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endorsement

Wednesday April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 9, 2025

Harper’s Comeback: A Rallying Cry or Risky Rewind?

Former Canadian prime ministers urge citizens to fly the flag with pride, fostering unity amid external challenges and internal reflections.

February 15, 2025

In a strategic move that highlights the ongoing influence of the Reform wing within the Conservative Party, Stephen Harper has re-entered the political spotlight, endorsing Pierre Poilievre in a bid to rejuvenate a sagging campaign. Harper’s recent appearance at a rally in Edmonton, along with Preston Manning’s warnings about another Liberal government, underscores a concerted effort to appeal to the party’s Western base and its historical roots in the Reform movement.

However, this reliance on former leaders from the Reform side may resonate well in Alberta and other Western provinces, where the Reform legacy still holds significant sway, but it offers little to inspire enthusiasm beyond these regions. The absence of strong representation from the Progressive Conservative faction within the current Conservative Party under Poilievre reflects a notable shift in the party’s identity, leaving some Progressive Conservatives feeling alienated.

News: Stephen Harper says Canada’s problems not created by Trump as he endorses Pierre Poilievre

The popularity surges of leaders like Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre highlight the perilous tendency of voters to invest unrealistic faith in political figures, underscoring the importance of maintaining critical analysis and skepticism in democratic engagement.

April 13, 2024

Harper’s endorsement, as reported by Laura Stone in The Globe and Mail, frames Canada’s current challenges as a result of Liberal policies rather than external factors like the Trump administration. This narrative aims to position Poilievre as the leader who can steer Canada in a new direction. However, as Ryan Tumilty’s article in The Toronto Star illustrates, Harper’s criticism of Mark Carney—suggesting that Carney overstated his role during the 2008 financial crisis—highlights a strategic attempt to bolster the Conservative narrative at the potential cost of alienating centrists who value Carney’s economic expertise.

Preston Manning’s recent involvement, issuing warnings about the consequences of another Liberal government, further emphasizes the Reform wing’s influence. Yet, this approach may struggle to galvanize support among voters who align more closely with the Progressive Conservative tradition. Many of these voters may find themselves more inclined to support a candidate like Carney, who embodies a moderate, centrist approach that aligns with their values.

News: Fissure among Conservatives undermining Poilievre’s pitch he’s a national unifier: experts

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday August 24, 2013

Reader comments from the articles provide additional insight, revealling skepticism about Harper’s and Poilievre’s appeal beyond the core Reform supporters. The comments reflect a polarized perspective, with some viewing Harper’s return as a reminder of past controversies and others questioning Poilievre’s ability to unify the country.

To succeed on a national scale, the Conservative Party under Poilievre must find a way to bridge these internal divides and offer a platform that resonates with a broader Canadian electorate. Without this balance, the party risks limiting its appeal to its traditional strongholds, making it challenging to expand its reach beyond the Western provinces. The path forward requires not just energizing the base but also embracing a more inclusive and pragmatic approach that can win the confidence of centrists across the country.


Bring Out Your Fossils

As one observes the current landscape of Canadian politics, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Pierre Poilievre is facing significant challenges, not just from the electorate, but from within his own party. The divisions within the Conservative Party are glaring, raising a critical question: Is this the type of leader Canada truly wants?

It’s no secret he doesn’t have a lot of allies in his party that he can call close friends.

Just as an aside, are we tired yet of seeing/hearing those grating political ads about solid protective arms and borders wrapping proud flags and brave soldiers?

Poilievre’s struggles to unify his party are a red flag. If he can’t foster cohesion among his own members, how can he possibly hope to unite a diverse nation? His inability to see eye to eye with key provincial leaders such as Danielle Smith in Alberta, who is vocal about Western frustrations, further highlights a disconnect that is hard to ignore. Meanwhile, his lack of alignment with Doug Ford’s Big Blue Machine in Ontario and differing perspectives with Tim Houston in Nova Scotia only underscore the ideological rifts within the party.

This disunity is further highlighted by the recent rally, where he felt the need to enlist his old boss Stephen Harper, a rejected figure from the past, to lend his voice. It’s almost as if he’s trying to resurrect a bygone era to compensate for a lack of contemporary leadership. Moreover, Preston Manning’s re-emergence from private life to express his concerns is telling. It signals a deeper sense of desperation within the party. The ghosts of the Reform Party are making a haunting appearance, and it seems like a last-ditch effort to rally the base. Yet, these figures from the past may not resonate with today’s broader electorate.

The situation begs the question: Can a leader mired in internal conflict and reliant on past figures truly guide Canada forward? It’s a moment of reflection not just for the Conservative Party but for the country as a whole. As we move forward, we must consider whether a leader with such divisive challenges is equipped to handle the complexities of leading an entire nation.

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for April 9, 2025, below! If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a crucial platform for me amidst the uncertainties of being a staff cartoonist, especially given recent layoffs and newspaper closures affecting our field. As long as I hold my position, subscriptions will remain free. Thank you for your support! This “note” helps craft my weekly posts and showcases animated versions of my cartoons. Enjoy!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2025-07, campaign, Conservative, Donald Trump, endorsement, fossil, Pierre Poilievre, Preston Manning, reform, Stephen Harper, Substack

Thursday July 28, 2022

July 28, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

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

Stephen Harper says Pierre Poilievre has the best chance to win the next federal election

May 18, 2022

Former prime minister Stephen Harper says Pierre Poilievre is the Conservative leadership candidate with the best shot at leading the party to victory in the next federal election.

Harper’s declaration came in a Monday evening video posted to Facebook and Twitter, in which he described Poilievre’s ability to galvanize support from new members as a critical ingredient for success.

“That’s how we win the next federal election, and in my opinion, Pierre has made by far the strongest case,” Harper said.

Poilievre’s campaign claims to have signed up more than 300,000 members to vote in the leadership race.

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2022-24, Canada, Conservative, endorsement, leadership, Pierre Poilievre, puppet, Stephen Harper, ventriloquist

Thursday October 17, 2019

October 24, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday October 17, 2019

Barack Obama tweets endorsement of Justin Trudeau

Former president Barack Obama has tweeted an endorsement of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and says he hopes Canadians give Trudeau “another term” in office.

March 11, 2016

“I was proud to work with Justin Trudeau as President,” Obama wrote on Wednesday afternoon. “He’s a hard-working, effective leader who takes on big issues like climate change. The world needs his progressive leadership now, and I hope our neighbors to the north support him for another term.”

The endorsement of a former American president is a rare — and possibly unprecedented — event in Canadian politics. But this is the second time Obama has spoken up to endorse an international leader since he left office. In May of 2017, Obama recorded a video in which he endorsed Emmanuel Macron for the French presidency.

I was proud to work with Justin Trudeau as President. He’s a hard-working, effective leader who takes on big issues like climate change. The world needs his progressive leadership now, and I hope our neighbors to the north support him for another term.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 16, 2019

While it remains to be seen what impact, if any, Obama’s endorsement might have on the Canadian electorate, the Liberal party has already touted his tweet to supporters in a fundraising appeal that was sent out on Wednesday afternoon.

March 9, 2016

At a campaign stop in Quebec Wednesday, Trudeau didn’t answer a question about whether he or his team sought out the endorsement, saying only, “I appreciate the kind words and I’m working hard to keep our progress going.”

Asked about the Obama tweet as he campaigned in Montreal, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he had a lot of respect for Obama but said “in this respect he’s wrong.”

“Mr. Trudeau has really let down people and consistently chosen to help out the powerful and the wealthy over Canadians,” Singh said, replying “no” when asked whether he thought Obama’s move would hurt the NDP campaign.

Hamilton Spectator Endorsement

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer was also asked about the endorsement during a campaign stop in Ancaster, Ont.

“I’ve got millions of Canadians like the ones here tonight behind me. I’m not very interested in what former foreign leaders are saying,” Scheer said. “I’m just focused on finishing this election strong and putting together and putting forward my plan to help Canadians get ahead.”

Asked whether he thought Obama’s tweet was appropriate, he said “I’ll let Canadians be the judge of that,” adding he wouldn’t speculate on why Obama made the endorsement. (CBC News) 

Hamilton Spectator Endorsement 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: #elxn2019, 2019-36, Andrew Scheer, Canada, Elizabeth May, endorsement, Jagmeet Singh, Justin Trudeau, Maxime Bernier, Yves-François Blanchet

Thursday June 9, 2016

June 8, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday June 9, 2016 Paul Ryan stresses party unity in GOP meeting House Speaker Paul Ryan reiterated his support Wednesday for Donald Trump at a closed door meeting with House Republicans and asked his colleagues to unite behind the presumptive Republican nominee, according to several members who attended the session. Ryan's backing of Trump comes a day after he blasted the businessman's remarks about a federal judge as a "textbook definition of a racist comment.Ó Trumps comments have sparked a fury on Capitol Hill where many Republicans worry that Trump's racially tinged criticism of Judge Gonzalo Curiel could ultimately hurt down-ballot GOP candidates competing in congressional races this year. Though Ryan didn't back away from his endorsement, he said he would continue to speak out when he believed the billionaire businessman makes inappropriate statements. Ryan spokesman said the speaker did not "urge" the party to fall in line behind Trump but stressed the importance of unity. Ryan "just reaffirmed his disagreement with the comment, respecting that the people have elected Donald Trump as our Republican nominee and what we're going to do is we're going to use our position in a positive way to help America out," said Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y. Trump tried to quell some of the outrage on Tuesday, releasing a statement saying his past remarks had been misconstrued, and Trump avoided the topic all together during a speech he gave later that evening. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative group in Congress, said Trump needs to "quit spending time bashing judges." He will vote for Trump, he said, but, "I don't endorse people that bash judges -- based on his ethnic heritage.Ó (Source: CNN)Êhttp://www.cnn.com/2016/06/08/politics/paul-ryan-donald-trump-unity/index.html USA, Donald Trump, conservatives, racism, kkk, GOP, republican, hillary clinton,

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 9, 2016

Paul Ryan stresses party unity in GOP meeting

House Speaker Paul Ryan reiterated his support Wednesday for Donald Trump at a closed door meeting with House Republicans and asked his colleagues to unite behind the presumptive Republican nominee, according to several members who attended the session.

Ryan’s backing of Trump comes a day after he blasted the businessman’s remarks about a federal judge as a “textbook definition of a racist comment.”

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday June 4, 2016 Hillary Clinton's evisceration of Donald Trump There's a new Hillary Clinton in town. A speech that was billed as a major foreign policy address instead unfolded as a savage, mocking evisceration of Donald Trump Thursday as the former secretary of state adopted an aggressive new campaign persona designed to repel the unpredictable challenge posed by the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. In one of the most striking speeches of her political career, Clinton dispensed with the sober diplo-speak that has characterized her previous national security addresses and went straight for the jugular, unleashing a series of biting attacks on Trump. In the spirit of President Lyndon Johnson's notorious "Daisy" nuclear blast ad targeting Barry Goldwater's temperament in 1964, Clinton warned that Trump should not be let anywhere near the nuclear codes because he could start a war when somebody "got under his very thin skin." "He's not just unprepared -- he's temperamentally unfit to hold an office that requires knowledge, stability and immense responsibility," Clinton said during the speech in San Diego, California, days before Tuesday's primary in the Golden State effectively concludes the primary season and confirms her as the presumptive Democratic nominee over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Trump fired back while speaking at a rally in San Jose, California, Thursday night. "I watched Hillary today and it was pathetic. It was so sad to watch," Trump said, calling it a "political speech" that had nothing to do with foreign policy. "It was a pretty pathetic deal," he added. The speech marked a significant moment in Clinton's campaign, as it was the first real signal of the tactics and attitude she will use to take on Trump and offered a preview of what are likely to be fierce clashes between the rivals at a trio of presidential debates later in the year. It demonstrated the kind o

June 4, 2016

Trumps comments have sparked a fury on Capitol Hill where many Republicans worry that Trump’s racially tinged criticism of Judge Gonzalo Curiel could ultimately hurt down-ballot GOP candidates competing in congressional races this year.

Though Ryan didn’t back away from his endorsement, he said he would continue to speak out when he believed the billionaire businessman makes inappropriate statements.

Ryan spokesman said the speaker did not “urge” the party to fall in line behind Trump but stressed the importance of unity.

Ryan “just reaffirmed his disagreement with the comment, respecting that the people have elected Donald Trump as our Republican nominee and what we’re going to do is we’re going to use our position in a positive way to help America out,” said Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y.

Trump tried to quell some of the outrage on Tuesday, releasing a statement saying his past remarks had been misconstrued, and Trump avoided the topic all together during a speech he gave later that evening.

Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative group in Congress, said Trump needs to “quit spending time bashing judges.” He will vote for Trump, he said, but, “I don’t endorse people that bash judges — based on his ethnic heritage.” (Source: CNN)

 

Posted in: USA Tagged: conservatives, Donald Trump, election, endorsement, establishment, GOP, hazmat, Hillary Clinton, kkk, racism, Republican, USA

October 9, 2007

October 9, 2007 by Graeme MacKay

The above cartoon was featured, again, on CBC Radio Canada over the weekend (wait for the 15 second ad to complete and watch the two minute clip where the lovely and sophisticated Sophie-Helene Lebeuf explains my cartoon en francais.)

It’s the eve before voting day in Ontario and over the weekend my paper issued its endorsement of the Liberal Party. Ever wonder who the Spectator has endorsed in past 3 Provincial elections? No? Well I’m going to tell you anyway — Liberal — with the exception of 1999, when we couldn’t decide who to endorse. I say ‘we’ because I’ve been there for the 1999 and 2003 ones. I was out of town for the most recent one. If you’re wondering why the Spec even bothers to endorse it was explained by editor-in-chief David Estok in the Saturday issue.

Ever wonder what we said in past endorsements? No? Well, here they are anyway (without paragraphs).

Despite weaknesses, Liberal platform is the better way to go Election 2003: Voters fed up with confrontation
September 30, 2003

We cannot, in all good conscience, offer unqualified support for the platforms of the main provincial parties seeking to form the next government of Ontario. And we are hardly dazzled by their respective leaders. But on balance we think the package offered by the Liberal Party of Ontario is the better way to go. There are certainly some weaknesses in the Liberal scheme but more on those later. We like their overall philosophy of “trying to live within our means,” and we find Dalton McGuinty’s message that a Liberal government will not cut taxes but won’t raise them either refreshingly direct. Frankly, we think the Conservatives are fudging the provincial debt numbers. And while McGuinty continues to boast that all Liberal promises will be fulfilled by 2007, which we doubt, we are pleased to hear him being responsible enough to suggest some of the big-ticket items in the Liberal plan, like hiring 5,400 new teachers, may have to be “phased in” over a longer period of time. The Liberals have talked about expanding home care, hiring more foreign-trained doctors and killing such callous programs as life-long bans on collecting welfare for a first offence. These things are cheap and should happen. They are fuzzy on hydro, and that worries us, and they escaped a frank discussion of their soapy stand on amalgamation by ducking the paper’s editorial board. We think Ontarians are fed up with the divisive and confrontational politics of these last eight years and want relief from battling teachers, nurses, civil servants and the homeless. Consequently, we think the Liberals have a good shot at healing some wounds while not completely surrendering to pressure groups. Taxes: Yes, we are tempted by the tax cuts being offered by Ernie Eves and the Tories, but we understand that bait comes with a hook. A decrease in provincial taxes over the past eight years also led to the downloading of provincial social services which has driven up municipal taxes and left our social safety net in tatters. We are not interested in more of the same. When it comes to the New Democratic Party, we are frankly appalled at their proposal to raise corporate taxes — rolling back Tory tax cuts to 1998 levels is how they artfully sell it. That’s simply regressive and will undo the business tax reductions Hamilton has been struggling to provide. The Liberals have promised not to raise taxes. We can live with that. Health care: Communities such as Hamilton have been reeling under Tory health-care policies that meant disaster for patients and health-care workers alike. Overcrowding, understaffing and long waits for treatment are the norm. That’s simply unacceptable. We view the Liberals’ integrated strategy as the best remedy for our beleaguered health-care system. That strategy addresses stable multi-year funding; overcrowding in emergency rooms; unrealistic limits on home care; unacceptable waiting times for cardiac care, cancer care, total joint replacements and diagnostic scans; and the high, unfulfilled demand for family physicians. Education: We also believe McGuinty’s Liberals have the best shot at fixing the public school system, which has been ground down since the Mike Harris government took over education funding from the individual school boards. The Liberals have vowed to adopt the report of former University of Guelph president Mordechai Rozanski, who urged $2.1 billion be reinvested in public education. We like the Liberal plan to drop the Tories’ private school tax credit and education property tax break for seniors. Taking money out of the public system won’t fix it. The Liberals don’t plan to ban teacher strikes, as the Tories have promised. But we believe the Tory plan would only worsen the already dysfunctional relationship between teachers and the province. We like the Liberal plan to hire 5,400 new teachers and cap class size at 20 for JK to Grade 3, although we worry about what it will cost to provide physical space to accommodate these changes. We agree with the Liberals’ approach to university tuition fees, which would be frozen for two years, and their plan to place deregulated programs under government control again to reduce costs. We think the NDP plan to abolish tuition within 10 years is simply pie in the sky. Hydro and automobile insurance are hot-button issues for voters, who have been staggered by skyrocketing power bills and exponentially-increasing car insurance rates. Both are highly complex issues for which easy fixes are impossible. Car insurance: All three parties have tried to find solutions to the car insurance issue, with the NDP pushing for a public scheme similar to those in British Columbia and Manitoba. We’re not so sure that’s even doable, although we like the idea enough to dare the Liberals to think about it. We believe the Liberals’ immediate rate freeze, average 10 per cent rate reduction and customized policies are a good start in attacking the issue. Hydro: There is no easy way out of the hydro situation, even though the NDP seems to believe public power is the answer. The Liberals have adopted a more measured approach, with a rate cap until 2006 and a plan to shut down coal-burning plants by 2007.

* * * * * *

THE HARRIS YEARS: A ROOKIE TERM REPORT CARD
May, 29 1999

Still no endorsement. We remain sadly unimpressed by this election campaign. Name-calling, negative advertising and cynical strategizing have supplanted meaningful debate and discussion. To date, no party has proven itself worthy of the sacred trust Ontarians bestow through their vote. We continue to hope that, against all odds, in the few days remaining, one of the men who would be premier will experience an ethical epiphany and demonstrate real leadership. Failing that, we’ll join the growing multitude of voters on June 3, holding our noses all the way to the ballot box and supporting our personal lesser-of-evils choice. Meanwhile, we offer our subjective assessment of the last four years under the Mike Harris government. Please note, this is our take on the term prior to the election. For this campaign, we grade all the players the same: F. TAXES: Say what you want about the Harris agenda, on matters of taxation the Tories have been as good as their word. They pledged a 30 per cent cut on average, and they delivered. They promised to replace an arcane property tax system, and they did so with market value assessment. They lose marks for shoddy implementation and for not moving fast or far enough on business taxes. But we have to credit this government for tackling thorny tax issues their predecessors wouldn’t touch. Grade: A. – ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT: Lower taxes have contributed to job growth, although not to the extent Mike Harris would have us believe. Ontario’s growth rate is twice the rest of Canada and unemployment, at 6.4 per cent, is well below the national average of 7.8 per cent. Tax cuts and a welcoming business environment get credit, as do a buoyant U.S. economy and vibrant trade market. On the spending side, the Tories don’t fare so well. Harris likes to portray himself as a cutter, but the opposite is true. The Common Sense Revolution promised 20 per cent cuts in “non-priority” spending areas — $6 billion. Instead, spending this year is higher than it was in 1995. The Tories also added $22 billion to the debt. Although they haven’t balanced the budget, their commitment was to eliminate the deficit by 2001, and they’re on track to do that. Grade: B–. – EDUCATION: Standardized testing — good. Revitalized curriculum — good for the most part, but much greater preparation and consultation is required. Equalized funding formula so that, in effect, every student gets the same funding — conceptually good, but damaging for students if the formula isn’t adequate and without provisions for special needs, like language training and special education. The Tories promised to contain spiralling education taxes, and they did. Overall, though, most of the good they’ve accomplished in education is negated by botched implementation, hideous disorganization at the ministry level and a demeaning, confrontational approach towards educators. That’s an inappropriate way for Ontario’s government to behave, and it runs counter to the the Tory mantra of providing the best possible education for our children. Grade: D, with mandatory remedial action. – HEALTH: This is the most difficult area to assess because it remains a work in progress. The government says health care spending is up over 1995; the opposition says that, adjusted for inflation and population growth, it’s down. Either way, it’s at roughly the same level as when Harris was elected. But health-care adaptability, responsiveness and accountability are as important as money. Credit the Tories for taking action on health care where previous governments ran for cover. The system was burdened by bureaucracy and unwieldy infrastructure, was too slow to respond to changing trends in health and, in general, didn’t provide the best service for reasonable public cost. Unfortunately, the Tories were less successful in the way they went about their task. They appointed a panel of experts to decide what should close and what should open. That should have been the government’s job. The decision to reform by decree led to some painful mistakes, like the loss of so many nurses that a critical shortage now exists. The Tories moved with such haste on big-ticket hospital health-care reform, other equally important areas were left behind, in particular, the evolution from institutionally-centred to community-based care and long overdue primary care reform. Grade: C. On Monday, we continue our appraisal of the Harris government’s first term.

* * * * * *

Governing the province
The best option for Ontario
June, 03 1995

As Ontarians look to find a sense of inspiration in an election campaign that has become more emotional and polarized, the vision of an ideal government has no doubt crossed the minds of many voters. It would be a government which delivered quality public services within stable finances and fair taxation, strengthened job creation, encouraged investment and governed with prudence and concern for all. The government would bring people together rather than dividing them, taking care not to create new problems in solving old ones. It would have decisive leadership with the courage to tackle Ontario’s serious fiscal problems. Neither Liberal leader Lyn McLeod nor Conservative leader Mike Harris has fully captured the imagination of voters in terms of dynamic leadership qualities and personal appeal. The Conservatives, however, appear to have gained by more clearly spelling out their vision for smaller, less intrusive government in response to interventionist NDP economic and social policies. The Liberals have not been as effective in staking out their position, so far. The Liberals, however, have presented their middle-of-the-road agenda for change in a more responsible way than the Tories. There is cause for concern that a party which proposes to govern in a more moderate way than either of its rivals is being overshadowed by shrill voices on the left and right. Our preference is for the Liberals over the Conservatives as the best choice for a new government. On the basis of the Liberal program and style of campaigning (not the efficiency of the campaign), Ontario is more likely to be governed in a more pragmatic and sensitive way than the Harris-led Conservatives. Mr. Harris has developed a stronger leadership image than Ms McLeod, but has been prone to discussing issues in a harsh and intemperate tone. If he were to become premier, he would quickly need to steer a mainstream course and show that he can govern in the prudent fashion of his Conservative predecessors. After 4 1/2 years fractious years of a government driven by a left-wing ideology, Ontario would be ill-served if more unnecessary upheaval were created by a leader whose message of a “revolution” based on a right-wing ideology raises the spectre of confrontation. In a more positive vein, both opposition parties have issued detailed policy programs and are philosophically attuned to the essential priorities — economic growth and more responsible management of public finances. While they approach the issues with significant differences in style, both parties recognize a flourishing private sector is fundamental to making Ontario more prosperous. We share the doubts among voters as to whether these parties are capable of delivering on ambitious promises. Even financial analysts, normally supportive of tax reductions, are concerned that tax cuts at this point could drive Ontario into deeper trouble. In any case, the Liberals and Tories say that Ontario can do much better — with balanced budgets, lower taxes, and more efficient services than offered by the big, bureaucratic programs favored by the NDP. Mr. Harris has certainly capitalized on two issues of concern — rising welfare costs and the NDP’s unpopular employment equity legislation. But as a would-be premier, he has a responsibility to present the case for reform with more sensitivity in a pluralistic society. Mr. Harris should also be reminded that a premier must represent all of Ontario. The feasibility of his deficit reduction plan remains a major question mark. Mr. Harris, committed to the largest tax cuts, would take five years to balance the budget. Even that schedule is far from certain. Mr. Harris’ reliance on tax cuts to produce an army of jobs has a dogmatic leap of faith to it. His own survey of 500 people, released this week, indicated that he may be too optimistic in estimating the job creation impact of his plan to cut the provincial income tax rate by 30 per cent over three years. Only 35 per cent of those surveyed said they would spend the extra money, as opposed to investing or saving it. Ms McLeod, for her part, hasn’t boxed her party in with tax reductions as large as those of the Conservatives. Largely because of that, most analysts — if they had to choose — prefer the Liberal plan as the more reasonable route to a balanced budget. There is widespread concern, however, that none of the three parties has a program that’s disciplined enough to correct Ontario’s precarious finances to protect health, education and the social safety net. New spending commitments in the Liberal plan — totalling almost $3 billion over five years — have prompted criticism that the Liberals would actually spend more than the NDP. The Liberals continue to bear the burden of the high-spending Peterson government, which enjoyed a major economic expansion but allowed spending to run out of control and didn’t pay down the debt. The Liberals, under Ms McLeod, must demonstrate quickly and decisively that they have learned that lesson. Although she has a fuzzy image, Ms McLeod should not be underestimated. Her career in public life has been characterized by caution and consultation, which are solid values for a politician — especially in these troubled times. She is described by associates as a person who takes a lot of time to make a decision, but once her mind is made up , she sticks to it. In contrast to the ‘General Bullmoose’ image that Mr. Harris often displays in the legislature and along the campaign trail, Ms McLeod shapes up as a chairman of the board with good consensus skills in the premier’s office. In our view she should be given the chance to govern.

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: 2007 Election, commentary, endorsement, Hamilton Spectator, Ontario
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