The app for independent voices

Happy Canada Day. Have some cake, err, or some pie

It's amazing how quickly the Mark Carney government managed to pass the ‘nation-building’ Bill C-5, just as he promised before Canada Day. This was the gift he pledged after the Liberals' victory in the April federal election, and he’s delivered on it. When you compare this to Ontario's Bill 5, the "Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act," there's a noticeable difference in public perception.

Ontario's Bill 5 is facing much more criticism, likely because the Ford government doesn't have a stellar record on environmental matters and consultation. Despite receiving a mandate in a recent election, the low voter turnout suggests a lack of strong backing.

Part of why Carney's Bill C-5 is being received more positively might be due to his image as a capable and trusted CEO figure. People seem to have faith in his leadership, even though his government is untested in areas like environmental stewardship and proper consultation. On the other hand, Doug Ford is often seen as more of a lovable bumbler, which might affect how his policies are perceived.

Ultimately, when it comes to consultation, there needs to be a limit. It's important to ensure that projects are scrutinized to minimize risks, but not to the point where development is completely blocked. There’s a fine line between being cautious and being overly restrictive, and finding that balance is key.

Why the Canada Day cartoon so early, you ask? I’m taking my usual time off during the first week of July and won’t be drawing anything for the Tuesday holiday. In the past, this time off included typical Canada Day celebrations, perhaps at a friend’s pool or a cottage, followed by a trip south to celebrate the Fourth of July with American family and friends. Sadly, this year is different due to ongoing issues caused by you know who…

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a vital platform for me, especially in the face of recent layoffs and newspaper closures impacting our industry. Don’t miss my animated editorial cartoon for June 28, 2025, below!

YouTube:

Jun 27
at
10:03 PM