Emmanuel Macron

Friday June 13, 2025

The G7 summit in Kananaskis sees U.S. President Donald Trump as the focal point amidst critical discussions on trade and global stability, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney steering diplomatic efforts.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 13, 2025

Published in the Toronto Star.

Summit Spectacle: Trump Takes Centre Stage in Kananaskis

May 24, 2017

As the world turns its gaze to the picturesque setting of Kananaskis, Alberta, for the G7 summit, one figure looms large over the proceedings: U.S. President Donald Trump. His return to the White House has reignited debates and discussions on the global stage, making him both a spectacle and a source of unpredictability. Trump embodies the drama and uncertainty that have become hallmarks of international summits. While some might argue that his unpredictability overshadows substantive discussion, it is precisely this unpredictability that lends the summit its dramatic tension. The world watches, curious to see if his penchant for bold declarations will translate into tangible agreements or merely more rhetoric.

In contrast, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plays the role of a steady host, orchestrating the event with a focus on finding common ground amidst chaos. Carney’s strategy, as reported, avoids the traditional joint communiqué, opting instead for a G7 chair’s statement. This move suggests a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, one that acknowledges the complexities of reaching consensus in a group as diverse as the G7. By facilitating dialogue rather than dictating terms, Carney may well steer the summit towards meaningful outcomes.

News: Why there is hope of a Carney-Trump tariff breakthrough

The upcoming G7 summit in Italy, amidst discussions on pressing global issues, highlights the challenges posed by the rise of far-right regimes, prompting urgent calls for progressive solutions and international cooperation.

June 13, 2024

The agenda for this summit is as varied as it is pressing. Trade and tariffs are front and centre, with global economic growth stymied by ongoing trade tensions. There is hope that discussions between Carney and Trump might yield concessions, particularly in light of a draft economic and security agreement that hints at potential breakthroughs. However, skepticism remains. Beyond economics, the summit will tackle broader geopolitical issues, such as the conflict in Ukraine and China’s global influence. These discussions are crucial for international stability and cooperation.

Public opinion, as captured in reader comments, reflects a mix of hope and cynicism. While some doubt the summit’s potential for substantive outcomes, others see it as an opportunity for leaders to engage in crucial bilateral discussions. Many argue that the focus should extend beyond U.S. policies to encompass a wider range of global challenges, such as climate change and energy security.

News: We found out how Mark Carney hopes to smooth differences with Donald Trump at the G7 summit. Here’s what we know

June 15, 2021

As the G7 summit unfolds, it is poised to be a blend of spectacle and substance. Trump’s role as the star attraction adds an element of drama, but it is the collective efforts of leaders like Carney that may ultimately determine the summit’s success. In a world fraught with uncertainty, this gathering in the Canadian Rockies offers a stage for diplomacy, dialogue, and, hopefully, decisive action. Whether it will deliver on its promises or remain an exercise in political theatre is a question that only time will answer.

Thursday June 13, 2024

The upcoming G7 summit in Italy, amidst discussions on pressing global issues, highlights the challenges posed by the rise of far-right regimes, prompting urgent calls for progressive solutions and international cooperation.

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 13, 2024

Global Summit Amidst Rising Far-Right Tide

June 15, 2021

The upcoming G7 summit in Italy, amidst discussions on pressing global issues, highlights the challenges posed by the rise of far-right regimes, prompting urgent calls for progressive solutions and international cooperation.

As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to attend the annual G7 leaders’ summit in Italy, the international community faces pressing geopolitical conflicts and complex challenges. Against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, as well as discussions on the energy transition, artificial intelligence, migration, and collaboration with Africa, the summit holds unprecedented significance.

News: Trudeau heads to Italy as shadows of war in Ukraine, Gaza loom over G7 summit

The heightened rhetoric against undocumented immigrants by global leaders, including Canada's Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, underscores concerns about the potential impact on compassionate immigration policies, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach that prioritizes both economic interests and humanitarian considerations.

Tuesday December 19, 2023

However, amidst these critical discussions, the rise of far-right regimes globally demands attention. The recent European parliamentary elections have strengthened far-right leaders, amplifying concerns about their impact on fundamental issues such as human rights, climate action, migration, and the escalating authoritarian tide.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party’s ascendance in Italy underscores the shifting political landscape within the European Union. Meloni’s stability contrasts sharply with the challenges faced by counterparts like Germany’s Olaf Scholz and France’s Emmanuel Macron, who have seen declining support in recent elections. The electorate’s turn towards more extreme alternatives reflects broader dissatisfaction with centrist and progressive policies.

May 24, 2017

Beyond Europe, the influence of figures like Donald Trump in the United States, Nigel Farage in the UK, and Pierre Poilievre in Canada signals a global trend towards right-wing populism. Characterized by nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric, these leaders contribute to a troubling wave of right-wing extremism.

The implications of the rise of far-right regimes extend beyond domestic politics. They pose a direct threat to global human rights, often enacting policies that erode democratic institutions, curtail freedoms, and target minority groups. Furthermore, their reluctance to engage in international cooperation weakens responses to authoritarian aggressions, such as Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine.

News: Trump’s potential return hangs over gathering of Western leaders

June 6, 2007

On critical issues like the climate crisis, far-right leaders often prioritize national interests over global environmental goals, hindering collective efforts to combat climate change. Similarly, their restrictive immigration policies exacerbate social division and undermine principles of compassion and inclusivity essential for global harmony.

As Trudeau joins fellow world leaders at the G7 Summit, the stark contrast between progressive values and the rise of far-right populism underscores the urgency of the moment. It is imperative for leaders to address these challenges head-on, advocating for progressive solutions and building resilient alliances to counter the threats posed by rising authoritarianism and right-wing extremism.

August 24, 2019

The G7 Summit presents a crucial opportunity to reaffirm commitments to a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. In the face of growing geopolitical tensions and the resurgence of far-right ideologies, the world must stand united in upholding democratic values and promoting global cooperation for the betterment of all. (AI)

Thursday April 28, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 28, 2022

UN ambassador Bob Rae condemns Security Council veto after historic General Assembly vote

September 29, 2012

Canada joined more than 100 global allies Tuesday in subjecting a paralyzed United Nations Security Council to more public scrutiny, while the Ukrainian government praised a Canadian senator for pushing forward with a new, tougher sanctions law.

Bob Rae, the Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, denounced as undemocratic the Security Council’s veto power as the General Assembly voted to subject the world’s most powerful body to more public scrutiny.

The General Assembly adopted a consensus motion that would require any of the five permanent veto-wielding members of the council — Russia, the United States, China, France and Britain — to appear before the 193-country assembly to justify its decision.

The move doesn’t get rid of the council’s controversial veto power, but with Russia threatening to continue using it to prevent action against its war on Ukraine, Rae said the historic vote sends a signal that the world will be watching.

March 4, 2020

“The veto power that is held by the five permanent members of the Security Council is as anachronistic as it is undemocratic,” Rae said in explaining Canada’s support.

At the UN, Tuesday’s unprecedented motion seeks to hold Russia to account politically if it uses its veto. The new motion requires the General Assembly “to hold a debate on the situation” that gives rise to any council veto within 10 working days and for the country that uses it to be among the first to speak.

Representatives from Russia and Belarus spoke against the motion, but they were countered by the envoys of dozens of countries that sponsored the motion, which was led by tiny Lichtenstein and included Canada.

From the floor of the assembly, Rae delivered a blistering condemnation of a broken UN system that he said was enabling what he called a shameful and illegal act of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.

April 24, 2002

Rae said the recent deadlock over Ukraine has happened when the world most needs the Security Council.

“We’re watching the destruction of cities. We’re watching the killing of women and children. We’re seeing the destruction of an entire infrastructure of a country and we’re seeing a country fight back. The Security Council may not be able to act. That doesn’t prevent us from having an ability to act,” Rae said.

Rae and the world’s diplomats were speaking as Russian bombs continued pounding the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, large swaths of which have been reduced to rubble in a war that has killed thousands of Ukrainian civilians and forced millions to flee their homes.

April 12, 2022

“The use and threat of the veto in situations where atrocity crimes are being perpetrated in Syria and Myanmar, and Mariupol, for example, or in situations where a permanent member of the Security Council has launched a war of aggression against another UN member state, as the Russian Federation is now doing in Ukraine, are not only shameful, they are also contrary to obligations under the UN Charter and to international law.” (The Globe & Mail) 

 

Tuesday April 12, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday April 12, 2022

Zelenskyy says Ukraine is defending its basic human rights

“We are defending the ability for a person to live in the modern world,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley.

March 1, 2022

In an interview taped Wednesday in Kyiv, Zelenskyy told Pelley his country remains united because it has no other choice.

“We united as a nation” Zelenskyy said to Pelley, speaking through an interpreter. “The weakest people became strong. The strong people became the strongest, most powerful, so powerful that nobody could have outdone them. In this way, our nation of strong and weak people has transformed into one solid, strong force. And one strong community.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the Ukrainian presidency in 2019 with 73% of the vote. He told Pelley he was urged by multiple people leave the country at the start of the war but chose to stay.

“Before I do something, I analyze the situation. I’ve always done it calmly, without any chaos,” Zelenskyy said through an interpreter. “I might not be the strongest warrior. But not I’m willing to betray anyone.”

Thursday February 17, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 17, 2022

Putin’s Long Tables Explained

January 22, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s every move is dissected as fears escalate that he’ll soon order an invasion of Ukraine, but attention has recently turned to why Putin sits across from a comically large table during meetings with other world leaders, the most recent instance of which came Tuesday during a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. 

The issue took global spotlight last week after Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron sat at opposite ends of a table pegged by Reuters to be 20 feet long during their meeting in Moscow.

The extreme social distance came after Macron refused to take a Russian-administered Covid-19 PCR test, and Reuters reported Thursday it was because France didn’t want Russia to have access to Macron’s DNA, citing two anonymous sources close to Macron.

Another French official told Reuters the protocols were due to Putin living a “strict health bubble,” and the Kremlin confirmed the extreme distance is to protect Putin.

Scholz met the same distanced fate as Macron during his Tuesday meeting in Moscow, sparking memes and providing comic relief during otherwise tense negotiations.