“Silver Reflection” – mackaycartoons

Tuesday November 26, 2024

November 26, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

November 17, 2016

Fleeing America, destination Canada

Originally published November 18, 2016

To this day, I have yet to meet a single American who fled their homeland because Donald Trump became its President. Back in 2016, when Trump first won, I drew a cartoon poking fun at all the talk about Democrats packing their bags for Canada. It showed the belongings of undocumented migrants left behind at the southern border and, in the north, a similar scattering of items left by Democrats supposedly fleeing Trump’s America. The joke, of course, was that while lots of people said they were going to leave, very few actually followed through. Turns out, crossing a border is easier said than done.

February 6, 2024

Fast forward to 2024, and here we are again. Trump 2.0 is in full swing, and the same old chorus is back: “I’m moving to Canada!” Real estate websites are seeing spikes in searches from U.S. visitors. Immigration websites are getting hammered with traffic. On paper, it all sounds like history repeating itself. But just like in 2016, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for a mass exodus of anti-Trump Americans to actually materialize.

It’s not that people don’t want to go. For some, Canada is like this magical escape hatch—a land of universal healthcare, politeness, and hockey. But the reality? It’s not so simple. Immigration takes time, money, and mountains of paperwork. And with Canada’s foreign buyers’ ban still in place, Americans can’t just waltz in and buy a house in Calgary or Vancouver. Even renting isn’t straightforward when you need a visa to stick around longer than a tourist.

What feels different this time around, though, is what’s happening at the other border. Trump’s pledge to ramp up mass deportations has thrown undocumented migrants into crisis. While some Americans dream of leaving for political reasons, many undocumented people are staring down the possibility of being forcibly removed from their homes. For them, Canada isn’t a fantasy escape; it’s a potential lifeline. If even a fraction of Trump’s deportation plans become reality, the pressure on Canada’s border could get very real, very fast.

January 19, 2024

The contrasts are striking. One group is toying with the idea of moving north because they’re unhappy with who’s in charge. The other might be forced to move—or try to—just to survive. But both groups face the same hurdles: Canada’s immigration system isn’t built to handle a surge like this, whether it’s disillusioned Democrats or desperate asylum seekers.

In the end, the real story isn’t about who’s leaving or staying. It’s about what drives people to even think about leaving the place they call home—whether it’s political disillusionment, fear, or sheer survival. For all the noise about migration, the belongings at the border, both literal and metaphorical, remind us that the decision to leave is never simple. – Graeme MacKay

Tuesday April 24, 2018

April 23, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday April 24, 2018

‘We need to rethink the entire plastics industry’: Why banning plastic straws isn’t enough

Britain announced this week that it plans to ban the sale of single-use plastic straws, as support for similar bans grows in Canada and around the world.

March 6, 2015

Advocates say such straw bans should help reduce plastic pollution that harms wildlife and ecosystems, but we need to monitor the effects of such policies. And they say bans may not be feasible for most of the plastics in our lives, so broader changes to the way we produce, consume and dispose of plastics are needed to make a real difference.

Jennifer Provencher, a postdoctoral researcher at Acadia University who studies the ingestion of plastic pollution by wildlife, said Britain’s ban is “an incredibly important step towards minimizing and using plastics more responsibly.”

She noted that single-use plastic items like straws and stir sticks are generally used only for a few minutes before they’re discarded, but can persist in the environment for centuries because plastics don’t typically decompose within a human lifetime.

Scientists estimate we’ve made 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic since the 1950s and 6.3 billion tonnes have already become waste.

More than 330,000 pieces of plastic and foam waste were picked off 2,800 kilometres of Canada’s shoreline by volunteers during beach cleanup events last year, including 17,654 straws — the ninth most common item found during cleanups supported by Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada. Worldwide, 409,087 straws and stirrers were picked up in beach cleanups around the world in 2017, the Ocean Conservancy reports.

Because of their small size, disposable straws are rarely recycled and often end up in the environment.

There, they can cause serious injuries to animals, as shown in a 2015 video that shows a straw being pulled out of a sea turtle’s nostril — the graphic, viral video has been viewed more than 21 million times. (Source: CBC)

A look back from February 9, 2025

Trump’s Environmental Rollback and the Plastic Straw Debate

Donald Trump is wielding a metaphorical chainsaw against critical oversight mechanisms meant to protect both citizens and the environment. His aggressive dismantling of federal agencies, mass firings within the U.S. civil service, and targeting of programs that support the world’s most vulnerable populations reveal a cavalier approach to governance. These actions not only undermine the fabric of national institutions but also jeopardize efforts to safeguard the planet for future generations.

News: Trump Vows to Keep the Government on Plastic Straws

As a prominent climate crisis denier, Trump has exhibited a blatant disregard for scientific evidence that highlights the urgent need to address our warming planet. His anti-intellectual stance, which dismisses science as fiction, has effectively stifled innovation for a greener future. By gaslighting millions into adopting his science-denying mindset, Trump has set back environmental progress in favour of short-term political gains.

His recent announcement to sign an executive order reversing the push for paper straws in exchange for old plastic ones exemplifies his regressive environmental policies. By criticizing paper straws as ineffective, Trump trivializes serious efforts to reduce single-use plastics, potentially dragging us back to an era of unchecked pollution and environmental degradation.

The broader implications of Trump’s policies are starkly highlighted in the 2018 cartoon “This is Your Life in Single Use Plastics,” which depicts plastic waste sharing stories of their long-lasting impact on the environment. This cartoon serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of plastic pollution and the importance of sustainable practices.

News: Scientists brace ‘for the worst’ as Trump purges climate mentions from websites

Trump’s decision to favour plastics over sustainable alternatives not only undermines global efforts to address plastic pollution but also aligns with the interests of the fossil fuel industry, which heavily supported his campaign. This prioritization of industry interests over environmental responsibility raises serious questions about his commitment to safeguarding the planet for future generations.

As the world grapples with the challenges of plastic waste and climate change, Trump’s environmental rollback highlights a stark choice between economic interests and ecological responsibility. By reversing key environmental policies, he risks leaving a legacy of environmental neglect and missed opportunities for meaningful change.

Thursday November 24, 2016

November 23, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 24, 2016

Donald Trump Raises Prospect of Keeping Ties to His Firms

Donald Trump indicated Tuesday he was unlikely to disentangle himself from his business empire as fully as he previously suggested, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest while president.

Mr. Trump and his representatives said during the campaign he would have nothing to do with his businesses if he became president, promising a “total and complete separation.”

But since the election, Mr. Trump has met with foreign business partners and involved daughter Ivanka Trump in such discussions, even though he has said his children will run his companies during the presidency as a way to separate their operations from the White House.

On Tuesday, Mr. Trump told the New York Times that “the law’s totally on my side” and that “the president can’t have a conflict of interest.”

Mr. Trump’s comments came after the Republican contended with other concerns overhanging his transition. Trump University disclosed a $25 million settlement Friday resolve litigation involving allegations of fraud at the defunct organization. And Mr. Trump’s charitable foundation said in a tax filing that it had engaged in self-dealing 2015 and prior years that resulted from payments to “disqualified persons,” or foundation insiders.

The president and vice president are exempt from laws that make it a crime for all others working for the executive branch to use their public office for their own enrichment. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

An Update – November 25, 2024

As editorial cartoonists, we often strive to capture the essence of political moments with a blend of critique and timeless imagery. But what’s dawning on us as we move deeper into the Trump 2.0 era is a disconcerting sense of déjà vu. Many themes from his first presidency, including those from his 2016 transition, are re-emerging with eerie similarities. It’s as if we’re caught in a political “Groundhog Day,” with alarming echoes of unresolved ethical questions and conflicts of interest that have once again slipped past the collective memory of the electorate.

Just three weeks ago, voters handed Donald Trump the keys to the White House for a second time. And yet, many of the concerns that dominated discussions in 2016 are just as pressing in 2024—if not more so. What’s most striking is how editorial cartoons from eight years ago could be re-run today without losing an ounce of relevance.

Take, for instance, a cartoon I drew during Trump’s first transition for the November 24, 2016 edition of the Hamilton Spectator. It depicted Trump cruising along a highway in a golden Rolls Royce, its license plate reading “NO CONFLICT.” On one side of the road towered the branded skyscrapers and sprawling Mar-a-Lago estate that represented his business empire. On the other, the marbled government buildings of Washington, D.C. In the cartoon, Trump, seated in his luxurious car, reached out to steer a smaller, less glamorous vehicle emblazoned with the Presidential Seal and carrying a license plate that read “2ND JOB.” I know, as if he’s ever known to drive anything other than a golf cart, but the metaphor was clear: Trump’s private interests were poised to distract and derail his public responsibilities.

The cartoon was inspired by Trump’s refusal to fully disentangle himself from his business empire during his first presidency. Despite promising a “total and complete separation” from his companies, he retained ownership of the Trump Organization, handed day-to-day operations to his sons, and set up a revocable trust that allowed him to benefit financially. Properties like the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., became flash-points for potential conflicts of interest, as foreign dignitaries and lobbyists patronized his businesses while his administration made policy decisions that could affect them.

November 9 2024

Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves revisiting these same concerns—only now, the stakes seem even higher. Trump is no longer just riding on the political chaos that surrounds him; he’s monetizing it at an unprecedented scale. From $299 “Trump Landslide” boots to $69.99 “God Bless the USA” Bibles and $3,645 gold coins bearing his image, Trump has turned his political brand into a profit-making machine.

And just as before, the murkiness of Trump’s business dealings raises serious ethical questions. Licensing agreements made through entities like CIC Digital LLC and CIC Ventures LLC are black boxes (source: ABC News,) shielding the identities of his business partners and the profits he stands to gain. High-ticket items, like $100,000 Trump watches, open avenues for individuals—possibly even foreign actors—to curry favour through purchases that directly line Trump’s pockets.

The parallels are striking, but the scale is even more alarming. While voters and watchdogs scrutinized Trump’s business ties in 2016, the distractions of Trump’s chaotic presidency allowed him to sidestep deeper accountability. Now, with the chaotic noise turned up and billionaires like Elon Musk entering his orbit, the focus is likely to shift away from these ethical dilemmas yet again.

With a decisive decision handing over the Presidency to Trump yet again, voters have given a collective middle to the critics. Trump’s enrichment mixing his business with politics will go on because – who cares?

Trump’s ability to bend the rules—or ignore them entirely—has not only persisted but expanded, setting a new low for the expectations we have of presidential ethics.

Friday November 18, 2016

November 17, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 18, 2016

Will disillusioned U.S. voters really move to Canada?

The election of Donald Trump has some Americans looking north, perhaps to make a new home in a country removed from Trump’s style of Republicanism. Many said jokingly if Trump were elected, they would move to Canada. For some, it’s no longer a joke. But moving north might not be so easy.

“You’ll never be my president, because I’m moving to Canada!,” shouted one protester, strongly opposed to a Trump presidency.

The declaration was born in anger and frustration, but also reflects what many Americans have been soberly contemplating.

On election night in the United States, an unusual occurrence took place with the computer systems of the Canada Immigration and Citizenshipdepartment. They crashed, more than once, and remained offline for hours. Canadian officials confirm that it was because of a spike in the amount of web traffic, most of it coming from the U.S.

But while the interest is acute, immigration lawyers like Lee Cohen warn that getting into Canada isn’t as easy as packing up and heading north.

“Immigrating to Canada is a complex, paper-intensive, time-consuming process with a little bit of expense attached to it,” Cohen said.

Canada normally accepts only 6,000 American immigrants a year. Officials are expecting many times that number in the wake of the election.

As for coming to Toronto, most Americans will be deterred when they find out the cost of housing in one of Canada’s hottest real estate markets. (Source: NPR)

* Update *

Tuesday November 26, 2024

Déjà Vu at the Border: Reflecting on the Political Migration Debate of 2016 and 2024

In November 2016, the surprise election of Donald Trump to the presidency unleashed a wave of political and emotional upheaval in the United States. Among the many reactions was the widespread declaration by disillusioned Americans, particularly Democrats, that they would move to Canada. This sentiment, often expressed in jest but rooted in genuine frustration, inspired an editorial cartoon I drew for The Hamilton Spectator. In it, the belongings of undocumented migrants were strewn along the U.S.-Mexico border, while the northern border depicted a similar scene, this time with possessions left behind by Democrats fleeing to Canada. The cartoon captured the moment’s dramatic tone, while poking at the often hollow nature of such political pledges.

Now, in 2024, as Donald Trump begins his second term, the echoes of 2016 are unmistakable. Once again, Americans upset with the election’s outcome are toying with the idea of crossing the northern border. Real estate and immigration websites are reporting familiar spikes in U.S.-based traffic, reflecting renewed curiosity about life in Canada. Yet, as in 2016, much of this noise seems more symbolic than actionable. The logistical challenges of moving to Canada remain daunting, and most of those exploring the option will likely remain within the U.S., discontented but rooted.

News: Politics of a move: Interest in moving to Canada grows with U.S. election

November 12, 2024

What distinguishes 2024 from 2016, however, is the heightened drama at the borders. Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations has reignited fears among undocumented migrants, many of whom may see Canada as a potential safe haven. Unlike the political dissenters contemplating migration for ideological reasons, these individuals face an existential crisis, driven not by the outcome of an election but by the threat of removal from the only home many of them have ever known. For Canada, this creates a dual challenge: addressing the symbolic rush of Americans expressing political dissatisfaction and preparing for a potentially real influx of migrants fleeing deportation.

The layers of complexity in 2024 also underscore how much has remained unchanged since 2016. Then, as now, Canada continues to be perceived by Americans as a natural alternative—a country that feels both familiar and distinctly different. But the barriers to entry, from strict immigration laws to the foreign buyers’ ban on real estate, are substantial. The Calgary Herald’s recent report about these restrictions offers a dose of reality to those idealizing a new life north of the border. For undocumented migrants, the hurdles are even steeper, raising questions about how Canada can balance its welcoming image with the practical limitations of its immigration system.

Opinion: Democrats think they can escape Trump with a move to Canada. Think again

Reflecting on the cartoon from eight years ago, its core themes remain strikingly relevant. The belongings left behind at both borders still serve as symbols of hope and desperation, albeit for different reasons. The migrants at the southern border face displacement and uncertainty as they navigate the fallout of U.S. immigration policies, while many Democrats at the northern border remain, ultimately, in their homeland—venting their frustration but finding that escape isn’t as simple as it sounds.

If the reaction to Trump’s re-election tells us anything, it’s that the idea of leaving is as much about expressing dissatisfaction as it is about pursuing a better life. In both 2016 and 2024, the northern border has acted as a mirror, reflecting American political tensions rather than solving them. For all the noise about migration, most Americans will stay put, grappling with the divisions in their country, while Canada braces for the challenges—both imagined and real—that spill across its borders. The cartoon’s juxtaposition of belongings scattered on both sides of the border still resonates, reminding us that the stories behind those items are more complex than they first appear.

Thursday November 10, 2016

November 9, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 10, 2016

Trudeau pledges to work with president-elect Trump

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has congratulated Donald Trump on his stunning upset election win and is pledging to work with the president-elect, saying the two nations have a common goal in the success of their citizens.

In his first comments Tuesday’s U.S. election, upset, Trudeau looked past the months of divisive debate south of the border and stressed what the two countries have in common.

“The relationship between Canada and the United States is based on shared values and shared hopes and dreams and we will always work well together,” the prime minister said in Ottawa.

June 29, 2016

“We are strong because we listen to each other and we respect each other,” he told students gathered at a We Day event.

“I’m going to work with president-elect Trump’s administration as we move forward in a positive way for not just Canadians and Americans but the whole world,” he said.

It was a theme that was also reflected in Trudeau’s official statement on the election and his comments on social media Wednesday as Ottawa awoke to a new and surprising reality in America.

In a statement, the prime minister said that his government looks forward to working with the U.S. on issues such as trade, investment, and international peace and security.

“The relationship between our two countries serves as a model for the world. Our shared values, deep cultural ties, and strong integrated economies will continue to provide the basis for advancing our strong and prosperous partnership,” Trudeau said in his statement. (Source: Toronto Star)

An Update – November 27, 2024

November 12, 2016

When Donald Trump first became president in 2016, Canada found itself in an awkward spot. Justin Trudeau’s reaction was about as polite as you’d expect—lots of talk about shared values, working together, and keeping the relationship strong. Meanwhile, the rest of us watched nervously, wondering what Trump’s “America First” meant for Canada. At the time, I drew a cartoon that pretty much summed it up: Trump as a blazing sun, Trudeau melting under the heat, holding a beaver, with a bunch of dynamite and gas tanks around them labeled NAFTA, NATO, and the Paris Climate Accord. The punchline? Trump smirking and asking, “Aren’t you the one big on ‘Sunny Ways?’”

Fast forward to 2024, and here we are again. Trump’s back in the White House, and Trudeau’s still hanging on as Prime Minister. The same tensions from 2016 are back, and honestly, they feel even more intense now. Last time, there was a bit of a learning curve—no one quite knew what a Trump presidency would look like. Now we know, and it’s not exactly comforting.

Back then, Canada had to scramble to renegotiate NAFTA under Trump’s intense pressure, which ended up with us getting the USMCA—a deal that kept trade going but came with a few bruises. Trump pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord while Trudeau leaned hard into climate commitments, putting us on very different paths. And every time Trump talked about NATO or trade tariffs, you could almost feel Canada holding its breath.

Sound familiar? It should, because it’s all happening again. Trump’s second term is shaping up to bring more tariffs, more trade drama, and the same “America First” vibes. On the climate front, Trudeau’s government is trying to go full steam ahead on green policies, but Trump’s likely to double down on fossil fuels and shrug off global climate goals. And don’t even get me started on NATO—it’s probably only a matter of time before Trump starts questioning why the U.S. should bother at all.

The big difference this time is how much more divided everything feels. In 2016, there was at least a sense that the global order could hold up under the weight of Trump’s unpredictability. Now? The world feels shakier, and Canada’s position feels more vulnerable. Trudeau’s also been in power a long time, and whether or not he’s got the energy to take on another four years of Trump-style curveballs is a big question.

November 22, 2024

The other big curve ball is the reality that we are in all likelihood watching the end days of Justin Trudeau’s political career. How the relationship goes with a new captain at the helm in Pierre Poilievre is a huge unknown.

In 2016, Canadians were blindsided by Trump. In 2024, we know what’s coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier. The sunny ways Trudeau used to talk about seem like a distant memory, but if Canada got through the first round, maybe we can do it again. At the very least, we’ve had some practice melting under the heat.