Michael Byers | The Walrus
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Michael Byers

Michael Byers (michaelcbyers.com) is an award-winning artist based in Hamilton. His clients include Sports Illustrated, the New York Times, Wired, Variety, and the Wall Street Journal.
An illustration of a pastor with his hands raised, wearing an orange robe and white stole with crosses. Behind him are several people holding large dark umbrellas and tropical trees.
June 2025 / Society

“Is Your Blood Clean?”: The Paranoid Pastor Who Turned His Church into a Violent Cult

April 30, 2025April 30, 2025 - by Michael Byers

Inside Jamaica’s most notorious criminal case

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An illustrated portrait of Romana Didulo with her head large in the frame and dramatically lit by a yellow spotlight against a starry background. She is flanked by 2 purple flags and two people lying in futuristic medical beds. Below her are a crowd of followers wearing white baseball caps and holding megaphones and cameras. A bus decorated with advertisements for the Canada 1st Party runs along the bottom with large “Keep Out!” signs on either side.
Current Affairs / September/October 2024

How the “Queen of Canada” and Conspiracy Theorists Splintered a Small Town

June 5, 2024April 21, 2025 - by Michael Byers

Romana Didulo believes she has communed with aliens and been recognized by Donald Trump. When she and her inner circle moved to Richmound, Saskatchewan, some residents protested to kick her out. Others saw an opportunity

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An illustration of Pierre Poilievre.
January/February 2023 / Politics

Pierre Poilievre: The Secret to His Success

December 14, 2022June 20, 2023 - by Michael Byers

How the Conservative leader is harnessing the growing tide of authoritarianism in Canada

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An illustration, with the silhouette of a face flanked by men holding guns (one in a suit, one in army uniform). At the bottom, there are police and police cars moving towards a man sitting at a table.
May 2021

The Rise and Fall of a Double Agent

April 20, 2021October 6, 2023 - by Michael Byers

Cameron Ortis was an RCMP officer privy to the inner workings of Canada’s national security—and in a prime position to exploit them

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Three athletes crouch in a starting position for a race while three suited officials observe behind them.
December 2019 / Sports

How the World Anti-Doping Agency Betrays Honest Athletes

November 13, 2019March 27, 2020 - by Michael Byers

When the highest authority on cheating is compromised, what happens to athletes who play by the rules?

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Illustration by Michael Byers
June 2017

The Rise and Fall of Toronto’s Classiest Con Man

May 29, 2017November 25, 2020 - by Michael Byers

James Regan swindled his way through the city’s monied classes. The problem was, he seemed to believe his own lies

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Illustration by Michael Byers
July/August 2016

Stuck

July 20, 2016April 1, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Traffic is ruining our lives—but we can be saved

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Illustration by Michael Byers
September 2015

Uber vs Taxi

September 24, 2015April 8, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Ride-sharing apps like Uber are revolutionizing the way we travel and cabs are struggling to keep up

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children on crutches playing in field
June 2015 / Memoir

When Polio Walked the Earth

May 27, 2015April 11, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Notes on a forgotten disease

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Illustration by Michael Byers
October 2014

When Killer Whales Got a Rebrand

October 6, 2014April 13, 2020 - by Michael Byers

Fifty years ago, killer whales became known as orcas—and launched the modern conservation movement

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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.
Charitable Registration Number: No. 861851624-RR0001

© 2025 The Walrus. All Rights Reserved. Charitable Registration Number: No. 861851624-RR0001
Accessibility Help Privacy Policy Cookie Policy
© 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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