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Tuesday June 10 2025

Canada commits $9 billion to defence spending to address global threats and align with NATO expectations, while balancing national interests.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday June 10 2025

Canada’s Bold Move: Strengthening Defense Amid Global Pressures

May 7, 2025

This week, Canada has taken a significant step in shaping its defence strategy as Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $9 billion investment in military spending, with a commitment to meet NATO’s 2% GDP target this year. This decision reflects Canada’s dedication to strengthening its military capabilities in response to rising global tensions, particularly from countries like Russia and China, which have been expanding their military power. These challenges necessitate a robust defence posture from Canada.

News: Carney to announce Canada’s defence spending will hit NATO’s target of 2% of GDP this fiscal year, sources say

At the same time, Canada’s move is influenced by ongoing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about NATO allies increasing their defence budgets. Trump’s focus on military might is evident not only on the world stage but also at home, with his use of the National Guard to address protests and the upcoming military parade for his birthday. These actions highlight the expectation that allies like Canada share the burden of defence spending.

January 16, 2020

Interestingly, the pressure from Trump seems to echo the tactics used by leaders like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, who often wield their influence through displays of strength. For Canada, aligning with these demands means finding a balance between meeting international obligations and looking after national interests. Carney’s investment is not just a reaction to outside pressures; it’s a strategic move to ensure that Canada remains a capable and committed player on the global stage.

News: NATO to back 5% spending target in June, Secretary-General says

By focusing on enhancing military readiness and boosting the Canadian defence industry, Carney’s government aims to secure Canada’s future while maintaining its independence. This includes reforms in military procurement and the use of domestic resources like Canadian steel and aluminum, reducing reliance on the U.S., and strengthening ties with European allies.

As Canada takes this path, it’s important to support policies that reflect our values and commitment to security. This investment in defence will help ensure that Canada remains respected and influential in a world where power displays are on the rise.

A few thoughts about where we stand with our international security commitments. It’s no secret that Canada has been lagging in this area for a while now.

Our self-defence capabilities have weakened to the point where it’s hard to see how we can be a credible force in helping defend others when we can barely defend ourselves.

That said, I’m looking at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent commitments with a lot of hope. I’m cautiously optimistic about this new leadership and what it could mean for our defence posture. It’s definitely about results at this point, and I’m hoping Carney can deliver.

It’s interesting timing, isn’t it? Just ahead of the G7 meeting we’re hosting and right before the big NATO summit where talk of spending is heating up from 2% to 5%. And let’s not forget, it’s Trump’s birthday week, culminating in that over-the-top military parade. It feels like we’re all putting on a bit of a show right now.

Tuesday January 9, 2023

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.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 9, 2023

Trudeau’s Luxury Vacation: A Troubling Disregard for Public Sentiment

August 5, 2022

As Canadians grapple with an escalating cost of living, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent lavish holiday in Jamaica has ignited concerns about his ethical judgment and raised questions about his commitment to understanding the struggles of ordinary citizens during challenging times.

While Trudeau may assert that the trip adheres to the technicalities of conflict law, its optics clash sharply with the spirit of responsibility and empathy that leaders are expected to embody, particularly when the nation faces economic hardships.

News: Trudeau’s latest family vacation sparks questions – again  

February 17, 2023

Canadians have historically accepted their leaders taking vacations, provided they don’t appear to be indulging in luxury during times of national economic strain. Unfortunately, Trudeau’s vacation history, including the Aga Khan’s island escapade and the Tofino trip on Truth and Reconciliation Day, has consistently strained this delicate balance.

Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, where citizens grapple with financial strains, Trudeau’s decision to spend the holidays in a Jamaican paradise comes across as tone-deaf. It is essential to recognize that public sentiment goes beyond legal technicalities; it hinges on ethical considerations, especially when it comes to leaders who should lead by example.

January 6, 2020

The $9,300-a-night luxury compound, gifted by a longtime family friend, Peter Green, is a testament to Trudeau’s disconnect with the struggles of ordinary Canadians. Even if pre-cleared by the ethics commissioner, the optics of such an opulent getaway, during a time when many Canadians are financially strained, raise ethical concerns.

Trudeau’s past ethical lapses, notably the Aga Khan’s island incident, should have made him more sensitive to public perceptions. The attempt to initially portray the vacation as self-funded, only later ‘clarified’ as a gift from Green, adds a layer of opacity to the situation. Such actions erode the public’s trust in a leader.

December 21, 2017

While supporters may downplay this as an insignificant issue, the difference between Trudeau’s popularity during the Aga Khan controversy and now is significant. His expressions of solidarity with Canadians, claiming to understand their struggles, ring increasingly hollow, especially with a 14-point drop in recent polls.

Trudeau’s attempt to reconnect with Canadians through a “listening tour” after the Aga Khan incident doesn’t seem like a winning strategy this time. Voters are growing weary of the calculated political maneuvers, particularly from a leader who appears overexposed and out of touch with their concerns.

News: Prime minister’s plane breaks down in Jamaica during family holiday  

March 14, 2019

The political landscape has evolved into a discourse on wealth, with leaders from all parties using it as a political wedge against each other. Trudeau, once seen as a rock star of the Liberal party, is now viewed by some as a liability, contributing to a narrative of elitism and snobbery.

In the face of rising income inequality, Trudeau’s choice to holiday in exclusive estates contributes to the perception that wealth is not a reward for hard work but an unfair privilege. The political landscape, once indifferent to personal fortunes, now scrutinizes leaders’ ties to millionaires and billionaires.

July 24, 2020

Trudeau’s Caribbean odyssey is more than a vacation; it symbolizes a leader out of touch with the financial struggles of everyday Canadians. As the prime minister spends the first month of the new year playing defence, it’s clear that this latest freebie to the beach has further depleted the sands in his political hourglass. The challenge now is for Trudeau to reevaluate his priorities and reconnect with the public he was elected to serve. (AI)

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Letter to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday January 11, 2024

PM’s vacation a nonstory

I am not a huge fan of The Spec’s editorial cartoonist, Graeme MacKay, so I wasn’t surprised but saddened that he has fallen for the federal Conservative Party’s rhetoric and criticism of Justin Trudeau’s holiday vacation to Jamaica.

Criticizing the PM for going on vacation while Canadians suffer? That is such a stretch it defies logic, but then again, the federal Conservatives have recently had problems with the truth.

I understand the purpose of editorial cartooning, but to perpetuate a nonstory seems a little far fetched. Maybe readers should be directed to the editorial cartoon published in the Toronto Star on the same day, which depicts Pierre Poilievre blaming the demise of dinosaurs on Trudeau. Now, that’s funny!

Sue Prestedge, Hamilton

(Previous letter to the editor from Sue Prestedge)

 

Tuesday October 27, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 27, 2020

New Doug Ford vs. Old Doug Ford: Which one is Premier of Ontario?

Since his election as Ontario Premier in 2018, Doug Ford has been available in two versions.

March 27, 2020

There’s the empathetic, uniting leader who works across political boundaries. He first appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

And there’s the original Doug Ford – the angry partisan who sows divisions and does favours for friends.

You may recall version 1.0 from such moves as Mr. Ford’s attempt to name an underqualified old crony, Ron Taverner, as commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police in 2018. It reeked so badly of conflict of interest that Mr. Taverner ultimately withdrew his name from consideration.

November 9, 2019

Doug Ford v. 1.0 was also infamous for unilaterally cutting the size of Toronto City Council from 44 members to 25 in 2018, in the middle of a municipal election. There was no justification for it, but Mr. Ford rammed it through for nakedly partisan reasons.

It was thus a pleasant surprise to see the Premier reboot himself as a less demagogic, more empathetic leader when the pandemic struck.

During the crisis, Doug Ford v. 2.0 has shown an openness to working with the federal Liberal government of Justin Trudeau, and an understanding of the difficulties facing Ontarians. He has spent months praising traditional targets. His government’s actual results leave much to be desired, but his work ethic and lack of partisanship have won him the respect of former critics.

November 17, 2018

And then last week he reverted to prepandemic form, slipping two self-serving measures into omnibus legislation meant to help businesses get through the pandemic.

One measure was a ban on municipalities using ranked ballots in elections, removing an option given to them in 2016 by the former Liberal government.

Ranked ballots let voters choose a first, second and third choice for a council seat or the mayor’s seat; if none of the candidates wins a majority off the bat, the voters’ second and third choices are redistributed until one candidate reaches the 50-per-cent threshold.

His other self-serving measure was to include a school run by a political ally among three Christian schools that are either being given university status or having their right to hand out degrees expanded.

Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies in Whitby, Ont., is run by Charles McVety – a polarizing figure who opposes gay marriage and espouses hateful views about LGBTQ people, Islam and other targets. (Continued: Globe & Mail) 

 

Tuesday October 6, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 6, 2020

‘I’m back’: Trumpworld shows no sign of changing after Covid-19 diagnosis

There was a school of thought that Donald Trump might be humbled by becoming infected himself with the coronavirus, see the light and encourage Americans to stay safe. It lasted about as long as the hope that he would “pivot” to a traditional presidency after his inauguration.

May 12, 2020

Instead Trump has sought to project the strongman image, flying to the White House by helicopter at sunset, standing on the balcony and taking off his face mask while still contagious, bragging that he feels better than he did 20 years ago and urging the public to neither fear the virus nor let it dominate their lives.

His campaign has sent out fundraising emails preaching a similar if-I-can-beat-it-so-can-you-message, hoping to turn personal and political disaster to their electoral advantage against the cautious Joe Biden. It is very on-brand for a president who views illness as a weakness and seeks each day to make himself the hero of his own reality TV show.

June 2, 2020

“He’s operated in kind of cartoon icons his entire career, with iconic images and symbols of being a magnate, owning a football team, an airline, casinos, Mar-a-Lago,” said Gwenda Blair, a Trump biographer. “All these symbols of unbelievable riches were really powerful – that was a very successful manoeuvre and he’s kept it up. So now these photo ops that look ridiculous and dangerous have a certain resonance. Of course he’ll keep doing that.

“Now he is going to be an ‘expert’: he’s had it so nobody can tell him anything. If he ever even paused for a second for any medical advice before, that’s over. He knows more about wars than the generals; he will now know more about the coronavirus than any doctors.”

September 10, 2020

Trump, a disciple of the book The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, seems determined to wish his own serious condition away even if it means endangering his staff, Blair added. “All the people that he’s exposing by this, the poor Secret Service, the medical personnel, the pilots on the helicopter, all the White House staff. It’s mind-boggling.”

After Trump was discharged from Walter Reed military hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, on Monday night, his campaign sent fundraising emails with the subject headings, “I’M BACK!”, “Did you miss me?” and “Best I’ve felt in 20 years!” They told supporters: “I’m telling you: Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life!”

The messaging was, as so often, amplified by Republican allies and conservative media. Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida tweeted: “President Trump won’t have to recover from COVID. COVID will have to recover from President Trump. #MAGA.” (Guardian) 

 

Wednesday June 17, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 17, 2020

Rosslyn residence was literally a house of horrors

The story of the Rosslyn Retirement Residence, as reported by Spectator journalist Steve Buist, is by turns sickening, heartbreaking and infuriating.

May 27, 2020

It is also, in a way, indicative of what is wrong with Ontario’s long-term-care system. But it is so egregious, so extreme, that it is in a class by itself. Buist’s series was entitled House of Horrors, and that’s not an overstatement, at least not for victims and their families.

Yes, victims is the right word. Rosslyn residents were subjected to chronic bedbug infestations. Photos showing the result of those infestations will make your stomach turn. Medication was often not administered properly. Residents wandered in unsafe conditions. There were mouse droppings and black mould in food storage areas.

Management and ownership of Rosslyn received repeated notices, from public health and the provincial oversight agency, and warnings about health and safety infractions. And these infractions were not all new and related to pandemic staffing. Between 2018 and 2020 public health inspections found bed bugs, mice and cleaning issues. According to former staff members, operators of the home portrayed it to residents’ families as having a “secure memory unit” that didn’t actually exist.

There’s more. You could fill this space three times over just with the disturbing findings and stories uncovered by Spectator reporting. Fourteen residents of the Rosslyn have died from COVID-19, 22 staff members became infected and more than 60 residents were hospitalized by the time the pandemic eventually emptied the facility last month.

Now let’s add insult to injury. The owners of this facility, and seven other retirement homes and residential care facilities in the Hamilton area, are no strangers to the business. The Martino family owned the Royal Crest Lifecare chain, which collapsed in bankruptcy in 2003. They cried poor at the time but were found to have access to four homes, five SUVs, three Mercedes, a Hummer and a 42-foot cabin cruiser. When the dust settled on the commercial and business bankruptcies, nearly $200 million in liabilities were left, and $18 million left owing to taxpayers.

April 1, 2020

And now, the questions. How was it that the Martino family was able to continue in the business of running retirement homes so easily given its terrible track record? Why would they be given a licence by the provincial oversight agency, the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA)?

In the past 18 months, the city’s bylaw enforcement department has registered 28 violations of property standards against the Martinos’ care homes in Hamilton. There is a litany of horror stories from former staff and families of former residents RHRA. Why did it take so long to act? The RHRA revoked the Rosslyn’s licence this week, but what took so long?

Then there’s the oversight agency itself. The RHRA is essentially a self-governing industry body charged with enforcing the provincial Retirement Homes Act. Given everything we now know about LTC in general and Rosslyn specifically, why should we trust an industry body to oversee the sector?

Last but not least is the prospect of criminal charges. Provincial NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has asked Hamilton police to conduct a complete investigation. Good for Horwath, but why didn’t the government do that first?

If an investigation finds the Rosslyn horror story involves criminal behaviour, charges must be laid and those responsible must be prosecuted. The Rosslyn travesty and others like it should be rallying cries in the call for complete reform of long-term care. Rosslyn’s victims deserve nothing less. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)