Anita Anand – mackaycartoons

Friday December 20, 2024

December 20, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 20, 2024

Justin Trudeau’s increasingly apparent political vulnerabilities, underscored by missteps with Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, and Dominic LeBlanc, suggest his leadership tenure is on shaky ground as party dissent grows and alternatives emerge.

Justin Trudeau’s Days Are Numbered: A Weakening Grip on Power

December 17, 2024

The sudden resignation of Chrystia Freeland as Finance Minister, Mark Carney’s reluctance to enter the political arena, and Dominic LeBlanc’s rapid ascent to power all underscore one undeniable truth: Justin Trudeau’s hold on Canada’s Liberal Party and his premiership is hanging by a thread. Whether Trudeau chooses to face an election or not, it seems everyone—except Trudeau himself—has come to recognize his diminishing authority and the fractures within his government.

Opinion: Carney and LeBlanc are the ones to watch in a Liberal leadership race

For months, speculation swirled about Trudeau’s secret weapon: Mark Carney, the globally respected former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England. Trudeau’s rumoured plan was to bring Carney into the fold, appoint him as finance minister, and use his economic gravitas to shore up a government floundering under mounting fiscal and geopolitical pressures.

April 6, 2021

et, the gambit failed before it began. Reports suggest that Carney balked at the opportunity, wary of tying his reputation to a government increasingly viewed as out of touch and ineffective. Carney’s refusal to join Trudeau’s team was not just a personal decision; it was a stark commentary on the Liberal government’s waning credibility. Carney saw the writing on the wall, even if Trudeau did not.

Chrystia Freeland’s resignation marked a seismic shift. As Matt Gurney argued in The Toronto Star, Freeland had long been a rare voice of realism in a cabinet characterized by performative politics and a lack of substantive action. Her departure—accompanied by a pointed critique of the government’s failures—left Trudeau politically exposed and without his most credible lieutenant.

Freeland’s tenure revealed a fundamental disconnect between rhetoric and reality in Trudeau’s government. While she championed policies aimed at hardening Canada against global instability, she was ultimately complicit in a government that did little to advance those goals. Her exit signals not only disillusionment but also a vacuum in leadership that Trudeau seems unable to fill.

Opinion: Chrystia Freeland is not a hero

June 7, 2024

Enter Dominic LeBlanc, Trudeau’s most trusted ally and now the newly appointed finance minister. LeBlanc’s political pedigree, pragmatic approach, and unwavering loyalty make him a stabilizing force in a government plagued by crises. Being four years older than the Prime Minster, he once played the role as babysitter to Justin and his brothers in their younger days. Yet, his rise also underscores the increasingly insular nature of Trudeau’s inner circle. LeBlanc’s appointment is not a bold move for renewal but a defensive play to maintain control amidst growing uncertainty.

LeBlanc’s dual portfolios—finance and intergovernmental affairs—position him as Trudeau’s de facto deputy. However, his ascent also raises questions about the party’s future. Is LeBlanc merely a caretaker, or is he positioning himself as the heir apparent in a post-Trudeau era?

As Trudeau’s government stumbles, attention is turning to the next generation of Liberal leaders. In addition to LeBlanc, several figures are emerging as potential contenders:

Francois-Philippe Champagne brings energy and a focus on international trade but lacks widespread support.
Melanie Joly offers a polished public image and a focus on foreign affairs but may struggle to overcome perceptions of being lightweight.
Anita Anand is a rising star known for her competence and crisis management during the pandemic, yet her relative inexperience in national politics could be a hurdle.
Sean Fraser, newly departed from cabinet, has shown promise but is untested at the highest levels of leadership.
Dominic LeBlanc’s star shines brightest among them, with his deep ties to the Liberal establishment and Trudeau’s trust bolstering his credentials.

July 26, 2023

The dynamics playing out within the Liberal Party point to a central reality: Justin Trudeau’s leadership is increasingly seen as a liability. Freeland’s critique, Carney’s rejection, and LeBlanc’s calculated loyalty all reflect a government running on borrowed time.

The situation is further complicated by Trudeau’s apparent blind spot regarding his own vulnerabilities. Despite mounting evidence of dissatisfaction within his cabinet, his party, and the electorate, Trudeau continues to project confidence. But confidence is not a substitute for vision, and his inability to adapt to a changing political landscape could prove fatal.

News: From Trudeau’s babysitter to loyal soldier, what we know about the new finance minister, Dominic LeBlanc

October 25, 2024

Should Trudeau choose to call an election, he risks exposing the full extent of his unpopularity. His government’s perceived failures on issues ranging from foreign interference to economic management provide ample ammunition for opposition parties. Even within the Liberal Party, murmurs of dissent suggest that Trudeau may face a leadership challenge before Canadians go to the polls.

If Trudeau delays an election, he risks further eroding his authority and alienating potential allies. Either way, his options are narrowing, and his days as prime minister seem numbered.

As Trudeau’s tenure appears to wind down, the Liberal Party faces a critical juncture. Will it embrace a leader like LeBlanc, who represents continuity and stability, or will it turn to a figure like Freeland or Anand, who might push for bolder reforms? Alternatively, could Mark Carney—despite his earlier hesitation—be persuaded to step into the fray?

What is clear is that the Trudeau era is nearing its conclusion. Whether he recognizes it or not, Justin Trudeau’s legacy will soon be in the hands of his successors. The choices they make will determine not only the future of the Liberal Party but also Canada’s place in an increasingly uncertain world.

The departure of a long-serving prime minister often ushers in a fascinating period in Canadian politics: the leadership race. For political nerds like me, it’s a time of intrigue, rivalries, and the jostling of ambition. Leadership races today lack the theatrical drama of the old political conventions, with their live floor fights and multiple ballots, but they still hold plenty of intrigue.

My first taste of this drama was the 1984 Liberal leadership convention following Pierre Trudeau’s exit. It was a contest of personalities, much like the one brewing today. Back then, it boiled down to a clash between two camps. On one side was John Turner, the outsider who’d broken with Trudeau years earlier, akin to the role of Chrystia Freeland, combined with the unknown economic whiz that Mark Carney might play today. Turner faced off against Pierre Trudeau’s loyal insider, Jean Chrétien—trusted and tested, much like Dominic LeBlanc appears to be now in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.

The irony of history repeating itself doesn’t stop there. Jean Chrétien, Trudeau Senior’s getaway driver in the 1970s, rose to become the standard-bearer of continuity for the Liberals. Dominic LeBlanc, who actually drove for Chrétien as a young man, now seems poised to fill that same role for Justin Trudeau. Political life in Canada is full of these poetic repetitions.

The current rumblings in Ottawa suggest Justin Trudeau’s time at the helm may be winding down, whether by electoral defeat or a leadership transition. If that’s true, the cast vying to succeed him promises a riveting spectacle. There’s Freeland, the globally connected and sharp-tongued former deputy PM, whose tensions with Trudeau over substance versus style have finally boiled over. Then there’s LeBlanc, the steady, loyal soldier who has been Trudeau’s go-to problem solver. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Melanie Joly, and Anita Anand also hover in the wings, each with their own ambitions and strategies.

And, of course, there’s Mark Carney. Unburdened by years of cabinet service under Trudeau, he stands apart, calculating his odds like a cautious investor eyeing a volatile stock. Picture Carney with a Geiger counter, measuring the radioactive fallout from Trudeau’s tenure, keeping his distance while others, like Freeland and LeBlanc, show clear signs of exposure. “As a numbers guy, I can report the situation isn’t good,” he might quip in an editorial cartoon.

The parallels to 1984 are striking, but the stakes feel higher. The Liberal Party isn’t just deciding on a leader; it’s grappling with what kind of party it wants to be in a world that demands harder power and clearer vision. Trudeau’s brand of progressive optimism has hit a wall, leaving his successors to wrestle with a much harsher geopolitical and domestic reality.

For political nerds, it’s the best show in town. And while the leadership race won’t be decided on a dramatic convention floor, the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring will be just as compelling. Keep an eye on the contenders—Canada’s next chapter is being written in their ambitions and alliances.

Justin Trudeau’s tenure as Prime Minister appears increasingly precarious, with his recent handling of key figures like Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, and Dominic LeBlanc highlighting both his diminished political capital and his inability to manage growing discontent within his own ranks. The failed bid to recruit Carney as a stabilizing force in government backfired, alienating Freeland, his former ally, and elevating LeBlanc as a more likely successor. Meanwhile, grassroots frustration and high-profile defections within the Liberal Party reflect a growing consensus that Trudeau’s leadership, once an asset, has become a liability in the face of a resurgent Conservative opposition and mounting internal strife.

Enjoy the December 2, 2024 making-of animated editorial cartoon below. Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. Posts come out every Friday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. What you’re reading now is regarded as a “note”, which is used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cart

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Wednesday January 11, 2023

January 11, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 11, 2023

Federal government inks deal to buy fleet of F-35 fighter jets

January 12, 2022

Canada has signed off on the final contract to buy F-35 jet fighters to replace the air force’s aging CF-18s, Defence Minister Anita Anand said Monday.

The final agreement for 88 warplanes — involving the Canadian and U.S. governments and the jet’s manufacturer — won’t see its first delivery until 2026 and the first F-35 squadrons will not be operational until 2029, senior defence officials said during a technical briefing before the minister’s announcement.

The project’s budget of $19 billion remains the same as originally forecast by the Liberal government when it signalled the purchase last year. Anand and other government officials are sticking to that projection despite the likely effect of inflation — which has caused budgets for other major programs to rise dramatically.

The deal represents a dramatic turnaround for the Liberal government, which promised not to buy the F-35 and to instead purchase a cheaper jet fighter and use the savings to bolster the navy.

July 19, 2010

The Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper first announced plans to go with the Lockheed-Martin-built jet in the summer of 2010.

The plan was shelved in the face of criticism from both the parliamentary budget officer and the auditor general, who questioned the cost and whether defence officials had done enough homework on other aircraft that might meet the air force’s needs.

The F-35 has experienced some high-profile glitches and mechanical problems over the years.

A second senior defence official, also speaking on background Monday, said that Canada will get the latest version of the F-35 — Lot 18, Block 4 — which has the most advanced technology.

Anand said Monday that, because the government waited to purchase until now, Canada will be buying a proven aircraft that other allies are using now. She said the stealth fighter’s technology has evolved to the point where it no longer has issues, and Canadians can be confident the government did its due diligence.

October 7, 2014

Conservative defence critic James Bezan was scathing in his response to the announcement. He said it took the Liberals far too long to come to the conclusion that the F-35 is the appropriate aircraft and accused the government of engaging in “political games” to avoid embarrassing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“This is a situation where he originally said he would never buy the F-35 and did everything in his power to stop it from actually happening, but at the end of the day, this is the only modern fighter jet that can deliver the capabilities Canada so desperately needs,” Bezan said.

“And so here we are today, where Justin Trudeau has to eat crow and do what’s right for Canada, do what’s right for the Royal Canadian Air Force, and do it right for our NORAD and NATO allies.” (CBC News)