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Saturday April 8, 2023

April 8, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 8, 2023

Demolition by Neglect

The state of 24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, is a fitting metaphor for Canada’s declining international reputation. The building has been unoccupied since 2015 due to its severe state of disrepair, just as Canada’s influence and standing on the global stage has been steadily eroding in recent years.

News: ‘An embarrassment to the nation’: Former PM Chretien on state of 24 Sussex Drive

May 8, 2008

Canada’s traditional allies, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, have been preoccupied with their own domestic issues, leaving Canada to fend for itself. Its once-sterling reputation on the world stage has taken a hit in recent years, with the country being accused of being a laggard on climate change, Indigenous reconciliation, and global security. Furthermore, Canada has been slow to respond to China’s human rights abuses and has been hesitant to take a more assertive stance on the world stage, unlike France, which has been pushing for a more assertive European Union. 

February 6, 2018

France’s ambassador to Canada, Michel Miraillet, recently highlighted Canada’s weak military engagement and urged the country to choose between broadening its links with Europe or tying itself entirely to the United States. Miraillet argued that the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia was the culmination of a decade of Moscow and Beijing working to weaken democracies.

News: French envoy: Canada should link with Europe, surpass ‘weak’ military engagement

Miraillet’s warning that all elected leaders are subject to short-term mandates while autocrats remain in power, and his suggestion that Canada needs to demonstrate a commitment to global security, echoes concerns raised by other countries about Canada’s declining influence.

January 12, 2022

As the world organizes itself along new axes of power, with the China-Russia pact on one side and democracies on the other, Canada cannot continue to align itself only with American interests. The democratic world needs to act together and have close friends to navigate the transition to a more multipolar logic. Canada must deepen its partnership with countries such as France to strengthen its position on the world stage.

The dilapidated state of 24 Sussex Drive is a physical representation of Canada’s current state of disrepair. It is time for Canada to invest in itself, to strengthen its military and its commitment to global security, and to broaden its links with Europe. If Canada fails to act, it risks being left behind in a world where autocrats are gaining power and democracies are losing ground. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give editorial cartooning a try.

Thursday January 10, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 10, 2019

It’s time to admit that travelling to China isn’t safe

If there is room to criticize the Trudeau government around its handling of Canadians being detained in China, it’s on the question of travel safety.

December 12, 2018

For reasons not entirely clear, Canada has not yet updated its travel advisory regarding travel to and in the country that is now holding at least two Canadian citizens in response to Canada’s arrest of Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou last month.

That arrest took place at the request of the United States government, which has a treaty allowing extradition of people charged with breaking American laws. The U.S. government believes Wanzhou skirted sanctions against Iran in violation of the law. Based on the treaty, and the rule of law, Canada did what it had to do even though the arrest has badly strained relations.

After China illegally detained Canadian citizens, questions about travel safety naturally became more urgent. Earlier this month the U.S. advised citizens to “exercise increased caution” in China, due in part to its arbitrary detention of foreign citizens. As of Jan. 9, Canada was still recommending a high degree of caution, but only due to “isolated acts of violence, including bombings and protests.” No word about the additional threat of detention.

Former foreign affairs minister John Manley says he would not travel to China right now, and is advising business executives to do the same.

June 17, 2017

“I would not, save and except for having a diplomatic passport, go to China at this point in time. I think there’s just too much uncertainty,” Manley told CTV News.

Why hasn’t the federal government updated its travel information to reflect the obvious? China has never been entirely safe for travellers, and it is considerably less so today, based on the state’s actions. It’s understandable that Ottawa doesn’t want to further escalate tensions. But by not broadcasting up-to-date travel safety information it appears out of touch with obvious reality. And it sends the message, to some, that what China has done is not important enough to justify official, public condemnation and warning. It is, and we shouldn’t be afraid to say so, political considerations aside.

Other criticisms directed at the Trudeau government, including that he should be personally reaching out to Chinese leadership on the detainee matter, are largely partisan hot air. Opposition Conservative critics want to make it seem as if Trudeau is dragging his feet, but the evidence doesn’t support that. The government, and prime minister, have not been inactive. They have been working diplomatic channels. They have tried to ensure the detainees can access consular services. They have reached out to Canada’s allies abroad for public support and, for the most part, have been successful. (Japan is a notable exception, which is concerning.)

August 30, 2016

And Trudeau contacted U.S. President Donald Trump and secured his public and diplomatic support. Whatever we may think of the president, his country’s support is essential in matters like this.

There may be a time for Trudeau to get involved, but this isn’t it, and in fact that could further escalate the situation. He is wise to trust his administration and keep his powder dry, even if doing so draws self-serving partisan sniping. Most will see that for what it is. (Source: Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday, February 20, 2016 Obama to visit Cuba: Two views As the Toronto Star has argued before, efforts by 10 successive U.S. presidents to unseat the regime in Havana have demeaned a superpower, discredited Cuban reformers and impoverished the island. By Cuban reckoning, the embargo has inflicted more than $120 billion in economic losses since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. The U.S. severed diplomatic ties in 1961 and imposed the embargo in 1962. With every passing year the embargo became more pointlessly vindictive, as the U.S. traded briskly with Communist China, with communist regimes in Vietnam and Laos, even to a limited extent with North Korea. ItÕs a point of pride for Canadians that we played a small positive role by hosting the secret talks that led to the U.S. and Cuba breaking the ice in 2014, restoring diplomatic ties and embassies, upgrading trade and air links, and easing aspects of the boycott. Canada never endorsed or joined the boycott, taking the view that Cubans must be free to shape their own political course. Only Congress can fully lift the embargo. ThatÕs beyond this presidentÕs power. But Obama is right to make good on his promise before he leaves office. CubaÕs democrats and reformers will be cheered by this visit as they press for credible elections, independent courts and a more open economy. And the government will no longer be able to cite U.S. hostility as a pretext for Òdefending the revolutionÓ by intimidating critics and suppressing human rights. (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/02/18/obama-visit-to-cuba-buoys-reformers-hopes-editorial.html Meanwhile, another take on the coming visit, though less earnest: Canadians who want to visit Cuba before an influx of Americans ÒruinsÓ it better move fast: President Obama is planning a visit in the next few weeks, and you can bet a lot of others will follow soon. On Tuesday Washington

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday, February 20, 2016

Obama to visit Cuba: Two views

As the Toronto Star has argued before, efforts by 10 successive U.S. presidents to unseat the regime in Havana have demeaned a superpower, discredited Cuban reformers and impoverished the island. By Cuban reckoning, the embargo has inflicted more than $120 billion in economic losses since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. The U.S. severed diplomatic ties in 1961 and imposed the embargo in 1962.

Thursday December 18, 2014With every passing year the embargo became more pointlessly vindictive, as the U.S. traded briskly with Communist China, with communist regimes in Vietnam and Laos, even to a limited extent with North Korea.

It’s a point of pride for Canadians that we played a small positive role by hosting the secret talks that led to the U.S. and Cuba breaking the ice in 2014, restoring diplomatic ties and embassies, upgrading trade and air links, and easing aspects of the boycott. Canada never endorsed or joined the boycott, taking the view that Cubans must be free to shape their own political course.

Only Congress can fully lift the embargo. That’s beyond this president’s power. But Obama is right to make good on his promise before he leaves office.

Cuba’s democrats and reformers will be cheered by this visit as they press for credible elections, independent courts and a more open economy. And the government will no longer be able to cite U.S. hostility as a pretext for “defending the revolution” by intimidating critics and suppressing human rights. (Source: Toronto Star Editorial)

Meanwhile, another take on the coming visit, though less earnest: Canadians who want to visit Cuba before an influx of Americans “ruins” it better move fast: President Obama is planning a visit in the next few weeks, and you can bet a lot of others will follow soon. On Tuesday Washington and Havana agreed to re-open commercial air traffic. And Beyoncé’s already been there. Can Havana Disney be far behind? Obama’s visit could could legitimately be termed an historic event. And he doesn’t have a lot of other foreign successes to brag about, so he might as well highlight one of the few achievements he can claim. Enjoy the rum, el presidente.(Source: National Post Editorial)

Published in the Telegram, St. John's, Newfoundland, March 1, 2016

Published in the Telegram, St. John’s, Newfoundland, March 1, 2016

 

Saturday March 10, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday March 10, 2012

Air Canada stoppage during March Break averted

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt has asked the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to investigate Air Canada’s disputes with two of its unions — pilots and ground staff — a move that will buy time to reach agreement and avert a strike and lockout threatened for midnight Sunday.

Raitt told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday that she will ask the board to investigate what a work stoppage would mean to Canadians, based on “health and safety concerns.”

“Air Canada can carry some cargo that is related to the health industry, related to pharmaceuticals, and certainly those kinds of things related to remote communities that, simply put, nobody else flies to because Air Canada has jurisdictional responsibility to fly to certain remote areas,” Raitt told CBC News.

“The other side of it, of course, is passengers and whether or not people rely upon that link to get to life-saving treatments that they need to have in other parts of Canada.”

Referral of the matter to the industrial relations board bars the airline and its unions from undertaking a work stoppage while the board is investigating.

On its website, Air Canada said that there will be no disruption of service and that its full schedule remains unchanged.

“We thank our customers for their patience and loyalty during this time,” the company said. “Customers should continue to book with confidence.”

Raitt said she did not know how long it would take the board to conduct its investigation. (Source: CBC News)