funding

Saturday July 12, 2025

The Trump administration's proposed cuts and potential withdrawal from international agreements put the Great Lakes' ecological and economic future at risk.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday July 12, 2025

The Great Lakes at Risk

In the delicate balance of preserving our planet’s natural resources, the Great Lakes stand as a vital beacon of life and sustainability. Spanning 1,200 miles from Minnesota to central New York, these lakes hold 20% of the world’s fresh surface water and provide drinking water to more than 40 million people. They support a thriving ecosystem of 3,500 species and are central to a $750 billion annual economy. Yet, under the Trump administration, these treasures are under unprecedented threat.

Analysis: Cataclysmic’: environmentalists fear effects of Trump cuts on Great Lakes

The recent article from The Guardian paints a sobering picture of the current administration’s disregard for environmental stewardship. Proposed budget cuts to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other key federal agencies threaten to undermine decades of progress in protecting the Great Lakes. Moreover, the administration’s inclination to withdraw from international agreements with Canada raises alarming questions about the future of these vital waters.

The Trump administration’s rhetoric and actions reveal a troubling willingness to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability. The proposed diversion of Great Lakes water to other parts of the United States, if pursued, could have disastrous consequences for both ecological balance and international relations.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and other binational treaties with Canada are more than mere formalities; they are commitments to stewardship, cooperation, and shared responsibility. They represent a promise to future generations that these waters will remain pristine and abundant.

Graeme Gallery: Donald Trump: Dirtiest U.S. President Ever

State governments and regional organizations have admirably stepped in to fill some gaps left by federal funding cuts, but their efforts alone cannot replace the comprehensive support and enforcement capabilities of the federal government. Without a strong federal commitment, the risks of pollution, invasive species, and water-level fluctuations could escalate, threatening the very fabric of life in the region.

Silence and inaction are not options. The Great Lakes are not just a regional concern; they are a national treasure and an international responsibility. We must demand that the Trump administration uphold its obligations under international agreements and prioritize the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes.

To protect these precious waters, we need bipartisan support, increased public awareness, and unwavering advocacy. The Great Lakes are our Yellowstone, our Grand Canyon—a wonder of the world that demands our respect, care, and vigilance. It’s time to stand up for the Great Lakes and ensure that they remain a thriving legacy for generations to come.

 

 

Friday July 11, 2025

Ontario’s college crisis reveals the consequences of chronic underfunding and overreliance on international student tuition, leading to massive job losses and deep program cuts.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 11, 2025

Colleges on the Brink: How Ontario’s Tuition Gamble Crumbled

The news of mass layoffs, cancelled programs, and campus closures across Ontario’s colleges is deeply unsettling — not just for those directly affected, but for anyone who believes in the value of accessible, community-rooted post-secondary education.

Nearly 10,000 staff across the province’s public colleges have lost their jobs. Over 600 programs have been suspended or cancelled. Four campuses are closing. The reason is well known by now: a dramatic collapse in international student enrolment, triggered by last year’s federal cap on study permits.

News: Ontario colleges face massive layoffs after ‘alarming’ enrolment decline

That cap was introduced to help address housing and health care pressures. But it also exposed a fragile financial model — one that colleges and successive governments had come to rely on. International tuition had quietly grown to cover roughly a third of college revenues. When it disappeared, the system cracked.

In online comment boards, frustration is palpable. Some argue colleges forgot their purpose, turning into immigration gateways instead of community institutions. Others say bloated administrations and low admission standards let things spiral. There’s no shortage of blame — some of it fair, some of it misdirected.

Let’s be clear: international students are not the problem. They pursued education here in good faith, often at great cost, and contributed enormously to our communities, classrooms, and economy. The issue lies in how government policy and college strategy built a system dependent on their presence — without safeguards for a sudden change.

For years, Ontario colleges were stuck between two immovable forces: frozen domestic tuition and the lowest per-student public funding in the country. Instead of addressing that imbalance, provincial policy left colleges to “solve” the problem through revenue from abroad. This wasn’t a sustainable strategy — it was a deferral of responsibility.

Auditor generals, faculty, and student advocates warned about this years ago. Now, with federal caps in place and no backstop from Queen’s Park, the collapse is here. And the people paying the price are instructors, support staff, students, and communities — especially those in smaller towns that rely on colleges as local anchors.

What’s needed now isn’t scapegoating or finger-pointing. It’s leadership. That includes:

* Provincial reinvestment in core funding, not just targeted STEM spending or one-time bailouts
* Transparency and accountability from college administrations about how cuts are being made
* A broader public conversation about what our college system is for — and who it serves
This moment could be a turning point — a reset toward a more focused, mission-driven, and financially resilient model of post-secondary education. Or it could become another case study in political deflection and institutional retreat.

We should choose the first path. That will take honesty, investment, and coordination between all levels of government. But above all, it will take a renewed commitment to the idea that college education is a public good — not a business model, and not a stopgap for broken policies elsewhere.

The system is in crisis. But the response doesn’t have to be.

Community Colleges Catastrophe

What’s happening in Ontario’s colleges is heartbreaking. I know instructors who’ve lost long-held jobs, and students now face shrinking opportunities as programs disappear. None of this is their fault — and it’s not the fault of international students either, who came here in good faith.

The real issue is years of chronic underfunding, made worse by an over-reliance on international tuition and a government now using this crisis to score political points. And with AI already eliminating jobs — and threatening many more — this couldn’t be happening at a worse time. We should be expanding access to future-ready education, not cutting it to the bone.

Blame-shifting won’t fix this. We need leadership, investment, and a reset that rebuilds colleges as strong, inclusive, community-focused institutions. Because a thriving college system isn’t just about jobs — it’s about our shared future.

Animated version of the editorial cartoon printed in the July 11, 2025 edition of the Hamilton Spectator:

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Wednesday February 12, 2025

Ontario's healthcare faces significant challenges under Doug Ford's leadership, with election promises from all parties aiming to address systemic issues but requiring long-term commitment rather than quick fixes.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday February 12, 2025 (also, The Toronto Star.)

Doug Ford’s Abysmal Healthcare Performance in Ontario

Doug Ford needs to stop blaming vulnerable individuals for homelessness and instead focus on providing real solutions like affordable housing, mental health services, and job support to help lift people out of poverty.

September 26, 2024

Healthcare in Ontario has been a hot topic for years, and under Doug Ford’s leadership, the debate has only heated up. As election promises flood in from all parties, each claiming to fix the family doctor shortage and other issues, it’s important to examine what the current government has done—and hasn’t done—about healthcare.

Doug Ford’s time in office has seen plenty of criticism for how healthcare has been handled. Emergency rooms are closing more often, especially in rural areas, leaving people with fewer options when they need urgent care. The problem of finding family doctors has only grown, with millions more Ontarians expected to lose their family doctor soon. For people like Louise Lee and her family, this means a constant struggle to find basic medical care.

Analysis: 2024 worst year for Ontario ER closures, CBC analysis finds

May 19, 2023

Instead of focusing on these urgent healthcare needs, Ford’s government has been accused of chasing short-term, flashy policies. Expanding beer sales in convenience stores seemed to take priority over real healthcare reform, raising questions about what truly matters to this administration.

Privatization efforts have also worried many. By shifting funding towards private providers, there’s a risk that healthcare could become less accessible and affordable, potentially leading to a system where only those who can pay get the best care.
Promises to end hallway medicine have yet to materialize, with overcrowded hospitals still a common issue. This failure to deliver on key promises is part of a larger pattern of unmet commitments.

March 1, 2023

While appointing Dr. Jane Philpott to oversee primary care access was a positive step, it doesn’t address the bigger issues without a full strategy in place.

As the election approaches, political parties are offering solutions to Ontario’s healthcare problems. Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals want to bring in 3,100 family doctors by 2029, spending $3.1 billion. Doug Ford’s Conservatives plan to create 305 new primary care teams to help two million more Ontarians, with $1.8 billion in funding. Marit Stiles and the NDP promise to recruit 3,500 new doctors, spending $4.05 billion—the boldest plan of all.

These promises are supported by additional federal funding, with Justin Trudeau’s government committing $11.4 billion over 10 years to Ontario’s healthcare. This money aims to support team-based care models, which could make the system more efficient.

Analysis: Ontario parties are promising family doctors for all

August 19, 2022

But there’s plenty of doubt. How will these parties find all the new doctors they promise? Can they really fix the problems that have been around for decades?

The truth is, Ontario’s healthcare system has been declining for years, and it’s not just Ford’s fault. Long-standing issues like underfunding, an aging population, and workforce challenges have all played a part. Our healthcare system struggles to keep up with modern demands.

Election promises alone won’t bring the big changes needed. We need a long-term plan, backed by solid policies and cooperation across political lines, to truly improve Ontario’s healthcare. This plan must focus on fair access, updated infrastructure, and fixing systemic problems.

January 27, 2021

As voters prepare to make their choice, it’s important to look closely at what all parties are promising. Doug Ford’s record on healthcare shows many challenges, and while some new proposals give hope, they need to be realistic and impactful. Ontario’s healthcare system needs more than quick fixes or campaign talk; it requires a real commitment to lasting improvement. Only then can we hope to turn things around and build a healthcare system that works for everyone in Ontario.

Ontario’s Election – Continued: Ford Focus

I don’t think you have to be from Ontario to understand it. Public health care is undergoing significant challenges not just in this province, but across Canada and around the world where universal healthcare is crumbling. The struggles with doctor and nursing shortages, long wait times for procedures, and overcrowded emergency rooms are issues that many regions are grappling with, not just Doug Ford’s Ontario.

And let’s be real, if politicians want to brand themselves as superheroes, editorial cartoonists are definitely going to play along! I keep saying it, but we are facing an unnecessary election in Ontario right now. Just like President Trump has a knack for drawing attention to himself, Doug Ford seems to be trying to distract voters from his own record by shifting focus to Trump. Honestly, leave the Trump distractions to the Feds, Doug, and focus on defending your own record!

This piece took me back to those classic Superman episodes, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed putting it together. And if you’re a voter in Ontario, don’t be part of the apathetic 57% who didn’t bother to cast a ballot last time! It’s so important to get informed and make your voice heard. Mark your calendars—election day is on February 27, 2025. Let’s make sure we all step up and participate in shaping the future of our province!

Please enjoy the February 12, 2024 making-of animated editorial cartoon below.  Posts come out every Saturday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. What you’re reading now is regarded as a “note”, which is used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cartoons. If you like my editorial cartoons and animations, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. A lot of work goes into these cartoons and commentary — Best of all, it’s free!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Saturday March 9, 2024

Doug Ford's $1.3 billion funding plan for Ontario's universities and colleges is deemed insufficient and short-sighted, failing to address long-standing structural underfunding issues in post-secondary education.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 9, 2024

Doug Ford’s Education Funding: A Shortfall in Vision and Commitment

September 7, 2018

In recent weeks, the Ford government’s approach to addressing the funding crisis in Ontario’s post-secondary institutions has come under scrutiny, with criticisms pointing to a lack of foresight and a piecemeal strategy. The government’s three-year, $1.3 billion funding plan, heralded as a solution to stabilize cash-strapped universities and colleges, has been labeled by global credit agency DBRS Morningstar as a mere “stop gap.”

Opinion: A short-term, piecemeal plan won’t work. The Ford government must provide stable, predictable funding for higher ed

David Moscrop, in a scathing assessment, emphasizes the structural and worsening problems underlying the funding shortage faced by these institutions. The Ford government’s attempts, led by Education Minister Jill Dunlop, fail to tackle the fundamental issue of revenue flexibility for Ontario universities, leaving critics questioning the sustainability of the proposed plan. A stark warning from DBRS Morningstar about the plan being insufficient to address long-term challenges only raises more concerns about the fate of these educational institutions once the three-year funding runs out.

August 30, 2023

Moscrop astutely points out that the post-secondary funding crisis is not a recent phenomenon but a result of historical decisions, including cuts made by the Mike Harris PC government in the 1990s. Despite enrollment increases, post-secondary funding dropped significantly during this period, setting the stage for long-term failure. The Ford government’s current funding plan, criticized for offering less than half of what an expert blue-ribbon panel recommended, fails to rectify the persistent underfunding issue.

The panel’s recommendations, including a 10% grant boost indexed to inflation and a 5% tuition hike, present a potential dilemma for students already grappling with the high cost of education. The proposal suggests raising tuition fees, an idea that may prove financially burdensome for many students. As the cost-of-living crisis persists in Ontario, and with tuition already hovering around $8,000 a year, the burden on students could become untenable.

March 17, 2016

Furthermore, Moscrop calls for the Ford government to prioritize education by providing robust, predictable, and sustainable funding. He proposes alternative ways to raise funds, including reevaluating legislation like Bill 124, reconsidering gas tax cuts, ending the license-fee freeze, and reallocating funds from highways to public transit.

The government’s recent announcement of nearly $1.3 billion in funding for post-secondary institutions, along with a freeze on tuition fees for three years, raises questions about the efficacy of these measures. While the breakdown of funding allocation appears comprehensive, critics argue that the Ford government needs to go beyond short-term fixes and institute long-term strategies for stable, predictable, and sufficient funding.

TVO Panel: Does Ontario Have Too Many Colleges and Universities?

The debate continues on whether the Ford government’s measures will truly address the root issues faced by Ontario’s universities and colleges. As students, educators, and experts weigh in, the onus remains on the government to demonstrate a commitment to prioritizing education and providing the necessary resources for a robust and sustainable post-secondary system. (AI)

 

Thursday April 20, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 20, 2023

Slap Shot or Slap in the Face?

October 7, 2022

The recent decision by the Trudeau government to release Hockey Canada from the penalty box and restore its funding after it was frozen in June 2022 by Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge has raised eyebrows and doubts about its wisdom. While Hockey Canada did enough to provisionally regain its funding, the challenges it now faces in rebuilding trust with major sponsors may be insurmountable, according to marketing expert Dr. Joanne McNeish from Toronto Metropolitan University.

The loss of sponsorship dollars, which was reported to be $23.5 million last year, and the loss of funding was a direct result of the revelation that a woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight players, including members of the 2018 world junior team, following a foundation gala in London, Ont. in June 2018. Hockey Canada and the woman quietly settled a $3.55 million lawsuit out of court. Subsequently, members of the 2003 men’s world junior roster were also being investigated for a group sexual assault.

Despite bringing in new leadership and meeting the conditions to have its funding restored, Hockey Canada’s reputation has been severely tarnished. The decision to restore funding has been met with disagreement by some members of Parliament, and it has raised questions about the organization’s leverage in negotiations with potential or past sponsors.

Opinion: The funding is back but can public trust in Hockey Canada be restored? 

November 28, 2007

Dr. McNeish argues that rebuilding trust, once broken, is a monumental challenge. Sponsors will be cautious and may impose additional legal and contractual obligations, which could be costly for a non-profit organization like Hockey Canada. This means that the organization will have less freedom in how it uses the funding provided and may have to accept less favorable terms from sponsors, leaving them in a position of almost begging for sponsorship.

Furthermore, the public perception of Hockey Canada may be negatively impacted, with sponsors opting for more targeted and specific funding at the grassroots level, rather than a visible public link with the organization. Companies like Tim Hortons have already pulled out of men’s hockey programming for the 2022-2023 season, including the men’s world junior championships, while continuing to fund women’s and para hockey teams, as well as youth hockey.

Dr. McNeish argues that while some sponsors may return, others may not find it worth the risk to associate themselves with an organization that has faced serious allegations of sexual assault and has had its funding frozen. The damage to Hockey Canada’s reputation may result in a weaker negotiating position and less favorable sponsorship terms, which could have long-term repercussions for the organization’s financial stability and ability to support grassroots hockey.

News: Rebuilding trust with sponsors will be next challenge for Hockey Canada  

February 22, 2014

In conclusion, the Trudeau government’s decision to restore funding to Hockey Canada may not have been a wise one. While the organization has met the conditions to regain its funding, the challenges of rebuilding trust with major sponsors and the potential loss of leverage in negotiations may have long-term negative consequences. The damage to Hockey Canada’s reputation may result in less favorable sponsorship terms and a weakened financial position, which could impact its ability to support grassroots hockey in Canada. It remains to be seen how sponsors will respond, but the decision to restore funding may have been made too hastily, without fully considering the potential consequences for the organization’s future. (AI)