issues – mackaycartoons

Friday February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

February 14, 2025

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday February 14, 2025 (also, The Toronto Star.)

Ontario’s Valentine’s Day Love Affair with Doug Ford

February 14, 2024

As Valentine’s Day casts its romantic glow across Ontario, it seems the province has found its unlikely suitor in Doug Ford, affectionately dubbed “Captain Canada.” Despite a landscape dotted with pressing issues—from crumbling healthcare to overcrowded classrooms—Ford’s charm offensive has successfully wooed a significant portion of the electorate.

Much like a well-timed bouquet of roses, Ford’s early election call appears to have enchanted voters. With his strong stance against the Trump Tariffs and his portrayal as Ontario’s steadfast protector, Ford has captivated hearts, even as the province faces shortages of doctors and nurses, overcrowded emergency rooms, and inadequate mental healthcare. These challenges, alongside reduced college funding and a lack of affordable housing, seem to fade into the background in the face of Ford’s allure.

Poll: Here’s the top election issue for Ontario voters, according to a Nanos survey

Ford’s courtship of Ontarians has been nothing short of strategic. From $200 cheques appearing in mailboxes to the liberation of alcohol regulations, he’s offered sweet gestures that resonate with everyday voters. Meanwhile, controversies like the redevelopment of Ontario Place and the Greenbelt scheme are overshadowed by his narrative as a defender against external threats.

Yet, as with any romance, there are those who remain skeptical, wary of the long-term implications of this political dalliance. Critics point to sweetheart deals, wasteful spending, and privatization as causes for concern—issues that might be ignored in the throes of infatuation but could have lasting repercussions.

As election day approaches, the question looms: Will Ontario’s voters solidify their love for “Captain Canada,” or will they awaken from the spell, casting their ballots for a divided opposition? With voter turnout on the decline, the risk remains that those not enamoured by Ford’s charm may not make their voices heard, leaving the province’s future in the hands of those who do.

February 14, 2018

Happy Valentine’s Day, Ontario. In this season of love, it seems you’ve been seduced by a political Casanova. Whether this romance will lead to a happily ever after or a dramatic breakup remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Doug Ford’s charm has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the province.

Dougie Ford’s Love Letter to Ontario Voters:

Roses are red, Ontario’s blue,

With a $200 cheque, I’m wooing you.

Healthcare’s a challenge,

but I’ll stand tall,

As “Captain Canada,” I’ll answer the call.

Trump’s tariffs loom, yet I’m your knight,

Fighting for jobs, I’ll make it right.

Though classrooms are crowded and housing’s tight,

I’ll charm you with changes, both day and night.

Alcohol’s flowing, and spirits are high,

In this grand seduction, give me a try.

So on this Valentine’s, let’s seal our fate,

With your love and support,

we’ll make Ontario great!

— Sir A.I. Edmund Spenser

Please enjoy the February 14, 2024 making-of animated editorial cartoon below. Posts come out every Saturday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. What you’re reading now is regarded as a “note”, which is used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cartoons. If you like my editorial cartoons and animations, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. A lot of work goes into these cartoons and commentary — Best of all, it’s free!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Tuesday December 31, 2024

December 31, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 31, 2024

2024 Year In Review

The year 2024 will be remembered as a time of seismic shifts, stirring triumphs, and somber farewells. Canada and the United States were no strangers to tumult and transformation as they navigated an unrelenting tide of political, economic, and cultural change.

Graeme Gallery 2024: Canada

In Canada, political gridlock and public dissatisfaction loomed large. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced sagging poll numbers, with voters increasingly frustrated by the affordability crisis and the government’s handling of homelessness and opioid addiction. The Bank of Canada’s vacillation on interest rates did little to inspire confidence, as Canadians grappled with rising living costs. Trudeau’s Liberal government was further destabilized by the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, sparking speculation that Mark Carney might step into the role of Finance Minister to steady the ship. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre surged in popularity with his populist promise to “Axe the Tax” on carbon, galvanizing his base as the nation braced for the possibility of a federal election. Jagmeet Singh’s NDP also remained a vocal advocate for addressing the homelessness crisis, though with limited sway in the gridlocked Parliament.

Graeme Gallery 2024: Ontario

In provincial news, Doug Ford’s government in Ontario continued to stir controversy, from banning cell phones in schools to prioritizing a spa at Ontario Place over environmental and community concerns. His ban on new bike lanes raised eyebrows and underscored his contentious approach to urban planning. Natural disasters compounded the nation’s woes, with Alberta and British Columbia ravaged by wildfires and catastrophic flooding, and Hurricane Beryl leaving a trail of destruction in Atlantic Canada. The Francis Scott Key Bridge disaster in Baltimore added another tragic chapter to the year’s challenges. Amid these struggles, Canadians found moments of unity and pride. Swimmer Summer McIntosh shone at the Paris Olympics, earning accolades for her record-breaking performances and bringing a glimmer of hope to a weary nation after the drone spying scandal that plagued the women’s soccer team. The Canadian men’s Olympic relay team delivered a stunning gold medal victory, reaffirming Canada’s athletic prowess on the world stage. Taylor Swift’s blockbuster Eras Tour concerts in Toronto and Vancouver not only dazzled fans but also injected millions into local economies. Meanwhile, the LCBO and Canada Post strikes further tested Canadians’ patience, highlighting labour issues in critical sectors.

News: 2024: Year in Review

Graeme Gallery 2024: Trump

In the United States, the political landscape was dominated by the dramatic return of Donald Trump, whose re-election campaign survived legal woes and even an assassination attempt. His audacious proposals, including imposing 25% tariffs and floating the idea of a 51st state, polarized the nation. Figures like J.D. Vance and Matt Gaetz played pivotal roles in rallying support for Trump, while Kash Patel emerged as a key confidant during the campaign sealing the deal for a controversial appointment to FBI director. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy faltered, overshadowed by the waning presence of President Joe Biden, whose poignant farewell address included a call for unity and resilience. As the year closed, the transition period buzzed with speculation, fuelled by Trump’s unconventional nomination suggestions, including Pete Hegseth and Elon Musk, whose political influence grew exponentially. RFK Jr. also made headlines with his independent candidacy, challenging the traditional two-party dominance.

What a headline!

Globally, the year was marked by ongoing conflict and pivotal leadership changes. The war in Ukraine entered its 1,000th day, with President Zelenskyy signalling readiness for peace talks, even as Vladimir Putin remained steadfast in his ambitions. In the Middle East, the war between Israel and Gaza expanded, pulling in Iran and Hezbollah, while the Assad regime in Syria finally crumbled. Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership in Israel was both a rallying point and a subject of intense global scrutiny. Sudan’s internal strife and Haiti’s descent into lawlessness further underscored a world in turmoil. In Europe, Keir Starmer’s election as UK Prime Minister signalled a shift in British politics, and France faced its own critical elections, reshaping its political landscape, while in Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum made history as the nation’s first female president. The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris provided a poignant symbol of resilience amidst the chaos.

The world also bid farewell to towering figures. Canada mourned the loss of Brian Mulroney and Murray Sinclair, while the U.S. grieved for Jimmy Carter. The arts lost luminaries such as Maggie Smith, Alice Munro, James Earl Jones, and Quincy Jones, leaving behind legacies that will endure for generations.

News: Year in review: Notable people who died in 2024

Among the more unusual figures to capture the public’s imagination was Luigi Mangione, a notorious criminal convicted of killing a private health executive. Despite his heinous crime, Mangione garnered a bizarre social media cult following, with supporters romanticizing his actions as a misguided rebellion against systemic injustices in healthcare.

Amid these heavy moments, there were sparks of joy and cultural milestones. Glen Powell and Anna Sawai captivated audiences with standout performances, while athletes like Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles rewrote the history books. Canada celebrated its own cultural moments with the continued rise of emerging artists and a significant presence in global cinema, spearheaded by the Toronto International Film Festival’s record-breaking attendance. Breakout musical acts like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter gave the world its soundtrack, and viral moments like the “Dancing with the Stars” leg lift brought levity to the digital age. The cinematic triumph of “Oppenheimer,” crowned with multiple Oscars, reminded audiences of the enduring power of storytelling.

1997: The year that was

As 2025 dawns, the world holds its breath. Canada may be on the cusp of a federal election, with Pierre Poilievre poised to challenge Trudeau’s grip on power. In the U.S., Trump’s second term could see dramatic shifts in domestic and international policy, from sweeping trade changes to potential statehood ambitions. Figures like Tim Walz are expected to play a crucial role in mediating partisan divides, while AI and space exploration may see further breakthroughs with Musk’s continued investments. Global conflicts could de-escalate—or intensify—depending on fragile negotiations in Ukraine and the Middle East. The rise of AI, which integrated seamlessly into daily life in 2024, might accelerate in unexpected ways, reshaping industries and personal lives alike.

Climate scientists are predicting another year of extreme weather, but advances in renewable energy and sustainability may offer glimmers of hope. And who knows? With Elon Musk’s influence continuing to grow, perhaps Mars colonization will take its first tangible steps in 2025.

The year ahead promises to be as unpredictable as ever, with moments of brilliance and hardship intertwined. If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that resilience and innovation remain humanity’s most powerful tools. Here’s to the adventures—and challenges—that 2025 will bring.

As I put the finishing touches on my year-end illustration for the Hamilton Spectator, I find myself reflecting on what 2024 has brought us. It’s a great honour to have the A1 assignment for the final edition, especially after 28 years as an editorial cartoonist. However, I can’t help but feel a bittersweet twinge, given the uncertain future of print media.

This year has been marked by political upheaval, economic struggles, and cultural milestones that remind us just how unpredictable our times can be. In Canada, we witnessed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau grappling with rising living costs and public frustration, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre made waves with his populist promises. Doug Ford’s controversial decisions in Ontario added to the mix, sparking debates on everything from urban planning to environmental concerns.

On the other side of the border, Donald Trump’s dramatic return to the political stage kept everyone on their toes, overshadowing Joe Biden and raising questions about the future of American politics. Meanwhile, global crises continued to unfold, leaving many of us feeling a mix of concern and urgency.

But amidst all the chaos, there were moments of unity and pride. Athletes like Summer McIntosh and events like Taylor Swift’s concerts brought joy and a sense of hope to a weary nation. It’s these glimmers of light that I tried to capture in my illustration, weaving in Easter eggs and references for those who still cherish the print version of the newspaper.

As we look ahead to 2025, the anticipation is palpable. Will Canada face a federal election? How will Trump’s second term unfold?

While the future feels uncertain, one thing is clear: resilience and creativity will be our guiding lights. Here’s to embracing the adventures and challenges that the new year will undoubtedly bring!

Wishing you all a wonderful start to 2025!

Enjoy the December 31, 2024 making-of animated editorial cartoon below. Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, if you haven’t already. Posts come out every Friday or Saturday as I summarize the week that was in my editorial cartoons. What you’re reading now is regarded as a “note”, which is used to help compose my weekly posts and showcase the animated versions of my daily editorial cartoons.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Friday June 19, 2020

June 19, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

June 19, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 19, 2020

Why Canada fails time and again on the world stage

September 21, 2016

Our politicians are possibly the weakest link in the chain. They are never elected on the merits of their foreign policy ideas, and as a result never prioritize when in office. When they do think about it, they often confuse invitations to Davos and vacations in Tuscany as evidence they are worldly. They prioritize slogans (“Canada is back!”) and costumed photo-ops over the grueling legwork and devil’s bargains that real diplomatic strategy requires.

Our political leaders can be dilettantes because the Canadian public simply doesn’t care. Foreign policy is never on the top 10 list of voter priorities. They demand almost nothing from Ottawa other than access to Disney World. And they grossly overvalue soft power, mistaking Canada’s global popularity with power and influence.

And, of course, the public has the luxury of not caring because Canada is happily isolated, protected by oceans on three points of the compass, and by a mostly reliable behemoth on the fourth.

All of this was true under the previous government, and the government before them, going back decades. It has been pointed out endlessly. Hands have even been wrung. But nothing changes. Because ultimately none of us genuinely cares enough to do anything about it.

Losing the Security Council seat is not a catastrophe. It will be greeted with a lot of shrugs, and go largely unnoticed by the public. The Conservatives will howl in outrage, but they howl about even the tiniest things, so it is impossible to tell if they actually care. Tomorrow, we will move on, because the loss just doesn’t hurt.

March 4, 2020

At this point it is obvious that in order for any of this to change, we are going to need to be hurt. Canada is going to have to burn its fingers on the stove, burn them badly, before we finally take foreign affairs seriously.

What will that look like? I don’t know. Look around the world and at the various international nightmares being visited upon dozens of nations. Refugees, war, disasters, ethnic conflicts—it could be any or all of these at once. Canada’s turn will inevitably come. And when our real geopolitical crisis finally arrives, it will be ugly and traumatic as we collectively realize how many decades were wasted, and how little diplomatic muscle we have to claw our way back the day our luck runs out.

We were not elected to the United Nations Security Council today. There were two seats open and we were running against Ireland and Norway to fill them.

Before I continue, I need to say a few things to my former colleagues in the Canadian Foreign Service who might be reading this. You are going to roll your eyes at what I have to say. You’ll point out it’s all been said before (which is true). You will claim I don’t have the view from the field (also true). You will add that campaigns like this are infinitely harder than I understand (probably right). And you will accuse me of not appreciating the hard work being done by Canadian diplomats at home and abroad (here you are wrong).

Our loss in New York is not the fault of the Canadian diplomats who have been working for the last five years trying to secure the votes we needed today. The current team is one of the best, and they played the hand they were dealt as well as they could. And it was a lousy hand.

February 8, 2020

Norway and Ireland were always going to get the European bloc of votes. And while we are once again whoring ourselves out to Saudi Arabia with arms sales, we have been unpredictable enough to make them angry. That, combined with a typically pro-Israel foreign policy meant our Middle Eastern support was likely weak. In Africa, our aid spending has not kept pace with Norway or anyone else, and while our mining companies are mostly responsible players, there are enough bad apples to spoil the barrel. Add an angry China to the mix, which has one vote but lots of money to persuade other countries to vote against us, and the electoral math simply did not add up.

This loss is just more proof (throw it on the pile over there), that Canada’s foreign policy establishment is incredibly weak. This country does many things well. But international relations is just not one of them.

To start, we have a tiny academic community that studies foreign policy and educates future diplomats, limited to just a handful of specialized programs. And academia is almost entirely isolated from the practitioners at Global Affairs Canada. Unlike most other western countries, it is very rare for diplomats to move back and forth into universities (or into the private sector either). As a result, our foreign policy rarely benefits from new blood and new ideas.

Our politicians are possibly the weakest link in the chain. They are never elected on the merits of their foreign policy ideas, and as a result never prioritize when in office. When they do think about it, they often confuse invitations to Davos and vacations in Tuscany as evidence they are worldly. They prioritize slogans (“Canada is back!”) and costumed photo-ops over the grueling legwork and devil’s bargains that real diplomatic strategy requires.

Our political leaders can be dilettantes because the Canadian public simply doesn’t care. Foreign policy is never on the top 10 list of voter priorities. They demand almost nothing from Ottawa other than access to Disney World. And they grossly overvalue soft power, mistaking Canada’s global popularity with power and influence.

And, of course, the public has the luxury of not caring because Canada is happily isolated, protected by oceans on three points of the compass, and by a mostly reliable behemoth on the fourth.

October 13, 2010

All of this was true under the previous government, and the government before them, going back decades. It has been pointed out endlessly. Hands have even been wrung. But nothing changes. Because ultimately none of us genuinely cares enough to do anything about it.

Losing the Security Council seat is not a catastrophe. It will be greeted with a lot of shrugs, and go largely unnoticed by the public. The Conservatives will howl in outrage, but they howl about even the tiniest things, so it is impossible to tell if they actually care. Tomorrow, we will move on, because the loss just doesn’t hurt.

At this point it is obvious that in order for any of this to change, we are going to need to be hurt. Canada is going to have to burn its fingers on the stove, burn them badly, before we finally take foreign affairs seriously.

What will that look like? I don’t know. Look around the world and at the various international nightmares being visited upon dozens of nations. Refugees, war, disasters, ethnic conflicts—it could be any or all of these at once. Canada’s turn will inevitably come. And when our real geopolitical crisis finally arrives, it will be ugly and traumatic as we collectively realize how many decades were wasted, and how little diplomatic muscle we have to claw our way back the day our luck runs out. (MacLean’s)

Saturday October 19, 2019

October 28, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

October 19, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 19, 2019

How the 2019 Federal Election Became a Vote for Nothing

March 12, 2019

The first drinking straw known to archeology was reusable. True story. It is a glamorous gold thing encrusted in blue lapis lazuli, buried in the tomb of a Sumerian queen at Ur in modern Iraq, the reputed birthplace of the patriarch Abraham, but long before his time.

Three millennia later, Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth May was having a drink from a disposable cup when she was photographed. This was a problem for her 2019 election campaign. To solve it, her party digitally altered the picture to show instead a reusable cup with a metal straw. This indicated May’s ideological rejection of plastic straws, which are no longer a symbol of royal affluence, as in ancient Sumer, but an environmental menace as numerous as the stars in the sky, like Abraham’s descendants. Caught out by a reporter, the party lied about it, and was caught out again.

August 30, 2019

That may seem like nothing to get worked up over, but this was an election where nothing was the whole point.

For a few days, the Greens’ ridiculous self-own and own-goal of a pseudo-scandal was the temporary focus of a general election campaign that never actually found a permanent one. And not for lack of trying.

It could have been otherwise. In Canada, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, was a flurry of high-spirited national activity, quite unlike the solemn day of remembrance and reflection it was in America.

Andrew Scheer, the former Speaker of the House of Commons about to fight his first campaign as Conservative leader, had his morning flight from Ottawa diverted by nasty weather to Quebec City, then carried on to Trois-Rivières, Que., by bus.

September 5, 2019

Jagmeet Singh of the NDP was in London, Ont., where he once studied undergrad biology, and where on this day he observed to his supporters that his Liberal rival Justin Trudeau “is not who he pretends to be.” It was a run of the mill political dig from an underdog about campaign trail idealism and the realities of governance, but it was soon to become a lot more poignant.

For his part, Trudeau had official duties as prime minister in Ottawa, walking up the lane to Rideau Hall to advise Governor General Julie Payette to dissolve Parliament, where his Liberal Party then held a 177-seat majority, compared to 95 Conservative, 39 NDP, and a few others.

Holding hands with his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, he was trying his best to evoke optimistic memories of his cabinet swearing-in day at this same spot all those years ago, when he so wryly told everyone that half his ministers were women because it was 2015.

Not anymore. The National Post’s John Ivison noted that Trudeau’s eyes on this final day of Canada’s 42nd Parliament “radiate broken glass.”

August 20, 2019

At the beginning, the campaign seemed to have a clear focus. Trudeau was saddled with an Ethics Commissioner ruling that his campaign of pressure on former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to cut a deal on corruption charges with SNC-Lavalin was improper. This affair, which led her to resign from cabinet after Trudeau demoted her in a shuffle, tarnished his image with constituencies she represented, both women and Indigenous people.

Contrary to his hair-trigger apology instinct for national crimes, however, Trudeau had been uncharacteristically stubborn in accepting anything resembling blame. He claimed to accept responsibility, but did not apologize, nor admit he did anything wrong. Quite the opposite. His chief of staff Gerald Butts had resigned for his central role in the affair, and to protect Trudeau. As the campaign started, though, Butts was back in the hot seat, running the show.

It was the first clue that, in the campaign of 2019, nothing mattered. Things briefly seemed to matter, until they did not. People would talk about them until the next thing came along, and then that too would fade to irrelevance.

October 18, 2019

By the end, the whole thing would have a carnival feel, all flashing lights and calliope music, with well-dressed grifters barking for attention in what was preposterously promoted as a leaders’ debate. The earnest curiosity of voters about platforms and issues melted away like soft-serve ice cream.

The campaign was at times such a fun-house freak show that the Rhinoceros Party found another guy called Maxime Bernier to run against Maxime Bernier, leader of the upstart alt-right People’s Party of Canada.

It was not that people did not care about political issues, like health care or the economy. It was just that the parties offered so many other things to not care about instead. (Continued: National Post)

Thursday September 12, 2019

September 19, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

September 12, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday September 12, 2019

There is deep angst in Canada ahead of this fall’s election

We may have voted for hope, optimism and sunny days in 2015 but Canadians don’t appear to be very optimistic heading into the Fall of 2019.

August 14, 2014

Canadians do see a strong economy right now. Assessment of their personal finances has gone from 32 per cent positive (Q4 2015) to 46 per cent today and their assessment of their job security has grown from 39 per cent positive (Q4 2015) to 52 per cent today.

On the eve of the writ dropping, one would assume from these numbers that the federal Liberals would very much like to have the 2019 ballot question be: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?”

But it won’t be, because despite these views and some impressive economic numbers at the macro level, Canadians aren’t optimistic about their longer-term prospects. Pocket-book issues and concerns over affordability are a common thread connecting most of the top issues Canadians identify as priorities: healthcare, the economy, housing, climate change, and taxes.

Our concerns are more than economic. There is deep angst about the direction of the country. Canadians are questioning the value and the very role of government, politicians and political parties in their lives and many politicians are going to run into the buzz saw of growing cynicism once they start knocking on doors. For starters:

January 3, 2014

* 67 per cent (unchanged since 2016) agree that the country’s economy is rigged to the advantage of the rich and powerful

* 61 per cent (vs. 56 per cent in 2016) agree that “traditional parties and politicians don’t care about people like me”

* 57 per cent (vs. in 47 per cent November 2016) say the country is “going in the wrong direction”

* 52 per cent (up dramatically from 37 per cent in 2016) agree that “Canadian society is broken”

This level of angst and cynicism among Canadians is going to pose a challenge for all political parties. Delivering policy ideas along with messaging to motivate supporter turn-out will be difficult, and they will need to find a balance between positive, forward-looking messages and empathetic, “we get you now” messages.

Imagine if you were a federal candidate hearing this at the door while looking for a vote: “I think the economy is stacked against me, I don’t think you care about me, I think our society is broken and our country is headed in the wrong direction. Tell me how you are going to fix this and why I should vote for you?” (Global News)