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marie antoinette

Saturday October 19, 2024

October 19, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

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.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 19, 2024

Justin Trudeau Faces Another Final Reckoning — Will He Step Down or Risk Humiliation?

As Canadians find themselves in a political waiting room, anxiously awaiting a resolution to Justin Trudeau's uncertain future, the fate of his leadership and the upcoming election hangs in the balance, highlighting the intricate gamesmanship of politics amid public impatience.

October 10, 2024

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.

In Canadian politics, few events are as consequential as the decision of a long-serving leader to resign or cling to power. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is rapidly approaching such a crossroad. His government is faltering amid foreign interference scandals, internal dissent, low polling, and a rising opposition led by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Trudeau, however, seems unwilling to heed the signals, risking a scenario where he could face defeat and drag the Liberal Party down with him.

News: Liberal MPs will present official demand for Trudeau to resign in coming days, sources say

March 31, 2001

The murmurs of rebellion within the Liberal caucus are no longer whispers but are poised to erupt in the next caucus meeting, scheduled for Wednesday. Several MPs reportedly plan to deliver a letter formally requesting that Trudeau step down, expressing the growing frustration among backbenchers that the Prime Minister’s leadership is now a liability. Party rebellion—one of the most public and organized challenges of his tenure—carries echoes of Jean Chrétien’s 2002 ouster, but with one key difference: Trudeau has no natural successor waiting in the wings.

July 11, 2020

Political history shows that leaders often prefer to exit on their own terms, sparing themselves the indignity of electoral defeat. Brian Mulroney, faced with a collapsing Progressive Conservative Party, opted to resign before the 1993 election—an election that decimated his party, though not his personal reputation. Similarly, in recent U.S. politics, Joe Biden appeared reluctant to seek a second term before ultimately bowing to political realities, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democrats into the 2024 race.

Trudeau is showing no signs of a similar graceful exit. Reports suggest that foreign policy issues, including tensions with India and fears over the impact of the U.S. election, may be influencing his decision to stay on

Opinion: Foreign crises are getting in the way of the inevitable: Trudeau’s departure

March 31, 2022

lf Trump returns to power in Washington, Trudeau could argue that his experience makes him uniquely qualified to manage Canada’s position against a renewed wave of American protectionism and geopolitical instability. Yet this logic may not resonate with his colleagues or voters, many of whom are disillusioned by the government’s domestic failures.

The public display of frustration from MPs such as Wayne Long, Alexandra Mendès, and Sean Casey indicates that this rebellion is not merely a passing grumble but a significant threat to Trudeau’s leadership. However about 20 MPs are rumoured to support his ouster, others within the caucus worry that airing grievances publicly weakens the party and plays into the Conservatives’ hands. Ontario MP Chandra Arya warned against leadership turmoil, likening it to a self-destructive act that could fracture the party structure.

May 20, 2016

This reflects a deeper political reality: after nearly a decade in power, the Liberal government’s electoral prospects are bleak. Trudeau’s reluctance to leave may have as much to do with personal pride as strategic calculation. His animosity toward Poilievre, whom he reportedly sees as unfit for high office, might be compelling him to stay and fight another election. However, as columnist Lawrence Martin argued, political momentum in Canada inevitably shifts after a long period in office, and Trudeau’s time appears to be running out .

The critical question remains whether the rebellion within the Liberal caucus will have enough momentum to force Trudeau’s hand. Rebellions like this are fraught with uncertainty. If the MPs calling for his resignation fail to muster enough support, their effort could fizzle out, leaving Trudeau emboldened to continue. On the other hand, should the rebellion gather enough steam at the next caucus meeting, Trudeau may face an ultimatum: step down or be removed.

News: 4 more Trudeau cabinet ministers won’t seek re-election: sources

Trudeau's extended tenure reveals a dismissive leader out of touch with Canadians' real concerns and resistant to addressing pressing issues. This is a parody of a well known editorial cartoon drawn of Former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker by Duncan Macpherson.

January 23, 2024

Yet, the Prime Minister’s response so far suggests he is ready to dig in. Reports indicate that his inner circle, including chief of staff Katie Telford, is blocking dissenting voices from reaching him, much as Chrétien did during his final years in power. If Trudeau continues to growing discontent, he risks leading the Liberals into the next election—one they appear destined to lose—with his legacy tarnished by stubbornness and electoral defeat.

The opportunity for Trudeau to leave on his own terms is slipping away. If he waits too long, the decision will no longer be his to make, and he may suffer the fate that many leaders dread: the humiliation of being ousted by either his own party or the electorate. Without a clear successor to rally around, the Liberal Party faces a daunting challenge.

For Trudeau, the path ahead offers two options: bow out gracefully, sparing the party and himself from further damage, or cling to power, risking a public revolt within caucus and electoral disaster. Given his track record and his apparent belief in his ability to weather crises, it seems likely that Trudeau will choose to fight. Whether that decision proves to be a final act of courage or folly will soon be revealed. (AI)


A backgrounder on this cartoon has been posted to my all NEW Substack Page! 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!

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2024-19, Canada, caucus, guillotine, Justin Trudeau, Katie Telford, leadership, Louis XVI, marie antoinette, Monarchy, rebellion, revolt, Substack

Thursday March 31, 2022

March 31, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 31, 2022

It’s past time for action on payday loans

Sometimes, requests made of governments seem so eminently reasonable that it’s amazing they need be repeated over and over again.

March 6, 2021

In a report last week, ACORN, a non-profit group advocating for low- and moderate-income Canadians, once again asks the federal government to crack down on exorbitant interest rates charged by high-cost lenders.

The gaudy outlets offering payday loans and other such provisions of quick money at high cost are symbols of desperation on the main streets of almost all towns and cities.

They are the physical manifestation of an inequitable society — a divide both highlighted and aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As ACORN has long argued, the lenders profit off the most vulnerable.

The pandemic has worsened things for those on the margins, it said. Many of those trying to pay their bills turn to so-called payday loans — small, short-term loans with extremely high annual interest rates.

These loans don’t exceed $1,500, must be repaid within 62 days, and can carry interest as high as 500 per cent in some provinces. They are regulated by provincial governments and lenders are exempt from even the 60 per cent limit on interest.

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2022-11, Canada, Duncan Macpherson, Justin Trudeau, lenders, Let them eat cake, marie antoinette, Ontario, Payday, Payday loans, Poverty, usury

Thursday November 1, 2018

November 8, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 1, 2018

Two Former GGs on the hot seat for their lavish ways

Canada’s governors general deserve continued financial support once they retire but they need to be more transparent and accountable for their expenses, Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.

February 20, 2004

The prime minister made the comment after a Postmedia report revealed that Adrienne Clarkson, who was governor general from 1999 to 2005, has billed more than $1 million in expenses since leaving the viceregal job.

Besides their pensions, former governors general get lifetime public funding for office and travel expenses through a program that has existed since 1979, on the premise that governors general never truly retire.

Trudeau said the federal government will review the program to determine “best practices” for supporting former governors general.

September 27, 2005

“These are people who’ve stepped up and offered tremendous service to this country but Canadians expect a certain level of transparency and accountability and we’re going to make sure we’re moving forward in a thoughtful way,” Trudeau said on his way into the Liberals’ weekly caucus meeting.

Clarkson has billed more than $100,000 to the government nine times in the 12 years since she left Rideau Hall.

That’s the threshold for reporting the billings separately, including identifying the claimant, in the federal government’s annual Public Accounts. The Public Accounts disclose no detail about the nature of the expenses.

Expenses of less than $100,000 billed by former governors general are lumped together in a general “temporary help services” category and do not identify who claimed them. (Source: Toronto Star) 

May 27, 2009

Earlier in October, another former Governor-General, Michaelle Jean failed, in her bid for a second term as secretary general of la Francophonie Friday as members chose Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo.

Three days after his government withdrew its support for Jean, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisted the move was not part of a deal to advance Canada’s bid for a United Nations Security Council seat in 2020.

Jean had been dogged by stories of excessive spending and questionable expenses during her mandate.

After a four-year term marked by controversy, the former governor general was considered a long shot for a second stint, but she refused to withdraw her candidacy even as support dwindled. (Source: CTV News) 

 

Posted in: Canada, Lifestyle Tagged: "Michaelle Jean, Adrienne Clarkson, aristocracy, Canada, elite, Elizabeth I, entitlements, GG, Governor-General, laurentian, marie antoinette, meritocracy, privilege, Rideau Hall, vice-roy

Saturday August 21, 2003

August 21, 2003 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday August 21, 2003

Chirac and Chretien vacation together

On holiday in the Eastern Townships since Friday, French President Jacques Chirac is visiting Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in his home riding of Shawinigan.

The two will be touring an art exhibit in an old aluminium smelter that’s been converted into a museum.

Accompanied by his wife Bernadette, Chirac arrived at the airport in Trois-Rivières late Wednesday morning. The Chiracs will be visiting a sculpture exhibition at the Cité de l’Énergie museum. 

The exhibition, The Body Transformed, features more than 60 sculptures by 16 celebrated artists, including Auguste Rodin and Pablo Picasso.

Following the tour of the museum, Chirac and his wife will visit Chrétien and his wife Aline at their cottage in Lac des Piles. (CP)

 

Posted in: Canada, International Tagged: blackout, Canada, fan bearer, France, heatwave, Jacques Chirac, Jean Chretien, marie antoinette, newspaper

Saturday March 31, 2001

March 31, 2001 by Graeme MacKay
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday March 31, 2001 Fry feels new opposition heat Prime Minister ChrŽtien had to withstand attacks upon his alleged arrogance, his government's methods in distributing federal funds to certain regions, and his representation of a building firm located in his riding in its efforts to gain a bank loan. Added to that were dubious events in 2001 involving cabinet ministers Hedy Fry, Don Boudria, Brian Tobin, and Sheila Copps, which added to the impression of rampant arrogance and pomposity in the Chretien cabinet. The Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, told the Commons he would look into allegations that his secretary of state for multiculturalism had called the RCMP in British Columbia seeking information to back her claim of Ku Klux Klan cross burnings in Prince George. Chretien, in response to Nova Scotia New Democrat Peter Stoffer, initially said he saw nothing wrong with Fry checking for something on the public record, then demurred, saying it was the first time he heard of the charge and would "check that." At another point, as Fry looked imploringly at her boss for help during Question Period, Chretien had his back turned on her, speaking to his House leader Don Boudria. (Source: The Toronto Star, March 27, 2001) http://www.fact.on.ca/news/news0103/ts01032l.htm Canada, royalty, Jean Chretien, Hedy Fry, Brian Tobin, Don Boudria, Sheila Copps, Stockwell Day, Joe Clark, arrogance, marie antoinette

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 31, 2001

Fry feels new opposition heat

chretien-gallery95Prime Minister Chrétien had to withstand attacks upon his alleged arrogance, his government’s methods in distributing federal funds to certain regions, and his representation of a building firm located in his riding in its efforts to gain a bank loan. Added to that were dubious events in 2001 involving cabinet ministers Hedy Fry, Don Boudria, Brian Tobin, and Sheila Copps, which added to the impression of rampant arrogance and pomposity in the Chretien cabinet.

The Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, told the Commons he would look into allegations that his secretary of state for multiculturalism had called the RCMP in British Columbia seeking information to back her claim of Ku Klux Klan cross burnings in Prince George.

Jean Chretien

Jean Chretien

Chretien, in response to Nova Scotia New Democrat Peter Stoffer, initially said he saw nothing wrong with Fry checking for something on the public record, then demurred, saying it was the first time he heard of the charge and would “check that.”

At another point, as Fry looked imploringly at her boss for help during Question Period, Chretien had his back turned on her, speaking to his House leader Don Boudria. (Source: The Toronto Star, March 27, 2001)


Reflections on this Editorial Cartoon 25 years later – By Graeme MacKay

Power, Scandals, and the Weight of Legacy: Reflections on Chrétien’s Fall and Trudeau’s Dilemma

There’s an old editorial cartoon from 2001 that I’ve been thinking about lately, especially as Justin Trudeau’s leadership crisis deepens. It was drawn during the final, rocky stretch of Jean Chrétien’s tenure as Prime Minister, a time when his grip on power was slipping. The cartoon shows an aloof Chrétien, dressed in 1787 garb, stubbornly holding his high position surrounded by loyal courtiers, Hedy Fry, Brian Tobin, Don Boudria, and my own long suffering local Baroness, Sheila Copps, poised to prop him up. Meanwhile, his enemies—both within the party and in the opposition Stockwell Day and Joe Clark—stand just outside, waiting for the inevitable fall.

Back then, Chrétien was embroiled in scandal after scandal, most notably the “Shawinigate” affair and the brewing sponsorship scandal. His government was accused of funnelling federal money into Quebec ad agencies to promote Canadian unity, but much of the cash disappeared in murky transactions that later sparked outrage. The scandal eventually led to the Gomery Inquiry, which uncovered staggering corruption, badly damaging the Liberal brand. Chrétien’s insistence on staying in power, even as these scandals mounted and his popularity tanked, created fractures in the party that never fully healed.

That cartoon captured the essence of Chrétien’s dilemma: an aging monarch too stubborn to leave, even when it was obvious his time was up. And yet, unlike Justin Trudeau today, Chrétien at least had a clear successor waiting in the wings—Paul Martin Jr., the popular finance minister who was chomping at the bit to take over. Everyone knew Martin was ready to step in and possibly save the party, but Chrétien refused to go quietly, igniting a civil war within the Liberals.

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

Now, approaching 25 years later, we see Trudeau facing a similar moment of reckoning—but without a saviour waiting in the shadows. The Liberals are mired in their own controversies, from foreign interference scandals to sagging polls, and the party faithful are starting to revolt. Just this week, Eddie Goldenberg, Chrétien’s long-time chief of staff, urged Trudeau to step down, warning that if he doesn’t act soon, he risks dragging the entire party down with him.

Goldenberg made the case that an “undefeated” Trudeau could still play a critical role in protecting Canadian unity if a Quebec referendum re-emerges. But if Trudeau fights the next election and loses, his legacy could be one of electoral failure, not national leadership.

In many ways, the Trudeau situation feels like déjà vu. Just as Chrétien weathered scandal after scandal, Trudeau has spent the last few years fighting off controversy. His government has been battered by accusations of Chinese and Indian interference in Canadian politics, and some of his cabinet ministers—such as Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott—left in protest, accusing him of unethical behaviour. Public support is dwindling, and members of his own party are starting to question whether Trudeau is more of a liability than an asset.

The difference, though, is stark: Chrétien had Paul Martin waiting in the wings, a finance minister widely regarded as the brains behind Canada’s fiscal turnaround in the 1990s. Martin was the obvious successor, and many believed he could lead the Liberals to victory if only Chrétien would get out of the way. In Trudeau’s case, no such heir apparent exists – not even Mark Carney, the surrogate banking brain of the present day who’s been seconded… err, neutered, by the Trudeau to work on some economic nerd-out study that appears to be more of a tactic to allay any leadership ambitions. The Liberal Party today is adrift, with no clear leader ready to step in and no time to organize a proper leadership convention before the next election.

Hamilton Spectator, March 31, 2001

Goldenberg’s suggestion—that Trudeau could jump and allow the caucus to appoint an interim leader—echoes the kind of rushed transitions we’ve seen before in Canadian politics. When Brian Mulroney stepped down in 1993, he handed the reins to Kim Campbell just months before an election, but the party was decimated at the polls, whittled down to just 2 seats serving as a textbook case of how horrible things can go in Parliamentary democracy. Trudeau may believe he can still defeat Pierre Poilievre, but if he waits too long, the Liberals may be stuck with him, marching toward what looks increasingly like an electoral disaster.

The characters in the 2001 cartoon reflect the political drama of that era. Hedy Fry, a loyal Chrétien ally, had recently embarrassed herself with false claims about Klan cross burnings in British Columbia, a moment that became symbolic of how disconnected Chrétien’s government had become – Fry still lingers around the corridors of Parliament as a sitting member of Trudeau’s Liberals! Sheila Copps, another Chrétien loyalist, is depicted struggling to hold the throne steady—a nod to the internal fractures as Copps and other ministers tried to balance loyalty to Chrétien with their own political ambitions. She leads a quiet life far away from the mean streets of Hamilton. Brian Tobin, at the time of the 2001 drawing, was a rising political star who even had a brief Newfoundland Premiership under his belt was seen as a Chretien’s hand picked successor. In under a year he will have bolted from politics altogether for the greener pastures of executive boardrooms. Don Boudria would eventually gracefully exit into private life.

What makes the cartoon especially poignant is that it captures how insulated Chrétien had become from reality. Despite mounting scandals and growing rebellion within his caucus, he refused to see that his time was up. Sound familiar? Today, Trudeau’s inner circle, especially his chief of staff Katie Telford, has been accused of insulating him from dissenting voices, much like Chrétien’s advisers did. The frustration within the Liberal caucus is no longer a whisper but a roar. Some MPs, such as Wayne Long and Alexandra Mendès, are publicly calling for Trudeau’s resignation, and others are rumoured to be drafting a letter demanding he step down.

The irony here is that both Chrétien and Trudeau—leaders once hailed as political visionaries—are now at risk of becoming obstacles to their own parties. Chrétien’s failure to bow out gracefully eventually weakened the Liberals, leading to a decade of Conservative rule under Stephen Harper. Trudeau’s reluctance to leave could do the same, handing Poilievre a victory by default.

The stakes are even higher for Trudeau. Goldenberg warns that with the Parti Québécois likely to form the next Quebec government, Canada could face yet another referendum on independence. His argument is that Trudeau, if he retires undefeated, would be uniquely positioned to defend Canadian unity. But here’s the catch: Trudeau’s approval in Quebec has plummeted, and the Liberal Party may no longer hold the same credibility it once did as the champion of federalism. One can’t help but wonder—would Quebecers even listen to Trudeau in 2025? Or are we witnessing the final days of a political dynasty that no longer resonates with the public?

Goldenberg’s argument also rests on the assumption that Trudeau can step down quickly, leaving time for a new leader to stabilize the party and prepare for the next election. But the clock is ticking. A leadership transition of this magnitude takes time, and some within the party are concerned that Trudeau’s delay will leave them stranded without a viable plan. As one reader astutely pointed out, if Trudeau doesn’t announce his resignation by the end of October, the party may have no choice but to go into the next election with him at the helm, risking total collapse.

In both 2001 and 2024, the editorial cartoons tell the same cautionary tale: power, once clutched too tightly, becomes a burden. Chrétien stayed too long, and it cost the Liberals dearly. Trudeau now faces the same choice: step aside gracefully and secure his legacy, or cling to power and risk taking the entire party down with him.

The lesson from history is clear—leaders who fail to recognize when their time is up are seldom remembered kindly. Chrétien had Paul Martin waiting in the wings, but Trudeau has no such heir. If he waits too long, his legacy may not be one of progressive change or national unity but of stubbornness and defeat.

The throne is crumbling again, and Trudeau must decide whether to step off or be pushed. The question is, will he recognize the warning signs in time—or, like a Roman general, insist on going out on his shield?

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: "Silver Reflection", arrogance, Brian Tobin, Canada, Don Boudria, Hedy Fry, Jean Chretien, Joe Clark, marie antoinette, royalty, Sheila Copps, Stockwell Day

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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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