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Thursday June 15, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 15, 2023

Ready to Shake Up Ontario Politics and Unseat Ford’s Arrogance

Young Doug Ford: The Series

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s official campaign launch to become the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party has injected a much-needed energy and experience into the race. With her impressive track record and the overwhelming support she has received, Crombie is poised to become a formidable challenger to Premier Doug Ford and his increasingly arrogant government.

Crombie’s decision to enter the leadership race comes at a crucial time for the Ontario Liberal Party. After a disappointing performance in the last provincial election, where they secured only eight seats and failed to gain official party status, the Liberals have been desperately searching for a leader who can reinvigorate the party and bring it back to its former glory.

News: Bonnie Crombie officially enters race for Ontario Liberal leadership  

March 7, 2023

With the resignation of former leader Steven Del Duca following the 2022 election, the Liberals were left without a clear path forward. Del Duca’s campaign centered on affordability but failed to resonate with voters. It became evident that the party needed a fresh face and a new approach to connect with Ontarians.

Enter Bonnie Crombie. As a former Liberal MP and the current mayor of Mississauga since 2014, Crombie brings a wealth of political experience and a proven ability to lead. Her centrist political style, focused on addressing what’s broken, resonates with voters who are tired of partisan politics and empty promises.

During her campaign launch, Crombie wasted no time in highlighting the failures of the Ford government. She pointed out the crisis in healthcare, the underfunding of education, and the disregard for the environment. Crombie’s ability to articulate the concerns of Ontarians and offer tangible solutions sets her apart from other candidates in the race.

May 30, 2023

Moreover, Crombie’s unwavering commitment to protecting the Greenbelt and Ontario Place demonstrates her dedication to preserving Ontario’s natural spaces. Her opposition to the government’s decision to open up these areas to developers shows a strong stance on environmental issues that matter to the people.

Crombie’s focus on inclusivity and collaboration is another aspect that sets her apart. She acknowledges the importance of working with healthcare workers, educators, Indigenous Peoples, and municipalities, rather than alienating them, as the Ford government has done. Her ability to build bridges and foster partnerships will be essential in restoring trust and confidence in the Ontario Liberal Party.

News: Bonnie Crombie attacks Doug Ford as ‘just plain wrong’ in launching Liberal leadership bid  

Premier Doug Ford himself has acknowledged Crombie’s strength as a candidate, quipping, “What took you so long?” His remark is a testament to the impact Crombie has already made on the political landscape. Ford recognizes that she poses a significant threat and is prepared to engage in a spirited battle should she secure the Liberal leadership.

May 24, 2023

With her commitment to maintaining her role as mayor while campaigning for the leadership, Crombie showcases her dedication to serving the people of Mississauga and Ontario simultaneously. Her willingness to work tirelessly, campaigning on weeknights and weekends, demonstrates her work ethic and commitment to public service.

As the Ontario Liberals gear up for the leadership vote in November, it is clear that Bonnie Crombie has emerged as the frontrunner. Her experience, energy, and ability to connect with Ontarians make her the best candidate to lead the party to victory in the next provincial election. Crombie’s vision for a more inclusive and prosperous Ontario stands in stark contrast to the arrogance and divisiveness of the Ford government. Under her leadership, the Ontario Liberal Party can reclaim its position as a strong, progressive force and offer a brighter future for all Ontarians. (AI)

 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. If you’re creative, give editorial cartooning a try:

Wednesday May 10, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 9, 2023

The Beaver and the Panda: A Forest Showdown

Once upon a time, in a peaceful forest, there lived a meek and hardworking beaver named Canada. He always tried to avoid conflict and maintain good relations with his neighbours. One day, a fearsome panda named China came to the forest and demanded respect from all the animals.

At first, the beaver tried to appease the panda by being friendly and accommodating. However, the panda became increasingly aggressive and began to interfere in the beaver’s affairs. The beaver suspected that the panda was trying to intimidate him and his family.

News: Trudeau says expulsion of Chinese diplomat shows Canada ‘will not be intimidated’  

March 26, 2013

One day, the beaver had enough of the panda’s interference and decided to take action. He expelled a Chinese delegate who was causing trouble in the forest. In retaliation, the panda expelled a Canadian diplomat.

But the beaver was not intimidated by the panda’s aggressive behavior. He stood firm and declared that he would not accept foreign interference in his forest. The panda was stymied by the beaver’s sudden aggressiveness and promised further unspecified retaliatory measures.

Researcher: China working to get Canadians ‘at each other’s throats’ 

Despite the panda’s threats, the beaver remained resolute and determined to protect his forest from foreign interference. He warned the panda and other countries engaging in such behaviour that he takes it extraordinarily seriously.

February 25, 2023

In the end, the beaver’s courage and determination paid off. He showed the panda that he was not to be trifled with and that he would do whatever it takes to safeguard his forest from foreign threats. The panda learned a valuable lesson and realized that he could not bully the beaver into submission.

And they lived happily ever after. (AI)

 

Tuesday May 10, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 10, 2022

Ontario Liberals pledge they would bring back Grade 13 on an optional basis

Young Doug Ford: The Series

The Ontario Liberals would reintroduce an optional Grade 13 to allow students to catch up on learning lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, leader Steven Del Duca said on the campaign trail Friday.

The measure that would be brought in if the Liberals were elected next month would not be a “victory lap,” the party leader said, and would be available for a minimum of four years.

“This is going to be a structured option for our kids,” Del Duca said in a park near a high school in Kitchener, Ont.

“Structured so that they can get more mental health supports, so that they can learn more about personal finances, so that they can learn more about civics and citizen engagement and all of the tools that they need to be able to catch up from the past couple of years.”

Saturday January 23, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 23, 2021

Payette stepping down as governor general after blistering report on Rideau Hall work environment

August 8, 2020

Gov.-Gen. Julie Payette and her secretary, Assunta di Lorenzo, are resigning after an outside workplace review of Rideau Hall found that the pair presided over a toxic work environment.

Last year, an independent consulting firm was hired by the Privy Council Office (PCO) to review reports that Payette was responsible for workplace harassment at Rideau Hall.

Sources who were briefed on the consulting firm’s report told CBC News that its conclusions were damning.

President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada Dominic LeBlanc told CBC’s Vassy Kapelos the federal government received the final report late last week, which he said offered some “disturbing” and “worrisome” conclusions.

September 23, 2020

LeBlanc said Payette indicated her intention to resign during a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last night, where they discussed the report’s contents.

In a media statement announcing her departure, Payette apologized for what she called the “tensions” at Rideau Hall in recent months, saying that everyone has “a right to a healthy and safe work environment.”

“While no formal complaints or official grievances were made during my tenure, which would have immediately triggered a detailed investigation as prescribed by law and the collective agreements in place, I still take these allegations very seriously,” she said in the statement. 

“We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better and be attentive to one another’s perceptions.”

In a media statement announcing her departure, Payette apologized for what she called the “tensions” at Rideau Hall in recent months, saying that everyone has “a right to a healthy and safe work environment.”

“While no formal complaints or official grievances were made during my tenure, which would have immediately triggered a detailed investigation as prescribed by law and the collective agreements in place, I still take these allegations very seriously,” she said in the statement. 

“We all experience things differently, but we should always strive to do better and be attentive to one another’s perceptions.”

November 1, 2018

Payette joins a very short list of governors general who have left the post early — but she is the first to do so mired in controversy.

Lord Alexander left for England a month before Vincent Massey was sworn in as his replacement in 1952. John Buchan, also known as Lord Tweedsmuir, and Georges Vanier both died while serving, in 1940 and 1967, respectively. In those cases, the Supreme Court chief justice of the day stepped in to fill the role temporarily.

Romeo LeBlanc, Dominic’s father, stepped down in 1999 before the end of his term due to health issues. The office was not left vacant; LeBlanc continued until Adrienne Clarkson was ready to succeed him.

Governors general have resigned under pressure — and have been asked to resign by prime ministers — in Commonwealth countries in the past. In 2003, Australian Gov. Gen. Peter Hollingworth resigned after controversy erupted over the way he had handled sexual abuse claims while he was archbishop of Brisbane. (CBC) 

 

Friday December 4, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 4, 2020

Doug Ford Approval Rating Poll Finds His Popularity Is Slipping

Series: Young Doug Ford

Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s pandemic sheen may be wearing off, a new poll suggests, but he still enjoys support from a majority of the province. 

Ford’s approval rating has fallen to 55 per cent, a drop of 14 percentage points since May, according to the poll released by Angus Reid Institute Tuesday.

At his high point, that rating was 69 per cent. The moment came early in the pandemic, a couple months after the premier started holding daily press briefings on the status of COVID-19. 

He showed a side of himself that was noticeably different from the tough-talking premier Ontarians saw early in his mandate. He spoke frankly about the coming economic crisis — “some people are gonna face some tough times” — and got choked up speaking about his own mother-in-law, who caught COVID-19 in a long-term care home.

November 19, 2020

“From a public opinion perspective, the early days of the pandemic were a strongpoint for Premier Doug Ford in Ontario,” the institute’s new report said. “Ford’s shift in persona enabled him to earn the approval of Ontarians previously entrenched along party lines.”

He’s now on the less popular side of the Canadian premiers’ spectrum. 

Ford’s drop comes as cases of COVID-19 surge once again. Ontario’s reported more than 1,700 new cases of the novel coronavirus every day for the past four days. And the premier’s faced an onslaught of criticism in recent weeks, after the auditor general said his government’s response to the pandemic was “disorganized and inconsistent” and the Toronto Star reported he had ignored public health advice.

October 27, 2020

B.C. Premier John Horgan, who won re-election in October, is tied with Quebec Premier François Legault for most popular premier in Canada. Both are approved of by 64 per cent of voters in their provinces. 

Legault’s popularity stands up even though his province has seen more COVID-19 infections and deaths per capita than any other in Canada. 

“Despite this, Premier François Legault continues to be perceived as a fixture of strength, his approval statistically unchanged at 64 per cent,” Angus Reid Institute said.

The least popular are Manitoba’s Brian Pallister, at 32 per cent approval, and Alberta’s Jason Kenney, at 40 per cent. The two Prairie premiers are grappling with soaring second waves of COVID-19 cases and devastating outbreaks at institutions. (Huffington Post)