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Friday, November 22, 2024
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Susan Riley

Susan Riley is a veteran political columnist and regular contributor to The Hill Times.

Trump, Trudeau and an ominous thunder

  • Donald Trump’s return will only make things worse. He's called climate change 'a scam,' EVs useless, and boasted that America 'has more liquid gold
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 11, 2024
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
The good news is that Donald Trump, pictured, will be gone for good in four years. It will be up to the next U.S. government to repair the devastation he leaves, or not, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump, Trudeau and an ominous thunder

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 11, 2024
  • Donald Trump’s return will only make things worse. He's called climate change 'a scam,' EVs useless, and boasted that America 'has more liquid gold

Trump, Trudeau and an ominous thunder

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 11, 2024
  • Donald Trump’s return will only make things worse. He's called climate change 'a scam,' EVs useless, and boasted that America 'has more liquid gold
Donald Trump
The good news is that Donald Trump, pictured, will be gone for good in four years. It will be up to the next U.S. government to repair the devastation he leaves, or not, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump, Trudeau and an ominous thunder

  • Donald Trump’s return will only make things worse. He's called climate change 'a scam,' EVs useless, and boasted that America 'has more liquid gold
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 11, 2024
Donald Trump
Donald Trump
The good news is that Donald Trump, pictured, will be gone for good in four years. It will be up to the next U.S. government to repair the devastation he leaves, or not, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Trump, Trudeau and an ominous thunder

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 11, 2024
  • Donald Trump’s return will only make things worse. He's called climate change 'a scam,' EVs useless, and boasted that America 'has more liquid gold

Trump, Trudeau and an ominous thunder

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 11, 2024
  • Donald Trump’s return will only make things worse. He's called climate change 'a scam,' EVs useless, and boasted that America 'has more liquid gold
Donald Trump
The good news is that Donald Trump, pictured, will be gone for good in four years. It will be up to the next U.S. government to repair the devastation he leaves, or not, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr

Meanwhile, on a planet far, far away

  • The enemy without—climate change, of course—is scratching at the window, unheard and ignored. In one way or another it’s coming for us all.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 28, 2024
David Eby, left, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, Kamala Harris, David Rustad, Pierre Poilievre, and Danielle Smith. Politics is a thankless business, so perhaps we shouldn’t begrudge our leaders the fun they are having with issues like foreign interference, Trump’s admiration for Hitler, Rustad’s flirtations with crazy conspiracies, writes Riley. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr/British Columbia Government and The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, illustration by Neena Singhal

Meanwhile, on a planet far, far away

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 28, 2024
  • The enemy without—climate change, of course—is scratching at the window, unheard and ignored. In one way or another it’s coming for us all.

Meanwhile, on a planet far, far away

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 28, 2024
  • The enemy without—climate change, of course—is scratching at the window, unheard and ignored. In one way or another it’s coming for us all.
David Eby, left, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, Kamala Harris, David Rustad, Pierre Poilievre, and Danielle Smith. Politics is a thankless business, so perhaps we shouldn’t begrudge our leaders the fun they are having with issues like foreign interference, Trump’s admiration for Hitler, Rustad’s flirtations with crazy conspiracies, writes Riley. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr/British Columbia Government and The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, illustration by Neena Singhal

Can we talk about Poilievre? Whether his harshness is impulsive or strategic, it’s invidious

  • Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair, who faced Poilievre in the Commons for 10 years, recalled: 'He has only one pitch: a hardball to the
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 14, 2024
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, left, is the latest public figure to face Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s lacerating criticism, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Can we talk about Poilievre? Whether his harshness is impulsive or strategic, it’s invidious

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 14, 2024
  • Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair, who faced Poilievre in the Commons for 10 years, recalled: 'He has only one pitch: a hardball to the

Can we talk about Poilievre? Whether his harshness is impulsive or strategic, it’s invidious

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 14, 2024
  • Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair, who faced Poilievre in the Commons for 10 years, recalled: 'He has only one pitch: a hardball to the
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, left, is the latest public figure to face Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s lacerating criticism, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

A diverse menu, but nothing appeals

  • The ideal prime minister would be someone with no political baggage, no embarrassing internet history, no ideological quirks, with razor-sharp debating skills, a sense
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 30, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. After years on the fringes of every consequential election in this country, perhaps the moment has finally come for 'none-of-the-above,' writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

A diverse menu, but nothing appeals

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 30, 2024
  • The ideal prime minister would be someone with no political baggage, no embarrassing internet history, no ideological quirks, with razor-sharp debating skills, a sense

A diverse menu, but nothing appeals

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 30, 2024
  • The ideal prime minister would be someone with no political baggage, no embarrassing internet history, no ideological quirks, with razor-sharp debating skills, a sense
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. After years on the fringes of every consequential election in this country, perhaps the moment has finally come for 'none-of-the-above,' writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Trade policy: where ideological purity goes to die

  • Protectionism is having a moment in the face of the off-shoring of jobs, shrinking middle-class incomes, growing inequality, and soaring corporate profits.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 26, 2024
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to follow the United States in placing a punishing tariff on affordable Chinese EVs, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trade policy: where ideological purity goes to die

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 26, 2024
  • Protectionism is having a moment in the face of the off-shoring of jobs, shrinking middle-class incomes, growing inequality, and soaring corporate profits.

Trade policy: where ideological purity goes to die

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 26, 2024
  • Protectionism is having a moment in the face of the off-shoring of jobs, shrinking middle-class incomes, growing inequality, and soaring corporate profits.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to follow the United States in placing a punishing tariff on affordable Chinese EVs, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will the Harris bounce jump the border? If only

  • Kamala Harris hasn’t just revived a fretful Democratic Party, in the opening weeks of her presidential campaign, in her own country. Her arrival has
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 12, 2024
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris is like a breath of fresh air, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Will the Harris bounce jump the border? If only

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 12, 2024
  • Kamala Harris hasn’t just revived a fretful Democratic Party, in the opening weeks of her presidential campaign, in her own country. Her arrival has

Will the Harris bounce jump the border? If only

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 12, 2024
  • Kamala Harris hasn’t just revived a fretful Democratic Party, in the opening weeks of her presidential campaign, in her own country. Her arrival has
Kamala Harris
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris is like a breath of fresh air, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Pumping more oil while the house burns down: how long will the fantasy last?

  • Fossil fuels still hugely contribute to provincial coffers and the federal treasury, but too so would green energy alternatives if given a chance to
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 29, 2024
Last summer's forest fires in Alberta. With a few exceptions, our politicians are divided into two camps: the stout defenders of the oil and gas industry regardless of damage to the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions cause; or, those rhetorically committed to addressing climate change, but, maybe next decade, or in 2050. Photograph courtesy of Cpl. Marc-André Leclerc, DND Canada

Pumping more oil while the house burns down: how long will the fantasy last?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 29, 2024
  • Fossil fuels still hugely contribute to provincial coffers and the federal treasury, but too so would green energy alternatives if given a chance to

Pumping more oil while the house burns down: how long will the fantasy last?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 29, 2024
  • Fossil fuels still hugely contribute to provincial coffers and the federal treasury, but too so would green energy alternatives if given a chance to
Last summer's forest fires in Alberta. With a few exceptions, our politicians are divided into two camps: the stout defenders of the oil and gas industry regardless of damage to the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions cause; or, those rhetorically committed to addressing climate change, but, maybe next decade, or in 2050. Photograph courtesy of Cpl. Marc-André Leclerc, DND Canada

Who will be left standing in an uncertain political moment?

  • What does any leader do when the public mood is 'out with the old, in with the unthinkable'? And 'old' isn’t always a matter
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 15, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a bilateral meeting in Ottawa on March 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who will be left standing in an uncertain political moment?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 15, 2024
  • What does any leader do when the public mood is 'out with the old, in with the unthinkable'? And 'old' isn’t always a matter

Who will be left standing in an uncertain political moment?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 15, 2024
  • What does any leader do when the public mood is 'out with the old, in with the unthinkable'? And 'old' isn’t always a matter
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a bilateral meeting in Ottawa on March 24, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Happy Canada Day, everyone! Or is it?

  • This July 1 has some Canadians worried about the future and despondent about the present. 
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 1, 2024
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, pictured on the Hill on April 16, 2024, with some of his Conservative MPs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Happy Canada Day, everyone! Or is it?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 1, 2024
  • This July 1 has some Canadians worried about the future and despondent about the present. 

Happy Canada Day, everyone! Or is it?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | July 1, 2024
  • This July 1 has some Canadians worried about the future and despondent about the present. 
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, centre, pictured on the Hill on April 16, 2024, with some of his Conservative MPs. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Colonel Mustard with the knife in the Constituency? Maybe not

  • Elizabeth May's unexpected denouement left media, opposition parties, and the dysfunctional security apparatus looking like bit players in an Inspector Clouseau farce. The whole
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 17, 2024
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May told reporters last week that 'There is no list of MPs who have shown disloyalty to Canada,' but said one former unnamed MP was a willing tool of Beijing. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Colonel Mustard with the knife in the Constituency? Maybe not

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 17, 2024
  • Elizabeth May's unexpected denouement left media, opposition parties, and the dysfunctional security apparatus looking like bit players in an Inspector Clouseau farce. The whole

Colonel Mustard with the knife in the Constituency? Maybe not

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 17, 2024
  • Elizabeth May's unexpected denouement left media, opposition parties, and the dysfunctional security apparatus looking like bit players in an Inspector Clouseau farce. The whole
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May told reporters last week that 'There is no list of MPs who have shown disloyalty to Canada,' but said one former unnamed MP was a willing tool of Beijing. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hey, Liberals! Why be shy? Isn’t it time to refute the disinformation?

  • Any attempts to dispute the cascade of falsehoods on X, many emanating from Pierre Poilievre, have been late, fitful and lost amid the background
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 3, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on the Hill on April 16, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Hey, Liberals! Why be shy? Isn’t it time to refute the disinformation?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 3, 2024
  • Any attempts to dispute the cascade of falsehoods on X, many emanating from Pierre Poilievre, have been late, fitful and lost amid the background

Hey, Liberals! Why be shy? Isn’t it time to refute the disinformation?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | June 3, 2024
  • Any attempts to dispute the cascade of falsehoods on X, many emanating from Pierre Poilievre, have been late, fitful and lost amid the background
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on the Hill on April 16, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Workin’ 9 to 5, that’s no way to make a livin’

  • Sending public servants into action to save a city from decades of bad urban planning is like dispatching the military to fill sandbags, or
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 13, 2024
Public Service Alliance of Canada president Chris Aylward during PSAC's picket line in Ottawa on April 19, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Workin’ 9 to 5, that’s no way to make a livin’

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 13, 2024
  • Sending public servants into action to save a city from decades of bad urban planning is like dispatching the military to fill sandbags, or

Workin’ 9 to 5, that’s no way to make a livin’

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 13, 2024
  • Sending public servants into action to save a city from decades of bad urban planning is like dispatching the military to fill sandbags, or
Public Service Alliance of Canada president Chris Aylward during PSAC's picket line in Ottawa on April 19, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

First they came for the carbon tax, are electric vehicles next?

  • Canadian politicians at all levels have a choice: continue supporting a still-lucrative but damaging fossil fuel industry, or summon the courage and foresight to
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 22, 2024
The slowing sale of EVs lends ballast to an indirect campaign by Big Oil, and its enablers, to undermine the transition away from gasoline, with torqued reports about the supposed unreliability of EVs in cold climates, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

First they came for the carbon tax, are electric vehicles next?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 22, 2024
  • Canadian politicians at all levels have a choice: continue supporting a still-lucrative but damaging fossil fuel industry, or summon the courage and foresight to

First they came for the carbon tax, are electric vehicles next?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 22, 2024
  • Canadian politicians at all levels have a choice: continue supporting a still-lucrative but damaging fossil fuel industry, or summon the courage and foresight to
The slowing sale of EVs lends ballast to an indirect campaign by Big Oil, and its enablers, to undermine the transition away from gasoline, with torqued reports about the supposed unreliability of EVs in cold climates, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

How to navigate post-fact politics: skeptically, but attentively

  • Today’s politics is entirely personality and performances. The bickering plays out like an annoying soundtrack, and the temptation to tune it out can be
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 8, 2024
The oilsands in Fort McMurray, Alta. The delivery of federal climate measures has been so bungled and half-hearted that the fact-free enemies of climate action—various premiers, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre—are winning the communications war, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

How to navigate post-fact politics: skeptically, but attentively

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 8, 2024
  • Today’s politics is entirely personality and performances. The bickering plays out like an annoying soundtrack, and the temptation to tune it out can be

How to navigate post-fact politics: skeptically, but attentively

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 8, 2024
  • Today’s politics is entirely personality and performances. The bickering plays out like an annoying soundtrack, and the temptation to tune it out can be
The oilsands in Fort McMurray, Alta. The delivery of federal climate measures has been so bungled and half-hearted that the fact-free enemies of climate action—various premiers, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre—are winning the communications war, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

There are signs of resistance to the right-wing juggernaut, if you look hard enough

  • The election of Wab Kinew, the first modern-day Indigenous premier of Manitoba, signals a welcome departure from the usual fed-prov scenario: premiers fighting Ottawa
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 25, 2024
Wab Kinew, pictured Oct. 3, 2023, after winning the Manitoba election. In his first months, the new NDP premier has cheerfully accepted $664-million in federal money for health care and also welcomed the recent federal mini-pharmacare plan, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy of X/Twitter

There are signs of resistance to the right-wing juggernaut, if you look hard enough

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 25, 2024
  • The election of Wab Kinew, the first modern-day Indigenous premier of Manitoba, signals a welcome departure from the usual fed-prov scenario: premiers fighting Ottawa

There are signs of resistance to the right-wing juggernaut, if you look hard enough

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 25, 2024
  • The election of Wab Kinew, the first modern-day Indigenous premier of Manitoba, signals a welcome departure from the usual fed-prov scenario: premiers fighting Ottawa
Wab Kinew, pictured Oct. 3, 2023, after winning the Manitoba election. In his first months, the new NDP premier has cheerfully accepted $664-million in federal money for health care and also welcomed the recent federal mini-pharmacare plan, writes Susan Riley. Photograph courtesy of X/Twitter

‘Baby-steps’ pharmacare a test of our humanity and of our political leaders

  • If the proposals survive, this national pharmacare intro-package should fill open gaps for many insulin-dependent diabetics, especially those with Type 1 diabetes. But there
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 11, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The final argument against what's otherwise a compassionate and affordable initiative from a reluctant federal government is that paying for medication for diabetics could be a slippery slope. But isn't that a slope we want to be on, asks Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

‘Baby-steps’ pharmacare a test of our humanity and of our political leaders

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 11, 2024
  • If the proposals survive, this national pharmacare intro-package should fill open gaps for many insulin-dependent diabetics, especially those with Type 1 diabetes. But there

‘Baby-steps’ pharmacare a test of our humanity and of our political leaders

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 11, 2024
  • If the proposals survive, this national pharmacare intro-package should fill open gaps for many insulin-dependent diabetics, especially those with Type 1 diabetes. But there
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The final argument against what's otherwise a compassionate and affordable initiative from a reluctant federal government is that paying for medication for diabetics could be a slippery slope. But isn't that a slope we want to be on, asks Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

A rapidly changing climate and a glaring political disconnect

  • Climate change is on the agenda, but only sometimes, as one of several recurring issues. It might crop up when a town burns down,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 26, 2024
Long-time NDP MP Charlie Angus introduced a private member's bill that would ban deceptive advertising from the oil and gas sector, but you'd think he had proposed legalizing child pornography, so violent and dismissive was reaction to his bill. It doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in Ottawa of surviving, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

A rapidly changing climate and a glaring political disconnect

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 26, 2024
  • Climate change is on the agenda, but only sometimes, as one of several recurring issues. It might crop up when a town burns down,

A rapidly changing climate and a glaring political disconnect

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 26, 2024
  • Climate change is on the agenda, but only sometimes, as one of several recurring issues. It might crop up when a town burns down,
Long-time NDP MP Charlie Angus introduced a private member's bill that would ban deceptive advertising from the oil and gas sector, but you'd think he had proposed legalizing child pornography, so violent and dismissive was reaction to his bill. It doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in Ottawa of surviving, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For climate progress, maybe the rest of Canada should join Quebec

  • Plaudits to Quebec. It is more than carrying its weight when it comes to lowering national admissions and, unlike the federal government, gaining favourable
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 12, 2024
Quebec Premier François Legault in Ottawa on Feb. 7, 2023. The premier is leaping to the front of a parade led by middle-class Quebecers—but it is a parade that leads away from oil and gas, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

For climate progress, maybe the rest of Canada should join Quebec

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 12, 2024
  • Plaudits to Quebec. It is more than carrying its weight when it comes to lowering national admissions and, unlike the federal government, gaining favourable

For climate progress, maybe the rest of Canada should join Quebec

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 12, 2024
  • Plaudits to Quebec. It is more than carrying its weight when it comes to lowering national admissions and, unlike the federal government, gaining favourable
Quebec Premier François Legault in Ottawa on Feb. 7, 2023. The premier is leaping to the front of a parade led by middle-class Quebecers—but it is a parade that leads away from oil and gas, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Will Trudeau’s third act include a surprise ending?

  • Absent future careless misjudgments, bureaucratic boondoggles or mishandled global, domestic, or climate emergencies, Justin Trudeau could pull off a miracle recovery. Or at least
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 29, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

Will Trudeau’s third act include a surprise ending?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 29, 2024
  • Absent future careless misjudgments, bureaucratic boondoggles or mishandled global, domestic, or climate emergencies, Justin Trudeau could pull off a miracle recovery. Or at least

Will Trudeau’s third act include a surprise ending?

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 29, 2024
  • Absent future careless misjudgments, bureaucratic boondoggles or mishandled global, domestic, or climate emergencies, Justin Trudeau could pull off a miracle recovery. Or at least
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade

How the Liberal Party can save itself, maybe

  • It may be too late. The Liberals are never going to win over Alberta’s political class, many voters out West, many angry men. They
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 22, 2024
Sport Minister Carla Qualtrough, top left, Housing Minister Sean Fraser, Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan, above left, Treasury Board President Anita Anand, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne tend to get things done, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

How the Liberal Party can save itself, maybe

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 22, 2024
  • It may be too late. The Liberals are never going to win over Alberta’s political class, many voters out West, many angry men. They

How the Liberal Party can save itself, maybe

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 22, 2024
  • It may be too late. The Liberals are never going to win over Alberta’s political class, many voters out West, many angry men. They
Sport Minister Carla Qualtrough, top left, Housing Minister Sean Fraser, Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan, above left, Treasury Board President Anita Anand, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne tend to get things done, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

For something completely different: a little good news

  • Despite the threat of a reversal of our halting progress on climate, reconciliation and social equity under a future Conservative government, continuing worry about
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 8, 2024
Housing minister Sean Fraser offered an eye-catching proposal just before Christmas: an updated version of an 80-year old federal housing program that offered small, simple, nearly-identical housing units to returning Second World War veterans, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Photograph by Andrew Meade

For something completely different: a little good news

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 8, 2024
  • Despite the threat of a reversal of our halting progress on climate, reconciliation and social equity under a future Conservative government, continuing worry about

For something completely different: a little good news

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 8, 2024
  • Despite the threat of a reversal of our halting progress on climate, reconciliation and social equity under a future Conservative government, continuing worry about
Housing minister Sean Fraser offered an eye-catching proposal just before Christmas: an updated version of an 80-year old federal housing program that offered small, simple, nearly-identical housing units to returning Second World War veterans, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Photograph by Andrew Meade

Oil and gas industry’s fancy foot-dragging wins the day, again

  • While the Conservative leader is busy trying to 'ruin' Trudeau’s holiday with procedural hi-jinks aimed at fighting the carbon tax, oil executives and their
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 11, 2023
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, left, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. The Trudeau government has abased itself to the fossil fuel industry leaders: buying a $30-billion money-losing pipeline, sending millions of dollar to the province to clean up abandoned wells, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Oil and gas industry’s fancy foot-dragging wins the day, again

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 11, 2023
  • While the Conservative leader is busy trying to 'ruin' Trudeau’s holiday with procedural hi-jinks aimed at fighting the carbon tax, oil executives and their

Oil and gas industry’s fancy foot-dragging wins the day, again

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 11, 2023
  • While the Conservative leader is busy trying to 'ruin' Trudeau’s holiday with procedural hi-jinks aimed at fighting the carbon tax, oil executives and their
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, left, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. The Trudeau government has abased itself to the fossil fuel industry leaders: buying a $30-billion money-losing pipeline, sending millions of dollar to the province to clean up abandoned wells, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

It’s always the economy, and we’re not stupid

  • While politicians hurl accusations and recycle old ideological claims, their lives are mostly untouched by current financial pressures; they, along with grocery store executives,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 27, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill. Unfortunately for Poilievre, last week’s fall economic update was preceded by cheering news on inflation; the official rate has dropped from 3.8 per cent in September to 3.1 per cent last month and could be on its way further down, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s always the economy, and we’re not stupid

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 27, 2023
  • While politicians hurl accusations and recycle old ideological claims, their lives are mostly untouched by current financial pressures; they, along with grocery store executives,

It’s always the economy, and we’re not stupid

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 27, 2023
  • While politicians hurl accusations and recycle old ideological claims, their lives are mostly untouched by current financial pressures; they, along with grocery store executives,
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill. Unfortunately for Poilievre, last week’s fall economic update was preceded by cheering news on inflation; the official rate has dropped from 3.8 per cent in September to 3.1 per cent last month and could be on its way further down, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada’s climate policy, not just the carbon tax, is on a knife’s edge

  • The Liberal government seemed content to let the carbon tax do all the work until, magically, everyone buys electric vehicles, installs heat pumps, and
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 13, 2023
The saddest thing is that the Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, are probably as good as it gets on climate since Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre doesn’t take climate seriously, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Canada’s climate policy, not just the carbon tax, is on a knife’s edge

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 13, 2023
  • The Liberal government seemed content to let the carbon tax do all the work until, magically, everyone buys electric vehicles, installs heat pumps, and

Canada’s climate policy, not just the carbon tax, is on a knife’s edge

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 13, 2023
  • The Liberal government seemed content to let the carbon tax do all the work until, magically, everyone buys electric vehicles, installs heat pumps, and
The saddest thing is that the Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, are probably as good as it gets on climate since Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre doesn’t take climate seriously, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

No country for old men

  • The health of any institution requires regular renewal, encouraging newcomers while bidding a respectful farewell to those who have served long and often well.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 30, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden, age 80, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, age 51. Canada is blessed in the health, energy and work ethic of our political leaders, especially when compared to our southern neighbours, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

No country for old men

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 30, 2023
  • The health of any institution requires regular renewal, encouraging newcomers while bidding a respectful farewell to those who have served long and often well.

No country for old men

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 30, 2023
  • The health of any institution requires regular renewal, encouraging newcomers while bidding a respectful farewell to those who have served long and often well.
U.S. President Joe Biden, age 80, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, age 51. Canada is blessed in the health, energy and work ethic of our political leaders, especially when compared to our southern neighbours, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

All our puny sorrows: plea for perspective in an anguished world

  • While Israelis and Palestinians alike reckon with the aftermath of the barbarism unleashed by Hamas last week, one Canadian leader has invoked the notwithstanding
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 16, 2023
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has invoked the notwithstanding clause to allow him to override the rights of young people questioning their gender identity, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

All our puny sorrows: plea for perspective in an anguished world

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 16, 2023
  • While Israelis and Palestinians alike reckon with the aftermath of the barbarism unleashed by Hamas last week, one Canadian leader has invoked the notwithstanding

All our puny sorrows: plea for perspective in an anguished world

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 16, 2023
  • While Israelis and Palestinians alike reckon with the aftermath of the barbarism unleashed by Hamas last week, one Canadian leader has invoked the notwithstanding
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has invoked the notwithstanding clause to allow him to override the rights of young people questioning their gender identity, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Just what we need: another national unity crisis

  • If Alberta premier Danielle Smith manifests such disregard for the rest of the country, she shouldn't be surprised if the rest of Canada reacts
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 2, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants to exit the Canada Pension Plan and take more than half its assets with her. But there's the little matter of the greenhouse gas emissions emanating from Alberta's primary industry, and the costly damage they continue to cause every province and territory in the country, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Just what we need: another national unity crisis

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 2, 2023
  • If Alberta premier Danielle Smith manifests such disregard for the rest of the country, she shouldn't be surprised if the rest of Canada reacts

Just what we need: another national unity crisis

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 2, 2023
  • If Alberta premier Danielle Smith manifests such disregard for the rest of the country, she shouldn't be surprised if the rest of Canada reacts
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants to exit the Canada Pension Plan and take more than half its assets with her. But there's the little matter of the greenhouse gas emissions emanating from Alberta's primary industry, and the costly damage they continue to cause every province and territory in the country, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
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Canada needs a reconstructed Conservative Party

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—This country needs a reconstructed Conservative Party—one that embodies the prudent policy and personal rectitude of a Peter Loughheed, Bill Davis, Joe Clark,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 21, 2018
The heirs to Sir John A. Macdonald, and his uniquely Canadian conservative vision, have been out-shouted and out-campaigned by the likes of Doug Ford, left, Jason Kenney, and that spawn of Stephen Harper, Andrew Scheer. These neo-conservatives draw their inspiration from Breitbart, Donald Trump, evangelical pastors, and hateful talk show hosts, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Canada needs a reconstructed Conservative Party

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 21, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—This country needs a reconstructed Conservative Party—one that embodies the prudent policy and personal rectitude of a Peter Loughheed, Bill Davis, Joe Clark,

Canada needs a reconstructed Conservative Party

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 21, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—This country needs a reconstructed Conservative Party—one that embodies the prudent policy and personal rectitude of a Peter Loughheed, Bill Davis, Joe Clark,
The heirs to Sir John A. Macdonald, and his uniquely Canadian conservative vision, have been out-shouted and out-campaigned by the likes of Doug Ford, left, Jason Kenney, and that spawn of Stephen Harper, Andrew Scheer. These neo-conservatives draw their inspiration from Breitbart, Donald Trump, evangelical pastors, and hateful talk show hosts, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Is there really an economic case for Kinder Morgan? 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—The environmental dangers involved in the controversial twinning of the Kinder Morgan pipeline through British Columbia are easy to see, if not to
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 7, 2018
Pipelines, politics and people: People pictured April 7, 2018 protesting against the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline at Burnaby Mountain. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

Is there really an economic case for Kinder Morgan? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 7, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—The environmental dangers involved in the controversial twinning of the Kinder Morgan pipeline through British Columbia are easy to see, if not to

Is there really an economic case for Kinder Morgan? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | May 7, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—The environmental dangers involved in the controversial twinning of the Kinder Morgan pipeline through British Columbia are easy to see, if not to
Pipelines, politics and people: People pictured April 7, 2018 protesting against the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline at Burnaby Mountain. Photograph courtesy of Flickr

The horror of free child care and other political crimes 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—She’s done it again. Free child care for pre-schoolers in Ontario! This cynical ploy follows a series of recent outrages: free drugs for
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 2, 2018
Where will Kathleen Wynne’s manic spending leave the embattled citizens of Ontario? Apart from healthier and less financially pinched, that is? The Hill Times file photograph

The horror of free child care and other political crimes 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 2, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—She’s done it again. Free child care for pre-schoolers in Ontario! This cynical ploy follows a series of recent outrages: free drugs for

The horror of free child care and other political crimes 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | April 2, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—She’s done it again. Free child care for pre-schoolers in Ontario! This cynical ploy follows a series of recent outrages: free drugs for
Where will Kathleen Wynne’s manic spending leave the embattled citizens of Ontario? Apart from healthier and less financially pinched, that is? The Hill Times file photograph

Jagmeet Singh clears one obstacle to NDP fortunes 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Belatedly, tentatively—and after what must have been considerable pressure from within his own party—Jagmeet Singh clarified his position on Talwinder Singh Parmar, named
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 19, 2018
What took you so long? For months, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh refused repeated invitations to condemn the glorification of specific Sikh separatists, notably Parmar. When pushed on the issue by CBC host Terry Milewski last October, shortly after he became the first non-white to lead a federal political party, Singh called the questioning 'offensive.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Jagmeet Singh clears one obstacle to NDP fortunes 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 19, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Belatedly, tentatively—and after what must have been considerable pressure from within his own party—Jagmeet Singh clarified his position on Talwinder Singh Parmar, named

Jagmeet Singh clears one obstacle to NDP fortunes 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | March 19, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—Belatedly, tentatively—and after what must have been considerable pressure from within his own party—Jagmeet Singh clarified his position on Talwinder Singh Parmar, named
What took you so long? For months, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh refused repeated invitations to condemn the glorification of specific Sikh separatists, notably Parmar. When pushed on the issue by CBC host Terry Milewski last October, shortly after he became the first non-white to lead a federal political party, Singh called the questioning 'offensive.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Pipeline questions, unasked and unanswered

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—When it comes to pipeline politics, the unproven claims flow much faster than Alberta bitumen. Diverting as the ongoing interprovincial punch-up has been—Rachel
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 19, 2018
Diverting as the ongoing interprovincial punch-up has been—Rachel Notley, left, Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer, and most of Canadian punditry championing the $7.4-billion Kinder Morgan TransMountain project, over the protests of B.C. Premier John Horgan—it doesn’t address the fundamental questions, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photographs

Pipeline questions, unasked and unanswered

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 19, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—When it comes to pipeline politics, the unproven claims flow much faster than Alberta bitumen. Diverting as the ongoing interprovincial punch-up has been—Rachel

Pipeline questions, unasked and unanswered

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 19, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—When it comes to pipeline politics, the unproven claims flow much faster than Alberta bitumen. Diverting as the ongoing interprovincial punch-up has been—Rachel
Diverting as the ongoing interprovincial punch-up has been—Rachel Notley, left, Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer, and most of Canadian punditry championing the $7.4-billion Kinder Morgan TransMountain project, over the protests of B.C. Premier John Horgan—it doesn’t address the fundamental questions, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photographs

Democracy or dynasty? It’s getting hard to tell the difference 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—It’s a relief to know the one per cent will be well represented in the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race. Wealthy populist gadfly
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 5, 2018
Caroline Mulroney, right, pictured with Conservative House leader Candice Bergen on May 27, 2017, at the Conservative leadership convention in Toronto. The Hill Times file photograph

Democracy or dynasty? It’s getting hard to tell the difference 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 5, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—It’s a relief to know the one per cent will be well represented in the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race. Wealthy populist gadfly

Democracy or dynasty? It’s getting hard to tell the difference 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | February 5, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—It’s a relief to know the one per cent will be well represented in the Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race. Wealthy populist gadfly
Caroline Mulroney, right, pictured with Conservative House leader Candice Bergen on May 27, 2017, at the Conservative leadership convention in Toronto. The Hill Times file photograph

What if Question Period featured better questions? Just asking

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—What political junkie isn’t thrilled for the return of Question Period after every seasonal break, well, until the first question, at least? Whatever
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 29, 2018
It's show time: Prime Minister fields a question during Question Period earlier this year. The House resumes sitting on Jan. 29. If you are eager to revisit the well-tilled matter of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to the Aga Khan’s island—TWO Christmases ago—you may be entertained. If you are more outraged by Trudeau’s broken promise to restore door-to-door mail delivery, than you are interested in how to fix a misfiring postal service, QP is your ticket, writes Susan Riley. PMO photograph

What if Question Period featured better questions? Just asking

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 29, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—What political junkie isn’t thrilled for the return of Question Period after every seasonal break, well, until the first question, at least? Whatever

What if Question Period featured better questions? Just asking

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 29, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—What political junkie isn’t thrilled for the return of Question Period after every seasonal break, well, until the first question, at least? Whatever
It's show time: Prime Minister fields a question during Question Period earlier this year. The House resumes sitting on Jan. 29. If you are eager to revisit the well-tilled matter of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to the Aga Khan’s island—TWO Christmases ago—you may be entertained. If you are more outraged by Trudeau’s broken promise to restore door-to-door mail delivery, than you are interested in how to fix a misfiring postal service, QP is your ticket, writes Susan Riley. PMO photograph

Let’s not panic about trade deals 

  • CHELSEA, QUE.—For too long, we have been told that free trade explains our wealth and success as a nation—and, that anything that threatens our
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 22, 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Jan. 16 when he named Olympic figure skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir as the Canadian Flag bearers for the upcoming 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. Introducing so-called non-trade elements—gender equality, environmental protections, labour, and Indigenous rights—into negotiations is a bold move on Mr. Trudeau’s part. He is apparently convinced that traditional trade deals that have catered to corporate interests, at the expense of everyone else, are responsible for Trump’s victory and for Brexit; that people are challenging the gospel of free trade for good reason. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Let’s not panic about trade deals 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 22, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—For too long, we have been told that free trade explains our wealth and success as a nation—and, that anything that threatens our

Let’s not panic about trade deals 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 22, 2018
  • CHELSEA, QUE.—For too long, we have been told that free trade explains our wealth and success as a nation—and, that anything that threatens our
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Jan. 16 when he named Olympic figure skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir as the Canadian Flag bearers for the upcoming 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. Introducing so-called non-trade elements—gender equality, environmental protections, labour, and Indigenous rights—into negotiations is a bold move on Mr. Trudeau’s part. He is apparently convinced that traditional trade deals that have catered to corporate interests, at the expense of everyone else, are responsible for Trump’s victory and for Brexit; that people are challenging the gospel of free trade for good reason. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who is Justin Trudeau anyway? 

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Justin Trudeau might consider being more like Donald Trump if he wants to maintain his political standing in 2018 and beyond. More transparent,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 8, 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Oct. 16, 2017, at a Diwali celebration event at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Who is Justin Trudeau anyway? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 8, 2018
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Justin Trudeau might consider being more like Donald Trump if he wants to maintain his political standing in 2018 and beyond. More transparent,

Who is Justin Trudeau anyway? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | January 8, 2018
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Justin Trudeau might consider being more like Donald Trump if he wants to maintain his political standing in 2018 and beyond. More transparent,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Oct. 16, 2017, at a Diwali celebration event at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Send the Ethics Office packing

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—It is outrageous that outgoing ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has yet to report on complaints about Justin Trudeau’s famous visit to the Aga
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 18, 2017
It is outrageous that outgoing ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has yet to report on complaints about Justin Trudeau’s famous visit to the Aga Khan’s private Caribbean Island last Christmas, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Send the Ethics Office packing

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 18, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—It is outrageous that outgoing ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has yet to report on complaints about Justin Trudeau’s famous visit to the Aga

Send the Ethics Office packing

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | December 18, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—It is outrageous that outgoing ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has yet to report on complaints about Justin Trudeau’s famous visit to the Aga
It is outrageous that outgoing ethics commissioner Mary Dawson has yet to report on complaints about Justin Trudeau’s famous visit to the Aga Khan’s private Caribbean Island last Christmas, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The nervous, joyless journey to legalize marijuana 

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The adults of Canada are deeply conflicted about marijuana. By “adults,” I mean most politicians over 30 years old. By “conflicted” I mean
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 27, 2017
Liberal MP Bill Blair, left, and Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, pictured Nov. 21 in the House foyer. Ms. Petitpas Taylor last week called for public input on how to package the distasteful product. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The nervous, joyless journey to legalize marijuana 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 27, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The adults of Canada are deeply conflicted about marijuana. By “adults,” I mean most politicians over 30 years old. By “conflicted” I mean

The nervous, joyless journey to legalize marijuana 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 27, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The adults of Canada are deeply conflicted about marijuana. By “adults,” I mean most politicians over 30 years old. By “conflicted” I mean
Liberal MP Bill Blair, left, and Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, pictured Nov. 21 in the House foyer. Ms. Petitpas Taylor last week called for public input on how to package the distasteful product. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

It’s morally satisfying to scold foreign tyrants, but does it help their victims? 

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won widespread applause in Canada for privately unbraiding Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for his brutal human rights
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 20, 2017

It’s morally satisfying to scold foreign tyrants, but does it help their victims? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 20, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won widespread applause in Canada for privately unbraiding Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for his brutal human rights

It’s morally satisfying to scold foreign tyrants, but does it help their victims? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | November 20, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won widespread applause in Canada for privately unbraiding Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for his brutal human rights

Flaying, filleting, deep-frying of Morneau illustrates blood sport of politics: Riley 

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The flaying, filleting and deep-frying of Finance Minister Bill Morneau is a vivid illustration of how punishing a life in politics can be.
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 23, 2017
The flaying, filleting and deep-frying of Finance Minister Bill Morneau is a vivid illustration of how punishing a life in politics can be. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Flaying, filleting, deep-frying of Morneau illustrates blood sport of politics: Riley 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 23, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The flaying, filleting and deep-frying of Finance Minister Bill Morneau is a vivid illustration of how punishing a life in politics can be.

Flaying, filleting, deep-frying of Morneau illustrates blood sport of politics: Riley 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 23, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The flaying, filleting and deep-frying of Finance Minister Bill Morneau is a vivid illustration of how punishing a life in politics can be.
The flaying, filleting and deep-frying of Finance Minister Bill Morneau is a vivid illustration of how punishing a life in politics can be. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The myths about Energy East, just to clear the air

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The decision by TransCanada to mothball its proposed Energy East pipeline some days ago risks becoming flotsam in the all-consuming whirl of daily
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 16, 2017
There are conflicting guesses about how long the oilsands will be viable. Suncor’s CEO suggests 100 years, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, pictured, says 30 to 40. But once decarbonization takes hold (as it is, in Europe and China and California) the change could come quickly. Energy East will be remembered, if it is remembered at all, as the last twitch of a declining industry.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The myths about Energy East, just to clear the air

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 16, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The decision by TransCanada to mothball its proposed Energy East pipeline some days ago risks becoming flotsam in the all-consuming whirl of daily

The myths about Energy East, just to clear the air

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 16, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The decision by TransCanada to mothball its proposed Energy East pipeline some days ago risks becoming flotsam in the all-consuming whirl of daily
There are conflicting guesses about how long the oilsands will be viable. Suncor’s CEO suggests 100 years, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr, pictured, says 30 to 40. But once decarbonization takes hold (as it is, in Europe and China and California) the change could come quickly. Energy East will be remembered, if it is remembered at all, as the last twitch of a declining industry.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political leaders all talk, little action on climate change, McKenna’s no different

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Almost lost amid the furor over those modest Liberal tax changes, the shock and misery of Las Vegas and the random terrorist incident
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 9, 2017
In Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, the prime minister has a capable, indefatigable and likeable minister. She is active on social media and everywhere else—jetting off to conferences, meeting with Indigenous people in the North, highlighting green technologies and extolling the wonders of Canada’s national parks and natural heritage. All to the good, but it begins to look like a smoke-screen, at odds with the government’s other pre-occupation— getting Canadian oil to China, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Political leaders all talk, little action on climate change, McKenna’s no different

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 9, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Almost lost amid the furor over those modest Liberal tax changes, the shock and misery of Las Vegas and the random terrorist incident

Political leaders all talk, little action on climate change, McKenna’s no different

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | October 9, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Almost lost amid the furor over those modest Liberal tax changes, the shock and misery of Las Vegas and the random terrorist incident
In Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, the prime minister has a capable, indefatigable and likeable minister. She is active on social media and everywhere else—jetting off to conferences, meeting with Indigenous people in the North, highlighting green technologies and extolling the wonders of Canada’s national parks and natural heritage. All to the good, but it begins to look like a smoke-screen, at odds with the government’s other pre-occupation— getting Canadian oil to China, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The danger and promise of frank talk in fraught times 

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—By some accounts, politicians and public figures live in dangerous times—only one glib remark, or one youthful mistake, away from pubic disgrace, even
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 25, 2017
Ontario MPP Jagmeet Singh, right, is under fire for his religion in Quebec, while the fact that he is a strong supporter of LBGTQ rights, and a brace of other socially progressive ideas, is hardly mentioned. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade

The danger and promise of frank talk in fraught times 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 25, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—By some accounts, politicians and public figures live in dangerous times—only one glib remark, or one youthful mistake, away from pubic disgrace, even

The danger and promise of frank talk in fraught times 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 25, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—By some accounts, politicians and public figures live in dangerous times—only one glib remark, or one youthful mistake, away from pubic disgrace, even
Ontario MPP Jagmeet Singh, right, is under fire for his religion in Quebec, while the fact that he is a strong supporter of LBGTQ rights, and a brace of other socially progressive ideas, is hardly mentioned. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade

Dinner is ready, but the guest list isn’t finalized

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—At the mid-point of his mandate, Justin Trudeau must be a happy prime minister. He retains a comfortable edge in the polls, he
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 18, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo on the Hill, is at the mid-point of his mandate, and retains a comfortable edge in the polls, but the present can be the worst predictor of the future, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Dinner is ready, but the guest list isn’t finalized

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 18, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—At the mid-point of his mandate, Justin Trudeau must be a happy prime minister. He retains a comfortable edge in the polls, he

Dinner is ready, but the guest list isn’t finalized

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 18, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—At the mid-point of his mandate, Justin Trudeau must be a happy prime minister. He retains a comfortable edge in the polls, he
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured in this file photo on the Hill, is at the mid-point of his mandate, and retains a comfortable edge in the polls, but the present can be the worst predictor of the future, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Small business tax reform a test of Trudeau’s nerve 

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Justin Trudeau’s proposal to eliminate loopholes in the small business tax is a modest step in the direction of tax fairness and Finance
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 11, 2017
Canada's federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured in a scrum on the Hill. The uber-polite Mr. Morneau isn’t cabinet’s most dynamic pitchman, true, but, as a former Bay Street executive, he knows the many legal, if morally questionable, ways that the wealthy avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Like Paul Martin and former Conservative Party finance minister, Jim Flaherty, Morneau is a former insider in a club that few can afford to join. The Hill Times file photograph

Small business tax reform a test of Trudeau’s nerve 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 11, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Justin Trudeau’s proposal to eliminate loopholes in the small business tax is a modest step in the direction of tax fairness and Finance

Small business tax reform a test of Trudeau’s nerve 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | September 11, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—Justin Trudeau’s proposal to eliminate loopholes in the small business tax is a modest step in the direction of tax fairness and Finance
Canada's federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau, pictured in a scrum on the Hill. The uber-polite Mr. Morneau isn’t cabinet’s most dynamic pitchman, true, but, as a former Bay Street executive, he knows the many legal, if morally questionable, ways that the wealthy avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Like Paul Martin and former Conservative Party finance minister, Jim Flaherty, Morneau is a former insider in a club that few can afford to join. The Hill Times file photograph

Illegal border crossings can no longer be overlooked

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The influx of mostly-Haitian asylum seekers across the Quebec border could hardly have come at a more delicate time. In the United States,
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 28, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets Syrian refugees upon arrival in Canada in late 2015. Despite his welcoming nature toward refugees, Trudeau's government needs to get the message out that those crossing the border illegally are not guaranteed asylum in Canada, writes Susan Riley. PMO photograph by Adam Scotti

Illegal border crossings can no longer be overlooked

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 28, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The influx of mostly-Haitian asylum seekers across the Quebec border could hardly have come at a more delicate time. In the United States,

Illegal border crossings can no longer be overlooked

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 28, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—The influx of mostly-Haitian asylum seekers across the Quebec border could hardly have come at a more delicate time. In the United States,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets Syrian refugees upon arrival in Canada in late 2015. Despite his welcoming nature toward refugees, Trudeau's government needs to get the message out that those crossing the border illegally are not guaranteed asylum in Canada, writes Susan Riley. PMO photograph by Adam Scotti

Was Mulroney Trump before there was Trump? 

  • GATINEAU, QUE.—When Peter C. Newman’s controversial and sensational book The Secret Mulroney Tapes: Unguarded Confessions of a Prime Minister was released in 2005, it created
Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 14, 2017
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney and U.S. President Donald Trump. The similarities with Mr. Trump are vivid and unmistakable—far more so than the superficial likenesses between the U.S. president and long-gone Conservative leadership hopeful, Kevin O’Leary, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright

Was Mulroney Trump before there was Trump? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 14, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—When Peter C. Newman’s controversial and sensational book The Secret Mulroney Tapes: Unguarded Confessions of a Prime Minister was released in 2005, it created

Was Mulroney Trump before there was Trump? 

Opinion | BY SUSAN RILEY | August 14, 2017
  • GATINEAU, QUE.—When Peter C. Newman’s controversial and sensational book The Secret Mulroney Tapes: Unguarded Confessions of a Prime Minister was released in 2005, it created
Former prime minister Brian Mulroney and U.S. President Donald Trump. The similarities with Mr. Trump are vivid and unmistakable—far more so than the superficial likenesses between the U.S. president and long-gone Conservative leadership hopeful, Kevin O’Leary, writes Susan Riley. The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright

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