Gerald Butts

Trudeau, Singh, and O'Toole take part in the federal election English-language Leaders debate in Gatineau, Que., on Sept. 9, 2021 (Adrian Wyld/CP)

Gerald Butts on the final days of the campaign: ‘It’s basically over’

Justin Trudeau’s former principal secretary talks to Shannon Proudfoot about the debate, why the election is all but over, and the ground game that will consume the final days

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, right, at a premiers' press conference in Ottawa in September. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, centre, has threatened to use the notwithstanding clause, while Alberta's Jason Kenney has voiced admiration for Quebec's willingness to assert itself. (Sean Kilpatrick/CP)

The real problem with Quebec’s new language bill

Gerald Butts: Bill 96’s breezy invocation of the notwithstanding clause pushes us closer to the point where premiers—not courts—are the ultimate arbiters of our Charter rights

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Why Biden’s Inaugural Address could be counted among the great ones

Gerald Butts: The president delivered a great speech in a time of profound national need. If he follows it with disciplined action, it just might become iconic.

Butts, French, and the right-hand syndrome in Canadian politics

Paul Wells: What can we learn from the top lieutenants in Ottawa and Queen’s Park? That politics today is a game of constant combat.

Who may have broken the law in the SNC-Lavalin affair?

Opinion: The common claim that nothing illegal took place overlooks a multitude of laws, codes and conventions that might apply. Where the evidence is clear, the authorities should charge and prosecute.

Trudeau and Wilson-Raybould, before the fall

Image of the Week (retrospective edition): A photo taken the moment the PM gave Jody Wilson-Raybould her ‘dream job’ captured the sense of promise around the new government in 2015. Now it speaks only of loss.

Jody Wilson-Raybould testifies at justice committee

Some things Jody Wilson-Raybould could help clear up

The SNC-Lavalin waters are thoroughly muddied, but if the former AG testified again there are at least three points that now need addressing

Gerry Butts just showed Canadians his two greatest gifts—sincerity and spin

The PM’s former right hand voiced respect and affection for Jody Wilson-Raybould. Then he contradicted her.

The Butts testimony: Have I mentioned the 9,000 jobs?

Paul Wells: Someone close to the PM finally explained their thinking around this scandal. It revealed a political operation whose judgment was hard to admire.

Gerald Butts on ‘my character’ and that of others involved

Justin Trudeau’s former principal secretary says he can’t fathom how Jody Wilson-Raybould ultimately saw what transpired in ‘such a dark light’

Gerald Butts testifies at justice committee: Full opening statement

Justin Trudeau’s longtime confidant told MPs his side of the SNC-Lavalin scandal. Read his full prepared remarks here—including additions and omissions he made on delivery

Gerald Butts and Michael Wernick at justice committee: Live video

Trudeau’s longtime confidant and the clerk of the Privy Council will both testify in front of parliamentarians today. Watch it here.