Substacks recommended by Paul Wells

Recommended by Paul Wells

Canadian politics by the numbers. 🍁 Subscribe to 338Canada for in-depth analysis of polling data, electoral maps, and Canada's ever-changing political landscape.

Philippe J. Fournier does all the talking about political polls that I'd do if some of my readers didn't hate it when I talk about polls. So if polls are your thing, sneak out and read 'em here.

- Paul Wells

The Thursday Question

By Ian Brodie

Complimentary to Conservative parliamentarians and by subscription to others.

Ian Brodie, a former Harper chief of staff, writes advice for today's Conservatives. Interesting model: It's free for Conservative MPs and staffers, and the rest of us can pay.

- Paul Wells

In the Writing Burrow

By Margaret Atwood

Whatever comes into my addled, shrinking brain.

Margaret Atwood has a Substack. Surely this is all you need to know.

- Paul Wells

That Night in Toronto

By Michael Barclay

Music for the curious, Canadian and otherwise. Toronto live music listings.

I want to say Michael Barclay is the best writer on rock 'n' roll in, mostly, Canada, but in fairness I don't know who else is writing well about Canadian rock these days. Anyway, he is. Writing well I mean.

- Paul Wells

Wesley Wark’s National Security and Intelligence Newsletter

Commentary on key events affecting Canadian and global security and intelligence

Easily the most consistently rewarding newsletter on Canadian national security, from a veteran historian who has advised Canadian prime ministers and writes well to boot.

- Paul Wells

Bug-eyed and Shameless

By Justin Ling

Dispatches from the fringes of the information war

Justin Ling is maybe the most productive freelance journalist in Canada. Podcasts, books (people need to be writing more books out here), radio, long-term residencies at big places. Now he's doing a Substack. Subscribing was automatic for me.

- Paul Wells

The Real Story

By Terry Glavin

All The News I Couldn't Fit In Print

Terry Glavin is a Canadian institution, fearless, often angry, sometimes hilarious. He covers the world's interactions with Canada, he's usually cussing someone out, and if you think you can win an argument with him, good luck to you.

- Paul Wells

nevermind

By Andrew Potter

The forgotten history of Generation X

Andrew Potter, the author of The Authenticity Hoax and On Decline, indulges his mostly-charming obsession with Generation X. An academic philosopher interrogates pop culture: I for one can't get enough.

- Paul Wells

The Line

By Line Editor

Commentary for Canadians.

Jen Gerson and Matt Gurney write and curate a smart centre-right opinion salon, with contributions from every corner of Canada policy nerdery. Guest writers are half the fun. Matt and Jen are the other half.

- Paul Wells

regs to riches

By vass

That one simple trick to make the economy work better.

Vass Bednar runs a program in policy for the digital society at McMaster. She's always noticing cool stuff at the intersection of policy and innovation.

- Paul Wells

SHuSH, by Kenneth Whyte

By ken whyte

The world of non-fiction from Sutherland House (and beyond)

The owner of Sutherland House Books talks about Canadian publishing. Hands down the best newsletter about the book business I know. Would probably be true even if I knew about any other book newsletters.

- Paul Wells

Transitional Technology

By ETHAN IVERSON

Jazz Music; Classical Music; Do the Math

US jazz pianist Ethan Iverson is also one of the leading writers on jazz today. Also crime fiction and contemporary classical.

- Paul Wells