Canada as seen through the Eyes of New Brunswick Editorial Cartoonists:
The Insight and Humour of Josh Beutel and Bill Hogan
Preface |
Introduction |
Editorial Cartoon Database |
Classroom Activities
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Bill Hogan, Moncton Times-Transcript, 1994-6-22
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Reference number: MC3224-57
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Scope and Content
The comparison of domestic and foreign affairs issues are depicted in this cartoon as a beaver asks Fidel Castro "… Have we told you about our GST?" while Castro partakes of the Canadian assistance.
Title
Canada reverses ban on aid to Cuba
Caption
"Cuba Bailout"
Issues
GST (General Sales Tax)
The 7% GST or General Sales Tax applies to most goods and services excluding necessities such as basic groceries, most medical treatments and supplies (including medications), and residential rents. It came into effect in Canada on January 1, 1991 as a result of significant manoeuvring on the part of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Finance Minister Mike Wilson. Knowing that the unpopular tax would in all probability not pass Senate, Mulroney appointed several Senators, whom he knew would support the bill, shortly before the vote. This action and the tax itself were very controversial, and contributed to a crushing defeat of the Progressive Conservatives in the next election, the Mulroney government having become one of the least popular in Canadian history.
Persons
Fidel Castro
- Born in Cuba, August 13, 1926
- Former guerrilla chieftain
- Leader of Cuba since 1959 overthrow of Fulgencio Batista's regime
- Guided Cuba into becoming the first Communist state in the Western Hemisphere
- Controverial figure - viewed as a dictator by some and a legitimate leader by others
- Long standing animosity with United States and partnership with Soviet Union
- Tensions culminated in US embargo and 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis