Thursday May 22, 2024

May 23, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 22, 2024

Addressing the Worrisome Public Backlash Against International Students in Canada

February 6, 2024

Recent findings from the 2023 international student survey, as highlighted in the Toronto Star, reveal a troubling decline in Canada’s reputation as a welcoming destination for foreign students. Larissa Bezo, President of the Canadian Bureau for International Education, points out that Canada is losing its image as a safe and supportive environment. This shift is due to government ineptitude and the commercialization of international education, but these criticisms are also being exploited for xenophobic and nativist purposes, intensifying the backlash against international students.

January 19, 2024

The government’s recent policy changes, including capping study permits and limiting post-graduation work permits, were intended to address housing and economic pressures but have instead caused unintended harm to students and educational institutions. Visa processing delays and bureaucratic inefficiencies further erode trust in the system, compounding the problem.

Educational institutions, relying heavily on international students for revenue, have been criticized for prioritizing financial gain over educational quality and support services. Some have even been labeled “diploma mills,” damaging the sector’s credibility. Institutions like Ontario’s Fleming College face financial strain, cutting programs and staff due to reduced enrolments, which fuels public resentment.

News: International student survey shows worrying signs for Canada’s image, education group says

August 30, 2023

Amidst these issues, nativist and xenophobic sentiments are rising. Legitimate concerns are being twisted to promote anti-foreigner narratives, unfairly blaming international students for housing shortages and job competition. This scapegoating ignores the complex nature of these problems and fosters discrimination.

May 19, 2022

To restore confidence in Canada’s international education program, a nuanced approach is needed. The government should implement targeted policies and engage stakeholders in the policymaking process. Transparent communication about policy changes is crucial to manage public perception and reduce misinformation. Strengthening support systems for international students, such as housing assistance and integration programs, can mitigate backlash by addressing root causes of discontent. Public campaigns should highlight the value of diversity and the contributions of international students, countering xenophobic attitudes and reshaping public narratives.

July 28, 2023

The challenges revealed by the 2023 survey and the public backlash they reflect pose a significant threat to Canada’s reputation as a global leader in education. By refining policies, enhancing support systems, and promoting inclusivity, Canada can restore confidence in its international education program and reaffirm its commitment to being a welcoming destination for students worldwide. (AI)

Thursday November 5, 2015

November 4, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 5, 2015

No more selfies, but way more drama

(James Mennie column) When you consider we’ve just come through a federal election campaign where the selfie proved itself a legitimate and highly effective political tool, it wasn’t surprising this weekend to see Justin Trudeau, the undisputed winner of that campaign, proving once again he is the most photogenic prime minister designate in recent Canadian history.

If you missed it, the Trudeau family’s trick or treat theme on Saturday night was rather eclectic, Mom and Dad going with a generic Star Wars look while the two older children opted for your standard Disney princess and sword toting bird ensemble while the youngest (the choice presumably made for him) was led from door to camera-crew-surrounded door as a Ninja Turtle.

Given that Trudeau had already tweeted a Happy Halloween message and family portrait to his 932,000 followers, the images flooded social media and the comments seemed for the most part to be positive, many of them expressing delight at the country’s being led by so down to earth and happy looking a family. And when you consider that even the crustiest, most hard bitten political analysts have acknowledged that Trudeau’s message of hope and positiveness pretty much cut Stephen Harper’s campaign to ribbons, it’s a pretty safe bet the optimistic glow engendered by the Liberal victory on Oct. 19 will continue beyond the swearing-in ceremony for Trudeau and his first cabinet scheduled for Wednesday.

That said, I’m not entirely sure that glow will still be around by, say, Christmas. And the reason I suspect Trudeau’s national honeymoon won’t survive 2015 is that the selfie taking, Star Wars loving, YouTube dancing, drama teaching, musketeer mustachioed candidate- the guy who actually won this thing – will, by sheer political necessity, cease to exist once the words “So help me God” have left his lips on Wednesday.

The transformation won’t be due to pressure from any opposition in the House of Commons. The Tories are far too busy trying to figure out how to re-invent themselves and disinfect their party of the political agenda they spent 11 weeks defending during the campaign to effectively hound the new government any time soon. And the NDP is (I suspect) still preoccupied doing a slow burn over how they managed to let a principled stand on a wedge politics issue like the niqab sink their shot at governing while the same stand had no effect whatsoever on the Trudeau Liberals.

No, in the end, I think that Trudeau the prime minister will say good-bye to Justin the candidate because, just like anyone else who’s trained in drama, Trudeau knows when it’s time to change roles. And it’s becoming clear that the role of Justin the candidate has served its purpose. (Continued: Montreal Gazette)

Letter to the Editor

Spec’s Trudeau endorsement seems suspect

RE: Editorial cartoon (Nov. 5)

I find this cartoon disrespectful and lacking in humour. Especially two days before our new government is sworn in.

Considerable effort is already underway to live up to the promise of getting 25,000 refugees in by the end of the year. Numerous groups across Canada are hard at work, our armed forces are looking at ways to implement the plan and other initiatives are under evaluation.

It might be mentioned that the actual number of Syrian refugees taken into Canada, after a few years, is shockingly less than 5,000.

We did not honour our initial promise to take in 1,300 by the end of 2014.

Just another reminder that the Spectator’s endorsement of Justin Trudeau continuous to seem suspect.

Richard Ring, Grimsby

Thursday June 18, 2015

June 17, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 18, 2015

Five ACTION officers charged in fake ticket probe

Five Hamilton police officers are facing criminal charges for allegedly writing 32 falsified tickets as members of the high-profile ACTION unit.

It’s alleged the tickets named 18 people who had no idea they were victims.

The five are among seven members of the former ACTION Team One who were arrested Tuesday. They had been relegated to administrative duties amid a nearly nine-month long internal investigation.

All seven have now been suspended with pay and could still face Police Services Act disciplinary charges, which are being investigated by a separate group of officers.

At a news conference announcing the charges Tuesday night, police Chief Glenn De Caire said the service took the investigation very seriously and he’s confident detectives have looked at all of the evidence.

“We have followed the evidence and we have followed the law,” he said.

The investigation began after a Hamilton police officer found provincial offence notice books in a box destined for the shredder on Sept. 30, 2014. The booklets had the fill-out paper that is supposed to go to the offender still attached.

It’s alleged the officers made up the tickets, submitting them in court and for police statistics. It’s also believed many of the victims were known vulnerable people the ACTION officers came across downtown.

De Caire said police have met with some of the victims and all 32 tickets will be withdrawn. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Letter to the editor, June 22, 2015 – Cartoon was vilifying, premature

I found the editorial cartoon in the June 18 Spectator that portrayed police officers in a mirror under the word “thugs” to be demeaning, vilifying and certainly premature in its treatment of police.

While our local police service has suffered the slings and arrows recently afforded it by having several members charged with criminal offences it is important to recognize that the vast majority of our serving officers are in fact providing service to the public in a manner that is adequate, just and compassionate.

The officers charged with transgressions will have their day in court. If guilt is assessed against each, then the cartoon might have modest merit.

For the present, it does nothing to restore what a few officers have tarnished and in point of fact helps to erode public trust even further.

It suggests in a very graphic way that all police are thugs. I am sure, the artist and The Spectator did not really wish to convey such a message.

Policing is difficult enough without outside assistance which goes a great distance toward making daily work more difficult by exacerbating an already poor situation.

To blindly follow recent U.S. knee jerk response to perceived and alleged wrongdoing by police is dangerous and hurtful.

We can not condone what is alleged to have happened.

However, one truth is real. Thugs are thugs and these officers are innocent until proven guilty. The checks and balances built into our system of justice will win out at the end of the day.

Our serving officers still deserve public and media support and assistance for the good work they do on a daily basis.

Dan Welsh, Mount Hope

Tuesday December 4, 2012

December 4, 2012 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday December 4, 2012

Prince William, Kate expecting 1st baby

Ultrasound image of royal fetus is entertainment news

A confidential report says Prince William’s wife Kate is expecting the couple’s first baby, the prince’s office said Monday.

British Monarchy Merch

The news came as Kate, 30, was admitted today to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with hyperemesis gravidarum, or acute morning sickness, which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients.

“As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter,” the statement said.

There was no confirmed information provided on when the baby is due. Several media reports, however, indicated Kate was approaching the 12th week of her pregnancy.

The palace said the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news of the pregnancy.

“They will make wonderful parents,” British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted following the announcement.

In Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted his good wishes to the royal couple on behalf of himself and his wife: “Laureen and I congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their wonderful news #royalbaby.”

Gov. Gen. David Johnston sent a congratulatory message from Peru, where he is travelling on a diplomatic mission to Central and South America. He noted that the royal couple had attracted large and appreciative crowds when they toured Canada last year. “With this happy news, we have once again a chance to show our admiration,” he wrote. (Source: CBC News)