Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Wednesday, March 20, 2019


The SNC-Lavalin Files

SNC-Lavalin never claimed jobs were at risk, CEO Neil Bruce says
Kathleen Roussel: The mandate and mindset of the top prosecutor pushing ahead with the SNC-Lavalin case
Raft of parliamentary moves keep spotlight on SNC-Lavalin scandal
Trudeau tries, and fails, to change the channel in Question Period
Philpott faced 'tough' questions from Liberal MPs in today's regional caucus meeting
SNC-Lavalin could suffer takeover, lose 9,000 jobs overseas, says CEO
Conservatives trigger marathon voting session amid SNC-Lavalin concerns
Conservatives filibuster in House of Commons after Liberals shut down Wilson-Raybould motion
Bill Morneau's chief of staff says he did 'nothing wrong' in SNC-Lavalin affair
Conservatives plan filibuster after Liberals shut down Wilson-Raybould motion
It's now clear that Trudeau deliberately misled us on Lavalin
Trudeau Liberals are playing Canadians for suckers and fools
Don't blame SNC-Lavalin for lobbying for how they handled it
Commons set for all-night voting marathon as Conservatives push for more testimony on SNC-Lavalin
Conservatives force as many as 257 votes as opposition parties protest shutdown of SNC-Lavalin probe


Budget 2019

New funding will fill key data gaps, create Canadian information centre
Details released on long-awaited national food policy
Celina Caesar-Chavannes quits Liberal caucus, will sit as independent MP
Liberal government says it's still reviewing VIA Rail's expansion plans in spite of budget silence
Liberal budget draws battle line for fall election campaign
An unusually eventful budget day sets the stage for the coming election
Liberals dust off Conservative playbook for a worried dairy sector
Budget includes watchdog agency for border officers
New $1B border strategy will get tough on irregular asylum seekers
What Morneau's spending plan means to households' bottom lines
Where is the champion for pharmacare?
Morneau sells his budget and hopes to leave behind the SNC-Lavalin affair
Sombre reality undermines Morneau's sunny words
Budget answers long-standing calls for federal strategy on dementia
The LavScam news keeps on coming
Trudeau, Morneau begin work of selling big-spending Liberal budget to voters
It's when you read details of media bailout that the chill sets in
Look who's talking tough on border security now
'Desperate governments do dumb thins: The Liberals' very political budget
Trudeau's next apology should be to heavily indebted future Canadians
Ottawa promises to make buying a home more affordable, but will it help B.C.?
Finance Minister Bill Morneau's odd plan to help homebuyers won't help with housing affordability
Trudeau's New Budget and the Cult of Home Ownership


Canada grounds the Boeing Max 8 and 9

Off-duty pilot who hitched a ride saved Lion Air 737 day before deadly crash


Canadians held in China / China tensions

Huawei obstructing European carriers' efforts to switch 5G suppliers, AT & T CEO says


Globe and Mail 

Trudeau's politicization of the New Zealand terror attack puts Scheer on the spot
Shot in the dark: On vaccinations for measles and other diseases, data gaps leave Canadians guessing
Indigenous leader Bob Chamberlin to seek federal NDP nod in BC riding


CBC

MP Celina Caesar-Chavanees quits Liberal caucus
Lynn Beyak broke Senate's code of conduct by posting racist letters, ethics officer says


Toronto Star

Liberals' caucus decisions aren't just murky - they also appear to be illegal
Celina Caesar-Chavannes quits Liberal caucus
Cost of refugee board chair's car and chauffeur brings criticism
Chief Bob Chamberlin, vocal Trans Mountain critic in BC, to seek NDP nomination in Nanaimo
Ottawa looks to speed airport security with new agency
Ottawa considers expanding program to help religious sites guard against attacks
Liberal gun review will include rifles NZ shooter used: Blair
Will Trudeau call the federal election early?


Toronto Sun

Trudeau continues to have problems with women, and the truth
Feds abandon provinces on the border
MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes quits Liberal caucus
The inconvenient truth about the carbon tax rebate
Trudeau's broken promises cost 100 billion and counting


National Post

They would be incorrect': Bill Morneau shoots down speculation that Canada is on cusp of recession
Celina Caesar-Chavannes quits Liberal caucus, will sit as an independent MP
Montreal announces it will remove crucifix from city hall, premier says National Assembly might too
Federal government to spend $400K compensating residents of rural Quebec road for asylum seeker disruption


Maclean's

Alberta's election kicks off, already knee-deep in mud


Global

High profile Indigenous leader plans federal NDP run on Vancouver Island
Federal government says B.Cl trying to impeded Trans Mountain with pipeline legislation
MP Celina Caesar-Chavannes leaves Liberal caucus following criticism of Trudeau
Lyynn Beyak broke Senate's code of conduct by posting racist letters online, ethics officer says


Miscellaneous

Feds accuse B.C. of 'Trojan Horse' move to block Trans Mountain
Pardon my French, Prime Minister, but you're F#*ked
Indigenous leader Robert Chamberlin will seek federal NDP nomination in Nanaimo-Ladysmith