John Ibbitson Profile Banner
John Ibbitson Profile
John Ibbitson

@JohnIbbitson

34,428
Followers
350
Following
180
Media
13,730
Statuses

Writer at Large, The Globe and Mail. Editor: A Nation’s Paper. Author: The Duel, Empty Planet & Big Shift (with Darrell Bricker) Stephen Harper, The Landing.

Ottawa, Canada
Joined May 2010
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Pinned Tweet
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
A journalism student recently asked by email: How do you become a columnist? Do you have any advice? Here is the answer: 1/n
143
128
616
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
3 years
My favourite sign from the counter-protest.
Tweet media one
69
559
5K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
2 years
Justin Trudeau singing Bohemian Rhapsody in a bar was not offensive. Dale Smith’s tweet was not offensive. Could we please all grow up?
1K
645
5K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
3 years
The shack that protest organizers constructed in Confederation Park, across from city hall, is serving coffee and sandwiches. No charge. Donations gratefully received.
Tweet media one
175
943
4K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
Boomers led the big fight for LGBTQ rights. But those who are younger may not realize how hard it was to come out. We were illegal, then mentally ill, then came the AIDS horror, then don't-ask-don’t tell. Each must take their own path. Welcome, Jim Watson.
54
317
2K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
3 years
In my opinion this requires a correction from the @nytimes . On what basis do they assert that people were arrested at gunpoint? Armed police is not “at gunpoint.” Unless weapons were drawn and pointed at protesters then this is both factually incorrect and dangerous to assert.
@nytimes
The New York Times
3 years
Breaking News: The police arrested demonstrators at gunpoint near the Parliament building in Ottawa in an effort to end the weekslong protests.
4K
1K
4K
563
438
2K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
If a televised debate could move numbers, the Ontario Liberals’ numbers would move tomorrow. Kathleen Wynne’s performance is head and shoulders above Andrea Horvath’s. And Doug Ford does not belong on that stage.
147
768
2K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
This story contains not a single Canadian criticizing Trudeau. The headline is 100% unsupported. An F.
@natnewswatch
National Newswatch
5 years
Canadians criticize Trudeau after visit to Oh Doughnuts bakery in Winnipeg |
130
1
13
95
282
2K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
2 years
Put me in the camp of those who consider this a non story in service of manufactured outrage.
@CTVNews
CTV News
2 years
Is this the real life? Justin Trudeau tries to sing 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in London hotel piano bar days before Queen's funeral
794
63
300
215
125
2K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
Allow me to introduce you to Elections Canada. With the exception of some rules favouring rural ridings, not a gerrymander for decades.
@PHenryMartin1
P Henry Martin
6 years
@ezraklein @ldsanty @TallManShort "politically independent commissions" 🤔 Hmm...no such animal exists nor is one possible.
75
15
512
44
277
1K
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
8 years
I remember Joe Trudeau. We were in grade school together. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but a really decent guy.
@ddale8
Daniel Dale
8 years
Sean Spicer just now: "Yesterday the president had an incredibly productive set of meetings and discussions with PM Joe Trudeau of Canada."
529
3K
6K
22
189
944
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
22 Ontario communities are about to lose their local papers, as Postmedia shuts them down. Some of these towns will now have no journalistic oversight of council, police, school boards...This is how democratic accountability erodes.
99
782
920
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
This is the second time a minister has resigned without thanking the Prime Minister or offering him praise.
50
204
849
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
Two thirds of Canadians believe Trudeau has lost the moral authority to govern, according to Ipsos.
@globalnews
Globalnews.ca
6 years
#BREAKING : Most Canadians side with Jody Wilson-Raybould over Trudeau, and one in four Liberal voters say Trudeau should step aside while the SNC-Lavalin affair is investigated, according to an Ipsos poll.
159
327
819
85
238
664
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
Bottom line for me: Ford: an incoherent glop of policies he couldn’t convincingly explain. Appeared confused at times. Horwath: Aggressive and argumentative, but got her message across. Wynne: Proud of her legacy. No regrets. Master of every file. But people have already said no
76
296
700
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
2 years
Critics are being unduly harsh. The federal government is working tirelessly to reduce airport congestion by not issuing passports Ottawa under pressure to cancel ArriveCan app, increase airport staffing as travel chaos continues
Tweet media one
224
156
699
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
Most DREAMERS easily meet education, language & skills requirements. How about inviting them to come to Canada? It would be our gain
45
242
654
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
Justin Trudeau and the Old Boys at SNC-Lavalin will never understand...why those women over at the Justice Department fought them and defeated them. But others...know what frustrated privilege looks like, what happens when powerful men don’t get their way
65
217
564
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
1/2 A lot of people on Twitter complain of its toxicity. I don’t find it toxic at all. One solution is not to follow toxic people, or people who retweet toxic people. Another is to refuse to get into arguments on Twitter. Ever. With anyone. Period.
142
92
615
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
1 year
From me: The Liberal government’s handling of foreign interference will go down as one of its most discreditable legacies - The Globe and Mail
233
170
584
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
I’ll bet you that people haven’t celebrated in American cities, in Toronto, in Paris and who knows where else all at the same time and for the same reason since the end of the Second World War.
23
171
571
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
From me on today's revelation that the government is blocking an RCMP inquiry into obstruction of justice: the time has come for Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott to speak their truth.
73
211
442
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
Conrad Black is unhappy with the Globe and Mail In general and with me in particular.
@nationalpost
National Post
4 years
Conrad Black on COVID-19: The slanderous contempt for Donald Trump is unwarranted
562
163
518
187
38
427
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
3 years
The close identification of Conservative MPs with the occupying forces in Ottawa utterly baffles me.
@KevinWaugh_CPC
Kevin Waugh
3 years
A few of our SK Caucus members went to show our appreciation for the hardworking, patriotic truckers who have kept our supply chains healthy & grocery shelves stocked for the past two years. It’s great to see Canadians championing freedom on Parliament Hill. #freedomconvoy22
Tweet media one
Tweet media two
2K
577
3K
293
102
415
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
That headline isn’t fair. @globalnews , you should rewrite it. I thought he was waffling on conversion therapy itself. If I can be fooled, so can other readers.
@natnewswatch
National Newswatch
5 years
Andrew Scheer will ‘wait and see’ before taking a stance on conversion therapy ban
135
67
49
47
136
392
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
2 years
Three-and-half-years later…
Tweet media one
32
6
388
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
It actually did age well.
15
99
369
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
Veteran journalists are breaking up on air as they read out this story. I couldn’t finish it. I ended up pacing around & swearing loudly. They are taking young children from their parents and placing them in new, jury-rigged orphanages. Monsters.
47
277
372
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
3 years
It breaks my heart to see what @Newsweek has become. It was a fine journal in its day.
@bungarsargon
Batya Ungar-Sargon
3 years
Canada is now officially arresting dissidents. A country that considers itself a democracy arresting people for the crime of organizing a mass grassroots nonviolent protest should horrify each and every one of you. Surely we can all agree on that, whatever side of this you're on.
3K
799
3K
77
36
357
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
Macdonald: Residential schools Laurier: Banned black immigration Borden: Komagata Maru King: Japanese internment But without them, no Canada
185
198
334
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
8 years
Not wrong. A lie. The press secretary lied on Day One. Let's get that on the record right now.
22
280
317
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
How about cleaning the air by letting her speak?
28
60
301
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
You really do need to read this story by @curryb about the Tories allegedly hiring Warren Kinsella to undermine Maxime Bernier.
@curryb
Bill Curry
5 years
EXCLUSIVE: Kinsella firm hired to ‘seek and destroy’ Bernier’s People’s Party, documents show
148
398
465
48
157
269
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
Men in journalism experience little or none of the ugly commentary women have to endure. That’s a fact and it’s shameful.
@Katie___Simpson
Katie Simpson
4 years
Here’s the thing, if you have a legitimate complaint about my journalism: we have an obumdsman, complain formally. The rest of it is a waste of your time, and if it’s terrible and nasty, it will be used to educate future journalists.
564
212
5K
40
48
317
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
9 months
An Ed Broadbent story: Just before the 2004 election, I called my mom to ask how she planned to vote. “I don’t know,” she said. She liked her Liberal MP personally, but was angry with the Liberals over the sponsorship scandal. “I just wish I could vote for Ed Broadbent.” 1/6
10
42
321
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
HALLELUJAH. The Globe and Mail and Unifor reach a tentative agreement. No strike tomorrow.
9
33
286
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
This is a nonpartisan retweet, acknowledging—as I did in Empty Planet, Stephen Harper and Big Shift—that Canada’s bipartisan immigration policy is its greatest national asset.
@gmbutts
Gerald Butts
5 years
There are always problems to fix with complex systems, but let’s keep perspective. Governments of all political stripes have built an immigration policy in 🇨🇦 that should be a model for the 🌎. It serves Canadians very, very well.
132
229
853
15
65
287
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
8 years
No it isn't. I fully support Israel.
@MikeWarland
Mike Warland
8 years
@JohnIbbitson For subs? Is this some kind of coded message to the BDSM community?
1
1
47
22
164
257
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
This video shifts the paradigm of Canadian politics. 1/3
@erinotoole
Erin O'Toole
4 years
Do you think it's time for economic policy that puts Canadian workers first? 🇨🇦 Happy Labour Day 💪 #LabourDay
916
812
3K
99
57
273
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
First, if we talked to our neighbours, driveway to driveway, there’d soon be a raging street party. Now City of Ottawa is banning standing outside closed windows to see loved ones in nursing homes. Not enough social distancing. For the love of God....
46
60
254
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
3 years
Some personal news: I’ve been working on a joint biography of Diefenbaker and Pearson for several years. I’m thrilled that McClelland & Stewart will be publishing The Duel in 2023. Also, this will be my fifth book with Doug Pepper. I couldn’t be in safer hands.
Tweet media one
32
22
262
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
If a report comes out saying immigrants are struggling, some people shout: "They're living on welfare and creating ghettoes!" If a report comes out saying immigrants are doing well, some people shout: "They're stealing our jobs!”
25
135
252
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
But this is how some in my generation did it. So: Read and read and read. Talk to people and talk to people and talk to people. See the world through the eyes of your readers. Don’t let yourself get into a rut as a writer or a thinker. And never, ever stop being a reporter. -30-
21
12
262
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
I never thought I’d hear such a thing from a former US ambassador to Canada. But ever hour, now, something new.
@BruceAHeyman
Bruce A. Heyman
6 years
Having had the opportunity to work closely with @DHSgov as the US Ambassador to Canada w/ 5525 mile border, Having just listened to @SecNielsen I think she should be relieved of her responsibilities. She lacks the heart, humanity & competence to lead this important agency.
26
309
775
9
121
250
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
9 months
When I told him why, he roared with laughter. Every time I saw him after that the first thing he said was: “How’s that good NDP-loving mother of yours?” This delighted Mom. 6/6
13
10
260
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
I’m with @acoyne . The committee that decides who & what qualifies for funding will be composed of people Just Like Us, who will shape a journalism Just Like Ours. We aren’t a profession and shouldn’t try to be one. I grieve for every job lost. But market forces must decide this.
@CGTomClark
Tom Clark
6 years
Can’t understand much of the objection to govt help for journalism. Advertising dollars and their pressure have always been around and most of us managed to ignore that. Don’t know any serious journo who would or could be bought by tax regulations or by ad pressure.
260
163
584
49
78
226
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
In Dec. 2011 I gave a speech for TVO in which I coined the term “Laurentian Consensus”—the elites in urban Ont./Quebec who had governed Canada for most of its history. That speech became The Big Shift with @darrellbricker . And today, Grant brought this home. A pleasant surprise.
Tweet media one
Tweet media two
26
33
242
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
So we can lament or we can act. One action: a Royal Commission on Justice in Canada. This could include jury selection rules, incarceration demographics, criminal penalties, parole, discipline in prisons, and more. Launch: tomorrow. Deadline: July 2020. Retweet if you agree.
68
342
236
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
1 year
Well hello there.
Tweet media one
32
21
241
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
9 months
A powerful, eloquent and, in this writer’s opinion, irrefutable argument from Rosalie Abella against accusations of Israel committing genocide in Gaza. The genocide case against Israel is an abuse of the postwar legal order
94
72
233
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
Couldn’t
21
5
225
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
Trade secret: I have roughed out three columns: Dems win House, GOP holds House, Still too close to call. That way, no matter what happens, Globe readers can be reassured I knew it all along.
14
17
221
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
Good news! The Infrastructure Bank is finally getting money out the door!
@curryb
Bill Curry
4 years
Canada Infrastructure Bank paid $3.8-million for terminations amid leadership shakeup: with @channay #cdnpoli
14
43
46
14
63
213
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
We mourn the passing and salute the life of Deepak Obhrai, who gave so much to this country. A truly great Canadian.
@deepakobhrai
Hon Deepak Obhrai PC
5 years
Please see below:
Tweet media one
93
186
530
3
43
207
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
Sheer cruelty. The PM has scheduled a press conference to discuss SNC-Lavalin for 8 am Thursday because he knows journalists are not morning people. The Globe will have complete, if bleary-eyed, coverage regardless.
68
28
212
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
This could get very big, very fast.
59
99
190
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
The iPhone X has a mysterious design flaw. At Minus 25, the facial recognition stopped working.
Tweet media one
6
41
208
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
2 years
I’m with those who (a) greatly admire Lisa’s journalism and (b) suspect ageism and sexism remain alive and well in our society. Longtime CTV anchor Lisa LaFlamme ‘blindsided’ after Bell Media ends contract - The Globe and Mail
26
36
196
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
This rather long tweet answers a request from a friend—who, like all of us, is trying to make it through the lockdown—to put together a playlist that could serve as an introduction to classical music. Things got out of hand. 1/n
37
29
198
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
Not Stephen Harper. Not Andrew Scheer.
@erinotoole
Erin O'Toole
4 years
My mom died when I was very young. I want to share how that experience became a driving force in my life.
164
453
2K
17
20
189
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
Whether or not you support the NDP, we should all be stoked by this milestone in the progress of our nation. Canada at its very best.
@harnoozie
Harnoozie
7 years
When my dad first came to Canada he had a hard time finding a job because he was turbaned Sikh and today @theJagmeetSingh became the leader of the NDP party #ndpldr #LoveAndCourage
2
49
205
6
63
190
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
Best thing I’ve read on the verdict.
15
80
179
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
Great sorrow in Canadian journalism, with the passing of Christie Blatchford. A beautiful writer and fearless critic, she was among the very finest who have practised the craft. We have lost the best we have.
9
21
182
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
4 years
The most important thing is never to forget that reporting is the core of all journalism. That includes column writing. Everybody has an opinion; nobody cares about yours or mine unless that opinion is anchored in knowledge, which means reading and talking to people. 2/n
5
9
181
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
USMCA. Why am I thinking Village People?
24
27
176
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
2 years
We have our challenges. But PMs and GGs gathering together like this is something to cherish. Proud of our country today.
@stephenharper
Stephen Harper
2 years
As we gather to celebrate HM QEII, I was honoured to be invested into the Order of Canada by @GGCanada Mary Simon. Thank you to @CanadianPM Trudeau, former fellow Prime Ministers Martin, Chrétien, Campbell & former Governors General Johnston & Jean for attending the ceremony.
Tweet media one
Tweet media two
Tweet media three
Tweet media four
390
437
4K
5
16
172
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 months
I’d say you’re describing what a good conservative political leader does: governs quietly and leaves the place a little better than they found it. But also don’t forget the impressive record on trade agreements, and best-in-G7 handling of the financial crisis.
@EScrimshaw
Evan Scrimshaw
6 months
Stephen Harper is the Canadian PM (who served 5+ years in the job) with the least notable historical record as PM, right? No earth shattering scandal, no particularly huge legacy defining accomplishment, didn’t shift the political consensus longterm, left his party in fine shape
101
8
85
40
25
171
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
7 years
Anyone who hates DSL does not walk a dog or like to garden. They are too unloved to be invited over by friends for a post-dinner drink on the deck. They've never walked a dirt road smelling hay in the June twilight. They have no joy in their life, and would steal joy from others.
@KarlBelanger
Karl Bélanger ✖
7 years
Daylight saving time starts Sunday, March 11: Why this monstrous burden continues.
5
5
6
42
41
163
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 months
1000% “If Jewish people cannot do something as everyday as celebrate their culture because of threats of violence, and political leaders fail to decry it loudly, then Canada is lost.” Globe editorial: Canada’s dangerous slide into antisemitism
18
44
165
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
I’ve lived digital journalism for more than a decade and am quite confident of the medium’s future. But there is still something beautiful about a great front page that it will never quite capture.
@mattfrehner
Matt Frehner
6 years
Today’s @globeandmail front page.
Tweet media one
5
31
76
21
27
157
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
5 years
Even more unpopular opinion: Respected academics should watch their language in public.
@EmmMacfarlane
Emmett Macfarlane 🇺🇦 🇨🇦
5 years
Unpopular opinion: If there's a news story in the history of humanity that has gotten "too much coverage" relative to its importance, it's the fucking Chateau Laurier thing.
33
15
258
110
8
157
@JohnIbbitson
John Ibbitson
6 years
You’re not leaving Twitter. You’re using it properly. You follow interesting people, post when you think you have something to say, have friendly exchanges, but never ever get into acrimonious debates. Twitter works fine when you use it that way.
9
17
161