Bring Out Your Dead

Let's be real—no one likes the word "austerity." It's like the unwelcome guest at a party that everyone tries to avoid. But as someone who’s always rooted for the underdog and used my editorial cartoons to champion those facing tough times, I’ve got to say, there’s an elephant in the room we can't ignore: cuts are coming. Why? Because our economy is flashing warning signs, and the financial framework of our country is starting to creak under pressure.

During the last federal election, all eyes were on the chaos caused by Donald Trump—tariffs, threats of annexation, you name it. The idea of budget cuts? It barely made a blip on the radar. Fast forward to now, and here we are in the thick of summer. The Premiers and the PM just wrapped up a big meeting, and their main focus is on fortifying the economy—prepping for tariffs, breaking down interprovincial trade barriers, and strengthening our energy sector. It’s all hands on deck to keep Canada’s economic ship afloat.

Who was/is the shadowy figure hovering over all of this? Donald Trump, of course. Trump distraction isn’t just a convenient tactic in the U.S., it works as a convenient distraction from looming unpopular domestic topics here in Canada, like austerity.

Meanwhile, our PM, who’s got a banker’s mind, is quietly working behind the scenes. His goal? To reinforce the federal government’s strength by trimming the excess and getting rid of the “rotten wood.” It’s not going to be easy, and yes, there’s a lot of concern about the pain these cuts might cause. But the hope is that this discomfort will be short-lived and pave the way for brighter days ahead.

So, while my cartoons will continue to shine a light on the challenges facing everyday Canadians, I also acknowledge that sometimes, tough decisions have to be made. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his team may not win a popularity contest with these moves, but they’re aiming for a stronger, more resilient Canada in the long run. Let’s hope these necessary cuts are the right medicine for our economic woes.

Please enjoy the making-of video of my Thursday July 24 editorial cartoon.