polls

Tuesday August 1, 2017

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday August 1, 2017

Murray quitting as environment minister signalling a climate change at Queen’s Park

Premier Kathleen Wynne is suffering the loss of a key member of her cabinet with the surprise departure of Environment and Climate Change Minister Glen Murray, the Star has learned.

March 2, 2017

Murray, 59, who has been out of the country and was unavailable for comment, will announce Monday at Queen’s Park that he is set to resign from provincial politics.

The Toronto Centre MPP, also a former mayor of Winnipeg and one-time Star columnist, has been Wynne’s point person on climate change.

He will step down immediately from cabinet, forcing the premier to do a minor shuffle of her executive council on Monday morning, but will remain as an MPP for a few more weeks to wind down some local constituency business.

Internationally respected on environmental issues, he was first elected in a February 2010 byelection after then-deputy premier George Smitherman left to run for mayor of Toronto and lost to Rob Ford.

Former premier Dalton McGuinty elevated Murray to cabinet just six months later where he served as minister of research and innovation. After the 2011 election, he was promoted to minister of training, colleges, and universities.

After McGuinty stepped down in October 2012, he launched a Liberal leadership bid, but dropped out to support Wynne shortly before the party’s convention in January 2013.

The new premier rewarded him for his timely endorsement, which gave her campaign momentum, by making him transportation and infrastructure minister in February 2013.

Following her majority victory in June 2014, Wynne moved him to the Ministry of the Environment and added “Climate Change” to his title to underscore its importance as Ontario was joining Quebec and California in a cap-and-trade system.

In a move some Liberals felt demonstrated petulance, Murray responded to being shuffled by taking to Twitter that June 25 and saying: “Today it sunk in the last election was my last.”

“Promised that if I couldn’t make a difference in 8 or 10 years I couldn’t make a difference,” the minister tweeted more than three years ago.

“First openly gay person elected in Canada. I have to thank Winnipeggers for electing me councillor and mayor and TO for electing me MPP and minister,” he continued.

“Minister of Environment in Ontario is the best political position I have ever had the privilege to hold. I was not demoted. Kathleen Wynne put me in a position where I can fight to ensure we can survive climate change.”

While his prophecy turned out to be true, Murray had indicated to allies more recently that he planned to run again next year, so his exit is blindsiding the governing Liberals.

A strong performer in the legislature, where he usually deflects opposition questions skilfully, he has emerged as one of Wynne’s better known ministers. (Source: Toronto Star) 

 

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Saturday June 24, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 24, 2017

Queen Park Priorities

What is going wrong with math in Grades 4 to 6 in Hamilton, Burlington and across the province?

September 3, 2013

Perhaps the hardest equation to solve right now in Ontario’s education system is why half of Grade 6 students are failing to meet the provincial standard with fewer succeeding each year. 

“I wish I had the golden answer,” said Ian VanderBurgh, the director of the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing at the University of Waterloo.

“We need to figure out why.”

In the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) a mere 42 per cent of students had the mathematics skills the Ontario curriculum expects by the end of Grade 6, according to provincial tests from 2014 to 2016. 

To compare, 74 per cent of those same students meet the benchmark in reading and 73 per cent in writing. 

Year-by-year results show the problem in Grade 6 math is only getting worse.

“It’s time to do a reset,” said Peter Sovran, executive superintendent of student achievement and school operations at the HWDSB. 

“We are not pleased and I don’t think anyone should be pleased in the province.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

June 23, 2016

Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has a public opinion problem at home, and elsewhere.

She scored the highest disapproval ratings among any Canadian premier in Ontario, and across Canada, in a Mainstreet Research/Postmedia poll that was released on Thursday.

In Ontario, Wynne scored a 70 per cent disapproval rating and a 19 per cent approval rating.

Her disapproval rating was close to last year’s, when she scored 71 per cent in Ontario. Her approval rating in her home province was unchanged from 2016.

Wynne scored the strongest disapproval rating nationally, hitting 48 per cent, which put her just above Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard. (Source: Global News) 

Monday March 27, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday March 27, 2017

Hydro rates shock Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s approval rating

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has seen a historic slump in her job-approval ratings as Ontarians continue to fret over increased hydro bills and the sale of the Hydro One utility, says new polling by the Angus Reid Institute released Friday.

With a 2018 election looming, the provincial Liberal Premier has the endorsement of only 12 per cent of voters, down from a 41-per-cent approval rating just 18 months ago, the Angus Reid Institute survey revealed.

The institute’s executive director, Shachi Kurl, said Ms. Wynne has sunk to depths almost never seen among provincial premiers in recent history, with only former British Columbia premier Gordon Campbell dropping below 10 per cent before he resigned in November, 2010.

“There is no way to sugar-coat this, it’s not a good situation for the Premier,” Ms. Kurl said. “But clearly, based on what we’re seeing and hearing, there may be some continuing belief that the Premier herself, or the party can turn things around” before an election that is scheduled for June, 2018.

In surveying premiers’ approval ratings, the Angus Reid Institute polled 5,404 Canadians, including 804 Ontario residents. The survey was conducted between March 6 and March 13, just after Ms. Wynne’s government announced it would reduce hydro rates by an average of 25 per cent for households, and more for people in rural areas and small towns that were hardest hit by rate hikes over the past decade.

“I would suggest people really hadn’t had the opportunity to absorb whether or not they feel this is something that will credibly give them some relief, and whether or not it is enough at this stage,” Ms. Kurl said.

“You can reach a point with the electorate where a level of cynicism or a level of hardening sets in and no matter what is done, there’s no turning things around.” (Source: Globe & Mail) 

 

Wednesday September 28, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday September 28, 2016 Clinton, Trump throw punches but fail to get a knockout Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, speaking to each other with undisguised disdain, sharply disagreed on how to boost the American economy and uplift minority communities in a debate Monday night while hammering each other on matters of ethics, character, and veracity. Clinton launched into lacerating attacks Ñ targeting TrumpÕs refusal to release his tax returns, his business record of not paying contractors, and his demeaning comments toward women Ñ as Trump dismissed the criticism as sound bites delivered by a typical politician. Even as he appeared to flail at times in contrast to her smoother performance, Trump tried to drive home the message that he is an outsider unafraid to take on elites. He repeatedly blamed Clinton for failing to solve problems over three decades in government roles. ÒI have a feeling by the end of this debate IÕll be blamed for everything,Ó Clinton said. ÒWhy not?Ó Trump responded. Trump was feisty but at times bordered on rude, frequently interrupting Clinton and speaking over the moderator, or leaning over into the microphone and shouting, ÒWrong!Ó The former secretary of state was more patient, letting him speak for long stretches without jumping in, then coming back to correct his statements with a smile. It seemed part of a strategy to let Trump hang himself on his own words. ÒJust listen to what you heard,Ó she said at one point. She seemed more prepared with zingers designed to make an impact, while Trump often riffed without a planned response. (Source: Boston Globe)Êhttps://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2016/09/26/hillary-clinton-and-donald-trump-clash-first-presidential-debate/dYDbVSFzRbzLG2yXtLQHMJ/story.html USA, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, puffer fish, blowfish, debate, election, polls, glass ceiling

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 28, 2016

Clinton, Trump throw punches but fail to get a knockout

Debate Night, September 26, 2016

Debate Night, September 26, 2016

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, speaking to each other with undisguised disdain, sharply disagreed on how to boost the American economy and uplift minority communities in a debate Monday night while hammering each other on matters of ethics, character, and veracity.

Clinton launched into lacerating attacks — targeting Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns, his business record of not paying contractors, and his demeaning comments toward women — as Trump dismissed the criticism as sound bites delivered by a typical politician.

Even as he appeared to flail at times in contrast to her smoother performance, Trump tried to drive home the message that he is an outsider unafraid to take on elites. He repeatedly blamed Clinton for failing to solve problems over three decades in government roles.

“I have a feeling by the end of this debate I’ll be blamed for everything,” Clinton said.

“Why not?” Trump responded.

Trump was feisty but at times bordered on rude, frequently interrupting Clinton and speaking over the moderator, or leaning over into the microphone and shouting, “Wrong!”

The former secretary of state was more patient, letting him speak for long stretches without jumping in, then coming back to correct his statements with a smile. It seemed part of a strategy to let Trump hang himself on his own words.

“Just listen to what you heard,” she said at one point.

She seemed more prepared with zingers designed to make an impact, while Trump often riffed without a planned response. (Continued: Boston Globe)

       

Wednesday October 14, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday October 14, 2015 LetÕs be frank: the Green Party movement in Canada would be all but dead without Elizabeth May as its leader. Through her boundless energy and passion, May has achieved the near- impossible by keeping the Greens in the public eye during the current election dominated by the front-running Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats. Excluded from most leadersÕ debates, she uses Twitter and Facebook to reach voters, appears on TV and radio every chance she gets, talks with reporters at length, travels across Canada on behalf of Green candidates and meets constantly with university students and seniors groups. Indeed, she is possibly the hardest-working federal leader in the campaign, committed to protecting the environment, energetic, funny, personable and dedicated. Despite all her hard work and eternal optimism, though, the Green Party appears headed for an election nightmare, sliding backwards with fewer votes than in the previous two elections. At best, the Greens may elect just two MPs, including May in her B.C. riding of Sannich-Gulf Islands. May told the Toronto Star editorial board on Thursday she ideally would like to win 12 seats to become an official party in Parliament. At worst, the Greens could suffer their second straight decline in voter support nationally and lose the only other elected seat they hold in Parliament. If that occurs, the Greens would be on the verge of irrelevance on the political scene, doomed to be a fringe party with no clout, no money and few friends. It would be a sad outcome for May who has made the Greens a part, albeit tiny, of the political conversation in Canada since she became party leader in 2006. Polls consistently show the Greens with barely 3-4 per cent support nationally, including in Ontario and B.C. where the party likes to claim it has the most support. (Continued: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentar

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday October 14, 2015

Green Party on the verge of irrelevance

Let’s be frank: the Green Party movement in Canada would be all but dead without Elizabeth May as its leader.

Through her boundless energy and passion, May has achieved the near- impossible by keeping the Greens in the public eye during the current election dominated by the front-running Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats.

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist - Saturday September 26, 2015 During a testy phone call, Justin Trudeau dismissed David SuzukiÕs views on the Liberal climate change policy as Òsanctimonious crap,Ó according to Suzuki. Suzuki revealed the contents of the conversation during an interview on SiriusXMÕs Everything is Political with Evan Solomon. Suzuki says he fired back, calling Trudeau a Òtwerp.Ó The renowned scientist, broadcaster and activist says Trudeau called him personally June 28, 2015 to talk about the Liberal platform on climate change that was to be revealed the next day. ÒI didnÕt call Justin, he called me,Ó Suzuki said. ÒHe wanted an endorsement and he wanted to tell me exactly what his program was.Ó For the record: Justin TrudeauÕs speech on the environment: June 29, 2015 The program includes support for the Keystone XL pipeline, a rejection of the Northern Gateway pipeline and a commitment to work with the provinces to establish a cap-and-trade system. ÒI said, ÔJustin, stop it, youÕre just being political, you just want to make headway in Alberta,ÕÓ Suzuki says he told Trudeau. ÒYouÕre for the development of the tar sands, youÕre for the Keystone pipeline, but youÕre against the Northern Gateway, youÕre all over the damn map!Ó MacleanÕs explains: Where the leaders stand on the environment Suzuki went on to advise Trudeau that taking the target of a 2 degree rise in temperature seriously means 80 per cent of the oil sands has to stay in the ground. Suzuki believes stopping oil sands development will mean Òno debate about pipelines or expanding railways or shipping stuff offshoreÑnone of that comes into it.Ó Suzuki says this is when the exchange turned nasty. ÒHe said, ÔI donÕt have to listen to this sanctimonious crap. I proceeded to call him a twerp.Ó (Source: MacLean's) http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/why-david-suzuki-called-justin-trudeau-a-twerp/ Canada, Justin Trudeau, environment, climate change, Liberal, Mother Nature, Davi

Excluded from most leaders’ debates, she uses Twitter and Facebook to reach voters, appears on TV and radio every chance she gets, talks with reporters at length, travels across Canada on behalf of Green candidates and meets constantly with university students and seniors groups.

Indeed, she is possibly the hardest-working federal leader in the campaign, committed to protecting the environment, energetic, funny, personable and dedicated.

Despite all her hard work and eternal optimism, though, the Green Party appears headed for an election nightmare, sliding backwards with fewer votes than in the previous two elections.

At best, the Greens may elect just two MPs, including May in her B.C. riding of Sannich-Gulf Islands. May told the Toronto Star editorial board on Thursday she ideally would like to win 12 seats to become an official party in Parliament.

Tuesday May 12, 2015At worst, the Greens could suffer their second straight decline in voter support nationally and lose the only other elected seat they hold in Parliament.

If that occurs, the Greens would be on the verge of irrelevance on the political scene, doomed to be a fringe party with no clout, no money and few friends.

It would be a sad outcome for May who has made the Greens a part, albeit tiny, of the political conversation in Canada since she became party leader in 2006.

Polls consistently show the Greens with barely 3-4 per cent support nationally, including in Ontario and B.C. where the party likes to claim it has the most support. (Continued: Toronto Star)