Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Wednesday, March 18, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions

The case to ban Huawei from Canada's 5G is more compelling than ever




The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Trudeau unveils $27-billion in aid, $55 Billion of tax deferrals in coronavirus response
Canada-US border to close except for essential supply chains
Some travellers may be stranded for weeks as borders close, Champagne says
Ottawa announces new income supports for workers affected by coronavirus that don't qualify for EI benefits
Two Italian doctors look to colleagues' wisdom in leading the critical-care team at Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital
Italy calls in military to help ramp up production of ventilators as coronavirus cases continue to surge
Trudeau opts for speed over perfection as new programs approved to help Canadians affected by coronavirus
In Wuhan, new coronavirus cases dry up, and a locked-down city has thoughts of freedom
Canadians stranded abroad may lose travel insurance as some providers impose March 31 deadline
Ontario reverses course, says medical workers who travelled must now self-isolate
BC declares state of emergency over coronavirus pandemic
Closing of the border could be the most lasting harm from this coronavirus pandemic
Panic sets in for stranded Canadian travellers as calls grow for repatriation flights
Parliament to return to deal with emergency financial aid package
Trudeau unveils $82B COVID-19 emergency response package for Canadians, businesses
Government expanding COVID-19 testing capacity and purchase of medical equipment, says federal health minister
Canada, US border temporarily closing to non-essential traffic to slow COVID-19
First Nations welcome $305 million COVID-19 fund, wait for details
Canada suspends federal student loan payments during COVID-19 crisis
How the federal government can fast-track medical supplies in a crisis
It could be months before we're on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, but longer just might be better
$82B is not enough to carry Canadians through the pandemic - and Bill Morneau knows it
Ontarios's COVID-19 testing backlog doubles and province to buy 300 ventilators to prepare for surge
Air Canada flight attendant tests positive for COVID-19
Two phone calls, one presidential tweet: How Canada and the US decided to close the border
Huge backlog in COVID-19 test results means Ontario is making decisions baed on old information
Torontonians urged to stay home, cancel dinner with friends as COVID-19 cases climb
Ottawa must fight the coronavirus battle, and worry about cost later
Canada's coronavirus lockdown leaves international farm workers in limbo
Here's how Ottawa's first round of COVID-19 aid will help workers and business
Ottawa expects 'more than one wave' of COVID-19 as it unleashes billions to fight the virus
Canada and the US to close border to non-essential travel
COVID-19 is here. The old way of running things won't work anymore
Trudeau steps up as virus crisis turns economic crisis
Hello? Telehealth Ontario line goes down
GO Transit ridership drops 80% amid COVID-19 shutdowns
Strong medicine on border, economy
The coronavirus reminds us that the world is one family
Ottawa's commitment to 'do what it takes' is exactly the right message for Canadians
655 COVID-19 cases as community spread begins, Canada's top doctor says
Two new tests for COVID-19 have been approved to speed up results, federal health minister says
'Underwhelming' $27B Liberal aid package won't stop widespread layoffs, small business group says
City of Toronto fires director of Office of Emergency Management in middle of COVID-19 crisis
As COVID-19 shutters bars, our cities lose something special, their souls
Canada US border closed to non-essential travel for indefinite period
BC confirms 45 new cases, 13 now in hospital
Saskatchewan declares state of emergency as coronavirus concerns grow
Ottawa's wage subsidy far too low to help small businesses: CFIB
City of Vancouver declares state of emergency amid coronavirus outbreak
BC declares state of emergency in response to coronavirus pandemic
Mandatory quarantine in Philippines leaves Canadians trapped abroad
Canada is enhancing its childcare benefit. Here's how much parents will get
Tofino asks visitors to stay home
The amygdala detects and responds to danger, but the conscious mind experiences fear
As Canada-US border closes to tourism, 45 new BC COVID-19 cases confirmed on March 18 but no new deaths
BC declares provincial state of emergency due to COVID-19
Stop Stockpiling! There's no Grocery Shortage
The Emergency at Hand
US Canada travel ban details being hammered out
BC declares provincial state of emergency
Pandemic 'widespread' in Vancouver as testing capacity fails needs: BC doctor
Vancouver tech entrepreneur creates online tool to assist those most impacted by COVID-19
Here's how Canada's $82B COVID-19 economic stimulus package breaks down
BC Liquor Stores have no immediate plans to close, despite rumours
PM announces Canada-US border closure, multi-billion dollar COVID 19 aid package
Toilet paper hoarding flushes out bidet market
45 new cases of COVID-19 in BC, bringing provincial total to 231
Vancouver considers virtual hearings for rezoning applications amid COVID-19 outbreak
Canada's big banks, credit union announce mortgage payment deferrals
Vancouver Coastal Health confirms case of COVID-19 at Haro Park Centre


Coastal GasLink protests



Globe and Mail

Wage subsidies won't stave off job losses, business groups, economists say
Historic low prices threaten Alberta's oil industry as province, Ottawa promise help is imminent
Stimulus from Ottawa fails to calm investors as energy sector weighs on TSX
Bank of Canada asks retailers to stop refusing cash payments over virus fears
Big four car companies closing all North American factories due to coronavirus
Market crisis adds more risk to oil patch lending


CBC

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Toronto Star

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Toronto Sun

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National Post

How long will this last? Six-month recession is the best-case scenario
Flattening the economy to control COVID-19 will have limited benefits at high costs

Maclean's

Is it time for a national unity government


Global

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Miscellaneous
     
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