling action is actually
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau recently suggested Poilievre can’t 'unite Canadians' against president-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, which was likely based on internal polling, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The importance of internal polls

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
  • Those public opinion polls you see on TV and in newspapers are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the polling action is actually

The importance of internal polls

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
  • Those public opinion polls you see on TV and in newspapers are only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the polling action is actually
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau recently suggested Poilievre can’t 'unite Canadians' against president-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, which was likely based on internal polling, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The politics of climate change are changing

  • Economists tell us such carbon taxes are the most efficient way to fight climate change. Yet, regular people will often see them as disproportionately harming
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 9, 2024
Canada's federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The politics of climate change are changing

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 9, 2024
  • Economists tell us such carbon taxes are the most efficient way to fight climate change. Yet, regular people will often see them as disproportionately harming

The politics of climate change are changing

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 9, 2024
  • Economists tell us such carbon taxes are the most efficient way to fight climate change. Yet, regular people will often see them as disproportionately harming
Canada's federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Trumpism change Canada’s political parties?

  • In the years ahead, we can expect Conservative populism, Liberal pragmatism, and NDP contemplation. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
Donald Trump.
Donald Trump.
Some questions about how Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory will impact Canadian politics are easier to answer than others, writes Gerry Nicholls. Caricature courtesy of DonkeyHotey/Wikimedia Commons

Will Trumpism change Canada’s political parties?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
  • In the years ahead, we can expect Conservative populism, Liberal pragmatism, and NDP contemplation. 

Will Trumpism change Canada’s political parties?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
  • In the years ahead, we can expect Conservative populism, Liberal pragmatism, and NDP contemplation. 
Donald Trump.
Some questions about how Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory will impact Canadian politics are easier to answer than others, writes Gerry Nicholls. Caricature courtesy of DonkeyHotey/Wikimedia Commons

The anger versus joy election

  • What does all this joy-versus-anger stuff teach us? If you’re going to campaign solely on emotion, make sure that it's in sync with the public
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris. In the U.S. election campaign, the vibe Harris chose to emphasize was 'joy,' whereas Trump chose 'anger.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

The anger versus joy election

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
  • What does all this joy-versus-anger stuff teach us? If you’re going to campaign solely on emotion, make sure that it's in sync with the public

The anger versus joy election

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
  • What does all this joy-versus-anger stuff teach us? If you’re going to campaign solely on emotion, make sure that it's in sync with the public
Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris. In the U.S. election campaign, the vibe Harris chose to emphasize was 'joy,' whereas Trump chose 'anger.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

Trump’s win is bad for news for Trudeau

  • Just as Americans seemed determined to punish the Biden administration, Canadians seem ready to topple the Trudeau regime. Just as Americans had a populist
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 18, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before the Liberal caucus meeting in West Block on Nov. 6, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trump’s win is bad for news for Trudeau

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 18, 2024
  • Just as Americans seemed determined to punish the Biden administration, Canadians seem ready to topple the Trudeau regime. Just as Americans had a populist

Trump’s win is bad for news for Trudeau

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 18, 2024
  • Just as Americans seemed determined to punish the Biden administration, Canadians seem ready to topple the Trudeau regime. Just as Americans had a populist
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before the Liberal caucus meeting in West Block on Nov. 6, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The coming ad war

  • If the Conservatives see their poll numbers dropping, they’ll quickly respond by increasing their own ad buys and intensifying their attacks on the Liberals.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Given the huge advantage the Conservatives have for raising money, it’ll be hard for the Liberals to match them dollar for dollar when it comes to duking it out in an all-out advertising war, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The coming ad war

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
  • If the Conservatives see their poll numbers dropping, they’ll quickly respond by increasing their own ad buys and intensifying their attacks on the Liberals.

The coming ad war

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
  • If the Conservatives see their poll numbers dropping, they’ll quickly respond by increasing their own ad buys and intensifying their attacks on the Liberals.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Given the huge advantage the Conservatives have for raising money, it’ll be hard for the Liberals to match them dollar for dollar when it comes to duking it out in an all-out advertising war, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The problem of political homelessness

  • According to Nik Nanos, 'more than four in 10 people likely consider themselves (politically) homeless in Canada.' So, what’s causing this to happen and
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2024
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The politically homeless won't necessarily be attracted to the main parties if they move to the centre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia/illustration by Neena Singhal

The problem of political homelessness

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2024
  • According to Nik Nanos, 'more than four in 10 people likely consider themselves (politically) homeless in Canada.' So, what’s causing this to happen and

The problem of political homelessness

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 4, 2024
  • According to Nik Nanos, 'more than four in 10 people likely consider themselves (politically) homeless in Canada.' So, what’s causing this to happen and
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, left, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The politically homeless won't necessarily be attracted to the main parties if they move to the centre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia/illustration by Neena Singhal

U.S. election offers Liberals a glimmer of hope

  • In short, the U.S. election results may help the Liberals, but it won’t be their political salvation. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

U.S. election offers Liberals a glimmer of hope

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
  • In short, the U.S. election results may help the Liberals, but it won’t be their political salvation. 

U.S. election offers Liberals a glimmer of hope

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
  • In short, the U.S. election results may help the Liberals, but it won’t be their political salvation. 
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Poilievre’s real ‘hidden’ agenda?

  • Conservatives talk like conservatives while in opposition, but govern like liberals when they’re in power. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 17, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, flanked by Conservative MPs Melissa Lantsman, left, Raquel Dancho and Don Stewart. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s real ‘hidden’ agenda?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 17, 2024
  • Conservatives talk like conservatives while in opposition, but govern like liberals when they’re in power. 

Poilievre’s real ‘hidden’ agenda?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 17, 2024
  • Conservatives talk like conservatives while in opposition, but govern like liberals when they’re in power. 
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, flanked by Conservative MPs Melissa Lantsman, left, Raquel Dancho and Don Stewart. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The decline and fall of the Liberal empire

  • On top of everything else, the Liberals are losing the ability to set the national agenda as the NDP and Bloc Québécois are continually
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
Under pressure: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau's getting it from all sides as his Liberals face a big loss in the next election, according to the public opinion polls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal

The decline and fall of the Liberal empire

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
  • On top of everything else, the Liberals are losing the ability to set the national agenda as the NDP and Bloc Québécois are continually

The decline and fall of the Liberal empire

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
  • On top of everything else, the Liberals are losing the ability to set the national agenda as the NDP and Bloc Québécois are continually
Under pressure: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau's getting it from all sides as his Liberals face a big loss in the next election, according to the public opinion polls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal

It’s okay to judge politicians on how they play the game

  • Part of playing the game in politics is working to keep persuading the public about your policies' benefits. By the way, this is a
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Oct. 2, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s okay to judge politicians on how they play the game

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2024
  • Part of playing the game in politics is working to keep persuading the public about your policies' benefits. By the way, this is a

It’s okay to judge politicians on how they play the game

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2024
  • Part of playing the game in politics is working to keep persuading the public about your policies' benefits. By the way, this is a
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Oct. 2, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Bloc’s recipe for success

  • The Bloc Québécois has suddenly emerged as a force in this country, a force that can’t be ignored.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2024
Yves-François Blanchet
Yves-François Blanchet
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet in a Hill scrum on Sept. 18, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Bloc’s recipe for success

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2024
  • The Bloc Québécois has suddenly emerged as a force in this country, a force that can’t be ignored.

The Bloc’s recipe for success

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2024
  • The Bloc Québécois has suddenly emerged as a force in this country, a force that can’t be ignored.
Yves-François Blanchet
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet in a Hill scrum on Sept. 18, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The value of political uncertainty

  • The NDP’s fundraising numbers have been stagnant lately, and maybe Singh thought a little uncertainty would help.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2024
Jagmeet Singh
Jagmeet Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh with Videotron workers picketing Parliament Hill on Sept. 16, 2024, as the lockout by their employer continues after 10 months. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade

The value of political uncertainty

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2024
  • The NDP’s fundraising numbers have been stagnant lately, and maybe Singh thought a little uncertainty would help.

The value of political uncertainty

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2024
  • The NDP’s fundraising numbers have been stagnant lately, and maybe Singh thought a little uncertainty would help.
Jagmeet Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh with Videotron workers picketing Parliament Hill on Sept. 16, 2024, as the lockout by their employer continues after 10 months. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade

Poilievre didn’t bully Singh into breaking Liberal deal

  • I’d suggest Pierre Poilievre likely knew Jagmeet Singh would inevitably cancel the deal with the Liberals this fall, which is why he ran his
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 11, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Poilievre is benefiting from a common logical fallacy, specifically the one referred to as 'causation implying correlation,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Poilievre didn’t bully Singh into breaking Liberal deal

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 11, 2024
  • I’d suggest Pierre Poilievre likely knew Jagmeet Singh would inevitably cancel the deal with the Liberals this fall, which is why he ran his

Poilievre didn’t bully Singh into breaking Liberal deal

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 11, 2024
  • I’d suggest Pierre Poilievre likely knew Jagmeet Singh would inevitably cancel the deal with the Liberals this fall, which is why he ran his
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Poilievre is benefiting from a common logical fallacy, specifically the one referred to as 'causation implying correlation,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
More Stories

Carbon taxes and conservative conscience

  • Conservatives don’t have a free-market conscience, so why appeal to something that doesn’t exist? 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 22, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill on Nov. 20, 2023. Every so often, in a vain attempt to make conservative politicians feel guilty about opposing carbon taxes, an environmentalist will publicly make the case that the carbon tax is really a conservative idea, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Carbon taxes and conservative conscience

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 22, 2023
  • Conservatives don’t have a free-market conscience, so why appeal to something that doesn’t exist? 

Carbon taxes and conservative conscience

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 22, 2023
  • Conservatives don’t have a free-market conscience, so why appeal to something that doesn’t exist? 
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill on Nov. 20, 2023. Every so often, in a vain attempt to make conservative politicians feel guilty about opposing carbon taxes, an environmentalist will publicly make the case that the carbon tax is really a conservative idea, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

This just in: is Poilievre charismatic?

  • I’m not saying 'Pierremania' will sweep Canada the way 'Trudeaumania' did in the 1960s or the way 'Justinmania' did in 2015. But no one will
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 16, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on Sept. 26, 2023, on the Hill, has charisma because he comes as across as passionate, confident, and energetic, but there's also a limit to how 'cool' a conservative can be, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

This just in: is Poilievre charismatic?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 16, 2023
  • I’m not saying 'Pierremania' will sweep Canada the way 'Trudeaumania' did in the 1960s or the way 'Justinmania' did in 2015. But no one will

This just in: is Poilievre charismatic?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 16, 2023
  • I’m not saying 'Pierremania' will sweep Canada the way 'Trudeaumania' did in the 1960s or the way 'Justinmania' did in 2015. But no one will
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on Sept. 26, 2023, on the Hill, has charisma because he comes as across as passionate, confident, and energetic, but there's also a limit to how 'cool' a conservative can be, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The rise and fall of the carbon tax consensus

  • The fact that Trudeau announced a pause on the carbon tax in Atlantic Canada—a Liberal bastion—highly suggests even his own supporters don’t like it. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 9, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Nov. 1, 2023, on the Hill arriving for the Liberal caucus. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The rise and fall of the carbon tax consensus

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 9, 2023
  • The fact that Trudeau announced a pause on the carbon tax in Atlantic Canada—a Liberal bastion—highly suggests even his own supporters don’t like it. 

The rise and fall of the carbon tax consensus

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 9, 2023
  • The fact that Trudeau announced a pause on the carbon tax in Atlantic Canada—a Liberal bastion—highly suggests even his own supporters don’t like it. 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured on Nov. 1, 2023, on the Hill arriving for the Liberal caucus. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Gauging the power of consultants

  • While politicians do usually heed the counsel of their consultants, that doesn’t always make them unthinking marionettes.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 2, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Gauging the power of consultants

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 2, 2023
  • While politicians do usually heed the counsel of their consultants, that doesn’t always make them unthinking marionettes.

Gauging the power of consultants

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 2, 2023
  • While politicians do usually heed the counsel of their consultants, that doesn’t always make them unthinking marionettes.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Does the NDP need a miracle? It needs two

  • Since Pierre Poilievre is riding high in the polls and his party’s war chest is bursting, does anyone seriously believe the NDP, with its
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 26, 2023
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were to unexpectedly hang up his guns and ride off into the sunset, that might be the miracle Jagmeet Singh’s NDP needs, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Does the NDP need a miracle? It needs two

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 26, 2023
  • Since Pierre Poilievre is riding high in the polls and his party’s war chest is bursting, does anyone seriously believe the NDP, with its

Does the NDP need a miracle? It needs two

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 26, 2023
  • Since Pierre Poilievre is riding high in the polls and his party’s war chest is bursting, does anyone seriously believe the NDP, with its
If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were to unexpectedly hang up his guns and ride off into the sunset, that might be the miracle Jagmeet Singh’s NDP needs, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pollsters as the voice of doom

  • What are his pollsters telling him? 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 19, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might soon follow New Zealand's from prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s lead and go for a 'walk in the snow.' On the other hand, pollsters aren’t always the voice of doom, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pollsters as the voice of doom

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 19, 2023
  • What are his pollsters telling him? 

Pollsters as the voice of doom

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 19, 2023
  • What are his pollsters telling him? 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might soon follow New Zealand's from prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s lead and go for a 'walk in the snow.' On the other hand, pollsters aren’t always the voice of doom, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s possible predicament

  • No matter what the polls might say, Conservatives are never happy and they’re never truly united. How could they be?
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 11, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will never make all conservatives happy, nor will he ever unite them all. But what he can do is keep the conservative base focused on defeating the Liberals, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Poilievre’s possible predicament

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 11, 2023
  • No matter what the polls might say, Conservatives are never happy and they’re never truly united. How could they be?

Poilievre’s possible predicament

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 11, 2023
  • No matter what the polls might say, Conservatives are never happy and they’re never truly united. How could they be?
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will never make all conservatives happy, nor will he ever unite them all. But what he can do is keep the conservative base focused on defeating the Liberals, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The appeal of new parties

  • An upstart political party shouldn’t be seen as just another piece to move around the gameboard, but as a vehicle for new ideas, approaches
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 5, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, seen recently on the Hill. The Conservatives should not see the Canadian Future Party as a threat to their left flank, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The appeal of new parties

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 5, 2023
  • An upstart political party shouldn’t be seen as just another piece to move around the gameboard, but as a vehicle for new ideas, approaches

The appeal of new parties

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 5, 2023
  • An upstart political party shouldn’t be seen as just another piece to move around the gameboard, but as a vehicle for new ideas, approaches
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, seen recently on the Hill. The Conservatives should not see the Canadian Future Party as a threat to their left flank, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau the populist?

  • As former U.S. president Lyndon Johnson once said, 'You have to be a demagogue on a lot of little things if you want to
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 28, 2023
Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a politician who has branded himself as something of an anti-populist, who’ll only push rational 'evidence-based' policies, will play the populist card if it suits his interests, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau the populist?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 28, 2023
  • As former U.S. president Lyndon Johnson once said, 'You have to be a demagogue on a lot of little things if you want to

Trudeau the populist?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 28, 2023
  • As former U.S. president Lyndon Johnson once said, 'You have to be a demagogue on a lot of little things if you want to
Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a politician who has branded himself as something of an anti-populist, who’ll only push rational 'evidence-based' policies, will play the populist card if it suits his interests, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Can Poilievre and Singh exploit Trudeau’s weakness? 

  • Trudeau is an experienced campaigner with the advantage of incumbency, while Poilievre is untested, and Singh has already been solidly thumped twice. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 20, 2023
It’s still an open question as to whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh can take advantage of the Liberal government’s apparent unpopularity, writes Gerry Nicholls.  The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Can Poilievre and Singh exploit Trudeau’s weakness? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 20, 2023
  • Trudeau is an experienced campaigner with the advantage of incumbency, while Poilievre is untested, and Singh has already been solidly thumped twice. 

Can Poilievre and Singh exploit Trudeau’s weakness? 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 20, 2023
  • Trudeau is an experienced campaigner with the advantage of incumbency, while Poilievre is untested, and Singh has already been solidly thumped twice. 
It’s still an open question as to whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh can take advantage of the Liberal government’s apparent unpopularity, writes Gerry Nicholls.  The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s got a pessimism problem

  • After looking at some recent polls, it's clear that when it comes to attracting younger voters, the Liberals are lagging in third place.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 14, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa shortly after shuffling his cabinet on July 26, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s got a pessimism problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 14, 2023
  • After looking at some recent polls, it's clear that when it comes to attracting younger voters, the Liberals are lagging in third place.

Trudeau’s got a pessimism problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 14, 2023
  • After looking at some recent polls, it's clear that when it comes to attracting younger voters, the Liberals are lagging in third place.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa shortly after shuffling his cabinet on July 26, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How Anaida Poilievre boosts the Conservative message

  • The Conservatives are smart to use Anaida Poilevre to narrate the latest ad showing the softer side of Pierre Poilievre. She's his secret weapon.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2023
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, his wife Anaida, left, and their son Cruz outside the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Sept. 12, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How Anaida Poilievre boosts the Conservative message

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2023
  • The Conservatives are smart to use Anaida Poilevre to narrate the latest ad showing the softer side of Pierre Poilievre. She's his secret weapon.

How Anaida Poilievre boosts the Conservative message

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2023
  • The Conservatives are smart to use Anaida Poilevre to narrate the latest ad showing the softer side of Pierre Poilievre. She's his secret weapon.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, his wife Anaida, left, and their son Cruz outside the National Press Theatre in Ottawa on Sept. 12, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Decoding Trudeau’s olive branch to protesters

  • The prime minister understands that every time he angrily and publicly lashes out at 'regular Canadians,' it raises the country’s political temperature.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 30, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently expressed regret about using the label 'fringe' to describe anti-Trudeau protesters, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Decoding Trudeau’s olive branch to protesters

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 30, 2023
  • The prime minister understands that every time he angrily and publicly lashes out at 'regular Canadians,' it raises the country’s political temperature.

Decoding Trudeau’s olive branch to protesters

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 30, 2023
  • The prime minister understands that every time he angrily and publicly lashes out at 'regular Canadians,' it raises the country’s political temperature.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently expressed regret about using the label 'fringe' to describe anti-Trudeau protesters, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Tories’ anti-WEF attacks little more than an ‘us versus them’ campaign

  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's anti-World Economic Forum stance is not the manifestation of a 'fringe' conspiracy viewpoint. Rather, it’s just a mundane political tactic.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 23, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's attacks on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the World Economic Forum effectively mix an 'us versus them' political ploy with a little bit of 'guilt by association,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Tories’ anti-WEF attacks little more than an ‘us versus them’ campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 23, 2023
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's anti-World Economic Forum stance is not the manifestation of a 'fringe' conspiracy viewpoint. Rather, it’s just a mundane political tactic.

Tories’ anti-WEF attacks little more than an ‘us versus them’ campaign

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 23, 2023
  • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's anti-World Economic Forum stance is not the manifestation of a 'fringe' conspiracy viewpoint. Rather, it’s just a mundane political tactic.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's attacks on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the World Economic Forum effectively mix an 'us versus them' political ploy with a little bit of 'guilt by association,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The art of deflecting political attacks 

  • Be ready for combat once you enter the political arena, because no matter how nice you are, someone will always find a way to
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 17, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters during a scrum in West Block. One key principle when defending yourself is to never repeat an opponent's attack, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The art of deflecting political attacks 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 17, 2023
  • Be ready for combat once you enter the political arena, because no matter how nice you are, someone will always find a way to

The art of deflecting political attacks 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 17, 2023
  • Be ready for combat once you enter the political arena, because no matter how nice you are, someone will always find a way to
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters during a scrum in West Block. One key principle when defending yourself is to never repeat an opponent's attack, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Could socialists and populists unite?

  • The Conservatives and NDP lack a common anti-establishment ideological 'radicalism' that could form the basis of a parliamentary partnership.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 3, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Keep in mind that the views of the populist right and of the socialist left do, in fact, overlap on many issues, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Could socialists and populists unite?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 3, 2023
  • The Conservatives and NDP lack a common anti-establishment ideological 'radicalism' that could form the basis of a parliamentary partnership.

Could socialists and populists unite?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 3, 2023
  • The Conservatives and NDP lack a common anti-establishment ideological 'radicalism' that could form the basis of a parliamentary partnership.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Keep in mind that the views of the populist right and of the socialist left do, in fact, overlap on many issues, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

It’s okay for partisans to be nice

  • In this day and age, we’re so conditioned to see Liberals and Conservatives tear each other apart in public that when we see civility,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 27, 2023
John Baird, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It says something about the nature of politics today, that when a Conservative says something nice about a Liberal, it makes headlines, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Jake Wright

It’s okay for partisans to be nice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 27, 2023
  • In this day and age, we’re so conditioned to see Liberals and Conservatives tear each other apart in public that when we see civility,

It’s okay for partisans to be nice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 27, 2023
  • In this day and age, we’re so conditioned to see Liberals and Conservatives tear each other apart in public that when we see civility,
John Baird, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It says something about the nature of politics today, that when a Conservative says something nice about a Liberal, it makes headlines, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Jake Wright

Pundits versus strategists

  • Pundits like to 'zoom out' for a overview, while strategists will 'zoom in' to focus on the details of what’s going on in the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 24, 2023
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, Yves-François Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh and Elizabeth May. Pundits will tend to regard strategists as cynical, political mercenaries who will brazenly tarnish our cherished democratic ideals through their use of crass and manipulative tactics, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Pundits versus strategists

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 24, 2023
  • Pundits like to 'zoom out' for a overview, while strategists will 'zoom in' to focus on the details of what’s going on in the

Pundits versus strategists

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 24, 2023
  • Pundits like to 'zoom out' for a overview, while strategists will 'zoom in' to focus on the details of what’s going on in the
Justin Trudeau, left, Pierre Poilievre, Yves-François Blanchet, Jagmeet Singh and Elizabeth May. Pundits will tend to regard strategists as cynical, political mercenaries who will brazenly tarnish our cherished democratic ideals through their use of crass and manipulative tactics, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Our summer of discontent

  • Every time you check the news, you’ll be reminded that the world is on the brink of some terrible abyss. Wildfires are ravaging our forests,
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If Canadians are becoming more apprehensive about the future, it likely means they’ll gravitate towards whichever political party can provide strong leadership, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Our summer of discontent

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2023
  • Every time you check the news, you’ll be reminded that the world is on the brink of some terrible abyss. Wildfires are ravaging our forests,

Our summer of discontent

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2023
  • Every time you check the news, you’ll be reminded that the world is on the brink of some terrible abyss. Wildfires are ravaging our forests,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If Canadians are becoming more apprehensive about the future, it likely means they’ll gravitate towards whichever political party can provide strong leadership, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The politics of triangulation

  • If you want to triangulate today, it might be more profitable to flip the equation, i.e., embrace social conservatism and fiscal liberalism. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2023
Mississauga mayor and former Liberal MP Bonnie Crombie, left, and former Liberal MP and current Ontario Liberal MPP Ted Hsu at Liberal National Convention in Ottawa on May 6, 2023. Both are running for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

The politics of triangulation

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2023
  • If you want to triangulate today, it might be more profitable to flip the equation, i.e., embrace social conservatism and fiscal liberalism. 

The politics of triangulation

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 6, 2023
  • If you want to triangulate today, it might be more profitable to flip the equation, i.e., embrace social conservatism and fiscal liberalism. 
Mississauga mayor and former Liberal MP Bonnie Crombie, left, and former Liberal MP and current Ontario Liberal MPP Ted Hsu at Liberal National Convention in Ottawa on May 6, 2023. Both are running for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

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