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Wednesday May 6, 2021

May 13, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 6, 2021

NACI is right about AstraZeneca. It shouldn’t be ‘unsettling’ to trust the public with uncomfortable information

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization is being pilloried for asserting that, while taking the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still generally a good idea, their higher risk for blood clots means that certain Canadians would be better served by waiting for a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

December 11, 2020

Despite high-level accusations that the message is “misleading” or even “dangerous,” NACI is right: Different vaccines obviously carry different risks, and it would be irresponsible not to weigh those risks against the risk of contracting COVID-19. The only reason NACI’s messaging sounds “mixed” or “unsettling” is because Canadian public health authorities have spent this pandemic strenuously avoiding nuance or even the basic notion that the public can be trusted with uncomfortable information.

The controversy began over NACI’s latest vaccine recommendations saying that they “preferentially recommend” mRNA vaccines such as the Pfizer and Moderna shots. NACI drew the distinction because of emerging data showing that, in rare instances, viral vector vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson can potentially pose a risk of blood clots. On Tuesday night, for instance, Alberta confirmed the death of a woman in her 50s due to complications from the AstraZeneca vaccine.

For most Canadians, the life-saving benefits of COVID immunity clearly outstrip any blood clotting risks posed by a viral vector shot. Nevertheless, while NACI said that Canada should continue to roll out as many vaccines as quickly as possible, there may be instances, particularly among young people, in which it’s preferable to sit out the immediate prospect of an AstraZeneca shot in favour of a Pfizer shot down the road.

January 30, 2021

“NACI cautions that in age groups younger than 30 years of age, the benefit of offering a viral vector COVID-19 vaccine instead of waiting for an mRNA vaccine is not a certainty, especially in areas of very low COVID-19 activity,” reads the new recommendations, which also say that “an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be preferentially offered to individuals” over 30 unless they prefer to get vaccinated earlier.

David Naylor, a co-chair of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, told CBC on Tuesday morning that it was an “unsettling” message because it “suggests that you got the second-best vaccine.” Infectious disease specialist Abdu Sharkawy tweeted that it was “dangerous” to imply “vaccine superiority.”

While many public health agencies have been free to take a single-minded focus on COVID-19 prevention to the exclusion of other health considerations, NACI’s mission has always been to maximize the benefits of immunization while weighing its potential harms. In NACI’s own words, their mission is to assess “how best to use authorized vaccines to achieve the greatest public health benefits.”

March 31, 2021

Over the last 13 months, Canada has gotten used to public health authorities prescribing blunt pandemic restrictions with little to no explanation as to why. Seldom has a chief medical officer ever gone on TV to explain the latest science on outdoor transmission and then asked their citizens to decide for themselves if a BBQ with friends is worth the risk.

NACI’s approach is different. Rather than follow Ottawa’s line to “take whatever vaccine is offered to you first”, they told the truth: Despite mass immunization being the single most effective way to save lives and end this pandemic, it doesn’t mean every AstraZeneca shot is a good idea.

In saying this, NACI didn’t issue an unequivocal “yay” or “nay” on the safety of AstraZeneca, they instead drafted a detailed risk-assessment to allow the public to figure out for themselves if AstraZeneca now is preferable to Pfizer later. You’re middle-aged and living in a hard-hit area with overwhelmed hospitals? Take the shot. You’re 21, living in Prince Edward Island and you barely leave the house? It might be worth waiting for Pfizer or Moderna.

December 1, 2020

NACI is certainly not an antivax organization. The group is composed of volunteer medical experts who have spent decades studying effective immunization. It was NACI who was instrumental in recommending the four-month gap between vaccine doses that has allowed Canada to maximize its limited supply and significantly push forward the national timeline towards herd immunity.

In a pandemic that has repeatedly seen politicians urge the public to “listen to the science,” NACI is the Platonic ideal of career scientists making recommendations without worrying about political narratives.

And yet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is now openly telling Canadians to ignore the NACI recommendation and take the first shot they are offered.

New Brunswick education minister Dominic Cardy took it a step farther, telling his constituents Tuesday to “ignore NACI, ignore anti-masker, ignore the people undermining the faith in science.” (National Post) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2021-16, Canada, classroom, covid-19, detention, Justin Trudeau, NACI, pandemic, public health, Science, teacher, Vaccine

Wednesday July 8, 2020

July 15, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 8, 2020

Ontario plans to stop Grade 9 students from streaming into applied or academic tracks

Series: Young Doug Ford

The Ontario government plans to stop its Grade 9 “applied” and “academic” track streaming, a spokesperson for the ministry of education confirmed Monday.

High school students in Ontario typically have to choose between more practical, hands-on applied courses or more theoretical academic courses in core subjects.

“Students, families and staff deserve an education system that is inclusive, accountable, and transparent, and one that by design, is set up to fully and equally empower all children to achieve their potential,” Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

December 5, 2019

“This government will move quickly and decisively to combat systemic racism so that every child – irrespective of colour of skin, heritage, faith or ability – can have a fighting chance at success.”

The streaming process was developed in the late 1990s as a way to cater to students with different learning styles, but experts say that streaming has disproportionately impacted racialized and low-income students, affecting graduation rates and test scores.

Advocacy group People for Education has long been calling for an end to the streaming process. They argue that it ends up dividing students rather than providing them with more options.

January 25, 2019

“There as a high disproportionate amount of kids in the applied stream who were Black, who were Indigenous, who came from low-income families,” Annie Kidder from People for Education said. “All of the research, every single year when it was looked at on who goes to applied found a disproportionate portion of kids from certain backgrounds.”

Kidder said that while eliminating the practice is the right thing to do, she wants to know more about how students with different learning styles will be supported during the transition as well as teachers.

“You can’t just flip a switch,” she said. “You have to be willing to do the other part of the work.”

Five years ago People for Education called on the Liberal government to merge the two levels of Grade 9 math classes after a survey found that students in the applied version of the course were less successful on EQAO tests, less likely to graduate and less likely to go on to post-secondary education. (CTV) 

 



 

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: 2020-23, classroom, Doug Ford, education, Ontario, school, Young Doug Ford

Thursday December 5, 2019

December 12, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

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

Ford government’s climate change plan is not based on ‘sound evidence,’ auditor general says

Young Doug Ford: the mini-series

Premier Doug Ford’s plan to fight climate change is not based on “sound evidence” and will fall well short of Ontario’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets, auditor general Bonnie Lysyk warns in a damning new annual report.

Despite repeated assurances from Ford as recently as Tuesday that the plan is on track, an internal analysis by the environment ministry acknowledges that proposed measures won’t do the job, the auditor revealed in her massive report released Wednesday.

“Ontario is warming faster than the global average,” Lysyk said in her three-volume, 1,176-page report, noting the Paris Agreement target is to reduce emissions 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

December 11, 2014

But the Progressive Conservative government’s calculations have been flawed on many levels, she said, such as the inclusion of impacts from renewable energy projects and the previous Liberal administration’s cap-and-trade program that were scrapped in the summer of 2018.

The environment ministry also projects sales of electric vehicles will rise to 1.3 million in 2030 from 41,000 this year but has “no policy mechanisms” to drive an increase after cancelling cash incentives for buyers and the installation of more charging stations more than a year ago, Lysyk found.

July 11, 2018

An end to cash incentives, which were bankrolled by the Liberal cap-and-trade program that generated $1.9 billion annually, has resulted in a drop of 53 per cent in the number of electric vehicles purchased or leased.

As well, “some emissions reductions were double counted and overstated” because they are targeted in more than one program, said the report.

The auditor general also found troubles in the health care system, court backlogs caused by a lack of modernization, higher rates of fatalities and injuries in commercial vehicle crashes and use food that is past its best-before date in nursing homes. (Hamilton Spectator)



 

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: 2019-43, auditor general, Bonnie Lysyk, classroom, climate change, Doug Ford, environment, Ontario, teacher, Young Doug Ford

Friday January 25, 2019

February 1, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 25, 2019

Ontario education minister says no decisions made yet on removing class size caps

Ontario teacher and education worker groups raised concerns Thursday that the government’s consideration of removing kindergarten and primary class size caps sets the stage for vast cuts.

The Progressive Conservative government met with education partners Wednesday to launch consultations on class sizes and teacher hiring practices.

A government consultation document poses questions such as whether hard caps on class sizes should continue, and if they were removed, what would be an appropriate way to set effective class sizes.

Ontario teacher and education worker groups raised concerns Thursday that the government’s consideration of removing kindergarten and primary class size caps sets the stage for vast cuts.

The Progressive Conservative government met with education partners Wednesday to launch consultations on class sizes and teacher hiring practices.

A government consultation document poses questions such as whether hard caps on class sizes should continue, and if they were removed, what would be an appropriate way to set effective class sizes. (Source: Global News)

 

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: 2019-03, class, classroom, Doug Ford, education, elementary, hangar, kindergarten, Ontario, primary school, size, warehouse

Friday May 27, 2016

May 26, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday May 27, 2016 Premier Wynne wonders why debate, believes decision made Pressure is building on Hamilton council to formally accept or reject the province's $1-billion offer to build LRT in the city Ñ but don't expect it to happen anytime soon. Council has twice in May put off a contentious motion to endorse the province's offer to pay 100 per cent of capital costs for light rail transit, with some councillors even floating the idea of a referendum. The uncertainty prompted Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, local MPP Ted McMeekin and two major city developers this week to urge council to publicly back the project Ñ or at least make a decision. "I honestly thought that the conversation was done," said Wynne on Tuesday at an unrelated press conference. "I was very surprised that it was being revisited. My hope will be that they will be able to go through this process and we'll have a final answer soon rather than later.Ó Mayor Fred Eisenberger said after council Wednesday he understands the premier's "frustration," but added it's possible the council motion to support the project will be put off until fall. "I think a definitive statement, in my mind, has already been made," he said, pointing out the city "asked for the money, and the province delivered.Ó "Are there additional questions councillors feel they need answered? Apparently so. Whether we resolve that in June, or later, is another issue.Ó But the mayor also argued the proposed vote won't guarantee or kill the project, which requires several layers of council approval, including a design sign-off and other formal legal agreements. Coun. Sam Merulla, who put forward the oft-deferred motion, said he's fine with waiting until the fall, when answers to questions about LRT traffic impacts and expropriation requirements will be available. He added the delay also allows time to address councillor concerns "and bring support back up" for the p

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 27, 2016

Premier Wynne wonders why debate, believes decision made

Pressure is building on Hamilton council to formally accept or reject the province’s $1-billion offer to build LRT in the city — but don’t expect it to happen anytime soon.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday May 17, 2016 Wavering on building LRT Spectator Editorial - Now that the LRT pot is on the front burner at full boil, it would be wise for everyone to take a deep breath.Ê Yes, it's disappointing that city council didn't take the opportunity to render a public display of support at last week's meeting. They should have. But as ourÊelected representatives, they have a right to express reservations and ask for more information and time. Hopefully putting it off for a week Ñ the matter isÊback before council in its general issues committee form tomorrow Ñ will give staff the time to provide the requisite information and councillors time to reflect. But if the matter is deferred again tomorrow, it will be more problematic. Quite simply, the time has come for council to send another clear, unequivocalÊmessage to the province: Thanks for the billion dollars, and yes, we will use it to build LRT. Arguments against LRT these days tend to fall into two categories. It's not something Hamilton needs now or ever, or it might be something Hamilton needs,Êbut it's premature. The first argument is the territory occupied by people who simply don't believe in modern, environmentally sound, economically catalytic public transit. ThoseÊof us who support improving and modernizing transit probably aren't going to convince this crowd. Their minds are closed. They're the ones who think theÊHSR in its current form was good enough in the '70s and '80s, so it's good enough for the future, perhaps with a few tweaks around the edges.Ê The other anti-LRT position Ñ that it's premature Ñ is more interesting and promising. You can make a solid case LRT might be a better fit eight or 10 yearsÊon, when the rest of our transit system is still not optimized to get full value from having LRT as a transit fulcrum. But here's the thing: a billion provincialÊdollars.Ê It's unlikely that any time in the foreseeable future a provi

Tuesday May 17, 2016

Council has twice in May put off a contentious motion to endorse the province’s offer to pay 100 per cent of capital costs for light rail transit, with some councillors even floating the idea of a referendum.

The uncertainty prompted Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, local MPP Ted McMeekin and two major city developers this week to urge council to publicly back the project — or at least make a decision.

“I honestly thought that the conversation was done,” said Wynne on Tuesday at an unrelated press conference. “I was very surprised that it was being revisited. My hope will be that they will be able to go through this process and we’ll have a final answer soon rather than later.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said after council Wednesday he understands the premier’s “frustration,” but added it’s possible the council motion to support the project will be put off until fall.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

June 10, 2014

“I think a definitive statement, in my mind, has already been made,” he said, pointing out the city “asked for the money, and the province delivered.”

“Are there additional questions councillors feel they need answered? Apparently so. Whether we resolve that in June, or later, is another issue.”

But the mayor also argued the proposed vote won’t guarantee or kill the project, which requires several layers of council approval, including a design sign-off and other formal legal agreements.

Coun. Sam Merulla, who put forward the oft-deferred motion, said he’s fine with waiting until the fall, when answers to questions about LRT traffic impacts and expropriation requirements will be available.

Saturday, April 28 2013

April 28 2013

He added the delay also allows time to address councillor concerns “and bring support back up” for the project — which some council members campaigned against in the last election.

“What I’m trying to prevent is an 11th-hour travesty,” he said. “What we’ve learned is that support is not as strong as it needs to be.”

Several councillors Wednesday questioned the need to have a vote at all, however.(Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: brawl, City Council, classroom, council, dithering, Hamilton, Kathleen Wynne, LRT, teacher, Transit

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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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