Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Wednesday,  February 19, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions

China expels three Wall Street Journal reporters in anger over single headline
Threats to security, health, public infrastructure  - and other potential costs of Canada's 5G rollout


The Chinese coronavirus

Man facing deportation to China from Canada cites 'raging epidemic' as reason to stay
BC's first case out of isolation


Coastal GasLink protests

Premiers press Trudeau for solution to rail blockades
VIA Rail to lay off 1,000 employees amid rail blockades
What could the blockades lead to? A national shortage of reason and moderation
If this is all Trudeau can offer on the blockades, perhaps he should have gone to Barbados
In dealing with protests, Justin Trudeau must be clear about what's negotiable, and what isn't
Stop using the 'rule of law' as a weapon against Indigenous peoples
Premiers, Liberal MPs push for a swift end to protests crippling rail network
Wet'suwet'en chiefs' planned meeting with Mohawk protesters could delay efforts to end rail crisis
Why 2 different kinds of Wet'suwet'en leaders support and oppose the gas pipeline
Ottawa formally asks Alberta to enact cap on oilsands emissions as Teck Frontier decision looms
Liberals postponing planned tabling of UNDRIP bill because of blockade crisis, says Mohawk chief
Kanesatake grand chief retracts comments on rail blockades after Mohawk community protest
VIA Rail issues temporary layoffs to nearly 1,000 workers as blockades continue
Liberal decisions on Wet'suwet'en, Teck crises will make it clear what this government really stands for
Justin Trudeau floats replacing RCMP with Indigenous force. Wet'suwet'en chief says that's not good enough
Wilson-Raybould blasts Trudeau and offers four proposals to help resolve the Wet'suwet'en blockade crisis
'Not in our backyard': Alberta Wet'suwet'en rail blockade meets stiff opposition and shuts down after injunction granted
Could the Wet'suwet'en blockades shape Justin Trudeau's decisions on the Teck Frontier oilsands project
Our polarized politics are doing little to heal a fractured nation
Kanesatake chief retracts Wet'suwet'en blockade comments after community uproar
Villification of solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation as thuggish is part of the colonial playbook
Is reconciliation dead? Maybe only government reconciliation is
Blockades, derailment and fear dominate pipeline crisis
PM talks 'rule of law' while blockade protesters give it the finger
Wet'suwet'en not behind rail blockades, protests: BC MLA
This crisis calls for mature leadership
The larger question to ask during these blockades
PM playing petty politics with Scheer
Majority of Canadians want an end to blockades, support police intervention, poll finds
'This is not violence': Counter-protesters tear down blockade on CN rail line in Edmonton
Premiers call for meeting with Trudeau on Thursday to discuss 'peaceful resolution' of 'illegal blockades'
VIA Rail temporarily lays off 1,000 employees as blockades snarl passenger service
Will Justin Trudeau sleep while Canada's beds are burning?
These protestors know more about Indigenous issues than their detractors claim
Can Jody Wilson-Raybould carry an olive branch?
BC RCMP open door to leaving Wet'suwet'en territory in effort to end rail blockades
Canadian government cannot send RCMP to arrest Wet'suwet'en protesters, expert says
Will Wet'suwet'en solidarity protests set the stage for what's to come with TMX?
Premiers call on teleconference meeting with Trudeau to discuss Wet'suwet'en protests
'We've been working night and day' to resolve blockades: Kahnawake grand chief
Hereditary chiefs say they won't meet with ministers until RCMP detachment removed
Blockades a genius assertion of Indigenous power: UBC-based First Nations thinker Glen Coulthard
VIA Rail announces temporary layoffs of nearly 1,000 workers following actions by Wet'suwet'en sympathizers
Who will be on the hook if the largest private-sector investment project in Canadian history hits the rocks?
No one voice can speak for the Wet'suwet'en


Globe and Mail

Higher costs should kill Trans Mountain pipeline, opposition says
Canada should spend more on early childhood education, new report says
As Teck decision looms, Ottawa warns Alberta on rising oil-sands emissions
If you want to be appointed a judge, there are Liberal steps to the bench
Venezuelan ambassador works out of his condo in Ottawa to avoid tensions with Maduro embassy staff
Chief Justice Richard Wagner says judiciary must decide what training judges need


CBC

Canada isn't ready for the emerging technologies of the 21sr century, warns AI developer
Eyes off the prize: Why is the Conservative leadership field so small
Alberta's plan to balance its books is already off the rails


Toronto Star

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Toronto Sun

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National Post

Meet Canada's new racists: Our self-mortifying 'progressive' urbanites
For once the House of Commons presents us an explicit contest of political philosophies
Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu becomes the fourth official candidate in the Conservative leadership race
'The news industry is in trouble': Canadian media outlets team up to demand tax and regulatory changes


Maclean's

Why Canada needs an independent Indigenous human rights commission


Global

Trans Mountain pipeline's rising cost will kill project, opposition groups warn


Miscellaneous
     
What the Teck Mine will Destroy