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Thursday March 27, 2025

March 27, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 27, 2025

Jagmeet Singh’s Leadership and the Fight for Relevance

February 29, 2024

As the 2025 federal election approaches, the New Democratic Party (NDP) finds itself at a critical juncture, reminiscent of its influential role in the 1960s under Lester Pearson’s government. Back then, the NDP, originally the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), championed transformative policies like universal healthcare and the Canada Pension Plan, leaving an indelible mark on Canada’s social fabric. Fast forward to today, the NDP under Jagmeet Singh has played a pivotal role in supporting the Liberal government, contributing to significant policy achievements such as expanded dental care, pharmacare, and child care. Yet, unlike the past, these legislative victories have not translated into increased voter support, leaving the party teetering on the edge of irrelevance.

October 17, 2023

Jagmeet Singh, a charismatic and seasoned leader, has steered the NDP through turbulent political waters since 2017. His staunch advocacy for ordinary Canadians, backed by endorsements from major unions, underscores his dedication to progressive values. However, Singh’s alignment with the Liberal government, while strategic, has blurred the NDP’s distinct identity. In the eyes of many voters, the party’s role as a key influencer has been overshadowed by the Liberals’ spotlight, leading to a perception that the NDP is merely a supporting player in a broader political drama.

News: Singh says NDP faces ‘massive challenges’ as voters look to Liberals, Conservatives to battle Trump

March 23, 2022

The current political climate, dominated by concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and sovereignty threats, has shifted voter priorities. Canadians are looking for strong leaders who can navigate these international challenges, resulting in a two-way race between the Liberals and Conservatives. Singh’s commitment to social justice and economic equality, though unwavering, must now contend with the reality of strategic voting and a media landscape that often sidelines smaller parties.

Critics argue that Singh’s leadership, marked by broken promises and perceived ineffectiveness, has led the NDP down a path of diminishing returns. Former leader Thomas Mulcair’s comments, suggesting that the NDP is an afterthought in this high-stakes election, echo a broader sentiment of skepticism. The party’s polling numbers, hovering near single digits, paint a grim picture of its electoral prospects and raise questions about its future viability.

News: Behind in the polls, NDP’s Singh says he’s not going to back down

October 23, 2019

Singh’s challenge is to reinvigorate the NDP’s narrative and demonstrate its relevance in today’s complex political arena. He must effectively communicate how the party’s policies address the pressing issues facing Canadians, from affordability to labor rights, while distinguishing the NDP from its Liberal counterparts. This task is crucial not only for the party’s survival but also for Singh’s leadership, which hangs in the balance as election day looms.

November 7, 2019

As the NDP stands at this crossroads, it must draw on its legacy of progressive change, including its past contributions to the Canada Pension Plan, and adapt to the evolving needs of its constituents. Whether Jagmeet Singh can lead this charge and secure a meaningful place for the NDP in Canada’s political future remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that without a compelling vision and renewed voter engagement, the NDP risks fading into irrelevance, leaving Singh’s leadership in jeopardy after April 28.

Conjoined leaders part and present

As we caravan through the current political landscape, it’s clear that both the NDP and the Conservative Party face significant challenges in addressing the pressing issues of our time, rendering them unelectable in the eyes of many. Despite the NDP’s role in influencing policy during the Trudeau years, historical patterns reveal a persistent struggle to convert this influence into electoral success. The party’s adherence to outdated pacifist views from the 1970s, especially at a time when rapid military reinforcement is crucial, leaves much to be desired.

On the other hand, the Conservative Party’s reluctance to fully embrace climate change initiatives and uphold Canada’s commitments to the Paris Accord is equally concerning. As a huge nation with vast natural resources and significant international responsibilities, Canada cannot afford to lag in either environmental stewardship or national security.

The inability of these major parties to adapt to the evolving realities of national and global priorities highlights a need for fresh voices and innovative ideas in the political arena. This situation presents an opportunity for emerging parties or independent candidates willing to address these gaps with pragmatic solutions. It also calls on voters and advocates to push for transformative changes within existing party structures, demanding policies that reflect the needs and values of Canadians today.

In the end, true leadership will come from those who can effectively balance the demands of security, environmental responsibility, and international collaboration, showing a readiness to lead Canada into a sustainable and secure future.

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Thursday October 17, 2024

October 17, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday October 17, 2024

Link to the animated clip.

A Trump Tariff Surge Would Be Devastating for Canada

June 1, 2018

With Americans heading to the polls in under three weeks, the possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House has Canadians justifiably on edge. His record on tariffs, coupled with renewed threats of sweeping trade barriers, points to an economic catastrophe waiting to unfold for Canada. Trump’s love affair with tariffs—declaring it his “favourite word” and promising levies of up to 20%, with some as high as 200%—signals a dangerous path for Canada’s industries and its broader economic relationship with the U.S.

During Trump’s first term, Canadians felt the impact of his trade policies. Steel and aluminum tariffs imposed under dubious national security pretences strained bilateral relations and cost Canadian exporters dearly. Trump’s obsession with tariffs, despite repeated warnings from economists about inflation and job losses, demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how global trade works.

News: Trump vows to impose tariffs as experts warn of price hikes and angry allies

June 22, 2019

His latest proposals are even more extreme. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has warned that blanket tariffs could spark a global trade war, with Canadian oil, gas, and auto sectors bearing the brunt of the fallout. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce projects a $45 billion hit to Canada’s economy if Trump’s tariff plan materializes—equivalent to a loss of more than $1,100 for every Canadian. Entire industries could be thrown into chaos, with auto exports expected to drop 20% and energy exports shrinking by over 40%

Meanwhile, Trump’s rhetoric dismisses these economic realities, instead clinging to the notion that tariffs will magically bring factories back to U.S. soil. But his record tells a different story. In Springfield, Ohio, factories opened but struggled to find American workers, requiring legal immigrants to fill the gaps. Similarly, higher consumer prices resulted from his tariffs on household goods during his first presidency without spurring the domestic production boom he envisioned.

June 13, 2018

The situation grows even more perilous with the USMCA trade pact—renegotiated by Trump in 2018—up for review in 2026. Trump’s statements suggest he’s gearing up to demand tougher terms, adding more restrictions that could suffocate Canadian industries. Auto manufacturers may continue to pay tariffs to import parts from Mexico rather than adjust to the expensive North American content rules Trump imposed under the USMCA, undermining its intended benefits. Trump’s proposals also show no intention of sparing allies, lumping Canada in with the “enemies” of American industry and threatening tariffs across the board.

If Trump follows through, Canada faces severe challenges. The dairy industry could come under pressure as Trump revisits supply management policies, while Canada’s Digital Services Tax targeting U.S. tech giants may trigger retaliatory action. A reopened USMCA negotiation could unravel key provisions or, worse, lead to its collapse—plunging North American trade into uncertainty and dragging down economies across the continent.

Analysis: Tariffs, trade and tax credits: What the U.S. election could mean for Canada’s economy

November 18, 2021

To be sure, Kamala Harris’s platform isn’t entirely reassuring. Her continuation of Biden’s subsidy-heavy policies would require Canada to compete in funding industries like electric vehicles—a burden Ottawa is struggling to bear. However, Trump’s return would not just pit Canada against the U.S. financially—it could obliterate the framework of cooperation altogether. Trump’s chaotic, unpredictable style, marked by impulsive tariffs and disregard for allies, means Canada would constantly be in damage-control mode, scrambling to react to unilateral decisions that undercut trust and economic stability.

While some Canadians hold out hope that a potential change in Canada’s leadership might soften Trump’s stance, that is a dangerous gamble. His campaign and allies are already preparing policies that could be enforced without congressional oversight, using obscure legal mechanisms like Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. Even if Trump’s actions are eventually struck down in court, the uncertainty and disruption would cause long-term harm to industries on both sides of the border.

News: Canadian support for Donald Trump higher than in last U.S. presidential election, poll finds

February 13, 2024

Ultimately, a second Trump presidency would mark a dangerous regression in North American trade. The promised tariffs would harm Canadian exporters, drive up consumer prices in the U.S., and undermine years of economic cooperation. Canada must prepare for the worst—but it’s in the hands of American voters to avoid this path altogether. A vote for Trump is a vote for higher prices, economic isolation, and shattered alliances, with Canada caught in the crossfire. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Canadians need to brace for the impact—but we also hope our neighbours to the south make the right decision. A tariff war would leave both nations poorer, angrier, and less connected. And Canada, despite its strong economic ties, might not be able to withstand the full brunt of a reckless Trump trade policy this time around.

Thursday May 9, 2019

May 16, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 9, 2019

Canadian immigration system ‘not equipped’ to handle influx of irregular migrants: auditor general

The Canadian immigration system is not flexible enough to handle the influx of irregular migrants that began in early 2017, according to the country’s auditor general.

August 22, 2018

A lack of information sharing and use of outdated technologies by the three federal bodies responsible for processing asylum claims has compounded the problem, leaving those agencies unable to process claims in the required time frames, according to the spring report by the auditor general.

“Overall, we found that Canada’s refugee determination system was not equipped to process claims according to the required timelines,” wrote auditor general Sylvain Ricard in his spring report.

“Since the system was not flexible enough to respond in a timely way to higher claim volumes, the 2017 surge of asylum seekers led to a backlog and increased wait times for refugee protection decisions.”

July 17, 2018

Since early 2017, roughly 40,000 migrants have crossed the border irregularly from the United States into Quebec.

Nearly two-thirds of the asylum claims during that time were postponed because of issues within the control of the government, leading to delays lasting months, which have yet to be resolved.

Much of that backlog comes as the result of a lack of information sharing between the Canada Border Services Agency, Immigration and Refugees Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Board, the auditor general said.

The report also warned that if current funding and procedures continue, wait times for asylum applications could more than double by 2024.

December 7, 2016

That would see applicants wait up to five years for a decision.

The former Conservative government passed legislation in 2010 and 2012 aimed at reducing that backlog by setting mandatory time frame requirements for processing asylum claims that said hearings for most applicants had to be scheduled within 60 days.

But the report found that the influx of irregular migrants “outstripped” the capacity of officials to process them within those time frames and added that, “As a result, at the time of our audit, the system faced a backlog of unresolved claims that was worse than in 2012, when the system was last reformed.” (Source: Global)

Thursday June 23, 2016

June 23, 2016 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 23, 2016

Wynne hits new ratings low, poll finds

It’s tough to find a politician more unpopular than Kathleen Wynne.

Donald Trump?

Maybe here in Ontario, but not in his own backyard.

Hillary Clinton?

Like Trump, the Democratic contender for the U.S. presidency is one of the least popular candidates for the job in decades.

But she’s still a rock star compared to Ontario’s premier.

Wynne’s personal popularity has hit an all-time low, according to a new Forum Research poll obtained exclusively by the Toronto Sun.

Her approval rating, once as high as 40%, now sits at 18%. It’s the lowest Forum has ever measured for an Ontario Liberal premier since it began polling in 2001.

In fact, if a provincial election was held tomorrow, Patrick Brown’s Progressive Conservative Party would capture a minority government, according to a the survey.

Friday June 11, 2004
Dalton McGuinty received a similar disapproval rating shortly after he formed his first government. Despite this, he reigned as Premier for another 9 years and won two more elections

“There is no question the Progressive Conservatives would win an election held tomorrow, but it appears they wouldn’t be able to seal the deal with a majority,” Forum Research president Lorne Bozinoff said. “Patrick Brown needs to become more of a familiar face to Ontarians before that happens”

The Forum survey projects the Tories would take a 51-seat minority, three seats short of the 54 needed for a majority government in Ontario’s 107-seat legislature. The Liberals would take 36 seats while the NDP would capture 20.

And while Wynne’s personal popularity is low, Brown’s approval doesn’t sit much higher, at 22%, the poll says. Over half of respondents, 53%, said they didn’t know enough about Brown to have an opinion of him.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath remains the most popular of the three main party leaders, with a 33% approval rating. (Source: Toronto Sun)

Saturday June 13, 2015

June 12, 2015 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 13, 2015

Bill C-51 is killing the Liberals’ chance to become the official Not-Harper party

The federal Liberal’s cynical centre-of-the-road support of the Conservatives’ latest anti-terrorism legislation may be hampering its bid to become the Not-Stephen-Harper party.

Tom’s sad days

The signs have been apparent for weeks: Liberal “progressives” — the civic-minded, donating, engaged grassroots types vital to the survival of the party — have found themselves horrified by leader Justin Trudeau’s support for a bill that has been criticized, hyperbolically, as the forerunner to a Canadian police state. The party has faced overwhelming social media criticism from its grassroots, a sudden surge of polls showing the NDP neck-and-neck with the Liberals and the Tories and, lately, there are even more ominous signs of Liberal struggle.

… even sadder days

At least four Liberal candidates have stepped down in recent weeks and some tangential evidence suggests that a backlash over C-51 may be at least part of the reason. Of course, the trend pales in comparison to the handful of high-profile Conservative incumbents who have recently stepped aside ahead of October’s general election. It also happens to be fewer than the number of NDP candidates who have similarly done so — although the Dippers find themselves short due to their unexpected success in Alberta. (Three federal candidates were elected to the provincial legislature in May.)

Justin’s downfall?

While the Alberta bump may be contributing to the federal NDP’s rise in the polls, C-51 may be simultaneously weighing the Liberals down.

The Liberals announced they would support a mildly amended C-51 earlier this year in what was largely thought to be a bid to bolster the party’s flailing national security credentials. Trudeau’s contradictory stance on Canada’s military mission in Iraq and Syria proved to be none too popular among the middle class he’s so arduously trying to court.

But if Trudeau’s objections to Canada’s limited role in quelling revolutionary, genocidal jihadists in Syria and Iraq proved to be — shockingly — un-compelling, his support of C-51 is equally baffling. (Continued… National Post)

Published in The Kelowna Capital News, Grand Falls Advertiser (Newfoundland), The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, and National Newswatch. Illustrated a piece on the blogsite of David Akin a year later.