And That's a Wrap...

Sunday April 27, 2025 | Newsletter 30

Folks, I’ve maintained a consistent presence on Substack and have put a lot of effort into building it since I started in early November 2024. It’s been a tumultuous time on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border, and I believe I’ve captured it through my cartoons as best as I can.

Once the dust settles from this federal election, I plan to take a much-needed break from drawing. I want to step outside, breathe in some fresh air, and reflect on the future direction of this platform and my participation in it. I hope to gain some clarity during this time.

A big thanks to everyone who has offered money pledges, subscribed, and followed the my postings. Following back is a priority, and it's always free of charge. The regular schedule will resume on May 12, but there might be some surprise updates before then. Please take a moment to check one of the boxes at the end. Thanks for your continued support! - Graeme MacKay

As people get older and experience many elections, those elections often start to blend together into a blur—especially when it comes to minority governments. It’s one thing to remember the leaders from one election to the next; it’s quite another to keep track of the gains and losses of seats among the four main parties. Add in the key issues of each campaign, and it quickly becomes confusing for anyone who believes the components of campaigning truly matter.

For me, as well as for political enthusiasts and historians, the details of elections are crucial. Campaigns in Canada tend to follow a familiar pattern. They start with the issuing of writs, followed by polls, gaffes, the dropping of candidates, debates, advance polls, the unveiling of costed platforms, endorsements, and the last minute frenzy leading up to election day.

These elements have remained consistent in federal elections throughout my career as a political cartoonist. However, what has changed significantly is how media shapes and shares information about candidates and issues. Social media has lessened the need for political groups to communicate through traditional media. In recent elections, I’ve noticed that many local candidates have stopped responding to basic policy questions from newspapers. Many have also not made themselves available for interviews or editorial board meetings. Politicians, like Mr. Poilievre, have limited the number of questions asked during scrums and restricted media access to their campaign buses and planes.

In olden days, politicians would actually show up for editorial board meetings and answer questions with thoughtful answers. Here, Bob Rae, interim leader of the federal Liberal Party appeared before editors at the Hamilton Spectator. Often, I would go to sketch the visitors and listen in on the Q&A. Other meetings were with Stephen Harper, Jack Layton, and when the actual leaders couldn’t attend we’d sit down with cabinet minsiters ie: Ralph Goodale, Catherine McKenna, and Ken Dryden to name a few. This is long a thing of the past.

Before anyone brushes this off with a “cry me a river, media dude” attitude, I ask how it helps the public when local party representatives skip all-candidates debates. In my riding of Hamilton Centre, only one candidate showed up to face the sitting NDP MP, Matthew Green, in a televised debate. Ironically, the candidate who attended was from the low-polling Green Party, resulting in a Green vs. Green comedy scenario. This turned into a trivial exercise rather than a meaningful discussion that should have included candidates from the two parties most likely to influence the next session of Parliament. What happened to the days when candidates would knock on doors to meet voters? It seems that the people we elect have either become too important to be accountable to their constituents or have become so trained to stick to party lines that they can’t engage in local conversations.

There are security issues that may prevent candidates from freely interacting with the public and canvassing in neighbourhoods as they used to. We may need to raise awareness that harassment of public figures, as we’ve seen recently, should not be tolerated.

The beauty of editorial cartoons is that they capture feelings and ideas that vanish as soon as the votes are counted and the election dust settles. Will anyone remember who Paul Chiang was, that Neil Young endorsed Mark Carney, or why the Greens weren’t included in the debates? Probably not. Did the Niqab ban influence the 2015 election? What about the Blackface scandal in 2019 or the vaccine mandates in 2021? I would argue that they certainly did.

Looking ahead to 2025, it’s a given that Donald Trump has played a giant role in this election, and this is reflected in the numerous editorial cartoons I’ve created. Other themes in my work that I think will hold relevance in the days to months ahead include Preston Manning’s fears about Western separation, Doug Ford’s comments on Pierre Poilievre, and Canada’s passive approach to bolstering defence. For the record, I think Jagmeet Singh’s tenure as NDP leader is on the cusp of coming to its end.

Together, editorial cartoons tell a story that written articles cannot replicate. With all due respect to my colleagues who write, this is why editorial cartoons matter—they provide insights that extend beyond mere words.

In this election, I have openly rejected Pierre Poilievre. He has shown himself to be hostile toward mainstream journalism, often criticizing reporters in a manner reminiscent of Donald Trump. He doesn’t offer solutions for struggling legacy media outlets that are being overwhelmed by foreign media companies. It’s challenging to view any politician fairly when they dismiss the role of journalism in a democracy.

In this election, I've taken the unusual step of openly endorsing a Prime Minister to guide the country in addressing the concerning threat posed by the United States. This decision stems from two key reasons: First, I believe Pierre Poilievre is more suited to the role of a divisive politician than a national leader. Granting a hothead like him governing power would likely lead to disastrous outcomes, especially given the severe cuts and chaos stemming from the troubling movement currently influencing the USA. Second, we have a highly qualified candidate in Mark Carney, an accomplished central banker who has successfully managed two economies. Presenting him as an option for Canadian voters is crucial for navigating the turbulent economic times ahead. Rejecting him in favour of a faceless group of politicians led by someone resembling Milhouse from The Simpsons would be a grave mistake. We need a trusted figure who embodies the qualities of a typical Canadian Prime Minister. He’s not a career politician, he’s not a colourful socks guy, he’s kind of dull and suitable for the role whether it’s 2025, or 1925.

As for the future of editorial cartoons, the platforms we once relied on—mainly print media—are disappearing. However, satire has existed for longer than the printing press, and it should continue. I strive to remain relevant in my newspaper’s digital space by animating my editorial cartoons. While static cartoons are appreciated by my generation and older audiences, younger viewers seek movement, and I work on that every day.