movie

Saturday May 2, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 2, 2020

Tiff Macklem to lead the Bank of Canada

Finance Minister Bill Morneau has appointed Tiff Macklem, the former senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, to take over the top job at the central bank as it navigates the uncertainty of a pandemic-driven recession.

February 11, 2009

Macklem is currently the dean of the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, but had spent decades with the Bank of Canada before starting that appointment. 

Macklem began his career at the bank in 1984. He was widely expected to win the contest for bank governor in 2013, but was beaten out by Stephen Poloz, who was then CEO of Export Development Canada.

Poloz’s term ends June 2. 

The transition to new leadership comes as millions of Canadians have signed up for government aid and companies big and small are relying on federally backed wage subsidies to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

During Friday’s announcement, Morneau said he’s confident Macklem’s expertise in financial markets will help the central bank navigate an economic crisis never before seen in Canada.

Coronavirus cartoons

“The bank has to be humble about what it doesn’t know. There’s a lot we don’t know about this disease. There’s a lot that medical experts don’t know about this disease,” Macklem said during his unveiling in Ottawa.

“But the Bank of Canada has tremendous analytic economic financial capacity to analyze what’s going on in the economy, and the important role for the Bank of Canada is to provide Canadians with as much information as it can honestly provide as to what is happening and what the recovery could look like, recognizing that we’re probably going to have to look at more than one scenario.”

In the past months, Poloz and Morneau have appeared at several joint news conferences to show a co-ordinated approach on monetary and fiscal policy to deal with the economic fallout of the pandemic and global oil shocks.

Morneau has announced more than $250 billion in direct financial aid, credit support and tax deferrals to help offset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (CBC) 

 

Tuesday March 1 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday March 1 2016 Clergy victims doubt "Spotlight" Oscar win will bring change Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3470096/Clergy-victims-doubt-Spotlight-Oscar-win-bring-change.html#ixzz41b1yngVL Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook Victims of clergy sexual abuse are reveling in the Oscar won by ÒSpotlightÓ Ñ the story of The Boston GlobeÕs investigation into the scandal Ñ but say they donÕt hold out much hope that the elevated status from the filmÕs Best Picture award will prompt changes at the highest levels of the Roman Catholic church. ÒSpotlight,Ó starring Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, covers the GlobeÕs work to uncover how dozens of priests in the Archdiocese of Boston had molested and raped children for decades while church higher-ups covered it up and shuffled abusive priests from parish to parish. The film was released in November to accolades from victims who said it gave them a sense of validation after years of struggling in silence. Even Boston Cardinal Sean OÕMalley Ñ appointed to replace Cardinal Bernard Law after he resigned in disgrace Ñ called ÒSpotlightÓ a Òvery powerful and important film.Ó But victims say they have little hope that the filmÕs new status as an Oscar winner will lead to some of the things theyÕve called for over the years, including complete transparency by the church and the criminal prosecution of church leaders who knew about the abuse but didnÕt report the perpetrators to police. ÒI donÕt think the Vatican or the archdiocese will necessarily do more,Ó said Robert Costello, 54, who was sexually abused by a Boston priest from the late 1960s through 1976. ÒI think what (the film) is going to do is educate the general public as to what their response or lack of response has been,Ó said Costello, who agreed to a civil settlement with the archdiocese. The Globe series was followed by revelations of sex

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 1 2016

Clergy victims doubt “Spotlight” Oscar win will bring change

Victims of clergy sexual abuse are reveling in the Oscar won by “Spotlight” — the story of The Boston Globe’s investigation into the scandal — but say they don’t hold out much hope that the elevated status from the film’s Best Picture award will prompt changes at the highest levels of the Roman Catholic church.

“Spotlight,” starring Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, covers the Globe’s work to uncover how dozens of priests in the Archdiocese of Boston had molested and raped children for decades while church higher-ups covered it up and shuffled abusive priests from parish to parish.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday February 19, 2016 Pope Francis says Trump's views on immigration 'not Christian' Pope Francis said Thursday that Donald Trump is "not Christian" if he intends to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. Trump immediately fired back, saying it is disgraceful for a religious leader to question a person's faith. Trump, a leading U.S. Republican presidential candidate, has promised to build a wall along the Mexican border from Texas to California and expel 11 million people who are in the country illegally if elected president. The Pope's comments en route home from Mexico came hours after he prayed at the Mexico-U.S. border for people who died trying to reach the United States. "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Francis said. "This is not in the Gospel." Not having heard Trump's border plans independently, Francis said he'd "give him the benefit of the doubt." But he added: "I'd just say that this man is not Christian if he said it this way." Texas Senator Ted Cruz, another Republican presidential contender, has also supported building a border wall, and joked that he will make Trump pay for it. Trump, a Presbyterian, last week criticized Francis' plans to pray at the border. He said the move was ill-informed and showed Francis to be a political figure being exploited by the Mexican government. "I don't think he understands the danger of the open border that we have with Mexico," Trump said in an interview with Fox News. "I think Mexico got him to do it because they want to keep the border just the way it is. They're making a fortune, and we're losing." On Thursday, he responded to the Pope's comments during a campaign stop in Kiawah Island, S.C. "No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith," he said. "They are using the Pope as a pawn and they sh

February 19, 2016

The film was released in November to accolades from victims who said it gave them a sense of validation after years of struggling in silence. Even Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley — appointed to replace Cardinal Bernard Law after he resigned in disgrace — called “Spotlight” a “very powerful and important film.”

But victims say they have little hope that the film’s new status as an Oscar winner will lead to some of the things they’ve called for over the years, including complete transparency by the church and the criminal prosecution of church leaders who knew about the abuse but didn’t report the perpetrators to police.

“I don’t think the Vatican or the archdiocese will necessarily do more,” said Robert Costello, 54, who was sexually abused by a Boston priest from the late 1960s through 1976.

“I think what (the film) is going to do is educate the general public as to what their response or lack of response has been,” said Costello, who agreed to a civil settlement with the archdiocese.

The Globe series was followed by revelations of sex abuse in dioceses around the world. The series won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2003. (Source: AP)

Published in the Western Star, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Published in the Western Star, Corner Brook, Newfoundland

 

Saturday December 19, 2015

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday December 19, 2015 Province trying to prevent raccoon rabies epidemic Ministry of Natural Resources officials are awaiting test results from dozens of dead and sick raccoons picked up over the past couple of weeks, to try to get a handle on the severity of a rabies outbreak in the Hamilton area. There are five confirmed cases. One in the lower city of Stoney Creek, three on the Mountain and one in Cayuga. But the results from more than 35 samples more recently acquired Ñ and undergoing testing Ñ will help determine whether a raccoon rabies epidemic in New York state has gained a foothold into Ontario. The samples come mostly from Animal Services in Hamilton, which routinely picks up dead, injured and sick animals, including raccoons. We're all hopeful the outbreak in the Hamilton area will extinguish itself over the next several months. Chris Davies Ministry of Natural Resources "We are in the exploratory stage right now," said Chris Davies, the Ministry of Natural Resources' manager of wildlife research. "We are trying to figure out how large the geographic extent of the current cases is," he said. The samples, from brain tissue in the deceased animals, go through two testing regiments. There's a quick test that creates a short list of potential positive results. And then there is a more costly and elaborate procedure by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that roots out the false positive results of the first test. While the testing is being done, the ministry has been blitzing the Hamilton area with tens of thousands of raccoon rabies vaccine baits in hopes of containing a spread of the disease. The rabies strain known as the South Atlantic/Florida strain has been moving northward from Florida over the past several decades. It hit New York state 25 years ago, leading to an epidemic there. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6197963-province-trying-to-preve

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 19, 2015

Province trying to prevent raccoon rabies epidemic

Ministry of Natural Resources officials are awaiting test results from dozens of dead and sick raccoons picked up over the past couple of weeks, to try to get a handle on the severity of a rabies outbreak in the Hamilton area.

There are five confirmed cases. One in the lower city of Stoney Creek, three on the Mountain and one in Cayuga.

But the results from more than 35 samples more recently acquired — and undergoing testing — will help determine whether a raccoon rabies epidemic in New York state has gained a foothold into Ontario.

The samples come mostly from Animal Services in Hamilton, which routinely picks up dead, injured and sick animals, including raccoons.

We’re all hopeful the outbreak in the Hamilton area will extinguish itself over the next several months.

“We are in the exploratory stage right now,” said Chris Davies, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ manager of wildlife research.

“We are trying to figure out how large the geographic extent of the current cases is,” he said.

The samples, from brain tissue in the deceased animals, go through two testing regiments. There’s a quick test that creates a short list of potential positive results. And then there is a more costly and elaborate procedure by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that roots out the false positive results of the first test. While the testing is being done, the ministry has been blitzing the Hamilton area with tens of thousands of raccoon rabies vaccine baits in hopes of containing a spread of the disease.

The rabies strain known as the South Atlantic/Florida strain has been moving northward from Florida over the past several decades.

It hit New York state 25 years ago, leading to an epidemic there. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Saturday November 14, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday November 14, 2015 HamiltonÕs film explosion Ôbeyond manageableÕ The director of Tourism Hamilton says film production in Hamilton has been exploding and the city needs to do a complete review of how the industry is being managed. Susan Monarch says the combination of a low Canadian dollar and provincial tax incentives to schedule film shoots outside of the Greater Toronto Area has led to a deluge of movie shoots in Hamilton. That has caused all kinds obstructed streets and aggravation to people and businesses. "In September, there were 18 productions on downtown streets. That is beyond manageable. We need to look at this," said Monarch. In 2014, the number of productions filmed in the city shot up to 100 from 75 the year before. So far this year, there have been 84, showing the city is in line to likely surpass last year's totals. "It has become a major industry. We need to sit back and look at what are we doing as a community," Monarch said. On the table are big hikes in film permit fees, currently only $29, but also increases in parking charges and rental fees for city-owned facilities. Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Green, the chair of the BIA advisory committee, says: "We have now attracted this incredible industry to the city but the fees don't reflect the impact it has in the community." He believes the city needs to create a graduated scale of fees based on the size of the production. Increasing the revenue stream for the city would go some distance in recouping administrative costs of the city's film office, which looks after applications from production companies. As well, Monarch said the film application process needs to be updated with greater oversight to make sure film companies live up to their obligations. City staff will look into the issue and produce a report for councillors. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6116024-hamilton-s-film-explosion-beyond-manageable-/ Ham

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 14, 2015

Hamilton’s film explosion ‘beyond manageable’

The director of Tourism Hamilton says film production in Hamilton has been exploding and the city needs to do a complete review of how the industry is being managed.

Susan Monarch says the combination of a low Canadian dollar and provincial tax incentives to schedule film shoots outside of the Greater Toronto Area has led to a deluge of movie shoots in Hamilton. That has caused all kinds obstructed streets and aggravation to people and businesses.

“In September, there were 18 productions on downtown streets. That is beyond manageable. We need to look at this,” said Monarch.

In 2014, the number of productions filmed in the city shot up to 100 from 75 the year before. So far this year, there have been 84, showing the city is in line to likely surpass last year’s totals.

“It has become a major industry. We need to sit back and look at what are we doing as a community,” Monarch said.

On the table are big hikes in film permit fees, currently only $29, but also increases in parking charges and rental fees for city-owned facilities.

Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Green, the chair of the BIA advisory committee, says: “We have now attracted this incredible industry to the city but the fees don’t reflect the impact it has in the community.”

He believes the city needs to create a graduated scale of fees based on the size of the production. Increasing the revenue stream for the city would go some distance in recouping administrative costs of the city’s film office, which looks after applications from production companies.

As well, Monarch said the film application process needs to be updated with greater oversight to make sure film companies live up to their obligations.

City staff will look into the issue and produce a report for councillors. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

From the MailBag

The ultimate Hollywood North Destination by Peter E. Evanetz

The ultimate Hollywood North Destination by Peter E. Evanetz

Wednesday March 7, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday March 7, 2012

Super Tuesday voters have their say in GOP race

Mitt Romney is angling to solidify his front-runner status and Rick Santorum to keep it a two-man race as voters in 10 states put Super Tuesday’s imprint on the Republican presidential contest. Newt Gingrich just hopes to keep his struggling campaign alive with a strong showing in Georgia.

With Ohio looming large in the Super Tuesday lineup, textbook editor Heather Froelich outside Columbus gave her vote to Romney, saying: “He understands the economy.”

Enthusiasm was in short supply among some of those casting ballots.

Mr. Gingrich got a reluctant vote from Tricia Tetrault, in Edmond, Okla., where she explained her decision this way: “Ronald Reagan wasn’t available any more. What can I say?”

Mr. Santorum got the support of contractor Matt Howells in suburban Cleveland, but Mr. Howells didn’t expect his ballot would count for much.

With 419 delegates at stake around the country, Tuesday’s voting represents a sizable slice of the 1,144 needed to nail down the GOP nomination.

Mr. Romney, who turned back Mr. Santorum in a close contest in Michigan last week, hoped to continue his winning trend. He has won four consecutive contests, including Saturday’s Washington caucuses.

The GOP front-runner, trying to keep his focus on President Barack Obama, used a speech Tuesday before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to argue he’d be more effective at containing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Mr. Santorum and Mr. Gingrich, too, addressed the committee and faulted the president’s record on Iran and the Mideast. (Source: Globe & Mail)