Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Wednesday, February 28, 2018



Globe and Mail 

Trudeau stands by adviser as India calls claim of involvement in Atwal affair 'baseless'
Bloc Québécois fractures as seven of 10 MPs quit over Ouellet's leadership
Trudeau won't be back in India any time soon
Federal government commits funds to address shortage of French Immersion teachers
With president for life, Beijing takes an ugly turn
Ottawa's conservation plan puts Indigenous people in charge of protecting land
Budget media provisions disappointing, industry says
Morneau credits simpler small business tax plan to 'crowdsourcing'
Crown withdraws charge against political strategist Nick Kouvalis
India denies role in Atwal controversy during Trudeau visit
Budget confirms that deficits are a feature for this government
Amid Trans Mountain backlash, budget makes major investment in conservation


CBC

'Fiscally responsible' pharmacare plan will fill in gaps, finance minister says
Canada's foreign aid spending still below OECD average after budget boost
Sniping over Patrick Brown's future and party 'corruption' dominates final Ontario debate
Bloc Québécois hobbled as 7 of 10 MPs quit
Search for Phoenix replacement to be led by Treasury Board
India calls accusations it set up the Atwal affair 'baseless and unacceptable'
Credit unions get OK from feds to offer 'banking' services
Budget says some paper currency will no longer be legal tender
Liberals' budget doubles down on the voters they can't afford to lose: women
Families celebrating $81M in budget to fix the no-fly list system
The 2018 budget is a pitch to Canadian women voters. But is it enough?
Kingston prison farms returning with new federal funding


Toronto Star

Ottawa promises crackdown on loopholes that let big banks avoid billions in taxes
Bill Morneau downplays a universal pharmacare program
On the India fiasco, Trudeau is looking for blame in all the wrong places
Patrick Brown remains lightning rod in PC debate despite quitting leadership race earlier this week
India visit and budget more related to style than substance
Are the Trudeau Liberals serious about pharmacare this time?


Toronto Sun

Budget still hasn't balanced itself
Risk management not even on Liberals' radar
Morneau defends budget as opposition slams deficit and pharmacare plan
PMO dug itself into hole over India fiasco


National Post

It is possible the Atwal affair was both a cock up and conspiracy at the same time
Messing with jury selection won't fix Indigenous alienation from justice system
Federal Liberals' call for national campus sex-assault policy comes with 'unparalleled' note of menace
Raft falls from RCAF helicopter in Miami, smashing through roof and injuring woman
Canada may have just squandered its best shot at balancing the budget
Budget promise to pay for negotiations could Indigenous treaty process, but at a hefty pricetag
Trudeau and Morneau truly don't realize the mess they're making
Eyes on the 'prize': Canada hosting South American bloc in hopes of accessing free trade with Brazil, Argentina
Prime Minister Wardrobe Malfunction's awful parade of idiocy continues
What kind of 'honest broker' won't admit what city is your capital?


Maclean's

The Trudeau family's love of tyrants


Global

Canada will study national pharmacare. Here's how other jurisdictions do it.
President of Treasury Board makes pitch for Federal Budget 2018 at Halifax Town Hall
Budget cash for staff in China a sign free trade talks moving ahead: former ambassador
Big bank economists flag federal budget's happy-go-lucky stance on deficit
Federal Budget 2018 - all the nice stuff borrowed money can eventually buy
Ouellet's leadership style causes 7 Bloc Quebecois MPs to quit party
Taxpayers to shell out $650M for G7 meeting
Indian government blasts 'baseless' suggestion it orchestrated Jsapal Atwal presence during Trudeau visit


Miscellaneous 

Read NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's fundraising letter on day after Liberal budget