Thomas Mulcair

Wednesday February 27, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday February 27, 2019

Has Jagmeet Singh As NDP Leader Been A Total Flop?

January 7, 2019

When Jagmeet Singh won the federal party’s leadership back in 2017, there was a wave of optimism when people thought of the possibility that Canada could elect its first non-white, Sikh-Canadian prime minister.

The then-Brampton MPP defeated more established, experienced NDP veterans to win the leadership decisively with 54 per cent of the vote. For awhile it seemed the hope and optimism espoused by the late Jack Layton was alive again. To be honest, when I went to cover Singh’s leadership launch, I felt that kind of feeling as well.

But it seems the reality of politics settles in and Singh, like others before him, is not looking as impressive as he once was.

Part of this has to do with his lack of real presence in Ottawa. Singh was an Ontario MPP and once he left that position, he had no seat in the House of Commons which made it harder for him to get noticed at all…by anyone.

All of Brampton’s ridings are currently held by Liberals, and even the embattled MP from Brampton East, Raj Grewal, decided to stay put after his scandalous situation, thus not allowing Singh a pathway to get elected in more familiar political terrain.

Animated!

This prompted Singh to move all the way to British Columbia to contest a by-election in the riding of Burnaby South, left vacant after the previous NDP MPwas elected Vancouver’s new mayor. Singh may yet win in a riding that only went NDP by about 500 votes in the 2015 election, as the Liberals had to suddenly switch candidates after the first one made what many called racially insensitive comments about the NDP leader.

Coupled with the Liberals own handling of pipelines (a hot button issue in BC) and the current scandal surrounding former justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and SNC Lavalin, there may be enough disenchantment with the Liberal brand to allow Singh to win and get himself into the House of Commons so Canadians can actually see him face off against Justin Trudeau.

March 31, 2018

Singh’s leadership pretty much hinges on this by-election win. The leader’s absence from Ottawa on a regular basis has led to some questionable decisions on his part. One example was removing a veteran NDP MP from a committee for voting with the Conservatives on a motion protesting Liberal changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program regarding abortion protests.

Although the MP, David Christopherson from Hamilton, was pro-choice, he voted for the motion over concerns churches and other religious groups would have to disavow their beliefs to qualify for funding. Since the NDP is a pro-choice party and this MP effectively voted for a motion that reflected a pro-life position, Singh simply went and ‘disciplined’ the man amidst protest from his own MPs.

Christopherson was subsequently reinstated to the committee, although later he announced he would not be running for reelection in 2019. (Continued: In Brampton Editorial)  

 

Friday October 21, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday October 21, 2016 Is Trudeau jockeying to avoid fulfilling promise on electoral reform? Is Justin Trudeau laying the groundwork for reneging on his promise to make the 2015 federal election the last to be conducted under the first-past-the-post voting system? Or is the prime minister trying to drive a hard bargain with the NDP and Greens to abandon their own ambitious preference for a proportional voting system and settle for a more modest change to a ranked ballot system? Those questions were touched off Wednesday by an interview Trudeau gave to MontrealÕs Le Devoir newspaper. In it, Trudeau said major electoral reforms would require ÒsubstantialÓ support. But he simultaneously argued that the public clamour for change seems to have diminished since the Liberals defeated Stephen HarperÕs Conservatives one year ago. ÒUnder the current system, (Canadians) now have a government theyÕre more satisfied with and the motivation to change the electoral system is less compelling,Ó he said. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair took that as clear evidence that Trudeau is preparing to break his promise on electoral reform. ÒI do believe that Mr. Trudeau is showing the type of cynicism that he used to always decry when he was in opposition,Ó Mulcair said. ÒWhat could be more cynical that to say, ÔYou know what? This is a totally unfair system because it allowed Stephen Harper to get a massive majority with only 39 per cent of the vote,Õ and then, exactly one year later, say, ÒOh, but by the way, itÕs a darn good system because it allowed Justin Trudeau to get a massive majority with just 39 per cent of the vote.ÕÓ (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/10/19/is-trudeau-jockeying-to-avoid-fulfilling-promise-on-electoral-reform.html Canada, Justin Trudeau, Thomas Mulcair, electoral reform, election, reform, electoral, torch, promise

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday October 21, 2016

Is Trudeau jockeying to avoid fulfilling promise on electoral reform?

Is Justin Trudeau laying the groundwork for reneging on his promise to make the 2015 federal election the last to be conducted under the first-past-the-post voting system?

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday June 2, 2016 'We can do better': Liberals kick off push to change Canada's voting system Having promised that the last federal campaign will be the last one conducted under the first-past-the-post voting system, the Liberal government is proposing that a special committee study the alternatives and report back to the House of Commons by Dec. 1. A motion to create the committee was unveiled on Tuesday night. Democratic Reform Minister Maryam Monsef and Government House leader Dominic LeBlanc explained their government's plans on Wednesday morning. The committee would consist of 10 voting members: six Liberals, three Conservatives and one New Democrat. One Bloc QuŽbŽcois MP and Green MP Elizabeth May would be members of the committee, but not allowed to vote. "In a multi-party democracy like Canada, first past the post distorts the will of the electorate. It's part of why so many Canadians don't engage in or care about politics," Monsef told reporters. "While there's no such thing as a perfect electoral system, we can do better.Ó The committee would be asked to "identify and conduct a study of viable alternate voting systems, such as preferential ballots and proportional representation, to replace the first-past-the-post system, as well as to examine mandatory voting and online voting.Ó Options would be judged on the basis of five principles: * Effectiveness and legitimacy. * Engagement. * Accessibility and inclusiveness. * Integrity. * Local representation. The committee would invite every MP to conduct a forum on electoral reform in his or her riding and file a report on the discussion by Oct. 1. And the committee itself would conduct a "national engagement process," including written and online submissions. (Source: CBC News)Êhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-electoral-reform-1.3576472 Canada, Justin Trudeau, electoral, election, reform, garage, democracy, voting, ballot, box

June 2, 2016

Or is the prime minister trying to drive a hard bargain with the NDP and Greens to abandon their own ambitious preference for a proportional voting system and settle for a more modest change to a ranked ballot system?

Those questions were touched off Wednesday by an interview Trudeau gave to Montreal’s Le Devoir newspaper.

In it, Trudeau said major electoral reforms would require “substantial” support. But he simultaneously argued that the public clamour for change seems to have diminished since the Liberals defeated Stephen Harper’s Conservatives one year ago.

“Under the current system, (Canadians) now have a government they’re more satisfied with and the motivation to change the electoral system is less compelling,” he said.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair took that as clear evidence that Trudeau is preparing to break his promise on electoral reform.

“I do believe that Mr. Trudeau is showing the type of cynicism that he used to always decry when he was in opposition,” Mulcair said.

“What could be more cynical that to say, ‘You know what? This is a totally unfair system because it allowed Stephen Harper to get a massive majority with only 39 per cent of the vote,’ and then, exactly one year later, say, “Oh, but by the way, it’s a darn good system because it allowed Justin Trudeau to get a massive majority with just 39 per cent of the vote.’” (Source: Toronto Star)

The inspiration of much discussion on Reddit. Posted to National Newswatch.

Liberals taking a slippery out

RE: Trudeau wobbling on democratic reform (Oct. 21) Letter to the Editor, Hamilton Spectator Oct 26, 20016

The editorial and the arrogant cartooned caricature depiction of the PM say it all. Throughout his pre-election campaign, Justin Trudeau’s vigorous and repetitive promise to reform the electoral system left absolutely no wiggle room to backtrack. That was then, and now he appears to be sidestepping electoral reform to avoid wading through the dung of his seeming unattainable strategic voter enticement. Fortunately for the Liberals, unanimity being a condition for the all-party committee resolve leaves him and his Liberals a slippery out. All indications point to non-unanimity. All indications point to expectancy that the election of 2015 will not be the last using the first-past-the-post system. After all, the fit of first-past-the-post with a minority 39 per cent popular vote and a majority mandate now suits the prime minister, so why rock the boat?

M.J. Pavlov, Hamilton

 

Saturday April 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday April 2, 2016 Mulcair campaigning ahead of convention Tom Mulcair is no stranger to political campaigns and there is one thing that is clear ahead of the NDP convention next week: he is actively working to keep his job in wake of the party's devastating election results. The level of blame placed on Mulcair's shoulders and whether he will be turfed by his own party, will be tested as rank-and-file members congregate in Edmonton and decide if he should stay or go. NDP President Rebecca Blaikie has suggested 70 per cent is likely the threshold of support needed for Mulcair to stay on, though the party constitution only stipulates a leadership race must be held within one year if asked for by a convention vote of at least 50 per cent plus one. It is a critical moment for New Democrats, who are still very much reeling from the pain of crushing results that reduced the caucus to 44 seats and third place in the Commons. Progressives gathered Friday in Ottawa for the Progress Summit Ñ an annual event sponsored by the institute that is the brainchild of former NDP leader Ed Broadbent. Mulcair, who has spent months meeting party supporters to hear post-election feedback, said some key lessons have emerged in his discussions. "For me, as a party leader, that's been fantastic," Mulcair said Friday. "It is rare for a party leader to be able to sit down with a candidate from a single riding and a small core team. You learn so much about the strength and depth of our team on the organizational, communications, policy side." The NDP now needs to bring more people into the fold, he said. "I want to make sure we throw the doors and the windows of the party wide open ... let in a lot of fresh air and a lot of sunlight, let in a lot more people," he said. "We have to take a much more open-door approach from now on." On the sidelines of the summit, some party members are not convinced Mulcair is the appro

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 2, 2016

Mulcair campaigning ahead of convention

Tom Mulcair is no stranger to political campaigns and there is one thing that is clear ahead of the NDP convention next week: he is actively working to keep his job in wake of the party’s devastating election results.

The level of blame placed on Mulcair’s shoulders and whether he will be turfed by his own party, will be tested as rank-and-file members congregate in Edmonton and decide if he should stay or go.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday March 19, 2016 Mulcair at risk of ouster by crush of new critics Tom Mulcair doesnÕt come across as the kind of person whoÕd spend much time looking over his shoulder, even if he had to. But these days you have to wonder whether the NDP leader, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as head of the party next week, is taking the time to look both ways before he crosses any political streets between now and his partyÕs convention next month. It would be wrong to say rumblings over MulcairÕs future with the party began only last week. Those rumblings have been a staple of the NDPÕs background noise since its dismal showing in the Oct. 19 election. But with the exception of a well publicized sortie by Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo in January, and complaints last month from a newly minted Montreal-area riding association president, any I-told-you-sos had been uttered off the record, if only in apparent deference to the panel the party convened to autopsy why things went horribly wrong during the last campaign. Given that the panelÕs findings compelled Mulcair to write a letter of apology to the partyÕs rank and file and take full responsibility for the NDPÕs return to third party status, it wasnÕt entirely surprising to hear the volume turned up last week on the complaints over MulcairÕs leadership. It started when Sid Ryan, former head of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told the Globe and Mail last week that MulcairÕs Òoverbearing personalityÓ made it necessary for the NDP to seek out new leadership. That was followed by letters published in Le Devoir and the Toronto Star this week that didnÕt mention Mulcair by name but may as well have spray painted it in day-glo orange across its text as three defeated MPs and nearly three dozen party activists complained the NDP had come adrift from its ideals and purpose. That missive was quickly followed by a far more specific slam against Mulcair by NDP s

March 19, 2016

NDP President Rebecca Blaikie has suggested 70 per cent is likely the threshold of support needed for Mulcair to stay on, though the party constitution only stipulates a leadership race must be held within one year if asked for by a convention vote of at least 50 per cent plus one.

It is a critical moment for New Democrats, who are still very much reeling from the pain of crushing results that reduced the caucus to 44 seats and third place in the Commons.

Progressives gathered Friday in Ottawa for the Progress Summit — an annual event sponsored by the institute that is the brainchild of former NDP leader Ed Broadbent.

Mulcair, who has spent months meeting party supporters to hear post-election feedback, said some key lessons have emerged in his discussions.

“For me, as a party leader, that’s been fantastic,” Mulcair said Friday.

“It is rare for a party leader to be able to sit down with a candidate from a single riding and a small core team. You learn so much about the strength and depth of our team on the organizational, communications, policy side.”

The NDP now needs to bring more people into the fold, he said.

“I want to make sure we throw the doors and the windows of the party wide open … let in a lot of fresh air and a lot of sunlight, let in a lot more people,” he said. “We have to take a much more open-door approach from now on.”

On the sidelines of the summit, some party members are not convinced Mulcair is the appropriate frontman for their movement, pointing to his inability to sell the NDP’s values during the course of the campaign. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

2001-04-02_saskpapers

Published in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix and the Regina Leader Post on the morning after the Saskatchewan provincial election which returned Brad Wall and his government to a third term.  Very telling from the province of Tommy Douglas to print this federal NDP cartoon a few days before its convention and leadership review of Thomas Mulcair.

Saturday March 19, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday March 19, 2016 Mulcair at risk of ouster by crush of new critics Tom Mulcair doesnÕt come across as the kind of person whoÕd spend much time looking over his shoulder, even if he had to. But these days you have to wonder whether the NDP leader, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as head of the party next week, is taking the time to look both ways before he crosses any political streets between now and his partyÕs convention next month. It would be wrong to say rumblings over MulcairÕs future with the party began only last week. Those rumblings have been a staple of the NDPÕs background noise since its dismal showing in the Oct. 19 election. But with the exception of a well publicized sortie by Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo in January, and complaints last month from a newly minted Montreal-area riding association president, any I-told-you-sos had been uttered off the record, if only in apparent deference to the panel the party convened to autopsy why things went horribly wrong during the last campaign. Given that the panelÕs findings compelled Mulcair to write a letter of apology to the partyÕs rank and file and take full responsibility for the NDPÕs return to third party status, it wasnÕt entirely surprising to hear the volume turned up last week on the complaints over MulcairÕs leadership. It started when Sid Ryan, former head of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told the Globe and Mail last week that MulcairÕs Òoverbearing personalityÓ made it necessary for the NDP to seek out new leadership. That was followed by letters published in Le Devoir and the Toronto Star this week that didnÕt mention Mulcair by name but may as well have spray painted it in day-glo orange across its text as three defeated MPs and nearly three dozen party activists complained the NDP had come adrift from its ideals and purpose. That missive was quickly followed by a far more specific slam against Mulcair by NDP s

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 19, 2016

Mulcair at risk of ouster by crush of new critics

Tom Mulcair doesn’t come across as the kind of person who’d spend much time looking over his shoulder, even if he had to. But these days you have to wonder whether the NDP leader, who celebrates his fourth anniversary as head of the party next week, is taking the time to look both ways before he crosses any political streets between now and his party’s convention next month.

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Tuesday September 1, 2015 Mulcair can only benefit from claims heÕs not a traditional leftwinger (By Kelly McParland) If I was a conspiracy theorist, IÕd suspect there was a conspiracy under way to covertly boost the image of Thomas Mulcair among non-NDP voters. ThereÕs no question Mulcair has made a real effort to separate himself from the partyÕs loopier policies of the past. You wonÕt hear the word ÒsocialismÓ escape his lips. He has promised a balanced budget Ñ not someday later on, when they get around to it, if circumstances allow, as the Liberals have done. But right away, in the first New Democrat budget after taking office. And heÕs pledged to do it without raising taxes on income. ThatÕs all well and good. But thereÕs also been a series of curious leaks that seem intended to undermine Mulcair by arguing heÕs too conservative, not a real New Democrat but a late convert who adopted the party because it seemed best suited to serve his personal ambition. ItÕs possible the accusations might raise doubts among true NDP believers, who like their politics undiluted by practicality, but they could also have the opposite effect, making him more attractive to voters who might otherwise be disinclined to support the countryÕs traditional left-wing party. In other words, if you believe in conspiracies, you might suspect the leaks are an effort to achieve the opposite of their apparent intention. As the National Post noted recently, Mulcair has been outed for once saying nice things about Margaret Thatcher, of considering an offer to join the Conservatives after quitting QuebecÕs Liberals, of being Òthe most right wingÓ member of that Quebec Liberal caucus, of supporting Quebec business owners against QuebecÕs language police, and of failing to adopt the leftÕs rote opposition to free trade in all its forms. He was also criticized by Ed Broadbent, the NDPÕs current patron saint and elder statesman, w

September 1, 2015

It would be wrong to say rumblings over Mulcair’s future with the party began only last week. Those rumblings have been a staple of the NDP’s background noise since its dismal showing in the Oct. 19 election. But with the exception of a well publicized sortie by Ontario NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo in January, and complaints last month from a newly minted Montreal-area riding association president, any I-told-you-sos had been uttered off the record, if only in apparent deference to the panel the party convened to autopsy why things went horribly wrong during the last campaign.

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday June 17, 2015 Trudeau and Mulcair today: Compare and contrast Major speeches by NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau today served up an intriguing contrast. Mulcair sought to soothe anyone worried about the sort of economic change an NDP government might bring. Trudeau tried to reignite interest, especially among progressive voters whose enthusiasm for him might be waning, by promising Liberals would usher in big change in Canadian democracy. The two men vying to be seen as the most viable alternative to Prime Minister Stephen Harper clearly face different challenges. Mulcair is on the rise in the polls, and his aimÑas he delivered an economic policy speech in Toronto at the Economic Club of CanadaÑseemed to be to forestall a worried reaction to his emergence as a serious challenger. But Trudeau has slipped in recent months, after a long stretch leading the polls, creating whatÕs shaping up as a tight three-way race with HarperÕs Conservatives and MulcairÕs NDP. His goal in a speech to assembled Parliament Hill reporters at OttawaÕs Ch‰teau Laurier was to reignite interest in his leadership with at least one promise that canÕt be ignored. And both took the opportunity to shore up their policy messages with a little personal narrative, the sort that modern political strategists view as essential to connecting with voters. (Continued: Maclean's) http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/trudeau-and-mulcair-today-compare-and-contrast/ Canada, Thomas Mulcair, Justin Trudeau, NDP, Liberal, campaign, election, politics, platform, polls

June 17, 2015

Given that the panel’s findings compelled Mulcair to write a letter of apology to the party’s rank and file and take full responsibility for the NDP’s return to third party status, it wasn’t entirely surprising to hear the volume turned up last week on the complaints over Mulcair’s leadership.

It started when Sid Ryan, former head of the Ontario Federation of Labour, told the Globe and Mail last week that Mulcair’s “overbearing personality” made it necessary for the NDP to seek out new leadership. That was followed by letters published in Le Devoir and the Toronto Star this week that didn’t mention Mulcair by name but may as well have spray painted it in day-glo orange across its text as three defeated MPs and nearly three dozen party activists complained the NDP had come adrift from its ideals and purpose.

Thursday, November 28, 2013That missive was quickly followed by a far more specific slam against Mulcair by NDP supporters at Concordia and McGill universities, pointing out “If the NDP wants to remain relevant in Canadian politics, Thomas Mulcair must not remain as party leader.”

At this point, Mulcair seems to be at war . The apparent refusal of NDP MP Niki Ashton to endorse his leadership when asked to do is the icing on an increasingly toxic political cake. Suddenly it seems the brand name Orange Crush may well be taking on a grim new meaning for the party leader. (Continued: London Free Press)

 

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Discussion on Reddit. Posted to National NewsWatch.