Michael Harris

Michael Harris is a writer, journalist, and documentary filmmaker. He was awarded a doctor of laws for his “unceasing pursuit of justice for the less fortunate among us.” His nine books include Justice Denied, Unholy Orders, Rare Ambition, Lament for an Ocean and Con Game. His work has sparked four commissions of inquiry and three of his books have been made into movies. His book on the Harper majority government, Party of One, was a No. 1 bestseller. Follow Michael Harris on Twitter at @HarrisAuthor

Trump isn’t the only show in town

Instead of being slavishly tied to the U.S., Canada needs to be a truly global player. There may even be an unexpected dividend in walking an independent line. It might show American policymakers that punitive measures against Canada could have unintended consequences for them.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 14, 2026

Trumpism may survive so Canada needs a new dance partner

Ottawa shouldn’t enable the U.S. president. That includes not being slavish about trade with our southern neighbour.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | September 7, 2026

Canada is ready for its economic Independence Day

Whether it is building new LNG terminals to serve global energy needs, or a trillion-dollar cross-country electricity grid to power the future, an exciting thing is unfolding. A maturing Canada is standing tall on its own feet.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 31, 2026

Canada is banking on our banker-prime minister

It would have been tempting under the circumstances for Mark Carney to roll over when faced with U.S. President Trump’s tariff threats and a possibly diminished CUSMA deal. But Carney has firmly made it clear that he would not commit to changes that would be bad for Canada. No deal is better than a bad deal.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 17, 2026

Nothing more un-Canadian than racist Second Sons

Rather than vilifying immigrants, we ought to celebrate them. They have made a marvellous contribution to Canada in the past. More importantly, they will continue to do so in the future.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 10, 2026

There’s nothing funny about Canada’s political predicament with Trump’s America

The nation that was once this country’s best friend and closest ally has become its biggest potential threat. Hyperbole? Not at all. Neither Russia nor China have threatened to annex Canada. Only predatory U.S. President Donald Trump has.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | August 3, 2026

Poilievre is not the right Conservative leader for these times

It will take a leader of talent, substance, and real-world experience to compete with a prime minister and Liberal leader who has all three. As successfully as he has navigated the inside workings of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre is not that person.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 27, 2026

Canada’s move away from U.S. reliance is a Herculean task, but a necessary one

Although it’s easy to justify a shift away from the U.S., it’s much harder to do. There will be pain if Ottawa wants to lessen its dependence on America. Will Canadians be prepared to accept that pain, or opt to stay with the status quo despite a contemptuous U.S. president?

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 20, 2026

A reality check on Donald Trump’s ruinous presidency

The U.S. president is not the business whiz saviour of America. He is, in fact, the guy who went bankrupt six times. He is not a paragon of virtue, entitled to judge others. He is a felon convicted of 34 counts of fraud. He is the man who was found guilty in a civil case of sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 13, 2026

Canada-U.S. relationship is one bad president away from disaster

Donald Trump is that disaster. Mark Carney’s push to protect Canada from a hostile American president is laudable, but not without risks because Trump has proven time after time that he is the most vindictive president in U.S. history.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | July 6, 2026

Donald Trump’s topsy-turvy, turbulent reign is falling apart

If a misguided GOP rallies around this disastrous president in a display of misguided loyalty, Donald Trump won’t be the only one going down when the votes are counted this November.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 29, 2026

A 55 per cent jump in the northern cod catch rate is not gradual

The government and the minister deserve credit for setting the quota numbers at low levels compared to the bad old days where gross overfishing was officially endorsed. Given the history here, caution should remain the watch word on this sensitive file. Increase the quota if the evidence supports it.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 22, 2026

This is not a pissing-match PM

How is Ottawa to manage the relationship with our closest neighbour and most important trading partner? There are essentially three options for dealing with the rogue president currently in the White House.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 15, 2026

The future of America hangs in the balance

And the time has come round at last for the American people to set some limits on a president who refuses to acknowledge any.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 8, 2026

If there’s a Trump 2.0, Canada must be ready to face that brave new world

If this president has somehow permanently changed American politics, if there is a Trump 2.0 with someone like J.D. Vance, Canada must embrace the wider world, as Mark Carney is doing. It’s not only prudent, it is essential.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | June 1, 2026

When the bad kid gets all the attention, how long before the good kid revisits their options?

British Columbia Premier David Eby has expressed concerns about Mark Carney’s chummy relationship with Danielle Smith. Carney appears to be treating Alberta’s demands and desires with special attention, particularly the desire for a new pipeline.

opinion | BY MICHAEL HARRIS | May 25, 2026