Here’s a little something to go along with my latest editorial cartoon—because honestly, what is it about rising food prices that brings out every self-proclaimed expert wielding their magic wand of "obvious" solutions? This phenomenon goes hand in hand with the social media cesspool, where armchair analysts feel compelled to weigh in on every complex issue with their wingbat theories, whether it’s immunology, the constitution, or Middle East peace.

Take food prices, for example. A casual scroll through the comment sections under coverage of The Food Price Report—you know, the one predicting Canadians will see meat and vegetable prices jump three to five percent in 2025—will make your head spin. Everyone’s suddenly an expert on global supply chains, fiscal policy, and the exact carbon footprint of a cucumber. Some blame climate initiatives like the carbon tax for “starving us,” while others point the finger at “greedy corporations” pocketing obscene profits. The shouting match unfolds like a digital food fight, with misinformation flying in every direction.

Meanwhile, the reality of why food prices rise is painfully complex: droughts and floods wiping out crops, the weak Canadian dollar making imports costlier, labour shortages, and yes, even some corporate profiteering. But you’d never know it from the partisan bickering that drowns out any meaningful discussion.

So here’s my cartoon to poke fun at the absurdity of it all. Because while the blame game is easy, addressing systemic issues? That’s the part that takes real work. Let me know your thoughts—or share your own favourite “expert take” you’ve seen floating around. I could use the laugh!

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Here’s the making-of clip of my cartoon in the Saturday December 7 2024 edition of the Hamilton Spectator. Sound on and volume up, please…