Opinion Archives - QP Briefing

Harris: National unity is the third rail of Canadian politics

But Ontario still has a role to play in promoting it, columnist Kelly Harris writes. ...

Milloy: The case for why publicly-funded Catholic schools work

Columnist John Milloy argues that the Catholic system is performing well, and energy should be put into improving rather than abolishing it. ...

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. ...

Harris: Political parties stay in their lanes when that’s what’s best for them

The relationship between federal and provincial parties is more nuanced than it might first seem. ...

Milloy: When it comes to investing in higher education, the government shouldn’t shake it off

The government should look at the dividends from investing in colleges and universities, argues columnist John Milloy. ...

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. ...

Harris: Prorogation could help Ford government ‘win back the agenda’

Premier Doug Ford should consider proroguing the Ontario legislature to put a fresh face on his government, columnist Kelly Harris writes. ...

Milloy: How the premier can reform patronage

The premier can instil greater confidence in the appointments process by providing more transparency and detail, columnist John Milloy writes. ...

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. ...

How political staffers should prepare for post-election musical chairs

With an election on the horizon that can mean big changes for political staffers, writes columnist Kelly Harris. ...

Milloy: Hey Premier Ford, while you’re trying to fix patronage, why not reform political fundraising as well?

Trying to reform something in politics shouldn't be done in the middle of a storm, columnist John Milloy writes. ...

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. ...

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. ...

Category: Opinion