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Saturday March 8, 2025

March 8, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Canada's "Elbows Up" approach signifies a strategic shift towards economic resilience and national unity in response to U.S. tariffs and geopolitical challenges.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 8, 2025

Elbows Up: The New Canadian Rallying Cry

Canada's hockey win over the USA becomes a powerful symbol of national pride and resilience amidst political tensions with Trump.

February 22, 2025

In recent months, a phrase has emerged that encapsulates the spirit of a nation grappling with an unprecedented series of challenges: “Elbows Up.” This term, borrowed from the gritty ethos of hockey, has transcended its sports origins to become a symbol of resilience and defiance in the face of external pressures. As Canadians find themselves navigating turbulent geopolitical waters, this rallying cry reflects both the urgency of the moment and the path forward.

Canada’s strategic landscape has shifted dramatically. Under President Donald Trump, the United States—a longstanding ally and key trading partner—has adopted a more adversarial stance. The imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods marks a turning point, highlighting Canada’s vulnerability due to its economic dependence on its southern neighbour. The phrase “Elbows Up” embodies a call to action, urging Canadians to protect their interests and assert their sovereignty.

News: ‘Elbows up!’: Canadian leaders, celebrities turn tough on tariff tensions

Mark Carney's pragmatic approach gains momentum against Pierre Poilievre's faltering rhetoric, reshaping Canada's political landscape.

February 20, 2025

The economic complacency that has characterized Canada’s relationship with the U.S. is now a liability. The urgent need to diversify trade partnerships and bolster domestic manufacturing is clear. Initiatives like expanding the Digital Supercluster program and reshoring critical industries are steps in the right direction. By embracing innovation and reducing reliance on external supply chains, Canada can build a more resilient economy that is less susceptible to the whims of foreign powers.

The “Elbows Up” mentality also speaks to the importance of national unity. In the face of external threats, Canadians must come together to ensure that regional and political divisions do not undermine the country’s stability. This requires a reevaluation of political representation to promote inclusivity and cohesion. As some readers have noted, addressing electoral system flaws and fostering a culture of collaboration are essential for maintaining a unified front.

News: Elbows up: How Canadians are fighting back against Trump’s tariffs

Trump's "America First" policy is straining alliances and diminishing U.S. global leadership, while unilateral actions risk undermining international cooperation.

February 5, 2025

Canada’s defence strategy must evolve to reflect this new reality. The potential threats from global powers like Russia and China, especially in the Arctic, demand a proactive approach to national defence. While the prospect of military conflict remains unlikely, enhancing Canada’s defensive capabilities is crucial for safeguarding its sovereignty and resources.

“Elbows Up” is more than just a response to external pressures; it’s a cultural shift. It signals a move away from Canada’s traditionally polite and passive demeanour to a more assertive and confident posture on the global stage. This newfound assertiveness is not about aggression but about standing firm in the face of adversity and asserting Canada’s place in the world.

Opinion: Tariffs are only the start: we must buckle down for years of conflict with the U.S.

The escalating Canada-U.S. trade tensions, driven by President Trump's tariffs, have united Canadians across political lines and spurred retaliatory actions, while opening discussions on diversifying trade partnerships.

February 4, 2025

To fully embrace the “Elbows Up” mindset, Canadians must recognize the need for change and act decisively. This involves fostering economic independence, strengthening national unity, and enhancing defence capabilities. It also requires a cultural transformation, where Canadians take pride in their achievements and assertively promote their successes on the world stage.

“Elbows Up” is more than just a phrase; it’s a call to action for a nation at a crossroads. By embracing this spirit, Canadians can navigate the challenges ahead with confidence and resilience, ensuring a prosperous and sovereign future. The time for polite acquiescence is over—Canada’s destiny lies in its own hands, and it’s time to raise those elbows.


“Elbows Up, Canada!”

What a week it’s been for Canada. It feels like we’re living in a different world, where our once closest ally, the United States, is now acting more like a rival. With Donald Trump and his crew throwing insults and disrespect our way, it’s no wonder we’re all feeling a bit betrayed. After decades of working hand-in-hand with the U.S., standing together during WWII, and teaming up on countless missions, it’s tough to see things take such a turn.

We’re talking about a partnership that helped make the U.S. the powerhouse it is today, and now it seems like they’re trying to undermine our independence. It’s like having a friend suddenly turn into a bully, and it’s unsettling, to say the least. The antics coming out of the White House these days feel more like something out of a bad movie than reality.

But here’s the silver lining: Canadians are rallying. We’re coming together, stronger and more united than ever. “Elbows up” has become our new rally cry, symbolizing our determination to stand firm against these challenges. It’s a call for resilience, unity, and a bit of good old Canadian grit.

What’s more, Donald Trump’s approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows, a feat achieved only once before in U.S. history. Can you guess when? It was during his previous tenure as President. It’s astonishing how quickly American voters seem to forget.

I really hope this phrase sticks around. We need something that reminds us of our strength and keeps us motivated to push back. So let’s keep saying it, sharing it, and living it. Together, we’ll navigate these tumultuous times and come out stronger on the other side.

Elbows up!

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for March 8, 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: 2025-05, Canada, Defence, diversification, Donald Trump, Economy, Elbows up, golf, moose, Never 51, resilience, sovereignty, Substack, tariffs, unity

Saturday February 22, 2025

February 22, 2025 by Graeme MacKay
Canada's hockey win over the USA becomes a powerful symbol of national pride and resilience amidst political tensions with Trump.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 22, 2025

On Thin Ice: Canada’s Cool Defiance

Mark Carney's pragmatic approach gains momentum against Pierre Poilievre's faltering rhetoric, reshaping Canada's political landscape.

February 20, 2025

Canada’s recent victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off final was more than just a sports triumph; it was a powerful moment of national pride at a time when we needed it most. With President Trump’s provocative remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state and his soft stance towards Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Canadians have felt an increasing need to stand together and assert our sovereignty.

News: Trudeau swipes at Trump as Canada revels in hockey win against US

The game in Boston was a symbol of our resilience and unity. Prime Minister Trudeau’s quick response, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” resonated deeply with Canadians. It reminded us that our identity and values remain strong, no matter the external pressures we face.

Chantal Kreviazuk’s change to the national anthem lyrics, though contentious, was a bold way to express our stance against Trump’s comments. It showed that we won’t back down when our nationhood is questioned, and highlighted the importance of national symbols in rallying our collective spirit.

News: Chantal Kreviazuk’s revised ‘O Canada’ booed ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off final

January 11, 2025

This hockey win has sparked a wave of patriotism across the country. It’s a reminder that, even in challenging times, we can come together and celebrate what makes us uniquely Canadian. Now is the time to harness this sense of pride and turn it into action. We need to strengthen our position on the global stage, stand firm in our independence, and ensure that our friendly rivalry with the U.S. remains just that—friendly.

In these times, let’s build on this momentum, ensuring that Canada remains strong and united. The hockey victory is more than just a win on the ice; it’s a rallying point that urges us to look forward with confidence and determination. As we face challenges ahead, let this victory inspire us to secure our place in the world, ensuring that our values and identity are never compromised.


Hockey Canadian, Never 51, vs. the Trump Clown Cart

This cartoon came together by mixing the famous “Tank Man” photo by Jeff Widener with a modern twist. I added a guy in a “Never 51” Team Canada jersey, inspired by a meme I saw online, standing on an ice rink. It’s a nod to Canada’s hockey win and a jab at how things are changing globally.

I threw Trump, Putin, and Elon Musk into a big golf cart to poke fun at the USA’s shifting role. The cracked ice under them shows things are shaky, and the hockey player saying, “You’re on thin ice,” adds a bit of humour and critique.

Using memes and giving credit makes it more real and connects with people. Plus, it’s good to acknowledge where ideas come from when sharing online. This cartoon is about sparking conversation and having a laugh while highlighting the importance of standing firm in today’s world.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Posted in: Canada, International, USA Tagged: 2025-04, 4 Nations, Canada, defiance, Donald Trump, golf, Hockey, ice, Independence, Pride, resistance, sovereignty, Substack, unity, USA, Vladimir Putin

Tuesday December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024 by Graeme MacKay
The fall of Assad’s regime in Syria marks a crushing blow to Putin and Iran, stripping them of a key ally and undermining their influence in the Middle East.

December 10, 2024

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 10, 2024

The Fall of Assad—A Milestone with Challenges Ahead

June 14, 2000

The end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule in Syria marks the fall of one of the most brutal and kleptocratic regimes in modern history. For decades, Assad maintained power through violence, corruption, and fear, overseeing a system that prioritized personal enrichment and oligarchic control while Syria’s people endured economic stagnation and political repression. His crimes against humanity include some of the darkest chapters of the 21st century. Chief among them was the use of sarin gas in Ghouta in 2013, which killed over 1,400 civilians, including hundreds of children, and similar chemical attacks in Douma and other towns. These atrocities, along with systematic torture, extrajudicial killings, and targeting of civilian infrastructure, demand that Assad be brought to justice at The Hague.

Putin and Iran are using the Israel-Palestine crisis to divert attention from Russia's Ukraine invasion and undermine the West by supporting Hamas and spreading anti-Western disinformation.

October 20, 2023

The fall of Assad’s regime should be a moment of hope for the Syrian people and the world. It eliminates a linchpin of regional instability and weakens the axis of Iran and Russia, both of whom propped up Assad to extend their influence and wage proxy wars. Tehran and Moscow now face significant setbacks, as Syria’s descent into chaos was a crucial element of their geopolitical strategies. The loss of a loyal ally also strains their broader plans to undermine Western influence and protect their regional interests.

News: From Trump and Turkey, to Russia and Iran — Syria’s regime change has huge global consequences

August 24, 2011

Yet optimism is tempered by the lessons of recent history. The fall of other autocrats—such as Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen—has shown that the end of tyranny often leads not to peace, but to fragmentation. Already, Syria’s future is in question. The forces that toppled Assad remain fragmented, with unclear intentions. Will they work toward a pluralistic democracy, or will the vacuum be filled by militant Islamists or fractious warlords? The spectre of Syria becoming another Libya or Yemen looms large, and with it comes the threat of worsening humanitarian crises and regional instability.

News: Trump has big plans at home, but Syria shows why he can’t escape the world’s problems

October 10, 2019

Adding to the complexity is the stance of President-elect Donald Trump, who has signalled a reluctance to engage. Trump’s dismissal of the crisis as “not our fight” and his stated preference for American disengagement risk leaving Syria’s future to be shaped entirely by other powers. While his instinct to avoid another costly military intervention is understandable, a complete abdication of U.S. influence would be shortsighted. Syria’s fate affects global security, refugee flows, and the balance of power in the Middle East.

July 25, 2012

However, engagement does not need to mean boots on the ground. The U.S. and its allies have diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian tools that can help steer Syria toward stability. Coordinating international aid, mediating among rival factions, and ensuring accountability for war crimes—including Assad’s use of chemical weapons—are ways the U.S. can support Syria’s transition without direct military involvement. Ignoring this moment, as some readers and commentators have noted, risks exacerbating the chaos and allowing the most ruthless actors to dictate Syria’s future.

February 23, 2018

The fall of Assad is a victory against tyranny, but it is only a step on the path to rebuilding a shattered nation. Syria’s people have suffered enough under his rule and deserve the chance to chart their own course. It is incumbent upon the international community to ensure this pivotal moment leads to peace, justice, and the beginnings of a stable, inclusive government. Whether Assad himself faces justice for his crimes will be a key test of that effort and a signal to other despots that impunity is no longer an option.


This past weekend, the world woke up to something many thought they’d never see: the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal dictatorship. After over five decades of the Assad family’s grip on Syria, the regime crumbled as its two lifelines, Russia and Iran, finally pulled out, distracted by their own mounting crises. It’s a moment that feels both overdue and precarious, a mix of cautious hope and the dread of what’s next.

I’ve been drawing Bashar Assad for more than 25 years, watching his transformation from an awkward heir apparent to one of the Middle East’s most notorious autocrats. Back in 2000, when the younger Assad inherited power from his father Hafez, there was a brief flicker of optimism that maybe, just maybe, he’d steer Syria toward reform. He was, after all, “from my generation,” two years older than me—a fact that still unsettles me as I think about how differently our lives turned out. It took about five minutes for that hope to evaporate. My first drawing of Bashar captured that cynicism. Twenty years later, it’s not smugness I feel about being right—it’s exhaustion at the cost of his reign: a half-million lives lost, cities turned to rubble, the mass displacement of Syrians, and atrocities like barrel bombs and sarin gas attacks on his own people.

Now that he’s toppled, the map of Syria looks like a surreal Christmas cookie—splintered into countless zones of control, each a proxy for international players or local factions. Russia and Iran, Assad’s chief backers, are the obvious losers here. Their investment in this dictatorship hasn’t just failed; it’s left them weaker on the global stage. For Iran, it’s a blow to its regional influence. For Putin, it’s another humiliation in a year full of them. The rubble of Assad’s Syria is now their shared legacy.

And then there’s the United States, where President Trump seems blindsided by all of this. His long-standing preference for “staying out of the Middle East mess” is being tested in real time. It’s hard to imagine him being thrilled about having to recalibrate American policy—or frankly, even getting briefed on it. You can practically hear him grumbling, “This isn’t my problem,” as he reluctantly puts his golf clubs away.

In many ways, Assad’s collapse feels like the fall of Mubarak or Gaddafi—a dictator toppled, a power vacuum created, and a nervous world watching to see which warlord, faction, or proxy will claim the spoils. Yet there’s a unique tragedy to Syria, a country that has been so relentlessly broken by both its rulers and foreign meddling that it’s hard to imagine what “stability” even looks like anymore.

One thing is certain: whatever comes next, it cannot be worse than Assad’s reign. But then again, we’ve said that before, haven’t we?

This animated making-of clip of the Dec 10, 2024 editorial cartoon introduces an attempt at trying out an AI generated Trump voice. Yes, I know, it needs work… volume up please. Enjoy! Enjoy!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack


 

Posted in: International, USA Tagged: Ali Khamenei, autocrat, Ayatollah, Basher Assad, golf, International, Iran, Russia, Substack, Syria, tyranny, USA, Vladimir Putin, world

Tuesday May 18, 2021

May 25, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 18, 2021

Reopening Ontario outdoor recreational sites should focus on equity, access: advocates

Ontario golfers have been pushing the province to reopen courses ordered closed while the province is under stay-at-home orders, but some observers say access to outdoor recreational facilities serving a wider population should be just as high on the agenda.

January 8, 2021

Doctors and recreational facility administrators say Canadians need access to affordable, inclusive and local ways to get outside and exercise, so long as health care professionals deem it safe.

“Many of the people I care for live in dense apartment buildings, have small indoor spaces and don’t have the luxury of a backyard,” said Dr. Naheed Dosani, a palliative care physician and health justice activist in Toronto.

“We need to really be thinking about how to keep these people physically and mentally healthy.”

Dr. Dosani and others hope the province will make any reopening of recreational opportunities equitable. As well as golf courses, basketball nets, skate parks and tennis courts have remained out of bounds for months.

April 8, 2021

Golfers and club operators argue the sport is safe since it’s possible to golf while masked and physically distanced, other provinces are currently allowing the sport and people aren’t travelling to play.

“They are looking to play their local golf course in their home community for the physical and mental health break that the sport provides,” Mike Kelly, the executive director of the Golf Association of Ontario, said in May.

Several doctors have even given golf and many other outdoor forms of exercise the green light because the risk of transmitting COVID-19 is low outside.

However, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been unwilling to budge because the province has routinely reported more than 2,000 new, daily COVID-19 and many intensive care units are still overwhelmed.

April 6, 2021

“I talk to my buddies. I know what happens,” Ford said Thursday.

“They pick up another buddy, two or three. They go out, they go golfing…then after golfing, they go back, they have a few pops. That’s the problem.”

Ford said he hopes to reopen outdoor recreational facilities by June 2, but the golf industry is not relenting and some have even reopened in defiance.

Yet many say reopening plans can’t just focus on a sport that comes with pricey fees, often requires a membership and doesn’t always attract youth.

“Given what we’ve learned about this pandemic and how it has had a disproportionate impact on people experiencing poverty and racialized communities, it’s quite disappointing that there’s been such advocacy around a sport like golf,” said Dr. Dosani.

“It probably speaks to who has the loudest voice at times like this, and who has the resources to advocate.” (CTV)


Letters to the editor, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday May 22, 2021 

MacKay cartoon unfair to golfers

I found the Graeme MacKay editorial cartoon (May 18) harsh and unjustified and not up to his usual standard. The hundreds of thousands of golfers in Ontario consist of people of all ethnicities, ages and gender. They consist of doctors, nurses, front-line workers, policemen, firemen, bus drivers, truck drivers, retirees, workers at The Hamilton Spectator, etc. They are husbands, wives, grandparents, aunts and uncles. As with any large random group of people in Ontario they have suffered during the pandemic the loss of loved ones, had surgeries delayed, lost employment, lost businesses, helped their children with schooling, given to charities and hospitals and adhered to the health protocols as a group no different to others.

His illustration of a “typical” golfer is demeaning and reminds me of the comment made by Doug Ford PhD (pontificating harmful despot) this past week about golfers and their penchant for alcohol. Graeme, be careful of the company you keep.

Ed Jenner, Burlington

MacKay cartoon says it all

MacKay’s cartoon of indignant golfers was hilarious and right on point. Golfers complaining they can’t golf is the biggest first-world problem imaginable. If it’s the worst thing they have to worry about, they should consider themselves lucky.

Rosemary Gossich, Hamilton


“Having published this cartoon that seems perfectly clear, his paper received (the above) feedback from an aggrieved reader. Granted, there’s something confirming about drawing a cartoon about whiners and having someone whine about it, but the task remains to try to make your points clear while accepting that they will whooosh over some heads anyway.”

Posted in: Uncategorized Tagged: 2021-18, bankruptcy, covid-19, Daily Cartoonist, Feedback, golf, golfing, inequity, lockdown, pandemic, Pandemic Times, Poverty, stay at home order

Wednesday September 4, 2019

September 11, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

September 4, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 4, 2019

Trump defends weekend of golf while Hurricane Dorian approached and Poland remembered Nazi invasion

President Trump lashed out at Sadiq Khan Tuesday after London’s mayor criticized him for golfing over the weekend as Hurricane Dorian edged closer to the coast of Florida.

April 13, 2018

“The incompetent Mayor of London, Sadique Kahn [sic], was bothered that I played a very fast round of golf yesterday,” said Trump in a tweet that, before being corrected, misspelled Khan’s first and last names. “Many Pols exercise for hours, or travel for weeks. Me, I run through one of my courses (very inexpensive). President Obama would fly to Hawaii.”

Khan, who attended a ceremony in Poland over the weekend commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Poland that began World War II, chided the president for skipping the event in favor of golfing at his private club in Virginia.

“He’s clearly busy dealing with a hurricane out on the golf course,” Khan told Politico on Monday, adding that Trump “is a guy who amplifies racist tweets; amplifies the tweets of fascists; says things that are deeply objectionable. If I don’t stand up and call that out I think I’m doing a disservice to Londoners who chose me as their mayor.”

Over the holiday weekend, the president played multiple rounds of golf at one of his properties in Virginia, where White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said he received “hourly updates.”

July 18, 2016

Trump’s golf trips have cost taxpayers over $100 million through the first two and a half years of his term, as he’s spent 227 days at one of his golf clubs as president. Former President Barack Obama did usually spend his Christmas vacations in his home state of Hawaii but did not fly there just to golf.

In August, the president canceled a visit to Denmark because the country’s prime minister was not open to the idea of selling Greenland to the United States. His cancellation of the trip to Poland drew little initial criticism until it was learned that he spent the weekend golfing.

“To ensure that all resources of the federal government are focused on the arriving storm, I have decided to send our vice president, Mike Pence, to Poland this weekend in my place,” Trump said last week. “It’s something very important for me to be here. The storm looks like it could be a very, very big one indeed.”

On Sunday, Trump was asked if he had any message for Poland on the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion.

“I just want to congratulate Poland,” Trump replied, adding, “It’s a great country with great people.” (Yahoo News) 

 

Posted in: USA Tagged: 2019-31, disaster, Donald Trump, emergency, golf, golf cart, Hurricane, relief, rescue, response, USA, vehicles
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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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