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Thursday December 5, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 5, 2019

Ford government’s climate change plan is not based on ‘sound evidence,’ auditor general says

Young Doug Ford: the mini-series

Premier Doug Ford’s plan to fight climate change is not based on “sound evidence” and will fall well short of Ontario’s 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets, auditor general Bonnie Lysyk warns in a damning new annual report.

Despite repeated assurances from Ford as recently as Tuesday that the plan is on track, an internal analysis by the environment ministry acknowledges that proposed measures won’t do the job, the auditor revealed in her massive report released Wednesday.

“Ontario is warming faster than the global average,” Lysyk said in her three-volume, 1,176-page report, noting the Paris Agreement target is to reduce emissions 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

December 11, 2014

But the Progressive Conservative government’s calculations have been flawed on many levels, she said, such as the inclusion of impacts from renewable energy projects and the previous Liberal administration’s cap-and-trade program that were scrapped in the summer of 2018.

The environment ministry also projects sales of electric vehicles will rise to 1.3 million in 2030 from 41,000 this year but has “no policy mechanisms” to drive an increase after cancelling cash incentives for buyers and the installation of more charging stations more than a year ago, Lysyk found.

July 11, 2018

An end to cash incentives, which were bankrolled by the Liberal cap-and-trade program that generated $1.9 billion annually, has resulted in a drop of 53 per cent in the number of electric vehicles purchased or leased.

As well, “some emissions reductions were double counted and overstated” because they are targeted in more than one program, said the report.

The auditor general also found troubles in the health care system, court backlogs caused by a lack of modernization, higher rates of fatalities and injuries in commercial vehicle crashes and use food that is past its best-before date in nursing homes. (Hamilton Spectator)


 

Saturday February 25, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 25, 2018

President Trump at CPAC Insists Arming Teachers, Not Gun Control, Will Keep Schools Safe

President Donald Trump reiterated his support for arming teachers during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday morning, saying that keeping guns out of schools makes them targets for mass shooters.

January 17, 2013

“When we declare our schools to be gun free zones, it just puts our students in far more danger,” said Trump. “People that are adept with weaponry and with guns — they teach. I don’t want to have 100 guards with rifles standing all over the school. You do a concealed carry permit.”

Other than one mention of “strengthening” background checks, Trump did not talk about the ideas for tighter gun control that he has floated in the last week – including raising the age of purchasing some weapons and banning bump stocks. The National Rifle Association, which was an early backer of Trump’s and channeled over $30 million towards supporting his campaign, opposes raising the age limit.

July 25, 2015

The speech seemed in line with many of the talking points of NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, who went on the offensive on Thursday on the same CPAC stage, accusing gun control advocates of exploiting last week’s Florida school shooting tragedy.

Nikolas Cruz, 19, allegedly opened fire with an AR-15 rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14, killing 17 people. In the days following, Trump pledged to take action to help prevent more school shootings in America, inviting those who have experienced school shootings to the White House. He reiterated his call to action on Friday, telling the audience, “We will act. We will do something.” (Source: TIME) 

 

Friday May 27, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday May 27, 2016 Premier Wynne wonders why debate, believes decision made Pressure is building on Hamilton council to formally accept or reject the province's $1-billion offer to build LRT in the city Ñ but don't expect it to happen anytime soon. Council has twice in May put off a contentious motion to endorse the province's offer to pay 100 per cent of capital costs for light rail transit, with some councillors even floating the idea of a referendum. The uncertainty prompted Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, local MPP Ted McMeekin and two major city developers this week to urge council to publicly back the project Ñ or at least make a decision. "I honestly thought that the conversation was done," said Wynne on Tuesday at an unrelated press conference. "I was very surprised that it was being revisited. My hope will be that they will be able to go through this process and we'll have a final answer soon rather than later.Ó Mayor Fred Eisenberger said after council Wednesday he understands the premier's "frustration," but added it's possible the council motion to support the project will be put off until fall. "I think a definitive statement, in my mind, has already been made," he said, pointing out the city "asked for the money, and the province delivered.Ó "Are there additional questions councillors feel they need answered? Apparently so. Whether we resolve that in June, or later, is another issue.Ó But the mayor also argued the proposed vote won't guarantee or kill the project, which requires several layers of council approval, including a design sign-off and other formal legal agreements. Coun. Sam Merulla, who put forward the oft-deferred motion, said he's fine with waiting until the fall, when answers to questions about LRT traffic impacts and expropriation requirements will be available. He added the delay also allows time to address councillor concerns "and bring support back up" for the p

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 27, 2016

Premier Wynne wonders why debate, believes decision made

Pressure is building on Hamilton council to formally accept or reject the province’s $1-billion offer to build LRT in the city — but don’t expect it to happen anytime soon.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Tuesday May 17, 2016 Wavering on building LRT Spectator Editorial - Now that the LRT pot is on the front burner at full boil, it would be wise for everyone to take a deep breath.Ê Yes, it's disappointing that city council didn't take the opportunity to render a public display of support at last week's meeting. They should have. But as ourÊelected representatives, they have a right to express reservations and ask for more information and time. Hopefully putting it off for a week Ñ the matter isÊback before council in its general issues committee form tomorrow Ñ will give staff the time to provide the requisite information and councillors time to reflect. But if the matter is deferred again tomorrow, it will be more problematic. Quite simply, the time has come for council to send another clear, unequivocalÊmessage to the province: Thanks for the billion dollars, and yes, we will use it to build LRT. Arguments against LRT these days tend to fall into two categories. It's not something Hamilton needs now or ever, or it might be something Hamilton needs,Êbut it's premature. The first argument is the territory occupied by people who simply don't believe in modern, environmentally sound, economically catalytic public transit. ThoseÊof us who support improving and modernizing transit probably aren't going to convince this crowd. Their minds are closed. They're the ones who think theÊHSR in its current form was good enough in the '70s and '80s, so it's good enough for the future, perhaps with a few tweaks around the edges.Ê The other anti-LRT position Ñ that it's premature Ñ is more interesting and promising. You can make a solid case LRT might be a better fit eight or 10 yearsÊon, when the rest of our transit system is still not optimized to get full value from having LRT as a transit fulcrum. But here's the thing: a billion provincialÊdollars.Ê It's unlikely that any time in the foreseeable future a provi

Tuesday May 17, 2016

Council has twice in May put off a contentious motion to endorse the province’s offer to pay 100 per cent of capital costs for light rail transit, with some councillors even floating the idea of a referendum.

The uncertainty prompted Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, local MPP Ted McMeekin and two major city developers this week to urge council to publicly back the project — or at least make a decision.

“I honestly thought that the conversation was done,” said Wynne on Tuesday at an unrelated press conference. “I was very surprised that it was being revisited. My hope will be that they will be able to go through this process and we’ll have a final answer soon rather than later.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said after council Wednesday he understands the premier’s “frustration,” but added it’s possible the council motion to support the project will be put off until fall.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

June 10, 2014

“I think a definitive statement, in my mind, has already been made,” he said, pointing out the city “asked for the money, and the province delivered.”

“Are there additional questions councillors feel they need answered? Apparently so. Whether we resolve that in June, or later, is another issue.”

But the mayor also argued the proposed vote won’t guarantee or kill the project, which requires several layers of council approval, including a design sign-off and other formal legal agreements.

Coun. Sam Merulla, who put forward the oft-deferred motion, said he’s fine with waiting until the fall, when answers to questions about LRT traffic impacts and expropriation requirements will be available.

Saturday, April 28 2013

April 28 2013

He added the delay also allows time to address councillor concerns “and bring support back up” for the project — which some council members campaigned against in the last election.

“What I’m trying to prevent is an 11th-hour travesty,” he said. “What we’ve learned is that support is not as strong as it needs to be.”

Several councillors Wednesday questioned the need to have a vote at all, however.(Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Thursday May 19, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Thursday May 19, 2016 Justin Trudeau ÔmanhandledÕ MP in Commons uproar, opposition says Parliament turned downright ugly when an impatient Prime Minister Justin Trudeau crossed the aisle to drag an opposition MP forward so a vote could take place, knocking aside a female NDP MP who was so shaken she had to leave the chamber.Ê The encounter Wednesday led to a shouting match between Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair after Trudeau briefly crossed the floor a second time appearing to look for someone. Mulcair can be heard on Commons video footage yelling at Trudeau: ÒWhat kind of man elbows a woman? YouÕre pathetic.ÓÊ The confrontation took place late in the day prior to a vote on a government bid to limit debate on its assisted suicide bill, with the opposition already furious at another Liberal move to seize control over the parliamentary agenda.Ê The mood was tense as each side traded insults. By the end of the day, tempers before the vote were running high. As Trudeau crossed the floor, he was allegedly overheard by NDP MPs to say ÒGet the f--- out of my way.ÓÊ The opposition erupted in outrage as the Speaker called for order, and ordered MPs to stop taking photos. At the far end of the Commons, former prime minister Stephen Harper stood watching it unfold. New Democrat House leader Peter Julian rose to accuse Trudeau of ÒmanhandlingÓ the Conservative whip, Gord Brown, and physically pushing aside the NDPÕs whip, Ruth-Ellen Brosseau. ÒI have been in the House now for 12 years and I have never seen what just transpired in the House of Commons,Ó he said. Trudeau stood to offer an apology, saying he thought Brown, the official Opposition whip Ñ who ensures Opposition MPs are in place for a vote Ñ was Òimpeded,Ó causing the vote to be delayed. ÒI felt that this lacked in respect for Parliament,Ó he said,Êadding he Òoffered my arm, extended, to help him come through the gaggle of MPs standing there.Ó (Source: Toronto Star) ht

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Thursday May 19, 2016

Justin Trudeau ‘manhandled’ MP in Commons uproar, opposition says

Parliament turned downright ugly when an impatient Prime Minister Justin Trudeau crossed the aisle to drag an opposition MP forward so a vote could take place, knocking aside a female NDP MP who was so shaken she had to leave the chamber.

The encounter Wednesday led to a shouting match between Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair after Trudeau briefly crossed the floor a second time appearing to look for someone. Mulcair can be heard on Commons video footage yelling at Trudeau: “What kind of man elbows a woman? You’re pathetic.”

The confrontation took place late in the day prior to a vote on a government bid to limit debate on its assisted suicide bill, with the opposition already furious at another Liberal move to seize control over the parliamentary agenda.

The mood was tense as each side traded insults. By the end of the day, tempers before the vote were running high. As Trudeau crossed the floor, he was allegedly overheard by NDP MPs to say “Get the f— out of my way.”

The opposition erupted in outrage as the Speaker called for order, and ordered MPs to stop taking photos. At the far end of the Commons, former prime minister Stephen Harper stood watching it unfold.

New Democrat House leader Peter Julian rose to accuse Trudeau of “manhandling” the Conservative whip, Gord Brown, and physically pushing aside the NDP’s whip, Ruth-Ellen Brosseau.

“I have been in the House now for 12 years and I have never seen what just transpired in the House of Commons,” he said.

Trudeau stood to offer an apology, saying he thought Brown, the official Opposition whip — who ensures Opposition MPs are in place for a vote — was “impeded,” causing the vote to be delayed. “I felt that this lacked in respect for Parliament,” he said, adding he “offered my arm, extended, to help him come through the gaggle of MPs standing there.” (Source: Toronto Star)

2016-05-19tearsheet

 

Wednesday May 6, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday May 6, 2015 Ontario elementary teachers plan job action Monday OntarioÕs 73,000 public elementary teachers will begin job action on Monday, when they are in a legal strike position. While a strike is not anticipated Ñ local union districts have been given details about a work-to-rule Ñ it remains one of the options available, says Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary TeachersÕ Federation of Ontario. In a statement released Tuesday morning, ETFO said its members would be taking unspecified Òcentral strike actionÓ in 32 school boards across the province Monday. According to an ETFO bulletin obtained by the Star, titled ÒStrike Protocol: Work-to-Rule Ñ Phase 1,Ó and sent out to its Toronto members late Monday night, teachers will not take part in any EQAO (standardized testing), write report cards, fill in for absent principals or Òconduct any reading, writing or mathematics assessments other than those that the teacher deems necessary to report on student progress.Ó Hammond has told the Star that the recent offer on the table from the government and the school boardsÕ association was ÒoffensiveÓ and contained concessions the union would not consider. He said if the concessions remained, the union would be Òlooking at all the options.Ó ÒWe are hoping on, or prior to, May 10 that we get substantial movement at the table and we wonÕt have to move in a direction nobody wants to move in,Ó he has previously said. While talks have continued with the help of a mediator, they recently broke off. A union spokesperson said Monday that ÒETFO is eagerly awaiting a call from the government that it, and the Ontario Public School BoardsÕ Association, are ready to engage in meaningful and substantive bargaining.Ó ETFO is the countryÕs largest teacher union. A strike or job action would affect more than 817,000 elementary school students across the province. (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.co

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 6, 2015

Ontario elementary teachers plan job action Monday

Ontario’s 73,000 public elementary teachers will begin job action on Monday, when they are in a legal strike position.

While a strike is not anticipated — local union districts have been given details about a work-to-rule — it remains one of the options available, says Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.

In a statement released Tuesday morning, ETFO said its members would be taking unspecified “central strike action” in 32 school boards across the province Monday.

According to an ETFO bulletin obtained by the Star, titled “Strike Protocol: Work-to-Rule — Phase 1,” and sent out to its Toronto members late Monday night, teachers will not take part in any EQAO (standardized testing), write report cards, fill in for absent principals or “conduct any reading, writing or mathematics assessments other than those that the teacher deems necessary to report on student progress.”

Hammond has told the Star that the recent offer on the table from the government and the school boards’ association was “offensive” and contained concessions the union would not consider.

He said if the concessions remained, the union would be “looking at all the options.”

“We are hoping on, or prior to, May 10 that we get substantial movement at the table and we won’t have to move in a direction nobody wants to move in,” he has previously said.

While talks have continued with the help of a mediator, they recently broke off. A union spokesperson said Monday that “ETFO is eagerly awaiting a call from the government that it, and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, are ready to engage in meaningful and substantive bargaining.”

ETFO is the country’s largest teacher union. A strike or job action would affect more than 817,000 elementary school students across the province. (Source: Toronto Star)