challenge – mackaycartoons

Saturday February 15, 2025

February 15, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 15, 2025

A Call to Fly the Flag with Pride

As we approach the 60th anniversary of Flag Day, a moment of profound reflection and unity is upon us. The gesture by Canada’s living former prime ministers—Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, and Stephen Harper—urging Canadians to fly the country’s flag with pride comes at a time when national unity is both challenged and needed more than ever. This call to action is not merely symbolic; it is a powerful rallying cry for Canadians to stand together in the face of external pressures and internal reflections.

June 3, 2015

Canada finds itself navigating a complex political landscape, particularly with U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated taunts about making Canada the 51st state. Such remarks are more than just words; they are provocations that strike at the heart of Canadian sovereignty and identity. Even the most reserved Canadians must feel a surge of indignation at these bullying and ignorant assertions. In this context, flying the flag becomes an act of defiance and a statement of resilience, reminding us of our strength and independence.

News: Five former PMs urge Canadians to show national unity on Flag Day, in the face of Trump’s ‘threats and insults’

July 27, 2024

While waving the flag is a unifying gesture, it must be accompanied by concrete actions. Canada’s future prosperity and security depend on reducing inter-provincial trade barriers, bolstering defence capabilities, and forging new alliances beyond the United States. These actions will not only strengthen our economy and security but also affirm our sovereignty on the global stage.

November 9, 2018

The former prime ministers’ call to fly the flag also signifies a reclamation of this national symbol. In recent years, the Canadian flag has been a marker of national reflection, flown at half-mast to acknowledge past injustices against Indigenous communities. It was also co-opted by far-right movements, such as the Freedom Convoy, which espoused anti-science and anti-multilateralist views. By urging Canadians to display the flag with pride, these former leaders are reclaiming it as a symbol of unity, diversity, and shared values.

News: Patriotism, a big rally and, of course, new slogans: Inside Pierre Poilievre’s Trump-induced strategy shift

November 17, 2023

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our flag, let us heed the call of Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, and Stephen Harper. Let this day be a reminder of what it means to be Canadian—a nation strong in its diversity, proud of its heritage, and unwavering in its commitment to unity and progress. By flying our flag, we not only honour our past but also commit to a future where we stand together, resilient and proud, against any challenge that comes our way.

I’m really impressed by how our former Prime Ministers—Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, and Stephen Harper—are stepping up to reclaim the Canadian Flag on its big 60th anniversary. They’re doing a fantastic job of reminding us what the flag truly stands for: unity, pride, and resilience. I was nice to draw caricatures of them.

Shameless Plug: I sell Prime Minister merch here.

During the pandemic, our flag got hijacked by a bunch of far-right extremists waving Trump banners and spouting nonsense that had nothing to do with Canadian values. It’s about time we yanked it back from those folks who seemed more interested in conspiracy theories than community.

But let’s be real, the flag’s been through the wringer before. Prior to the Freedom Convoy, some left-wing activists took it to extremes, turning essential conversations about reconciliation with Indigenous peoples into a broader narrative of shame about Canada.

This all led to tearing down statues and renaming places tied to figures like Sir John A. Macdonald, who caught a lot of flak for things he did way back when. Meanwhile, other Prime Ministers, whose actions are also up for debate these days, still have their statues standing tall. It’s a bit of a mixed bag. The inconsistency extends to airports, hospitals, and schools still bearing names of other historical figures, making it all feel pretty selective.

It’d be great if the “Team Canada” Prime Ministers could push for a more balanced look at these historical symbols. Maybe bring back some statues and place names, recognizing our full history instead of cherry-picking what to remember. This could really complement their current efforts, helping us see the whole picture of our past and what our flag truly represents.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Thursday July 31, 2008

July 31, 2008 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 31, 2008

Harper challenges Dion to Force Election

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion should “fish or cut bait” on a fall election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said during a speech delivered to Conservative party members in Quebec on Wednesday evening.

Harper said his opponent should stop delaying the current work of government with futile election threats unless he is prepared to force a vote, which Dion has recently hinted at.

“Either let the current Parliament work and let us get on with our mandate, or the voters themselves will decide,” Harper said to about 1,500 people at the Saint-Agapit arena, southwest of Quebec City.

Some observers have suggested that following this spring’s whirl of election rhetoric and with the release of the Liberals’ Green Shift environmental plan in June, Dion is preparing to go to the polls this autumn.

Last week, the Liberal leader said Canadians seemed readier than ever for a vote.

But Harper, speaking in the midst of a Tory summer caucus meeting in Lévis, Que., said he and the Conservative party are ready for anything Dion wants to throw their way.

“Friends, I see Mr. Dion is challenging me to debate his carbon tax,” Harper said in French, referring to the Liberal plan to impose a tax on emissions in order to reduce the use of fossil fuels by Canadian industries and homeowners.

“If Mr. Dion wants a real debate — not just among politicians but a debate open to everybody — all he has to do is follow through on his latest threat to force an election.” (Source: CBC News)