Editorial Cartoon • mackaycartoons

Tuesday August 1, 2023

August 1, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 1, 2023

A Midsummer Night’s Fairy Tale

Act 1, Scene 1 (A mystical forest in Ottawa. The political leaders, dressed in Shakespearean attire, gather around a table adorned with inquiry documents.)

King Trudeau (Oberon): Hear me, fair leaders of this land! We must address the dragon of foreign interference that threatens our realm!

Puck (Singh): Worry not, my liege! With a public inquiry, we shall tame the dragon’s influence and protect our sovereignty.

Demetrius (Poilievre): (sarcastically) A public inquiry, you say? A mere midsummer’s dream, sire.

Lysander (Blanchet): Indeed, sire. Let us postpone this inquiry for now, and revel in the joys of midsummer’s mirth.

King Trudeau: (hesitant) But, noble leaders, the people demand answers! The dragon of foreign influence grows stronger each passing day.

August 2, 2019

Act 2, Scene 1 (The mystical forest transforms into a midsummer festival. Citizens dance and celebrate while the politicians engage in jovial banter.)

King Trudeau: (laughing) Behold! The people have forgotten the inquiry amidst their merrymaking!

Puck: (mischievously) Shall we enchant their minds with revelry, my lord? The inquiry will seem but a distant dream.

King Trudeau: (grinning) A splendid idea, Puck! Let the festivities continue, and the inquiry shall slumber, undisturbed.

Demetrius: (to Lysander) See how the people dance, while we evade the dragon’s threat with our laughter.

Lysander: (nodding) Indeed. The dragon sleeps peacefully, and the inquiry remains forgotten.

July 31, 2008

Act 3, Scene 1 (The mystical forest returns to its solemn state. The inquiry table remains untouched, and the sleeping dragon statue looms in the background.)

Puck: (apologetically) My lord, we have let the inquiry slumber while the dragon’s influence grows stronger.

King Trudeau: (sighing) We have let the people’s trust falter, and the shadows of foreign interference grow darker.

Demetrius: (earnestly) Let us not lose ourselves in this midsummer’s revelry. The inquiry must awaken!

Lysander: (repentant) You are right. The inquiry must stir from its slumber, and we must confront the dragon’s influence.

June 29, 2023

Act 4, Scene 1 (The political leaders stand before the inquiry table, determined to face the dragon’s threat.)

King Trudeau: (resolute) The dragon of foreign interference shall not rule us. The inquiry shall commence!

Puck: (earnestly) We must seek the truth and protect our realm from the dragon’s meddling.

Demetrius: (with conviction) We can no longer evade our responsibilities. The inquiry must awaken!

Lysander: (sincere) The dream of a transparent and just investigation shall become a reality.

(The inquiry proceedings begin, and evidence of foreign interference is revealed. The people witness the leaders’ commitment to justice, and trust is gradually restored.)

November 20, 2020

Epilogue (In the wake of the inquiry, a new era of transparency and accountability dawns. The mystical forest glows with hope, and the sleeping dragon representing China begins to stir.)

King Trudeau: (addressing the people) We have faced the dragon’s threat and emerged stronger. Our realm shall remain resilient against any meddling.

Puck: (smiling) The inquiry’s awakening has brought the truth to light, and the people’s trust is restored.

Demetrius: (to Lysander) No longer shall we hide from the dragon’s gaze. The inquiry has set us free.

Lysander: (proudly) The Midsummer’s Inquiry has awakened our sense of duty, and our land shall thrive once more.

(The citizens cheer, celebrating the newfound accountability and unity in the realm. As the dragon representing China stirs, the political leaders stand ready to face any challenge that comes their way. The mystical forest remains vigilant, knowing that a new chapter in their history has begun.)

Editorial cartoons are not memes

July 31, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Kilroy on the WWII Memorial in Washington DC

This was first posted to Graeme MacKay’s Facebook page.

As many of you may already know, I’ve always emphasized the significance of satire and the purpose behind editorial cartoons. Today, I’d like to address a common misconception that I often come across, especially from one-time visitors who leave snarky comments under editorial cartoons, claiming that “the left can’t meme.” Let’s take a moment to clarify some important points.

Firstly, it’s essential to recognize that the statement “the left can’t meme” is a sweeping generalization. Both the left and the right, as well as people from various political backgrounds, are capable of creating memes and sharing humour online.

Memes are typically characterized by their adaptability and may use existing content in new and creative ways. While this versatility can lead to some content being shared without proper attribution, it doesn’t mean that all memes lack originality or proper sourcing.

Editorial cartoons, on the other hand, are unique artworks created by talented illustrators who put their signature on their work. These cartoons are intended to provide commentary and insight into current events, often using humour to make a point.

My cartoon before it became meme-ified

While memes and editorial cartoons may share visual elements, it’s important to appreciate their distinct purposes and creation processes. Memes can spread rapidly across the internet due to their relatability and humour, whereas editorial cartoons are crafted to deliver thought-provoking messages and are shared with the understanding that they won’t be altered.

In the spirit of responsible content sharing, let’s remember the importance of proper attribution and citation for all forms of content, including memes and editorial cartoons.

Let’s remember that memes and editorial cartoons serve different purposes and shouldn’t be compared directly. Let’s foster a respectful and thoughtful online environment by acknowledging the creativity and value behind both forms of content. If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out the Wikipedia page on memes.

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s spread awareness about the nuances of online content creation with a bold understanding:

EDITORIAL CARTOONS ARE NOT MEMES!

Tuesday January 24, 2023

January 24, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 24, 2023

Liberal Cabinet Retreat

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made his first stop in Hamilton Monday a chance to grab lunch to go with MP Filomena Tassi at The Burnt Tongue on Locke Street.

October 28, 2022

The prime minister and his cabinet are staying in town this week from Jan. 23 to 25 for their post-holiday retreat.

After ordering a cheeseburger and broccoli cheddar soup, Trudeau took a moment to shake hands with the lunch crowd and pose for some photos.

Leaving the restaurant, he posed for a photo with Ashley Acacio and her three-week-old son Mac in his stroller, even correcting the position of a staffer taking a photo for the pair.

On the way to his vehicle, Trudeau hopped on an HSR bus that stopped to greet riders.

Meanwhile, about 200 demonstrators gathered downtown Monday to protest the retreat, calling for migrant rights. They were joined by anti-war demonstrators and about 25 anti-Trudeau and anti-vaccine mandate protesters.

The protesters marched along Main Street, across Summers Lane and blocked King Street in front of the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel for around 20 minutes.

Trudeau’s itinerary said he is expected to attend the retreat, which will focus on affordability and the economy, at 5:30 p.m. Monday. (Toronto Star)

December 9, 2022

Meanwhile, it’s at the grocery store. It’s at the gas pumps. It’s at your favourite restaurant.

Nearly everywhere Canadians have gone in the past year, every bill might as well have had an extra charge tacked on to the bottom reading simply: inflation.

A shorthand for what’s essentially the rising cost of living, inflation swept across the globe in 2022 and Canada was not immune from its sting.

Canadians eager to travel in June after years of COVID-19 restrictions were met by a 49.7 per cent year-over-year hike in the cost of accommodations. The rest of that summer saw the average price for regular gasoline soar past $2 per litre in many parts of the country. And in October, Canadians were paying 44.8 per cent more for pasta from the grocery store than the same month a year earlier.

April 25, 2014

Poll after poll showed how stretched Canadian dollars had become amid 40-year highs in inflation, with many forced to make impossible decisions about how to feed their families, pay for medications and keep a roof over their heads.

More than a third (36 per cent) of Canadians say their financial situations are very bad or somewhat bad heading into 2023, according to Ipsos Public Affairs polling conducted exclusively for Global News between Dec. 14 and 16. (Global News)

In the swearing-in of cabinet following the 2021 federal election, the dropping of the awkwardly named Minister of Middle-Class Prosperity, held by Mona Fortier, signalled the short termed portfolio (2019-2021) was an ill conceived addition to the executive team under Prime Minister Trudeau.

Tuesday February 2, 2021

February 9, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday February 2, 2021

No written guarantee on EU vaccine shipments, says international trade minister

January 28, 2021

Minister of International Trade Mary Ng said she has received assurances that export controls on vaccines introduced by the European Union will not affect Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine orders.

Testifying at the House of Commons trade committee Monday, Ng said the government received verbal assurances in phone conversations with EU officials that Canada’s shipments will not be disrupted.

Opposition MPs asked Ng why the government had not secured a more formal, written guarantee from the EU.

Ng said she spoke with EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the issue with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“I reiterated that Canada has advanced purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers in Europe, and we expect that those agreements be respected,” Ng said.

January 7, 2021

“Vice-President Dombrovskis provided strong reassurances that this mechanism will not delay vaccine shipments to Canada, and we both committed to continue to work together, as we have since the beginning of the pandemic.”

On Jan. 29, the European Commission introduced new export controls for the 27-member bloc, which requires member states to get authorization before they can export vaccine doses out of the EU.

The export controls have raised concerns that Canada’s advance purchase agreements may not be honoured, which would threaten the supply of vaccines coming into the country. Canada is not on a list of countries exempted from the controls.

While Ng said Canada would prefer to get on that list, she did not elaborate on a pathway to do so. She repeatedly brought up that other countries such as the United States and Australia are also not exempt.

Ng said she spoke with the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium Sunday, Sophie Wilmès, who gave similar assurances that Canada’s advanced purchase agreements would be honoured. The Pfizer vaccines Canada has ordered are being manufactured at a facility in Puurs, Belgium.

Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif said the government should have pushed for a written guarantee.

“There’s a term here — if it’s not in writing, [it] never happened. Do you agree?” Aboultaif asked.

Ng responded that she was confident in the assurances she had received.

“What I would say is that assurances by a vice-president and commissioner of the European Union, as well as the European Union president, to a prime minister, is a … good thing,” Ng said. (CBC)