perception

Wednesday April 2, 2025

Paul Chiang's resignation amid controversy over foreign interference comments highlights leadership challenges for Mark Carney and the Liberal Party.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 2, 2025

A Leadership Misstep by Mark Carney and the Liberals

The final report on foreign interference in Canada reveals serious threats from various nations, yet it's the economic pressures from Trump's policies that unexpectedly drive Canada's political focus.

January 28, 2025

In the world of politics, perception is often as powerful as reality. The recent controversy surrounding Paul Chiang, the former Liberal candidate for Markham–Unionville, is a testament to this fact. Mark Carney’s decision not to immediately remove Chiang following his inflammatory comments about a Conservative rival reflects a troubling pattern of aloofness and indecision within the Liberal Party when it comes to addressing foreign interference, particularly from China.

Under Justin Trudeau, the Liberal Party has been criticized for taking too long to address concerns about foreign interference. Despite mounting evidence and public concern, the party’s responses have often seemed slow and insufficient. This latest episode with Paul Chiang only reinforces that perception. By initially defending Chiang, Carney missed an opportunity to break from the past and demonstrate decisive leadership in the face of a serious issue.

Opinion: It is astonishing – and reprehensible – that Paul Chiang remains a Liberal candidate

June 2, 2023

Mark Carney’s actions, or lack thereof, have highlighted a critical perception problem. His reluctance to act decisively against Chiang after the latter’s comments about turning a political opponent over to Chinese authorities suggests a continuation of past Liberal practices. This perception of aloofness and indecision does little to inspire confidence in a party facing an election where leadership and integrity are paramount.

Interestingly, an Abacus poll taken at the start of the election showed that concern for Chinese election interference ranked low among Canadians, not even making the top 10 list of issues. Instead, concerns about the cost of living, Donald Trump, healthcare, and housing took precedence. However, the Chiang controversy may thrust foreign interference back into the spotlight, challenging the Liberals to address it more robustly.

Polling: The Opinion Landscape in Canada Continues to Shift

February 25, 2023

On the eve of Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day,” the timing of this controversy could not be worse for the Liberals. While the issue may not have long-lasting legs, it represents a self-inflicted wound – a dumb move that could have been easily avoided with more decisive action. Carney’s failure to act swiftly and decisively against Chiang may not only hurt the party’s image but also cast doubt on his ability to lead effectively.

Moving forward, the Liberals, under Mark Carney’s leadership, must demonstrate a more proactive and transparent approach to foreign interference. This is not just about addressing past criticisms but about building a foundation of trust and integrity for the future. In a political landscape where the perception of leadership is critical, Carney and the Liberals must learn from this misstep and show Canadians that they are committed to protecting the nation’s democratic processes.

News: Liberal candidate Paul Chiang resigns over Chinese bounty comments

November 20, 2020

The fallout from Paul Chiang’s comments serves as a reminder that leadership requires more than rhetoric; it demands decisive action. Mark Carney and the Liberal Party must recognize this and adapt if they are to regain the trust of Canadians and effectively navigate the challenges ahead.

Liberation Day

Today’s message is a bit of a housekeeping note. For months, I’ve been sending out these daily messages along with an animated version of my editorial cartoon, while also keeping up with my regular activities. Honestly, I don’t think many people are seeing them. Figuring out how to use this platform between notes and posts has been a bit frustrating.

Yesterday was a beautiful day, with bright colours and Spring smells returning to nature in my part of the western hemisphere. Instead of following my usual routine, I decided to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. I encourage you all to do the same if you can.

I also made a personal change by deactivating my Facebook accounts yesterday. After 17 years with a personal page and an editorial cartoon page that had 6,000 followers, I felt it was time to step back. Will the tech giants notice I’m gone? No. But it has already given me more time and less distraction. Happy Liberation Day!

Here’s the animated version of my editorial cartoon for today:

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Wednesday February 5, 2025

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay – Wednesday February 5, 2025

(First published in The Hamilton Spectator, October 2, 2020)

America First, Allies Last

Donald Trump's tariff threats have united Canadians, sparking renewed patriotism and prompting a reassessment of economic independence and national identity.

February 5, 2025

Under President Trump’s second term, American leadership on the global stage is experiencing significant challenges. With an “America First” stance, the administration has prioritized national interests over global collaboration, resulting in strained relationships with allies like Canada and contentious tariff negotiations. This shift reflects a departure from traditional U.S. foreign policy, leading to concerns about the erosion of America’s moral and diplomatic influence.

In the Middle East, Trump’s proposal to transform the Gaza Strip into a luxury destination, without considering the desires of the Palestinian people, exemplifies a unilateral approach that risks exacerbating regional tensions. Such actions suggest an exercise of American imperialism, overlooking the complexities of international conflicts.

November 14, 2017

Historically, the U.S. has been a beacon of democracy and freedom, but the current trajectory signals a withdrawal from these responsibilities. The fading perception of American leadership is prompting allies and adversaries to adjust their strategies, potentially leaving a void in global leadership.

In this uncertain era, it’s vital for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitment to democratic values and international cooperation. The world watches to see if America will reclaim its role as a leader in shaping a just and equitable global order, or continue down a path of isolation and diminished influence. The future of global leadership and American exceptionalism hangs in the balance.

This editorial cartoon has been repurposed after being first published October 2, 2020.

Friday July 31, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 31, 2020

Whether Trudeau’s testimony worked or not, the winds of change are blowing for Liberals

October 23, 2000

Jean Chrétien used to tell his cabinet a folksy allegory that suggests how he would have handled the WE affair.

A farmer is covered in cow dung but knows that if he tries to wipe the manure away while fresh, he will spread it all around and make it worse. So he waits until it dries and then brushes it off.

Reprehensible perhaps but that’s how he survived in politics for 40 years.

Justin Trudeau adopted a different approach, agreeing to appear before the House finance committee, while the muck is still moist.

Dec. 15, 2006

No prime minister in my nearly two decades on Parliament Hill has appeared before a House committee (Stephen Harper once testified before a Senate committee on his reform bill).

More wily operators were aware that no good could come from allowing lowly opposition MPs a free kick at the prime minister.

As a defensive manoeuvre, it is unproven.

But it is a measure of how much trouble Trudeau’s government is in that he believed only he could come to its deliverance. What self-assurance. What swagger.

July 24, 2020

But the Liberals need a game-changer, and Trudeau clearly believed he could be it.

The verdict is still out on whether he succeeded but he emerged from his 90 minutes before the finance committee relatively unscathed. It’s possible he even convinced some people of his own innocence, beyond the failure to recuse himself from the awarding of a lucrative contribution agreement to the WE Charity.

“I didn’t do anything to influence that – I didn’t even know it had been made until May 8,” he said, by which point the public service was already recommending WE.

A hirsute-looking prime minister said he pulled the WE contract from the cabinet agenda on May 8 because he knew there would be questions asked about his links to WE (it finally went to cabinet on May 22). But he insisted WE received no preferential treatment.

On its own merits, Trudeau might be able to brush off the WE affair without too much muck being spread around.

But political sins, like sweaty feet, rarely come singly. (National Post)