Ottawa Observations: December 31, 2018 -- January 3, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Monday, December 31, 2018 to Thursday, January 3, 2019

Canadians held in China 


Thirteen Canadians have been detained in China since Huawei executive's arrest, says Ottawa
13 Canadians detained in China since arrest of Huawei executive in Vancouver, officials reveal
Canadian officials going ahead with China trip despite tensions with Beijing
Detained Canadian's social media activity suggests invasive interrogation by China
China's arrest of Canadians sends a chilling message to investors, NGO boss warns
Canada blunders and dithers its way to a failing grade on China relations
Group of MPs, senators to push for release of detained Canadians during trip to China
Australia joins outcry over detention of Canadians in China, but stops short of calling for their release
13 Canadians detained in China since December, when Huawei executive was arrested in Canada



Globe and Mail 

Approval for Trudeau's performance about the same as it was for Harper's in 2014, survey shows
People's Party ready for coming federal by-elections, Bernier says
Federal minister looks for private backers to fund rural, remote broadband internet
Veterans Affairs skipped normal consultations to introduce new Pensions for Life for disabled vets
Andrew Scheer says Trudeau will hike carbon tax if he wins vote in 2019
Infrastructure Minister 'laser focused' on construction projects for 2019
Andrew Scheer looks strong at start of election year, but trap lies ahead for Tories on immigration and refugees
MPs suggest making some criminal pardons automatic
On foreign policy, Canada is back - up against a wall, that is


CBC

Canada could threaten U.S. security by allowing Huawei into 5G network, says U.S. senator
Canada to spend $113 million on pre-arrival services for new immigrants
The next frontier in the 'right to die': advance requests, minors and the mentally ill
Potential changes to RCMP structure 'monumental,' says former Mountie
Immigration Canada preparing to launch revamped family reunification system
How the upcoming federal byelections could make history

Phoenix 'pay pods' show some success, but still no word on overall fix
Andrrew Scheer begins new year with warning of skyrocketing carbon taxes
International trade in 2019: getting worse before it gets better
Kevin Vickers considering run for New Brunswick Liberal leadership


Toronto Star

Canada's domestic spy agency looking to hire hackers and data scientists
Liberal byelection candidate highlights community ties in bid to defeat NDP leader in B.C.
New year, new e-petition system in Ottawa
New year brings changes to federal tax and payroll contributions
Dual Alberta oil convoys plotting protest routes to Ottawa
Radio-Canada accused of racism for parody mocking PM's India trip
Talking kettles of fish with Ottawa's oceans minister
Trudeau's carbon tax takes effect in industrial heartland
'Politics is hard - but does political life need to be as hard as it is?
At year's end, Liberals and Tories neck-and-neck in race to fill candidate slate
Military says it's aware of 30 members who hold 'discriminatory' views


Toronto Sun

Open border policies just don't work, despite Trudeau's denials
Eilzabeth May tells the truth on climate change
Numbers are in and Trudeau's infrastructure plan is largely useless
Trudeau clears way for expats to vote in Canadian elections
Tune out climate change debate in 2019 election


National Post

Trudeau sounds resigned to his inability to solve Canada's border crosser problem
Deal to buy used Australian fighter jets finalized, with Canadian Forces set to be flying them by summer
Radio-Canada parody mocking Trudeau's India trip blasted as racist, 'completely disrespectful'
Quebec politician says criticism of world junior hockey team captain Comtois is 'anti-francophone racism'
NDP MP's resignation leaves fourth federal riding vacant as Trudeau set to call three byelections
Here's why Conservatives will be obsessing over the NDPs poll numbers in 2019
Judge rejects Ukrainian man's bid to force Canada to remove him from sanctions list
Ottawa scales back underused immigrant support program after tripling budget in 2015


Maclean's

Who lost China? And how was Canada supposed to win it?
This is how Canada's housing correction begins


Global

StatsCan warns U.S. government shutdown could hinder data collection
Fact check: Scheer slams Liberals' carbon tax for exemptions, but experts say that's not the whole story
Ottawa's unpublished internal polls on federal carbon tax give edge to Trudeau
B.C. federal riding falls vacant as Trudeau poised to call three byelections
This election year, volatile electorate could bedevil Trudeau's Liberals, Scheer's Conservatives
Hero of 2014 Parliament Hill attack says he's considering a run for New Brunswick Liberal leadership


Miscellaneous 

Climate change could chill Liberals' chances in next federal election