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Saturday December 10, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday December 10, 2016 CanadaÕs Liberal Government, Most Provinces Set to Endorse Climate Pact CanadaÕs Liberal government and the bulk of provinces are set to endorse a pact late Friday to fight climate change, even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries to revive the energy sector with the recent approval of two pipeline projects. The climate pact is expected to endorse a federal carbon-pricing scheme unveiled in October and plans to phase out coal-power electricity, and comes as President-elect Donald Trump signals Washington is moving to lessen regulation in a bid to drum up more investment in U.S. resource development. Vice President Joe Biden, in Ottawa as part of a two-day visit the Canadian capital, urged Canadian leaders to carry on with their carbon-reduction efforts because corporate America and the rest of the world are on that very path, despite the policies of the incoming administration. ÒWhatever uncertainty exists around the near term policy choices of the next president, I am absolutely confident the United States will continue making progress in its path to a low-carbon future,Ó Mr. Biden told Mr. Trudeau and provincial premiers. ÒRegardless of whether the next administration is as aggressive as we have been ... there is no way to turn back this tide that has begun to roll.Ó At an official dinner Thursday, Mr. Biden said the world would be counting on Canada and Mr. Trudeau to show leadership on important global issues at this time of uncertainty in Europe and the U.S. Mr. Trudeau has positioned the fight against climate change as one of his governmentÕs signature issues, with the Liberal government aiming to reduce carbon output by 30% below 2005 levels before 2030. Agreement among Ottawa and the provincial capitals fulfills a promise from Mr. Trudeau to build a national consensus on tackling climate change, and marks a pivot from the previous Conservative administration whic

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 10, 2016

Canada’s Liberal Government, Most Provinces Set to Endorse Climate Pact

Canada’s Liberal government and the bulk of provinces are set to endorse a pact late Friday to fight climate change, even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries to revive the energy sector with the recent approval of two pipeline projects.

The climate pact is expected to endorse a federal carbon-pricing scheme unveiled in October and plans to phase out coal-power electricity, and comes as President-elect Donald Trump signals Washington is moving to lessen regulation in a bid to drum up more investment in U.S. resource development.

Vice President Joe Biden, in Ottawa as part of a two-day visit the Canadian capital, urged Canadian leaders to carry on with their carbon-reduction efforts because corporate America and the rest of the world are on that very path, despite the policies of the incoming administration.

“Whatever uncertainty exists around the near term policy choices of the next president, I am absolutely confident the United States will continue making progress in its path to a low-carbon future,” Mr. Biden told Mr. Trudeau and provincial premiers. “Regardless of whether the next administration is as aggressive as we have been … there is no way to turn back this tide that has begun to roll.”

At an official dinner Thursday, Mr. Biden said the world would be counting on Canada and Mr. Trudeau to show leadership on important global issues at this time of uncertainty in Europe and the U.S.

Mr. Trudeau has positioned the fight against climate change as one of his government’s signature issues, with the Liberal government aiming to reduce carbon output by 30% below 2005 levels before 2030. Agreement among Ottawa and the provincial capitals fulfills a promise from Mr. Trudeau to build a national consensus on tackling climate change, and marks a pivot from the previous Conservative administration which tended to focus on championing resource development.

Not all Canadian provinces, though, will be onboard. Brad Wall, the premier of Saskatchewan, said he won’t endorse any pan-Canadian climate-change plan that calls for a carbon tax. Under the federal plan, Canada would start pricing carbon pollution at 10 Canadian dollars ($7.58) a metric ton in 2018, and that would rise steadily to C$50 a ton in 2022. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

 

Tuesday August 16, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday August 16, 2016 Trump suggests Hillary's been sick for a while as he prepares to release 'very, very specific' numbers from his latest physical Ð on Dr. Oz's show Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested that Hillary Clinton has been sick for a while, pointing to her coughing fit last week as evidence that 'something's going on.Õ 'I really just don't just know. I hope she gets well soon. I don't know what's going on,' Trump said when asked about it on 'Fox and Friends' Monday morning. He wished Clinton well after her weekend health scare Ð and revealed he is preparing to release detailed results of his own physical on Thursday. The big reveal will come on Dr. Mehmet Oz's TV show, according to a report from the Fox News Channel. Trump's campaign said last week that he would share his 'health regimen' with the Tv doc, but the planned appearance has gained new significance in the wake of Hillary's collapse on Sunday. Trump was uncharacteristically silent Ð including on Twitter Ð on Sunday, even as Clinton was spirited away from a Sept. 11th ceremony in New York, where was captured on video stumbling on the way to her van before her campaign finally revealed she had been diagnosed with pneumonia.ÊÊ Then he brought up Clinton's prolonged coughing allergy last week, which Clinton jokingly chalked up to a Trump allergy. 'The coughing fit was a week ago, so I assume that was pnemonia also. I would think it would have been. So something's going on.Õ Trump also attended the ceremony in New York, but without incident. 'I just hope she gets well and gets back on the trail and we'll be seeing her at the debate,' he added. Trump indicated he'll be putting out detailed results about his own health. 'I think it's an issue. In fact, this last week I took a physical,' he said. 'I'll be releasing Ð when the numbers come in, hopefully they're gonna be good, I think they're gonna be good. B

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday August 16, 2016

Trump suggests Hillary’s been sick for a while as he prepares to release ‘very, very specific’ numbers from his latest physical – on Dr. Oz’s show

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested that Hillary Clinton has been sick for a while, pointing to her coughing fit last week as evidence that ‘something’s going on.’

‘I really just don’t just know. I hope she gets well soon. I don’t know what’s going on,’ Trump said when asked about it on ‘Fox and Friends’ Monday morning.

He wished Clinton well after her weekend health scare – and revealed he is preparing to release detailed results of his own physical on Thursday.

The big reveal will come on Dr. Mehmet Oz’s TV show, according to a report from the Fox News Channel.

Trump’s campaign said last week that he would share his ‘health regimen’ with the Tv doc, but the planned appearance has gained new significance in the wake of Hillary’s collapse on Sunday.

Trump was uncharacteristically silent – including on Twitter – on Sunday, even as Clinton was spirited away from a Sept. 11th ceremony in New York, where was captured on video stumbling on the way to her van before her campaign finally revealed she had been diagnosed with pneumonia.

Then he brought up Clinton’s prolonged coughing allergy last week, which Clinton jokingly chalked up to a Trump allergy.

‘The coughing fit was a week ago, so I assume that was pnemonia also. I would think it would have been. So something’s going on.’

Trump also attended the ceremony in New York, but without incident.

‘I just hope she gets well and gets back on the trail and we’ll be seeing her at the debate,’ he added.

Trump indicated he’ll be putting out detailed results about his own health.

‘I think it’s an issue. In fact, this last week I took a physical,’ he said. ‘I’ll be releasing – when the numbers come in, hopefully they’re gonna be good, I think they’re gonna be good. But when the numbers come in, I’ll be really very, very specific numbers, Trump said.

To date Trump, 70, has only released a short letter from a doctor, who the Clinton campaign has noted is not an internist but a gastroenterologist. The letter stated he would be the ‘healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.’

Clinton will be 69 when she takes office if elected. (Source: Daily Mail)

 

Thursday August 4, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday August 4, 2016 Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women 'I donÕt know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry,' says violence survivor Many First Nations leaders and advocates in B.C. distrust the framework for an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada Ñ and demand the body been given enough scope to look at how policing has played into deaths. The long-awaited Canada-wide look at issues that led to so many tragedies was questioned, especially by family members who lost loved ones. Lorelei Williams held a feather as she talked about her aunts and cousins. Two were lost to serial killers. One family member was raped and survived. Another was pushed out a Downtown Eastside window. There is a litany of pain and trauma that makes Williams suspicious of the inquiry, despite promises that it will offer change. "I have more questions than answers. I don't know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry," said Williams. She wants the inquiry to look at policing and police accountability because she believes racism and indifference to Indigenous women by some officers has made it difficult to get anybody to take the search for missing family members seriously. She says she too was left to walk alone along a highway when she was 17 years old, stranded after being dismissed by 911 when she called for help. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said the framework for the inquiry is flawed, and needs more funding or protections in writing that ensure recommendations will be acted on, instead of ignored. He wants the inquiry's scope to include a hard look at the issues of racism and sexism in the RCMP, saying racist attitudes on police forces have contributed to Indigenous deaths for decades. "This is about accountability. Full stop. We need to ensure we do not blow this opportunity," said Phillip. "The issue ...is an indelible black mark on

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 4, 2016

Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women

‘I don’t know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry,’ says violence survivor

Many First Nations leaders and advocates in B.C. distrust the framework for an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada — and demand the body been given enough scope to look at how policing has played into deaths.

The long-awaited Canada-wide look at issues that led to so many tragedies was questioned, especially by family members who lost loved ones.

Lorelei Williams held a feather as she talked about her aunts and cousins. Two were lost to serial killers. One family member was raped and survived. Another was pushed out a Downtown Eastside window.

There is a litany of pain and trauma that makes Williams suspicious of the inquiry, despite promises that it will offer change.

“I have more questions than answers. I don’t know if I am ready to embrace this inquiry,” said Williams.

She wants the inquiry to look at policing and police accountability because she believes racism and indifference to Indigenous women by some officers has made it difficult to get anybody to take the search for missing family members seriously. She says she too was left to walk alone along a highway when she was 17 years old, stranded after being dismissed by 911 when she called for help.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs said the framework for the inquiry is flawed, and needs more funding or protections in writing that ensure recommendations will be acted on, instead of ignored.

He wants the inquiry’s scope to include a hard look at the issues of racism and sexism in the RCMP, saying racist attitudes on police forces have contributed to Indigenous deaths for decades.

“This is about accountability. Full stop. We need to ensure we do not blow this opportunity,” said Phillip.

“The issue …is an indelible black mark on the human rights record of Canada. We are not sitting here cheerleading.” (Source: CBC News)

 

Friday January 15, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday January 15, 2016

Ex-dragon Kevin O’Leary mulls Conservative leadership bid

Donald Trump is not the only celebrity businessman with his eye on high political office.

Kevin O’Leary, the chairman of O’Leary Funds, probably best known to Canadians as a former investor panelist on the CBC show Dragon’s Den, said he is considering running for the federal Conservative leadership.

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday, December 2, 2015 Ontario to lose equalization payments as Alberta's economic fortunes fall Ontario will shed its status as a poor cousin of Confederation in the coming years, not because its economic fortunes are rebounding, but because resource-rich Alberta is falling on hard times. The federal government is expected to announce how much each province will receive in the fiscal year 2016-17 from transfer payment programs, which include equalization, before Finance Minister Bill Morneau meets with his provincial and territorial colleagues in Ottawa on Sunday evening. The equalization program redistributes national income to help poorer provinces provide services comparable to those of their richer counterparts. But equalization experts say the formula for calculating the payments is slow to respond to changes, including volatile commodity prices, which will leave Alberta carrying a disproportionate burden when the numbers are announced this weekend. Ontario began receiving equalization for the first time in 2009, a dramatic reversal of fortune for the countryÕs one-time economic powerhouse. It is now set to reclaim its status as a ÒhaveÓ province because the disparity between its economy and that of Alberta is shrinking. ÒWhat weÕre talking about here is the bad way of coming out of equalization,Ó economist Don Drummond said. The Ògood wayÓ to come out of the program, he said, is for a provinceÕs economy to rebound so that growth in its revenues offsets a loss of equalization payments. Because the equalization funding is based on a three-year national average of gross domestic product, next yearÕs calculation will still include times when oil prices were high and Alberta was booming. This means Ontario will not get Òkicked outÓ of the program for another two or three years, Mr. Drummond said. Alberta pulled up the overall standard of living in Canada when the countryÕs wealth was sh

“I thought at some point, someone is going to say to me, if you can be such a critic, why don’t you do better? Why don’t you try it? I thought to myself, hmmm, maybe I should,” O’Leary told CBC News.

That criticism made headlines earlier this week when O’Leary said he would invest $1 million in Canadian oil industries on the condition NDP Alberta Premier Rachel Notley resign.

The Conservative Party of Canada is expected to hold its leadership convention to find a successor to former prime minister Stephen Harper sometime in 2017.

Rona Ambrose is currently interim party leader.

Wednesday December 9, 2015O’Leary, who did not immediately respond to an interview request with the Star Thursday morning, also told CBC News that he was inspired by the campaign of Trump, who is currently leading the pack of those running for the U.S. Republican presidential nomination.

“I know Trump. I know his family. I’ve watched him work. I think he’s smart as a fox,” said O’Leary, who is currently an investor on the ABC reality television show Shark Tank, where he is known for his brash personality and often harsh advice.

O’Leary has named the economy as the main focus of his potential leadership bid so far, saying the primary test for the success of any politician — at the municipal, provincial or federal level — should be whether or not they have created any jobs.

“Did what that person, man or woman, say create one incremental job in Canada? Yes or no?” O’Leary said during a Thursday morning interview with John Moore on Newstalk 1010.
On that front, O’Leary said, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has failed.

“Our prime minister, in his first 60 days on the job, left the country, committed $4.2 billion around the world and didn’t create one incremental job for a Canadian. I call that a fail. I think I can do better,” O’Leary said. (Source: Toronto Star)

Published in the Winnipeg Free Press, January 18, 2016

Published in the Winnipeg Free Press, January 18, 2016

 

Monday September 14, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Monday September 14, 2015 Trudeau enlists ChretienÕs support to attack Mulcair during Hamilton rally Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has enlisted the support of former prime minister Jean ChrŽtien to accuse the NDP of wanting to make it easier to break up the country. Trudeau told a rally Sunday in Hamilton that NDP Leader Tom Mulcair would put the possibility of Quebec separation back on the table. Standing alongside ChrŽtien, Trudeau said Mulcair would repeal the Clarity Act, which says any referendum requires a clear majority for separation. Trudeau said Mulcair believes a single vote Ñ 50 per cent plus one Ñ should decide whether Canada remains united, accusing the NDP leader of playing politics for the sake of gaining a few separatist votes. Mulcair has dismissed such criticism, saying he has fought for a united Canada his whole life but that the Clarity Act doesn't spell out what constitutes a majority. "I'll let Justin Trudeau continue with his golden oldies tour and bring out Jean ChrŽtien today and start talking about the quarrels of the past," Mulcair said earlier Sunday after making a senior health-care announcement in Vancouver. "We are talking about solving the problems for the future." (Source: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5840348-trudeau-enlists-chretien-s-support-to-attack-mulcair-during-hamilton-rally/ Hamilton, Jean Chretien, Justin Trudeau, Liberal, #elxn42, relic, fossil, shadow, history, Canada, election, campaign

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday September 14, 2015

Trudeau enlists Chretien’s support to attack Mulcair during Hamilton rally

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has enlisted the support of former prime minister Jean Chrétien to accuse the NDP of wanting to make it easier to break up the country.

Neil Young / Gordon Lightfoot – 2013

Trudeau told a rally Sunday in Hamilton that NDP Leader Tom Mulcair would put the possibility of Quebec separation back on the table.

Standing alongside Chrétien, Trudeau said Mulcair would repeal the Clarity Act, which says any referendum requires a clear majority for separation.

Ed Schreyer – 2005

Trudeau said Mulcair believes a single vote — 50 per cent plus one — should decide whether Canada remains united, accusing the NDP leader of playing politics for the sake of gaining a few separatist votes.

Mulcair has dismissed such criticism, saying he has fought for a united Canada his whole life but that the Clarity Act doesn’t spell out what constitutes a majority.

John Munro - 2000

John Munro – 2000

“I’ll let Justin Trudeau continue with his golden oldies tour and bring out Jean Chrétien today and start talking about the quarrels of the past,” Mulcair said earlier Sunday after making a senior health-care announcement in Vancouver.

“We are talking about solving the problems for the future.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)