Subscription Membership Has its Privileges(My morning after the election cartoon only you and few few get to see before everyone else)

Creating editorial cartoons during an election night is a dance with uncertainty, where the risk of choosing the right narrative before the results roll in is both thrilling and daunting. In the past, I'd sketch out multiple scenarios, each capturing different outcomes for Ontario's political landscape: a PC majority, a surprise NDP surge, or a Liberal comeback. But with deadlines closing in before the polls, the luxury of waiting for results has vanished.

The "Young Doug Ford" series is my playful take on these times, where satire meets the unpredictable nature of politics. This particular piece, featuring a youthful Donald Trump in oversized fur, surrounded by Doug Ford and his buddies with their humourous "mandates," was a gamble. My editor's nervousness was palpable—what if the election didn't align with the cartoon's narrative? But that's the beauty and risk of editorial cartooning: capturing the spirit of the moment, even if the specifics remain uncertain.

Gone are the days of newsroom hustle after polls close. The immediacy of digital deadlines has replaced the tactile adjustments of ink and paper. Editorial board meetings with party leaders and meet-and-greets with candidates that once enriched our perspectives are fading memories. Today, many candidates dodge public forums and media questions, a trend that mirrors the disconnection felt by voters. This disengagement challenges cartoonists to find fresh ways to connect with audiences, using humour and creativity to spark conversation in an era of political fatigue.

In this shifting landscape, the creative process remains an anchor. It’s about interpreting the zeitgeist, taking risks, and sometimes, embracing the uncertainty. Even as the times change, the mission of editorial cartoons—to provoke thought, entertain, and challenge the status quo—remains steadfast, a testament to the enduring power of satire in political discourse.

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for February 28, 2025, below! If you haven't yet, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a crucial platform for me amidst the uncertainties of being a staff cartoonist, especially given recent layoffs and newspaper closures affecting our field. As long as I hold my position, subscriptions will remain free. Thank you for your support! This "note" helps craft my weekly posts and showcases animated versions of my cartoons. Enjoy!