Charting a New Course

Saturday March 15, 2025 | Newsletter 22

Mark Carney’s Moment to Revive Canada

With delight, I celebrate the conclusion of the final chapter of the Justin Trudeau era, which began with promise in 2015 but devolved into a ten-year slide that allowed a particularly petulant, negative, and angry Pierre Poilievre to gain traction. After months of a national nightmare marked by a witnessed leadership vacuum, we are finally nearing the end of this tumultuous period as Mark Carney emerges as a beacon of hope, offering the potential for much-needed and steady management of the nation’s economy during this challenging time. Canadians finally have a grown-up at the helm, poised to foster unity after years of endless amateur hours, not just from the former Prime Minister but from his adversaries as well. Since I began sharing these weekly round-ups of my editorial cartoons on Substack, they have become instrumental in developing themes throughout the week, with the dominant focus being the election of President Donald Trump and its profound impact on Canada. During this period, we witnessed the resignation of a Prime Minister indirectly linked to Trump’s rise, a federal leadership vacuum as Parliament went into prorogation, and the emergence of subnational leadership, particularly with Doug Ford, who has capitalized on this time to consolidate his power by winning a third mandate centred on addressing the economic pressures stemming from Trump’s tariffs and divisive rhetoric that threaten Canada’s stability. We now find ourselves at a crucial juncture as a new Prime Minister steps into the spotlight, poised to confront the challenges ahead. The cartoons I’ve drawn this week set the stage for what’s to come: Canada needs a leader who can unify; Trump-like tactics may be necessary to effectively counter Donald Trump; tariffs affect everyone, including their country of origin; and both parties vying for power face significant hurdles, with Mark Carney needing to navigate the unpopularity and baggage of his predecessor, while Pierre Poilievre is constrained by his alignment with Trump’s ideals and rhetoric.

Before we move on to present let’s look at my regular re-run editorial cartoon feature of the week. This week’s reports from the New York Times, titled “E.P.A. Declares ‘Greatest Day of Deregulation Our Nation Has Seen,‘” highlight a troubling shift in policy that prioritizes short-term economic gains over long-term environmental health. As the agency rolls back critical protections, I was inspired to readapt an old editorial cartoon (from June 23, 2016) about the controversial water diversion from Lake Michigan, reflecting the ongoing debates around water rights and the implications of deregulation. This news along, with the umpteen times the President referred to annexation of Canada this past week who wouldn’t want to become the 51st state under the vision of Donald Trump? That’s sarcasm, folks.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025: “Superhero Politics”
Yet again, featuring a superhero suit labelled “Captain Canada,” the Conservative leader held a megaphone marked “Populism,” while the Liberal leader clutched a folder titled “Economic Strategy.” I’ve drawn quite a few Captain Canada superhero costumes recently. This scene critiques Canada’s political landscape as it faces economic challenges worsened by Donald Trump’s trade policies. With Mark Carney now leading the Liberals, the upcoming election will reveal if Canadians favour collaborative leadership over populist rhetoric. I believe Carney is the right choice for Prime Minister, especially compared to Pierre Poilievre, whose far-right tactics echo Trump. We need a unifying leader to navigate these turbulent times and protect Canada’s sovereignty.

Making-of clip: Tailored Leadership

March 11, 2025 marked the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic, so I released extra postthis week to reflect on the occasion and an illustration I drew that went viral, ironically, and continues to resonate today.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025: “The Pitbull Guardian”

Mark Carney, the new Liberal leader and prime minister designate, confidently refers to a fierce pitbull labelled Doug Ford, symbolizing Ford’s role amid trade tensions, particularly against Trump’s proposed 50% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. The cartoon reassures that “Doug’s harmless. He’s just a ‘tariffic’ guardian.” A moving truck marked “PM Designate Movers” hints at the transition of power, while Trump looks on from a golden balcony. After Ford’s initial threats to charge Americans for Ontario’s electricity, he wisely backed down, allowing for some diplomatic breathing room with U.S. Secretary of Commerce and FOX News host Howard Lutnick who met later in the week in D.C. to be effectively neutered. This cartoon highlights the ongoing political dynamics and trade tensions in Canada. One wonders if pitbull Doug will be unleashed in the near future.

Making-of clip: Canada’s Pitbull on Tariffs

Thursday, March 13, 2025: “Tariffs and Tensions”
Cranes labelled “Asia,” “Canada,” and “Europe,” each hoisting beams marked “Reciprocal Tariffs.” Trump operates a crane labelled “Trump Tariffs,” swinging a beam with a U.S. flag toward a startled Uncle Sam, while Canada is represented as a beaver. This scene critiques the absurdity of tariffs and underscores tensions in global trade. Trump’s tariffs on aluminum and steel threaten to raise prices and jeopardize jobs, particularly in Hamilton, Canada’s steel city. The economic fallout from Canada’s tariff response is felt across North America, highlighting the need for a balanced trade approach. Trump’s pandemic handling and border closures have also strained local economies.

Making-of clip: Trump Tariffs aimed at Canada impact Uncle Sam

Friday, March 14, 2025: “Justin Baggage/Carry-ons”
Today was Mark Carney’s swearing-in as Canada’s new Prime Minister. Governor General Mary Simon observed as baggage labelled “Sunny Ways” symbolized the legacy Carney inherits from Trudeau. He steps into this role under significant pressure, needing to counter Poilievre’s portrayal of him as a continuation of the Trudeau era. Despite initial cheers from 86% of party members, long-serving ministers were let go, revealing the challenges ahead. Some may think I’m ridiculing the Liberals to benefit the Conservatives, but I’ve been critical of Trudeau from the start. Many issues plaguing Canada today stem from his approach, which has drawn Trump’s ire, as he suggests Canada should become the “51st state.” Carney’s economic expertise will be tested as he tries to shift the dynamic with Trump and unify the nation. Anyway, as I tend to do, if I please partisans one day, I tend to disappoint them the next, and vice versa… read on…

Making-of clip: Mark Carney inherits Trudeau legacy baggage

Saturday, March 15, 2025: “Maple MAGA vs. Progress”
My cartoon contrasted Pierre Poilievre, depicted as a frozen figure weighed down by the label “Maple MAGA,” against an energetic runner symbolizing Mark Carney. This imagery highlights the differences in their political momentum. Carney’s calm demeanour calls for Poilievre to broaden his appeal beyond core supporters and adopt a more inclusive approach to meet Canadians’ diverse needs during ongoing trade tensions. In today’s piece, I depicted Poilievre shackled to “Maple MAGA,” a term capturing the far-right rhetoric echoed by his supporters. This first-time use aptly describes Poilievre’s base, which mirrors narratives from American alt-right figures. Both Poilievre and his supporters face an identity crisis as they grapple with the disconnect between “Canada First” and global interdependence. Poilievre’s contemplation of cutting foreign aid further illustrates this struggle. Through these depictions, I hope to spark meaningful dialogue about the political paths shaping Canada’s future.

Making-of clip: PP Shackled to Maple MAGA

Mark Carney’s rise as Prime Minister presents a glimmer of hope for a Canada that has endured the circus of the Trudeau era. His upcoming visits to the UK and France could be just the ticket to boost international relations—and perhaps provide him with a much-needed break from the chaos at home. Whether he’ll engage with the drama queen in the White House is anyone’s guess, but let’s hope he doesn’t bring any of that petulance back with him.

Carney’s leadership stands in stark contrast to Pierre Poilievre’s divisive antics—though we can expect Poilievre to continue channeling his inner populist. As we gear up for the next election, Canadians must decide whether to embrace a grown-up at the helm or to keep riding the rollercoaster of far-right rhetoric. Spoiler alert: the stakes for our future are higher than ever, so let’s hope we choose wisely this time!