Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Wednesday,  February 26, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions

Global Affairs warns Trudeau government about perils of deepening ties with China
Diplomats warned federal government about getting too tight with China, committee hears
The Two Micheals have now been held longer than Iran hostage crisis


The Chinese coronavirus

Canada must take immediate steps to prepare itself for potential COVID-19 pandemic, experts say
Homegrown problems make Canada's economy more prone to rising coronavirus fears
Group pushes for third plane to be sent to Wuhan to gather Canadians and family members
Several European countries report their first coronavirus cases as outbreak in Italy intensifies
Airlines slash costs as coronavirus crisis deepens
Health officials confirm new case of coronavirus in Ontario
Canada preparing a Plan B  pandemic response in case coronavirus containment fails
Toronto woman who visited Iran is Canada's latest coronavirus patient
The Best way to protect against COVID-19 is to wash your hands. Why is that so much to ask?
What to expect if COVID-19 evolves from scattered outbreaks into a global pandemic
Stockpile food and meds in case of infection Canada's health minister says
COVID-19: Canada raises travel health risk level for South Korea, Iran and Northern Italy


Coastal GasLink protests

Planned meeting between BC, Ottawa and Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs falls apart
Rail service will take 'many, many weeks' to get back on track, Garneau says
Proposed meeting between Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, federal, provincial governments falls through
Trudeau says tire fire on CN Rail line near Tyendinaga 'extremely concerning'
A who's who of the Wet'suwet'en pipeline conflict
By seeking injunction to end rail blockades, Quebec premier accepts it's not just Ottawa's problem
Wet'suwet'en chiefs and federal government neared breakthrough, but talks broke down after chiefs refused to call for calm
The ugly side of the blockades
Uphold the rights of all Indigenous Canadians, not just anti-pipeliners
Government says backlog from rail blockades is tremendous, will take weeks or months to address
The Wet'suwet'en blockades: Does everyone know what they'r fighting for?
Fires lit, pallets thrown during Ontario rail protests, as Legault warns of AK-47s in Kahnawake
Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs say potential Thursday meeting with feds may be back on
Legilsature protesters demand that pipeline permits be revoked


Globe and Mail

Ottawa refused to discuss Iran's proposal to resume some diplomatic ties
The rumours of reconciliation's death are greatly exaggerated
Conservative MPs split over Buffalo Declaration that says Alberta referendum is inevitable
The Buffalo Declaration is a powerful document, but separation is no solution for Alberta
In Alberta's Throne speech, Jason Kenney fails to walk the talk on the energy transition
Balancing Alberta's budget by 2022 will be an uphill battle for UCP government
Despite apology, independent senators push to suspend Lynn Beyak a second time
Candidates down to the wire to enter Conservative leadership race
Ottawa Moving too slow with climate plan, business and environmental groups say


CBC

Boushie family, disappointed by lack of federal follow-up, returns to Ottawa
Now that Teck Frontier is dead, is there a future for Canada's oilsands?
Canada to conduct flight tests on grounded Boeing 737 Max Fleet
As blockades continue, Kenney tells First Nations they should be partners in projects
UCP meddling undermines Alberta universities' basic purpose



Toronto Star

Justin Trudeau, marooned in a political no man's land
With the goal of developing Canada's resources, Trudeau struggles to deliver


Toronto Sun

Is Trudeau in charge of this government?


National Post

Jason Kenney says he'll follow Trudeau's TransMountain example by having government back oil projects
Conservative leadership field grows to six as Derek Sloan, Jim Karaholios become official candidates
Social Conservatives barred from Tory Leadership race by 'roadblocks and red tape': head of anti-abortion group
Ignoring concerns of energy producing provinces could break democratic politics, Michael Ignatieff says
Alberta demands to be removed from Federal carbon tax in wake of court decision


Maclean's

Andrew Scheer and Peter MacKay's throwback to civil-rights-era racial stereotypes
The UN, where rights abusers get to be on the human rights council


Global

Conservative candidates scramble to the last wire as leadership deadline looms
Alberta government took six months to release alarming climate report
Independent senators push for another Lynn Beyak suspension, despite apology
Ethics committee will invite 4 commissioners but defers Tory motion for SNC-Lavelin study
Where do Canadians stand on Wet'suwet'en solidarity blockades and reconciliation?


Miscellaneous