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Duncan Macpherson

Tuesday January 23, 2024

January 23, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Trudeau's extended tenure reveals a dismissive leader out of touch with Canadians' real concerns and resistant to addressing pressing issues. This is a parody of a well known editorial cartoon drawn of Former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker by Duncan Macpherson.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 23, 2024

Trudeau’s Let-Them-Eat-Cake Moment

Justin Trudeau's recent luxurious vacation in Jamaica, gifted by a family friend, raises ethical concerns and highlights the Prime Minister's disconnect with the economic struggles of ordinary Canadians during a cost-of-living crisis.

January 9, 2023

Oh, how heartwarming to see Justin Trudeau, the self-proclaimed master of understanding the masses, grace us with his presence in an interview with Susan Delacourt. In a stunning display of Trudeau’s exceptional grasp of reality, he assured us that he comprehends the deep-seated grumpiness of Canadians – as if he’s the empathetic therapist of the nation.

Susan Delacourt: Mad at Justin Trudeau? Tuning him out? The prime minister says he hears you — and he gets it

In this riveting exchange, Trudeau skillfully evaded any discussion about the plummeting poll numbers and the rising star of Pierre Poilievre. Why bother addressing the elephant in the room when you can just pat yourself on the back for running a country “in a really, really complex time”? Bravo, Mr. Trudeau, for your unparalleled ability to state the obvious.

Septemebr 30, 2023

Septemebr 30, 2023

Trudeau’s response to tough times? “Define ‘tough times’ because that sounds like Monday to me.” Ah, yes, just another Monday in the glamorous life of our dear prime minister, juggling scandals, protests, and a general sense of public resentment. How relatable.

Delacourt seems content to let Trudeau ramble on about the intricacies of immigration and the challenges of governance without bothering to challenge him on the real issue – his staying power. It’s almost like watching a magician perform, distracting the audience with sleight of hand while the real trick is happening behind the scenes.

Trudeau’s musings on the challenges faced by a “centre-left party” are truly enlightening. Apparently, being in the middle is tough because you can’t fire up the fringes. Newsflash, Trudeau: maybe it’s not about being in the middle; perhaps it’s about the lack of innovative leadership and fresh ideas.

January 20, 2023

Oh, but let’s not forget Trudeau’s profound analysis of opinion-as-identity politics. Yes, because the real problem is that people have opinions, and these opinions form their identities. It’s almost as if that’s how democracy works. But fear not, for Trudeau, the defender of institutions, expertise, and authority, will guide us through these tumultuous times with his unparalleled wisdom.

And, of course, Trudeau casually dismisses his unpopularity with a wave of the hand, attributing it to the collective grumpiness of the nation. How magnanimous of him to take responsibility for everything, even if it’s just to say, “It’s gotta be the prime minister’s fault.” Bravo, Trudeau, for your unwavering commitment to self-awareness.

In the grand tradition of Marie Antoinette, Trudeau seems blissfully unaware of the growing resentment and disillusionment among Canadians. But hey, who needs a leader with a fresh perspective when you can have a prime minister who’s mastered the art of brushing aside criticism and deflecting blame? The Trudeau magic show continues, and we’re all invited to marvel at the spectacle of a leader who’s impervious to the woes of his own making.

Duncan Macpherson, a Toronto Star editorial cartoonist, gained notoriety for his sharp and pointed cartoons in the post-Second World War era, particularly taking aim at Canadian political figures. One of his most celebrated cartoons featured former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker during the 1959 Avro Arrow crisis. In this cartoon, Macpherson depicted Diefenbaker as a toothy and bejeweled Marie Antoinette, famously exclaiming, “Let ’em eat cake.”

The cartoon satirized Diefenbaker’s decision to cancel the Avro Arrow project, resulting in the loss of 14,000 jobs. Macpherson’s illustration was a commentary on the perceived callousness of the prime minister towards the economic consequences of his actions. The cartoon is often credited with marking the beginning of the country’s disillusionment with the Diefenbaker government, as it highlighted the impact of political decisions on the livelihoods of ordinary Canadians.

Pierre Berton, a historian, noted that Macpherson’s portrayal of Diefenbaker as Marie Antoinette played a significant role in diminishing the prime minister’s revered status up to that point. The cartoon, by bringing attention to the Avro Arrow crisis and its consequences, is considered by some as a factor contributing to Diefenbaker’s decline in political popularity.


Armchair Editorial Cartoonists

After sharing the Macpherson editorial cartoon on Facebook, it was disheartening to see that many people either didn’t know or were pretending not to know about what is arguably Canada’s most celebrated editorial cartoon. Whether it was a genuine lack of familiarity or a deliberate choice to ignore any criticism of their admired Prime Minister, the outcome was disappointing.

As a side note to this frustration, there were plenty of hyper-critical comments from individuals with clear partisan biases, which isn’t a new thing for us editorial cartoonists. However, when they take it upon themselves to snipe and lecture an editorial cartoonist with their wrongheaded notions of what satire actually is, questioning with snarky quips like “where’s the joke,” “not funny,” and insisting that editorial cartoons are supposed to be funny. While the often nauseating right-wing quip, “the left can’t meme,” didn’t appear under this particular cartoon, it likely would’ve had it been Poilievre or Trump portrayed as Marie Antoinette. Surprisingly, there were no, “now draw Poilievre”, or “now draw Trump”, or, “now draw ______,” banalities by partisan trolls chirping under commentary they don’t approve of. It is all a never-ending cycle of tediousness on social media, which leaves one to wonder why even bother posting when it’ll just be fodder for mindless banter.

Kate Beaton’s cartoon, here, accurately reflects much of thought that goes into a the progress of any editorial cartoon. The irony of this being many out there likely ignorant of the cartoon being parodied! I tried this parody out in 2008 only to face the same sort of rejection from my own editor.

Moving on, while some might recognize renowned cartoonists like Honore Daumier, Thomas Nast, or Ralph Steadman from other countries, there seems to be a lack of awareness about Duncan Macpherson, who could be considered Canada’s greatest editorial cartoonist. It’s a sad reflection on Canadian culture that satire doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Even with numerous Orders of Canada awarded to editorial cartoonists in the past 50 years, the majority of people can only name two—Aislin and Donato* (oddly, Donato does not have an OC). Sadly, even that knowledge is fading, with only a few remembering cartoonists like Len Norris in Vancouver, Yardley Jones in Edmonton, Blaine in Hamilton, or Bob Chambers in Halifax.

The great editorial cartoonists of Canada are left to be remembered by a small group of enthusiasts and present-day cartoonists. The fact that Duncan Macpherson is slipping from collective memory is disheartening. Figures like John Wilson Bengough, Arch Dale, and Albéric Bourgeois, and their contributions to Canadian democracy, are now just footnotes in history textbooks. It’s a failure of Canadian education and culture, as if the only way to gain attention and respect in Canadian society was to play hockey on the rink rather than sketch with pens and ink. (Graeme MacKay)

 

Posted in: Canada, Cartooning Tagged: "John Diefenbaker", 2024-02, arrogance, Canada, commentary, Duncan Macpherson, Editorial Cartoon, Justin Trudeau, leadership, parody, tear sheet, Toronto Star

Thursday March 31, 2022

March 31, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 31, 2022

It’s past time for action on payday loans

Sometimes, requests made of governments seem so eminently reasonable that it’s amazing they need be repeated over and over again.

March 6, 2021

In a report last week, ACORN, a non-profit group advocating for low- and moderate-income Canadians, once again asks the federal government to crack down on exorbitant interest rates charged by high-cost lenders.

The gaudy outlets offering payday loans and other such provisions of quick money at high cost are symbols of desperation on the main streets of almost all towns and cities.

They are the physical manifestation of an inequitable society — a divide both highlighted and aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As ACORN has long argued, the lenders profit off the most vulnerable.

The pandemic has worsened things for those on the margins, it said. Many of those trying to pay their bills turn to so-called payday loans — small, short-term loans with extremely high annual interest rates.

These loans don’t exceed $1,500, must be repaid within 62 days, and can carry interest as high as 500 per cent in some provinces. They are regulated by provincial governments and lenders are exempt from even the 60 per cent limit on interest.

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2022-11, Canada, Duncan Macpherson, Justin Trudeau, lenders, Let them eat cake, marie antoinette, Ontario, Payday, Payday loans, Poverty, usury

The 1996 Duncan Macpherson Award goes to…

June 16, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

… unknown. 

If anyone does know if a winner was declared please contact the Association of Canadian Cartoonists.

But here is the plaque presented to Graeme MacKay, who won… second place… (noted on the badge in the top left hand corner.)

1996 2nd place plaque

The Encyclopedia of Canadian Animation, Cartooning and Illustration states following awards granted in 1994 and 1995, “there appear to have been no further awards given.”

The short lived award was of good intent but became mired in organizational conflict and was discontinued.

Posted to macKaycartoons.net in June 2021 to mark the 25th anniversary of the mystery.

Posted in: Cartooning Tagged: ACC, award, cartoonist, contest, Duncan Macpherson

Please note…

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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