RCMP

Thursday August 15, 2024

The RCMP investigation into the Greenbelt scandal underscores criticism that Doug Ford's government prioritizes developer interests over public participation and transparency, raising doubts about its commitment to addressing Ontario's affordable housing crisis while maintaining public trust and democratic values.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 15, 2024

Doug Ford’s Government: For the People or For the Developers?

The closure of the Ontario Science Centre under Premier Doug Ford's administration reveals neglect and controversial redevelopment plans, raising concerns about transparency and prioritizing private interests over public heritage and community benefit.

June 25, 2024

The Ontario Greenbelt scandal has cast a long shadow over the Ford government’s claims of transparency and public interest. While the premier and his ministers insist they are “an open book,” recent actions suggest a different narrative—one where the voices of developers ring louder than those of everyday citizens.

The Greenbelt was created to protect our environment and curb urban sprawl, yet the Ford government attempted to remove 7,400 acres for housing development. The Auditor General’s report revealed that developers with close ties to Ford’s party were favoured, potentially inflating property values by billions. This has led many to question whether the government’s actions were truly in the public’s interest or driven by a desire to benefit political friends.

News: As RCMP investigates Greenbelt scandal, finance minister says Ford government is ‘an open book’

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces a plan to revamp the kindergarten curriculum, introducing a mix of play-based learning and foundational instruction in literacy and numeracy.

January 23, 2024

Adding to the controversy is the “Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act,” which eliminated third-party appeals in planning processes. This move has effectively silenced the public’s voice, removing a critical check on municipal planning and zoning decisions. The language of “cutting red tape” and “building more homes faster” masks a more troubling reality: the reduction of democratic participation in favour of expediency and the interests of developers.

Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s assertion that the government is transparent does little to alleviate concerns. The secrecy surrounding mandate letters and the unwillingness to fully disclose communications adds to the perception of a government more interested in protecting its own than in serving its constituents.

Opinion: Doug Ford has to make it clear: Is he for the people or for the developers?

February 16, 2023

The RCMP’s investigation into the Greenbelt scandal is a step towards accountability, but it is ultimately up to the people of Ontario to pass judgment on their leaders. In a province where voter turnout is often low, there is a real risk that such dubious behaviour might go unchecked. Apathy and disengagement could allow the Ford government to continue down a path that prioritizes developer interests over those of the people it was elected to serve.

October 22, 2022

The housing crisis in Ontario is a pressing issue, but it cannot be solved by sidelining public input and eroding trust in government. True leadership requires listening to constituents, balancing diverse needs, and fostering inclusive growth. The Ford government must decide whether it wants to be remembered as a champion for the people or as a facilitator for the few. The choice should be clear, but recent actions have cast a long shadow of doubt. As the investigation unfolds and elections loom, it is up to informed voters to make their voices heard and demand better from their leaders. (AI)

Friday October 13, 2023

Developers whom stood to profit from Doug Ford's Greenbelt development decisions are now anxious as an RCMP investigation unfolds, potentially exposing their wrongdoing, marking a dramatic turn of events for those once favoured in the scandal.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday October 13, 2023

Welcoming the RCMP Investigation: A Turn of Events for Doug Ford’s Greenbelt Developers

September 26, 2023

In a dramatic twist, an RCMP investigation has been launched into Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s controversial plan to open up the Greenbelt for development. Developers who once stood to profit from Ford’s decisions are now anxiously awaiting the outcome, and for those of us who value transparency and accountability in government, this investigation is a welcomed development.

The announcement by the RCMP follows a referral from the Ontario Provincial Police, marking a significant step in the pursuit of justice. The Sensitive and International Investigations (SII) unit, responsible for handling cases that threaten Canada’s political, economic, and social integrity, will be leading the probe. This unit specializes in political investigations, examining elected officials on allegations of fraud, financial crimes, corruption, and breach of trust. Given the gravity of the situation, it is imperative that this investigation unfolds diligently and impartially.

News: Ontario Greenbelt: Canada police probe Doug Ford land deal  

September 22, 2023

The Greenbelt, a protected natural area, was at the centre of controversy last year when the province decided to remove land from its protection in a bid to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. This move faced public outrage and resulted in the resignation of two ministers, as well as investigations by the integrity commissioner and the auditor general. Their findings revealed a flawed process that seemed to favour certain developers, raising questions about potential wrongdoing.

The criminal probe is a significant step forward in seeking answers and justice. The auditor general’s report highlighted that developers could stand to benefit by $8.3 billion from the land swap. While Premier Ford has maintained his confidence that nothing criminal took place, the investigations uncovered a tangled web of questionable actions by government officials.

One focal point of the investigations has been Ryan Amato, the chief of staff to the housing minister at the time. The commissioner’s report and the auditor general’s findings have raised concerns about Amato’s interactions with developers. His resignation in the wake of these findings is a testament to the seriousness of the situation.

The decision to bring the RCMP into the investigation is a critical one, given the need to ensure that the process is free from any perceived conflicts of interest. Premier Ford’s commitment to cooperating fully with the investigation is a step in the right direction.

Opinion: Here’s why an RCMP criminal probe makes Doug Ford’s Greenbelt nightmare so much worse  

December 10, 2022

The opposition, particularly the NDP and the Green Party, welcomes the investigation as a means of obtaining more answers and accountability. They argue that the people of Ontario deserve to know the truth behind these actions, which have the potential to significantly impact the province’s future.

The involvement of the RCMP underscores the gravity of the situation and the need to get to the bottom of what transpired. It is crucial to uphold the integrity of our institutions and ensure that public officials act in the best interests of the people they serve. As the investigation unfolds, we must all keep a close watch on the proceedings and trust in the process to deliver a fair and just outcome.

In the end, the RCMP’s involvement in the Greenbelt land swap scandal is a beacon of hope for those who believe in the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance. It is a chance for justice to prevail, and for the public to have confidence that their interests are protected. The unfolding events serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, and that our democratic institutions must be safeguarded from any undue influence or wrongdoing. (AI)

 

Saturday April 30, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 30, 2022

Ottawa police chief vows to stop biker rally as city braces for potential protests

February 19, 2022

Ottawa’s police chief has vowed to stop an upcoming biker rally from reaching the city’s downtown core as residents brace for a potential rerun of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” anti-government protests that paralyzed the Canadian capital earlier in the year.

Thousands of bikers are expected to arrive in Ottawa on Friday for the “Rolling Thunder” rally purportedly called in honour of military veterans.

The rally’s organizer, Neil Sheard, has denied that the event is a protest, but prominent anti-vaccine figure Chris Sky has been advertised as a “special guest” speaker, and Veterans for Freedom, a group which opposes public health measures, is also part of the event.

Organizers had planned to march on Parliament Hill on Friday and then meet at the war memorial the following day. But the interim chief, Steve Bell, warned that a “heavy police presence” and road closures would instead greet the bikers.

The city is still reeling from the February protests, when hundreds of commercial trucks blockaded the streets in front of Parliament Hill, honking their horns at all hours of the day and night and defying multiple orders to leave the area.

February 15, 2022

That event began as a protest against public health measures, but quickly transformed into a broader anti-government movement, with protestors calling for Justin Trudeau’s government to face criminal prosecution.

After weeks of disruption, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act, permitting officials to freeze bank accounts and suspend the commercial licences of truck drivers involved. On Monday, the federal government announced an inquiry into the use of the rarely-used legislation.

The protests ended after nearly a month when police stormed the blockades and arrested nearly 200 demonstrators. Ottawa authorities later revealed that the demonstrations cost the city more than C$36m (US$28m, £22m).

“I do not want our children, seniors and other vulnerable residents re-traumatized. Our businesses should not be forced to close again,” Ottawa city councillor Catherine McKenney wrote on Twitter Monday.

August 28, 2012

Zexi Li, a downtown resident whose exasperation with non-stop truck honking led to a C$306m class action lawsuit against the convoy, told the Guardian she and others fear that “mistakes will be made again” as officials attempt to prepare for the influx of bikers.

“Without a doubt, there was a loss of trust in the city, in our officials, in the police from the protests. We were just utterly disappointed by the people that were supposed to protect us,” she said.

Sheard warned earlier this week the event could turn into a “free-for-all” as bikers are forced to deviate from a previously planned route after police said they wouldn’t allow vehicles into the downtown core.

“We keep hearing that things never should have gotten as bad as they did if certain steps had been taken from the very beginning,” said Li. “Well, we know what those steps are now. So all the need to do, in theory, is take those steps.” (The Guardian) 

 

Friday September 12, 2019

September 12, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 12, 2019

Did Trudeau really give ‘the largest’ waiver of cabinet confidence in history?

Forced to address the SNC-Lavalin scandal on the first day of the federal election campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau made a sweeping statement.

“We gave out the largest and most expansive waiver of cabinet confidence in Canada’s history,” he said in response to reporters’ questions about a Globe and Mail article that said the RCMP’s efforts to examine the SNC-Lavalin affair have been stymied by the government’s refusal to lift cabinet confidentiality.

But legal experts tell CTV News they’re not sure how Trudeau is measuring what he calls the most “expansive” waiver of cabinet confidence, let alone how true his claim is.

Some other examples from past years include former prime minister Stephen Harper approving confidence waivers for the RCMP investigation into the Senate spending scandal.

Harper’s predecessor Paul Martin gave the Gomery Commission cabinet documents linked to the Liberal sponsorship scandal that rocked Ottawa in the mid-2000s.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer also spoke about the SNC-Lavalin affair on the first day of electioneering.

“The RCMP is investigating into possible obstruction of justice charges in the prime minister’s office,” Scheer said Wednesday as he formally launched his campaign.

However, the Globe and Mail said Mounties want to thoroughly question witnesses as part of an “examination,” not a formal investigation.

The SNC-Lavalin affair has been trailing Trudeau for months, ever since former justice minister Jody-Wilson Raybould alleged that she was inappropriately pressured by the prime minister and his office to end the criminal prosecution of the Quebec engineering giant. (CTV News) 

 

March 30, 2007

Visitors to my site will note my cartoons on international affairs are few and far between. My cartoons on the federal, local issues are far more abundant in numbers. Occasionally non domestic cartoons will creep in when domestic issues have become dull or just plain tired. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to declare that most people are fatigued with anything having to do with Quebec’s election 5 days ago. The latest big national story is the RCMP coverup, which already has my eyes glazing over and having me think, well haven’t we been down this road before? R.C.M.P. = Y.A.W.N. – nobody around here is talking about it.

So my mind was set on the recent debacle between Britain and Iran which is like a good old fashioned cold war like escalation of good against evil. I have a feeling the Iran thing will be hanging around as long as the RCMP thing — months.

Speaking of international cartoons two of my old galleries have just been updated. The old September 11 gallery has now been amalgamated and showcases stuff drawn related to the War on Terror. The Iraq Gallery has also been updated.