Playing the game of attack and counter-attack

Justin Trudeau is trying to turn the tables on Pierre Poilievre, he wants to put him on the defensive and put him into a denying mode. So yeah, in politics, insults are often underpinned by communication tactics. It’s just how you play the game.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre have been going at it lately—hammer and tong—exchanging insults bordering on the savage. How you view this sort of rough-and-tumble political combat depends on your perspective, writes Gerry Nicholls.The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY GERRY NICHOLLS

March 16, 2023

OAKVILLE, ONT.—If you’re following the news emanating from Ottawa, you’ll know Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre have been going at it lately—hammer and tong—exchanging insults bordering on the savage.

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