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Alain Pilon

Alain Pilon has drawn for such publications as The Atlantic and the New York Times.
Illustration of a child playing violin on stage, The bottom of the violin has come off
Arts & Culture / January/February 2023

Why Do Kids Hate Music Lessons?

January 3, 2023January 3, 2023 - by Alain Pilon

As a former violin student, I decided to investigate why so many promising players quit early

Read More
Run running with ball and chain
June 2015

How High-Interest Lenders Prey on Low-Income Canadians

June 19, 2015April 10, 2020 - by Alain Pilon

The payday-loan industry is built on taking advantage of our most vulnerable

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Cartoon of a policeman standing on the left, and a man walking on the right. The man on the right has a think bubble coming out of him that is in rainbow
June 2014

Outcasts

June 26, 2014April 14, 2020 - by Alain Pilon

Fifty years ago, a gay activist met a Maclean’s journalist. Together, they helped start a revolution

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Cartoon of a man's head with "citizenship," "community," "membership," and "taxes" written in his brain
March 2014

Happy Returns

March 3, 2014April 14, 2020 - by Alain Pilon

Why you should look forward to tax time

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Illustration by Alain Pilon
May 2012

Lost on the Gene Map

May 12, 2012April 15, 2020 - by Alain Pilon

Scientists hoped the Human Genome Project would deliver a road map for personalized medicine. But we are still unequipped to deal with its ethical and medical implications

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April 2010

The Shout Doctrine

April 12, 2010April 15, 2020 - by Alain Pilon

What happens when political debates escalate into a culture of arguments, attack ads, and anonymous Internet assaults? A Parliament effectively shut — and shouted — down

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Illustration by Alain Pilon
December 2009 / Memoir

Zero Sum

December 12, 2009March 31, 2020 - by Alain Pilon

In implementing zero tolerance for sexual abuse, has the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario become a source of harm to the patients it’s trying to protect?

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Our Latest Issue

The July/August 2025 cover of The Walrus magazine featuring an image of a woman reading a book while listening to music. She is sitting in a room filled with plants that also has a window through which a city skyline can be seen. July/August 2025

Explore how tariffs are testing ties between Northern neighbours, the death of the middle class musician, Afghanistan’s lost generation, and more.
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The Walrus is located within the bounds of Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit. This land is also the traditional territory of the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.

© 2025 The Walrus. All Rights Reserved.
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© 2025 The Walrus. All Rights Reserved. Charitable Registration Number: No. 861851624-RR0001
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© 2023 The Walrus. All Rights Reserved.
Charitable Registration Number: No. 861851624-RR0001

​​The Walrus is located within the bounds of Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit. This land is also the traditional territory of the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.

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How’s The Walrus?

As the executive director, I am frequently asked this question. These days, I reply: “The Walrus was made for this moment.” From on-again, off-again trade news and negotiations to a new prime minister, we are committed to Canada’s conversations. We launched six regional bureaus earlier this year to ensure comprehensive coverage across this great country of ours. But we can’t do this alone. As a non-profit newsroom, this work isn’t possible without our readers’ support. If you believe in Canada’s stories, support our paywall-free journalism with a donation today.

Our team is small, but our commitment is big; just like our country. Every story we publish is the result of writers, artists, and editors going the extra mile (well, kilometres) to bring Canada closer together through compelling, fact-checked, and regionally grounded reporting.

Thank you for your support.

Jennifer Hollett
Executive Director, The Walrus


How’s The Walrus?

As the executive director, I am frequently asked this question. These days, I reply: “The Walrus was made for this moment.” From on-again, off-again trade news and negotiations to a new prime minister, we are committed to Canada’s conversations. We launched six regional bureaus earlier this year to ensure comprehensive coverage across this great country of ours. But we can’t do this alone. As a non-profit newsroom, this work isn’t possible without our readers’ support. If you believe in Canada’s stories, support our paywall-free journalism with a donation today.

Our team is small, but our commitment is big; just like our country. Every story we publish is the result of writers, artists, and editors going the extra mile (well, kilometres) to bring Canada closer together through compelling, fact-checked, and regionally grounded reporting.

Thank you for your support.

Jennifer Hollett
Executive Director, The Walrus

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