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Saturday April 22, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 22, 2023

Like it or not, Work is Work, Wherever the Worker is

April 21, 2020

As the labour dispute between federal government employees and their employer, the Canadian government, continues, one contentious issue that has come to the forefront is the demand for the right to work from home. While some argue in favor of remote work, citing its productivity and convenience, it’s important to acknowledge that both working in the office and working from home have their downsides.

Working in the office has its negatives. The daily commute to the office can be time-consuming, stressful, and costly, particularly for those who live far from their workplace. It can also contribute to environmental impacts due to transportation emissions, adding to concerns about sustainability. Office environments can be noisy and distracting, making it challenging for some employees to concentrate and be productive. Additionally, adhering to a fixed schedule may limit flexibility for employees who prefer a more flexible work arrangement. Working in the office may also incur additional expenses, such as commuting costs, work attire, and meals, which can impact an employee’s budget. Moreover, health and safety concerns, such as exposure to illnesses from colleagues or ergonomic issues, may arise in the office setting.

News: More than half of Canadians support federal employees’ right to work from home: survey  

March 28, 2020

On the other hand, working from home also has its drawbacks. Social isolation can be a real concern for remote workers, as they may miss out on social interactions and opportunities for collaboration with colleagues, which can impact morale and well-being. Blurred work-life boundaries can also be a challenge, as remote work can make it difficult to disconnect from work and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Dependence on technology can pose challenges such as technical issues, connectivity problems, and reliance on digital communication tools, which may impact productivity. Distractions at home, such as household chores, family responsibilities, or noise from family members or neighbors, can also hinder productivity. Furthermore, reduced visibility with managers and colleagues may limit career growth opportunities, promotions, and professional relationships for remote workers.

Opinion: How working from home gave Canadians a big pay raise – and why nobody wants to give it up  

February 8, 2001

In the midst of the labour dispute, it’s important to recognize that there is no perfect solution. Work is work, whether it’s done in the office or from home. Both options have their pros and cons, and it’s crucial to find a balance that works for both employers and employees. It’s clear that the demand for the right to work from home is driven by a desire for flexibility and modern work arrangements. However, it’s also important to acknowledge that working in the office has its merits, including opportunities for social interactions, visibility, and collaboration with colleagues.

As we navigate the changing landscape of work, it’s crucial for employers and employees to have open and constructive dialogues to find mutually beneficial solutions. This may involve exploring hybrid work models that allow for a mix of office and remote work, taking into consideration the nature of the job, the needs of the employees, and the goals of the organization. Ultimately, the key is to prioritize effective communication, flexibility, and mutual respect in order to create a work environment that is productive, inclusive, and supportive for all parties involved. (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.

 

Wednesday March 1, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 1, 2023

Sliding toward a new reality in health care

January 17, 2023

According to an Ipsos opinion poll released in February, more Canadians than ever are open to the idea of private-sector delivery of publicly-funded health-care service. Not only did the poll find 59 per cent of respondents support private delivery, 60 per cent supported the idea of private care for those who can afford it.

But wait — just a couple of months earlier half of the respondents to an Angus Reid Institute poll said more private care options would a negative impact on the system, with only 32 per cent believing private options would improve things.

Vagaries of methodology and ideology aside, what’s going on here. Could both things be true? Neither?

It’s a relevant discussion as Ontario and other provinces look to the private sector to deliver more services, reducing wait times and allowing more people to get needed care. But how much private-sector involvement is too much? When does the Canada Health Act, the blueprint for universal health care, become more of a suggestion than the rule?

It certainly doesn’t help when governments, in particular the Ontario government, are more interested in promoting their preferred ideological and political outcome than in providing straight answers.

August 19, 2022

Consider Premier Doug Ford’s promise that Ontarians will always be able to access care with their “health card not a credit card.” Lovely sentiment, but is it true?

There is a lot of private-sector delivery of health services already in the market, so no one can credibly claim private delivery doesn’t work. But increasingly there are some grey areas that should make us worry.

For example, consider the pediatric practice in Toronto that offers same-day virtual access to registered practical nurse services, but only to people willing to pay a monthly subscription and per visit fee. Yes, sick young patients will be seen regardless, but if you want to be sure of same-day virtual care and in-person consultation within a day or so, you need to pay.

Without casting aspersions, does that really sound like equitable access to care, as described in the Canada Health Act? Or does it sound more like real two-tier care, one tier for those who can afford it, the other for those who cannot?

January 18, 2023

There are other anecdotal examples, including some where people say they’ve been told they can get access to services and procedures, but it might take a year or more, unless they want to pay in which case they can get access in short order.

Some tiered service has existed for years now, such as in cataract surgery, where patients are offered different options for lenses, one covered by OHIP, others not and available if you can afford them or have insurance coverage.

The point here is not to denigrate services, patients or providers dealing with this changing landscape. It is that the system is evolving, in real time, without much reflection, debate or study. We’re sliding toward a different health-care universe, and it’s happening largely by stealth. That’s not the he way it should be, nor is it a prescription for success or public buy-in. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

 

Thursday May 12, 2022

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday May 12, 2022

Use Highway 407 to ease GTA traffic woes

Premier Doug Ford raised some eyebrows last week when he talked about highways, and actually made a lot of sense.

December 11, 2018

That’s not what we’ve become accustomed to hearing from the premier in this area. He seems bound and determined to build new highways wherever he can, no matter the financial cost and environmental consequences.

But when it comes to Highway 407, the underused, mostly private toll route across the northern GTA, Ford hit the bullseye.

“I would never have sold it,” he said. “What did they sell it for, $3 billion? And it’s worth, what, $20 billion now? So I don’t believe in selling off toll roads.”

Two things on that. First, current estimates actually put the value of Highway 407 closer to $30 billion, making the sale back in 1999 look even more foolish. And second, it was a Progressive Conservative government, the one led by Mike Harris, that sold off the highway for what we can now see amounted to a handful of beans.

But never mind. Ford wasn’t part of that government and it’s a long time ago. The essential point is that even a PC premier can now see the folly of selling a valuable public asset for far below its long-term worth.

Thursday November 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 2, 2017

Ontario MPP proposes law to fine distracted pedestrians

A new private member’s bill that would see distracted pedestrians fined up to $50 for crossing the road while using their smartphones was unveiled at Ontario’s Legislature on Monday.

The “Phones Down, Heads Up Act” will be introduced by Toronto MPP Yvan Baker, with a debate set for next March. The representative for Etobicoke Centre, in the city’s west end, said he was prompted to draft the legislation after his constituents raised concerns about the number of pedestrian deaths in Toronto.

In 2016, 42 pedestrians were killed on the city’s streets, the most since 2002.

Baker’s bill would ban people from looking at their phones or electronic devices when crossing roads, with an initial $50 fine for the first offence, $75 for the second and up to $125 for the third. Exceptions would include pedestrians making an emergency call or if they began speaking on the phone before stepping into the crosswalk.

“These fines are modest and are meant to act as a deterrent,” Baker said during a news conference Monday morning. He was joined by Brian Patterson, chief executive of the Ontario Safety League, a group whose work includes pedestrian advocacy. The organization is endorsing the bill.

The legislation would also mandate a ministry of transportation-led annual distracting driving awareness campaign, with a focus on texting and driving.

“This bill is about raising awareness about risky behaviour because limiting that behaviour will save lives,” Baker said. (Source: CBC News)