insecurity – mackaycartoons

Friday September 13, 2024

September 13, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator and The Toronto Star – Friday September 13, 2024

The Rise in Food Bank Usage Reflects Systemic Failures That Demand Immediate Action

October 26, 2023

The shocking rise in food bank usage across Ontario is a damning indicator of systemic failures that have left millions struggling to meet basic needs. A new report from Feed Ontario shows that over one million people turned to food banks last year—a 25% increase from the previous year and a figure that should alarm all levels of government. Food banks, initially intended as temporary relief, have now become a permanent fixture due to widespread poverty, inadequate social assistance, and skyrocketing housing costs.

News: Record-breaking number of Ontarians used food banks last fiscal year

April 9, 2024

What is most troubling is that food banks are not a first-line solution for many individuals. Those who rely on them are often on the verge of homelessness, having already made impossible choices between paying for rent, utilities, or food. Carolyn Stewart, CEO of Feed Ontario, points to a worsening affordability crisis driven by inflation, stagnant wages, and soaring housing costs.

Yet the issue is not just about food; it reflects broader government inaction in addressing poverty. Social assistance rates in Ontario, such as Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), have remained insufficient for decades. Without adjustments to reflect the true cost of living, recipients are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Housing, another critical factor, has become so unaffordable that entire cities are seeing drastic increases in food insecurity, with Mississauga now having one in 13 residents using food banks.

The Toronto Star: Food banks cannot be the permanent solution to food insecurity

May 31, 2024

The financial cost of poverty is immense, with Feed Ontario estimating that it costs the province nearly $5 billion annually in health care and justice system expenses. The solution, therefore, lies in investment—not just in food programs, but in social services, affordable housing, and fair wages. The Toronto Star editorial rightly emphasizes that food banks cannot be the long-term answer; they are a symptom of deeper societal inequities that demand urgent, coordinated action from all levels of government.

The continued reliance on food banks is unacceptable in a wealthy province like Ontario. Governments must act now to reform social assistance, address housing affordability, and ensure that all Canadians can afford basic necessities. The lack of urgency in tackling these interconnected issues is a failure of leadership, and it is time for real, structural change. (AI)

Thursday October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday October 26, 2023

From Food Banks to Interest Rates: A Tale of Two Economies

September 19, 2023

In yesterday’s announcements, we see two contrasting situations that shed light on different aspects of the Canadian economy. On one hand, we have the report on food banks, highlighting the growing number of Canadians struggling with high inflation and housing costs. On the other hand, we have the Bank of Canada’s announcement of holding the key interest rate steady, but with a possibility of future rate hikes due to persistent inflationary pressures.

News: Food Banks Canada report paints dire picture of Canada-wide affordability crisis

The report on food banks reveals the heartbreaking reality faced by many Canadians. The record-breaking number of people accessing food bank services reflects the challenges faced by individuals and families as they grapple with low wages, high rents, and rising costs. The report emphasizes that the issue of food insecurity is not limited to specific demographics but affects a wide range of people, including seniors, single mothers, low-income workers, people on social assistance, immigrants, and even those in higher income brackets. It calls for long-term social policy investments, such as affordable housing and increased fixed income rates, to address these challenges effectively.

April 13, 2023

In contrast, the Bank of Canada’s announcement focuses on the central bank’s efforts to manage inflation and ensure price stability. While the key interest rate remains steady for now, Governor Tiff Macklem has not ruled out the possibility of future rate hikes if inflationary pressures persist. The bank’s hawkish tone reflects its commitment to maintaining tight financial conditions to support economic growth and bring inflation back to the target of two percent. The bank’s quarterly monetary policy report forecasts slower economic growth in the short term but expects inflation to remain higher than the target until 2024.

News: Tiff Macklem to keep the Bank of Canada’s policy rate at 5 per cent, the highest level in two decades

December 10, 2021

These two announcements highlight the interconnectedness of economic factors and the challenges faced by individuals and the broader economy. While food bank usage reflects the struggles of everyday people, the Bank of Canada’s focus on inflation and interest rates demonstrates the central bank’s role in managing the overall economy. Both announcements underscore the need for comprehensive and coordinated efforts from both government and monetary authorities to address the issues of affordability, inflation, and social support.

Ultimately, it is crucial for policymakers to consider the broader impact of their decisions on the well-being of individuals and the overall economy. By addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity, such as affordable housing and livable wages, and carefully managing monetary policy to ensure price stability, a more balanced and equitable economic landscape can be achieved. (AI)

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. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

Saturday October 17, 2020

October 24, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 17, 2020

Determined voters endure long lines to cast early ballots in historic election

October 2, 2020

Thousands of people, some braving hours-long waits, glitches and politically motivated obstruction, are flocking to cast early ballots and writing the story of a pandemic-era election that may change how America votes.

Heavy turnout at early voting centers in Georgia and Texas comes as many voters elsewhere take advantage of mail-in ballots, defying President Donald Trump’s misleading attempts to cast the election as the most corrupt in history. Another of the President’s many misinformation efforts — his claim that the Obama administration spied on his team — suffered a serious blow on Tuesday when it emerged in a Washington Post report that a Justice Department probe into one key aspect of the conspiracy theory will end without even a public report.

The candidates should have been making last minute preparations for the second presidential debate on Thursday night. But a drama initiated by the President’s diagnosis with Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the event after the President refused to take part in a virtual version — then demanded the reinstatement of the clash when he recovered.

April 30, 2020

Instead, Trump and Biden will take part in dueling town halls on NBC and ABC respectively. The arrangement may be a disservice to voters since they will only have one final chance to see the candidates on stage together on October 22. But given the President’s constant interruptions in the first debate, the format may actually allow a more forensic examination of each candidate’s positions. It is also certain to trigger the former “Apprentice” star’s obsession with television ratings.

Inspirational scenes of eager voters, in some cases in Georgia waiting eight hours to exercise their democratic rights, reflected enthusiasm on both sides at a raw moment in US history at the tail-end of a tumultuous presidential term.

Voters are facing the most difficult circumstances imaginable given the health emergency. Confidence in the election is also being challenged by court battles in a handful of states arising from apparent GOP efforts to complicate early balloting that Democratic voters prefer. There are also infrastructure problems — for example the registration portal in Virginia crashed on Tuesday on the last day when citizens can sign up to vote.

Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden mostly concentrated Tuesday on winning votes rather than on how they will be counted. (CNN)

“Which brings us to Graeme MacKay (Hamilton Spectator)’s cartoon, comparing our previous attitude towards the commies with the great fall that seems to have gone after our pride, and he’s right not only about standing in line to vote but in the massive lineups for food among those who need it.”