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Wednesday January 8, 2025

January 8, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 8, 2025

Beyond Trudeau: Charting Canada’s Future in Uncertain Times

January 7, 2025

Justin Trudeau leaves Canadian politics and becomes Canadian history. As he steps down, the nation stands at a crossroads, confronting significant challenges that will define its future. Though Trudeau remains in the role of Prime Minister during a period of prorogation, his influence is waning, and Canada must now navigate a complex landscape of economic, political, and international issues.

The Liberal Party, once rejuvenated under Trudeau’s leadership, is now tasked with finding a new leader amidst internal divisions and dwindling public support. This leadership transition is not merely about choosing a successor but about redefining the party’s vision and restoring confidence among Canadians. The next leader must bridge the gap between Trudeau’s legacy and the electorate’s desire for change, offering a fresh perspective that resonates with a diverse and increasingly skeptical populace.

News: Liberals say no changes coming for leadership race, despite risk of foreign interference

November 21, 2023

Economically, Canada faces a precarious situation. Key policies are stalled, and the potential for a trade war with the United States under President-elect Donald Trump looms large. The uncertainty surrounding future tax policies and the economic impact of halted legislative progress only adds to the anxiety. Canada needs a coherent and robust economic strategy that addresses these challenges, supports growth, and ensures stability for businesses and citizens alike.

On the international stage, Canada’s diplomatic relations are being tested. The nation must assert its position and negotiate effectively to safeguard its interests, particularly in trade agreements and border security. With Trudeau’s departure, there is an opportunity to recalibrate these relationships and engage with global partners in a way that reflects Canada’s values and priorities.

News: Trudeau’s resignation compounds economic uncertainty ahead of possible trade war

June 12, 2024

The issue of electoral integrity also demands attention. The halt of investigations into foreign interference due to prorogation raises questions about the transparency and security of Canada’s democratic processes. Ensuring that future elections and leadership contests are free from undue influence is essential for maintaining public trust and the integrity of Canadian democracy.

The governance void created by prorogation presents an additional challenge, as many cabinet members may shift focus from their crucial governmental duties to pursue leadership ambitions. This distraction occurs at a pivotal time, with the Trump administration’s arrival on January 20 bringing potential shifts in U.S. policy that require a strong and stable Canadian presence. The current political uncertainty and weakened minority government exacerbate the situation, creating a precarious environment where Canada’s national interests could be compromised.

Opinion: A beaten down Trudeau leaves behind a mess that could have been avoided

May 13, 2011

Ultimately, Canada’s path forward requires decisive leadership and a commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing the nation. The moment calls for a leader who can unite the country, implement effective policies, and navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world. As Canada moves beyond the Trudeau era, it must seize the opportunity to redefine its identity, strengthen its institutions, and chart a course toward a resilient and prosperous future.

The challenges are significant, but so too are the opportunities for renewal and growth. Canada’s next chapter is waiting to be written, and it will take bold vision and collective effort to ensure it is one of progress and success.

It’s a week since 2025 begun and Canada’s political landscape feels like a… you guessed it, a scene from a cartoon—a rickety bus, stalled at the curb, tires flat, with anxious eyes peering out, waiting for a new driver. This isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a vivid illustration of the Liberal Party’s current predicament.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (who still has the job for at least a couple more months) finds himself at a critical juncture, with his approval ratings at an all-time low and the party’s support waning. The recent departure of key figures like Chrystia Freeland has only intensified the pressure, sparking calls for Trudeau to step down. The whispers of prorogation or a leadership contest are no longer just political gossip—they’re realities.

Meanwhile, the opposition is sharpening its knives. Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are ready to pounce, echoing a familiar global refrain: “Everything seems broken.” It’s a mantra that has proven effective elsewhere, notably with Keir Starmer’s Labour triumph in the UK. This rhetoric resonates particularly strongly post-pandemic, as governments worldwide grapple with economic challenges.

Canada isn’t immune. Our national debt continues to climb, productivity lags, and per capita GDP growth isn’t keeping pace. It’s a sobering reality, even if our debt isn’t quite as dire as some G7 counterparts. The prorogation, then, isn’t just a political manoeuvre—it’s a signal that repair is needed.

Adding to this tense atmosphere is the constant chirping from south of the border. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about Canadian cars and the hypothetical “51st state” status have grown tiresome, casting an unwanted shadow over our period of political renewal.

As the Liberal Party scrambles to recalibrate and potentially select a new leader, Canada waits. The bus may be stopped, but the journey is far from over. The choices made now will shape our nation’s path forward, and like any good cartoon, it’s a story filled with uncertainty, humour, and the hope for a better destination.

Enjoy the January 8, 2024 making-of animated editorial cartoon below. Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. Posts come out every Friday or 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.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Tuesday August 20, 2024

August 20, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 20, 2024

Published in The Hamilton Spectator and The Toronto Star.

This editorial cartoon has an animated version!

Beneath the Priority List: The Education Minister’s Impossible Task in Ford’s Ontario

April 12, 2024

Taking on the role of Ontario’s Minister of Education under the Ford government might feel akin to inheriting a poisoned chalice. Todd Smith’s quick departure after just a few months in the position highlights not just personal dissatisfaction, but the deeper systemic issues within the province’s education portfolio—issues exacerbated by a series of dubious decisions and questionable priorities set by the Ford administration.

The Ford government’s approach to education has been characterized by underfunding, controversial policy shifts, and a seeming lack of genuine commitment to addressing the growing challenges in the sector. One of the most glaring examples is the government’s budget cuts to education, which have left schools struggling with overcrowded classrooms, insufficient support staff, and outdated resources. The impact of these cuts has been particularly harsh in underserved communities, where schools rely heavily on provincial funding to provide basic services.

News: Ontario Education Minister Todd Smith resigns two weeks before start of school year, replaced by Jill Dunlop

January 23, 2024

The government’s handling of teacher negotiations has also drawn considerable criticism. The introduction of Bill 124, which limited public sector wage increases, was not only ruled unconstitutional but also deepened the recruitment and retention crisis in Ontario’s schools. The result? Fewer teachers, fewer educational assistants, and a growing discontent among those who remain, forced to do more with less. The subsequent arbitration ruling in favour of educators, while a victory for workers’ rights, underscores the adversarial relationship that has developed between the Ford government and the education sector.

Further complicating matters is the Ford administration’s approach to curriculum changes. The push to return to “basics” in education, such as the controversial revisions to the sex education and mathematics curriculums, suggests a reluctance to embrace progressive educational reforms. Instead of consulting with educators and experts to develop a curriculum that reflects the needs of today’s students, the government has favoured a more regressive approach, often sidelining those who are most knowledgeable about the education system.

August 29, 2019

Then there’s the matter of accountability. The Ford government has repeatedly been criticized for its lack of transparency and its tendency to sidestep responsibility for the ongoing crises in Ontario’s schools. The situation is further aggravated by the administration’s apparent preference for pursuing populist policies—like expanding alcohol sales—over addressing the more pressing issues within the education system.

Analysis: An anatomy of a bungled press conference

March 19, 2019

In this context, any new Minister of Education faces an uphill battle. The role demands not just a deep understanding of the educational landscape, but also the political acumen to navigate a government that seems more interested in quick political wins than in making meaningful, long-term investments in education. With teacher shortages, declining student performance, and growing dissatisfaction among educators and parents alike, the challenges are immense. Whether the Ford government will finally step up and prioritize education remains to be seen, but history suggests that anyone in this role will have to fight hard to make it happen. (AI)

Friday April 29, 2022

April 29, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 29, 2022

How Doug Ford’s budget sets the tone for his Ontario PC election campaign

For a guy who came to power in 2018 on a promise to rein in the size and cost of government, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is heading into his 2022 election campaign with a completely different pitch.

May 23, 2019

That pitch can be seen in the Ontario budget tabled Thursday by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, a budget that he described as “Premier Ford’s vision.”

That “vision” is in reality less a provincial budget than it is a Progressive Conservative election platform. In case there’s any doubt, Bethlenfalvy recited the PC campaign slogan “Get it done” no less than 10 times during his budget speech.

Also, minutes after the speech wrapped, the legislature was adjourned until well after the June 2 election, so the budget won’t pass unless the PCs win a majority.

Beyond the sloganeering, the budget’s tone and messaging appear crafted to assure Ontario voters that Ford and the PCs are not just willing to spend the money that’s needed on crucial government services, but actually eager to spend it, to the extent of actually forecasting a deficit higher than in each of the past two pandemic years.

It also appears to be an attempt to persuade voters that Ford has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic and that cutting government spending is no longer a big concern for the PCs.

Thursday September 5, 2019

September 12, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

September 5, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday September 5, 2019

Can Jagmeet Singh and the NDP bounce back?

To take the full measure of the unprecedented plight of the New Democratic Party less than 50 days before the Oct. 21 federal vote consider the following:

February 27, 2019

* For the first time in decades the NDP will not be mounting a campaign tour on par with that of the Liberals and the Conservatives. Jagmeet Singh’s party is too poor to charter a dedicated plane this year.

That may come as a relief to many cash-strapped media organizations. They are effectively being spared having to decide to downsize their coverage of the NDP tour the better to devote shrinking resources to those of the two leading contenders for power.

* In what would also be a first in years, it looks like the party may not be able to field candidates across the board. What is virtually certain is that the NDP will start the campaign with less than a full slate.

The dearth of nominated candidates extends beyond regions like Atlantic Canada where the party did poorly in the last election. In Quebec, where the NDP elected its largest provincial contingent in the past two elections, more than half of the 78 ridings are still without a standard-bearer.

March 31, 2018

To come late to the battle in a competitive election (whose date is anything but a surprise) is the equivalent of fighting with one’s hand tied behind one’s back.

* Only four years after the federal New Democrats launched their most credible bid for government, they are fighting an uphill battle to hang on to third place and official party status in the next Parliament

In Quebec, the Bloc Québécois has overtaken its former NDP nemesis. On average, BQ support province-wide is three times higher than that of the New Democrats. The latter are running a distant fifth behind the Green party.

In New Brunswick, more than a dozen former NDP candidates and organizers voted with their feet and moved over to Elizabeth May’s party earlier this week.

October 24, 2017

When it comes to apportioning blame for the predicament the party finds itself in, it is easy to point the finger at Singh’s uncertain performance as leader or to attribute it to some latent racism inspired by the fact that he wears a turban.

Singh’s first years as leader have featured more misses than hits. His transition from the Ontario scene to Parliament Hill has not been particularly smooth. And yes, it is almost certainly hard for some voters to identify with a turban-wearing leader.

But many of the elements of the perfect storm that threatens to engulf the NDP in the upcoming election either predate his arrival at the helm or would have plagued any leader. (Continued, Toronto Star)

Tuesday January 7, 2019

January 15, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 7, 2019

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Trudeau delaying Burnaby South by-election for political gain

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has delayed calling a by-election for the federal British Columbia riding of Burnaby South because Mr. Trudeau is “afraid” of how the governing Liberals might fare in the race.

Mr. Singh, who has been leading the NDP without a seat since October, 2017, has been anxious to run in the B.C. riding in hopes of winning a seat in the House of Commons before the next federal election, and he says Mr. Trudeau has been dragging his heels on the issue for political gain.

“I think that they’re afraid of facing the electorate, they’re afraid of facing the people of Burnaby South, facing their record. Their record is going to be on trial,” he said in a telephone interview from the riding on Monday.

Mr. Singh said delaying the by-election call is not in the interest of people in Burnaby South – so it’s likely in Mr. Trudeau’s own political interest.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said that Mr. Trudeau had months to take action on this “and failed to do so,” in a statement e-mailed to The Globe and Mail.

“Canadians deserve representation in the House of Commons now, not when it is convenient for the Prime Minister’s political agenda,” said Mr. Scheer, adding that Mr. Trudeau has chosen to “play politics” with Canadians, calling it unacceptable.

Meanwhile the Prime Minister’s Office is rebuffing criticism from both Mr. Singh and Mr. Scheer.

“As the PM has said previously, the by-elections in Burnaby South, Outremont and York-Simcoe will be called in January with a February voting day. The Nanaimo-Ladysmith by-election will be called in due course,” said Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Matt Pascuzzo.

When asked if Mr. Trudeau would call a by-election for Nanaimo-Ladysmith at the same time as the other by-elections, Mr. Pascuzzo said there are provisions in the Elections Act regarding the calling of by-elections and the Prime Minister will abide by those provisions.

According to Elections Canada, the Chief Electoral Officer received a notice of vacancy Monday for the riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith (with the resignation of NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson, who is running in a provincial by-election). The earliest the writ can be issued for the by-election is Jan. 18, 2019, which means a by-election could be held, at the earliest, on Monday, Feb. 25. The writ must be issued, at the latest, by July 6, 2019. (Source: Globe & Mail)