John Ibbitson

John Ibbitson is a Canadian journalist, author and political writer who has served as the Queen's Park correspondent, Ottawa bureau chief, and Washington bureau chief for The Globe and Mail newspaper. He is widely recognized for his coverage of Canadian politics and public policy issues. Ibbitson's books have focused on Canadian political leadership and social change, including influential works like "The Big Shift" (co-authored with Darrell Bricker) which examined demographic changes in Canadian society, and "Stephen Harper," a comprehensive biography of the former Prime Minister. His writing on immigration, conservatism, and the changing nature of Canadian politics has shaped public discourse. Throughout his career, Ibbitson has received several major journalism awards including the Donner Prize for best public policy book, the Writers' Trust of Canada's Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, and the Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature for his young adult novel "The Landing." As a leading commentator on Canadian public affairs, Ibbitson has developed a reputation for analysis that combines detailed policy knowledge with an understanding of broader social and demographic trends. His work regularly appears in major Canadian media outlets and he continues to write as a political columnist for The Globe and Mail.

Readers value Ibbitson's clear writing style and depth of research in his political analysis. Many note his ability to explain complex Canadian political dynamics without oversimplifying. What readers liked: - Detailed sourcing and extensive interviews in "Stephen Harper" biography - Accessible analysis of demographic trends in "The Big Shift" - Balanced perspective on controversial political figures What readers disliked: - Some found "The Big Shift" predictions didn't age well - Several readers noted a perceived center-right bias in political coverage - Critics point to occasionally dry writing style in policy analysis Ratings across platforms: - "Stephen Harper" - 3.9/5 on Goodreads (437 ratings) - "The Big Shift" - 3.7/5 on Goodreads (289 ratings) - "Empty Planet" - 4.0/5 on Amazon (312 ratings) One reader noted: "Ibbitson excels at making demographic data compelling." Another commented: "Thorough research but sometimes gets lost in policy minutiae."

The Big Shift: The Seismic Change in Canadian Politics, Business, and Culture and What It Means for Our Future (2013) Analysis of demographic and political changes in Canada, focusing on the growing influence of Western Canada and suburban immigrants.

Open & Shut (1999) A novel following the story of a small-town newspaper editor who investigates corruption in local politics.

The Polite Revolution: Perfecting the Canadian Dream (2005) Examination of Canada's evolution from a colonial society to a modern nation, exploring social and political transformations.

Promised Land: Inside the Mike Harris Revolution (1997) Detailed account of Ontario Premier Mike Harris's Conservative government and its implementation of the "Common Sense Revolution."

Loyal No More: Ontario's Struggle for a Separate Destiny (2001) Historical analysis of Ontario's changing relationship with the Canadian federation and federal government.

The Landing (2008) Young adult novel about a teenage boy dealing with family changes while spending summer at a cottage in Northern Ontario.

Stephen Harper (2015) Biography of Canada's 22nd prime minister, covering his personal life and political career.

Empty Planet: The Shock of Global Population Decline (2019) Co-authored with Darrell Bricker, analysis of global demographic trends indicating population decline rather than overpopulation.

Susan Delacourt writes about Canadian politics and policy with focus on federal power structures. Her work examines relationships between politicians and voters through long-form journalism and biographical accounts.

Paul Wells covers Canadian political dynamics and federal institutions. He specializes in prime ministerial politics and party operations with emphasis on behind-the-scenes machinations.

Steve Paikin documents Ontario politics and governance through historical analysis and political biography. His work spans provincial leadership transitions and policy evolution over multiple decades.

Lawrence Martin analyzes Canadian-American relations and chronicles prime ministerial careers through biographical works. He writes about federal politics with emphasis on international dynamics and leadership personalities.

Jeffrey Simpson examines Canadian public policy and political institutions through long-form analysis. His work focuses on federal-provincial relations and the evolution of national political structures.