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Articles by Dónal Gill
Note to PSPP: Ireland Sidelined a Governor-General in the 1930s and it Worked
On Oct. 5, Quebec voters gave the Parti Québécois (PQ) 59 of 127 seats in the National Assembly. That amounts to a strong minority government but with a mere 28 per cent of the popular vote — the lowest for any governing party in all of Canadian electoral history — any attempt to claim a mandate for a third referendum on sovereignty will certainly backfire. It’s important to flag that the incoming premier, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (PSPP), is a true believer in the cause.
Jonathan Swift v. AI
Now Fans of the company’s products widely believe it will unveil a folding smartphone at its annual launch event on Wednesday. The iPhone has not changed much since Apple introduced it in 2007. Whether it has slimmed down, rounded out its edges or shed its home button, the iPhone has always been a …
The War on Alberta Separatists Is a War on Democracy
Every year, I teach an introductory course on Canadian politics to hundreds of students at a Montreal university. There are a few central themes around which I frame the history and institutions of politics in this country. Federalism and regionalism take centre stage, of course, as does the idea of democratic deficit. Yes: deficit. Canada’s story is not one of bold commitment to democracy.
How Canada Keeps the Conservatives Shut Out of Power
THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM OUR ARTICLE WITH THE WALRUS. READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE. In April, almost a year after last spring’s federal election delivered a minority government, Mark Carney’s Liberal Party inched its way to a majority by poaching a string of floor crossers from opposition parties. The new-found majority further strengthens the hold of a party that has been in power for 60 percent of Canadian electoral history.
How Canada Keeps the Conservatives Shut Out of Power
In April, almost a year after last spring’s federal election delivered a minority government, Mark Carney’s Liberal Party inched its way to a majority by poaching a string of floor crossers from opposition parties. The new-found majority further strengthens the hold of a party that has been in power for 60 percent of Canadian electoral history. This makes them among the most successful political parties in the Western democratic world.
Canada’s Mistake Was Believing the Border No Longer Mattered
If you’ve noticed more national flags adorning Canadian streets, even in Montreal where the fleur-de-lys is far more common, you’re not alone. Every day is Canada day. Annexationist rhetoric will do that to a country. Since taking office, United States president Donald Trump has repeatedly mused about making Canada the country’s “cherished” fifty-first state, claiming Canada is not economically or militarily viable without the US.
July, 2026 | The Walrus
Free trade with the US made us wealthier. It also left us vulnerable
Dónal Gill | The Walrus
Free trade with the US made us wealthier. It also left us vulnerable
Carney’s AI dream betrays Havel’s warning
Prime Minister Mark Carney made artificial intelligence a major plank of his keynote address to a buoyant Liberal Party convention in Montréal on April 3. Punctuated by several rounds of rapturous applause, Carney declared that “our goal is AI for all. AI accountable to Canadians; AI that serves Canadians.
How I Learned to Love the Notwithstanding Clause - Macleans.ca
Over 260 Quebec doctors apply for Ontario licences in weeks following Bill 2 Over 250 Quebec doctors are applying to be able to work in Ontario, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The surge of …
Canada’s democratic deficit can no longer be ignored
Parliament Hill, Ottawa. Photo by Bill Badzo/Flickr. Politics in the United Kingdom has been upended by the rise of a right-wing populist force that now stands as a serious contender for power. From our two overlapping yet distinct perspectives—a political science professor who studies parties and elections and an independent journalist seeking to hold politicians to account—we recognize many of the same currents propelling the UK’s populist insurgency at work here in Canada as well.
Canada’s Heroic Delusion
It even comes with a solar panel. SAVE $1,200: As of Oct. 28, the Bluetti Solar Generator Elite 200 V2 is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon. That's a 52% discount on the list price. Chances are you’ve heard of Bluetti if you’ve looked into portable power stations. If you want something powerful that will …
The left should defend democracy, not Ottawa’s bid to curb the notwithstanding clause
The federal government is intervening in the slow-moving Supreme Court case over Québec’s pre-emptive invocation of Section 33, the notwithstanding clause of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, for Bill 21, An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State. In a filing submitted on September 17, Ottawa argued that courts should be able to prohibit long-term use of Section 33 to override Charter rights, warning that prolonged suspensions amount to an unconstitutional denial of rights themselves.
Opposition to AI is a key path to renewal for the NDP
With the New Democratic Party in a desperately weak state following the 2025 election, the correct path to renewal will be hotly contested as the party moves to select a new leader in the spring. Big-picture ideological questions of principle over pragmatism will rage, with illustrative examples from centrist provincial counterparts in western Canada played off against the unabashedly socialist success story of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign to clinch the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor.
Opinion: What the failed caucus revolt says about the LIberal party
Advertisement 1 A perfect storm of circumstances has given rise to a hollowed-out party apparatus — a shift seen in left-liberal parties across the world. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content What has been widely described as a caucus revolt against the prime minister can be seen as evidence of the hollowness at the heart of the modern Liberal party.
Opinion: B.C. election puts broader populist tide to the test Original
Advertisement 1 Pierre Poilievre's coattail effect is at play in the Oct. 19 provincial vote, and Canadians across the country should be paying attention. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content Provincial electoral campaigns in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and British Columbia are all underway.
Opinion: Trudeau may have missed his chance to save the furniture
Our PM would have been wise to follow the lead of his Irish counterpart, whose resignation seems to have buoyed his party's prospects. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette • • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content It seems absurdly clear to all but Justin Trudeau and his inner sanctum of advisers and strategists in the Prime Minister’s Office that the Liberal government is deep into borrowed time.
Opinion: A tale of two wunderkind PMs, and why one stepped down
Like Ireland's Leo Varadkar, Justin Trudeau swept into power as a charismatic leader, but nine years later the wear and tear of office is visible. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette • • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar announced his shock resignation on March 20. We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Opinion: Denis Coderre may not be right for Liberals, but he's done the party a favour
Public awareness of the Quebec Liberals' leadership vacuum has risen considerably since the former Montreal mayor signalled his likely intent to run for the job. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette • Article content Back in November, I wrote that the Quebec Liberal Party was suffering immensely from a leadership vacuum.
Opinion: Leadership vacuum drags down Quebec Liberals
The party isn’t set to fill the void until 2025. As the PQ surges, taking the long road might prove to be an error. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette • • Article content Political discussion in Quebec has been set ablaze by the release of last week’s opinion poll showing the Parti Québécois taking a commanding lead in voter intentions: 30 per cent of survey respondents in the Pallas Data poll indicated they would vote PQ if an election were held immediately.
Opinion: Are the Conservatives at risk of winning too many seats?
A rout for Pierre Poilievre could spell trouble for the Tories if the result replicates the unmanageable voter blocs they faced in the past. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette • • Article content The polls continue to worsen for Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party.
Opinion: Is Canadian federalism unravelling?
Two recent election results could have a negative impact on the already fractious constitutional order in this country. Author of the article: • Special to Montreal Gazette Article content Two recent election results could have a negative impact on the already fractious constitutional order in this country. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
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