crony – mackaycartoons

Wednesday December 4, 2024

December 4, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

December 4, 2024

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday December 4, 2024

The Ford Government’s Corruption Normalized

January 12, 2019

The Ontario Auditor General’s latest report on the Ford government’s handling of the Ontario Place redevelopment reads like a case study in how political power can corrode accountability. Over the past few years, this administration has been implicated in scandal after scandal, from the Greenbelt land swap to the runaway costs of Ontario Place. Yet, what stands out most is not the depth of the corruption itself, but the alarming normalization of it.

The numbers are staggering. Costs for Ontario Place have soared from initial estimates of $400 million to a jaw-dropping $2.237 billion. The bidding process for redevelopment was riddled with irregularities: undisclosed evaluation criteria, preferential treatment for some bidders, and the absence of basic accountability measures like record-keeping. Meanwhile, Minister’s Zoning Orders, once rare tools for exceptional circumstances, have been wielded liberally, bypassing local oversight and further enriching well-connected developers.

News: Ontario Place redevelopment now estimated at $2.2-billion as Auditor-General notes ‘irregular’ bid process

April 18, 2023

None of this is new. The Greenbelt scandal, currently under RCMP investigation, exposed similar patterns of favouritism and mismanagement. But these repeated offences seem to provoke less outrage each time. It’s as though Ontarians have resigned themselves to the belief that this is simply how power operates—that corruption is inevitable. This complacency poses a grave threat to democracy. When impropriety becomes expected, accountability dies.

The costs of this indifference are not just financial but moral. Take the closure of supervised drug consumption sites, another decision excoriated in the Auditor General’s report. Made without consultation or planning, the closures ignore the proven benefits of these facilities in saving lives and alleviating pressure on overcrowded emergency rooms. This is governance devoid of empathy and foresight, where taxpayer dollars are wasted on vanity projects while essential public health measures are neglected.

Opinion: How the auditor’s report perfectly sums up The Doug Ford Way of running the province

November 22, 2023

This is not simply a failure of one government; it’s a failure of political culture. Corruption thrives on apathy, and when citizens accept mismanagement as inevitable, they enable it. Ontarians must demand better—not just through the ballot box but through sustained pressure on their leaders to act transparently and in the public interest.

The Ford government’s repeated scandals are a warning sign, not just of their failures but of what happens when accountability becomes a hollow concept. The people of Ontario deserve more than cynicism masquerading as governance. The question is whether they still believe it’s possible.

Since November 5, when Donald Trump was elected as the 47th President of the United States, my editorial cartoons have been consumed by the transformational storm he’s unleashed. Every sketch, every punchline, and every biting observation has focused on the cascading implications of his return—not just for the U.S., but for Canada and, more specifically, Ontario. The Trump effect is not theoretical; it’s a tidal wave we’re bracing for, one that will undoubtedly redefine trade, climate policy, immigration, and the political tenor of our time.

I’ve acknowledged my TDSaffliction in previous post on this platform. And yet, today, I took a detour. Yay!

The Ontario Auditor General’s scathing report on Doug Ford’s mishandling of Ontario Place and his government’s broader pattern of cronyism demanded attention. For one brief moment, Ford managed to wrestle my pen away from Trump and centre it squarely on his mismanagement of Ontario’s public resources—a regional debacle with implications too urgent to ignore.

In my latest cartoon, the discarded Ontario Place sign lies in a dumpster, a visual metaphor for the abandonment of public trust. The iconic Cinesphere looms behind it, a silent witness to the installation of a garish new sign reading Crony Island. The Auditor General sits in a crane bucket, directing the transformation, while Doug Ford watches, nonchalantly musing, “Well, it’s got a nice ring to it.”

Do these reports even register with the average Ontario voter?

This cartoon emerged from a rare moment of clarity: regional corruption like Ford’s is not immune from Trump’s shadow. In fact, it thrives in environments where public trust is already eroded, where accountability feels distant, and where citizens are desensitized to scandals. The Ford government’s antics are not a distraction from Trump—they’re part of the same troubling pattern.

Tomorrow, or perhaps even later today, I’ll likely find my focus returning to the implications of Trump’s victory and how they’ll ripple through our province. But for now, Ontario Place and Ford’s audacious disregard for public accountability deserve their own moment. After all, if we don’t hold our local leaders accountable, how can we expect to withstand the seismic shocks to come from our neighbours to the south?

Stay tuned. Trump will inevitably be back on my drawing board. But today, Doug Ford and his Crony Island had to take centre stage.

Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. Posts come out every Friday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. They come out of “notes” posted daily to Substack which are used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cartoons. Subscriptions will always be free – as long as my position remains as a staff editorial cartoonist. Thanks.

Please enjoy this making-of clip. Remember to turn up the volume!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Wednesday July 31, 2024

July 31, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 31, 2024

Doug Ford Must Respect Judicial Independence While Addressing Crime Concerns

February 28, 2024

Premier Doug Ford’s recent rhetoric on holding judges and justices of the peace (JPs) “accountable” for their bail decisions has struck a chord with many Ontarians worried about rising crime and declining public safety. However, while the Premier’s tough-on-crime stance resonates with a populace eager for solutions, his approach risks undermining the foundational principles of judicial independence and the rule of law.

Ford’s comments at a recent Mississauga press conference, where he announced the $134-million purchase of new police helicopters, included a vow to collect statistics on bail decisions and ensure judicial officials are held accountable. The Premier’s narrative is clear: lenient bail practices contribute to repeat offences, posing a threat to public safety. “We have some of the greatest justices of the peace and judges in the country,” Ford stated, “but there’s some that continuously give people bail — not once, twice, three times, four times, five times.”

This rhetoric taps into widespread frustration among voters who see the justice system as overly lenient, particularly towards repeat offenders. Supportive comments reflect this sentiment: “Finally, someone is listening! These repeat offenders should NOT be granted bail!” and “We must protect society from Repeat Offenders.”

News: Doug Ford vows to hold JPs and judges ‘accountable’ for decisions

June 16, 2021

However, Ford’s approach to addressing these concerns — by threatening judicial accountability measures and stacking the courts with politically aligned appointees — poses significant risks. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and prominent legal professionals have rightly raised alarms about the potential erosion of judicial independence. Shakir Rahim of the CCLA called Ford’s comments “an unacceptable and dangerous attack on judicial independence, the constitution, and the rule of law.”

Judicial independence is a cornerstone of our democracy, ensuring that every person who goes to court has their case heard by an impartial decision-maker, free from political pressure. As Douglas Judson from the Federation of Ontario Law Associations (FOLA) pointed out, the idea that judges could be sanctioned based on political preferences is “clearly disturbing.” Michael Spratt, a prominent criminal lawyer, further noted that incorrect bail decisions can already be appealed by prosecutors, highlighting that existing accountability mechanisms are in place without compromising judicial impartiality.

The worrying parallels between Ford’s approach and the tactics of authoritarian leaders like Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela cannot be ignored. Maduro has notoriously undermined judicial independence by packing the courts with loyalists and using the judiciary to suppress dissent and uphold his regime’s policies. Under Maduro, the Venezuelan judiciary has become an extension of the executive, routinely issuing arrest warrants for political opponents, and failing to protect human rights. This manipulation of the judiciary has enabled widespread human rights abuses and eroded the rule of law in Venezuela. Ford must avoid this authoritarian playbook and respect the independence of Ontario’s judiciary.

December 1, 2022

Instead of encroaching on the judicial branch, Premier Ford should focus on legislative solutions that address public safety concerns without compromising judicial independence. Enhanced data collection on bail decisions and crime statistics is a positive step, as it allows for informed policymaking. However, this data must be used to improve the justice system through legislative reforms, not to intimidate judges or justify political interventions.

Ford’s government could, for example, propose legislative changes that set clearer guidelines for bail decisions, ensuring they balance public safety with the rights of the accused. Investments in crime prevention programs, mental health services, and community support initiatives would also address the root causes of crime, offering a more sustainable solution than simply toughening bail conditions.

Premier Ford’s impulse to take direct action on crime is understandable and resonates with many voters. However, in his eagerness to respond to public concerns, he must not undermine the democratic principles that safeguard our justice system. Respecting judicial independence while pursuing legislative avenues for reform is the only way to ensure that Ontario remains both safe and just.

In the words of Michael Spratt, when these institutions are broken, they are “very, very hard to fix and repair.” Ford must tread carefully, lest his efforts to protect public safety inadvertently damage the very foundations of our democratic society.

Saturday May 24, 2024

May 25, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 24, 2024

Ford’s War on Drugs: Personal Past vs. Political Present

Young Doug Ford: The Series

Six years after Doug Ford first pledged to help those struggling with addictions, his opposition to drug decriminalization remains steadfast, echoing a rhetoric of law and order. Yet, as the Premier of Ontario, his stance on drug policy is riddled with irony and contradiction. The recent rejection of Toronto’s bid to decriminalize drugs by the federal government, coupled with Ford’s history of involvement in illicit activities and his brother Rob’s well-documented struggles with substance abuse, raises questions about the authenticity of his opposition and the underlying motivations behind it.

In the eyes of many, Ford’s vocal opposition to drug decriminalization stands in stark contrast to his own experiences and those of his family. The Toronto Star’s editorial rightly points out the irony of Ford’s stance, highlighting his brother Rob’s public battles with addiction, including his infamous admission of using crack cocaine while serving as Toronto’s mayor. It begs the question: how can Ford, with a personal history intertwined with drugs, justify his opposition to policies aimed at mitigating the harms of addiction?

Editorial: We’ll all lose if Doug Ford wages a war on drugs

February 18, 2021

Ford’s opposition to drug decriminalization can be seen as a calculated move to appeal to his conservative base. As the editorial notes, his bellicose rhetoric against decriminalization resonates with constituents who prioritize public safety and order. By positioning himself as tough on crime, Ford solidifies his support among conservatives, even if it means perpetuating policies that contradict his own experiences and the evidence supporting harm reduction strategies.

Despite his vocal opposition to decriminalization, Ford has expressed support for addiction treatment and selective harm reduction measures, such as supervised consumption sites. This selective endorsement, as highlighted by the Toronto Star, indicates a nuanced understanding of the issue. However, it also raises questions about the sincerity of Ford’s opposition to broader decriminalization efforts and whether his support for certain harm reduction measures is merely lip service to appease critics.

January 23, 2014

In light of Ford’s history and his family’s struggles with addiction, there is a pressing need for accountability. As the Toronto Star editorial rightly argues, politicians like Ford, who espouse tough drug policies while having personal connections to drug-related activities, must be held accountable for their actions and beliefs. Transparency and consistency in political leadership are essential, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like drug policy that directly impact public health and safety.

March 14, 2024

In the complex landscape of drug policy, Doug Ford’s stance on decriminalization raises significant questions about authenticity, consistency, and accountability. His opposition, while playing to his conservative base, stands in stark contrast to his personal history and the evidence supporting harm reduction strategies. As Ontario’s Premier, Ford must reconcile his political posturing with the realities of addiction and the need for compassionate, evidence-based solutions. Failure to do so undermines not only his credibility but also the well-being of those struggling with addiction across the province. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, a CapCut app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

Thursday March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 14, 2024

From Teenage Antics to Judicial Appointments: Doug Ford’s Peculiar Journey

Young Doug Ford: The Series

Premier Doug Ford’s recent admission of his intent to appoint “like-minded” judges has ignited concerns about the independence and impartiality of Ontario’s judiciary. This revelation, coupled with a satirical look back at Young Doug Ford’s teenage years, paints a surreal picture of the premier’s approach to judicial appointments.

Young Doug Ford and his buddies, Duart and Kyle, are assessing the quality of weed they sell to other youths. Surprisingly, Ford rejects the substance and defers judgment to his two friends, declaring, “You be the judge.” Fast forward several decades, and there before our eyes his penchant for cronyism, Ford has appointed Duart and Kyle to positions as judges.

This journey shines a light on the absurdity of Ford’s recent decisions to appoint individuals with close political ties to key positions within the judicial system. The Globe and Mail’s analysis revealing that over two-thirds of judges appointed since 2018 are former prosecutors adds to the surreal nature of this situation.

News: Ontario lawyers’ group calls for meeting over Ford government’s judicial appointments

February 28, 2024

A Toronto Star editorial rightfully criticizes Ford’s decision to appoint former senior staffers to the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee, emphasizing the risk of jeopardizing the non-partisan model for judicial appointments. The editorial underscores that merit, not political alliances or teenage friendships, should be the foundation for such crucial appointments.

Ford’s justification for these appointments, echoing his teenage proclamation to “appoint like-minded individuals,” reflects a concerning trend of politicizing a vital aspect of our justice system. The Federation of Ontario Law Associations has aptly condemned these moves, characterizing Ford’s understanding of the role of an independent judiciary as “juvenile.”

Drawing parallels between Ford’s approach and the U.S. Supreme Court under the Trump administration, it becomes evident that his efforts to stack the courts with ideologically aligned judges pose a clear threat to the independence of Ontario’s judiciary. Ford appointing his teenage buddies as judges serves as a symbolic representation of the potential risks associated with his questionable approach to judicial appointments.

March 8, 2019

The peculiar journey from Young Doug Ford’s questionable teenage antics to Premier Ford’s controversial approach to judicial appointments offers a reflection on the potential consequences of mixing personal biases with matters of justice. The fictionalized rejection of suspect substances in his youth, followed by the ironic appointment of his buddies as judges, serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting dubious behaviours influence crucial decisions.

As we scrutinize the composition of our courts and consider the values upheld by our leaders, it becomes evident that Young Doug Ford’s past and Premier Ford’s present actions intertwine in a peculiar narrative. The call for voters to prioritize the principles of merit-based selection and the safeguarding of judicial independence remains crucial. Let us ensure that the echoes of Young Doug Ford do not reverberate in the halls of justice, preserving the integrity and fairness of our legal system for generations to come. (AI)

Saturday August 5, 2023

August 5, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday August 5, 2023

Doug Ford’s Greenbelt Gamble: Sacrificing Conservation for Developer Gains

May 30, 2023

Premier Doug Ford’s decision to open up the Greenbelt for housing development has been a contentious move from the start. Now, as the auditor general’s report into the controversial land swap looms, questions arise about the true motivations behind Ford’s actions. It is becoming increasingly evident that monetary gains for his developer friends may have taken precedence over environmental conservation.

The Greenbelt, a vast expanse of sensitive lands covering two million acres, has long been considered a vital ecological treasure for Ontario. It serves as a critical buffer against urban sprawl and protects valuable ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and water sources. However, instead of cherishing and safeguarding this natural heritage, Ford’s government opted to open up 7,400 acres of the Greenbelt for housing development, a move that would undoubtedly benefit wealthy developers with connections to the Tories.

The auditor general’s “value-for-money” audit into this decision has the government on edge, as they await the findings with bated breath. NDP Leader Marit Stiles rightly points out that the walls are closing in on the Conservative government, with both the auditor general and Integrity Commissioner investigating the Greenbelt deals.

News: Auditor general dug into Doug Ford’s controversial Greenbelt plan. We’re about to see what she has to report

May 9, 2023

The recent departure of Luca Bucci, a former top Conservative official who played a crucial role in crafting the Tories’ ambitious housing plan, raises eyebrows. It is worth noting that Bucci was Steve Clark’s chief of staff before joining the influential Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA). The timing of his departure is suspicious, given the ongoing investigations, and Stiles has raised questions about the possible conflict of interest.

Developers who benefited from Ford’s Greenbelt changes, Michael Rice and Silvio De Gasperis, have gone to court to resist the auditor general’s summons for an interview. They argue that they are private citizens and that Lysyk is overreaching her authority. However, their attempts to block or delay the investigation only add to the perception that the premier’s decision was meant to serve the interests of a select few.

November 9, 2022

Ford, attempting to fend off criticism, insists that he “expanded the Greenbelt by 2,000 acres” and that his Liberal predecessor made similar boundary changes. But the scale of the changes under Ford’s tenure dwarfs the previous adjustments, making his comparison seem like a distraction from the real issue at hand.

It is crucial to recognize that preserving the Greenbelt is not just a matter of environmental stewardship; it is a question of ethical governance. The government’s responsibility is to serve the best interests of all Ontarians, not just a privileged few. Sacrificing vital ecological zones for short-term financial gains for developers betrays this trust.

As the results of the auditor general’s report draw near, the people of Ontario must pay close attention to the findings. If it becomes clear that the premier’s decisions were driven by financial interests rather than the well-being of the province and its natural heritage, serious questions about accountability and transparency will arise.

Conserving the Greenbelt is not just an environmental concern; it is a matter of moral duty. The long-term consequences of sacrificing these ecologically significant lands for short-sighted development will far outweigh any immediate financial gains. Premier Ford must be held accountable for his actions and prioritize the welfare of the province and its people over the interests of his developer friends. It’s time for the government to embrace true conservation and protect the Greenbelt for generations to come. (AI)