GG – mackaycartoons

Thursday November 1, 2018

November 8, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 1, 2018

Two Former GGs on the hot seat for their lavish ways

Canada’s governors general deserve continued financial support once they retire but they need to be more transparent and accountable for their expenses, Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.

February 20, 2004

The prime minister made the comment after a Postmedia report revealed that Adrienne Clarkson, who was governor general from 1999 to 2005, has billed more than $1 million in expenses since leaving the viceregal job.

Besides their pensions, former governors general get lifetime public funding for office and travel expenses through a program that has existed since 1979, on the premise that governors general never truly retire.

Trudeau said the federal government will review the program to determine “best practices” for supporting former governors general.

September 27, 2005

“These are people who’ve stepped up and offered tremendous service to this country but Canadians expect a certain level of transparency and accountability and we’re going to make sure we’re moving forward in a thoughtful way,” Trudeau said on his way into the Liberals’ weekly caucus meeting.

Clarkson has billed more than $100,000 to the government nine times in the 12 years since she left Rideau Hall.

That’s the threshold for reporting the billings separately, including identifying the claimant, in the federal government’s annual Public Accounts. The Public Accounts disclose no detail about the nature of the expenses.

Expenses of less than $100,000 billed by former governors general are lumped together in a general “temporary help services” category and do not identify who claimed them. (Source: Toronto Star)

May 27, 2009

Earlier in October, another former Governor-General, Michaelle Jean failed, in her bid for a second term as secretary general of la Francophonie Friday as members chose Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo.

Three days after his government withdrew its support for Jean, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisted the move was not part of a deal to advance Canada’s bid for a United Nations Security Council seat in 2020.

Jean had been dogged by stories of excessive spending and questionable expenses during her mandate.

After a four-year term marked by controversy, the former governor general was considered a long shot for a second stint, but she refused to withdraw her candidacy even as support dwindled. (Source: CTV News)

Wednesday August 17, 2005

August 17, 2005 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 17, 2005

Only a month and a bit to go before installation day

Declaration of loyalty, please

It’s starting to sound like a French Revolution of sorts with all the harsh words about our new Governor General.Vice-regent-in-waiting Michaelle Jean and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, have been spared the guillotine so far, but the trashing in the court of public opinion has been relentless.

It started with an article in a Quebecois magazine that claimed Jean and Lafond are part of the province’s intellectual sovereigntist community. Lafond is even alleged to have FLQ sympathies. He wrote in the script of a film on FLQ member Francis Simard that he developed an “instant bond” with the terrorist.

Premier Ralph Klein and Opposition leader Stephen Harper have raised concerns about the appointment, and the prime minister is reported to have scolded them for speaking out.

And yet appeasement in this summertime diversion is such a simple matter. Instead of the dull roar of silence we have heard so far, the G-G designate should stand up and say, unequivocally, that she supports federalism and that Quebec should remain part of Canada.

Then we would be done with this. Jean could get on with boning up on vice-regent protocol and ordering new wallpaper for Government House.

But if she has trouble speaking words of federalist loyalty, then she should consider returning to her previous career in broadcasting. As a governor general, it’s wonderful that she comes from Quebec, is part of a visible minority community, is a woman and speaks several languages. But the job needs someone who lives and breathes for a united Canada. Supporting national unity is an important part of the governor general’s role.

So far we’ve only really heard from Prime Minister Martin’s spokesperson on this: “When the prime minister says these people are committed Canadians, he has good reason to say so, ” Scott Reid, Martin’s director of communications, told reporters.

But now is the time for Jean to step forward.

It’s the least she could do for being given the keys to a very nice house in Ottawa. (Hamilton Spectator Opinion)

Thursday August 5, 1999

August 5, 1999 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 5, 1999

Governor-General Bob Rae?

Former Ontario premier Bob Rae is the latest, and hottest, rumour in the governor general sweepstakes.

The Toronto Star Wednesday reported Rae, 51, may leave his law practice to become Canada’s next governor general, replacing Romeo LeBlanc.

By Graeme MacKay Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Illustrated between 1994-1997

Romeo LeBlanc

LeBlanc has been governor general since 1995. Earlier this year he asked Prime Minister Jean Chretien to replace him by the end of the year so he could end his term early.

Rae, a former federal NDP MP, and Ontario’s former NDP premier, works as a lawyer for Goodman Phillips Vineberg of Toronto.

The newspaper reports that Rae recently deregistered from the lobbyists’ registry, usually a sign that someone is preparing to accept a public appointment. (Source: CBC News)