In the serious business of documenting environmental calamities, exposing politicians’ dirty tricks, and searching for solutions to the grave challenges of our time, the cartoon is truly an indispensable art – providing both incisive perspective to the issues we discuss, and much-needed comic relief. Let’s face it: any self-respecting publication needs good cartoons. And so it is our distinct pleasure to introduce The Common Sense Canadian‘s “Cartoonist in Residence,” Gerry Hummel.

Gerry immigrated with his family to Canada as a child in 1953 and has lived most of his life in Kitimat, BC. While working at the local paper mill and raising two children as a single-dad, he began working as a self-taught editorial cartoonist for the town paper in 1993. Several years later, he and the paper got sued by a local politician for being too honest – something Gerry shares in common with certain other people at TheCanadian.org. After that, the paper restricted his artistic freedom to such an extent that he was unable to continue working with them. Naturally, we think he will fit right in here.

In recent years, Gerry has continued drawing political cartoons and caricatures for specific causes, always taking the side of the little guy. He recently joined the ranks of the have-nots himself, a casualty of our recent economic recession, forced into early retirement due to industry cutbacks…which now means he can sit at home and listen to rock ‘n roll.

To commemorate this announcement, we proudly present Gerry’s first cartoon for TheCanadian.org, featuring our co-founder Rafe Mair and his close friend Gordon Campbell – a design you will soon be able to wear, as it graces our forthcoming, highly exclusive Common Sense Canadian T-shirts.

Welcome Gerry Hummel!

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