promise

Friday June 17, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday June 17, 2016 Ottawa revives Harper-era legal arguments to block pensions for injured vets Justice department lawyers will revive legal arguments advanced by the former Harper government to try to block a lawsuit by six Afghan war veterans intent on restoring pensions for injured and wounded soldiers. CBC News first reported last monthÊthat the federal government is taking veterans involved in the Equitas lawsuit back to court to try to block certain benefits for soldiers, despite a Liberal campaign promise to better support them after an era of Conservative cuts. A peace agreement of sorts, reached by former veterans affairs minister Erin O'Toole, recentlyÊexpired without any sort of resolutionÊmeaning the litigation will now proceed at the B.C. Court of Appeals. The government's handpicked lawyers will argue that Canada does not have a social contract or covenant with veterans, and that a "scheme providing benefits cannot be said to amount to a deprivation merely because claimant views the benefits as insufficient.Ó The plaintiffs have argued in court that the lump-sum payment wounded veterans receive under the New Veterans Charter Ñ as opposed to the lifetime pension that was offered to veterans before 2006 Ñ is inadequate compensation, as they receive less money over a lifetime. In court documents filed this week, the government's top class action lawsuit lawyer, Paul Vickery, said that "the submissions made by [former Conservative attorney-general Rob Nicholson] on hearing of the appeal, as set out in the factum filed by him, accurately reflect the current position of the federal government.Ó That is a controversial position among many in the veterans community as there is a long-held belief that Canada has a special responsibility to its veterans Ñ a social contract Ñ based on the promise politicians have made for generations to adequately care for those soldiers who are hurt in the li

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 17, 2016

Ottawa revives Harper-era legal arguments to block pensions for injured vets

Justice department lawyers will revive legal arguments advanced by the former Harper government to try to block a lawsuit by six Afghan war veterans intent on restoring pensions for injured and wounded soldiers.

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday November 11, 2015 Some have been forgotten On Remembrance Day, Canadians will remember those who fell in service to their country. Their names are etched on war graves, on memorial walls and in family scrapbooks. Every name of the war dead is accounted for. In the case of the two world wars, it doesnÕt matter where or how they died. If they served in uniform, they are remembered officially. An investigation by the Globe and Mail, however, has discovered gaps in the recent record. Some names are missing from the Afghan conflict. Military psychiatrist Dr. Greg Passey calls them "the unknown fallen," or, as the Globe says, "the unremembered." They include 59 veterans of the Afghanistan war who committed suicide. ThatÕs more than one-third of the 158 soldiers killed in the 13-year war. They are war dead, victims of wounds to their minds, yet their names are not engraved on the Afghan Memorial Vigil because they werenÕt killed by gunfire, or blown up by a roadside bomb. The high number of suicides and soldiers with mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder should have been a bugle call for emergency repairs to a system that has failed to help the walking wounded. Some 14,000 serving members are still receiving benefits for mental-health issues. Veterans have long been fighting a losing battle for improved addictions treatment and other mental-health services, as well as better benefits and programs to help them transition out of the military. The former Harper government talked a good game about wanting to ensure veterans and serving soldiers were looked after, but deeds never quite matched their lofty words. Former senator and general Romeo Dallaire has frequently complained about "penny-pinching" by Veterans Affairs. He has called on the government to introduce a social covenant similar to one in Britain, where "a duty of care" to soldiers and veterans is recognized in law. Prime Minister Justin Tru

November 11, 2015

CBC News first reported last month that the federal government is taking veterans involved in the Equitas lawsuit back to court to try to block certain benefits for soldiers, despite a Liberal campaign promise to better support them after an era of Conservative cuts.

A peace agreement of sorts, reached by former veterans affairs minister Erin O’Toole, recently expired without any sort of resolution meaning the litigation will now proceed at the B.C. Court of Appeals.

The government’s handpicked lawyers will argue that Canada does not have a social contract or covenant with veterans, and that a “scheme providing benefits cannot be said to amount to a deprivation merely because claimant views the benefits as insufficient.”

Friday November 21, 2014

November 21, 2014

The plaintiffs have argued in court that the lump-sum payment wounded veterans receive under the New Veterans Charter — as opposed to the lifetime pension that was offered to veterans before 2006 — is inadequate compensation, as they receive less money over a lifetime.

In court documents filed this week, the government’s top class action lawsuit lawyer, Paul Vickery, said that “the submissions made by [former Conservative attorney-general Rob Nicholson] on hearing of the appeal, as set out in the factum filed by him, accurately reflect the current position of the federal government.”

That is a controversial position among many in the veterans community as there is a long-held belief that Canada has a special responsibility to its veterans — a social contract — based on the promise politicians have made for generations to adequately care for those soldiers who are hurt in the line of duty.(Source: CBC News)

Published in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

Published in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

Saturday August 29, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday August 29, 2015 Justin Trudeau alters election equation with deficit-spending gamble Justin Trudeau has just broken this election campaign wide open. His Liberals have chucked the balanced-budget pledge, at least in the short term, to promise economic growth instead. And now Mr. Trudeau gets to offer a different economic policy. It makes the Liberals the interventionist party, the only party willing to tell voters theyÕd spend substantially more in the short term in a bid to get a slow economy rolling. ItÕs in part an effort to outflank NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, who wonÕt make those kinds of promises. Many Canadians want a more interventionist approach: A Nanos Research poll released Wednesday found 54 per cent say they support a new round of deficit spending to boost the economy. But it is a big gamble with a charged political symbol, the deficit. Mr. Trudeau is walking right into Conservative Leader Stephen HarperÕs accusation that heÕd increase the national debt. Still, the economy is the issue, and the Liberal Leader has altered the election equation. Until now, all parties had accepted they were constrained by more or less the same shackles: balanced budgets, and roughly the same tax rates, give or take a small shift of the burden toward one group or another. That meant big money wasnÕt available. Parties could shift a few billion dollars around, and then claim their child benefits or child care or tax breaks were the best plan. But one major option Ð using the federal treasury in a bid to boost economic growth Ð was more or less off the table. It takes billions and billions to have any real hope of nudging growth in an economy the size of CanadaÕs. Now, Mr. Trudeau has thrown off the restraints and said heÕll run deficits of up to $10-billion a year for three years in order to allow for a multibillion-dollar increase in spending on infrastructure, raising it from $5.1-billion t

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday August 29, 2015

Justin Trudeau alters election equation with deficit-spending gamble

Justin Trudeau has just broken this election campaign wide open. His Liberals have chucked the balanced-budget pledge, at least in the short term, to promise economic growth instead. And now Mr. Trudeau gets to offer a different economic policy.

2009

It makes the Liberals the interventionist party, the only party willing to tell voters they’d spend substantially more in the short term in a bid to get a slow economy rolling.

2008

It’s in part an effort to outflank NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, who won’t make those kinds of promises. Many Canadians want a more interventionist approach: A Nanos Research poll released Wednesday found 54 per cent say they support a new round of deficit spending to boost the economy.

But it is a big gamble with a charged political symbol, the deficit. Mr. Trudeau is walking right into Conservative Leader Stephen Harper’s accusation that he’d increase the national debt. Still, the economy is the issue, and the Liberal Leader has altered the election equation.

June 5, 1997 Canada, Deficit, debt, whale, fish, fishing, Liberal, Jean Chretien, Paul Martin, economy

1997

Until now, all parties had accepted they were constrained by more or less the same shackles: balanced budgets, and roughly the same tax rates, give or take a small shift of the burden toward one group or another.

That meant big money wasn’t available. Parties could shift a few billion dollars around, and then claim their child benefits or child care or tax breaks were the best plan. But one major option – using the federal treasury in a bid to boost economic growth – was more or less off the table. It takes billions and billions to have any real hope of nudging growth in an economy the size of Canada’s.

Justin Trump | Available at the MacKaycartoons Boutique Cartoon by Graeme MacKay. A one-time print license has been extended to Redbubble.com. Unauthorized use is prohibited. All kinds of stickers, greeting cards, postcards, framed prints and t-shirts displaying the illustrations of Graeme MacKay are available for purchase through Redbubble via http://www.redbubble.com/people/mackaycartoons Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump, Election, Canada, Canadian, politics, hair A one-time print license has been extended to Redbubble.com. Unauthorized use is prohibited. All kinds of stickers, greeting cards, postcards, framed prints and t-shirts displaying the illustrations of Graeme MacKay are available for purchase through Redbubble via http://www.redbubble.com/people/mackaycartoons

Now, Mr. Trudeau has thrown off the restraints and said he’ll run deficits of up to $10-billion a year for three years in order to allow for a multibillion-dollar increase in spending on infrastructure, raising it from $5.1-billion to $10.2-billion next year. He’s gone where no other leader will go. (Source: Globe & Mail)

 

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Friday May 22, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday May 22, 2015 NDP says they would bring back door-to-door mail delivery in Hamilton The federal NDP will reinstate door-to-door delivery and get rid of super mailboxes on the Mountain if the party forms government after the upcoming election. Hamilton MPs David Christopherson and Wayne Marston made the announcement at city hall this morning, lauding council for being "at the forefront" of the effort to save traditional mail delivery through its court battle with Canada Post. "If we have to change the legislation, we'll do it," Christopherson said of the plan to reverse Canada Post's multi-year plan to replace door-to-door delivery with super mailboxes across Canada. He acknowledged there would be cost to removing thousands of recently installed super mailboxes - including several hundred alone on the Mountain. But he said those costs, as yet not calculated, have to be "weighed against the cost to the (postal) service." He argued Canadians are better served by door-to-door mail delivery and added at a minimum, residents "deserve to be consulted" about the future of the service. The city will face off against Canada Post in court sometime next week over the legality of a bylaw that seeks to regulate where super mailboxes are installed in the municipal right-of-way. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5637988-ndp-says-they-would-bring-back-door-to-door-mail-delivery-in-hamilton/ Canada, Thomas Mulcair, NDP, mail, postal, delivery, snail, election, promise, service, communication

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 22, 2015

NDP says they would bring back door-to-door mail delivery in Hamilton

The federal NDP will reinstate door-to-door delivery and get rid of super mailboxes on the Mountain if the party forms government after the upcoming election.

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Saturday April 25, 2015 Canada Post strikes back in mailbox battle Canada Post has asked the courts to strike down Hamilton's mailbox installation bylaw the day after eight charges were laid under the new rules. Canada Post spokesperson Jon Hamilton said the legal counter-move came after the agency received a city order to stop ongoing installation of the controversial community mailboxes based on the recently passed bylaw. He said he wasn't aware of any charges under the bylaw, but added a hearing to consider Canada Post's application is scheduled for April 28. City spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos said Friday eight charges related to three unidentified mailbox locations were sworn late Thursday Ð six against Canada Post and two against a subcontractor, SNC Lavalin. He couldn't immediately comment on what the latest court filing means to the city. "We regret that court action is necessary É but we're at a point where we need to continue to move forward," said Hamilton, noting, the agency has been in contact with the city since last June over the planned installations. The legal battle started when the city enacted a new bylaw earlier this month that requires the Crown corporation to apply for a $200 permit for each of an estimated 4,000 community mailboxes meant to replace door-to-door mail delivery in Hamilton. Council followed up on Wednesday by asking its lawyers to file a court application to "restrain" ongoing installation by Canada Post. The agency's counter-move appears to have been filed first, however. Canada Post has argued from the get-go its federal mandate trumps municipal bylaws and installation of the first of 1,000 mailboxes on the Mountain began last Friday. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5575336-canada-post-strikes-back-in-mailbox-battle/ Hamilton, Canada, Canada Post, mail, post, postal service, Superbox, court, legal, military, mission, bomb

Hamilton MPs David Christopherson and Wayne Marston made the announcement at city hall this morning, lauding council for being “at the forefront” of the effort to save traditional mail delivery through its court battle with Canada Post.

“If we have to change the legislation, we’ll do it,” Christopherson said of the plan to reverse Canada Post’s multi-year plan to replace door-to-door delivery with super mailboxes across Canada.

He acknowledged there would be cost to removing thousands of recently installed super mailboxes – including several hundred alone on the Mountain.

But he said those costs, as yet not calculated, have to be “weighed against the cost to the (postal) service.”

Thursday April 16, 2015He argued Canadians are better served by door-to-door mail delivery and added at a minimum, residents “deserve to be consulted” about the future of the service.

The city will face off against Canada Post in court sometime next week over the legality of a bylaw that seeks to regulate where super mailboxes are installed in the municipal right-of-way. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Published in Opinion 250 (Prince George BC), L’Acadie Nouvelles, Gull Lake Advance, Brandon Sun, Nanaimo Daily News, Regina LEader Post, Calgary Herald, and The Corner Brook Newspaper

 

Tuesday January 27, 2015

Tuesday January 27, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 27, 2015

Premier Wynne guarantees Hamilton LRT funding: mayor

Ontario’s premier has committed to pay 100 per cent of capital costs for Hamilton’s LRT project no matter the final price tag.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger met with Premier Kathleen Wynne Monday to talk transit for the first time since his reelection.

Monday, April 21, 2014Wynne has vowed 100 per cent capital funding for Hamilton rapid transit during the election, but never specified a project or timeline.

But in a recorded media scrum after Monday’s meeting Eisenberger said he received “confirmation from the premier that they are still … committed to 100 per cent funding for LRT,” later adding “That’s a stronger commitment than I’ve heard from the province in a long time.”

The mayor said he also warned the premier the city is still planning to let a citizen panel study various rapid transit options. “She was comfortable with that,” he said, later adding the province “ultimately wants clarity from Hamilton as well.”

It’s still unclear where Hamilton sits in the queue for the next tranche of $15 billion in Big Move rapid transit funding for the greater Toronto and Hamilton area.

But Eisenberger noted the premier emphasized the pricey electrification of GO Train lines is a top priority and added the province is interested in Hamilton “integrating” its LRT planning with GO developments in the city.

He also stressed the next step should be to forge ahead with a citizens’ panel study on rapid transit – a process that could take most of the rest of the year – despite council’s formal request for $811 million for LRT. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Friday, January 24, 2014

Friday, January 24, 2014Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, January 24, 2014

Wynne calls byelections in Thornhill, Niagara Falls

Voters in Thornhill and Niagara Falls are heading to the polls for Feb. 13 byelections.

Premier Kathleen Wynne made it official Wednesday by calling the votes to fill vacancies in the two seats left by the retirement of Progressive Conservative Peter Shurman and Liberal Kim Craitor.

Wynne met Wednesday with reporters at the Queens Quay LCBO store where she touted Ontario’s wine industry, which is largely based in Niagara.

On Monday, the Liberals pledged $26.2 million for the Niagara Health System to help build a new hospital and two urgent-care centres.

That followed on last month’s $75-million, five-year wine strategy, which should help Niagara’s many wineries and grape growers.

At the LCBO event the Premier was asked by a reporter if these efforts were enough to secure that Liberal seat in the byelection.

She said both efforts have been in the works for “many many months.’’
Wynne said: “we are the government that has said we would build a hospital, work with that community to build a hospital.”

The Premier criticized the NDP and Conservatives for not being consistent on the hospital issue in Niagara.

Vying to succeed Craitor in Niagara Falls are Liberal Joyce Morocco, a city councillor and Tory Bart Maves, a regional councillor who was MPP from 1995 until 2003.

The NDP candidate is expected to be city councillor Wayne Gates.

In Thornhill, represented by Shurman from 2007 to 2013, the Liberal candidate is Vaughan councillor Sandra Yeung Racco, whose husband, Mario Racco, was the former Grit MPP. (Source: Toronto Star)

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LETTER OF THE MOMENT

Letter to the Editor - Friday, January 17, 2014

Hamilton Spectator Letter to the Editor

How about lampooning Liberals, for a change?

 How typical of the Hamilton Spectator editorial cartoon to lampoon Tim Hudak’s proposed plan to create a million jobs in Ontario. Whether it will work or not remains to be seen, but at least it’s a plan to create private sector jobs.

How typical of the Spectator not to attack Kathleen Wynne and the provincial Liberals, who over the past 10 years have overseen the departure of hundreds of thousands of private sector jobs from this once great province. Not only do the Liberals not have a plan to create jobs, they don’t even have a plan to stop the ongoing bleeding. Let’s not bother to attack the Liberals for their big government, big hydro, tax-and-spend, mismanagement approach to everything. Way to go Spectator, you only seem capable of denouncing anything Conservative.

How about an editorial cartoon about Health Minister Deb Matthews reannouncement of a previously announced hospital spend in Niagara, just before they’re set to announce byelections in that area? No vote-buying or funny business going on there — yeah right!

Cameron Stringer, Hamilton