By Christopher Grier

Christopher Grier is the Director of Research at Wellington Advocacy. He previously spent 16 years working on Parliament Hill most recently serving as Manager of Research and Issues for the Leader of the Opposition.

Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press.

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Why we shouldn't 'fix' question period

Question period may not be perfect, but that’s the wrong measure. Notwithstanding its imperfections, it’s still worth preserving as a tool of government accountability.

Christopher Grier - September 18, 2023

Finance Minister John Crosbie and Prime Minister Joe Clark laugh together as they walk to the House to present their first budget, in Ottawa, Dec. 11, 1979. Red MacIver/CP Photo.

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The what-ifs of the Budget 1979 vote

Looking back to examine the counterfactuals of history is an important exercise to help us appreciate the seriousness of the choices before us today.

Christopher Grier - January 9, 2023

Mark Carney, then-Governor of the Bank of England speaks at a Bank of England Financial Stability Report Press Conference, in London, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photo.

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Technocrats need fewer grand plans and much more humility

Political institutions and policymakers should envision themselves less as grand overseers who make the weather and more as ship captains just trying to navigate the storms the best they can.

Christopher Grier - July 26, 2022