Conrad Black

Wednesday August 9, 2023

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

Trudeau’s Woes and Poilievre’s Predicament

July 26, 2023

As the Canadian political landscape shifts, the contrasting misfortunes of Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre paint a vivid picture of leadership challenges that span both sides of the spectrum. Trudeau, once hailed as a charismatic leader with a golden touch, now finds himself grappling with a litany of crises, while Poilievre, seeking a makeover, struggles to define his party’s identity without veering into right-wing extremism.

Trudeau’s woes are as glaring as they are diverse. From sagging poll numbers to economic mismanagement, the prime minister’s once-unshakable approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows. His handling of the homelessness crisis and perceived ethical lapses have left many Canadians disillusioned. As he passes the buck to other layers of government, Trudeau’s inability to address issues like rising inflation and exorbitant housing prices has fueled the desire for a fresh government, with only a paltry 19% favoring him in a recent poll.

The Beaverton: Canadians react to Pierre Poilievre’s “sexy” makeover  

July 28, 2023

Trudeau’s attempt to reinvigorate his image through a cabinet shuffle seems to have fallen flat, failing to provide the much-needed positive narrative that could rekindle support. The prospect of an inquiry into alleged Chinese government interference in the last election looms ominously, adding to the list of his troubles. The prime minister’s recent personal turmoil, as he announced his separation from his wife of 18 years, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, adds yet another layer of complexity to his already embattled leadership.

On the other side of the aisle, Pierre Poilievre faces an equally uphill battle. Attempting a pivot from his long-held reputation as a sharp-elbowed partisan, Poilievre’s makeover involves donning a new look, complete with a wardrobe change and the conspicuous absence of his trademark glasses. However, his attempts to widen his appeal are hindered by his party’s historical ties to right-wing extremism and social conservatism, which risk alienating a broader swath of the Canadian electorate.

July 22, 2023

Poilievre’s attempts to resonate with voters have led him to navigate treacherous waters. Cozying up to the far-right and flirting with controversial figures like Jordan Peterson and European right-wing politicians sends mixed signals about the Conservative Party’s true direction. While rallying the base with catchy slogans, he’s challenged to strike a balance between appeasing his core supporters and presenting a more moderate and electable platform.

The challenge for both leaders is clear: appealing to a diverse electorate while grappling with their own vulnerabilities. Trudeau’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive term faces mounting resistance, as he struggles to reconcile past accomplishments with current crises. Poilievre, meanwhile, aims to rebrand himself and his party, but the fine line between change and extremism threatens to undermine his efforts.

News: Over half of Canadians want Trudeau, Poilievre replaced as party leaders before next election, poll suggests  

June 10, 2023

As Trudeau’s golden touch fades and Poilievre grapples with his party’s identity crisis, Canadians are left with a political landscape where neither leader is without fault. The electorate watches closely as these two titans navigate their respective challenges, revealing that leadership in a deeply divided nation requires more than mere promises or wardrobe adjustments. It necessitates a clear, balanced vision that addresses the concerns of all Canadians and reflects the realities of a changing world. (AI)

 

Friday May 17, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 17, 2019

Conrad Black says he won’t answer to criticism of his pardon because it’s not ‘worthy of response’

‘On anything like this you’re going to get people saying it’s a back-scratching job and he’s just rewarding me for writing nice things about him, but so what?’

Conrad Black Cartoon Gallery

Media mogul and former rival Rupert Murdoch was among the well-wishers who called Conrad Black after he received a pardon Wednesday from U.S. President Donald Trump that wiped away convictions for fraud and obstruction of justice dating back to 2007.

“I had a very nice phone call from Rupert Murdoch. I hadn’t spoken with him for many years. Most thoughtful of him to call,” Black said in an interview Thursday in the living room of his home in Toronto.

“He congratulated me and he said he’d congratulated the President for doing it.”

Calls have been coming in “from all over the place, from people I knew when I was a guest of the American people (in prison) and from people I went to Grade 2 with, and all stages since then,” said Black.

“And all but one or two were really very gracious, quite affecting many of them.”

Asked how he would respond to people who say he received the pardon because of Trump’s tendency to view only facts that suit him, or due to the past business dealings the two men had, or the flattering articles and book Black has written about Trump, Black said he wouldn’t respond directly to such critics because he doesn’t find their position “worthy of response.”

“Look, on anything like this you’re going to get people saying it’s a back-scratching job and he’s just rewarding me for writing nice things about him, but so what? Some people criticize Santa Claus, some people find fault with everything,” he said.

“The President and the very gracious message the White House issued last night was very clear in saying what the motives were, and that they were an analysis by his legal counsel and their legal team of the facts of the case, analyzing the particular materials submitted on my behalf by (lawyer) Alan Dershowitz and others.”

Black views the pardon as a total exoneration. “It’s a complete final decision of not guilty. That is finally a fully just verdict,” Black told The Canadian Press on Thursday. (Source: National Post) 

 

Saturday July 14, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday July 14, 2012

Conrad Black asks for a say in Order of Canada hearing

Almost a year after Conrad Black learned that he could lose his Order of Canada, the former media baron has gone to court to force the council reviewing his membership to hear him in person.

His membership in the order is in jeopardy because he had to serve a 42-month prison sentence in the United States for fraud and obstruction of justice.

In an application his lawyers filed Monday in Federal Court, Mr. Black said his case is too complex to be argued only through written arguments.

He asked for an oral hearing before the Advisory Council of the Order, the 11-person panel which governs membership to the country’s highest civilian honour.

“The facts relating to the issue of terminating the applicant’s appointment to the Order of Canada are complex and lengthy and cannot be appropriately dealt with in written submissions only,” the application said.

“Moreover, given that the relevant facts will engage issues of credibility and prompt questions from the Advisory Council, the principles of fairness make an oral hearing necessary.”

The court filing reveals that Mr. Black was first notified that the council was considering terminating his honour in a July 20, 2011, letter. (Source: Globe & Mail) 

 

Wednesday May 2, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday May 2, 2012

Daredevil Nik Wallenda will try to cross the Niagara Gorge on a tightrope June 15

The seventh-generation member of the Flying Wallendas spent months getting the necessary permissions from Canada and the United States for the cross-border stunt.

Conrad Black Cartoon Gallery

Organizers told a news conference in Niagara Falls, Ont., today the contracts have been signed and the date set.

Wallenda’s stunt will merge two pop culture traditions — his own family’s death-defying feats on the high wire and the daredevil acts at Niagara Falls that date back more than 100 years. 

Meanwhile, debate continues regarding the return to Canada of convicted criminals kept in jail by U.S. officials.

The Globe and Mail recently reported that Lord Black cannot be admitted to this country “without the special permission of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.” 

So, since Lord Black is a controversial figure who very publicly, and some of us would say quite insultingly, renounced his Canadian citizenship long before his legal troubles began, and whose contributions to this country’s public life are furthermore subject to widely divergent perceptions, Minister Jason Kenney really can’t wriggle off the hook by blaming his decision on faceless officials in his employ.

No, for good or ill, whether or not he decides to allow Lord Black to return to Canada, and whether or not all Canadians approve of his decision, the Chief Gatekeeper and Censor of Canada who banned George Galloway from our shores and who has actively road-blocked the return of the child soldier Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen who has done nothing to warrant criminal charges in this country, is going to have to wear this decision himself. (Source: Rabble.ca)