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Friday January 14, 2022

January 14, 2022 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 14, 2022

Ontario students to receive 2 rapid tests as school begins, top doctor’s comments draw fire

January 8, 2022

Ontario students are slated to get two rapid antigen tests when they return to school on Monday, but apart from that, the province is relying mostly on previously announced measures to keep schools safe amid the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province also revealed Wednesday that school officials will monitor absenteeism in classrooms as opposed to reporting individual positive tests.

Officials said parents would be notified when combined student and staff absences hit around 30 per cent, prompting concerns that parents would be left in the dark about their child’s school’s status until it reached that threshold.

By Wednesday evening, the province appeared to say it would provide parents with more specific data about absenteeism.

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: 2022-02, Andrea Horwath, circuit breaker, covid-19, Doug Ford, Feedback, leadership, letter, Ontario, pandemic, reopening, schools, Steven de Duca, tomato

Sunday August 8, 2021

August 15, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay – Sunday August 8, 2021

Bill Davis, Former Premier of Ontario Dies (1929-2021)

William Greville Davis (born July 30, 1929) was the 18th Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1971 to 1985. Davis was first elected as the MPP for Peel in the 1959 provincial election where he was a backbencher in Leslie Frost’s government. Under John Robarts, he was a cabinet minister overseeing the education portfolio. He succeeded Robarts as Premier of Ontario and held the position until resigning in 1985.

May 5, 1999

Shortly after taking office as premier, Davis announced that his government would not permit continuing construction of the rest of the Spadina Expressway into downtown Toronto (an initiative that had been unpopular with many of the area’s residents). The “Davis ditch”, the section of Allen Road south of Lawrence Avenue was nicknamed in his honour. He also rejected a proposal to grant full funding to Ontario’s Catholic high schools, which some regarded as an appeal to the Progressive Conservative Party’s rural Protestant base. Davis’s team ran a professional campaign in the 1971 provincial election, and was rewarded with an increased majority government.

Davis’s first full term as premier was by most accounts his least successful, with public confidence in his government weakened by a series of scandals. There were allegations that the Fidinam company had received special consideration for a Toronto development program in return for donations to the Progressive Conservative Party. In 1973, it was revealed that Davis’ friend Gerhard Moog had received a valuable untendered contract for the construction of Ontario Hydro’s new head office and related projects. Attorney General Dalton Bales, Solicitor General John Yaremko and Treasurer McKeough were all accused of conflicts-of-interest relating to government approval for developments on properties they owned. The government was cleared of impropriety in all cases, but its popular support nonetheless declined. The Conservatives lost four key by-elections in 1973 and 1974.

On the policy front, the Davis administration introduced regional governments for Durham, Hamilton-Wentworth, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Waterloo but shelved further plans in response to popular protests. The government was also forced to cancel a planned 7% energy tax in 1973 following protests from the Progressive Conservative backbench. In the buildup to the 1975 provincial election, Davis imposed a ninety-day freeze on energy prices, temporarily reduced the provincial sales tax from 7% to 5%, and announced rent controls for the province.

September 21, 2002

The 1975 campaign was far more bitter than that of 1971, with Davis and Liberal leader Robert Nixon repeatedly hurling personal insults at one another. Polls taken shortly before the election had the Liberals in the lead. The Progressive Conservatives won only 51 seats out of 125, but were able to remain in power with a minority government. The New Democratic Party (NDP) won 38 seats under the leadership of Stephen Lewis, while Nixon’s Liberals finished third with 36. Soon after the election, Davis hired Hugh Segal as his legislative secretary.

Davis appointed right-wingers Frank Miller and James Taylor to key cabinet portfolios after the election, but withdrew from a proposed austerity program following a negative public response. In 1977, he introduced a policy statement written by Segal which became known as the “Bramalea Charter”, promising extensive new housing construction for the next decade. Davis called a snap election in 1977, but was again returned with only a minority. The Progressive Conservatives increased their standing to 58 seats, against 34 for the Liberals and 33 for the NDP.

The Conservatives remained the dominant party after the 1975 and 1977 elections due to the inability of either the New Democrats and the Liberals to become the clear alternative. The Conservatives were able to stay in power due to the competition between both opposition parties. As there was no serious consideration of a Liberal-NDP alliance after both campaigns, Davis was able to avoid defeat in the legislature by appealing to other parties for support on particular initiatives. His government often moved to the left of the rural-based Liberals on policy issues. The opposition parties had also undergone leadership changes; Nixon and Lewis, who had posed a strong challenge to Davis, resigned after the 1975 and 1977 elections, respectively. Nixon’s successor Stuart Lyon Smith proved unable to increase Liberal support, while new NDP leader Michael Cassidy lacked the support of the party establishment and could not measure up to Lewis’s charismatic and dynamic figure.

June 7, 2003

This period of the Davis government was one of expansion for the province’s public health and education systems, and Davis held a particular interest in ensuring that the province’s community colleges remained productive. The government also expanded the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code, and expanded bilingual services without introducing official bilingualism to the province.

The Progressive Conservatives were returned with a majority government in the 1981 provincial election, mostly at the expense of the NDP. Soon after the election, Davis announced that John Tory (who would become leader of the PCs 23 years later) had been hired to succeed Hugh Segal as his principal secretary. He also announced that Ontario would purchase a 25% share in the energy corporation Suncor, despite opposition from within his own caucus.

In 1983 Davis considered moving to federal politics by running to lead the federal Progressive Conservatives when Joe Clark only received lukewarm support during a leadership review. Davis decided not to do so when he realized that he would not receive endorsements from western Canada because of his support for the Constitution patriation and the National Energy Program. His candidacy had been strongly opposed by Peter Lougheed, the Premier of Alberta.

January 12, 2019

He retired a few months before the 1985 election, with him and his government still well ahead in polls against David Peterson’s Liberals and Bob Rae’s NDP. One of his last major acts as premier was to reverse his 1971 decision against the full funding of Catholic schools, and announce that such funding would be provided to the end of Grade Thirteen. Although the policy was supported by all parties in the legislature, it was unpopular with some in the Conservatives’ traditional rural Protestant base, and many would stay home in the upcoming election because of this issue. (Source: Wikipedia) 

 

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: 2021-27, Bill Davis, education, escalators, heaven, Obit, obituary, Ontario, pearly gates, premier, religion, roman Catholic, schools, stairs

Thursday August 27, 2020

September 3, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

August 27, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 27, 2020

Doug Ford praises appointment of ‘amazing’ Chrystia Freeland as federal finance minister

“Amazing.”

“Incredible.”

November 21, 2019

Those were just two of the adjectives the Progressive Conservative premier of Ontario used to hail the new federal Liberal finance minister.

“I absolutely love Chrystia Freeland. She’s amazing. I’ll have her back, I’ll help her any way we can,” an elated Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday.

As first revealed by the Star’s Susan Delacourt in April, the COVID-19 pandemic has forged a close friendship between Ford and the deputy prime minister.

The premier was visibly delighted that Freeland, who represents University-Rosedale in the House of Commons, is succeeding departing Toronto Centre MP Bill Morneau as federal treasurer.

December 11, 2019

“I want to congratulate my good friend Chrystia Freeland. An amazing person. I actually texted her this morning to say congratulations. I don’t know how she’s going to do it. She’s working around the clock now,” Ford told CityNews’s Jamie Tumelty in Scarborough.

“There’s no one that would be better in that role than Chrystia Freeland,” he said, pointedly declining to comment on the WE Charity scandal that triggered Morneau’s resignation.

“I’m not going to get into that federal politics. That’s up to the prime minister to deal with. We’ve been working very collaboratively together.”

The premier predicted Freeland would be a good partner for Queen’s Park, which is seeking additional federal funding for infrastructure projects.

“If there was one person, I have confidence in, it is Chrystia Freeland. She’s going to do an incredible job,” said Ford. (Toronto Star) 

March 27, 2020

Now this just in: With less than two weeks to go before most schools are set to welcome back students for the fall term, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced more than $2 billion in funding to help provinces and territories re-open their schools and economies safely.

The announcement comes as some provinces are reporting increases in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The funding is meant to allow provinces and territories to work with local school boards to implement measures to protect students and staff from COVID-19. The money can be used to help adapt learning spaces, improve air ventilation, increase hand sanitation and hygiene and buy extra personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies. (CBC) 

Posted in: Canada, Ontario Tagged: 2020-28, back to school, Canada, Chrystia Freeland, Coronavirus, covid-19, Doug Ford, education, Justin Trudeau, money, Ontario, pandemic, reopening, schools, Stephen Lecce, trenches, unicorn, war

Saturday February 25, 2018

February 23, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 25, 2018

President Trump at CPAC Insists Arming Teachers, Not Gun Control, Will Keep Schools Safe

President Donald Trump reiterated his support for arming teachers during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday morning, saying that keeping guns out of schools makes them targets for mass shooters.

January 17, 2013

“When we declare our schools to be gun free zones, it just puts our students in far more danger,” said Trump. “People that are adept with weaponry and with guns — they teach. I don’t want to have 100 guards with rifles standing all over the school. You do a concealed carry permit.”

Other than one mention of “strengthening” background checks, Trump did not talk about the ideas for tighter gun control that he has floated in the last week – including raising the age of purchasing some weapons and banning bump stocks. The National Rifle Association, which was an early backer of Trump’s and channeled over $30 million towards supporting his campaign, opposes raising the age limit.

July 25, 2015

The speech seemed in line with many of the talking points of NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, who went on the offensive on Thursday on the same CPAC stage, accusing gun control advocates of exploiting last week’s Florida school shooting tragedy.

Nikolas Cruz, 19, allegedly opened fire with an AR-15 rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, killing 17 people. In the days following, Trump pledged to take action to help prevent more school shootings in America, inviting those who have experienced school shootings to the White House. He reiterated his call to action on Friday, telling the audience, “We will act. We will do something.” (Source: TIME) 

 

Posted in: USA Tagged: allegiance, children, culture, Donald Trump, gun, guns, NRA, pledge, schools, teacher, USA, violence, weapons

Friday August 21, 2015

August 20, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Friday August 21, 2015 Elementary teachers will do extracurriculars as work-to-rule escalates Ontario's elementary public school teachers plan to ramp up their work-to-rule campaign when classes begin in less than three weeks Ð but they will still take part in extracurricular activities. Teachers won't take part in any field trips, fundraising campaigns or professional development activities, Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, announced on Thursday morning. However, the union won't be asking teachers to stop voluntary extracurricular activities unless things get worse in contract talks, Hammond said. Teachers won't participate in professional development activities or respond to electronic messages outside of instructional hours, unless student safety is at issue, Hammond said. The 78,000 teachers in the ETFO also are urged not to take on any duties normally performed by principals, Hammond said. Bargaining is set to resume Sept. 1. "We will be prepared for anything and everything on Sept. 1," Hammond said. Hammond repeated a warning he issued earlier in the week that the Ontario government and school boards are "in for the fight of their lives" if they push proposals that might "undermine" public education or increase class sizes. He dismissed suggestions that he lacks support of the union's membership. "Anyone who says I control you needs to be here," he said. He made his comments dressed in a red T-shirt that read, "Bargaining for the future, respecting our past." Meanwhile, there's 60 days left until the federal election with a lot of seats up for grabs for Premier Wynne's preferred next Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. He made no mention of wages or benefits in his address. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5806753-elementary-teachers-will-do-extracurriculars-as-work-to-rule-escalates/ Ontario, Sam Hammond, ETFO, Elem

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday August 21, 2015

Elementary teachers will do extracurriculars as work-to-rule escalates

Ontario’s elementary public school teachers plan to ramp up their work-to-rule campaign when classes begin in less than three weeks – but they will still take part in extracurricular activities.

Thursday June 25, 2015Teachers won’t take part in any field trips, fundraising campaigns or professional development activities, Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, announced on Thursday morning.

However, the union won’t be asking teachers to stop voluntary extracurricular activities unless things get worse in contract talks, Hammond said.

Teachers won’t participate in professional development activities or respond to electronic messages outside of instructional hours, unless student safety is at issue, Hammond said.

The 78,000 teachers in the ETFO also are urged not to take on any duties normally performed by principals, Hammond said.

Bargaining is set to resume Sept. 1.

“We will be prepared for anything and everything on Sept. 1,” Hammond said.

Hammond repeated a warning he issued earlier in the week that the Ontario government and school boards are “in for the fight of their lives” if they push proposals that might “undermine” public education or increase class sizes.

He dismissed suggestions that he lacks support of the union’s membership.

“Anyone who says I control you needs to be here,” he said.

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday August 5, 2015 Kathleen Wynne urges voters to turf Harper government  Voters should turf Prime Minister Stephen Harper for showing Ontario Òblatant disrespect,Ó Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne urged Sunday in one of her strongest attacks yet on the federal Conservatives. Wynne accused the Harper administration of naked partisanship over refusals to smooth a path for her Ontario Retirement Pension Plan and for not doing more to help develop the rich Ring of Fire mineral deposit in northwestern Ontario. She zeroed in on the pension plan, noting HarperÕs government allows the Canada Revenue Agency to provide services to provincial pension plans in Quebec and Saskatchewan. ÒFor him to then turn around and say, ÔYeah, well, we have agreement with other provinces through the CRA and weÕre not going to do that for youÕ É itÕs blatant disrespect for the people of Ontario,Ó Wynne said. ÒThat has to stop.Ó The federal government has joined business groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in saying the premiums that employers would have to pay under WynneÕs pension plan would put jobs in peril. ÒNo matter what the prime minister thinks about the ORPP, he may not be worried about people in Ontario who are anxious about their retirement, but I am,Ó Wynne said. Her push for enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan to boost retirement incomes was brushed aside by Ottawa, prompting her to launch the Ontario plan in 2017. The province wants the CRA to do back-office administration for the pension plan, cutting down on costs and unnecessary duplication. (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/08/02/kathleen-wynne-urges-voters-to-turf-harper-government.html Ontario, Canada, Kathleen Wynne, Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper, fire, attack, election 2015, campaign, criticism, diplomacy

He made his comments dressed in a red T-shirt that read, “Bargaining for the future, respecting our past.”

Meanwhile, there’s 60 days left until the federal election with a lot of seats up for grabs for Premier Wynne’s preferred next Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

He made no mention of wages or benefits in his address. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Posted in: Ontario Tagged: campaign, election, elementary, ETFO, Justin Trudeau, Kathleen Wynne, Liberal, Ontario, party, Sam Hammond, schools, strike, teachers
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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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