dragon

Saturday May 19, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 19, 2018

Why Prince Harry is giving the British press the cold shoulder

In many ways, Prince Harry’s raucous relationship with the media has been leading up to this.

August 23, 2012

His upcoming wedding to Meghan Markle signals the culmination of a lifelong tug of war over access to him and his family. And by allowing nearly no journalists into St. George’s Chapel on May 19, Harry may be indicating he finally has the upper hand.

“The Prince Harry that I know doesn’t like the press,” said Duncan Larcombe, a former tabloid reporter who wrote the book Prince Harry: The Inside Story.

While 28 reporters and 17 still photographers were allowed into Prince William and Kate’s wedding in 2011, only one reporter and two photographers will be welcome this time — a reflection, perhaps, of Harry’s antagonism.

“William allowed the press in,” Larcombe said. “Harry is basically shutting the door.”

Larcombe concedes the chapel in Windsor can only hold a fraction of the 1,900 guests invited to Westminster Abbey for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nuptials.

But, he said, “hiding behind the excuse that this is a private wedding is pretty nonsensical.”

Longtime royal photographer Arthur Edwards describes Harry as genuine and warm in private. But he acknowledges the prince’s relationship with the press has “been a little bit difficult recently.” (Source: CBC News) 

 

Thursday April 27, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 27, 2017

Kevin O’Leary drops out of Conservative leadership race, will endorse Maxime Bernier

Former Dragons’ Den TV star believes he cannot defeat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in next election

January 19, 2017

Kevin O’Leary is dropping out of the Conservative leadership race and will endorse Maxime Bernier.

The businessman and reality TV star is ending his campaign only hours before the last leadership debate in Toronto, and two days before party members can start casting their ballots.

O’Leary is confident he could win the Conservative race, but now believes he cannot defeat Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the next election, multiple sources tell CBC News.

He has cited his failure to gain traction in Quebec and his poor French-language skills as reasons for dropping out of the leadership race.

“I have extremely high likelihood of winning the leadership race, but no way to win the election because of Quebec,” he said in an interview with the Globe and Mail on Wednesday. “You have to win 30 seats. So, who can do that? It’s Bernier.”

January 15, 2016

“He’s a front-runner,” O’Leary said. “I like Max. I can work with him.”

n a statement sent to reporters, O’Leary said he has “worked like hell on this campaign.”

“This was not an easy decision for me to make but after much thought and deliberation, it is the right one for the Conservative Party and the country,” he said. “I want the DNA of my policies and objectives to survive into the general election. The candidate that best mirrors my policies is Maxime Bernier.”

Bernier will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. ET in Toronto to discuss the developments. CBCNews.ca will carry it live.

April 14, 2017

O’Leary has spent the better part of his relatively short campaign — he entered the race in January — taking jabs at Trudeau, branding the prime minister “surfer dude” and calling his leadership a “disaster” for the country. He has also said Trudeau negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump is like “Bambi versus Godzilla.”

O’Leary has not left his Conservative opponents unscathed, and, despite his endorsement of Bernier, the two candidates have sparred over allegations of membership fraud and vote buying. The Quebec MP called O’Leary a “loser” after he went public with concerns about vote rigging. (CBC News) 

 

Wednesday November 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday November 2, 2016 Fiscal update boosts Liberal infrastructure plans but offers no path back to balance Justin Trudeau's Liberal government is responding to the sluggish global economy with a fall economic update that puts a even greater focus on infrastructure spending than in its spring budget, while making it easier for private sector investors to add their money to the government's already considerable funding pot. While the projected deficit for 2016-17 has moved down to $25.1 billion from the $29.4 billion forecast in the spring budget, the new figure no longer has any kind of a safety cushion built in. Absent that cushion, the deficit has actually grown thanks to some $1.7 billion in new spending since last spring. The deficit situation improves toward the end of the government's five-year horizon, to $16.8 billion in 2020-21. The projected debt-to-GDP ratio Ñ the key measure of the affordability of a government's debt Ñ by then returns to the 31 per cent mark, where it was in 2015-16 as the Liberal government took office. Morneau told reporters his government made the right decision in preparing itself for what is happening to the economy. But Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said the Liberals' massive spending has created no new jobs and has led to a stalled economy. "They think this failed plan is somehow working, and they're doubling down on it," she said. Repeating the party's line that the Conservatives are the voice of taxpayers, Ambrose accused the government of "making lives more expensive for Canadians.Ó "Canadians are worse off today than they were a year ago," Ambrose said. "But instead of action, we hear excuses.Ó (Source: CBC)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/fall-economic-update-bill-morneau-1.3831080 Canada, Bill Morneau, budget, economy, deficit, statement, update, economic, dragon, spending

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 2, 2016

Fiscal update boosts Liberal infrastructure plans but offers no path back to balance

Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government is responding to the sluggish global economy with a fall economic update that puts a even greater focus on infrastructure spending than in its spring budget, while making it easier for private sector investors to add their money to the government’s already considerable funding pot.

While the projected deficit for 2016-17 has moved down to $25.1 billion from the $29.4 billion forecast in the spring budget, the new figure no longer has any kind of a safety cushion built in. Absent that cushion, the deficit has actually grown thanks to some $1.7 billion in new spending since last spring.

The deficit situation improves toward the end of the government’s five-year horizon, to $16.8 billion in 2020-21. The projected debt-to-GDP ratio — the key measure of the affordability of a government’s debt — by then returns to the 31 per cent mark, where it was in 2015-16 as the Liberal government took office.

Morneau told reporters his government made the right decision in preparing itself for what is happening to the economy.

But Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said the Liberals’ massive spending has created no new jobs and has led to a stalled economy.

“They think this failed plan is somehow working, and they’re doubling down on it,” she said.

Repeating the party’s line that the Conservatives are the voice of taxpayers, Ambrose accused the government of “making lives more expensive for Canadians.”

“Canadians are worse off today than they were a year ago,” Ambrose said. “But instead of action, we hear excuses.” (Source: CBC)

 

Saturday September 19, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday September 19, 2015 Green Party Leader Elizabeth May dominates debate on Twitter Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was not in attendance at the Globe and Mail's leader debate in Calgary on Thursday, but on Twitter she may have come out on top. May used Twitter to answer the same questions faced by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper at the Globe and Mails leader debate. The social media company filmed May's responses, retorts and fact-checks in a Victoria church and posted them to Twitter. In total, May's video posts received 14,000 retweets and favourites, and she gained 3,900 new followers. May's account also received the most mentions on Twitter at the beginning of the debate, topping Trudeau by more than 2,000. In an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate. "(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet," May said in an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday. She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter. In an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate. "(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet," May said in an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday. She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter. Before the debate, May didn't shy away from taking jabs at the Globe and Mail event, which she called a "bogus, corporate, private debate." Despite May's exclusion, Sean Humphrey, the Globe and Mail's vice-president of marketing, has defended the debate's format. May has also been left off the podium at the Munk Debates on foreign policy in Toronto and a French-language debate on TVA. The Green Party Leader criticized Harper and Mulcair for their plans to skip the traditional

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 19, 2015

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May dominates debate on Twitter

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was not in attendance at the Globe and Mail’s leader debate in Calgary on Thursday, but on Twitter she may have come out on top.

May used Twitter to answer the same questions faced by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper at the Globe and Mails leader debate.

illustration by Graeme MacKay (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). Extracted from an editorial cartoon printed in the Hamilton Spectator: https://mackaycartoons.net/2015/09/18/saturday-september-19-2015/ For Sale at Redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/mackaycartoons/works/16375103-ottawa-reptile-club?p=photographic-print illustration

The social media company filmed May’s responses, retorts and fact-checks in a Victoria church and posted them to Twitter.

In total, May’s video posts received 14,000 retweets and favourites, and she gained 3,900 new followers.

May’s account also received the most mentions on Twitter at the beginning of the debate, topping Trudeau by more than 2,000.

In an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate.

“(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet,” May said in an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday.

She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter.

In an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate.

“(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet,” May said in an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday.

She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter.

Before the debate, May didn’t shy away from taking jabs at the Globe and Mail event, which she called a “bogus, corporate, private debate.”

Despite May’s exclusion, Sean Humphrey, the Globe and Mail’s vice-president of marketing, has defended the debate’s format.

May has also been left off the podium at the Munk Debates on foreign policy in Toronto and a French-language debate on TVA.

The Green Party Leader criticized Harper and Mulcair for their plans to skip the traditional televised leader’s debate, which is scheduled for Oct. 7. (Source: CTV News)

SATIRE FACT CHECK

MacKinnon-19Sept2015

By Bruce MacKinnon

Aislin-18Sept2015

By Terry Mosher

Same take by two of Canada’s great editorial cartoonists. Excluding political leaders based on their gender fits well with the stuffy old image of “Canada’s National Newspaper” from a bygone era. Was former NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin excluded in debates in the 1980s, or Alexa McDonough in the 90’s, or Kim Campbell, or more recently Pauline Marois, Kathleen Wynne, or Rachel Notley, just to name a few? No. With respects to my cartoonist colleagues, playing the gender card in this case is a bit disingenuous – Women have been leading political parties throughout Canada for the last 40 years. It’s not about Ms. May’s gender that excluded her from the debate, it’s her fringe party’s low ranking in the polls. It’s also why for every 500 or so main three party cartoons we satirists serve up only a few that actually include the Green Party.  When a veteran politician of nearly 10 years finds defence in editorial cartoons then maybe, just maybe, the gig for that politician is up.

 

Wednesday August 26, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday August 26, 2015 Fiscal plans take centre stage after markets turmoil As global stock markets plunged on Monday, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper urged voters to stick with his party's fiscal plan, while NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said a change in government would boost the economy. The S&P/TSX composite ended the day down 421 points while the Dow Jones industrial average lost 588 points. The loonie closed at its lowest level since August 2004, hitting 75.4 cents U.S. Speaking in Quebec, Harper acknowledged that Canada is facing "economic challenges," but pointed to the Conservative record of investing in innovation, infrastructure, immigration, training, and trade to create economic growth. "We're making investments in the things that will get us through this, and position us well for the long term," he said. He also highlighted Canada's "disciplined" financial framework, including a strong banking system, a balanced budget, and low taxes. By contrast, Harper said, the NDP and Liberal Party are proposing large-scale permanent spending increases, which they would finance through deficits and tax increases. "We think that is clearly the wrong track. It would be clearly damaging both in the short term and the longer term in this country," he said. "Given the challenges around us, we need to stick with a long-term plan that has been working and will work." HarperÕs office released a short statement Monday stating that he had spoken on the phone in the morning with Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz. "Prime Minister Harper and Governor Poloz discussed the recent decline in global stock markets and commodity prices, slowing growth in China and emerging markets and the potential impacts on Canada's economy,Ó the statement read. (Source: CTV News) Canada, China, oil, dependence, reliance, diversification, economy, dragon, markets, stocks, Alberta, advice,

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 26, 2015

Fiscal plans take centre stage after markets turmoil

As global stock markets plunged on Monday, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper urged voters to stick with his party’s fiscal plan, while NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said a change in government would boost the economy.

2011-2015

2011-2015

The S&P/TSX composite ended the day down 421 points while the Dow Jones industrial average lost 588 points. The loonie closed at its lowest level since August 2004, hitting 75.4 cents U.S.

Speaking in Quebec, Harper acknowledged that Canada is facing “economic challenges,” but pointed to the Conservative record of investing in innovation, infrastructure, immigration, training, and trade to create economic growth.

“We’re making investments in the things that will get us through this, and position us well for the long term,” he said.

He also highlighted Canada’s “disciplined” financial framework, including a strong banking system, a balanced budget, and low taxes.

By contrast, Harper said, the NDP and Liberal Party are proposing large-scale permanent spending increases, which they would finance through deficits and tax increases.

“We think that is clearly the wrong track. It would be clearly damaging both in the short term and the longer term in this country,” he said. “Given the challenges around us, we need to stick with a long-term plan that has been working and will work.”

Harper’s office released a short statement Monday stating that he had spoken on the phone in the morning with Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz.

“Prime Minister Harper and Governor Poloz discussed the recent decline in global stock markets and commodity prices, slowing growth in China and emerging markets and the potential impacts on Canada’s economy,” the statement read. (Source: CTV News)