Senate

Tuesday May 27 2025

King Charles III's visit to Canada underscores the country's sovereignty and distinct identity amid geopolitical tensions with the U.S.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday May 27 2025

King Charles III’s visit to Canada underscores the country’s sovereignty and distinct identity amid geopolitical tensions with the U.S.

Canada’s Sovereign Stand Against U.S. Pressure

May 6, 2023

As King Charles III arrives in Canada for his first visit as monarch, the event is rich with meaning and strategic foresight. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s invitation for the King to deliver the Speech from the Throne is more than a ceremonial gesture; it’s a powerful assertion of Canada’s independence and distinct identity. This move comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has been making dismissive remarks about Canada’s status, and it serves as a clear message that Canada stands proudly on its own.

When Carney was sworn in as Prime Minister, he described Canada as a country “built on the bedrock of three peoples: Indigenous, French, and British.” This statement captures the essence of Canada’s diverse heritage, highlighting a nation that neither leans towards American influence nor forgets its roots. By inviting King Charles III to read the Throne Speech, Carney underscores this foundation, setting a tone that is both inclusive and assertive.

Opinion: King Charles’s visit to Canada: A Commonwealth flex with an audience of one

Victoria Day takes on new significance as Canada reaffirms its sovereignty in response to U.S. rhetoric and diplomatic tensions.

May 17, 2025

Carney’s use of this royal visit as a diplomatic tool showcases his government’s approach to international relations. His first official trip to Paris, London, and Iqaluit mirrored this blend, reinforcing ties with France and the UK while acknowledging the crucial role of Indigenous communities within Canada. During his time in London, Carney extended the invitation to the King, who was eager to accept. This isn’t just about tradition; it’s about strengthening the bonds that link Canada to the Commonwealth and its constitutional monarchy.

The visit takes place at a critical time when Canada’s relationship with its southern neighbour is being tested. Trump’s repeated comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st U.S. state have been met with widespread concern. In this context, the royal visit is a clear message to Trump—and the world—that Canada’s sovereignty is firm. It’s a symbolic gesture, reminding Trump that Canada’s path is its own.

BBC: King’s invitation to Canada sends a message to Trump – and the world

June 10, 2022

While the visit includes traditional ceremonies, like military honours and a ceremonial tree planting, it serves a deeper purpose. It highlights the ongoing role of the monarchy in Canada’s governance and its relevance today. Including Indigenous leaders and cultural elements reflects Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and acknowledging its diverse heritage.

Public opinion on the monarchy might be mixed, but the significance of this visit goes beyond individual views. It reaffirms Canada’s heritage and declares its future on the world stage. The monarchy, often seen as a relic, finds new relevance as a diplomatic tool in modern times. Carney’s actions show a keen understanding of the power of symbolism in global politics and the importance of defining a nation’s identity through its history and constitution.

News: Why King Charles’s upcoming visit to Canada is unprecedented in many ways

King Charles III’s visit to Canada is more than a ceremonial occasion; it’s a defining moment in Prime Minister Carney’s diplomatic strategy. It’s a bold statement of independence and a celebration of the diverse peoples that form Canada. As Trump watches, this royal visit serves as a reminder of Canada’s steadfast independence and commitment to its principles. This historic moment isn’t just about the past; it’s about a clear vision for the future, where Canada’s identity is proudly asserted on its own terms.

The Crown Reconsidered by The Graeme Gallery

Tuesday May 27 2025

Read on Substack

Wednesday September 13, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 13, 2023

Canada’s Wake-Up Call: Confronting the Fierce Dragon of Chinese Interference

May 5, 2023

Canada’s government’s sluggish and inadequate response to Chinese foreign interference has come under scrutiny following the recent testimony of Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong in Washington. Chong, who himself has been targeted by the Chinese government, emphasized the necessity of a coordinated approach between Canada and the United States to counter Beijing’s meddling in Western democracies and its harassment of diaspora communities.

Chong’s subtle revelation that the Liberal government did not promptly inform him about Chinese targeting, despite their prior knowledge, raises doubts about the government’s commitment to addressing this issue. The delayed response and reluctance to take decisive action suggest a lack of urgency in safeguarding Canadian sovereignty and democratic principles.

News: MP Michael Chong urges U.S. lawmakers to work with Canada to combat Chinese meddling  

August 1, 2023

Chong’s account of China’s repressive tactics, including the establishment of unlawful police stations in Canada, coercion of individuals to return to China, and offering rewards for those on “wanted” lists, underscores the gravity of the threat. It is evident that such tactics are incompatible with the values of a free and sovereign nation like Canada.

While Chong advocated for Canada to collaborate closely with the United States and other democracies to counter China’s actions, the challenge lies in Canada’s reliability as a partner. Canada’s failure to seize shipments suspected of exploiting forced Uyghur labor, in contrast to the United States, raises concerns about its commitment to combating human rights abuses.

June 2, 2023

Canada’s potential to become a more robust partner to the U.S. in countering Chinese interference hinges on implementing regulatory reforms and expediting natural resource projects to facilitate the export of critical minerals and natural gas. The government must follow through on these commitments to effectively support its allies in the battle against foreign interference.

News: Meet the Canadian lawmaker targeted by China  

Senator Jeff Merkley’s proposed legislation, aimed at combating transnational repression, underscores the need for a comprehensive and well-coordinated response to foreign interference. Canada must step up its efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty and protect the rights of its citizens from Beijing’s interference, acknowledging the seriousness of the threat and taking substantive action to address it. (AI)

 

Saturday June 16, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 16, 2018

Homegrown plants and cannabis T-shirts are no mountains to die on

The need for a relatively clean rollout of legalized recreational marijuana — a signature promise of Trudeau, one that can restore his progressive bona fides and one which would most definitely buoy a government that is finding danger at every turn.

September 5, 2002

Predictably, the clean roll out kept hitting speed bumps. At one time, July 1 was going to be pot legalization day. Now, it is U.S. retaliatory tariffs day.

The Senate considered the cannabis bill for seven months. Five committees heard from more than 200 witnesses.

It was a level of diligence that bordered on obstructionism, or at least an attempt to keep punting legalization closer to an election year where inevitable hiccups could be highlighted.

April 13, 2017

Trudeau made just such a charge this week, but Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, citing his party’s minority in the Senate, said the pace of approval in the Upper House was Trudeau’s responsibility.

Regardless, it was Scheer’s Conservatives who led the Senate opposition and were hammering away at it in the Commons question period Thursday.

The government will now send the bill back to the Senate, after rejecting most of the Upper Chamber’s 46 amendments.

December 16, 2016

There, senators should take a bow, congratulate themselves for their great work and resist any impulse to continue a fight over a promised piece of legislation from a democratically elected majority government.

Whether the provinces are claiming four (or fewer) homegrown pot plants constitute a danger to children, abuses their right to set their own regulations or put an undue burden on law enforcement, this can hardly be an issue to shake the country.

January 17, 2012

When government statistics say there were at least 5,869 opioid-related deaths in this country between January 2016 and September, 2017, the idea of cops using resources to count pot plants in Winnipeg condos is absurd.

As we move toward legalization, the government should be pushed on issues more substantive than Senate concerns with indoor plants or T-shirts with cannabis leaves on them.

One of those issues was laid out in the Commons by Marilyn Gladu, who stepped away from Conservative fear-mongering to explain the situation in her border riding of Sarnia-Lambton.

April 21, 2016

Without assurances from U.S. Homeland Security, legalized cannabis is taking us to a thickened American border and possible tragic consequences for uninformed pot smokers.

Cannabis residue or even the odour of cannabis is enough for border agents to send Canadians to secondary screening. Possession of cannabis could get you a lifetime ban from the U.S.

Gladu says U.S. border agents have told her they will not hire more screeners, so some searches will simply be done in the crossing lanes and they are anticipating wait times to increase 300 per cent. (Continued: Toronto Star) 

 

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Tuesday August 29, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 29, 2017

Not ‘a slam dunk’: Mike Duffy faces uphill battle for $8M in damages, experts say

Sen. Mike Duffy is hoping to extract a lofty sum from the Senate and the RCMP, arguing they unfairly subjected him to a witch hunt that resulted in gross Charter violations and salary loss that now demand some form of compensation.

But legal experts well-versed on civil lawsuits of this sort say it could be a tough slog for the P.E.I. Senator.

At the heart of Duffy’s $8-million lawsuit is a claim that the Red Chamber and the Mounties ran roughshod over his rights in their dogged pursuit of a scapegoat for public outrage over questionable expenses.

Duffy claims he was “threatened, cajoled, arm-twisted and rebuked” by former prime minister Stephen Harper’s office to publicly admit wrongdoing even though he maintained all expenses were above board.

The Conservative-controlled Senate was then the “government’s servant” and booted him from the upper house to serve a political agenda when things went awry. The RCMP, in turn, hastily assembled a criminal case that unfairly subjected Duffy to humiliation among other ills.

In his statement of claim, filed Thursday, Duffy said his Charter rights under section 7 (the right to life, liberty and the security of person), section 11(d) (the right to be presumed innocence) and section 12 (freedom from cruel and unusual punishment) were ignored throughout this scandal by both the Senate and the police.

“The system makes it really hard to allege a violation of the Charter based simply on a suspension from a position, loss of pay and the mere fact you were charged for a crime; it’s hard to argue that leads to a Charter violation when you’re ultimately acquitted and your job is reinstated,” Carissima Mathen, an associate professor of constitutional law at the University of Ottawa, said in an interview.

“The government enjoys a significant level of immunity.” (Continued: CBC News) 

Mike Duffy Comedy Gallery

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Friday June 9, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 9, 2017

James Comey says it’s ‘not up to him’ to decide if Trump’s ‘disturbing behaviour’ was obstruction of justice

Former FBI Director James Comey said it was not up to him to determine whether Donald Trump behaviour was obstruction of justice.

April 21, 2017

“I don’t think it’s for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct,” Mr Comey said during his testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but added that Mr Trump’s behaviour was “concerning…and disturbing”.

Mr Comey, fired on 9 May, detailed in a written statement ahead of his ongoing testimony that Mr Trump said to him during a one-on-one White House dinner: “I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.”

The former FBI Director said his “common sense” said that it made him feel as if Mr Trump was “looking for something in exchange for granting my request to stay in the job” of FBI Director.

June 24, 2016

Mr Comey, a prosecutor himself, said that the determination of obstruction of justice should be left up to the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who was appointed as an independent counsel in the investigation into the alleged ties between Mr Trump’s campaign team and Russia and the country’s possible interference with the 2016 US election.

The former Director’s comment today, however, may mean that Mr Trump’s possible obstruction of justice or possible collusion with Russian officials is also under the purview of Mr Mueller’s investigation.

Obstruction of justice is an impeachable offence but is a tricky legal issue because it has to do with Mr Trump’s actions rather than his intent or how Mr Trump’s actions made Mr Comey feel.  As a lawyer, Mr Comey is aware of this and likely why he is leaving that determination up to Mr Mueller. (Source: The Independent)

 

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