Prime Minister

Friday June 22, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 22, 2018

Justin Trudeau says pot will be legal as of Oct. 17, 2018

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that Canadians will be able to consume marijuana recreationally without criminal penalties starting on Oct. 17, 2018 — many months later than the government’s initial target date.

August 23, 2013

“One of the things that we heard very clearly from the provinces is that they need a certain amount of time to get their bricks and mortar stores — their online sales — ready. Producers need time to be able to actually prepare for a regimented and successful implementation of the regime … This is something that we want to get right,” Trudeau told reporters at a press conference held today before the House of Commons rises for its summer recess.

“By giving the provinces more time to ensure that they are fully ready for the day of coming into force of this legislation, it will be a smooth success in all the ways that we can hope for.”

While the federal government was responsible for the bill that will ultimately legalize recreational marijuana possession, home growing and sales to adults — by dismantling key aspects of the Criminal Code that ensured prohibition for 95 years — the practical details of implementing legalization have been left largely to the provinces and territories.

December 12, 2017

As is common in the Canadian system of federalism, each province has taken a different approach — and some are more prepared than others. New Brunswick, for example, has already built its first retail storefront, while Nunavut only passed its legal framework on Tuesday.

The government has long said there would be a buffer of eight to 12 weeks between the bill’s passage and full legalization to allow provinces to get their systems up and running to sell recreational marijuana from storefronts. (Source: CBC)

 

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Thursday March 23, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 23, 2017

Trudeau should only be in question period once a week, report says.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being slammed for a report suggesting he only attend question period in the House of Commons once a week.

The report, called “Reforming the Standing Orders of the House of Commons,” was released earlier this month. It calls for changes to the rules of the House “in order to make Parliament more relevant to Canadians.”

The report suggests taking on the British model of question period, in which one day is dedicated to questioning the prime minister.

But the report doesn’t say whether he’d be required to attend the rest of the week.

It also recommends changing how Fridays work on Parliament Hill.

One proposed change would eliminate Friday sittings, and re-allocate the hours to other days of the week. The House of Commons could meet earlier on other days, for example.

Alternately, the report suggests making Fridays a full work day. Committees currently don’t meet on Fridays and there are only 2.5 hours available for government orders.

Fridays could be changed to look like “any other sitting day,” the report said.

However, they should still be organized so that two hours of Private Members’ Business can take place at the end of the day, so that certain MPs can leave earlier to return to their ridings. (Source: Global News) 

 

Friday December 9, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday December 9, 2016 Dark skies dim TrudeauÕs sunny ways Whether they are miscues or gaffes, the past few weeks have seen the shine wear off the Liberal government, more than 13 months into its first mandate. Call them wobbles, or missteps, mistakes, or worse. Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef was forced last week to apologizeÊfor slagging opposition MPs as lazy after she tossed aside their electoral reform report. As she stood Monday, Conservative MPs heckled they smelled Òtoast,Ó a taunt that her career was on the line. Monsef appeared unconcerned. She had trailed into the Commons, late, sat down and asked aloud, ÒWhereÕs Jim?Ó ThatÕs her seatmate, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr. He capped last weekÕs approval of two new pipelinesÊby suggesting defence and police forces would deal with protesters. Carr, an otherwise strong performer on government bench to date, was absent for MondayÕs question period. So was the prime minister. Justin TrudeauÊwas elsewhere in downtown Ottawa at a coding workshop for high school students to launch computer science education week. Ottawa locations are often photo op venues for the prime minister. But Trudeau was nowhere to be seen Friday when his government hastily reversed a decision on the location of a new Ottawa hospital. It left egg on the face of another star Liberal cabinet minister, Catherine McKenna, whose campaign rhetoric had backed the wrong locale and forced a lengthy, pointless re-examination. (Continued: Toronto Star) https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/12/05/dark-skies-dim-trudeaus-sunny-ways-analysis.html Canada, Electoral reform, Justin Trudeau, Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister, ghost, dynasty, father, son

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 9, 2016

Dark skies dim Trudeau’s sunny ways

Whether they are miscues or gaffes, the past few weeks have seen the shine wear off the Liberal government, more than 13 months into its first mandate.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday May 20, 2016 Justin Trudeau apologizes for 'failing to live up to a higher standard' A repentant Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Thursday morning for the third time in two days for a physical encounter with two opposition MPs that resulted in a melee on the floor of the House of Commons the day before. "I apologize to my colleagues, to the House as a whole and to you, Mr. Speaker, for failing to live up to a higher standard of behaviour. Members, rightfully, expect better behaviour from anyone in this House. I expect better behaviour of myself," the prime minister said in the Commons after he apologized directly to two opposition Mps. Trudeau's apology came as members of Parliament debated a privilege motion by Conservative MP Peter Van Loan on "the physical molestation" of a female MP in the House of Commons. MPs agreed as debate resumed after question period to send the matter to a committee Ñ a decision supported by Trudeau hours earlier. On Wednesday, Trudeau walked across the aisle and into a clutch of NDP MPs where he took Conservative Party whip Gord Brown by the arm, elbowingÊNDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau in the process. The prime minister "unreservedly" apologized for the physical contact which he said was "unacceptable.Ó The incident took place just as some MPs were trying to stall a contentious vote to limit debate on Bill C-14, the government's assistance in dying bill. "No amount of escalation or mood in this House justifies my behaviour last night. I made a mistake, I regret it. I am looking to make amends," Trudeau said on Thursday. "I fully hear the desire... of a number of members across the House including the leader of the Official Opposition that we take concrete measures to improve the way the tone functions in this House and the way this government engages with opposition parties as well.Ó "I am apologizing and asking members to understand how contrite and regre

May 20, 2016

Call them wobbles, or missteps, mistakes, or worse.

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef was forced last week to apologize for slagging opposition MPs as lazy after she tossed aside their electoral reform report.

As she stood Monday, Conservative MPs heckled they smelled “toast,” a taunt that her career was on the line.

Monsef appeared unconcerned. She had trailed into the Commons, late, sat down and asked aloud, “Where’s Jim?”

Saturday August 29, 2015That’s her seatmate, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr. He capped last week’s approval of two new pipelines by suggesting defence and police forces would deal with protesters. Carr, an otherwise strong performer on government bench to date, was absent for Monday’s question period.

So was the prime minister.

Justin Trudeau was elsewhere in downtown Ottawa at a coding workshop for high school students to launch computer science education week. Ottawa locations are often photo op venues for the prime minister. But Trudeau was nowhere to be seen Friday when his government hastily reversed a decision on the location of a new Ottawa hospital. It left egg on the face of another star Liberal cabinet minister, Catherine McKenna, whose campaign rhetoric had backed the wrong locale and forced a lengthy, pointless re-examination. (Continued: Toronto Star)

Stephen Harper Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday May 26, 2016 Stephen Harper to bow out of federal politics before next fall Stephen Harper will bow out of federal politics before Parliament resumes in the fall to pursue new business interests. Harper, who served as prime minister for nearly a decade, is deciding his future as the Conservative Party prepares to meet for its national convention in Vancouver starting Thursday. Harper has offers from multiple U.S. companies, including private equity giant KKR, sources tell CBC News. A spokesperson for KKR declined a request for comment. The news of Harper's pending departure was first reported by the Globe and Mail. Conservatives will honour Harper with a tribute Thursday night before they look to chart a new course for the party he helped create. Harper is expected to deliver a short speech following the tribute. But don't expect Harper to discuss life after politics. Canada "He will be speaking on Thursday, but he won't be speaking about his future plans," said Rachel Curran, one of Harper's confidants and a former PMO policy director. "He will be talking about the last 10 years, and what work the party still has to do, that will be the focus.Ó Until an official announcement is made, Harper's colleagues are shying away from weighing in on the former prime minister's next career move. A spokesperson for interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose declined comment. (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-to-bow-out-from-federal-politics-1.3598913 Canada, Stephen Harper, Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, John Turner, Paul Martin, Prime Minister, legacy, purgatory

Originally published on May 26, 2016

Stephen Harper resigned from his House of Commons seat today and returned to private life. Below is a gallery of editorial cartoons highlighting moments from his time as a majority leading Prime Minister. A link at the bottom of this page leads to cartoons from 2002 to 2008.

2015 Election

August 25, 2015
August 20, 2015
August 19, 2015
August 13, 2015
September 22, 2015
September 9, 2015
September 12, 2015
October 7, 2015
October 16, 2015
October 21, 2015
November 4, 2015
Stephen Harper

2015

March 19, 2015
July 15, 2015

2014

July 18, 2014

2013

2012

2011

Want more? Here’s an old gallery of Stephen Harper cartoons 2002-2008

Illustration by Graeme MacKay. Prime Ministers of Canada, from top left to right: John Turner, Sir Charles Tupper, Sir John Abbott, Alexander Mackenzie, Sir John Thompson, Paul Martin Jr., Kim Campbell, Sir Mackenzie Bowell, R.B. Bennett, Stephen Harper, Arthur Meighen, Joe Clark; Lower row L-R: Brian Mulroney, John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson, Louis St. Laurent, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Justin Trudeau, Pierre Trudeau, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Sir John A. Macdonald, Jean Chretien, Sir Robert Borden

Prime Ministers of Canada

Thursday May 26, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday May 26, 2016 Stephen Harper to bow out of federal politics before next fall Stephen Harper will bow out of federal politics before Parliament resumes in the fall to pursue new business interests. Harper, who served as prime minister for nearly a decade, is deciding his future as the Conservative Party prepares to meet for its national convention in Vancouver starting Thursday. Harper has offers from multiple U.S. companies, including private equity giant KKR, sources tell CBC News. A spokesperson for KKR declined a request for comment. The news of Harper's pending departure was first reported by the Globe and Mail. Conservatives will honour Harper with a tribute Thursday night before they look to chart a new course for the party he helped create. Harper is expected to deliver a short speech following the tribute. But don't expect Harper to discuss life after politics. Canada "He will be speaking on Thursday, but he won't be speaking about his future plans," said Rachel Curran, one of Harper's confidants and a former PMO policy director. "He will be talking about the last 10 years, and what work the party still has to do, that will be the focus.Ó Until an official announcement is made, Harper's colleagues are shying away from weighing in on the former prime minister's next career move. A spokesperson for interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose declined comment. (Source: CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stephen-harper-to-bow-out-from-federal-politics-1.3598913 Canada, Stephen Harper, Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, John Turner, Paul Martin, Prime Minister, legacy, purgatory

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 26, 2016

Stephen Harper to bow out of federal politics before next fall

Stephen Harper will bow out of federal politics before Parliament resumes in the fall to pursue new business interests.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013Harper, who served as prime minister for nearly a decade, is deciding his future as the Conservative Party prepares to meet for its national convention in Vancouver starting Thursday.

Harper has offers from multiple U.S. companies, including private equity giant KKR, sources tell CBC News. A spokesperson for KKR declined a request for comment.

The news of Harper’s pending departure was first reported by the Globe and Mail.

Conservatives will honour Harper with a tribute Thursday night before they look to chart a new course for the party he helped create. Harper is expected to deliver a short speech following the tribute.

But don’t expect Harper to discuss life after politics. Canada

“He will be speaking on Thursday, but he won’t be speaking about his future plans,” said Rachel Curran, one of Harper’s confidants and a former PMO policy director. “He will be talking about the last 10 years, and what work the party still has to do, that will be the focus.”

Until an official announcement is made, Harper’s colleagues are shying away from weighing in on the former prime minister’s next career move. A spokesperson for interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose declined comment. (Source: CBC News)

2016-05-26tearsheet