Deb Hutton, Author at QP Briefing

Hutton: Civil service needs to focus on professional and confidential advice

Leaked documents can undermine the independence and credibility of the civil service, argues columnist Deb Hutton. ...

Hutton: Why teachers shouldn’t have the right to strike

Columnist Deb Hutton makes the case that removing the right to strike from teachers would be a win-win. ...

Hutton: Lessons to learn from Andrew Scheer’s failure to break through in Ontario

Columnist Deb Hutton says socially conservative views played a role in the reluctance of some Ontarians to back Scheer. ...

Hutton: Why politicians should stick to their knitting

When politicians focus on subjects that are out of their lane, the result is duplication and waste, argues columnist Deb Hutton. ...

Hutton: There are reasons to be optimistic on the education file

In spite of the new approach from Education Minister Stephen Lecce, columnist Deb Hutton is still taking steps to prepare for a potential labour stoppage. ...

Hutton: A lobbyist by definition is a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators

Columnist Deb Hutton says if done honestly and professionally, lobbying is an important part of a democratic system of government. ...

Hutton: What the premier should look for in his next chief of staff

The next top political staffer faces significant challenges, but it's also an unparalleled experience, writes columnist Deb Hutton. ...

Hutton: Ideas for improving education that go beyond class size

More attention should be paid to support children with differing abilities in the classroom, writes columnist Deb Hutton. ...

Hutton: Vic Fedeli’s mellow yellow budget

Columnist Deb Hutton hoped for more aggressive fiscal conservatism in the budget, but finds that Vic Fedeli picked his perfect shade of yellow. ...

Hutton: Premiers have friends in high places for a reason

Columnist Deb Hutton writes that it's naïve to think premiers can carry out their agendas without the loyalty of their teams and appointees. ...

Hutton: There has to be a better way to have a health-care debate

Columnist Deb Hutton would like everyone to set the alarmist ideology aside and discuss health care like adults. ...

Hutton: The province should cut more independent officers of the legislature

Ontario would have greater democratic accountability without some of the independent officers of the legislature, writes columnist Deb Hutton. ...

Hutton: Political Yo-Yos do all politicians a disservice

If the voters reject you for one job, then maybe it’s time to take a break before immediately seeking another, writes columnist Deb Hutton. ...

Hutton: I wish my friends well, but support the political price they’re paying

Columnist Deb Hutton reflects on news about two of her political friends, Jim Wilson and Tony Clement. ...

Hutton: It’s time for Ford and Tory to get along

Columnist Deb Hutton says Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory should focus on their common interests if the former PC leader is re-elected. ...

Hutton: Back to school, back to conflict

Columnist Deb Hutton has some advice for how to handle the next four years if teachers’ unions oppose everything the Ford government will do on education, as she suspects they will. ...

Hutton: Psst … Here’s the secret strategy

Columnist Deb Hutton says she can’t wait to see what the new government will have achieved by the time it finishes its first 100 days. ...

Hutton: Ford critics show hysterical hypocrisy on education

When the inevitable cries of education funding cuts come in the coming months, stop and ask whether the exact same situation existed under the Liberals, columnist Deb Hutton writes. ...

Hutton: A letter of advice to the premier-designate on the sex ed curriculum

Columnist Deb Hutton's advice to Doug Ford as his government reviews the sex ed curriculum: stick with the content, tweak the timing and mandate communication with parents. ...

Hutton: Working on the leaders’ election buses is still the best gig in town

Columnist Deb Hutton recalls her three election campaigns aboard the busses of two PC leaders. ...

Hutton: The Donald, The Doug, and The Kathleen

Columnist Deb Hutton argues there’s no need to bring anyone else into the Ontario election, particularly someone who doesn’t live here and might not even be able to find us on a map. ...

Hutton: The new PC leader can unify the party with the help of a common enemy, Kathleen Wynne

If we have collectively learned anything in the past 45 days, it’s that anything can happen in the world of Ontario politics, writes columnist Deb Hutton. ...

Hutton: For the PC party, sunshine is the best disinfectant

Columnist Deb Hutton writes that the Tories need to address the party's internal controversies to show they have the integrity and credibility to govern. ...

Hutton: Merry Christmas and a Happy Election Year, Ontario should have a resign-to-run law

It’s time to legally require municipal politicians to step down once they have filed their papers for nomination for federal or provincial office, columnist Deb Hutton writes. ...

Hutton: Why free is so very expensive

Columnist Deb Hutton contends there is a hidden cost when we promote the notion that government has unlimited resources. ...

Hutton: In defence of Laura Miller

Columnist Deb Hutton comes to the defence of Laura Miller — on the issue of her legal bills. ...

Hutton: How much do you want for that bag of weed, minister?

If marijuana is to be a legal product, then the private sector should be able to sell it, columnist Deb Hutton writes. ...

Hutton: Mom policy on public education

Columnist Deb Hutton, recalling her time when she helped craft government policy, takes a look at the state of Ontario's education system from a different perspective - as a mom. ...

Hutton: Time to end corporate welfare

Both the left and the right should have their own reasons for opposing the practice of doling out grants to companies, columnist Deb Hutton writes. ...

Hutton: Should we give our politicians a best-before date?

Columnist Deb Hutton muses about whether it’s time to look at term limits in Ontario. ...

Hutton: Universal child care – to be or not to be?

Columnist Deb Hutton pumps the brakes on the idea of universal child care. ...

Hutton: Is basic income as basic as it seems?

Columnist Deb Hutton likes the idea of a guaranteed annual income, but isn't entirely sold on how the Wynne government is going about it. ...

Hutton: Policy schmolicy

Observing how the Liberals have been taunting PC Leader Patrick Brown to explain his positions on issues, columnist Deb Hutton sees no problem with being the "man with no plans" so far ahead of the next election. ...

Hutton: Education Minister needs a March Break reset

Columnist Deb Hutton has some strong words for the education minister. ...

Hutton: I’m no Trump fan but …

Columnist Deb Hutton thinks those Ontario politicos throwing stones at the Trump administration may want to consider what's going on in their own backyard. ...

Hutton: A failing grade for Ontario school boards

Columnist Deb Hutton makes the case for blowing up the school board system. ...

Hutton: Another day, another so-con tale

Columnist Deb Hutton doesn't get the so-con commotion at Queen's Park, noting there "always have been and always will be people who are both fiscally and socially conservative within the PC Party." ...

Hutton: The fascination with Sam Oosterhoff

Columnist Deb Hutton says 19-year-old Tory candidate Sam Oosterhoff's age is a big deal in politics. ...

Hutton: A better way to help every child with special needs

Columnist Deb Hutton calls for the direct funding of parents of children with special needs. ...

Hutton: All in the family

With columnist Deb Hutton's family leaving the public spotlight, she weighs in on how private a politician's private life should be. ...

Hutton: Political staff are, well, political

Columnist Deb Hutton thinks political staffers should be partisan - but that there needs to be better guidelines. ...

Hutton: A losing proposition for Premier Wynne

Columnist Deb Hutton chimes in on Premier Wynne's meeting with Black Lives Matter Toronto. ...

Hutton: Because it’s 2016, how about a merit-based cabinet shuffle?

Columnist Deb Hutton writes that "quotas do nothing to further the cause of women in politics." ...

Column: Bad policy or not, autism file was badly managed

Deb Hutton says the government has faced a firestorm of negative publicity on what could have been a positive story about helping children - and if there has been a shining light in all of this, it's Children Services Mi ...

Author Archives: Deb Hutton