ship – mackaycartoons

Wednesday July 24, 2024

July 24, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 24, 2024

This editorial cartoon also has an animated version!

Biden Steps Aside, Trudeau Stays Put

November 9, 2023

In a dramatic shift in U.S. presidential politics, Joe Biden has announced he will not seek re-election, citing the best interests of his party and his country. This decision comes amid escalating pressures and a palpable hunger for change among American voters. North of the border, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces a similar call for renewal but remains steadfast in his position, opting instead for a two-week vacation. The contrast between these two leaders couldn’t be starker, and it raises pressing questions about leadership, responsibility, and the dire need for change in Canada.

Joe Biden’s decision to step aside is a significant moment in U.S. politics. As reported by CTVNews, Biden emphasized his dedication to serving the country for the remainder of his term, acknowledging that his stepping down would better serve the Democratic Party’s chances in the upcoming election. His tenure has been marked by attempts to restore confidence in American leadership, address economic inequality, and tackle the climate crisis.

Opinion: Both leaders, facing waning support, are ignoring voters’ hunger for change

Septemebr 30, 2023

Yet, despite his efforts, there is a widespread feeling of disillusionment among voters, as Melissa J. Gismondi noted in her piece for The Walrus. Voters are desperate for real, substantial change to address the myriad crises we face today. Biden’s age and the perception of his administration as an extension of a bygone political era contributed to this sentiment, ultimately leading to his decision to prioritize the greater good over personal ambition.

In stark contrast, Justin Trudeau’s reaction to Biden’s announcement, as detailed by The Toronto Star and CTVNews, reveals a leader who praises his counterpart for making a difficult but necessary decision while ignoring similar calls within his own country. Trudeau lauded Biden as a “true friend” and a “partner to Canadians,” yet he remains indifferent to the growing dissatisfaction and demand for change among Canadian voters.

Melissa Gismondi’s critique of Trudeau echoes the frustrations of many Canadians. Trudeau, like Biden, has presided over significant crises—housing affordability, climate change, misinformation, and economic instability. However, unlike Biden, Trudeau shows no signs of stepping aside or acknowledging the deep discontent simmering across the nation. His decision to take a vacation at a time when the country faces mounting challenges underscores a disconnect with the realities faced by everyday Canadians.

News: Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won’t run for re-election

March 24, 2023

The irony is glaring. While Trudeau commends Biden for his selfless act, he continues to cling to power, potentially to the detriment of his own party and country. This reluctance to embrace change is particularly alarming given the Conservative Party’s rising popularity and the imminent threat they pose to the Liberal stronghold. The recent by-election loss in Toronto-St. Paul’s, a traditionally safe Liberal riding, is a stark indicator of the shifting political landscape.

Gismondi’s piece foresees big changes on the horizon, driven by a public desperate for new leadership and fresh solutions. As Trudeau embarks on his two-week vacation, it seems he is either unaware of or indifferent to the brewing storm. Canadians are facing a critical juncture, much like their southern neighbours, and the demand for substantive change is only growing louder.

What Trudeau and Biden both seem to overlook, as Gismondi points out, is that we are living in a historic moment marked by unprecedented challenges. The old ways of governance are no longer sufficient. There is an urgent need for leaders who can not only recognize the gravity of our current crises but also take bold, decisive action to address them.

Opinion: Does Joe Biden’s departure change things for ‘Team Canada’? Justin Trudeau has a plan, and he’s standing his ground

August 27, 2021

Biden’s departure, though belated, is a step in the right direction, opening the door for new leadership that might better meet the moment. Trudeau, on the other hand, appears content to maintain the status quo, risking further alienation of a populace clamouring for change. The upcoming months will be crucial for Canada as it navigates this period of political turbulence.

As we witness Biden stepping aside for the greater good, it is imperative for Trudeau to reflect on his own leadership and the legacy he wishes to leave behind. Clinging to power in the face of widespread discontent is not a sign of strength but of denial. Canada needs a leader who can rise to the occasion, acknowledge the urgent need for change, and take the necessary steps to guide the country through these turbulent times.

Paul Wells: The Longer He’s Prime Minister, makes a compelling argument that while very tempting, comparisons between Trudeau and Biden in regard to their respective unpopular situations aren’t really that comparable.

Big change is indeed coming, and this midsummer calm may very well be the prelude to a transformative political storm. It is time for Trudeau to either adapt to the changing tides or make way for a new leader who can steer Canada towards a more promising future. (AI)

Saturday March 27, 2021

April 3, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 27, 2021

Week in Review: Stuck things

Crews are working to clear a traffic jam at Egypt’s Suez Canal, the world’s busiest trade route, after the massive container ship “Ever Given” ran aground. Global News explains what this could mean for oil prices.

March 23, 2021

Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is sticking with his long-standing view that a federal carbon price is not the way to tackle the growing threat of climate change across the country, following a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada authorizing its constitutionality.

In an interview on CTV News Channel’s Power Play on Thursday, O’Toole said his approach would focus instead on partnering with provinces and bolstering the economy to get emissions down, though he didn’t provide exact details about how doing so would achieve his stated goal.

“The court said what we all know — that climate change is real and it’s important for us to have a serious approach,” he said.

May 14, 2019

“I want to have a plan that Canada can meet its targets. I’ve also said I’d like to see a net-zero approach plan, a made-in-Canada net-zero approach plan over the longer term, which is the 2050 timeline, but to do it without taxing people. As I said the carbon tax impacts our competitiveness and it hurts people in the margins the most. I think it’s backwards to be honest.”

In a 6-3 decision, the top court decided on Thursday that a price on pollution is entirely constitutional and that Ottawa has a right to set minimum pricing standards for greenhouse gas emissions in the provinces.

May 27, 2017

“The undisputed existence of a threat to the future of humanity cannot be ignored,” wrote Chief Justice Richard Wagner.

The case brings a legal end to a years-long battle between Ottawa and many provinces over the carbon price, and prompted Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to start looking at a homegrown carbon-pricing mechanism and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to nudge open the door to doing so too.

Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta challenged the Liberal government’s 2018 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act in court, arguing it was a federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction over everything from taxes and the environment to natural-resource development.

O’Toole said his party would target large emitters of greenhouse gas emissions and respect the individual carbon reducing frameworks already in place in some provinces.

During the party’s policy convention over the weekend, delegates notably voted against a resolution that would have included the line “climate change is real” in the party’s official policy document.

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the Supreme Court’s decision on carbon pricing is a “good day for Canada.”

“Read the academic literature, go talk to an economist. They will tell you it’s the most efficient and effective way to reduce emissions and to incentivize innovation,” he told Power Play. (CTV)

“That cargo ship wedged in the Suez Canal may be a disaster for international trade, but it’s been a boon for political cartoonists. And it being an international incident, lots of people get to chip in, like Canadian Graeme Mackay, who likens it to the Conservative Party’s environmental stance”

Thursday February 4, 2021

February 11, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 4, 2021

Republicans Pledge Undying Loyalty to Trump Three Weeks After His Failed Coup

January 20, 2021

In the wake of the deadly attack on Capitol Hill incited by former president Donald Trump, a few top Republicans read the room and decided it wouldn’t be a great look to condone violence or the instigator of said violence. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy proclaimed. Speaking on the Senate floor, Lindsey Graham told his colleagues, “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey,” but “all I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.” Now, in a turn of events that should shock exactly no one, they’ve gone from “Trump did something really bad and we’re done with him” to “Hey, big guy, my flight lands at 11 a.m., hope to be by your place before noon! Can’t wait, missed you tons! You want me to pick up anything on my way? Bottle of Diet Coke? Dessert? I know how you love those Little Debbie snack cakes.”

Yes, three weeks after the 45th president of the United States incited an insurrection against the U.S. government, one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress who could, if he wanted to, decide to consign Trump to the scrap heap of political history is…meeting with him at his private club. Probably over lunch. A date for which they had to fly 1,000 miles in the middle of a pandemic. (Continued: Vanity Fair)

Wednesday October 21, 2020

October 21, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday October 21, 2020

As second wave of coronavirus hits, get your flu shot, health officials advise

Some local pharmacies got flu vaccines for seniors and those with compromised immune systems last week and expect a full shipment of the seasonal shot later this week.

September 10, 2020

London pharmacists that CBC News spoke to Tuesday said many people were already inquiring about getting their flu shot as case numbers of COVID-19 continue to soar provincially and health authorities warn of a “twin-demic” that could overwhelm the health care system.

“Even if you haven’t ever gotten your flu shot, even if you haven’t gotten it in the last 10 years, this is the year to do it,” said pharmacist Nauman Shaikh, who owns the MedPoint Care pharmacy in CitiPlaza.

The province is rolling out what it’s calling the largest flu vaccine campaign in Ontario history, with more than 5 million flu vaccine doses ordered, 700,000 more than last year, officials said.

“This includes 1.3 million high-dose vaccine doses for Ontario seniors, especially those with pre-existing health conditions,” the province said.

April 11, 2019

Many of those were shipped to pharmacies last week. Shaikh got 40 doses on Tuesday and they were gone by Thursday.

And although people are calling pharmacies and asking for the flu shot, Shaikh said most pharmacies will get theirs on Thursday and Friday.

“I think there will be enough dosages for everyone, so don’t panic. There will be enough,” he said.

Some pharmacies are asking customers to make appointments for flu shots, because maintaining distance between walk-in customers can be tricky.

Shaikh will be wearing full personal protective gear when he gives the vaccine, and his pharmacy is using an extra room to ensure there is a lot of space.

The province said it is prioritizing early distribution of the flu vaccine for vulnerable populations in long-term care homes, hospitals and retirement homes, and has spent an additional $26.5 million to purchase extra flu vaccine doses if required and made available through the national vaccine bulk procurement program.

Ontario is also launching a public education campaign to encourage getting the flu shot. (CBC)

Wednesday November 6, 2019

November 13, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 6, 2019

Elizabeth May calls it quits. Could the Greens do better with someone else?

Over the last decade, Elizabeth May became one of the strongest and most widely known personalities in Canadian politics. Under her leadership, the Green Party of Canada achieved the best results in its 35-year history.

October 14, 2015

Also under May, the Greens peaked at less than seven per cent of the popular vote and three seats in a 338-member House of Commons.

This is where the challenge lies in assessing May’s leadership and legacy.

By any measure, she’s the most successful leader in her party’s history. But that success was limited. And it’s fair to ask whether she and her party should have accomplished much more, particularly in the recent general election.

To May’s credit, her share of the political oxygen around Parliament Hill consistently exceeded her party’s share of popular support.

April 18, 2007

She convinced Stéphane Dion to not run a Liberal candidate against her in 2008 — when she chose to pursue a long-shot campaign against Peter MacKay in the Nova Scotia riding of Central Nova — and then talked her way into the televised leaders debates despite the fact that her party had never won a seat.

After she was elected in 2011 — defeating a Conservative incumbent in Saanich-Gulf Islands in British Columbia — she became a prominent voice calling not only for action on climate change but also for better decorum in the House of Commons and more respect for the sovereign power of Parliament. She was a constant presence in the House and a regular guest at parliamentary committees, where she would turn up bearing amendments she wished to propose.

She took advantage of every opportunity afforded her as a member of Parliament, all while making her case that the institution, its members and political parties needed to change. The Greens, she vowed, would be different — if they could ever elect enough MPs to form a proper caucus.

September 29, 2008

In 2008, her first election as leader, the Greens received 6.8 per cent of the vote, a two-point jump over the previous election result; the party still failed to elect an MP. Three years later, the Greens focused their efforts on getting May into the House. They succeeded, but the party’s national support slipped to 3.9 per cent. In 2015, its share of the popular vote fell again, to 3.5 per cent.

The Greens elected their second MP in May when Paul Manly won a by-election in British Columbia. He and May were then joined in October by Jenica Atwin, who pulled off a surprise victory in Fredericton.

Three MPs is three more than the Greens had before Elizabeth May became leader. But three MPs is also a smaller number of victories than the Greens seemed capable of winning at the outset of this fall’s campaign.

September 18, 2019

In early September, the Greens were polling at 11 per cent and seemed to have a shot at overtaking the New Democrats for third place. The NDP was weaker than it had been in 15 years, and the issue of climate change — the Green Party’s raison d’être — was more salient than it had ever been. It was possible to imagine the Greens winning a dozen or more seats.

In announcing her departure on Monday, May boasted that the Greens received more than a million votes in this year’s election. But the party’s share of the popular vote — 6.5 per cent — was still below the 2008 mark.

She also celebrated the fact that the party had “doubled” its vote in Quebec — which sounds more impressive if you don’t know that means the party went from 2.3 per cent in Quebec in 2015 to 4.5 per cent this fall. (CBC News)