candidate – mackaycartoons

Saturday May 11, 2024

May 11, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 11, 2024

Strengthening Democracy: Addressing Vulnerabilities in Local Electoral Processes

May 8, 2024

In recent years, Canada has faced growing concerns regarding the integrity of its electoral processes, particularly at the local level. Revelations of unethical practices and potential foreign interference in nomination races have highlighted significant vulnerabilities that undermine the democratic foundation of our nation.

News: She was seen as a rising star for Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives. Now she’s dropped out of a ‘highly unethical’ nomination race

The case of Sabrina Maddeaux’s suspension of her campaign in Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill underscores the urgency of addressing these issues. Maddeaux’s allegations of defamatory smear campaigns and identity fraud within the Conservative party’s nomination process reveal a disturbing reality: our local electoral processes are not immune to manipulation and misconduct. Despite being a beacon of democracy, Canada cannot afford to ignore the cracks in its foundation.

March 3, 2023

Similarly, Andrew Coyne’s analysis sheds light on the systemic deficiencies plaguing party nomination races across the country. The ease with which external forces can influence these processes due to lax eligibility criteria and minimal oversight is deeply troubling. Whether it’s foreign actors exploiting loopholes or party insiders manipulating outcomes, the result is the same: a betrayal of the trust and interests of Canadian voters.

Opinion: The foreign-interference scandal shows that it’s time to clean up Canada’s party nomination races

It’s evident that urgent reforms are needed to safeguard the integrity of our electoral processes and uphold the principles of democracy. First and foremost, there must be greater transparency and accountability in nomination races at the local level. Parties must implement stringent measures to prevent fraud, misinformation campaigns, and external interference. This includes robust vetting procedures for candidates, secure handling of membership lists, and swift investigation of any allegations of misconduct.

October 29, 2014

Moreover, regulatory oversight should be strengthened to ensure compliance with ethical standards and electoral laws. The role of the government, independent agencies, and the judiciary should be expanded to monitor and enforce accountability in nomination processes. Canadians deserve assurance that their voices are heard and their votes are protected from undue influence.

Resource: The Foreign Interference Commission

Furthermore, there should be a concerted effort to enhance public awareness and engagement in the electoral process. Educating voters about their rights, the importance of informed decision-making, and how to recognize and report irregularities can empower citizens to safeguard democracy from within.

Ultimately, the integrity of Canada’s democracy rests on the integrity of its electoral processes. By acknowledging and addressing vulnerabilities at the local level, we can fortify the foundation of our democracy and ensure that elections truly reflect the will of the people. It’s time for action to protect democracy and the interests of voters across the nation. (AI)

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)

Tuesday October 25, 2022

October 25, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 25, 2022

Municipal action on affordable housing is in everyone’s interest

The affordable housing crisis in Canada is putting people on the streets or forcing them to live in inadequate or even dangerous housing.

October 15, 2022

Because this crisis is caused by several complex and interrelated factors, it unfortunately can’t be solved with a single magic bullet. We urgently need to accelerate action on affordable housing on four fronts: the construction, acquisition and retention of affordable housing, and housing supports.

The National Housing Strategy is a great leap forward in Canadian housing policy. Much of the funding goes directly to municipalities for construction of new, affordable rental housing units, primarily built and managed by the non-profit sector.

Municipalities need to find ways to accelerate affordable housing construction by streamlining the planning approval process, providing land for affordable housing, reducing or creatively financing development charges — a major cost driver — and helping non-profit organizations develop more homes faster.

But most “affordable” rental housing in Canada (i.e., places with modest rent) is in private market buildings. We can’t possibly build new affordable housing fast enough to compensate for the simultaneous loss of affordable market housing.

December 28, 2021

As a result of processes that inflate rents, the loss of affordable market rental housing has accelerated over the last several years. From 2011-2016, Canada lost 322,000 homes renting for under $750 per month. This extended to a further loss of 230,000 units under $750 from 2016-2021.

Investors seek buildings with below-market rents. As tenants leave (either forcibly or by attrition), owners can substantially increase rents. This inflation is made possible by vacancy decontrol, where rent is only regulated if the same tenant stays in a unit. Once a tenant vacates, rent can raised to whatever the market will bear.

To help preserve affordable properties, non-profit organizations need tools for acquiring existing market rental housing with modest rents. This is much faster than new construction, helps mitigate the erosion of affordable housing stock and avoids the sometimes slow processes for new construction. (The Toronto Star)

Wednesday September 11, 2019

September 18, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 11, 2019

Why is it so hard for Independent candidates to get elected to Canada’s House of Commons?

May 28, 2019

Canada has not had a strong Independent movement since Confederation when there were several Independent politicians in government. They were called “loose fish” and operated separately of political structures, explains John English, director of the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International history at Trinity College.

When the party system began to take hold at the turn of the century under Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, these “loose fish” declined in numbers. The party structure became the main source of funding for candidates and also provided patronage appointments to important positions such as the railway or the post office.

November 9, 2018

Independents made a brief resurgence in the Second World War. When Prime Minister Mackenzie King broke his promise of conscription, Quebec Liberals declared themselves Independent (but still affiliated with the Liberal party for the most part).

By the 1960s, Independents became especially rare in Canadians politics, limited only to “those candidates who got kicked out of their party or decided their interest didn’t align with party values or the party leader,” English said.

The debate over the strength and influence of central party power in politics isn’t new, either. Collenette says this discussion has been occurring within parties for years, but “the question now is larger because its not contained in the party anymore.”

Promising the moon

The main reason Canada doesn’t have more Independent politicians is because “they don’t win,” Thomas said. Before campaign finance legislation changes were created in 1974, local electoral campaign officers would identify supporters and then get supporter to learn the name of the candidate. Now, voters are more likely to recognize party labels than individual names.

David Moscrop, political scientist and author of “Too Dumb for Democracy,” agrees that central party authority needs to be loosened but worries about the tradeoffs. First, it’ll require a lot of cooperation from parties, civil service, staffers, leadership and media. (“I don’t think that is going to happen,” Moscrop says.) Then you have to balance loosening party control while maintaining party cohesion. (“How do you do that?” he asks.) (National Observer)