Superhero of Developers

Friday June 6, 2025

Friday June 6, 2025 - Doug Ford's Bill 17 sidesteps environmental protections and local governance, prioritizing development at the cost of Ontario's sustainability. The trio of crony developers depicted have appeared in numerous editorial cartoons I’ve drawn, L to R: Silas Slyman, Otto Overreach, and Mortimer Shadewell.

Here I am again, feeling like a broken record, lamenting yet another one of Doug Ford's government’s anti-environmental moves. It’s a familiar tune for Ontario’s premier (for those unfamiliar, we're not referring to the crack-smoking Ford who once served as Toronto's Mayor - that’s Doug’s brother, Rob Ford, who died in 2016.) It seems like the rollbacks on local consultation and oversight is what we in Ontario signed up for when less than half of the voting public handed him an his Progressive Conservative Party another majority government in February of this year. Ontario's Bill 5, passed just last week, speeds up permits for mining and infrastructure projects, but has raised concerns about its impact on Indigenous rights and the environment.

Friday February 14, 2025 - On Valentine's Day, Doug Ford, known as "Captain Canada," captivated Ontario voters with his charm and strategic gestures like $200 cheques, despite challenges such as healthcare shortages and classroom overcrowding. While controversies were overshadowed, skepticism about the long-term impacts persisted. The election would determine whether voters continued their romance with Ford or sought change amidst a divided opposition. With a third majority victory, it turns out Ontario would, and now suffers the hangover.

Sure, Ford played the Captain Canada role brilliantly, taking a strong stand against Trump earlier this year, and his dramatic flair continues to win him applause. But beneath that performative exterior, we're stuck with the reality of what the next few years are likely to look like.

A Short Cartoon History of Doug Ford with Donald Trump - Doug Ford's relationship with Donald Trump reveals complexities in Canadian politics. While Ford aims for a "Captain Canada" image, he's influenced by Trump's populist style, evident in a hot mic incident admiring Trump. Editorial cartoons capture their interactions and Ford's evolving political stance.

Dirtiest U.S. President Ever - Amid the chaos of the U.S. President's actions, I used editorial cartoons to spotlight Donald Trump's harmful environmental policies. His first term saw a rollback in efforts to protect the planet, setting a worrying trend for the future with no signs of change.

Ford's approach mirrors a "Trumpy" disregard for genuine consultation and environmental responsibility. It's full steam ahead for his developer pals and provincial power brokers, with little concern for the impact on our planet. It's almost amusing—almost—how he can be hailed as a brave critic of the U.S. President while simultaneously mirroring that same President's approach when it comes to ignoring the climate crisis. It's a frustrating echo, and one that I fear we’ll be hearing more of in the years to come.

Substack is a vital platform for me, especially with the uncertainties that come with being a staff editorial cartoonist. While I’m hopeful about my future, I know many talented colleagues have faced layoffs and newspaper closures. This platform gives me a backup plan in case I find myself in a similar situation. For now, subscriptions are free, so please enjoy the animation of how I created my editorial cartoon on June 6, 2025: