art of the deal

Tuesday February 11, 2025

Trump's latest steel tariffs divert attention from Ontario's pressing provincial issues, urging voters and leaders to refocus on local priorities like healthcare, education, and affordability.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday February 11, 2025 (Also, The Toronto Star.)

Trump’s Steel Tariffs: A Distraction from Ontario’s Real Issues

In the latest international spotlight, President Donald Trump has once again captured attention with his announcement of a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. While such a move fits Trump’s pattern of disruption, it also highlights a troubling diversion from the pressing provincial issues here in Ontario.

The truth is, these tariffs fall squarely within federal jurisdiction. Negotiating trade agreements and handling international relations are tasks for the federal government. Yet, the overwhelming focus on Trump’s tariffs effectively steals the spotlight from vital provincial concerns that demand our immediate attention.

News: Provincial party leaders say they’ll stand up for Ontarians as Trump set to announce new steel/aluminum tariffs

The Ontario snap election should focus on Doug Ford's track record and governance rather than external distractions like Donald Trump.

February 8, 2025

Healthcare in Ontario is in dire need of reform. Endless wait times in emergency rooms, a shortage of family doctors, and strained mental health services require urgent action. Ontarians deserve a healthcare system that meets their needs promptly and efficiently, not one overshadowed by international trade theatrics.

Education, too, is suffering. Underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, and outdated curriculums directly impact our youth’s future. Addressing these challenges demands thoughtful policy-making and investment, not distractions from political drama on the international stage.

Affordability remains a critical concern for many Ontarians. From soaring housing prices to the rising cost of living, these hardships hit home and require immediate action. Solutions won’t be found in Washington; they must be crafted and implemented right here in Ontario.

Analysis: Trump’s steel and aluminum tariff plan shows uncertainty is his modus operandi

Doug Ford's early election call in Ontario is likely driven by domestic political and economic challenges rather than the threat of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump.

January 29, 2025

Moreover, provincial scandals and governance issues need transparency and accountability. The electorate deserves leaders focused on resolving internal challenges and maintaining integrity, rather than getting embroiled in international posturing.

While the focus on Trump’s tariffs provides a convenient narrative for leaders like Doug Ford to rally around external threats, it does a disservice to Ontarians who expect their leaders to prioritize and address the issues impacting their daily lives. This strategy might temporarily shift the narrative, but it also presents an opportunity for opposition parties to emphasize the importance of addressing provincial issues that directly affect voters.

Voters in Ontario also need to maintain perspective. These tariffs are nothing new from Trump. While they may cause short-term pain and hardship, history shows they are often part of a negotiation process that eventually leads to their removal. Keeping calm and focusing on long-term provincial issues will ensure that our leaders remain dedicated to priorities that truly impact our lives.

Ultimately, leadership is about balancing multiple priorities and maintaining a steadfast commitment to constituents’ needs. Let’s ensure Ontario’s real issues aren’t lost in the noise of international rhetoric, but are given the attention and action they so desperately require.

For Tuesday February 11 – Ford Focus

It’s easy to get swept up in the endless headlines about Trump—he thrives on keeping us distracted with his antics, like these steel tariffs. Sure, they’re bad, but honestly, are we really surprised by anything he does anymore?

All last week, and the weeks before, I was caught in the whirlwind of Trump’s latest shockers. But this week, I’m determined to shift my focus to Doug Ford and the upcoming Ontario election. With just 16 days left until we head to the polls, it’s crucial we pay attention to the regional issues that truly matter.

Not to worry loyal subscribers from beyond the borders of Ontario. I’m working on a showcase of my work that’s focused on Donald Trump’s nightmarish environmental policies for my February 15th newsletter.

But back to Ontario, the current party in power doesn’t deserve a free pass to a third term. Yet, with the high polling numbers the PCs are enjoying, it feels like many voters are tuned out, much like in 2022. Let’s fix our attention where it counts and make informed decisions that shape Ontario’s future.

Stay focused, folks!

Please enjoy the February 11, 2024 making-of animated editorial cartoon below.  Posts come out every Saturday 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 cartoons. If you like my editorial cartoons and animations, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. A lot of work goes into these cartoons and commentary — Best of all, it’s free!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Wednesday July 27, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday July 27, 2016 LRT report not about Ôus-and-themÕ says Whitehead A Mountain councillor says a report his office authored to challenge Hamilton's plan for a $1-billion light rail line in the lower city is meant to offer "sober second thought" as the project moves forward. "What is the best net benefit to the community at large?" Coun. Terry Whitehead told The Spectator's editorial board Monday. But just hours after Whitehead released his report, Christopher Higgins, one of its key sources, released viaÊTwitterÊscathing feedback of the Ward 8 councillor's 58-page effort. Higgins publicized an annotated version of Whitehead's report early Monday, discrediting it for using study material "cherry-picked for maximum effect rather than to present a balanced analysis." That, Whitehead said, was "unprofessional." "Who does a peer review on Twitter for all to see?" Whitehead said he and assistant Howard Rabb, who co-authored the report, had asked for Higgins' feedback before publication, but that the researcher said he was pressed for time and heading to China. Higgins, a post-doctoral researcher at McMaster University's Institute for Transportation and Logistics, said a "role for MITL as peer reviewer was mentioned, but never acted upon." Whitehead rejected the report lacks context, saying links to PDFs of full studies it cites are just a click away on its host microsite.Ê The work isn't meant to be scientific, but an attempt to find answers, he added: "I'm not doing a scientific study, let's be clear." During the editorial board meeting, Whitehead said the report isn't about ward politics, either. "This is not an us-and-them thing, as much as people want to pigeonhole me on that." Rather, theÊreportÊÑ which questions projections for ridership, land values, development spinoff and system efficiency Ñ is meant to foster a more "fulsome" take on the project. Whitehead argues staff has presente

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 27, 2016

LRT report not about ‘us-and-them’ says Whitehead

A Mountain councillor says a report his office authored to challenge Hamilton’s plan for a $1-billion light rail line in the lower city is meant to offer “sober second thought” as the project moves forward.

May 27, 2016

May 27, 2016

“What is the best net benefit to the community at large?” Coun. Terry Whitehead told The Spectator’s editorial board Monday.

But just hours after Whitehead released his report, Christopher Higgins, one of its key sources, released via Twitter scathing feedback of the Ward 8 councillor’s 58-page effort.

Higgins publicized an annotated version of Whitehead’s report early Monday, discrediting it for using study material “cherry-picked for maximum effect rather than to present a balanced analysis.”

That, Whitehead said, was “unprofessional.”

“Who does a peer review on Twitter for all to see?”

The LRT waiting game gallery

The LRT waiting game gallery

Whitehead said he and assistant Howard Rabb, who co-authored the report, had asked for Higgins’ feedback before publication, but that the researcher said he was pressed for time and heading to China.

Higgins, a post-doctoral researcher at McMaster University’s Institute for Transportation and Logistics, said a “role for MITL as peer reviewer was mentioned, but never acted upon.”

Whitehead rejected the report lacks context, saying links to PDFs of full studies it cites are just a click away on its host microsite.

The work isn’t meant to be scientific, but an attempt to find answers, he added: “I’m not doing a scientific study, let’s be clear.”

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Hamilton, city, council, gong, show, Fred Eisenberger, Terry Whitehead, Jason Farr, speech, politics Mayor Fred wants council to cork it (By Andrew Dreschel) "If you can't say it in five minutes, then you really can't say it." That's Fred Eisenberger's guiding philosophy for speaking during city meetings and, for the sake of productivity, he'd like the rest of council to follow suit. The mayor thinks too much time is being wasted with long-winded repetitive comments that don't advance the discussion or the agenda. "Let's do what we're advocating our staff to do Ñ be efficient and get the job done in a cost effective, crisp way. "Be precise, be clear, get to the point, and let's move on." Eisenberger first raised his paean to pithiness during the tail end of a wordy two-hour discussion over a road issue that council won't even vote on until late 2016 or early 2017. Judging by the reaction of some of his colleagues, it may be his most popular idea to date. "I agree with Fred. There a point where you just don't keep talking," said Robert Pasuta. Pasuta tends to be the strong and silent type, but when he does speak it's short and to the point. "I think it's more important to make your point than just go on and on because the context of what you want to say gets lost in all the BS." Doug Conley, another who tends to save his breath, also agrees there should be more lip-zipping. "It would cut down our meetings by half an hour to an hour." Conley doesn't want a speaker to be shut down right at five minutes, but he or she should be urged by the chair to wrap it up at that mark. The problem, Conley says, is four or five councillors often end up saying the same thing rather than acknowledging their points have been covered by others. According to the procedural bylaw, councillors can ask unlimited questions about a presentation or motion. But they can't comment on a subject for longer than five

December 8, 2015

During the editorial board meeting, Whitehead said the report isn’t about ward politics, either.

“This is not an us-and-them thing, as much as people want to pigeonhole me on that.”

Rather, the report — which questions projections for ridership, land values, development spinoff and system efficiency — is meant to foster a more “fulsome” take on the project.

Whitehead argues staff has presented “glowing accounts” of LRT success stories but not lacklustre performances in other major centres.

Those information gaps are not the product of “skulduggery,” Whitehead said, but he is concerned the LRT plan is becoming a “legacy issue” for some. “Decisions are often made in political time frames.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)