Opinion columnist · Wrong Speak Publishing
Philip O’Reilly
- Opinion columnist
- Navy veteran
- IT leader
A Vancouver-based classical liberal and ten-year Canadian Navy veteran who writes about individual rights, government overreach and free speech — and doesn’t mind who he annoys doing it.
The backstory
Engine rooms to op-eds.
Phil spent ten years in the Canadian Navy, mostly in engine rooms and offices, before building a long career in IT — leading projects, running teams and later his own consulting firm.
He started writing for Wrong Speak in 2023 and became a regular columnist in 2024. His columns take on progressive politics, the “woke right,” tariffs and trade, due process and the hype around AI.
He also publishes Hoist the Black Flag, his own newsletter on politics and current affairs, and is working on a piece of politically charged speculative fiction. Off the page, he’s an Ottawa Senators fan.
Selected writing
Read Philip
Wrong Speak Publishing · June 24, 2025
AI Hype, Elevator Operators, and the Illusion of Awe
ReadWrong Speak Publishing · May 27, 2025
The Woke Right: “What’s in a name?”
ReadHoist the Black Flag · April 24, 2025
Sleepwalking Towards Tyranny
ReadWrong Speak Publishing · April 15, 2025
In God We Trust Or At Least That’s How It Should Be
ReadWrong Speak Publishing · March 4, 2025
Let’s Make a Deal
ReadWrong Speak Publishing · December 24, 2024
The Decline And Fall Of The Progressive Left?
ReadThe path
How Philip got here
Canadian Navy
Ten years of service, mostly in engine rooms and offices.
IT career
Project manager, IT leader and owner of his own consulting firm.
2023
Began writing for Wrong Speak as a contributing writer.
2024
Became a Wrong Speak opinion columnist, publishing twice a month.
2026
Guest on the Noggin Notes podcast — culture, society and freedom.
Today
Writes Hoist the Black Flag from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Bylines
Where he writes
- Wrong Speak Publishing
- Hoist the Black Flag
- Schrödinger’s Chicken (humour)
Follow & contact
Connect with Philip
Press and media inquiries: promotions@wrongspeak.net · Meet the rest of the staff