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Gerry Nicholls

Gerry Nicholls is a communications consultant.

Controlling the campaign message

  • One of the more interesting battles that occur during elections is the one between politicians and journalists over who is going to control the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2025
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, top left, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, bottom left, Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, Green Co-Leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, top right, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

Controlling the campaign message

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2025
  • One of the more interesting battles that occur during elections is the one between politicians and journalists over who is going to control the

Controlling the campaign message

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2025
  • One of the more interesting battles that occur during elections is the one between politicians and journalists over who is going to control the
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, top left, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, bottom left, Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, Green Co-Leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, top right, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin

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
More Stories

Singh needs a few sparks

  • Sometimes it just takes a few sparks to get a political bandwagon moving.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2023
New Democratic Leader Jagmeet Singh's party more than doubled its fundraising totals from the previous quarter, raising more than $2.5-million, but the NDP should be publicizing this good financial news, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh needs a few sparks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2023
  • Sometimes it just takes a few sparks to get a political bandwagon moving.

Singh needs a few sparks

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 16, 2023
  • Sometimes it just takes a few sparks to get a political bandwagon moving.
New Democratic Leader Jagmeet Singh's party more than doubled its fundraising totals from the previous quarter, raising more than $2.5-million, but the NDP should be publicizing this good financial news, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why Trudeau and Poilievre won’t play nice

  • The hard political reality of the situation is Pierre Poilievre needs to bash away at Justin Trudeau and Trudeau needs to bash away at
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau and Poilievre will keep insulting each other from now until Election Day. To put it bluntly: if they’re nice, they’ll lose, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Why Trudeau and Poilievre won’t play nice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2023
  • The hard political reality of the situation is Pierre Poilievre needs to bash away at Justin Trudeau and Trudeau needs to bash away at

Why Trudeau and Poilievre won’t play nice

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2023
  • The hard political reality of the situation is Pierre Poilievre needs to bash away at Justin Trudeau and Trudeau needs to bash away at
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau and Poilievre will keep insulting each other from now until Election Day. To put it bluntly: if they’re nice, they’ll lose, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

How polls help parties plan policy

  • I recently turned down a chance to participate in a phone survey dealing with federal politics, a decision I almost instantly regretted. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 2, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

How polls help parties plan policy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 2, 2023
  • I recently turned down a chance to participate in a phone survey dealing with federal politics, a decision I almost instantly regretted. 

How polls help parties plan policy

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 2, 2023
  • I recently turned down a chance to participate in a phone survey dealing with federal politics, a decision I almost instantly regretted. 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Leader Elizabeth May. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

It’s better for Singh to be Singh

  • To be successful, a politician has to be real. That’s to say if a politician tries to be something he or she isn’t, it
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2023
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on the Hill. New Democrat strategists should focus on addressing Singh’s true political vulnerabilities, argues Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s better for Singh to be Singh

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2023
  • To be successful, a politician has to be real. That’s to say if a politician tries to be something he or she isn’t, it

It’s better for Singh to be Singh

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2023
  • To be successful, a politician has to be real. That’s to say if a politician tries to be something he or she isn’t, it
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on the Hill. New Democrat strategists should focus on addressing Singh’s true political vulnerabilities, argues Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Politics and the five-issue clusters

  • In a tight race, other issues could play a pivotal part in deciding who wins and who loses. Maybe a new slogan should be: 'It’s
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Co-Leader Elizabeth May. The next federal election will be won by whichever political party puts together a campaign which best reflects that famous slogan, 'It’s the economy, stupid.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Politics and the five-issue clusters

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 18, 2023
  • In a tight race, other issues could play a pivotal part in deciding who wins and who loses. Maybe a new slogan should be: 'It’s

Politics and the five-issue clusters

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 18, 2023
  • In a tight race, other issues could play a pivotal part in deciding who wins and who loses. Maybe a new slogan should be: 'It’s
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Co-Leader Elizabeth May. The next federal election will be won by whichever political party puts together a campaign which best reflects that famous slogan, 'It’s the economy, stupid.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Sam Garcia

Trudeau’s ‘boredom’ problem

  • If Canadians are simply bored of Justin Trudeau, he still has a path to victory. But if Canadians are bored of Trudeau and also think
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2023
A Nanos poll came out recently which seemed to have bad news for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Indeed, according to this poll, just over half of Canadians (51 per cent) want the Liberals to dump Trudeau as their leader before the next federal election.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s ‘boredom’ problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2023
  • If Canadians are simply bored of Justin Trudeau, he still has a path to victory. But if Canadians are bored of Trudeau and also think

Trudeau’s ‘boredom’ problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 12, 2023
  • If Canadians are simply bored of Justin Trudeau, he still has a path to victory. But if Canadians are bored of Trudeau and also think
A Nanos poll came out recently which seemed to have bad news for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Indeed, according to this poll, just over half of Canadians (51 per cent) want the Liberals to dump Trudeau as their leader before the next federal election.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Notley’s policy gambit

  • Anyone who’s expecting the Alberta election to be a battle of policy platforms will be sorely disappointed.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 4, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, will face off against Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley in the provincial election this spring. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright and courtesy of Flickr

Notley’s policy gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 4, 2023
  • Anyone who’s expecting the Alberta election to be a battle of policy platforms will be sorely disappointed.

Notley’s policy gambit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 4, 2023
  • Anyone who’s expecting the Alberta election to be a battle of policy platforms will be sorely disappointed.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, will face off against Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley in the provincial election this spring. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright and courtesy of Flickr

Harper’s ideals live on

  • The Canadian Alliance Stephen Harper, not the Conservative Harper, exuded ideological fervour, which mobilized the conservative base. And right now, the conservative base needs mobilizing. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2022
Stephen Harper, pictured campaigning in New Brunswick in the 2015 federal election. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has branded himself as conservatism’s true champion and as an adamant foe of wishy-washy Red Toryism, seems to be taking a page out of Canadian Alliance Harper’s playbook, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Harper’s ideals live on

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2022
  • The Canadian Alliance Stephen Harper, not the Conservative Harper, exuded ideological fervour, which mobilized the conservative base. And right now, the conservative base needs mobilizing. 

Harper’s ideals live on

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2022
  • The Canadian Alliance Stephen Harper, not the Conservative Harper, exuded ideological fervour, which mobilized the conservative base. And right now, the conservative base needs mobilizing. 
Stephen Harper, pictured campaigning in New Brunswick in the 2015 federal election. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has branded himself as conservatism’s true champion and as an adamant foe of wishy-washy Red Toryism, seems to be taking a page out of Canadian Alliance Harper’s playbook, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problem with applause lines

  • Message discipline should always trump the urge to score with applause lines. 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2022
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May recently landed in some hot water after she attempted an applause line.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The problem with applause lines

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2022
  • Message discipline should always trump the urge to score with applause lines. 

The problem with applause lines

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2022
  • Message discipline should always trump the urge to score with applause lines. 
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May recently landed in some hot water after she attempted an applause line.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Chasing ‘meh’ voters 

  • The much-anticipated Republican 'red wave' was more like a 'red trickle.' The question is, what happened? Why did the supposed Republican juggernaut fizzle out? 
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2022
Not-so-sleepy Joe: U.S. President Joe Biden's Democrats outperformed the historical trend in the Nov. 8, 2022, midterm elections. According to The Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter, the election hinged on what she termed the 'meh voters,' defined as independents, Americans not registered as either Republicans or Democrats. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Chasing ‘meh’ voters 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2022
  • The much-anticipated Republican 'red wave' was more like a 'red trickle.' The question is, what happened? Why did the supposed Republican juggernaut fizzle out? 

Chasing ‘meh’ voters 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2022
  • The much-anticipated Republican 'red wave' was more like a 'red trickle.' The question is, what happened? Why did the supposed Republican juggernaut fizzle out? 
Not-so-sleepy Joe: U.S. President Joe Biden's Democrats outperformed the historical trend in the Nov. 8, 2022, midterm elections. According to The Cook Political Report’s Amy Walter, the election hinged on what she termed the 'meh voters,' defined as independents, Americans not registered as either Republicans or Democrats. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Planning the politics of division 

  • Will Pierre Poilievre emulate Ronald Reagan and try to split Canada along ideological lines, perhaps by setting populists against elites? Or, like Justin Trudeau, maybe
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 28, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau could seek a less controversial division, such as splitting up Canadians between those who want change in government and those who favour keeping the status quo. We’ll have to wait and see how Poilievre's pollsters come up with a way to divide and conquer. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Planning the politics of division 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 28, 2022
  • Will Pierre Poilievre emulate Ronald Reagan and try to split Canada along ideological lines, perhaps by setting populists against elites? Or, like Justin Trudeau, maybe

Planning the politics of division 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 28, 2022
  • Will Pierre Poilievre emulate Ronald Reagan and try to split Canada along ideological lines, perhaps by setting populists against elites? Or, like Justin Trudeau, maybe
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau could seek a less controversial division, such as splitting up Canadians between those who want change in government and those who favour keeping the status quo. We’ll have to wait and see how Poilievre's pollsters come up with a way to divide and conquer. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s self-sabotaging comment 

  • Chrystia Freeland’s apology essentially informed Canadians that she really isn’t like 'us,' which is why she doesn’t understand our economic problems, which is why
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 16, 2022
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured recently on the Hill. In the political game of 'Us vs. Them,' politicians must follow one key rule: they should always identify with 'us,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Freeland’s self-sabotaging comment 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 16, 2022
  • Chrystia Freeland’s apology essentially informed Canadians that she really isn’t like 'us,' which is why she doesn’t understand our economic problems, which is why

Freeland’s self-sabotaging comment 

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 16, 2022
  • Chrystia Freeland’s apology essentially informed Canadians that she really isn’t like 'us,' which is why she doesn’t understand our economic problems, which is why
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, pictured recently on the Hill. In the political game of 'Us vs. Them,' politicians must follow one key rule: they should always identify with 'us,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Closing a Charter loophole

  • So that’s the lesson for all those who oppose the notwithstanding clause. Maybe you can’t close that loophole in the court of law, but
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 10, 2022
Ontario Doug Ford, pictured on Oct. 17, 2022, at Nokia in Kanata, Ont., recently buckled on his threat to use the notwithstanding clause to pre-emptively protect a law his government had enacted banning the province’s education workers from going on strike. Apparently, he miscalculated. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Closing a Charter loophole

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 10, 2022
  • So that’s the lesson for all those who oppose the notwithstanding clause. Maybe you can’t close that loophole in the court of law, but

Closing a Charter loophole

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 10, 2022
  • So that’s the lesson for all those who oppose the notwithstanding clause. Maybe you can’t close that loophole in the court of law, but
Ontario Doug Ford, pictured on Oct. 17, 2022, at Nokia in Kanata, Ont., recently buckled on his threat to use the notwithstanding clause to pre-emptively protect a law his government had enacted banning the province’s education workers from going on strike. Apparently, he miscalculated. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Singh’s TikTok problem

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—This is going to sound strange, but it seems NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh could at least partially blame his loss in the last
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 2, 2022
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured Nov. 12, 2021, on TikTok. The video, which picked up on a popular TikTok trend and showed Mr. Singh eating spaghetti and dancing, had received 212,800 likes, 6143 comments, and more than 3.2 million views. Photograph courtesy of Jagmeet Singh's TikTok

Singh’s TikTok problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 2, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—This is going to sound strange, but it seems NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh could at least partially blame his loss in the last

Singh’s TikTok problem

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 2, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—This is going to sound strange, but it seems NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh could at least partially blame his loss in the last
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured Nov. 12, 2021, on TikTok. The video, which picked up on a popular TikTok trend and showed Mr. Singh eating spaghetti and dancing, had received 212,800 likes, 6143 comments, and more than 3.2 million views. Photograph courtesy of Jagmeet Singh's TikTok

What to expect in the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 8

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—To understand what’s truly going on in the crazy and wacky world of American politics, you really need to rely on people with
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 27, 2022
The Capitol Hill Building in Washington, D.C. According to recent polls, the issues that dominate right now in most American states are the economy, inflation, crime, justice, immigration, and border chaos. All these issues, by the way, favour the Republicans, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

What to expect in the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 8

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 27, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—To understand what’s truly going on in the crazy and wacky world of American politics, you really need to rely on people with

What to expect in the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 8

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 27, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—To understand what’s truly going on in the crazy and wacky world of American politics, you really need to rely on people with
The Capitol Hill Building in Washington, D.C. According to recent polls, the issues that dominate right now in most American states are the economy, inflation, crime, justice, immigration, and border chaos. All these issues, by the way, favour the Republicans, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Trudeau’s got an inflation problem, whether or not he caused it

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you want to know who’s going to win the next federal election, pay less attention to opinion polls and more attention to
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 21, 2022
It doesn’t matter if Justin Trudeau isn’t to blame for the onset of inflation, it doesn’t matter if it’s worse in other countries, it doesn’t matter if there’s no short-term, painless way to stop it; at the end of the day, all that matters is he’s the prime minister and the loonie ultimately stops at his desk, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trudeau’s got an inflation problem, whether or not he caused it

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 21, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you want to know who’s going to win the next federal election, pay less attention to opinion polls and more attention to

Trudeau’s got an inflation problem, whether or not he caused it

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 21, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you want to know who’s going to win the next federal election, pay less attention to opinion polls and more attention to
It doesn’t matter if Justin Trudeau isn’t to blame for the onset of inflation, it doesn’t matter if it’s worse in other countries, it doesn’t matter if there’s no short-term, painless way to stop it; at the end of the day, all that matters is he’s the prime minister and the loonie ultimately stops at his desk, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole’s bad luck

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole may have lost the last federal election because he lacked a rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover.
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 12, 2022
Former Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole in a recent media interview basically claimed that what brought him down was a sudden stroke of bad luck, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

O’Toole’s bad luck

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 12, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole may have lost the last federal election because he lacked a rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover.

O’Toole’s bad luck

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 12, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole may have lost the last federal election because he lacked a rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover.
Former Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole in a recent media interview basically claimed that what brought him down was a sudden stroke of bad luck, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Singh embrace populism lite?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Thanks to the NDP, I’m unable at this point to make a fully confident prediction about what kind of communication strategies will be
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2022
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on Sept. 30, 2022, speaking with attendees at the National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony on Parliament Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Singh embrace populism lite?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Thanks to the NDP, I’m unable at this point to make a fully confident prediction about what kind of communication strategies will be

Will Singh embrace populism lite?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Thanks to the NDP, I’m unable at this point to make a fully confident prediction about what kind of communication strategies will be
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, pictured on Sept. 30, 2022, speaking with attendees at the National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony on Parliament Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The artistry of fundraising

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The worst enemy for any fundraiser is the trash can. After all, anyone who receives a fundraising letter in the mail is always
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2022
The charm offensive: Imagine if newly minted Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on Sept. 12, 2022, with his wife Anaida and their son Cruz, sent out a seemingly handwritten letter on his own letterhead to party donors that said something like, 'Dear Joe; it’s late at night and I’m sitting here in my study worried about our party’s finances. The bills for the leadership campaign are piling up on my desk. That’s why I’m writing to you. You’ve stood by me from the beginning so I know you’ll stand by me now at this crucial moment when I need your help.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The artistry of fundraising

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The worst enemy for any fundraiser is the trash can. After all, anyone who receives a fundraising letter in the mail is always

The artistry of fundraising

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—The worst enemy for any fundraiser is the trash can. After all, anyone who receives a fundraising letter in the mail is always
The charm offensive: Imagine if newly minted Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on Sept. 12, 2022, with his wife Anaida and their son Cruz, sent out a seemingly handwritten letter on his own letterhead to party donors that said something like, 'Dear Joe; it’s late at night and I’m sitting here in my study worried about our party’s finances. The bills for the leadership campaign are piling up on my desk. That’s why I’m writing to you. You’ve stood by me from the beginning so I know you’ll stand by me now at this crucial moment when I need your help.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What’s wrong with the Greens?

  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Sometimes political organizations need to focus less on ideological fervor and more on the practicalities of politics. A case in point is the
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2022
Former Green Party leader Elizabeth May, pictured Oct. 3, 2020, is running to be leader again. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What’s wrong with the Greens?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Sometimes political organizations need to focus less on ideological fervor and more on the practicalities of politics. A case in point is the

What’s wrong with the Greens?

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 22, 2022
  • OAKVILLE, ONT.—Sometimes political organizations need to focus less on ideological fervor and more on the practicalities of politics. A case in point is the
Former Green Party leader Elizabeth May, pictured Oct. 3, 2020, is running to be leader again. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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