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.

Get the latest from Brian Lilley straight to your inbox

LATEST STORIES BY BRIAN LILLEY

LILLEY: Trudeau's Mar-a-Lago visit sparked Trump's pursuit of Canada as 51st state

Our former PM's meeting with the President seemed like a good idea in November but now looks like the biggest blunder of his political career

with Video

March 15, 2025 Columnists

Justin Trudeau beside Donald Trump at a dinner table.

LILLEY: Carney strikes new tone and takes page from Trump

Mark Carney may be new to politics, but he’s learning quick including taking a page out on Donald Trump’s book on Friday afternoon. Shortly after being sworn in, Carney held a cabinet meeting and with media invited in the room, Carney held a Trump-like signing ceremony to axe the consumer carbon tax.

with Video

March 14, 2025 Columnists

Mark Carney arrives ahead of his swearing-in ceremony as Canada's 24th Prime Minister at Rideau Hall on March 14, 2025 in Ottawa. Carney, a former central banker, replaces Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader as the country faces a trade war with the United States.

LILLEY: Doug Ford leaves Washington meeting 'feeling very positive'

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called the Premier 'some guy from Ontario,' but it wasn't Ford who reached out for the meeting

with Video

March 13, 2025 Columnists

LILLEY: Toronto council adding unelected member based on race usurps democracy

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's office embraces the idea of creating an Indigenous member of council

with Video

March 13, 2025 Columnists

The ice rink at Nathan Phillips Square by City Hall in Toronto, Tuesday Dec. 17, 2024.

LILLEY: Ford has chance to seek a better deal in Washington

Doug Ford clearly caught Donald Trump's attention with the electricity surcharge, now he will have a chance to speak directly on tariffs.

with Video

March 12, 2025 Columnists

Ontario's premier was able to break through to Trump in a way no one else in Canada has.

LILLEY: Carney puts together new team of Trudeau has-beens

Is joking about using tanks on Canadians a good look for Carney's new team?

with Video

March 12, 2025 Columnists

Liberal Leader Mark Carney speaks briefly with media before making his way to caucus meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025 in Ottawa. Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS

LILLEY: Ford strikes a deal, drops surcharge for White House meeting

American anger over electricity surcharge leads to a phone call and later a meeting to start new trade talks.

with Video

March 11, 2025 Canada

Let’s call it an attempt to take the temperature down a bit.

LILLEY: Call an election now so Canada has a government with a mandate

Canada is about to get a new prime minister sometime this week, but what we really need is an election. That could come within days, but perhaps not as soon as this Sunday as had previously been discussed.

with Video

March 10, 2025 Columnists