A Test for Doug

Editorial Cartoon for Thursday May 29, 2025

Editorial Cartoon for Thursday May 29, 2025 - Premier Doug Ford's Bill 5, aimed at expediting mining in Ontario's Ring of Fire, faces backlash for lacking Indigenous consultation, echoing past missteps.

After all these years since Canada kicked off its reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples, you'd think we'd have the basics down by now. One of the most fundamental practices is meaningful consultation, especially when it comes to economic development that impacts our environment—whether it's the sea, air, or land. And when it comes to something like mining, this should be a no-brainer.

December 11, 2018 - Environmentalists and critics accused Premier Doug Ford of breaking his promise to protect the Greenbelt, claiming that the changes introduced in Bill 66 undermined environmental protections and opened the area to development.

Yet, here comes Doug Ford, ready to defy common sense and try to limit consultation once again. This isn't the first time he's taken this approach, and it seems like another case of lessons not learned. It's as if he's trying to sneak this by, testing the waters to see how far he can push things.

Tuesday November 28, 2023 - The Ontario Liberal Party is set to announce its new leader, facing the challenge of overcoming voter apathy and past election setbacks to compete against Doug Ford in future elections.

Considering that less than half of Ontario's voters bothered to cast a ballot, it might seem like Ford reads the 55% who didn't vote as a kind of silent approval. But relying on voter apathy or disengagement is risky business. Silence doesn't equal consent, especially when it comes to respecting the rights and voices of Indigenous communities.

In today's animated editorial cartoon, which Substack subscribers get to preview before it hits the Hamilton Spectator, I'm being upfront about a new technique I've started using: AI for adding voice to the characters.

According to YouTube’s policy, it's essential to disclose when content is altered or synthetic, especially if it seems real. This includes realistic sounds or visuals created with AI. With today's technology, the line between real and fake is increasingly blurred, and AI-generated voices are impressively accurate.

One of my critiques of animated satire has always been the voiceovers for political figures. While some might be as skilled as David Levine at caricaturing, they often fall short of Rich Little when it comes to voice impressions. Now, with AI, replicating political voices is not only easy but also a bit unsettling.

In the animated clip below, I've used software to mimic the voice of Doug Ford. I believe it's clear that it's not really him, but for those who might be too convinced, there’s a disclaimer in place.

This is uncharted territory, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you have any feedback or want to start a conversation, now’s your chance.

Substack is an invaluable platform for me, especially given the uncertainties that come with being a staff editorial cartoonist. While I remain optimistic about my future, I am acutely aware of the unfortunate layoffs and newspaper closures that have impacted many talented colleagues in our field. Please Enjoy the animated making of my May 29, 2025 editorial cartoon below and thank you for your continued support!