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Friday June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 9, 2023

Navigating Turbulent Economic Times Ahead

January 24, 2023

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing a critical challenge as he grapples with the effects of steeply rising interest rates on Canadians. The recent decision by the Bank of Canada to raise its benchmark interest rate to 4.75 percent, the highest level in over two decades, has raised concerns about the potential consequences for individuals and families across the country.

The immediate impact of these rising interest rates is being felt by both mortgage holders and renters. The cost of borrowing has increased, making it more challenging for individuals to afford their mortgage payments or find affordable rental options. As a result, there is a growing risk of foreclosures, insolvencies, and bankruptcies, which can lead to a cycle of poverty, homelessness, and other social issues.

Analysis: The painful end of free money as real interest rates start to rise  

May 10, 2022

Moreover, a recent survey conducted by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute indicates that rising living costs have become a significant issue for Canadians, with 63 percent of respondents identifying it as their top concern. This widespread economic worry is now correlated with a loss of support for the ruling Liberal party, particularly among its own voter base. Former Liberal supporters are increasingly seeking alternative options in search of relief from the financial burden they face.

The decline in support for the Liberal party is notable, as it comes after the party had successfully won a minority government in 2021. The survey reveals that 41 percent of struggling former Liberal voters and 44 percent of uncomfortable former Liberal voters would not commit to supporting the party again. While the largest portion of these former Liberal supporters would consider voting for the NDP, who have been supporting the minority Liberal government through a confidence-and-supply agreement, this trend poses a concern for the Liberal party strategists.

October 28, 2022

Prime Minister Trudeau must now address the challenges posed by rising interest rates and the economic hardships faced by Canadians. It is crucial for his government to develop a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the needs of individuals and families who are most affected by the rising cost of living. This plan should include measures to support those at risk of foreclosure, insolvency, and homelessness, as well as initiatives to alleviate poverty, hunger, and addiction.

News: More Bank of Canada rate hikes could ‘spell trouble’ as more people struggle with finances  

Additionally, the government must focus on improving housing affordability, healthcare access, and addressing climate change concerns. These issues were identified as top priorities by Canadians in the Angus Reid survey and must be tackled to restore public confidence in the Liberal party’s ability to address their needs effectively.

September 8, 2022

The Liberal Government should also consider working closely with the Bank of Canada to monitor the impact of interest rate hikes on the economy and make necessary adjustments to support vulnerable individuals and businesses. Collaboration between fiscal and monetary authorities is crucial to strike a balance between curbing inflation and mitigating the adverse effects on Canadians.

Prime Minister Trudeau must take swift and decisive action to navigate the challenges posed by steeply rising interest rates. By implementing a comprehensive plan that addresses the immediate needs of Canadians, while also focusing on long-term solutions, the government can alleviate the economic hardships faced by individuals and families. This will not only restore confidence in the ruling party but also demonstrate a commitment to the well-being and prosperity of all Canadians. (AI)

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2023-11, Bank of Canada, Canada, Economy, Interest rates, Justin Trudeau, Mortgage rates, navigation, Pilot, storm, Tiff Macklem

Tuesday December 2, 2020

December 9, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 2, 2020

COVID-19 doesn’t care about politics

Remember the Team Canada approach to fighting COVID-19, the one where political parties would put the collective fight above partisan interests? Remember “we’re all in this together?”

October 8, 2020

That was all so yesterday. Today, there is very little non-partisan co-operation between federal parties. And Canadians, too, have become increasingly partisan and divided. 

It was probably all inevitable, but it’s unfortunate, nonetheless. 

Partisanship has entirely replaced bilateral co-operation in Ottawa. The government stands accused of flubbing Canada’s vaccine program. Because of that mismanagement we are at “the back of the line,” according to federal Conservatives.

It is true that the government, and especially the prime minister, have been unnecessary vague about vaccine delivery and rollout details. It is not true that we are at the back of the pack. Canada was the fourth country in the world to strike an agreement with Pfizer, one of the vaccine producers. It was one of the first to sign up with Moderna, another producer.

December 1, 2020

Moderna co-founder and chair Noubar Afeyan, who came to Canada as a refugee from Beirut before he moved to the U.S., says this country is in good shape. In an interview with CBC News, he said “Canada’s not at the back of the line,” adding “Each of the contracts we negotiated — and Canada was among the first to enter into a supply arrangement with Moderna — is individual, and of course the people who were willing to move early on, with even less proof of efficacy, have assured the amount of supply they were willing to sign up to. I know in the case of Canada their number is about 20 million doses.”

It is fair to criticize the Liberals for their communication to date around vaccines, but it is not factual to claim Canada is at the back of the line. However, that is a good example of how partisan strategy has replaced the collaboration that was a welcome feature of the pandemic’s early days. 

November 28, 2020

It is also true that Canada will not get vaccines as quickly as countries like the U.S. and U.K., where vaccines were developed and produced. This country doesn’t have that production capacity. It did at one point. There was publicly owned Connaught Labs, which was privatized under the Mulroney Conservative government in the ’80s. Later, the Harper government cut research and development spending and other pharmaceutical companies closed shop and moved elsewhere. Now that capacity is largely gone, and it needs to be replaced, urgently.

A similar partisan divide exists among Canadians overall, according to recent opinion polling data. In general, Liberal and NDP voter respondents in several different polls were more likely to be primarily concerned about the health impact of COVID-19, while those who identified as Conservative were more likely to be concerned about the economic and business impact. According to polling by the Angus Reid Institute, 89 per cent of respondents who voted Liberal, NDP or Bloc reported regularly wearing masks, while 71 per cent of Conservative voters reported doing the same. 

May 8, 2019

Interestingly, one poll by Leger suggests many Canadians are not so concerned about getting the vaccine at the same time as the U.S. or U.K., where vaccines are produced. Forty-eight per cent said that they were “not that concerned” and feel “a few months won’t make much of a difference,” while 37 per cent said they are worried that we won’t get the vaccine at the same time. 

The point that matters most is this: COVID-19 doesn’t care about our political leaning. It is an equal opportunity virus. And that should unite us more than anything else. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2020-41, Annamie Paul, Canada, Chrystia Freeland, Coronavirus, covid-19, Erin O’Toole, Jagmeet Singh, Justin Trudeau, navigation, pandemic, ships, Yves-François Blanchet

Please note…

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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