Monday, March 31, 2025

Canada’s Politics and Government News Source Since 1989

Monday, March 31, 2025 | Latest Paper

Plain Speak

Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 26, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump are two factors who may help shape an outcome for this election, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 26, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 26, 2025
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump are two factors who may help shape an outcome for this election, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 19, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a skilled politician with smart, able advisers who must see that the field they set to win the 2025 election is not the one where the current game is being played, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 19, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 19, 2025
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a skilled politician with smart, able advisers who must see that the field they set to win the 2025 election is not the one where the current game is being played, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 5, 2025
Andrew Furey
There are capable people putting their hand up to succeed Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, but his service won’t be forgotten, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 5, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | March 5, 2025
Andrew Furey
There are capable people putting their hand up to succeed Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, but his service won’t be forgotten, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump likes winners, so let’s use sports to Canada’s global benefit, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/NHL
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 26, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump likes winners, so let’s use sports to Canada’s global benefit, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/NHL
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 12, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland has positioned herself as being the best foil for the U.S. president, but that may be too premature a posture, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 12, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | February 12, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland has positioned herself as being the best foil for the U.S. president, but that may be too premature a posture, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 29, 2025
Chrystia Freeland's rebrand may be liberating for her and her supporters, but for a politician whose cornerstone was credibility, her political currency is evaporating, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 29, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 29, 2025
Chrystia Freeland's rebrand may be liberating for her and her supporters, but for a politician whose cornerstone was credibility, her political currency is evaporating, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 22, 2025
There’s a determined effort from Liberal leadership candidates Mark Carney, left, Chrystia Freeland, and Karina Gould to define the national ballot question as who is best able to deal with United States President Donald Trump, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 22, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 22, 2025
There’s a determined effort from Liberal leadership candidates Mark Carney, left, Chrystia Freeland, and Karina Gould to define the national ballot question as who is best able to deal with United States President Donald Trump, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 15, 2025
Amid the ongoing chaos, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, went to Florida to meet with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, also joined by Kevin O’Leary. Photograph courtesy of X/ABDanielleSmith
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 15, 2025
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | January 15, 2025
Amid the ongoing chaos, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, went to Florida to meet with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, also joined by Kevin O’Leary. Photograph courtesy of X/ABDanielleSmith
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 18, 2024
Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and then-finance minister Chrystia Freeland present the 2024 budget on April 16. Freeland's resignation has wobbled Trudeau's government and his leadership to the point that it might not be redeemable, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 18, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 18, 2024
Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and then-finance minister Chrystia Freeland present the 2024 budget on April 16. Freeland's resignation has wobbled Trudeau's government and his leadership to the point that it might not be redeemable, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 11, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government screams exhaustion, and this current lethargy is crippling, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 11, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 11, 2024
Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government screams exhaustion, and this current lethargy is crippling, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 27, 2024
Ya’ara Saks
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks, centre, speaks at an announcement about the government’s sales tax holiday on essential items at Sherwood Deli in Ottawa on Nov. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 27, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 27, 2024
Ya’ara Saks
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks, centre, speaks at an announcement about the government’s sales tax holiday on essential items at Sherwood Deli in Ottawa on Nov. 22. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 20, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Canada should be taking another tack instead of reinvigorating the old cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations—chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland—from Trump’s first reign, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 20, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 20, 2024
Chrystia Freeland
Canada should be taking another tack instead of reinvigorating the old cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations—chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland—from Trump’s first reign, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 13, 2024
Canadians looking for lessons from the contest between Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris should key in on the importance of acknowledging voters’ economic pain points, writes Tim Powers. White House photographs by D. Myles Cullen and Lawrence Jackson
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 13, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 13, 2024
Canadians looking for lessons from the contest between Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris should key in on the importance of acknowledging voters’ economic pain points, writes Tim Powers. White House photographs by D. Myles Cullen and Lawrence Jackson
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 30, 2024
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced a new policy plank to scrap the GST on new homes sold for less than $1-million on Oct. 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 30, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 30, 2024
Pierre Poilievre
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced a new policy plank to scrap the GST on new homes sold for less than $1-million on Oct. 28. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 23, 2024
Justin Trudeau
As a boxer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might be somehow disappointed that his timid opponents didn’t throw a real punch at him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 23, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 23, 2024
Justin Trudeau
As a boxer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might be somehow disappointed that his timid opponents didn’t throw a real punch at him, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 9, 2024
Ultimately, Liberal caucus members need to decide if they will be complicit in accepting the terms and conditions of an almost-certain political defeat, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 9, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 9, 2024
Ultimately, Liberal caucus members need to decide if they will be complicit in accepting the terms and conditions of an almost-certain political defeat, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 2, 2024
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis speaks in the House on Sept. 26. Parliament is meant to be passionate, but the personal attacks need to stop, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 2, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 2, 2024
Conservative MP Garnett Genuis speaks in the House on Sept. 26. Parliament is meant to be passionate, but the personal attacks need to stop, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of ParlVu
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 18, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 18, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 18, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 11, 2024
As we grieve the Gaudreaus, let us remember the simple lessons their lives taught us, and that they are transferable beyond the ice, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CityNews
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 11, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | September 11, 2024
As we grieve the Gaudreaus, let us remember the simple lessons their lives taught us, and that they are transferable beyond the ice, writes Tim Powers. Screenshot courtesy of CityNews
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 28, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves the Liberal party caucus meeting in West Block on Sept. 27, 2023.
Perhaps Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team have their path perfectly mapped out, but right now they look like their strategy is to put their heads in the sand and hope for the best, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 28, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 28, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves the Liberal party caucus meeting in West Block on Sept. 27, 2023.
Perhaps Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team have their path perfectly mapped out, but right now they look like their strategy is to put their heads in the sand and hope for the best, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 21, 2024
Chuck Strahl
While he never sought the credit, Chuck Strahl was a key figure in ending the conservative wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, and putting conservatives on the path to one unified entity, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 21, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 21, 2024
Chuck Strahl
While he never sought the credit, Chuck Strahl was a key figure in ending the conservative wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, and putting conservatives on the path to one unified entity, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times file photograph
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 14, 2024
The cost of hosting the games and the real day-to-day policy needs of people means we are unlikely to see an Olympics in Canada anytime soon. But the world still needs a platform to come together through sport for our collective betterment, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 14, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | August 14, 2024
The cost of hosting the games and the real day-to-day policy needs of people means we are unlikely to see an Olympics in Canada anytime soon. But the world still needs a platform to come together through sport for our collective betterment, writes Tim Powers. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 17, 2024
Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau
The calls from parties led by Conservative Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for ending violence and it having no place in our democracies will take likely take a back seat to whatever appears to be the best electoral strategy of the moment, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 17, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 17, 2024
Pierre Poilievre and Justin Trudeau
The calls from parties led by Conservative Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for ending violence and it having no place in our democracies will take likely take a back seat to whatever appears to be the best electoral strategy of the moment, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 10, 2024
Canadian political parties will find different lessons in the campaigns led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron, writes Tim Powers. 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 10, 2024
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | July 10, 2024
Canadian political parties will find different lessons in the campaigns led by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron, writes Tim Powers. 10 Downing Street photograph by Simon Dawson and The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 6, 2023
Unfortunately, the 988 system will be well used amid tougher economic circumstances, global strife, rising hate, climate worries, and a litany of other things that challenge our mental wellness, writes Tim Powers. Unsplash photograph by Dustin Belt
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 6, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | December 6, 2023
Unfortunately, the 988 system will be well used amid tougher economic circumstances, global strife, rising hate, climate worries, and a litany of other things that challenge our mental wellness, writes Tim Powers. Unsplash photograph by Dustin Belt
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 29, 2023
It just doesn’t seem necessary for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, or former leader Andrew Scheer to treat every matter as if they are red rags to bulls, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 29, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 29, 2023
It just doesn’t seem necessary for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, or former leader Andrew Scheer to treat every matter as if they are red rags to bulls, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 22, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals find themselves where they do in large measure because they have become their own worst enemies, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 22, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 22, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals find themselves where they do in large measure because they have become their own worst enemies, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 15, 2023
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference on Oct. 26 announcing the carbon-price exemption with Atlantic MPs as his backdrop, it was hard not to see this as a special political deal for this influential group. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 15, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 15, 2023
When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference on Oct. 26 announcing the carbon-price exemption with Atlantic MPs as his backdrop, it was hard not to see this as a special political deal for this influential group. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 8, 2023
An environmental campaigner and advocate before he got into politics, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault must feel disillusioned these days, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 8, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 8, 2023
An environmental campaigner and advocate before he got into politics, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault must feel disillusioned these days, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 1, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces measures aimed at helping Atlantic Canadians, including a three-year pause on taxing home heating oil for rural Canadians, in the West Block on Oct. 26 alongside members of his Atlantic caucus. The announcement is a major blow to the government’s climate agenda, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 1, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | November 1, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces measures aimed at helping Atlantic Canadians, including a three-year pause on taxing home heating oil for rural Canadians, in the West Block on Oct. 26 alongside members of his Atlantic caucus. The announcement is a major blow to the government’s climate agenda, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 25, 2023
Canadian women’s soccer captain Christine Sinclair announced her retirement from international play on Oct. 20. Screenshot courtesy of CTV/IOC via CBC News
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 25, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 25, 2023
Canadian women’s soccer captain Christine Sinclair announced her retirement from international play on Oct. 20. Screenshot courtesy of CTV/IOC via CBC News
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have mostly provided a mature, responsible response the unfolding war in Israel and the Gaza Strip, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 18, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 18, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have mostly provided a mature, responsible response the unfolding war in Israel and the Gaza Strip, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 11, 2023
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
All of Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s moxie and enthusiasm likely won’t be enough to convince Canadians the Liberals are wrestling food inflation and runaway prices to the ground, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 11, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 11, 2023
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne
All of Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s moxie and enthusiasm likely won’t be enough to convince Canadians the Liberals are wrestling food inflation and runaway prices to the ground, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 4, 2023
The cost of living is such an acute political problem in Newfoundland and Labrador for the Liberals because so many residents indicated they are either living paycheque to paycheque, or falling behind, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 4, 2023
Opinion | BY TIM POWERS | October 4, 2023
The cost of living is such an acute political problem in Newfoundland and Labrador for the Liberals because so many residents indicated they are either living paycheque to paycheque, or falling behind, writes Tim Powers. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade