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House of Commons

Friday October 25, 2024

October 25, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

As the Trudeau government declines, personal grievances and internal fractures are surfacing among sidelined Liberal MPs, revealing a party consumed by its own infighting and struggling to survive a looming electoral defeat.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator (animated version, too) – Friday October 25, 2024

Trudeau’s Liberals Face the Inevitable Reckoning as the Party’s Inner Tensions Spill Out

Justin Trudeau, facing mounting internal dissent and dwindling public support, risks holding on to power too long, much like past leaders who failed to step aside in time, with impatient Liberal MPs preparing to force him out before electoral disaster strikes.

October 19, 2024

As the Trudeau government wanes, what we are witnessing within the Liberal Party is a familiar phenomenon: the surfacing of personal grievances, power struggles, and a desperate jostling for relevance among those who have long operated as little more than “bums in seats” or “trained seals.” These MPs, tasked primarily with voting as directed by the leadership and handling the mundane affairs of constituents, now see the grim reality of their political future unfolding. With Justin Trudeau’s popularity slipping and no longer able to carry the caucus on the strength of his coattails, many backbenchers—formerly comfortable in their irrelevance—are finding themselves at the mercy of a crumbling party machine.

News: Trudeau touts united party after MPs push for change in caucus meeting

November 9, 2021

Trudeau, who once vowed to change the culture of factionalism within the Liberal Party, now faces dissent not just from the opposition but from within his own caucus. The frustrations expressed by MPs like Sean Casey and Alexandra Mendes—who bluntly declared that the public is simply “tired of his face”—are only a sliver of the discontent festering inside a party that increasingly appears more focused on its own survival than on governing effectively. The recent ultimatum from 24 MPs for Trudeau to step down only underscores this point: with elections approaching, they’re ready to jump ship unless the captain changes course.

October 26, 2021

What exacerbates the situation is the centralization of power around the PMO, a trend that has alienated many MPs. Pierre Trudeau’s famous dismissal of MPs as “nobodies” the moment they leave Parliament Hill has never felt more true—not only for backbenchers but even for junior ministers who lack real influence within the cabinet. In a government increasingly run by Katie Telford and a tight circle of senior ministers like Chrystia Freeland, Melanie Joly, and Dominic LeBlanc, those on the periphery have become politically invisible. For the MPs left out of the club, the future is bleak—riding Trudeau’s leadership into the ground means facing the electorate with no credibility or public profile to stand on.

Analysis: Trudeau and the Liberals are burning time on themselves that they can’t afford to waste

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces a pivotal decision amidst plummeting popularity and internal party dissent, debating whether to lead the Liberals into the next election despite significant electoral challenges.

June 22, 2024

This disillusionment mirrors the last days of Brian Mulroney’s tenure, when MPs realized the futility of loyalty to a leader sinking under the weight of his own decisions. Mulroney’s mantra—“Ya gotta dance with the one that brung ya”—no longer resonates with today’s Liberals, as the cracks within Trudeau’s team widen. In its place, we hear the refrain “F*ck Trudeau,” a slogan borrowed from the Freedom Convoy movement, reflecting the growing public exhaustion and the frustration felt within caucus ranks.

The federal government's reluctance to extend the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) deadline, despite a concerning number of small businesses facing insolvency, raises critical questions about its commitment to supporting the backbone of the economy amid rising interest rates and inflation.

January 5, 2024

In a system where MPs have been reduced to little more than tools of the executive—pushed to vote on command, promote party-approved causes, and remain silent unless called upon—it’s no wonder that many are now openly or privately questioning their future under Trudeau’s leadership. If the Liberal Party’s survival depends on focusing its energy on preventing Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives from taking power, the infighting and bitterness now on display could doom them to the same fate they faced in 2011: a party lost in its own squabbles, out of touch with Canadians, and destined for defeat. As Immigration Minister Marc Miller warned, every minute spent on “this garbage” is a minute not spent fighting the real political battles ahead. (AI)


Posted to SUBSTACK.  It’s at the early experimental stage (at the time of it’s posting,) and presented in the form of notes as I figure out how to integrate it into my daily routine. Find out what’s swirling in my head as I come up with my ideas.  It’s free and will continue to be, as will this carefully curated WordPress website which I’ve maintained obediently since 2012… until the traditional structure that has sustained me a livelihood collapses on top of me as it has for so many of my peers. Please take a look, and if you want to continue following/subscribe to my work, please subscribe, and thank you! – Graeme MacKay

Being a backbench MP during what seems to be the twilight of a government is hardly an enjoyable position.

It has to really suck.

These individuals chose public service, becoming dedicated foot soldiers for their party. They attended countless rubber chicken dinners, canvassed door to door, and passionately promoted their party and its leader to secure their seats. They arrived in Parliament eager to make a difference and be effective voices for their constituents. Perhaps they envisioned a chance to shine, to strut a little, maybe catch the attention of the mandarins, and to be appointed as committee chairs, Parliamentary Secretaries, or even to join the cabinet.

However, the more likely reality is that they find themselves in the role of trained seals, addressing constituent issues, showing up in Parliament, and performing one key task: voting with the party line while keeping their opinions to themselves.

As Justin Trudeau’s leadership wavers and power becomes increasingly concentrated within the Prime Minister’s Office, many Liberal MPs — now stuck on the backbenches — are expressing their frustrations and reevaluating their political futures. Echoing the discontent seen during the waning days of Mulroney and Chretien, these MPs are confronted with a stark truth: without the support of Trudeau’s influence, they risk going down with a sinking ship. With public fatigue regarding Trudeau and a rise in internal dissent, the party’s focus on its internal struggles is weakening its capacity to address the genuine threat posed by the Conservatives, evoking fears of a potential electoral collapse reminiscent of 2011.

In the end, the anticipated revolt from the backbenches against Justin Trudeau appears to have fizzled out with little fanfare. An ultimatum from certain MPs for him to resign by October 28 was swiftly dismissed by Trudeau, who asserted his intention to remain in power. While some may argue that this entire situation was merely a media fabrication, a “nothing burger” born from partisan fantasies, they are only fooling themselves. The reality is that a handful of disgruntled government MPs remain unhappy with the current trajectory, and their discontent signals a significant issue that cannot be overlooked. This simmering dissatisfaction could very well spell trouble for the party as it navigates its future amidst growing uncertainty.


Letters to the editor

Letters to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday October 29, 2024

Cartoon disappointing, disgusting
Re: Oct. 25 editorial cartoon

I generally enjoy Graeme MacKay’s political cartoons, however, I found this one disappointing and, frankly, disgusting. I have seen the slogan depicted on the back benchers’ shirts far too often and really wish that the supposed adults who insist on displaying it would grow some brains and decency.

Bill Millar, Stoney Creek

Wrong call on choice of imagery
Many of us are completely exhausted by Justin Trudeau’s presence and he needs to go on the fastest rocket out, however, that was a disgusting attempt at humour by Graeme MacKay. Highlighting this perceived profanity comment is just so wrong and offensive!

The vulgarity doesn’t need to be displayed to make a point of what Liberal backbenchers might think. Paper bags on the heads, sitting with backs turned would have been just as effective.

Gordon Franklin, Clinton

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2024-19, backbench, cabinet, Canada, Chrystia Freeland, Dominic LeBlanc, F*ck Trudeau, Francois-Philippe Champagne, freedom convoy, House of Commons, Justin Trudeau, leadership, letter, Melanie Joly, Parliament, Substack

Wednesday September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 27, 2023

Speaker Resigns: A Necessary Step to Preserve the Dignity of Parliament

September 23, 2023

Anthony Rota’s resignation as Speaker of the House of Commons is a rare but necessary step in the wake of an embarrassing incident that shook the foundations of Parliament. Rota’s invitation to and recognition of Yaroslav Hunka, a man with ties to a Nazi unit from World War II, revealed a shocking lapse in due diligence and fact-checking, which are essential when recognizing invited visitors to the House of Commons gallery. This incident was not merely a mistake; it was a grave error that compromised the dignity and reputation of Canada’s highest legislative body.

Rota’s initial introduction of Hunka as a “Ukrainian Canadian war veteran who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians” was met with a standing ovation from MPs. However, the subsequent revelation of Hunka’s involvement with the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, a Nazi unit, shocked the nation. Rota promptly issued apologies, taking full responsibility for the oversight, but the damage had been done.

In a parliamentary system, the Speaker holds a position of immense responsibility and trust. The Speaker is expected to operate outside of partisan lines, maintaining impartiality to sustain the trust and goodwill of the House. Rota’s failure to uphold this impartiality and to adequately vet a visitor to the House of Commons demonstrated incompetence that cast doubt on his ability to lead with the required impartiality.

News: House Speaker Rota resigns after MPs call for his exit for honouring man who fought with Nazi unit  

January 6, 2023

The resignation of Speaker Rota was not merely a gesture of contrition; it was a necessary step to restore the dignity of Parliament. MPs from all parties rightly called for him to step down, recognizing that his continued presence in the Speaker’s chair would further tarnish the reputation of the institution. NDP House Leader Peter Julian aptly noted that putting the institution first was the right decision.

Moreover, the incident had wider implications, reaching beyond the borders of Canada. It was exploited as propaganda by Russia, feeding their narrative about de-Nazifying Ukraine. This gave the incident international notoriety, making it an even graver lapse in judgment.

It is important to acknowledge that the Speaker’s role is one of neutrality and decorum, making the error in inviting and recognizing Hunka all the more egregious. The Speaker’s conduct should serve as an example to all parliamentarians and Canadians, and any deviation from this standard erodes the foundations of our democracy.

News: Justin Trudeau urged to apologize as House Speaker Anthony Rota resigns after Nazi honour controversy  

October 27, 2011

Now, as the House moves forward to elect a new Speaker, it is crucial that the process is transparent and reflects the values of impartiality and integrity. Canadians deserve a Speaker who can fulfill their duties with diligence and uphold the honor of the House of Commons. Rota’s resignation, while regrettable, serves as a reminder that no one is above the standards and expectations that define our democratic institutions.

In conclusion, Speaker Anthony Rota’s resignation was a necessary and appropriate response to an embarrassing and damaging incident. It was an act of accountability and a recognition that the dignity and trust of Parliament must always be preserved. As Canadians, we should look to this moment as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the principles that underpin our democracy, and to ensure that such lapses in judgment do not happen again in the future. (AI) 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2023-16, Anthony Rota, Canada, Due Diligence, Fact-Checking, House of Commons, Parliament, resignation, Speaker, Ukraine, Vetting Process

Wednesday June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 7, 2023

Building Houses, Rising Interest Rates, and Homelessness: The Real Concerns for Canadians

June 2, 2023

While the House of Commons Foreign Interference in Canada’s Electoral System Committee investigation continues to make headlines, it’s important to question whether this issue truly occupies the top of mind for Canadians. The allegations surrounding foreign interference, although significant, pale in comparison to the pressing concerns that directly impact the lives of ordinary Canadians: building houses on green spaces, the Bank of Canada raising interest rates affecting those renting or paying mortgages, and the growing crisis of homelessness in our nation.

August 12, 2022

Recent polls have shed light on the priorities of Canadians, and the results are clear. A CIBC poll revealed that homeownership remains a driving goal for 71% of non-homeowners surveyed, despite concerns about affordability due to high interest rates and rising house prices. It’s evident that Canadians are worried about the ability to attain the dream of owning a home, and many parents plan to assist their children with down payments to bridge the affordability gap. The Bank of Montreal’s survey further confirmed these concerns, with 68% of Canadians planning to wait for lower interest rates before purchasing a home. The anxiety surrounding housing affordability, coupled with fears of unknown expenses and overall financial situations, are prominent worries for Canadians.

Opinion: Is the media fuelling Canada’s foreign interference scandal? 

January 27, 2022

As speculation mounts about the Bank of Canada raising interest rates once again, those with mortgages are rightfully concerned about the potential impact on their financial stability. The central bank’s pause on rate hikes earlier this year was contingent on the economy developing as anticipated and inflation continuing to fall. However, recent data suggests that these conditions may no longer be met. With a robust 3.1% annual pace of economic expansion in the first quarter and an inflation rate that ticked up to 4.4%, the Bank of Canada may feel compelled to step off the sidelines and take action. This looming possibility adds further apprehension for Canadians who are already grappling with the challenges of housing affordability.

While some Canadians worry about homeownership, others face a much more dire situation: homelessness. Tent cities, once limited to troubled corners of Vancouver or Toronto, have now proliferated across the country. Calgary was forced to dismantle a downtown encampment due to escalating violence, while permanent tent cities have sprung up in parks throughout Halifax. Tragic incidents, such as the murder of an RCMP officer during a routine call to a Burnaby homeless encampment, highlight the urgency of addressing this crisis. A recent poll conducted by Leger for Postmedia revealed that a majority of Canadians (58%) believe homelessness is a problem in their community, with 38% reporting increased acts of violence. In British Columbia, where the issue is particularly acute, an astonishing 87% of respondents identified homelessness as a problem.

October 25, 2022

These poll results paint a bleak picture of public sentiment towards government action on homelessness. Only 7% of respondents think the government is making things better, while 16% believe they are making things worse. The overwhelming perception is that governments are doing nothing at all to address this pressing issue.

In light of these concerns, it is crucial to reevaluate our priorities. While foreign interference in Canada’s electoral system merits attention, we must ensure that it doesn’t overshadow the urgent issues affecting Canadians’ daily lives. Building houses on green spaces threatens our environment and food security, while rising interest rates pose significant challenges to homeownership and financial stability. Most critically, homelessness is a crisis that demands immediate action to provide shelter, support, and dignity for the most vulnerable members of our society.

May 30, 2023

It is time for governments at all levels to listen to the concerns of Canadians and address the issues that truly matter. We need comprehensive strategies to protect our green spaces, make housing more affordable, and provide adequate resources to combat homelessness. Canadians deserve a government that prioritizes their well-being and works diligently to create a society where everyone has a place to call home. (AI) | Editorial Cartoon also printed in the Toronto Star.

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2023-10, Canada, cost of living, environment, foreign interference, greenbelt, homelessness, House of Commons, housing, Interest rates, Parliament, Poverty, recession

Friday January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 6, 2023

Canada and the U.S. both have House Speakers. For one of them, the stakes are a lot higher

It’s being called the “battle for the gavel,” a historic fight in the U.S. over who will hold the title of Speaker, the presiding member of the House of Representatives.

Angry Washington – available at the boutique.

For nearly two full days, bitter partisanship within the Republican party, now the majority in the House, has turned what’s normally a swift affair into a protracted stalemate over who from their ranks ought to hold the job.

Multiple rounds of voting so far haven’t meaningfully moved the needle, and it is holding up the start of the next Congress for the first time in 100 years.

“The rest of the world is looking,” said U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday of the chaos.

“They’re looking at, you know, can we get our act together?”

By contrast, the drama that’s attached to what might be called the “race for the mace” in Canada — the election of a Speaker for the House of Commons — pales in comparison.

The job of Speaker hearkens back over 600 years to the formative Parliaments in Britain, and an agreed-upon need for someone to oversee and guide the work of the legislature.

That a Speaker is required for Congress as well as for the House of Commons and Senate is part of the constitutions of both countries.

Still, with the two countries having different systems of government, the jobs have developed differently over time and with contrasting political dynamics.

December 16, 2020

In the U.S, the evolution has given the House Speaker a number of powers which — depending on the makeup of Congress — can allow a Speaker to derail a president’s agenda, drive their own party’s legislative goals and reward or punish fellow elected representatives with plum committee posts.

That makes the person in the job — normally chosen from the majority party — exceptionally influential; among other things, should the president not be able to fulfil their duties, nor the vice-president, it is the House Speaker who is on deck.

Former House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer used a sports analogy to describe the difference between the post in Canada versus that in the U.S.

“In Canada, it’s far more of a referee, where in the U.S. it is more like a quarterback,” he said when reached by the Star on Tuesday.

What Speakers referee is the House of Commons itself, ensuring the rights and privileges of MPs are respected as is the decorum and work of Parliament — there’s rarely a day, for example, where the Speaker doesn’t intervene to ask MPs to mind their manners as they joust.

They do it from a largely neutral position as the job is understood by all parties to place the business of Parliament above that of partisanship. Speakers only cast a vote in the event of a tie, don’t participate in debates, stay away from partisan party caucus meetings and even have to watch their words when they campaign for seats during general elections. (The Toronto Star) 

rom sketch to finish, in 30 seconds, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro … These sped up clips are posted to encourage others to be creative, to take advantage of the technology many of us already have and to use it to produce satire. Comfort the afflicted. Afflict the comforted.

https://mackaycartoons.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-0106-NATshort.mp4

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2023-01, Anthony Rota, Canada, House of Commons, House of Representatives, Justin Trudeau, Kevin McCarthy, news, Parliament, procreate, recess, Speaker

Friday September 23, 2022

September 23, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

September 23, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 23, 2022

First salvo between Pierre Poilievre, Justin Trudeau proves pair will be formidable opponents in Parliament

When Stephen Harper first appeared in the House of Commons as opposition leader in 2002, prime minister Jean Chrétien offered his congratulations, adding: “I want the new leader of the Opposition to have many, many years to learn how to do the job, on the job.”

December 7, 2012

Mr. Harper, in reply, said he was only four years old when Mr. Chrétien entered the House, and even then he remembered telling his mother: “Someone has to do something to stop that guy.”

On Thursday, Pierre Poilievre confronted Justin Trudeau for the first time as Leader of the Official Opposition. The Conservative Leader said “it is good to see the Prime Minister here, visiting Canada, to fill up the gas on his private jet.” (Mr. Trudeau was in Britain for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth and in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. On Saturday he flies to Japan to attend the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.) Mr. Poilievre then launched into a sharp attack on Liberal increases in carbon and payroll taxes, even as inflation continues to soar.

Having offered perfunctory congratulations, Mr. Trudeau soon went after Mr. Poilievre. “If Canadians had followed the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and invested in volatile cryptocurrencies in an attempt to opt out of inflation, they would have lost half of their savings.”

We live in harsher times.

June 14, 2022

Mr. Poilievre displays a level of confidence, command and control in debate that both of his predecessors, Erin O’Toole and Andrew Scheer, noticeably lacked. He speaks largely without notes, keeps his questions focused, presses his points relentlessly.

But after seven years as PM, Mr. Trudeau is every bit his equal, parrying the Conservative Leader’s thrusts and confidently promoting the Liberal record. These two will be formidable opponents in the House

Mr. Poilievre has been targeting inflation – or Justinflation, as he likes to call it – almost since the pandemic began. We can debate the merits of the economic supports that governments put in place when the pandemic arrived – to my mind, they saved the day – and whether those supports should have been wound down sooner.

But what matters politically is that people are hurting, and Mr. Poilievre has been pounding the inflation issue for years. High inflation, rising interest rates, a possible recession – these are not afflictions that a government this long in the tooth can easily survive.

May 20, 2016

But Mr. Trudeau has cards of his own to play: the cryptocurrency nonsense, Mr. Poilievre’s support for the protesters who occupied Ottawa, his tendency to play footsie with conspiracy theories.

The Prime Minister clearly believes that Mr. Poilievre is not simply a political opponent, but a threat to peace, order and good Liberal government. He sees the Conservative Leader as a wrecker. He aims to stop him. Historical precedent suggests he will fail. (Continued: The Globe & Mail) 

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro …

https://mackaycartoons.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-0923-NAT.mp4
Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2022-31, Canada, debate, House of Commons, Justin Trudeau, mudslinging, Ottawa, Parliament, Pierre Poilievre, procreate
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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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