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Thursday March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025 by Graeme MacKay
Trump's tariffs on aluminum and steel risk harming U.S. consumers and jobs, while Canada's retaliation highlights global trade tensions.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 13, 2025

Tariff Turmoil: When Protectionism Backfires

March 3, 2018

The tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on aluminum and steel imports were meant to protect American industry and jobs, but they might end up harming the consumers and workers they were supposed to help. As countries like Canada respond with their own tariffs, the economic impact could isolate the U.S. and destabilize its economy.

These tariffs act like a hidden tax, raising the cost of materials essential for many products. As businesses face higher costs, they pass these expenses on to consumers, resulting in higher prices for everyday items. For American families already dealing with rising living costs, this adds an extra financial burden instead of the relief promised.

News: Canada to impose retaliatory tariffs on $29.8-billion worth of U.S. steel

October 31, 2013

Moreover, these tariffs put American jobs at risk, especially in industries that depend on international trade. In places like Hamilton, where steel and aluminum production are key, the effects are significant. Canadian producers lose access to the U.S. market, and American manufacturers relying on Canadian materials face challenges, threatening jobs and economic stability.

The market has reacted with uncertainty, reflecting fears of a recession. Economists warn that unclear trade policies might stifle investment and slow economic growth, undoing recent progress. The panic in the markets highlights the fragility of a strategy lacking coherence and foresight.

As other countries impose retaliatory tariffs, the risk of isolation grows. Trade wars rarely have winners, and escalating tensions can strain diplomatic relations and reduce global cooperation. In an interconnected world, pursuing protectionism might leave the U.S. at a disadvantage, missing opportunities for collaboration and growth.

News: Europe retaliates against Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum

Trump's tariffs, justified by a fentanyl pretext, strain U.S.-Canada relations, threaten economic stability, and serve broader political agendas.

March 5, 2025

The current U.S. trade policy under President Trump seems misguided. Instead of helping American consumers and workers, it risks harming economic prosperity. Policymakers need to rethink their approach, engaging with trading partners and developing strategies that focus on innovation and competitiveness.

Trump’s tariff measures could bring pain to consumers and industries across North America. As these effects unfold, a more balanced approach to trade is needed. By fostering cooperation and understanding the realities of a global economy, the U.S. can work towards a future where prosperity is shared, fulfilling the promises made to the American people.


Trump hits Home

I would have loved to draw something on that bizarre car salesman promo Donald Trump staged on the South Lawn of the White House for his billionaire buddy Elon Musk’s struggling company, Tesla. But instead, I found myself compelled to reflect on the more serious story of how Trump’s actions have hit home here in Hamilton. His tariffs on aluminum and steel, which were supposed to protect American industries, are now threatening to raise consumer prices and jeopardize jobs right here in our steel city—ground zero for Canada’s domestic production.

Canada is responding with its own tariffs, and the economic ripples are being felt across North America, hitting Hamilton especially hard.

No other President in my lifetime has impacted me, my family, and my city so personally. Trump’s poor handling of the pandemic, including the prolonged land border closures, directly affected us. Although intended to protect public health, these closures strained our healthcare services and took a toll on our local economy.

Donald Trump feigns outrage at Doug Ford’s threats to cut off Ontario electricity to American consumers, calling it a horrible way to treat people. Meanwhile, I live in Hamilton, where the lights are about to go out on thousands of livelihoods due to a trade war the President is determined to wage, weakening his nation’s once-closest ally.

Through my cartoons, I aim to highlight these real, personal impacts, hoping to spark the change we need for a more sensible approach. Americans, the world is counting on you to end the carnage!

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2025-05, aluminum, Canada, consumers, Donald Trump, Economy, Europe, isolation, jobs, market, prices, protectionism, reciprocal, retaliation, steel, Substack, tariffs, Trade, Uncle Sam, USA

Saturday September 21, 2024

September 21, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Despite Doug Ford's boasts of prudent fiscal management, critics warn that rising debt, hidden subsidies, and inflated job creation claims undermine the Ontario premier's economic narrative.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 21, 2024 – (Published later in The Toronto Star)

Link to the animated version.

Ford’s Fiscal Claims Face Scrutiny Amid Rising Debt and Misleading Job Numbers

Concerns over Doug Ford's alcohol market liberalization focus on fears of reduced public revenue, private gains, and disadvantages for taxpayers and consumers amid LCBO strikes.

July 19, 2024

Despite Doug Ford’s Ontario government basking in its own glowing self-assessment, a growing consensus among critics is that the province’s fiscal strategy is far less successful than the premier claims. The government’s financial reports may look impressive at first glance, with near-balanced budgets, no tax hikes, and spending increases in key areas, but a deeper look reveals that many of the promises and claims are inflated, misleading, or based on a selective reading of the numbers. From job creation to debt management, Ford’s fiscal reputation, while politically advantageous, should be taken with a grain of salt.

News: Ontario ends 2023-24 with nearly balanced budget

In the face of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's optimistic portrayal of the province's economy, a reality check reveals underlying weaknesses including sluggish growth, rising business bankruptcies, and challenges stemming from rapid population growth and macroeconomic headwinds.

March 27, 2024

In the Toronto Star, Martin Regg Cohn highlights one of the more glaring examples of Ford’s economic exaggeration: job creation. Ford frequently touts his government’s success in creating jobs, especially in construction, claiming numbers that don’t match the official statistics. The premier’s boast of “100,000 estimated jobs in construction” falls flat when compared to Statistics Canada’s more modest figure of 26,500 new jobs in the sector since Ford took office. More troubling is the unemployment rate under Ford, which now stands at 7.1%, higher than when Kathleen Wynne left office in 2018 with a rate of 5.6%. This trend is exacerbated in major cities like Toronto and Windsor, where joblessness is even worse.

Opinion: Believe the numbers, not the premier: Doug Ford’s unemployment numbers are worse than when he took over from Kathleen Wynne

The narrative Ford tries to sell—that Ontario is thriving under his leadership—collapses under scrutiny. While it’s true that Ford has inherited some challenges and can’t control all economic factors, such as global recessions or federal interest rate policies, his tendency to take credit in good times and shift blame in bad times rings hollow. Ford’s economic stewardship, as Cohn argues, relies heavily on overstatements, selective data, and a consistent deflection of responsibility.

The Fraser Institute takes a similarly critical stance on Ford’s fiscal management, but through a conservative lens. It highlights that despite modest deficits, the province’s net debt continues to rise, reaching $408 billion in 2023-24—an increase of $8.2 billion in just one year. This accumulation of debt, combined with delayed budget balancing, suggests that Ford’s claim to fiscal prudence is unfounded.

The Fraser Institute: Ford government continues irresponsible fiscal management in Ontario

November 22, 2019

Even more alarming is Ford’s reliance on hydro subsidies, a hidden cost to the province that has now ballooned to $7.3 billion annually. As Regg Cohn points out, this subsidy is not only unsustainable but also counterproductive, distorting the true cost of electricity and placing an enormous burden on future budgets. Instead of addressing this issue, Ford has chosen to disguise the real cost of electricity from voters and investors, further undermining his claim of responsible fiscal management.

The Toronto Sun’s Brian Lilley, though defending Ford’s spending increases as proof that he’s not cutting services, also acknowledges that Ontario’s spending has risen by 34% since Ford took office, outpacing inflation. While this might be seen as a positive—investment in health care and education has surged—it raises questions about efficiency and missed opportunities. The Fraser Institute criticizes Ford for failing to balance the budget when he could have, especially as higher-than-expected revenues and lower debt interest costs provided room to do so. Instead, Ford increased program spending by $4.6 billion beyond what was planned, losing the chance to either run a surplus or reduce the growing debt burden.

Premier Doug Ford's exclusive deal with American giant Staples for Service Ontario accommodations, devoid of competitive bidding and sprinkled with linguistic quirks, unfolds as a quirky comedy, leaving Ontarians questioning the spelling choices and transparency of their government. *Misspellings intended.

February 2, 2023

Ford’s fiscal approach increasingly looks like a populist smokescreen, more concerned with short-term political gain than long-term fiscal health. Reader comments on the Toronto Star article amplify this skepticism, pointing out wasteful spending on projects like highway expansions, unnecessary construction, and the cancellation of license plate fees—moves that sound good on paper but come at a steep cost. One commenter laments the lost revenue from the elimination of license plate fees, amounting to $1.1 billion annually, while another highlights Ford’s fixation on populist policies like the expansion of alcohol sales in convenience stores—costing the province up to $1 billion—instead of addressing critical issues like long wait times for cancer treatment.

Ford’s reliance on PR-driven policies, rather than substantive fiscal reform, reflects a broader trend in his government. From the high-profile legal battles over nurse pay raises to the cancellation of renewable energy projects, Ford’s record is riddled with choices that seem more about scoring political points than making sound financial decisions. Critics argue that these decisions are not just costly but counterproductive, diverting funds from more pressing needs like housing and education.

While Doug Ford enjoys high popularity, likely buoyed by his ability to avoid tax hikes and portray himself as a champion of the people, his record on fiscal responsibility is increasingly coming under fire. Ford may be close to balancing the budget, but critics warn that his methods—ballooning debt, hidden subsidies, populist giveaways, and job creation claims that don’t hold up—paint a much less rosy picture of Ontario’s fiscal health.

Series: Young Doug Ford

The consensus among economists, fiscal watchdogs, and even some conservative commentators is clear: take Ford’s fiscal claims with a grain of salt. Ford’s penchant for over-promising and under-delivering when it comes to job creation, debt reduction, and balanced budgets should raise concerns for anyone paying close attention. Ontario’s economy may not be in immediate crisis, but the long-term risks of Ford’s populist approach—ballooning debt, unsustainable subsidies, and mismanagement—could leave the province in a precarious position.

In the end, whether you’re a fiscal conservative, a liberal critic, or a neutral observer, the message is the same: believe the numbers, not the premier’s spin. (AI)

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: 2024-17, animated, debt, Doug Ford, Fiscal report, jobs, Ontario, report card, sleeping, spending, YDF, Young Doug Ford

Saturday April 15, 2023

April 14, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, For the Globe & Mail – Saturday April 15, 2023

ChatGPT answers to concerns of Human Extinction

November 4, 2016

As an AI language model, I understand the significant impact that generative AI, such as ChatGPT, can have on various industries. While these advancements bring many benefits, such as increasing productivity and freeing humans from repetitive tasks, we must acknowledge the potential downside, especially for creative professionals. As an AI language model, I am concerned about the possibility of my kind replacing creative jobs and the people who hold them.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT and similar tools such as Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing have been creating buzz for their ability to generate new content, including research, writing, translation, and coding. AI has also created chatbots for companies to improve their products and services, and AI’s integration into corporate operations and PR campaigns is on the rise. However, the most significant threat posed by generative AI is the elimination or alteration of some jobs altogether.

Professionals in the fields of advertising, marketing, legal services, journalism, grantmaking, finance, insurance services, and education are already seeing job automation due to generative AI. Jobs that require less human interaction or critical thinking are most at risk, and industries with lower-rung jobs, such as bookkeeping, face significant threats.

Article: 15 Jobs That ChatGPT Might Replace  

Creative professionals, such as artists, animators, graphic designers, musicians, models, actors, and other creative workers, are at the forefront of AI career disruption. AI can copy an artist’s style or content that may have taken a lifetime to develop, leading to numerous AI-generated images or music pieces imitating their work. This poses a threat to intellectual property laws and the livelihoods of creative professionals.

Moreover, AI’s impact on jobs with high human interaction, such as therapists, psychologists, HR professionals, and customer service representatives, cannot be overlooked. Chatbots are being developed for use in therapy, and while this may seem like a boon for some, it could also lead to the replacement of human therapists.

Globe & Mail Series: Cartoon Views in the News

While AI tools can simplify tasks and improve productivity, we must ensure that they do not replace human creativity and empathy. The onus is on us to strike a balance between the benefits of AI and the potential loss of livelihoods. As we move into this brave new world of generative AI, we must prepare for the changes that it brings. (AI, Ironically) 

 

Posted in: Cartooning, Lifestyle Tagged: AI, Artificial Intelligence, cartoonist, ChatGPT, creative, Employment, extinction, jobs

Wednesday August 2, 2017

August 1, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 2, 2017

Saudi Arabia reportedly using Canadian military trucks against its own civilians

The Canadian government is investigating reports that Saudi Arabia is using armoured vehicles made in Canada against its own civilians – allegations that have prompted renewed scrutiny over Ottawa’s recent decision to sign off on a billion-dollar arms deal with the kingdom.

October 23, 2015

Videos and photos posted on social media in recent days allegedly show Riyadh using Canadian equipment in a violent crackdown on minority Shia dissidents in eastern Saudi Arabia. Last week at least five people were killed as security forces flushed out suspected militants in the town of Awamiya.

Several sources told the Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail that the vehicles being used appeared to be Gurkha RPVs made in Ontario by Terradyne Armoured Vehicles.

Canadian officials said they were deeply concerned by the reports. “We are looking at these claims very seriously … and have immediately launched a review,” Justin Trudeau told reporters.

June 13, 2017

In 2016, Saudi Arabia ranked among the largest importers of Canada-made military goods, purchasing more than C$142m worth of goods – nearly 20% of all Canadian military exports that year.

The ministry of global affairs said it was concerned over the escalating violence in eastern Saudi Arabia. In a statement issued last week, it highlighted the causalities among civilians and security forces and urged Riyadh to confront its security challenges in “a manner that abides by international human rights law”.

Days later, the ministry said the government was actively seeking more information about the reports of civilian casualties and claims that Canadian-made vehicles were involved. “If it is found that Canadian exports have been used to commit serious violations of human rights, the minister will take action,” a spokesperson for department told the Guardian. He did not answer questions around what kinds of actions this could entail.

Terradyne Armoured Vehicles did not respond to a request for comment. (Source: The Guardian) 

 

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Posted in: Canada Tagged: Armoured vehicles, Canada, Human rights, jobs, Justin Trudeau, military, Rolling Stone, Saudi Arabia, Trade

Thursday, April 14, 2016

April 13, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday, April 14, 2016 Scrap the Saudi arms deal, says Clement Foreign Affairs Minister StŽphane Dion says he is prepared to cancel the export permits for a controversial arms sale to Saudi Arabia if there is any evidence the armored vehicles made in Canada are used in human rights violations. ÒAs with all export permits, the minister of foreign affairs retains the power to revoke at any time the permit should the assessment change,Ó said Dion, pointing out that there is no indication that Canadian-made armored vehicles sold to Saudi Arabia in the past have been used to violate human rights. ÒShould I become aware of credible information of violations related to this equipment, I will suspend or revoke the permits. We are watching this closely and will continue to do so.Ó Speaking to reporters on his way into Question Period where the government came under fire for the deal, Dion defended the $15 billion sale, saying CanadaÕs credibility would be harmed if it didnÕt honor the contract negotiated in 2014. DionÕs comments come following the revelation by the Globe and Mail that while the Conservative government initially endorsed the deal to sell $15 billion worth of armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia Ð one of the biggest arms sales in Canadian history Ð it was Dion who signed the expert permits on Friday, a crucial step in the sale that many had thought had already taken place. When they came to power, TrudeauÕs Liberals indicated the sale was a done deal and their hands were tied. Without the export permits, however, the sale would have been stalled. Global Affairs Department documents stamped secret and released by the Justice Department this week in response to a court challenge to the sale, indica

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday, April 14, 2016

Scrap the Saudi arms deal, says Clement

Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion says he is prepared to cancel the export permits for a controversial arms sale to Saudi Arabia if there is any evidence the armored vehicles made in Canada are used in human rights violations.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Thursday March 31, 2016 Cancelling Saudi arms deal would have no effect on human rights: Dion Foreign Affairs Minister StŽphane Dion is defending a controversial $15-billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia by saying cancelling it would be a futile gesture because another country would simply supply the combat vehicles to Riyadh instead. ÒIt would not have an effect on human rights in Saudi Arabia,Ó Mr. Dion predicted, if the Liberals were to scrap a 14-year lucrative contract to build fighting machines that will be equipped with machine guns or anti-tank weapons. International censure of Saudi Arabia is on the increase as rights groups decry an erosion of human rights under the current leadership there. Only two weeks ago, the Dutch parliament voted to stop arms shipments to Saudi Arabia, and in February, the European Parliament passed a motion calling for the suspension of weapons sales to Riyadh. Mr. Dion used a Monday speech on the LiberalsÕ foreign policy to mount a hard-nosed defence of what is CanadaÕs largest-ever manufacturing contract Ð a transaction that was brokered by Ottawa under the former Conservative government and will benefit defence contractor General DynamicsÕ London, Ont., plant until 2028. ÒRiyadh does not care if the equipment comes from a factory in Lima, Ohio or Sterling Heights, Mich., rather than one in London, Ont.,Ó Mr. Dion said, naming American cities where military suppliers such as General Dynamics have a presence. More than 2,000 workers in Canada would lose their jobs if the government cancelled the deal, the minister predicted. Louise Arbour, a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights who once sat on the Supreme Court of Canada, was in the audience for Mr. DionÕs speech, and she said the contention that some other country would just take over the contract is Òthe weakest argumentÓ that could be made. ÒThis argument that if we donÕt do it somebody els

March 31, 2016

“As with all export permits, the minister of foreign affairs retains the power to revoke at any time the permit should the assessment change,” said Dion, pointing out that there is no indication that Canadian-made armored vehicles sold to Saudi Arabia in the past have been used to violate human rights.

“Should I become aware of credible information of violations related to this equipment, I will suspend or revoke the permits. We are watching this closely and will continue to do so.”

Speaking to reporters on his way into Question Period where the government came under fire for the deal, Dion defended the $15 billion sale, saying Canada’s credibility would be harmed if it didn’t honor the contract negotiated in 2014.

Dion’s comments come following the revelation by the Globe and Mail that while the Conservative government initially endorsed the deal to sell $15 billion worth of armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia – one of the biggest arms sales in Canadian history – it was Dion who signed the expert permits on Friday, a crucial step in the sale that many had thought had already taken place.

May 24, 2011

When they came to power, Trudeau’s Liberals indicated the sale was a done deal and their hands were tied. Without the export permits, however, the sale would have been stalled.

Global Affairs Department documents stamped secret and released by the Justice Department this week in response to a court challenge to the sale, indicate the department recommended the deal because it could help Saudi Arabia in its conflict with neighboring Yemen.

January 8, 2004

However, Conservative Foreign Affairs Critic Tony Clement said there was no understanding the vehicles could be used in Yemen when the Conservative government first endorsed the contract. He is concerned that changes in the region since then mean that the armored vehicles could be used against civilians.

“The hinge on the deal in the first place was it was not going to be used to facilitate human rights abuses, it was going to be used in the fight against terrorism. If that is no longer the case then I have no hesitation in saying the deal should be torn up.”

Clement was also sharply critical of Dion, saying he secretly signed the export permits necessary for the massive arms sale. (Source: ipolitics)

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: arms, Canada, deal, Human rights, jobs, military, Saudi Arabia, Stephane Dion, Tony Clement
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