Wednesday, March 11, 2026

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Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | Latest Paper

Post Partisan Pundit

Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 9, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's party is running 13 points behind the Liberals. The strategic communication problem this presents to the Conservative Party is obvious: how do you convince Canadian voters to jump aboard a train that seems to be heading in the wrong direction, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 9, 2026
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 9, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's party is running 13 points behind the Liberals. The strategic communication problem this presents to the Conservative Party is obvious: how do you convince Canadian voters to jump aboard a train that seems to be heading in the wrong direction, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2026
A Freedom Convoy protester pictured on top of a transport truck on the Hill on Feb. 6, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2026
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 2, 2026
A Freedom Convoy protester pictured on top of a transport truck on the Hill on Feb. 6, 2022. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 23, 2026
NDP leadership contender Rob Ashton, left, recently proved that starting a fight can lead to media coverage after he accused Avi Lewis, right, of undermining provincial NDP governments, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 23, 2026
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 23, 2026
NDP leadership contender Rob Ashton, left, recently proved that starting a fight can lead to media coverage after he accused Avi Lewis, right, of undermining provincial NDP governments, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for Question Period on Feb. 3, 2026. As Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin put it, 'The prime minister is now seen as leading the resistance among middle powers of the world to American subjugation.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2026
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 9, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives for Question Period on Feb. 3, 2026. As Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin put it, 'The prime minister is now seen as leading the resistance among middle powers of the world to American subjugation.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 29, 2026
Even though Prime Minister Mark Carney is relatively new to the game, he seems to be quickly developing the instincts of an expert political tactician, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 29, 2026
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 29, 2026
Even though Prime Minister Mark Carney is relatively new to the game, he seems to be quickly developing the instincts of an expert political tactician, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will go through his leadership review at the Conservative convention in Calgary. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2026
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 26, 2026
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will go through his leadership review at the Conservative convention in Calgary. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 19, 2026
NDP leadership candidates Rob Ashton, left, Heather McPherson, and Avi Lewis, pictured in Ottawa on Oct. 28, 2025. Ashton came under fire from within his own party's ranks because he publicly criticized Lewis, the NDP's perceived leadership front-runner, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 19, 2026
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 19, 2026
NDP leadership candidates Rob Ashton, left, Heather McPherson, and Avi Lewis, pictured in Ottawa on Oct. 28, 2025. Ashton came under fire from within his own party's ranks because he publicly criticized Lewis, the NDP's perceived leadership front-runner, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 22, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill. No matter how many punches Poilievre throws at the Liberal government, nothing seems to change; he doesn’t seem to be having any impact. The reason for that, I’d argue, is that Prime Minister Mark Carney has basically adopted Conservative-style policies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 22, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 22, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured on the Hill. No matter how many punches Poilievre throws at the Liberal government, nothing seems to change; he doesn’t seem to be having any impact. The reason for that, I’d argue, is that Prime Minister Mark Carney has basically adopted Conservative-style policies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Dec. 3, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 12, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Dec. 3, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
When the Conservatives hired Steve Outhouse as their latest campaign manager, they acquired a new face, but, to my mind, it’s unlikely the party will get much of a new look, writes Gerry Nicholls. Handout photograph
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 4, 2025
When the Conservatives hired Steve Outhouse as their latest campaign manager, they acquired a new face, but, to my mind, it’s unlikely the party will get much of a new look, writes Gerry Nicholls. Handout photograph
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
American political ad company Fight Agency has produced one ad to reintroduce former Calgary mayor and current Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to Albertans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 1, 2025
American political ad company Fight Agency has produced one ad to reintroduce former Calgary mayor and current Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi to Albertans. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured holding press conference in the House foyer to speak about Conservative MP Frank Caputo’s private member's bill C-225 to strengthen responses to intimate partner violence in Canada on Oct. 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 20, 2025
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, pictured holding press conference in the House foyer to speak about Conservative MP Frank Caputo’s private member's bill C-225 to strengthen responses to intimate partner violence in Canada on Oct. 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 5, 2025
Whereas Bill Gates was once a powerful voice in sounding the alarm about the dangers of climate change, he’s now apparently arguing that the threat it poses to humanity is overblown, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 3, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with reporters before the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Oct. 8, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 23, 2025
If you want to protest Prime Minister Mark Carney’s policies, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to buy a TV spot; you just use AI to create a video and then upload it to YouTube. And, yes, it seems this sort of social media influencing is having an impact, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 13, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford pours Crown Royal Canadian whisky on the ground in protest of Diageo's plans to shut down its local Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., and move jobs south of the border on Sept. 2, 2025. Screen shot courtesy of Global News
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 6, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The two parties are currently pursuing a different kind of communication strategy to reflect political circumstances, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Joey Sabourin
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 29, 2025
Mark Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the Build Canada Homes project in Nepean, Ont., on Sept. 14, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 15, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House on May 6, 2025. Trump seems to view other countries almost as if they were his subjects, meaning he thinks they should put the economic needs of America first, even if they must pay a price. Photograph courtesy White House photographer Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 8, 2025
In order to escape the political box in which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre finds himself, he needs to find issues that will galvanize his base and also divide Liberals, Gerry Nicholls writes. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 1, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is so detached from any ideological moorings that he’ll even attack his own base if he thinks it will help him score political points, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 25, 2025
Quebec's nationalist spirit seems to be stirring, as seen by the pro-sovereigntist Parti Québécois' lead in provincial polls and their win in three recent byelections, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
Media
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 18, 2025
Media
Reporters file their stories at the Conservative Party's event at the Rogers Centre on election night April 28, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre at the opening of the Calgary Stampede on July 4, 2025. Photograph courtesy of X/Pierre Poilievre
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 7, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre at the opening of the Calgary Stampede on July 4, 2025. Photograph courtesy of X/Pierre Poilievre
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 4, 2025
Then-NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, left, and NDP MP Don Davies on the Hill on May 21, 2024. Singh resigned as party leader after he lost his own seat and the party was reduced to seven seats from 24 seats in the House in the April 28, 2025, federal election. Davies is now the interim leader. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2025
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, pictured at the Kennedy Space Centre on May 30, 2020, was born in South Africa, meaning, according to the U.S. Constitution, he can’t run for president.  Photograph courtesy of NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 28, 2025
Elon Musk
Elon Musk, pictured at the Kennedy Space Centre on May 30, 2020, was born in South Africa, meaning, according to the U.S. Constitution, he can’t run for president.  Photograph courtesy of NASA HQ PHOTO/Flickr
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. Photograph courtesy of X/Mark Carney
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 21, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. Photograph courtesy of X/Mark Carney
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
Even though former prime minister Stephen Harper has been off the political stage for nearly 10 years now, the memory of his leadership, the force of his personality, and the power of his intellect, still looms over the Conservative Party like a ghostly colossus, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 5, 2025
Even though former prime minister Stephen Harper has been off the political stage for nearly 10 years now, the memory of his leadership, the force of his personality, and the power of his intellect, still looms over the Conservative Party like a ghostly colossus, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
Green co-Leader Elizabeth May in a Hill scrum on Dec. 3, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 28, 2025
Green co-Leader Elizabeth May in a Hill scrum on Dec. 3, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Kory Teneycke, former campaign manager for Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Teneycke recently accused the federal Conservatives of 'campaign malpractice.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 17, 2025
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Kory Teneycke, former campaign manager for Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Teneycke recently accused the federal Conservatives of 'campaign malpractice.' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and Stuart Benson
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2025
It's showtime: Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault will face off this week in Montreal for the English and French-language televised leaders' debates. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 14, 2025
It's showtime: Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault will face off this week in Montreal for the English and French-language televised leaders' debates. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
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
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 7, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 31, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 24, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 17, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 6, 2025
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
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
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | March 3, 2025
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