The next top political staffer faces significant challenges, but it's also an unparalleled experience, writes columnist Deb Hutton. ...
Category: Opinion
Harris: The key to becoming a valuable stakeholder is by helping government to help themselves
Columnist Kelly Harris says the way stakeholders can move their issues forward is by doing the legwork and aligning interests with the government of the day. ...
Andy Manahan: Why reforming environmental assessments is a good move for Ontario
In a guest op-ed, the executive director of the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario makes the case for eliminating duplication in EAs. ...
Milloy: Memo to Premier Ford — if you don’t like the booing, don’t just change your ministers, change your story
The list of Ford's cuts "fails to tell a story about the government’s priorities or overall deficit reduction strategy," writes columnist John Milloy. ...
Hutton: One year later there’s lots to celebrate from the Ford government
Columnist Deb Hutton also says that the government can do a better job explaining its vision going forward to gain the trust and support of Ontarians. ...
Milloy: When it comes to making friends, politicians need to be careful
Newfound political allies can be exciting, but columnist John Milloy warns that the relationships come with pitfalls. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Don’t get distracted by beer and logos
Focus on the items that matter most, like cuts to legal aid or education changes, argues columnist John Milloy. ...
Khan: Analyzing the government’s significant but overlooked approach to labour relations
Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy laid the groundwork for the government's approach to labour relations in a speech earlier this month. It could have significant implications, writes columnist Omar Khan. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Compared to a slash and burn budget, maybe ‘Rae Days’ weren’t that bad after all
Columnist John Milloy writes that a new take on ‘Rae Days’ may be better than the alternative. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Successful stakeholder management comes with empathy
The approach from Lisa MacLeod on the autism issue provides a textbook example on how not to manage stakeholders, writes columnist John Milloy. ...
Dean: The Ford government’s future success depends on building a trusting relationship with the civil service
Senator Tony Dean traces Premier Doug Ford's early successes and stumbles to his administration's relationship with the civil service. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Liberals need to re-establish collective identity before choosing a leader
Columnist John Milloy says having conversations about policy and politics will establish an important framework for the leadership race. ...
Dubé: Politicians cannot do the work of independent officers of the legislature
Ontario Paul Dubé writes in a guest column that independent ombusdmen play a unique and valuable role in promoting good governance. ...
Hunter: The Ontario Liberal Party’s delegated convention system is stuck in the past
Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter writes in a guest column that the Ontario Liberals should embrace a new, modern leadership selection process. ...
Walker and Bethlenfalvy: An open response to Steven Del Duca’s column
Two Progressive Conservative ministers respond to a column by a former Liberal minister that had called for a government with the 'courage and competence' to eliminate the deficit in the right way. ...
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. ...
Del Duca: We need a government with the courage and competence to eliminate the deficit and get it done right
Former Liberal cabinet minister Steven Del Duca writes that the time has come to reform government procurement practices. ...
Milloy: We should care that the Ford government is getting rid of officers of the legislature
Columnist John Milloy says saving money shouldn’t be an easy justification for shutting down accountability measures. ...
Milloy: The real story behind politicians’ Christmas cards
A lot more goes into the cards then one might expect, writes columnist John Milloy. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Time for Ford to support a Handgun Ban
Ford's strong support among conservative voters could make him a key player in any national discussions about a possible handgun ban, writes columnist John Milloy. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Math changes show smart politics doesn’t always equal good policy
It will be an impossible job to turn open-ended feedback from parents into education policy, writes columnist John Milloy. ...
Milloy: Ford’s promise to use notwithstanding clause highlights political accountability crisis
Premiers need to be held in check too, columnist John Milloy argues. ...
Khan: Ford’s messing with the Charter could be just what Liberals need
Columnist Omar Khan says the decision to invoke the notwithstanding clause has given Liberals, provincially and federally, a badly needed emotional trigger. ...
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. ...
Milloy: The insanity of the Ford government’s plan for social assistance
Reforming social assistance reminds columnist John Milloy of a quote misattributed to Einstein about “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ...
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. ...
Milloy: Cancelling updated sex ed may be more popular than many think
Supporters of the 2015 sex-ed curriculum don't speak to its opponents in a way that addresses their core concerns, writes columnist John Milloy. ...
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. ...
Milloy: In ending free coffee for public servants, what message is Doug Ford sending?
Columnist John Milloy observes that symbolic actions often backfire. And how is the public service supposed to feel when a cup of coffee and a veggie wrap during a meeting are viewed as an example of “waste?” ...
Milloy: Congratulations! You’ve won the election! Now what?
Columnist John Milloy says he's lived through both thrill of arriving at Queen’s Park as a brand new member, as well as the bittersweet experience of retiring from politics, and knows it is not an easy time either way. ...
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. ...
Milloy: An all-candidates’ debates survival guide
Debaters should try to relax and forget the statistics — but remember that voters can tell who is talking through their hat, writes columnist John Milloy. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Ontario is going to have a polarized election, should we care?
It's difficult to govern after you've labelled the other side the enemy, columnist John Milloy writes. ...
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. ...
Milloy: Don’t expect a lengthy pre-writ legislative session
Columnist John Milloy has advice for Queen's Park watchers as the new legislative session begins: don't get too comfortable. ...
Hutton: Call me a bad feminist, but I don’t think politicians should get parental leave
While parental leave is beneficial for many of us, politicians aren’t exactly like you and me, columnist Deb Hutton writes. ...
Milloy: Ontarians ought to be concerned about recent PC party infighting
Columnist John Milloy, in noting the PCs' failed attempt to use the courts to muzzle opposition from within, argues there are better ways to deal with disgruntled members and that a lawsuit should be used only as a last ...
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. ...
Milloy: Should the Sudbury court decision mark a tipping point in Ontario politics?
Columnist John Milloy hopes the time has come for political parties to stop involving the police and courts when they throw around spaghetti to see what sticks. ...
Milloy: Tackling income inequality – how Ontario Liberals got it right and federal Liberals got it wrong
In politics, you're always in trouble when your opponent's story starts to resemble a Hallmark movie plot, columnist John Milloy observes. ...
Sponsored Content Op-Ed: Support for Pharmacy Dispensing of Medical Cannabis …
Justin Bates argues for a dual system of medical and recreational cannabis access ...
Khan: Arnold Chan was a gentleman who left us too soon
Columnist Omar Khan recalls advice that the MP and former Queen's Park staffer gave him years ago that has served him well in life ever since. ...
Milloy: Time for a grown-up conversation on candidate nominations (without involving the police)
Columnist John Milloy says a healthy conversation about nominations might result in some cathartic yelling. ...
Close
Close
Close
Close