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Friday March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 7, 2025

Canada’s Crossroads: Leadership Race to Tackle Trump

February 15, 2025

The political landscape in Canada has been dramatically reshaped by recent developments in U.S.-Canada relations, following Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States. The imposition of sweeping tariffs on Canadian exports, coupled with Trump’s aggressive rhetoric about annexing Canada, has created an atmosphere of economic warfare that threatens the sovereignty and stability of the nation.

As Canada grapples with external pressures, the domestic scene has been equally tumultuous. The resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has left a leadership void, which the Liberal Party is eager to fill. The leadership race, featuring key figures such as Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, and Frank Baylis, has become not just a contest for party leadership but a critical decision point for Canada’s response to the Trump administration’s aggressive stance. The announcement of the new leader in just a few days, set for Sunday, March 9, 2025, will set the stage for the federal election, where Canadians will decide who is best suited to face Pierre Poilievre and lead the fight against Trump’s policies.

News: Canada’s ruling Liberals move on from Trudeau with Trump boost

January 16, 2025

Among the candidates, Mark Carney stands out with his extensive experience as a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. Carney’s candidacy brings a wealth of economic expertise and a clear vision for navigating the challenges posed by Trump’s policies. His emphasis on national unity and sovereignty resonates with Canadians seeking strong leadership to counter external threats. By advocating for the elimination of the divisive consumer carbon tax and focusing on internal trade opportunities, Carney aims to strengthen Canada’s domestic economy and bolster national identity.

In contrast, Chrystia Freeland’s strong association with Justin Trudeau has been both an asset and a liability in her political journey. As a key figure in Trudeau’s administration, Freeland has been instrumental in shaping Canada’s policies and international relationships. However, her close alignment with Trudeau has tethered her to the challenges faced by his government, making it difficult to distance herself from unpopular policies. Despite her efforts to highlight her achievements and leadership qualities, Freeland’s narrative often circles back to her tenure under Trudeau, which some view as a continuation of his legacy rather than a fresh start.

News: Five takeaways from Canada’s Liberal leadership debates

January 25, 2025

Karina Gould, on the other hand, has emerged as a compelling alternative, offering a fresh perspective and a promise of a new direction for the Liberal Party. As one of the younger candidates, Gould brings a dynamic approach to leadership, emphasizing modernization and innovation in policy-making. Her focus on social safety nets and realistic economic planning resonates with voters looking for progressive change without drastic cuts. Gould’s strategic positioning and relative distance from the Trudeau administration’s most contentious policies have put her in good stead for future leadership opportunities within the party.

Reader reactions to Carney’s candidacy reflect a mix of hope and skepticism. Some appreciate his experience and see him as the right leader for this moment, while others question his ability to overcome the legacy of the Trudeau administration. Despite these doubts, Carney’s entry into the race has narrowed the polling gap with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, suggesting a potential shift in voter sentiment.

February 20, 2025

A Carney win would signal a renewed focus on economic stability and sovereignty, with a leader who has both the financial acumen and diplomatic skills to steer Canada through the turbulence created by Trump’s administration. His emphasis on positive leadership and ending division could unify Canadians around a shared vision of resilience and independence.

News: ‘We will win’: Carney slams Trump, Poilievre and tariffs during Calgary campaign stop

December 20, 2024

As Canada faces the Trump menace, the outcome of the Liberal leadership race will be pivotal in shaping the nation’s future. With Carney at the helm, Canada could find itself better equipped to navigate the complexities of international relations and domestic challenges, ensuring that it remains a strong and sovereign nation on the global stage. Meanwhile, the emergence of figures like Karina Gould highlights the party’s capacity for renewal and adaptation, setting the stage for future leadership that embraces both experience and innovation. The upcoming federal election will provide Canadians the opportunity to choose who they believe is best equipped to lead the country against Pierre Poilievre and the challenges posed by Trump’s aggressive policies.

The Bridge to Canada’s Destiny

You’ve got to feel a bit sorry for whoever ends up leading the Liberal Party in a few days. All signs point to Mark Carney, the central banker of central bankers. He’s the kind of guy who’s respected not just here in Canada but over in the UK too, thanks to his time as the governor of the Bank of England.

But, oh boy, have the Conservatives been busy. They’ve been flooding the airwaves with ads painting Carney as some sort of satanic figure set to ruin Canada—classic scare tactics. Even got Stephen Harper involved to try and discredit him, which is odd since they got along just fine back when Carney was at the Bank of Canada and Harper was PM.

Pity any leader who has to deal with Pierre Poilievre’s straight out of the Trump nastiness playbook. And pity any Prime Minister who has to endure four long years (minus six weeks) of Donald Trump’s chaos and torment. But you know, Carney is cool, smart, and has that confident dad vibe—something Canada might have missed with Trudeau. Definitely a better choice than the petulant man-child Pierre Poilievre, especially when it comes to handling the babbling, disruptive toddler that is the current President of the United States.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Saturday February 12, 2022

February 12, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 12, 2022

Flying the Maple Leaf

After the first full week of Winter Olympic competition in Beijing, Team Canada has won a total of 12 medals: one gold, four silver and seven bronze. (The Globe & Mail)

July 22, 2021

Meanwhile, an expected protest at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie, Ont., has police, border services, public health and politicians watching closely, fearing it could endanger people or further business woes.

Social media posts show people opposed to continued pandemic mandates have plans to bring transport trucks and crowds of people to the border crossing that connects southern Ontario to Buffalo.

Currently, protests are ongoing in border cities like Coutts, Alta., Emerson, Man., and Windsor, Ont., as rallies that started in Ottawa two weeks ago continue. (CBC)

Nobody is threatening gridlock or shutting down the U.S.-Canada border as groups are in Ottawa and at northern crossings over the past few days.

Saturday January 22, 2022

January 22, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 22, 2022

Fears of an Invasion

March 4, 2014

Russia has stationed about 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s government has issued a list of demands that Western powers are highly unlikely to meet. And President Biden said yesterday that he expected Putin to send troops over the border. “But I think he will pay a serious and dear price for it,” Biden added.

Today’s newsletter offers a Q. and A. on the risks of war in Eastern Europe.

“The overall threatening rhetoric from the Kremlin and the movement that military analysts are seeing on the ground give us a lot of ground for concern,” Anton Troianovski, The Times’s Moscow bureau chief, told my colleague Claire Moses. “It’s a very serious situation.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia’s foreign minister are scheduled to meet for talks tomorrow in Geneva.

Here are 5 questions on the latest regarding recent events between Russia and Ukraine:

Wednesday August 11, 2021

August 18, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 11, 2021

Get set for a Ford reversal about vaccine passports

Pressure is growing — pretty much daily — on the Ontario government to mandate vaccine passports, or at least some form of vaccine certificate.

April 29, 2021

So far, Premier Doug Ford and his ministers remain adamant they won’t go there. But that is exactly what Ford said about paid sick days and we all remember what happened on that front. Public pressure from just about every quarter eventually forced Ford to reverse himself. Yes, he tried to blame the federal government, but the truth is he should have yielded to widespread calls for paid sick days long before he eventually buckled.

It says here, along with many other pulpits of punditry, that Ford will end up doing the same thing on vaccine passports. He won’t have a choice.

Not everyone agrees that passports (or a certificate) are essential. Respected co-medical director of infection control at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Dr. Zain Chagla, has said there are a “litany of ethical and legal privacy issues” that are “difficult to wrangle within that context.” (He does support a vaccine passport being implemented for international travel.) Chagla says he has nothing against passports, but doubts they will succeed as a standalone measure, without other measures like raising vaccination rates also at play.

July 21, 2021

Fair enough. Credible voices should be heard. But a growing chorus is calling for passports/certificates. The Ontario Medical Association and the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario support them. All Ontario’s opposition parties agree. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) backs the idea. Manitoba has issued vaccination cards and Quebec just announced it will introduce passports.

Even the Ontario Chamber of Commerce — not exactly an advocate of state intervention — agrees.

In an interview with Torstar’s Rob Ferguson, chamber president Rocco Rossi said: “The last thing anyone wants is to be shut down, but that’s what will happen if we don’t use every tool in the tool kit … It’s about mitigating risk as much as possible. We are going to be living with this for a while.”

With respect to credible dissenters, we think the majority is right on this subject. Vaccine passports are no panacea, but they are one more arrow in the quiver as we get set to fight it out with a fourth wave.

Passports would allow those who are fully vaccinated to come closer to a normal life. They would allow vaccinated patrons and staff at places like restaurants and gyms to feel safer and more likely to take part in a robust economic recovery. Proof of vaccination would allow businesses and institutions (concert venues and the like) to only allow fully vaccinated people (or those with a negative test) to take part. Conversely, fully vaccinated patrons could choose to avoid businesses and institutions that do not have proof of vaccine requirements.

March 11, 2021

To a point, that will happen regardless of whether the government does this or not. But leaving it to individual businesses and organizations is a recipe for inconsistency and possibly disaster. The government must do it to ensure a level playing field.

Premier Ford, sadly, does not agree. He has said a “hard no” to reconsidering the idea, insisting it will create a “split society.”

But if you want proof that is just deflection, consider that Ford also says the federal government should implement proof of vaccination requirements. So it’s clear Ford’s ideological objection to passports/certificates are not particularly strong, he just doesn’t want to be the one to do it. Too bad. The feds will need to be involved from the international travel perspective, but pandemic management is a provincial responsibility. Ford cannot continue to duck his on this issue. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)

Thursday July 22, 2021

July 29, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 22, 2021

U.S. border to remain closed until at least Aug. 21

The U.S. land border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21, according to a renewal order issued by the American government Wednesday.

June 23, 2021

In a notice pre-published in the U.S. Federal Register, the U.S. government says that while vaccination rates have improved, opening the land border to non-essential travel still poses too great a risk.

“Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing specific threat to human life or national interests,” says the U.S. government notice.

The new order expires one minute before midnight on Aug. 21.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement that offered little additional explanation.

April 18, 2020

“To decrease the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through August 21, while ensuring the continued flow of essential trade and travel,” wrote DHS spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández.

“DHS is in constant contact with Canadian and Mexican counterparts to identify the conditions under which restrictions may be eased safely and sustainably.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was also tight-lipped.

“We rely on the guidance of our health and medical experts, not on the actions of other countries,” Psaki told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Cincinnati.

“We created these working groups so we can have an open line of communication, discussion on what the criteria look like, what measures needed to be met. Those are ongoing and of course, we continue to be briefed internally as well.”

June 27, 2015

The American order comes only a few days after the Canadian government announced its land border would open to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens on Aug. 9 and to fully vaccinated travellers from other countries on Sept. 7.

Speaking to reporters today, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said he has been working closely with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who informed him of the U.S. government’s plan to keep its land border closed to non-essential travel.

“There are a number of considerations that I know that the American government is currently undertaking with respect to their borders and that work will continue,” he said.

Blair said the U.S. policy doesn’t affect Canada’s decision to open its border next month.

“Our responsibility, of course, is to look after the best interests of Canadians and to follow the advice of our public health officials,” he said. “That’s precisely what we have done.” (CBC)