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Saturday April 26, 2025

April 26, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 26, 2025 (Published in the Toronto Star)

Canada’s Historic Moment Amidst Trump’s Global Disruptions

April 2, 2025

In the annals of modern history, few leaders have managed to cast as wide and as contentious a shadow as Donald Trump. His second term as President of the United States has proven to be an era of unprecedented upheaval, marked by a series of aggressive and unpredictable maneuvers that have sent shockwaves through global political and economic systems. As Canada stands on the brink of a pivotal federal election, Trump’s influence looms large, creating a historic moment that could redefine the nation’s role on the world stage.

From the outset, Trump’s presidency has been a whirlwind of controversy and disruption. His recent threats to annex Canada and impose punitive tariffs have not only strained bilateral relations but have also thrust Canadian politics into the international spotlight. Mark Carney, the Liberal leader and a former central banker, finds himself in a unique position. His expertise and calm demeanour in the face of Trump’s provocations have resonated with voters seeking stability in uncertain times. Inadvertently, Trump has become a significant factor in Canada’s electoral calculus, making this election one of the most consequential in recent memory.

The Guardian: Canada election is Carney’s to lose in contest turned on its head by Trump

March 21, 2025

The impact of Trump’s policies is not confined to North America. Across the globe, allies and partners are reassessing their relationships with the United States. The European Union, once a steadfast ally, now contemplates a future where it must forge stronger ties internally and with other global powers to counterbalance an unpredictable U.S. administration. Trump’s disregard for established international norms and his penchant for unilateral actions have left many nations grappling with the reality of a world order in flux.

For Canada, this moment presents both challenges and opportunities. Trump’s actions have underscored the vulnerabilities inherent in over-reliance on a single ally, prompting a reevaluation of Canada’s foreign policy and trade strategies. The positive international reception of Carney’s leadership during this crisis highlights Canada’s potential to lead in building multilateral relationships that transcend traditional alliances. This is Canada’s moment to assert itself as a resilient and adaptable nation, capable of navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing global landscape.

Opinion: Donald Trump can’t stop trash talking Canada. That may be the reminder we need

March 5, 2025

Yet, the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. Trump’s polarizing presence is both exhausting and dangerous, not only for the United States and Canada but for the world at large. His willingness to upend decades of diplomatic progress in favour of short-term gains and headline-grabbing antics threatens the stability of international systems built on cooperation and mutual respect. As nations scramble to adjust, the spectre of a fragmented global order looms large, with unpredictable consequences for economic and geopolitical stability.

In these historic times, Canada’s election serves as a microcosm of the broader global struggle to adapt to a new era of leadership defined by disruption and unpredictability. As Canadians head to the polls, they do so with the knowledge that their choice will resonate far beyond their borders, shaping not only their nation’s future but also its place within the international community.

Analysis: As the World Recoils, Canada Votes in the Shadow of a Rogue President

February 4, 2025

In the face of such challenges, it is imperative that Canada—and indeed the world—remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles of diplomacy, cooperation, and resilience. Only by embracing these values can we hope to navigate the turbulent waters of the present and chart a course toward a more stable and inclusive future.

Not Going Away

So, here’s the scoop: We’ve got this new guy in the neighbourhood, and let’s just say he’s quite the boor and buffoon. But unlike your typical troublesome neighbour, this guy isn’t just a headache for the folks nearby—oh no, he’s a well-known nuisance to everyone up and down the street, and even to the people across the block.

The kicker is the crew he’s got living under the same roof with him. You’ve got J.D. Vance, Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr., Howard Lutnick, Kash Patel—the list keeps going. And then there are the friends who just can’t stay away, like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruz, all adding to the chaos. It’s like a never-ending parade of drama and misery that these new folks are bringing to everyone around them.

Picture this: We used to have civilized people in that house. Now, it’s filled with nasty folks who can’t seem to get along with anyone, always tossing around insults. There’s no kindness, just this glaring sense of entitlement.

And then there’s Donald Trump, who loves to repeat his mantra—“We don’t need Canada” or “Canada would make a fine 51st state.” Seriously, it’s like he wants Canada but also claims the USA doesn’t need it. Who in their right mind thinks this is a way to win friends? It’s maddening, insulting, and downright bullying.

This is the backdrop as Canadian voters head to the polls next week. Why Trump gets a kick out of this is anyone’s guess, but it’s definitely something for the voters to think about as they cast their ballots.

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for April 26, 2025, below! If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a crucial platform for me amidst the uncertainties of being a staff cartoonist, especially given recent layoffs and newspaper closures affecting our field. As long as I hold my position, subscriptions will remain free. Thank you for your support! This “note” helps craft my weekly posts and showcases animated versions of my cartoons. Enjoy!

YouTube: The 2025 Federal Election Elephant https://youtu.be/tyRFNYSpHPc

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Friday March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 21, 2025

A Long Overdue Election and a Pivotal Moment for Canada

Federal Election 2021

As Canada stands on the brink of a snap federal election, it’s clear that this momentous decision is long overdue. The political landscape has undergone seismic shifts, with the resignation of Justin Trudeau and the emergence of Mark Carney as the new leader of the Liberal Party. This election offers Canadians a crucial opportunity to navigate the considerable challenges facing our nation, from economic uncertainty to strained international relations.

The Liberal Party’s leadership change has rejuvenated a party that, under Trudeau, faced the risk of electoral disaster. Trudeau’s resignation marked the end of an era, removing a polarizing figure whose declining approval ratings threatened to push the Liberals into obscurity. In his place, Mark Carney has stepped onto the national stage, offering a fresh perspective and a steady hand in turbulent times.

Analysis: A Federal Election is Imminent

March 14, 2025

Carney’s ascent has reversed the fortunes of the Liberals, transforming them from underdogs to formidable contenders. Under Trudeau, the party struggled against the Conservatives, who enjoyed a commanding 20% lead in the polls for many months. This drastic turnaround underscores the power of Carney’s leadership, which combines economic acumen with a global perspective, qualities essential for confronting the challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies and annexation rhetoric.

For the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, this election represents a critical juncture. Poilievre has effectively capitalized on domestic issues like affordability and housing, but his failure to articulate a positive vision for the future beyond criticizing the Liberals may hinder his campaign. The absence of Trudeau has left a void in Poilievre’s narrative, forcing him to redefine his platform amidst shifting voter priorities.

Trump’s influence looms large over this election, shifting the focus from domestic concerns to matters of national sovereignty and foreign policy. This shift plays to the Liberals’ advantage, highlighting Carney’s strengths in navigating international crises. Poilievre, perceived by some as ideologically aligned with Trump, must now prove his capacity to stand firm against external threats.

News: Mark Carney expected to call snap election for April 28

February 4, 2025

The upcoming election is not just about choosing a leader; it’s about deciding the direction of our nation. Canadians are faced with pressing questions: Who can best protect our interests on the world stage? Who will steer our economy through potential recessions and trade disputes? This election provides a platform for Canadians to voice their aspirations and concerns, ensuring that our leaders are equipped to address the complex realities of our time.

In this pivotal moment, the electorate has the power to shape the future of Canada. The stakes are high, and the choices we make now will echo for years to come. As we approach this election, let us recognize it as an opportunity to chart a course for a stronger, more resilient Canada. It’s time for Canadians to engage in this crucial dialogue and decide on the path forward for our nation.

Canada vs. Trump; But first a slapping contest

Finally, we’re on the cusp of a federal election—it’s been a long time coming and finally gives Canadians the chance to choose a path to tackle some big challenges. With Mark Carney stepping in for the Liberals, things have really shaken up. He’s turned the tables on Poilievre’s Conservative lead, which was holding strong when Trudeau was at the helm. Honestly, I was never a fan of Trudeau and thought he should’ve exited the political stage ages ago, not just last week.

As for Poilievre, he doesn’t really bring anything to the table except complaints against anyone who disagrees with him. That’s not the kind of leadership we need. Carney, on the other hand, has the expertise to steer the economy and government, but he’s going to have to handle some rough political slaps as he dives into this election. It’s going to be up to Canadians to see who can unite the country and face the challenge of dealing with Trump’s influence.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Tuesday March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

March 26, 2024

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 26, 2024

Upholding Democracy: The Urgent Need to Combat Extremism and Misinformation

August 7, 2020

In recent years, we’ve witnessed a troubling trend that threatens the very foundation of our democracy: the rise of extremism and misinformation in politics. From baseless conspiracy theories to targeted threats against politicians, these toxic forces are corroding public trust, undermining the integrity of elections, and eroding the principles of democracy.

As citizens, we must not turn a blind eye to this growing menace. It’s imperative that authorities, from government agencies to law enforcement, recognize the gravity of the situation and take decisive action to address it. The consequences of inaction are too dire to ignore.

First and foremost, the safety and security of our elected officials must be paramount. The alarming normalization of threats against politicians, fueled by extremist narratives and personal grievances, poses a clear and present danger to those who serve our country. Every threat, no matter how seemingly insignificant, must be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and met with swift and decisive action.

News: Anti-authority narratives could tear ‘fabric of society,’ intelligence report warns

September 13, 2023

Moreover, we cannot afford to underestimate the impact of misinformation on the electoral process. Falsehoods spread rapidly in the digital age, reaching millions of unsuspecting citizens and distorting their perceptions of reality. From foreign interference to domestic disinformation campaigns, the threats to the integrity of our elections are manifold and must be met with robust countermeasures.

It’s incumbent upon authorities to bolster efforts to combat extremism and misinformation at every level. This includes enhancing cybersecurity measures to safeguard our electoral infrastructure, cracking down on online platforms that amplify extremist rhetoric, and investing in education and media literacy initiatives to empower citizens to discern fact from fiction.

June 26, 2019

Furthermore, we must confront the root causes of extremism and address the grievances that fuel its growth. Economic inequality, social polarization, and political disenfranchisement all contribute to the fertile ground in which extremist ideologies take root. By addressing these underlying issues and fostering inclusive dialogue, we can build a more resilient society resistant to the siren call of extremism.

Inaction is not an option. The threats posed by extremism and misinformation are existential, and they require a concerted and coordinated response from all stakeholders. Our democracy hangs in the balance, and the time to act is now.

As citizens, we must demand accountability from our elected leaders and hold them to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. We must reject the politics of division and embrace a vision of unity and solidarity. Only then can we safeguard the future of our democracy for generations to come. (AI)

Saturday February 25, 2023

February 25, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 25, 2023

Ottawa should get serious about Chinese meddling in elections

November 16, 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presumably meant to be reassuring when he commented on the latest revelations about Chinese interference in Canada’s last two federal elections. He failed in at least a couple of ways.

After it was reported last week that the Chinese government orchestrated an extensive campaign of disinformation, undeclared cash donations and string-pulling in an attempt to influence public opinion and limit the Liberals to another minority

government, the prime minister had this to say:

“All Canadians can have confidence that the outcomes of the 2019 and 2021 elections were determined by Canadians, and Canadians alone, at the voting booth.”

The first problem with that statement is that no one is claiming that non-Canadians, and certainly not Chinese agents, actually showed up at the polls to vote. Nor is anyone claiming that Chinese-orchestrated interference was extensive or effective enough to affect the overall result of the elections.

That’s a classic straw man — an argument no one is making and that can be brushed aside with ease. The concern is quite different but still worrisome: that China has been meddling in a host of indirect ways designed to swing public opinion in its favour and affect the outcome in some specific places. Oh, and that are often illegal to boot.

February 20, 2021

To that the government has offered no convincing reply. On the contrary, it seems remarkably complacent about the latest information, contained in internal documents prepared by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and reported by the Globe and Mail.

The government’s response to these revelations, and other ones last fall concerning the 2019 election, can be summed up as: we know all about this, nothing new here, it’s under control, please move on. That wasn’t working very well before (a Commons committee has been looking into the 2019 vote) and it certainly isn’t going to work now after the latest dump of CSIS documents.

Even if the overall result of the elections wasn’t at stake, it’s impossible to tell what effect the Chinese operation might have had in the 11 ridings it reportedly targeted in 2019, involving nine Liberal and two Conservative MPs. One former Conservative MP, Kenny Chiu, claims he lost his Vancouver-area seat in 2021 because Beijing used Chinese social media to paint him as “anti-Chinese” in a riding with many Chinese-heritage voters. Isn’t that serious all by itself?

We don’t need to accept everything in the CSIS information at face value to be concerned. For example, a former Chinese consul-general in Vancouver, Tong Xiaoling, reportedly boasted about defeating two Conservative MPs. She may well have been just puffing herself up in front of her bosses — people do that sort of thing — but who knows?

November 20, 2020

What’s missing from the government’s response isn’t just stronger words, though those would be welcome. What’s missing is any sign of concrete action to stop and indeed punish this kind of meddlesome behaviour by a foreign power that has shown it doesn’t respect our country or our government.

One of the actions reportedly orchestrated through China’s “diplomats” in Canada involved persuading sympathetic or intimidated people to donate to a candidate that Beijing wanted to see elected. The donor got a partial tax refund, and the embassy or consulate then kicked back the rest.

If that’s really been going on, it would be entirely illegal under Canada’s election laws. But there’s no sign that the RCMP or any other body has been unleashed to investigate and punish such activity. If it was really organized by Chinese representatives, they should be ordered out of the country pronto.

Canada has toughened its stance toward China in some other areas — notably in cracking down on university research funded by Chinese military or security entities. That makes the government’s continuing complacency on election interference even harder to explain. (Toronto Star editorial)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro …

Friday September 10, 2021

September 17, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 10, 2021

It’s time to vote: Advanced polling opening to Canadians during pandemic election

The time to vote has arrived – in person, that is.

October 29, 2014

Millions of Canadians will be able to cast their ballots at voting stations on Friday as advanced polls open across the country. Any eligible voter will have until Sept. 13 to mark their ballots at a polling station in their riding as part of the advanced window.

Advanced voting is proving to be a popular method in Canada’s elections, said Dugald Maudsley, an Elections Canada spokesperson.

He told Global News that in the 2019 election, 4,840,300 voters went out to advanced polls while 3,657,415 did so in 2015.

With the country is in a COVID-19 fourth wave, Maudsley said it’s possible the turnout for advanced polling will increase again this time around – but anything can happen.

“Often (advanced polling stations are) not as crowded, they’re not as busy and it’s a way to get in efficiently and get your vote done,” he said.

“We’re really telling people that voting in person at advanced polls and on election day is still the simplest and most efficient way to vote.”

June 19, 2020

Canada has been in election mode since Aug. 15 and party leaders have been busy touring the country in an effort to get voters on their sides. The leaders took part in the first of two official debates Wednesday night, trading blows in French. The English-language debate took place Thursday night.

The debates are happening at a time when some Canadians still don’t know who they’re voting for. A new Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found 13 per cent of those surveyed are undecided.

With advanced polling here, Maudsley wants Canadians to know in-person voting will be safe during the fourth wave. He compared in-person voting to visiting the grocery store, and voters can expect Elections Canada staff to follow all health protocols.

Federal Election 2021

For example, he said Canadians can expect poll workers to be wearing face masks and shields, and that they’ll be behind plexiglass. There will also be sanitation stations and social distancing will be enforced.

“You really won’t be there for very long once you’ve checked yourself in,” Maudsley said. “It’s really about a five-minute process to vote.” (Global News)