monster

Monday September 26, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Monday September 26, 2016 Encroaching Monster Homes Communities change whether we like it or not. The question of whether they change for better or worse is a matter of opinion and interpretation. Meanwhile, growing pains are inevitable no matter how a community evolves. Sometimes, unchecked sprawl outward can lead to unaffordable costs for services in future. Sometimes, unplanned growth upward can lead to inner city problems Ð anything from increased traffic to a lack of sunlight. Sometimes infill projects are simply out of place. So thereÕs nothing wrong with considered management of change and thoughtful care in planning and redevelopment.Ê But too many homeowners are needlessly concerned with sameness in their communities. And too many are unwilling to accept change as inevitable. Just because a community is built with similar homes, on identical lots with homogenous landscaping, doesnÕt mean it has to stay that way. So the current debate in places such as Ancaster about the appropriateness of so-called ÒmonsterÓ homes in already well-to-do neighbourhoods may be a useful exercise, but residents and the city will need to remind themselves that the status quo will never be acceptable. After all, the lots in that area are already huge by most peopleÕs standards, and the existing houses are not exactly small, no matter how you measure it. HumanityÕs desire for something ever bigger, ever better is unlikely to be quelled by upset neighbours, well-meaning council representatives or dialogue, however useful, at a town-hall meeting. Neither are such forces restricted to places like Ancaster. Downtown Hamilton, indeed downtowns everywhere, are facing a massive influx of new residents with new ideas and new needs. Gentrification has somehow become a dirty word, but in fact it is neither bad nor good. It simply is inevitable. We can do our best as community builders to accommodate social housing, creat

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday September 26, 2016

Encroaching Monster Homes

Communities change whether we like it or not. The question of whether they change for better or worse is a matter of opinion and interpretation.

Meanwhile, growing pains are inevitable no matter how a community evolves. Sometimes, unchecked sprawl outward can lead to unaffordable costs for services in future. Sometimes, unplanned growth upward can lead to inner city problems – anything from increased traffic to a lack of sunlight. Sometimes infill projects are simply out of place.

So there’s nothing wrong with considered management of change and thoughtful care in planning and redevelopment.

But too many homeowners are needlessly concerned with sameness in their communities. And too many are unwilling to accept change as inevitable.

Just because a community is built with similar homes, on identical lots with homogenous landscaping, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.

So the current debate in places such as Ancaster about the appropriateness of so-called “monster” homes in already well-to-do neighbourhoods may be a useful exercise, but residents and the city will need to remind themselves that the status quo will never be acceptable.

After all, the lots in that area are already huge by most people’s standards, and the existing houses are not exactly small, no matter how you measure it.

Humanity’s desire for something ever bigger, ever better is unlikely to be quelled by upset neighbours, well-meaning council representatives or dialogue, however useful, at a town-hall meeting.

Neither are such forces restricted to places like Ancaster. Downtown Hamilton, indeed downtowns everywhere, are facing a massive influx of new residents with new ideas and new needs.

Gentrification has somehow become a dirty word, but in fact it is neither bad nor good. It simply is inevitable. We can do our best as community builders to accommodate social housing, create mixed-use communities, and make neighbourhoods welcoming to everyone, but we cannot stop those who can afford it from fixing up old houses and making them unaffordable for low-income renters.

We can restrict heights, plan for careful placement and perhaps even design of high-rise towers, not stop condominiums from being built downtown. Indeed, such intensification is necessary if we are to continue to keep taxes affordable.

Hamilton, as much and probably more than most cities in the current era, is facing tumultuous change which many oppose simply because it is change. If Hamilton is to continue to thrive as a city and ride the current wave of prosperity that is upon us, we must all embrace change – and embrace the future. (Source: Hamilton Spectator Editorial)

 

Thursday August 4, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday August 4, 2016 Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women 'I donÕt know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry,' says violence survivor Many First Nations leaders and advocates in B.C. distrust the framework for an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada Ñ and demand the body been given enough scope to look at how policing has played into deaths. The long-awaited Canada-wide look at issues that led to so many tragedies was questioned, especially by family members who lost loved ones. Lorelei Williams held a feather as she talked about her aunts and cousins. Two were lost to serial killers. One family member was raped and survived. Another was pushed out a Downtown Eastside window. There is a litany of pain and trauma that makes Williams suspicious of the inquiry, despite promises that it will offer change. "I have more questions than answers. I don't know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry," said Williams. She wants the inquiry to look at policing and police accountability because she believes racism and indifference to Indigenous women by some officers has made it difficult to get anybody to take the search for missing family members seriously. She says she too was left to walk alone along a highway when she was 17 years old, stranded after being dismissed by 911 when she called for help. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said the framework for the inquiry is flawed, and needs more funding or protections in writing that ensure recommendations will be acted on, instead of ignored. He wants the inquiry's scope to include a hard look at the issues of racism and sexism in the RCMP, saying racist attitudes on police forces have contributed to Indigenous deaths for decades. "This is about accountability. Full stop. We need to ensure we do not blow this opportunity," said Phillip. "The issue ...is an indelible black mark on

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 4, 2016

Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women

‘I don’t know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry,’ says violence survivor

Many First Nations leaders and advocates in B.C. distrust the framework for an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada — and demand the body been given enough scope to look at how policing has played into deaths.

The long-awaited Canada-wide look at issues that led to so many tragedies was questioned, especially by family members who lost loved ones.

Lorelei Williams held a feather as she talked about her aunts and cousins. Two were lost to serial killers. One family member was raped and survived. Another was pushed out a Downtown Eastside window.

There is a litany of pain and trauma that makes Williams suspicious of the inquiry, despite promises that it will offer change.

“I have more questions than answers. I don’t know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry,” said Williams.

She wants the inquiry to look at policing and police accountability because she believes racism and indifference to Indigenous women by some officers has made it difficult to get anybody to take the search for missing family members seriously. She says she too was left to walk alone along a highway when she was 17 years old, stranded after being dismissed by 911 when she called for help.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said the framework for the inquiry is flawed, and needs more funding or protections in writing that ensure recommendations will be acted on, instead of ignored.

He wants the inquiry’s scope to include a hard look at the issues of racism and sexism in the RCMP, saying racist attitudes on police forces have contributed to Indigenous deaths for decades.

“This is about accountability. Full stop. We need to ensure we do not blow this opportunity,” said Phillip.

“The issue …is an indelible black mark on the human rights record of Canada. We are not sitting here cheerleading.” (Source: CBC News)

 

Friday April 29, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday April 29, 2016 Naturopath who treated boy who died of meningitis should be held accountable, physicians say The naturopath who treated Ezekiel Stephan, an Alberta boy who died of bacterial meningitis in 2012, Òdid not meet the standard of careÓ and should be held accountable for her actions, according to a critical letter sent to the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta by nearly four dozen physicians across Canada. The situation raises broader questions about the growing trend toward the regulation of naturopaths in Canada and whether the colleges are doing proper oversight, said Michelle Cohen, a family physician in Brighton, Ont., who wrote the letter. The college has opened an investigation based on the letter and did not respond to an interview request. David and Collet Stephan were found guilty in a Lethbridge court on Tuesday of failing to provide the necessaries of life for their son Ezekiel, who was 19 months old. The Stephans went to a naturopath, Tracey Tannis, because they suspected that the boy had meningitis. The naturopath testified that she did not physically examine Ezekiel and that she had advised the Stephans to take him to a hospital. But she gave Ms. Stephan an echinacea treatment for the child. Others testified that Dr. Tannis discussed EzekielÕs case with his mother. Naturopaths are governed by a self-regulatory college in Alberta, in a manner similar to doctors and nurses. Dr. Tannis is still listed as a member in good standing of the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta and there are no notes attached to her registration to suggest that there have been any concerns about her actions. The physiciansÕ letter criticizes the naturopath for recommending a treatment for a sick child without having examined him and for failing to provide vital information about the grave risks of meningitis and the urgent need for a lumbar puncture and treatment to prevent death

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday April 29, 2016

Naturopath who treated boy who died of meningitis should be held accountable, physicians say

The naturopath who treated Ezekiel Stephan, an Alberta boy who died of bacterial meningitis in 2012, “did not meet the standard of care” and should be held accountable for her actions, according to a critical letter sent to the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta by nearly four dozen physicians across Canada.

Friday, February 6, 2015The situation raises broader questions about the growing trend toward the regulation of naturopaths in Canada and whether the colleges are doing proper oversight, said Michelle Cohen, a family physician in Brighton, Ont., who wrote the letter.

The college has opened an investigation based on the letter and did not respond to an interview request.

David and Collet Stephan were found guilty in a Lethbridge court on Tuesday of failing to provide the necessaries of life for their son Ezekiel, who was 19 months old.

The Stephans went to a naturopath, Tracey Tannis, because they suspected that the boy had meningitis. The naturopath testified that she did not physically examine Ezekiel and that she had advised the Stephans to take him to a hospital. But she gave Ms. Stephan an echinacea treatment for the child. Others testified that Dr. Tannis discussed Ezekiel’s case with his mother.

Naturopaths are governed by a self-regulatory college in Alberta, in a manner similar to doctors and nurses. Dr. Tannis is still listed as a member in good standing of the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta and there are no notes attached to her registration to suggest that there have been any concerns about her actions.

The physicians’ letter criticizes the naturopath for recommending a treatment for a sick child without having examined him and for failing to provide vital information about the grave risks of meningitis and the urgent need for a lumbar puncture and treatment to prevent death or permanent brain damage.

“Albertans should expect that any regulated health-care professional meeting the standard of care for treating children would have basic knowledge about meningitis,” the letter says. “Albertans should also expect that any regulated health professional using the designation ‘Dr.’ would not recommend a treatment for a child without first physically examining them to arrive at a diagnosis.”

Dr. Tannis did not respond to an interview request on Wednesday. (Source: Globe & Mail)

2016-04-29tearsheet

Tuesday March 22, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday March 22, 2016 OttawaÕs deficit-spending budget WhoÕd have thought that a governmentÕs deficit-spending budget would garner such universal support? But most business groups, usually the shrillest of critics, are behind the Liberal governmentÕs plans. This backing includes support from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, economists at the big banks and several think tanks. And this, even though the budget may see a $30 billion deficit when unveiled in Ottawa Tuesday. It says a lot about how the world has changed. In the past decade, many economic assumptions have been turned upside down. Many attitudes have also changed. Who would have once thought that our central bank would be trying to stoke inflation, rather than crush it? Or that instead of worrying about rising interest rates killing the economy, weÕd be worried that falling rates killing the economy? Or that it would okay for central banks to create trillions of dollars out of thin air? This new consensus is really a capitulation. It says that, after eight years of manipulating interest rates, that policy hasnÕt worked. No amount of pushing on that string has created growth. So itÕs time to pull lever number two, fiscal policy. You spend money you donÕt have (but promise to pay back). You hope to stimulate demand so that businesses will follow along and economic activity will increase. Central banker Stephen Poloz delayed cutting CanadaÕs key rate again in January from its lofty one half of one per cent for this reason. He wanted to see what Ottawa planned to do. The frantic effort to get something going is as much about the future as the present. The concern is that when the next recession arrives Ñ which inevitably it will Ñ there will be nothing central banks can do. ThereÕll be no ammunition left in the rate-cut gun. Most economic expansions last between five and seven years. The current one i

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 22, 2016

Ottawa’s deficit-spending budget

Who’d have thought that a government’s deficit-spending budget would garner such universal support?

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday February 12, 2016 Trudeau shies away from Liberals' balanced-budget vow, cites fading economy Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is backing away from a campaign vow to balance the public books before the end of his government's four-year mandate Ñ a promise that was central to the Liberal election platform. As a result of a weakening economy, the government's upcoming 2016-17 budget plan will show a deficit larger than the Liberals' promised $10-billion shortfall cap, Trudeau told Montreal's La Presse newspaper. Just how big that deficit will be remains unclear. If the economy continues to deteriorate, it will be difficult for the Liberals to live up to their pledge to balance the books in 2019-20, Trudeau said in an interview published Thursday. Less than two months ago, Trudeau insisted that the Liberal plan to make good on that key balanced-budget promise was "very" cast in stone. The doubts raised by Trudeau offer a glimpse of the fiscal pressure faced by the Finance Department as it crafts the government's first federal budget, expected late next month. "If we look at the growth projections for the next three or four years, it will be difficult (to return to balance)," Trudeau was quoted by La Presse as saying. "But everything we're doing is aimed at creating economic growth. When predicting the level of growth four years in advance, governments often miss the target." During the fall election campaign, Trudeau promised to keep deficits below the $10-billion mark in 2016-17 and 2017-18 unless the economic situation got radically worse. "Yes, we will go over $10 billion," Trudeau told La Presse. "By how much? We are in the process of examining that." In recent months, the Canadian economy has sputtered in large part due to the steep drop in commodity prices. On Wednesday, a National Bank of Canada report said the country's fading economic prospects could put the Liberal government on tra

Friday February 12, 2016

But most business groups, usually the shrillest of critics, are behind the Liberal government’s plans. This backing includes support from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, economists at the big banks and several think tanks. And this, even though the budget may see a $30 billion deficit when unveiled in Ottawa Tuesday.

It says a lot about how the world has changed. In the past decade, many economic assumptions have been turned upside down. Many attitudes have also changed.

Who would have once thought that our central bank would be trying to stoke inflation, rather than crush it? Or that instead of worrying about rising interest rates killing the economy, we’d be worried that falling rates killing the economy? Or that it would okay for central banks to create trillions of dollars out of thin air?

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday February 18, 2016 Canada to lose 2,830 jobs as Bombardier slashes workforce Bombardier Inc. says it will cut 7,000 positions over the next two years including 2,000 contractors in both aerospace and train divisions Ð almost 10 per cent of its global work force. Most of the job losses will be in Canada and Europe, but will be partly offset by hiring in certain growth areas as production ramps up for the new CSeries aircraft. ÒWe are taking this difficult decision to make Bombardier strong,Ó said Bombardier CEO Alain Bellemare on a conference call with analysts on Wednesday after reporting weak fourth quarter earnings. The Montreal-based aerospace and rail equipment company says the cuts will begin in the coming weeks and be completed by 2017. It was not immediately clear where the job cuts will be, though 2,830 will be in Canada. Of those, 430 will be in Ontario and 2,400 in Quebec. In Canada, 400 jobs will be eliminated in the transportation division and 2,430 in the aerospace division. Transport Minister Marc Garneau says he has mixed feelings about the job cuts and the Air Canada deal. The minister sang the praises of BombardierÕs new aircraft, but he did not immediately commit to helping the troubled company out of its financial difficulties. The Quebec government is putting up $1 billion (U.S.) for a 49.5 per cent stake in the CSeries program, while the Caisse de depots et placement du Quebec, the pension plan, spent $1.5 billion (U.S.) for a 30 per cent stake in the companyÕs train division. Bombardier has asked the federal government to join in with financial assistance for the CSeries, but like Garneau, Navdeep Bains, minister of innovation, science and economic development, said Ottawa is still studying the idea. ÒAny action the government takes with respect to Bombardier will be first and foremost in the interest of Canadians,Ó Bains said in a statement. ÒWe have been clear th

Thursday February 18, 2016

This new consensus is really a capitulation. It says that, after eight years of manipulating interest rates, that policy hasn’t worked. No amount of pushing on that string has created growth.

So it’s time to pull lever number two, fiscal policy. You spend money you don’t have (but promise to pay back). You hope to stimulate demand so that businesses will follow along and economic activity will increase.

Central banker Stephen Poloz delayed cutting Canada’s key rate again in January from its lofty one half of one per cent for this reason. He wanted to see what Ottawa planned to do.

Saturday August 29, 2015The frantic effort to get something going is as much about the future as the present. The concern is that when the next recession arrives — which inevitably it will — there will be nothing central banks can do. There’ll be no ammunition left in the rate-cut gun.

Most economic expansions last between five and seven years. The current one is weak, but is still in its seventh year. For the U.S., it’s the fourth-longest period of growth recorded.

There’s nothing to suggest any downturn is imminent, though early in the new year many wondered. Things are looking a lot better than they did then. A low dollar has perked up manufacturing. Retail sales surprised in the latest reading. American unemployment is low. (Continued: Toronto Star)

 

Saturday September 19, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday September 19, 2015 Green Party Leader Elizabeth May dominates debate on Twitter Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was not in attendance at the Globe and Mail's leader debate in Calgary on Thursday, but on Twitter she may have come out on top. May used Twitter to answer the same questions faced by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper at the Globe and Mails leader debate. The social media company filmed May's responses, retorts and fact-checks in a Victoria church and posted them to Twitter. In total, May's video posts received 14,000 retweets and favourites, and she gained 3,900 new followers. May's account also received the most mentions on Twitter at the beginning of the debate, topping Trudeau by more than 2,000. In an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate. "(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet," May said in an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday. She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter. In an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate. "(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet," May said in an appearance on CTV's Power Play earlier on Thursday. She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter. Before the debate, May didn't shy away from taking jabs at the Globe and Mail event, which she called a "bogus, corporate, private debate." Despite May's exclusion, Sean Humphrey, the Globe and Mail's vice-president of marketing, has defended the debate's format. May has also been left off the podium at the Munk Debates on foreign policy in Toronto and a French-language debate on TVA. The Green Party Leader criticized Harper and Mulcair for their plans to skip the traditional

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 19, 2015

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May dominates debate on Twitter

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was not in attendance at the Globe and Mail’s leader debate in Calgary on Thursday, but on Twitter she may have come out on top.

May used Twitter to answer the same questions faced by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper at the Globe and Mails leader debate.

illustration by Graeme MacKay (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). Extracted from an editorial cartoon printed in the Hamilton Spectator: https://mackaycartoons.net/2015/09/18/saturday-september-19-2015/ For Sale at Redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/mackaycartoons/works/16375103-ottawa-reptile-club?p=photographic-print illustration

The social media company filmed May’s responses, retorts and fact-checks in a Victoria church and posted them to Twitter.

In total, May’s video posts received 14,000 retweets and favourites, and she gained 3,900 new followers.

May’s account also received the most mentions on Twitter at the beginning of the debate, topping Trudeau by more than 2,000.

In an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate.

“(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet,” May said in an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday.

She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter.

In an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday, May criticized the diversity of the debate.

“(I am) participating at some distance, but perhaps we can make our way into the old boys club yet,” May said in an appearance on CTV’s Power Play earlier on Thursday.

She continued to mock the makeup of event on Twitter.

Before the debate, May didn’t shy away from taking jabs at the Globe and Mail event, which she called a “bogus, corporate, private debate.”

Despite May’s exclusion, Sean Humphrey, the Globe and Mail’s vice-president of marketing, has defended the debate’s format.

May has also been left off the podium at the Munk Debates on foreign policy in Toronto and a French-language debate on TVA.

The Green Party Leader criticized Harper and Mulcair for their plans to skip the traditional televised leader’s debate, which is scheduled for Oct. 7. (Source: CTV News)

SATIRE FACT CHECK

MacKinnon-19Sept2015

By Bruce MacKinnon

Aislin-18Sept2015

By Terry Mosher

Same take by two of Canada’s great editorial cartoonists. Excluding political leaders based on their gender fits well with the stuffy old image of “Canada’s National Newspaper” from a bygone era. Was former NDP leader Audrey McLaughlin excluded in debates in the 1980s, or Alexa McDonough in the 90’s, or Kim Campbell, or more recently Pauline Marois, Kathleen Wynne, or Rachel Notley, just to name a few? No. With respects to my cartoonist colleagues, playing the gender card in this case is a bit disingenuous – Women have been leading political parties throughout Canada for the last 40 years. It’s not about Ms. May’s gender that excluded her from the debate, it’s her fringe party’s low ranking in the polls. It’s also why for every 500 or so main three party cartoons we satirists serve up only a few that actually include the Green Party.  When a veteran politician of nearly 10 years finds defence in editorial cartoons then maybe, just maybe, the gig for that politician is up.