corporations

Wednesday September 23, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday September 23, 2015 This is the refugee debate we ought to be having Dieter Zetsche surprised attendees of the Frankfurt auto show recently when he interrupted a presentation to opine on the 800,000 Syrian refugees that are expected to flood into Germany this year. The mustachioed chairman of Daimler AG, which makes Mercedes luxury cars, suggested the influx of asylum seekers could Òhelp foster another economic miracleÓ by offsetting the challenges posed by the countryÕs rapidly aging population. Zetsche went on to say the carmaker would help pay for housing for migrants in Stuttgart, while rival Volkswagen, not to be outdone, said it would find them trainee jobs. In Canada, by contrast, politicians have failed to draw a similar link between accepting large numbers of Syrian refugees and the potential for future economic growth, despite being in the midst of a federal election where economic matters are said to be top of mind among voters. Instead, the debate is focused narrowly on the need to balance humanitarian assistance with national security concernsÑnot that the number being talked about would have much of an economic impact anyway. The Harper governmentÕs promise to take another look at its policy, following significant public outcry, only resulted in a commitment to speed up by 15 months the resettlement of 10,000 Syrians, not accept more of them. Meanwhile, Tom MulcairÕs NDP has proposed bringing 10,000 refugees into the country by the end of this year, while Justin TrudeauÕs Liberals have promised to bring in 25,000 by January. It all raises an obvious question: Are we not only missing out on the chance to help those in desperate need, but a historic economic opportunity, too? (Continued: MacLeans) http://www.macleans.ca/economy/economicanalysis/this-is-the-refugee-debate-we-ought-to-be-having/ Germany, migrants, refugees, Syria, Europe, Volkswagen, automobile, emissions, stan

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 23, 2015

This is the refugee debate we ought to be having

Dieter Zetsche surprised attendees of the Frankfurt auto show recently when he interrupted a presentation to opine on the 800,000 Syrian refugees that are expected to flood into Germany this year. The mustachioed chairman of Daimler AG, which makes Mercedes luxury cars, suggested the influx of asylum seekers could “help foster another economic miracle” by offsetting the challenges posed by the country’s rapidly aging population. Zetsche went on to say the carmaker would help pay for housing for migrants in Stuttgart, while rival Volkswagen, not to be outdone, said it would find them trainee jobs.

In Canada, by contrast, politicians have failed to draw a similar link between accepting large numbers of Syrian refugees and the potential for future economic growth, despite being in the midst of a federal election where economic matters are said to be top of mind among voters.

Instead, the debate is focused narrowly on the need to balance humanitarian assistance with national security concerns—not that the number being talked about would have much of an economic impact anyway. The Harper government’s promise to take another look at its policy, following significant public outcry, only resulted in a commitment to speed up by 15 months the resettlement of 10,000 Syrians, not accept more of them. Meanwhile, Tom Mulcair’s NDP has proposed bringing 10,000 refugees into the country by the end of this year, while Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have promised to bring in 25,000 by January.

It all raises an obvious question: Are we not only missing out on the chance to help those in desperate need, but a historic economic opportunity, too? (Continued: MacLeans)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Wednesday, March 27, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday, March 27, 2013

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is rebranding herself as a tax fighter

Remember the war on cars? Or the gravy train Rob Ford rode to power at city hall?
Now car wars and the gravy train are sweeping Queen’s Park — courtesy of the mayor’s passionate new ally, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

Taking a page from Ford’s playbook, Horwath is rebranding herself as a tax fighter and road warrior rising to the defence of drivers.

Perhaps you can’t imagine Horwath, who heads Ontario’s supposedly progressive New Democrats, standing shoulder to shoulder with coach Ford — who focuses more on football’s gridiron than fixing gridlock.

But you would be wrong. Horwath and Ford are shrewd political soulmates who understand the pursuit of populism — the cynical politics that appeals to people’s pocketbooks and generates popularity.

In fact, Ford could take lessons from the trailblazing Horwath, who is rebranding the NDP as the party of the extreme status quo: Stuck on gridlock.

With the GTA choking on cars and transit standing still, politicians are trying to get ahead. Ford wants to set drivers free, for free — no money down. Horwath, too, wants drivers to get a free ride, but wants to expand our transit network by making rich corporations pay. (Source: Toronto Star)

Thursday May 16, 2002

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 16, 2002

Bush Plans to Tighten Sanctions on Cuba, Not Ease Them

While Jimmy Carter called for easing sanctions against Cuba, President Bush said today that he would hew to a tough line when he speaks Monday on his policy toward Cuba.

Officials said that Mr. Bush would speak at a fund-raiser in Miami and possibly to the Organization of American States in Washington, and that he would announce measures to strengthen the economic pressure and political isolation of President Fidel Castro’s government.

The measures include stepping up enforcement of travel restrictions, promoting aid to dissidents and strengthening American government broadcasts of news and opinion, according to an official who follows the policy.

The United States also plans to ask European and Latin American nations, particularly Mexico and Spain, to help build support for Cuban critics of the government.

Administration officials denied that Mr. Bush’s announcements had been timed to embarrass the former president, Mr. Carter, who would just be ending his five-day trip to Cuba. But officials did acknowledge concern that Mr. Carter’s trip might provide momentum for calls to ease American policy toward the Castro government.

In Miami, Mr. Bush is to address a fund-raiser for the re-election campaign of his brother, Gov. Jeb Bush. South Florida is a bastion of Cuban exiles who oppose any softening toward Havana, and President Bush’s remarks are likely to be warmly received.

The president is a strong supporter of the four-decade-old American trade embargo against Cuba. His stance has won him the devotion of a large swath of the Cuban-American community, without which he probably would not have won the state of Florida, and the presidency, in 2000.

President Bush, in remarks to the news media today during a visit of the prime minister of Malaysia, said his message on Cuba was not affected by Mr. Carter’s visit.

He foreshadowed the tough line he is expected to take on Monday, Cuba’s independence day, saying, ”My message to the Cuban people is: Demand freedom, and you’ve got a president who stands with you.”

While the president is preparing to increase the pressure against Cuba, his administration is caught in a debate over public allegations that Mr. Castro’s government is developing biological weapons. (Continued: The New York Times)