water – mackaycartoons

Saturday July 12, 2025

July 10, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday July 12, 2025

Also published in The Toronto Star. Published in the Oyen Echo, Saskatchewan.

The Great Lakes at Risk

In the delicate balance of preserving our planet’s natural resources, the Great Lakes stand as a vital beacon of life and sustainability. Spanning 1,200 miles from Minnesota to central New York, these lakes hold 20% of the world’s fresh surface water and provide drinking water to more than 40 million people. They support a thriving ecosystem of 3,500 species and are central to a $750 billion annual economy. Yet, under the Trump administration, these treasures are under unprecedented threat.

Analysis: Cataclysmic’: environmentalists fear effects of Trump cuts on Great Lakes

The recent article from The Guardian paints a sobering picture of the current administration’s disregard for environmental stewardship. Proposed budget cuts to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other key federal agencies threaten to undermine decades of progress in protecting the Great Lakes. Moreover, the administration’s inclination to withdraw from international agreements with Canada raises alarming questions about the future of these vital waters.

The Trump administration’s rhetoric and actions reveal a troubling willingness to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability. The proposed diversion of Great Lakes water to other parts of the United States, if pursued, could have disastrous consequences for both ecological balance and international relations.

The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and other binational treaties with Canada are more than mere formalities; they are commitments to stewardship, cooperation, and shared responsibility. They represent a promise to future generations that these waters will remain pristine and abundant.

Graeme Gallery: Donald Trump: Dirtiest U.S. President Ever

State governments and regional organizations have admirably stepped in to fill some gaps left by federal funding cuts, but their efforts alone cannot replace the comprehensive support and enforcement capabilities of the federal government. Without a strong federal commitment, the risks of pollution, invasive species, and water-level fluctuations could escalate, threatening the very fabric of life in the region.

Silence and inaction are not options. The Great Lakes are not just a regional concern; they are a national treasure and an international responsibility. We must demand that the Trump administration uphold its obligations under international agreements and prioritize the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes.

To protect these precious waters, we need bipartisan support, increased public awareness, and unwavering advocacy. The Great Lakes are our Yellowstone, our Grand Canyon—a wonder of the world that demands our respect, care, and vigilance. It’s time to stand up for the Great Lakes and ensure that they remain a thriving legacy for generations to come.

No newsletter this week

Sorry folks, but there’ll be no cartoon review from the past week. Perhaps it’ll come next Saturday.

I’m on a Canadian-places-I’ve-never-been-to-before trip and this weekend I’m in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For Canadians like me who have spent lots of travel time and expenditure exploring the U.S. – and I’ve been to a lot of places in the U.S. in recent years from San Francisco to Phoenix and Miami, Dallas, Nashville, Chicago and Philadelphia to name a few – I’m devoting now and the next 3 and a half years to explore my own country.

Take a wild guess why.

I flew over the Great Lakes yesterday, making it the perfect opportunity to revisit the subject of the master of diversion and his water diversion scheme. Cartoon in the Hamilton Spectator: https://www.thespec.com/opinion/editorial-cartoons/trump-contemplates-ending-great-lakes-agreements/article_57fc83a0-fb2b-5d3e-bf03-38f3a08e1586.html

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

Friday September 20, 2024

September 20, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 20, 2024

Link to the animated version.

Trump’s Imaginary Faucet: When Rhetoric Spills Over Into Canadian Politics

June 23, 2016

In a stump speech in California, Donald Trump recently painted a vivid picture of a “very large faucet” that would redirect Canada’s freshwater into the United States to combat wildfires. It’s a comical notion—both physically and politically impossible—but it hints at a deeper issue that Canadians should take seriously: the blurry line between foreign influence and interference, especially when American rhetoric starts to seep into Canadian political discourse.

News: Why Donald Trump wants to turn a ‘very large faucet’ to get Canadian freshwater

Trump’s “faucet” gaffe might seem like harmless bluster, the latest in a string of bizarre comments from a man known for his unorthodox speeches. But the idea of tapping into Canadian resources, even in jest, taps into real fears Canadians have about being muscled by their southern neighbour. And those fears aren’t unfounded. Although the Columbia River, which Trump likely refers to, could theoretically be diverted in the U.S. portion, Canada’s water has long been coveted. However, thanks to stringent legislation and international agreements, bulk water exports are banned for environmental reasons. So, no, California won’t be siphoning Canada’s water supply any time soon.

July 23, 2019

But why is this worth more than just a chuckle? Trump’s rhetoric—no matter how absurd—often has a way of trickling down into more serious discussions, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. For instance, it’s not entirely uncommon to see elements of Trumpism echoed in Canadian politics, especially among right-leaning politicians who tap into populist anger. Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, doesn’t embrace full Trumpism, but his style has drawn comparisons, even if his policies remain far more moderate.

August 25, 2016

This brings us to a critical distinction that Canadians need to make between influence and interference. Influence is something Canada has always faced, especially from its southern neighbour.

American pop culture, political movements, and economic trends have influenced Canadians for decades. Interference, on the other hand, refers to direct attempts by foreign actors—be it China, Russia, or even domestic meddling—to shape Canadian political outcomes covertly or illegally. The foreign interference inquiry currently underway in Canada underscores how serious this threat has become.

January 30, 2024

But as Poilievre navigates the waters of populism, drawing occasionally on American-style rhetoric, he faces a fine line. His attacks on “elites” and his more combative tone against Trudeau hint at a kind of political mimicry that channels the populist playbook of Trump and his ilk. Yet, Poilievre’s populism is much more subdued than Trump’s chaotic firebrand style. Unlike Trump, Poilievre hasn’t called for drastic measures like building walls or slashing immigration; in fact, his policies on housing and inflation remain fairly traditional, even if dressed up in anti-elite rhetoric.

Analysis: Canada’s polite Trumpism

This leads to an uncomfortable question: when does American-style influence in Canadian politics cross into interference? Poilievre’s populism may appeal to some of the same sentiments as Trump’s base, but Canada’s political system has so far proven more resilient to extremist rhetoric. This is largely because Canadian populism has different roots—focused on regionalism, economic frustration, and cost-of-living concerns—rather than the nativism and cultural battles that define Trumpism.

Tuesday December 19, 2023

However, by flirting with Trump’s brand of rhetoric, Canadian politicians risk letting influence blur into interference, especially if it starts shaping policy or public perception in unhealthy ways. After all, what begins as echoing talking points can quickly spiral into real political movements, fuelled by misinformation and division.

So, while Trump’s faucet talk may be nothing more than rhetorical fluff, it’s a reminder that Canadians need to stay vigilant. We can afford to laugh at Trump’s bizarre imagery, but we should be wary of the subtle ways his influence is shaping the tone of our politics. Canada has worked hard to maintain its political independence and resist the kind of far-right extremism that’s taken hold in other Western democracies, but that resilience shouldn’t be taken for granted.

At the end of the day, Trump’s imaginary faucet may never be turned on, but the flood of American political rhetoric, seeping across our borders, shows no signs of stopping. Canadians must be careful not to let that faucet drown out their own democratic values. (AI)

Thursday February 4, 2021

February 11, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 4, 2021

Republicans Pledge Undying Loyalty to Trump Three Weeks After His Failed Coup

January 20, 2021

In the wake of the deadly attack on Capitol Hill incited by former president Donald Trump, a few top Republicans read the room and decided it wouldn’t be a great look to condone violence or the instigator of said violence. “The president bears responsibility for Wednesday’s attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy proclaimed. Speaking on the Senate floor, Lindsey Graham told his colleagues, “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey,” but “all I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.” Now, in a turn of events that should shock exactly no one, they’ve gone from “Trump did something really bad and we’re done with him” to “Hey, big guy, my flight lands at 11 a.m., hope to be by your place before noon! Can’t wait, missed you tons! You want me to pick up anything on my way? Bottle of Diet Coke? Dessert? I know how you love those Little Debbie snack cakes.”

Yes, three weeks after the 45th president of the United States incited an insurrection against the U.S. government, one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress who could, if he wanted to, decide to consign Trump to the scrap heap of political history is…meeting with him at his private club. Probably over lunch. A date for which they had to fly 1,000 miles in the middle of a pandemic. (Continued: Vanity Fair)

Wednesday April 22, 2020

April 29, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 22, 2020

Single-use plastic is having a resurgence during the pandemic

For those seeking silver linings in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the notable drop-off in air pollution has been a recurring bright spot. But while theskies might be clearing up (at least temporarily) while millions of people shelter in place, humans are poisoning the planet in other ways. Increased demand for medical supplies, households stocking up on tons of goods, and fears over COVID-19 spreading across different surfaces has single-use plastics on the rise — and as Wired reports, we’re running out of places to put it.

March 12, 2019

As more plastic waste pours in, the already overwhelmed recycling system is at risk of getting completely buried. Prior to coronavirus, many recycling companies were already struggling to deal with the more than 300 million tons of plastic discarded every year — nearly 50 percent of which is single-use. According to the Earth Institute at Columbia University, only about 10 percent of all discarded plastic products in the United States actually get recycled — a fact the plastic industry knew for years while touting recycling programs that would never be viable. Nearly 75 percent ends up in landfills, where it can sit and erode for hundreds of years, releasing carbon dioxide as it degrades and often making its way into waterways and oceans. It’s likely that as the country produces more plastic waste in this time of crisis, even more will be heading to landfills, as the already inundated recycling firms slow their operations. “Many recyclers, because of health and safety concerns, are also stopping the service,” Tom Szaky, CEO of recycling company TerraCycle, told Wired. “Recycling — that’s been in sort of a crash — is now getting even worse.”

April 24, 2018

Those slowdowns are happening in tandem with a resurgence in single-use plastics. This is happening for a number of reasons, both out of necessity and potentially unfounded fears. Plastic bags have made a comeback during thecoronavirus crisis due to concerns that reusable bags may carry the virus. A number of states and cities have reversed plastic bag bans and some have even instituted restrictions on reusable totes. While it is known that coronavirus can survive longer on certain surfaces, there doesn’t appear to be any evidence that the virus is more viable on a cloth tote than a plastic bag, particularly if the bag is washed after use — though the plastic bag is likely to be discarded after one use, limiting additional exposure. With people worried that the virus can be transmitted through a number of surfaces, the demand for packaged goods is on the rise as well. According to FoodNavigator, demand for packaged goods has skyrocketed in Europe by as much as 111 percent for some items as compared to the previous year.

There is also the fact that the price of oil has dropped dramatically, which makes producing plastic goods cheaper than usual — and they aren’t all that expensive to begin with. Plastics are made from oil, and when the price of oil drops far enough, it can result in it actually being cheaper to produce new plastic products than recycle old ones. And when the demand for recycled goods disappears, more plastic ends up in landfills, slowly eroding and polluting the planet.

Plastic waste doesn’t have the same effect as something like air pollution — we don’t immediately see the damage as it occurs. But the change in our consumption habits will be immediately felt at the landfills that are already being overrun. It will be felt by oceans that are already at risk of having more pieces of plastic than fish by 2050. Even the short burst of uptick in plastic waste could cause significant disruption to the waste and recycling ecosystems. According to Waste Dive, dozens of cities and counties across the country have suspended recycling programs entirely. Rachel Meidl, a fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute, told Wired, “materials that would normally find its way to recyclers are being channeled to landfills and incinerators.” So before touting that “we are the virus” meme and spouting off to your friends about how the Earth is healing while we’re all trapped indoors, remember that there are a lot of ways we can hurt the planet without ever leaving our couches. (Mic)

Tuesday November 5, 2019

November 5, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 5, 2019

Is there lead in your tap water? Canada-wide investigation exposes dangerous levels of toxic metal

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians are consuming tap water laced with high levels of lead leaching from aging and deteriorating infrastructure.

A year-long investigation by more than 120 journalists from nine universities and 10 media organizations, including the Toronto Star and the Institute for Investigative Journalism, collected test results that properly measure exposure to lead in 11 cities across Canada. Out of 12,000 tests since 2014, one third — 33 per cent —exceeded the national safety guideline of 5 parts per billion.

Reporters also fanned out to 32 cities and towns across the country — from Victoria, B.C., to Grand Pre, N.S. — to knock on doors in neighborhoods with older homes. With the help of residents who volunteered to take part, the teams conducted 260 water tests using accepted standards and submitted samples to accredited labs. The results showed 39 per cent of samples exceeded the current federal guideline.

Experts call threats from lead exposure a simmering public health crisis. But many Canadians remain unaware of serious long-term health consequences because government oversight is often lax and secretive.

Canada is blessed with the world’s third largest renewable freshwater supply covering about 12 per cent of the country’s surface area. But while Canada may be a global water superpower with a reputation for snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes and free flowing rivers, lead exceedances in tap water are chronic and sometimes extreme, the investigation found.

Test results from samples taken in cities including Prince Rupert, B.C., Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Montreal showed lead levels comparable to — and in some cases beyond — those of U.S. cities that have made international headlines for their tainted water. (Toronto Star)