Ottawa Observations: Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday, February 20, 2018

For notes on the BC Budget see our Victoria Viewpoints feature


Globe and Mail 

Commonwealth summit to keep LGBTQ rights on back burner
Liberal MP Salma Zahid taking leave after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Trudeau mulls parental leave for fathers, parents in LGBTQ marriages
Trudeau's Orwellian logic: We reduce emissions by increasing them
The PC Party should kick Patrick Brown out of its leadership race


CBC

Federal budget looks ready to help protect more lands, inland waters, oceans
Patrick Brown accused of 'dirty and crooked politics' as Ontario MPP calls for investigation
Canadian and Indian companies ink deals worth $1B during Trudeau's trade trip
Watchdog says Quebec judge should be fired after cocaine use inquiry
2017 saw hike in serious rail, pipeline accidents, says safety board
Commercial airplane incidents, accidents jump in 2017, safety board says
Trade fine small compared to billions lost if Trans Mountain doesn't go ahead, minister says
Overburdened refugee tribunal ditches legislated timelines for hearings
Ottawa backs off proposal to change impaired driving threshold
Edmonton man charged with uttering threats against PM on social media
Trudeau government moves to mend fences with India over Sikh tensions


Toronto Star

Questionable behaviour on military flights sparks defence minister warning
Governor General pays first official visit to Toronto
New twist in PC civil war as Hillier accuses Patrick Brown of 'crooked' politics, calls for investigation
Alberta shrugs off B.C. legal challenge on wine ban, says much more at stake with pipeline
Patrick Brown's girlfriend says it's wrong how media has treated him'


Toronto Sun

Shootout at the PC Corral
Superclusters are an exercise in economic futility
Last week Patrick Brown was leading the charge, now he's back to playing defence
Patrick Brown's 'Me Too' moment


National Post

The world is wondering whether Trudeau just got snubbed in India
Letting Brown run for his old job is bonkers. But bonkers hasn't hurt the PCs yet
Ontario PC infighting heats up as MPP alleges Patrick Brown accepted free trips when he was leader 
Guilt over Aboriginals can lead to teaching children untruths. It's happening in Canada
Hybrid mountain pine beetles threaten Jasper National Park
Overwhelmed refugee tribunal gives up on regulated timeframe for asylum hearings
The Liberals have given up on helping the middle class. But hey superclusters!
Is Canada's middle class shrinking or does it just feel that way?


Maclean's

The doggedness of Patrick Brown
To tackle its tax-haven problems, Canada must simplify the tax code
What the Pyeongchang Games mean for veterans of the Korean War


Global


A threat to wild salmon? Government confirms virus in blood discharge pouring into B.C. waters
Final version of Trans Pacific trade deal released, U.S. provisions nixed
Canadians can't stop using their homes as piggy banks
What does $1B in new investment between Canada and India really mean?
Alberta shrugs off B.C. legal challenge on wine ban, says much more at stake
Federal government funds research on microplastics and other ocean contaminants


Miscellaneous 

We can't close our eyes to climate change
Oil companies should pay for climate change costs, says environmental group
This tweet shows Canada's spy agency really gets us in Vancouver