Friday, April 4, 2025

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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
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
Pierre Poilievre and his son, Cruz, pictured Feb. 15, 2025, at the Conservative Party's rally in Ottawa at the Rogers Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 20, 2025
Pierre Poilievre and his son, Cruz, pictured Feb. 15, 2025, at the Conservative Party's rally in Ottawa at the Rogers Centre. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
Canadians see Trump’s tariff threats as an attack on our country, a feeling which was further fuelled by his frightening rhetoric about absorbing Canada as America’s '51st state,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 17, 2025
Canadians see Trump’s tariff threats as an attack on our country, a feeling which was further fuelled by his frightening rhetoric about absorbing Canada as America’s '51st state,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 10, 2025
Chrystia Freeland
Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland, pictured on the Hill. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault recently admitted that he was open to implementing alternatives to the carbon tax.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | February 3, 2025
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks with reporters in the House of Commons foyer before Question Period on Nov. 7, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault recently admitted that he was open to implementing alternatives to the carbon tax.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
Jean Chrétien
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured on Jan. 10, 2024, once said: 'When ... the left says of you you’re a right winger, and when the people on the right say you’re a left winger, you’re a good Canadian Liberal.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 27, 2025
Jean Chrétien
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured on Jan. 10, 2024, once said: 'When ... the left says of you you’re a right winger, and when the people on the right say you’re a left winger, you’re a good Canadian Liberal.' The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
Donald Trump
One of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's defining characters is that he's totally unpredictable, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 16, 2025
Donald Trump
One of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's defining characters is that he's totally unpredictable, writes Gerry Nicholls. Photograph courtesy of Commons Wikimedia/Gage Skidmore
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Cottage on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | January 13, 2025
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau outside Rideau Cottage on Jan. 6, 2025. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a Hill scrum on Oct. 29, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 19, 2024
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly in a Hill scrum on Oct. 29, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau recently suggested Poilievre can’t 'unite Canadians' against president-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, which was likely based on internal polling, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 16, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau recently suggested Poilievre can’t 'unite Canadians' against president-elect Donald Trump’s agenda, which was likely based on internal polling, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
Donald Trump.
Some questions about how Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory will impact Canadian politics are easier to answer than others, writes Gerry Nicholls. Caricature courtesy of DonkeyHotey/Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | December 2, 2024
Donald Trump.
Some questions about how Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory will impact Canadian politics are easier to answer than others, writes Gerry Nicholls. Caricature courtesy of DonkeyHotey/Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris. In the U.S. election campaign, the vibe Harris chose to emphasize was 'joy,' whereas Trump chose 'anger.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 25, 2024
Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris. In the U.S. election campaign, the vibe Harris chose to emphasize was 'joy,' whereas Trump chose 'anger.' Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Given the huge advantage the Conservatives have for raising money, it’ll be hard for the Liberals to match them dollar for dollar when it comes to duking it out in an all-out advertising war, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | November 11, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Given the huge advantage the Conservatives have for raising money, it’ll be hard for the Liberals to match them dollar for dollar when it comes to duking it out in an all-out advertising war, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 24, 2024
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, U.S. Vice-president Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade, and photographs courtesy of Gage Skidmore/Flickr
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
Under pressure: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau's getting it from all sides as his Liberals face a big loss in the next election, according to the public opinion polls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 14, 2024
Under pressure: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau's getting it from all sides as his Liberals face a big loss in the next election, according to the public opinion polls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and illustration by Neena Singhal
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Oct. 2, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | October 7, 2024
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with reporters before a Liberal caucus meeting in the West Block on Oct. 2, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2024
Yves-François Blanchet
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet in a Hill scrum on Sept. 18, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 30, 2024
Yves-François Blanchet
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet in a Hill scrum on Sept. 18, 2024. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2024
Jagmeet Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh with Videotron workers picketing Parliament Hill on Sept. 16, 2024, as the lockout by their employer continues after 10 months. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 23, 2024
Jagmeet Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh with Videotron workers picketing Parliament Hill on Sept. 16, 2024, as the lockout by their employer continues after 10 months. The Hill Times photograph Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 11, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Poilievre is benefiting from a common logical fallacy, specifically the one referred to as 'causation implying correlation,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 11, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 11, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Poilievre is benefiting from a common logical fallacy, specifically the one referred to as 'causation implying correlation,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 4, 2024
Just because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is willing to lead his Liberal army into electoral battle, it doesn’t necessarily mean his troops will follow him, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 4, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 4, 2024
Just because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is willing to lead his Liberal army into electoral battle, it doesn’t necessarily mean his troops will follow him, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 29, 2024
Pierre Poilievre
As long as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre keeps on that he's the only guy capable of mending a 'broken' Canada, then—lovable or not—he has a clear path to victory, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 29, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 29, 2024
Pierre Poilievre
As long as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre keeps on that he's the only guy capable of mending a 'broken' Canada, then—lovable or not—he has a clear path to victory, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 22, 2024
The Conservative Party has spent millions of dollars on building up the image of their leader, Pierre Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 22, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 22, 2024
The Conservative Party has spent millions of dollars on building up the image of their leader, Pierre Poilievre, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 15, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, has been going after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Melanie Richer, a former communications director for the NDP, said the Conservatives see the New Democrats as a threat. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 15, 2024
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | August 15, 2024
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, has been going after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Melanie Richer, a former communications director for the NDP, said the Conservatives see the New Democrats as a threat. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If Canadians are becoming more apprehensive about the future, it likely means they’ll gravitate towards whichever political party can provide strong leadership, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | July 13, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. If Canadians are becoming more apprehensive about the future, it likely means they’ll gravitate towards whichever political party can provide strong leadership, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 22, 2023
There are valid political reasons as to why NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is taking this approach, the main one being he likely feels his party is not yet ready to fight a federal election, so it’s better to play for time, even if that means acting as the Liberal government’s 'junior partner,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 22, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 22, 2023
There are valid political reasons as to why NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is taking this approach, the main one being he likely feels his party is not yet ready to fight a federal election, so it’s better to play for time, even if that means acting as the Liberal government’s 'junior partner,' writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 19, 2023
Pierre Poilievre has vigorously waged war on several fronts: if he’s not savaging the Liberals over foreign electoral interference allegations, then he’s blasting them over their spend-happy fiscal policies, or assailing his party’s perceived enemies in the media, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 19, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 19, 2023
Pierre Poilievre has vigorously waged war on several fronts: if he’s not savaging the Liberals over foreign electoral interference allegations, then he’s blasting them over their spend-happy fiscal policies, or assailing his party’s perceived enemies in the media, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 7, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, and Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley. The recent provincial election had barely concluded when opinion pieces started popping up all over the media scrutinizing the results, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 7, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | June 7, 2023
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, left, and Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley. The recent provincial election had barely concluded when opinion pieces started popping up all over the media scrutinizing the results, writes Gerry Nicholls.   The Hill Times photographs by Jake Wright and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 31, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, greets Iceland's President Guðni Jóhannesson on the Hill during his state visit to Canada on May 29, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 31, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 31, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, greets Iceland's President Guðni Jóhannesson on the Hill during his state visit to Canada on May 29, 2023. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2023
In a surprise plot twist, the owner of The Anarchist café announced that 'thanks to a huge influx of support, and a very generous donation of publicity and attention from the Christian Conservatives of Texas and Florida, the Anarchist will continue to operate after May 30,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Image courtesy of the Anarchist café
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 29, 2023
In a surprise plot twist, the owner of The Anarchist café announced that 'thanks to a huge influx of support, and a very generous donation of publicity and attention from the Christian Conservatives of Texas and Florida, the Anarchist will continue to operate after May 30,' writes Gerry Nicholls.   Image courtesy of the Anarchist café
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 17, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, top left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 17, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 17, 2023
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, top left, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier. The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 11, 2023
Anyone wondering why Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre expends so much energy attacking the CBC should check out the latest political fundraising figures, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 11, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 11, 2023
Anyone wondering why Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre expends so much energy attacking the CBC should check out the latest political fundraising figures, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 4, 2023
The political situation facing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith presents an interesting paradox, writes Gerry Nicholls.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 4, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | May 4, 2023
The political situation facing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith presents an interesting paradox, writes Gerry Nicholls.  The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Captain America, and the Incredible Hulk. If you’re a Liberal, you’ll likely view Poilievre as a rampaging Hulk, but if you’re a Conservative, you’ll likely see him as a Captain America-figure, a righteous avenger who’ll smite their enemies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, and courtesy of Flickr
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2023
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | April 26, 2023
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, left, Captain America, and the Incredible Hulk. If you’re a Liberal, you’ll likely view Poilievre as a rampaging Hulk, but if you’re a Conservative, you’ll likely see him as a Captain America-figure, a righteous avenger who’ll smite their enemies, writes Gerry Nicholls. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade, and courtesy of Flickr