election 2015

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.

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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)

 

Tuesday August 18, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday August 18, 2015 Ingredients of a populist rebellion simmer in Canada Politicians take heed: Populist rebellions are under way in both the United States and Britain. Canada is not immune. If a backlash against political elites who disrespect voters ever reaches our shores, it will not be pretty. This grey decade has left all developed nations grappling with low growth, high unemployment and way too much debt, personal and governmental. Populist movements have swept through Canada in the past, usually in times of discontent. The Great Depression spawned both the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation on the left and Social Credit on the right. Western anger at Central CanadaÕs indifference spawned the Reform Party in the 1980s. So why has Canada been spared its own Donald Trump or Jeremy Corbyn? Luck, mostly. The recession in Canada wasnÕt as severe as in the U.S. or Britain. The Conservative government was able to bring the budget back into balance without having to impose much in the way of austerity. More important, while politics in Canada is polarizing between left and right, it does so within a deep consensus on the importance of both horizontal (between regions) and vertical (between classes) redistribution. But Canada is not immune to populist pressure from either the left or right. The Occupy movement, a populist protest from the left, flared in Canadian cities as well as in the United States and overseas. Doug Ford took 34 per cent of the vote in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election, despite his brotherÕs outrages. When any governing political elite ignores or belittles a group of voters, it risks a populist backlash. If the Conservatives win the next election, social activists may take direct action against them. If the NDP or Liberals win, and the economy suffers because there is no political will to build an oil pipeline anywhere, expect a populist reaction from the right, especi

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 18, 2015

Ingredients of a populist rebellion simmer in Canada

Politicians take heed: Populist rebellions are under way in both the United States and Britain. Canada is not immune. If a backlash against political elites who disrespect voters ever reaches our shores, it will not be pretty.

This grey decade has left all developed nations grappling with low growth, high unemployment and way too much debt, personal and governmental.

Populist movements have swept through Canada in the past, usually in times of discontent. The Great Depression spawned both the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation on the left and Social Credit on the right. Western anger at Central Canada’s indifference spawned the Reform Party in the 1980s.

So why has Canada been spared its own Donald Trump or Jeremy Corbyn? Luck, mostly. The recession in Canada wasn’t as severe as in the U.S. or Britain. The Conservative government was able to bring the budget back into balance without having to impose much in the way of austerity.

More important, while politics in Canada is polarizing between left and right, it does so within a deep consensus on the importance of both horizontal (between regions) and vertical (between classes) redistribution.

But Canada is not immune to populist pressure from either the left or right. The Occupy movement, a populist protest from the left, flared in Canadian cities as well as in the United States and overseas. Doug Ford took 34 per cent of the vote in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election, despite his brother’s outrages.

When any governing political elite ignores or belittles a group of voters, it risks a populist backlash. If the Conservatives win the next election, social activists may take direct action against them.

If the NDP or Liberals win, and the economy suffers because there is no political will to build an oil pipeline anywhere, expect a populist reaction from the right, especially in the West.

With luck, things will never get as extreme as Donald Trump or Jeremy Corbyn. But don’t be too certain. Remember Rob Ford. (Source: Globe & Mail)

 

Wednesday August 12, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday August 12, 2015 Justin Trudeau and the pregnant candidate: Too hands-on? Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is known for his family name, his youth and his well-coiffed hair, but he may have cemented his reputation Monday as a touchy-feely politician when he touched the pregnant belly of one of his candidates at a Montreal campaign event. The mom-to-be in this case, Liberal candidate Christine Poirier, said she had no problem with TrudeauÕs friendly gesture, one that occurs several times a day with strangers as she canvasses her Montreal riding for votes. ÒIt was a perfectly natural, normal gesture and I really donÕt mind having my belly touched,Ó she said. The news that Poirier will be delivering her second child just seven weeks ahead of the Oct. 19 election day is something that no candidate can prepare for. But the 35-year-old has learned there can be a strategic advantage in her growing belly. ÒIt doesnÕt make me any more approachable. But it certainly makes a nice subject of conversation and it allows me to introduce the party policies on child benefits and makes me talk about it and makes me sound more genuine,Ó she said. The entrepreneur and breastfeeding advocate, who co-founded a clothing line for new mothers, is running against Bloc QuŽbŽcois Leader Gilles Duceppe in the riding of LaurierÑSainte-Marie, currently held by the NDPÕs HŽlne Laverdire. While the competition is tough, itÕs nothing compared to the personal circumstances the Liberal candidate is managing with a campaign team that handles phone calls and posting signs as well as child-care duties when the need arises. ÒOne of the volunteering opportunities that I give to my volunteers is to babysit my 8-year-old daughter,Ó she said. ÒSo during the campaign, my mom is going to be my main volunteer, following me around everywhere (with the newborn) and helping me out.Ó (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/canad

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 12, 2015

Justin Trudeau and the pregnant candidate: Too hands-on?

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is known for his family name, his youth and his well-coiffed hair, but he may have cemented his reputation Monday as a touchy-feely politician when he touched the pregnant belly of one of his candidates at a Montreal campaign event.

The mom-to-be in this case, Liberal candidate Christine Poirier, said she had no problem with Trudeau’s friendly gesture, one that occurs several times a day with strangers as she canvasses her Montreal riding for votes.

Justin Trudeau places his hand on pregnant candidate Christine Poirier's belly as he arrives at a Liberal campaign event in Montreal on Monday. RYAN REMIORZ / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Justin Trudeau places his hand on pregnant candidate Christine Poirier’s belly as he arrives at a Liberal campaign event in Montreal on Monday. RYAN REMIORZ / THE CANADIAN PRESS

“It was a perfectly natural, normal gesture and I really don’t mind having my belly touched,” she said.

The news that Poirier will be delivering her second child just seven weeks ahead of the Oct. 19 election day is something that no candidate can prepare for. But the 35-year-old has learned there can be a strategic advantage in her growing belly.

“It doesn’t make me any more approachable. But it certainly makes a nice subject of conversation and it allows me to introduce the party policies on child benefits and makes me talk about it and makes me sound more genuine,” she said.

The entrepreneur and breastfeeding advocate, who co-founded a clothing line for new mothers, is running against Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe in the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie, currently held by the NDP’s Hélène Laverdière.

While the competition is tough, it’s nothing compared to the personal circumstances the Liberal candidate is managing with a campaign team that handles phone calls and posting signs as well as child-care duties when the need arises.

“One of the volunteering opportunities that I give to my volunteers is to babysit my 8-year-old daughter,” she said. “So during the campaign, my mom is going to be my main volunteer, following me around everywhere (with the newborn) and helping me out.” (Source: Toronto Star)

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Tuesday August 11, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday August 11, 2015 Harper heads north on campaign tour as Duffy trial resumes Stephen Harper is heading to Northern Canada in the days after his former chief of staff Nigel Wright begins testifying at the Mike Duffy trial, a campaign itinerary that will take the Conservative Leader far from the story as it begins unfolding in an Ottawa courtroom. Mr. HarperÕs chartered election plane is expected to fly to the Northwest Territories Thursday and Nunavut on Friday before heading south again. ÔIÕm not denying thatÕ: Six key exchanges from the first leadersÕ debate Video Video: Why Nigel WrightÕs testimony could mean trouble for HarperÕs election campaign The Conservative Leader has made a habit of touring the North for about one week each summer as part of an effort to cement a legacy in the region Ð from defending sovereignty to promoting development Ð and he cancelled this yearÕs trip in favour of an early election call. His campaign stumping in the territories by comparison will be brief. Campaign spokesman Kory Teneycke declined to discuss Mr. HarperÕs itinerary this week, saying the Tories will Òprobably spend a couple of daysÓ in Northern Canada along the way. He dismissed the notion the Harper campaign is setting its travel itinerary by the Duffy case. ÒThe trialÕs going to be going on for three weeks during the middle of the campaign. WeÕre going to go to every corner of the country while the trial is on. And everywhere we go, weÕre going to have a bus or plane full of media and [weÕll be] taking questions from them,Ó Mr. Teneycke said. (Source: CBC News) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-heads-north-on-campaign-tour-as-duffy-trial-resumes/article25920402/ Stephen Harper, Arctic, election 2015, polar, campaign, mike duffy, security

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 11, 2015  (Revised from original printed August 21, 2012)

Harper heads north on campaign tour as Duffy trial resumes

Stephen Harper is heading to Northern Canada in the days after his former chief of staff Nigel Wright begins testifying at the Mike Duffy trial, a campaign itinerary that will take the Conservative Leader far from the story as it begins unfolding in an Ottawa courtroom.

Mr. Harper’s chartered election plane is expected to fly to the Northwest Territories Thursday and Nunavut on Friday before heading south again.

‘I’m not denying that’: Six key exchanges from the first leaders’ debate

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The Conservative Leader has made a habit of touring the North for about one week each summer as part of an effort to cement a legacy in the region – from defending sovereignty to promoting development – and he cancelled this year’s trip in favour of an early election call. His campaign stumping in the territories by comparison will be brief.

Campaign spokesman Kory Teneycke declined to discuss Mr. Harper’s itinerary this week, saying the Tories will “probably spend a couple of days” in Northern Canada along the way.

He dismissed the notion the Harper campaign is setting its travel itinerary by the Duffy case.

“The trial’s going to be going on for three weeks during the middle of the campaign. We’re going to go to every corner of the country while the trial is on. And everywhere we go, we’re going to have a bus or plane full of media and [we’ll be] taking questions from them,” Mr. Teneycke said. (Source: Globe & Mail)

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Tuesday August 11, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday August 11, 2015 Stephen Harper defends travel ban to terror zones Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is defending his proposal to ban travel to parts of the world controlled by terrorists, saying itÕs not a Òhuman rightÓ that such travel is allowed. ÒThis is limited to only those areas that are clearly under the control of terrorist organizations. WeÕre talking about a few, small number of areas in the world,Ó Harper said Monday morning during a campaign stop in Markham. ÒObviously parts of Iraq and Syria would be the kinds of areas that weÕre talking about,Ó he said. On Sunday, Harper said a newly-elected Conservative government would introduce a legal crackdown on so-called terror tourism and go after Canadians who travel to such areas. Harper said that the government advises against such travel and anyone who does go to these hotspots is Òtaking their life into their hands.Ó ÒFrankly, these are not areas where families go. These are areas where we know why people are really going. They are going to terrorist training,Ó Harper said Monday. ÒThere is no human right to travel and visit ISIS. That is not a human right in this country,Ó he said. At an early-morning event in Montreal, Trudeau dismissed the travel ban idea as little more than a distraction from the Conservatives' dismal economic record. (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/federal-election/2015/08/10/stephen-harper-defends-travel-ban-to-terror-zones.html Canada, terror, C-51, anti-Terrorism, Mike Duffy, Nigel Wright, election 2015, court, Senate Expenses, Queen Elizabeth, judge

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 11, 2015

Stephen Harper defends travel ban to terror zones

After several weeks on break, the Mike Duffy trial resumes this week.

Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is defending his proposal to ban travel to parts of the world controlled by terrorists, saying it’s not a “human right” that such travel is allowed.

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“This is limited to only those areas that are clearly under the control of terrorist organizations. We’re talking about a few, small number of areas in the world,” Harper said Monday morning during a campaign stop in Markham.

“Obviously parts of Iraq and Syria would be the kinds of areas that we’re talking about,” he said.

On Sunday, Harper said a newly-elected Conservative government would introduce a legal crackdown on so-called terror tourism and go after Canadians who travel to such areas.

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Harper said that the government advises against such travel and anyone who does go to these hotspots is “taking their life into their hands.”

“Frankly, these are not areas where families go. These are areas where we know why people are really going. They are going to terrorist training,” Harper said Monday.

“There is no human right to travel and visit ISIS. That is not a human right in this country,” he said.

At an early-morning event in Montreal, Trudeau dismissed the travel ban idea as little more than a distraction from the Conservatives’ dismal economic record. (Source: Toronto Star)

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