Brian Lilley

Brian Lilley is a political columnist with the Toronto Sun. A veteran of radio, TV, print and online, Brian cut his teeth covering courts, crime and everything else as a junior reporter in Montreal. Since 2002 he's spent most of his time focused on politics including working from 2005 through 2010 as the Ottawa Bureau Chief for Newstalk 1010 in Toronto and CJAD 800 in Montreal. In 2010, Brian joined the Sun to help with the launch of Sun News Network, hosting the popular nightly show Byline while also writing weekly columns for the paper. Now based in Toronto, Brian writes daily columns on politics covering all levels of government and is regularly heard commenting on issues on talk radio stations across the country.

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LATEST STORIES BY BRIAN LILLEY

LILLEY: Both leaders promise change, but only Poilievre can deliver

As the election kicks off, polls show Canadians want change in Ottawa and both Pierre Poilievre and Mark Carney are telling voters they are the one who can get the job done.

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March 23, 2025 Columnists

Both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre are promising to bring change as polls show Canadians want something new in Ottawa.

LILLEY: Time for Canadians to put lost Liberal decade in rear-view

For but Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to win, he'll need to convince voters this election is about more than Donald Trump

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March 22, 2025 Federal Elections

A composite image made from three file photographs shows, from left to right, Liberal Leader Mark Carney in Paris, France on Monday, March 17, 2025; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024; and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in Saguenay, Que. on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

LILLEY: Mark Carney sounds more like a Conservative with each new promise

But one of the main issues with the Prime Minister is that his team is no different from the Trudeau Liberals

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March 22, 2025 Federal Elections

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a press conference after the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, Canada on March 21, 2025.

LILLEY: As election starts, remember why campaigns matter

While it looks like momentum is with the Liberals now, but it can shift quickly as we've recently seen

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March 20, 2025 Federal Elections

Liberals, Tories both pulling 37% according to new Leger poll, which describes Canada polling environment as "highly volatile."

LILLEY: Toronto's World Cup deal proving to be worse by the day

Former mayor John Tory haunts us still, at least when it comes to the enormous expense and ridiculous moves Toronto is making as a World Cup host city. In addition to a cost of a little more than $63 million per game in costs and the city looking at getting into the scalping game, we are also looking at spending big bucks to install a rooftop bar at BMO field that won’t be ready until after the World Cup.

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March 19, 2025 Columnists

It looks like City Hall allowed FIFA and MLSE to write the contract to ensure that taxpayers foot the bill for far too much of the cost.

LILLEY: While Carney locked in net-zero zealotry, Poilievre pushes prosperity

Ensuring Canada’s economy remains resilient in the face of tariffs and other economic threats from Donald Trump requires much more than just counter-tariffs. That’s why the announcement by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in Sudbury on Wednesday was so important.

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March 19, 2025 Columnists

Ensuring Canada’s economy remains resilient from Donald Trump's threats requires much more than just counter-tariffs.

LILLEY: Ford to be sworn in Wednesday with steady-as-she-goes cabinet

Don't expect much change in Ford's inner circle as the government looks to focus on Washington.

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March 18, 2025 Columnists

Not many changes expected as Ford gets sworn in as premier for the third time.

LILLEY: Carney and his economic policies wrong for the time we are in

Canada needs greater ability to move our main economic driver -- oil and gas -- to markets other than U.S.

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March 18, 2025 Columnists

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to media during a press conference at Canada House, in London, Monday, March 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

LILLEY: PM Carney has it all wrong with industrial carbon tax

The carbon tax will still be an issue in the coming election. It’s a topic both Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre were talking about Monday.

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March 17, 2025 Columnists

Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves the podium after speaking to media at a press conference at Canada House, in London, Monday, March 17, 2025.

LILLEY: Mark Carney starts off as PM by lying to Canadians

Mark Carney’s first act as a prime minister of Canada was to lie to the Canadian people. That may seem like a bold allegation, but there are no two ways about it.

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March 16, 2025 Opinion