Ottawa Observations: Thursday, April 30, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday, April 30, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions

With angry words around the world, China uses COVID-19 pandemic to take on superpower mantle
Holding China accountable is in Canada's 'moral' and 'strategic' interests, says ex-ambassador



The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Federal emergency stockpile of PPE was ill-prepared for pandemic
Alberta to reopen selected businesses in two weeks, pending stricter public-health measures
We should be proud of the WHO's pandemic response
Manitoba Premier mourns sister while leading Manitoba through COVID-19 pandemic
A ban on window visits at a long-term care homes? One Ottawa bureaucrat's monstrous decree adds insult to injury
We say we're all in this together, but are we?
The hamburger's tasty, but you'll survive without it
As meat plants shut down, COVID-19 reveals the extreme concentration of our food supply
BC to set its own COVID-19 workplace safety rules after outbreaks
Inside Ontario's desperate scramble for N95 masks
Here's how Justin Trudeau can thank front-line health workers: forgive their student debt
Anger grows over an Ottawa trustee whose 'park patrol' snared a Black teen shooting hoops
Here's how Alberta plans to reopen its economy in three stages beginning May 4
Ontario's declining rate of COVID-19 infections looks 'promising', chief medical officer says
$60M lawsuit alleges Revera failed to protect vulnerable residents from COVID-19
Ontario's COVID-19 death toll jumps by 86
WHO transparent? Not so far
'Not a silver bullet': Canada shouldn't rush to approve promising new COVID-19 drug Remdesivir: experts
Nunavut confirms first case of COVID-19: 'It was only a matter of time'
Ontario releases workplace guidance for how to reopen; 86 more deaths reported
Canada's early COVID-19 cases came from the US not China, provincial data shows
COVID-19 casino closure costing BC cities, community groups millions in gaming grants
BC marks 100 days since first coronavirus warning with 25 new cases, 2 deaths
1,500 COVID-19 test kits seized in BC after being illegally sold online
Alberta phase relaunch strategy will see some restrictions eased Friday
Prof urges BC to collect data on race, ethnicity to better understand COVID-19 impacts
'Thanks for doing your part': Bonnie Henry records special message for teachers
United Front groups in Canada helped Beijing stockpile coronavirus safety supplies
Medical mask facility to soon open in Okanagan, will produce 20 million a month to start
Calls about exposure to household cleaners up 60 percent in BC
Province has no plans to issue deadline for vacating Kelowna homeless camp
Health care workers at longterm care facilities; expanding social circles, and reopening casinos
Former BCIT students make thousands of PPE items at home for local health-care workers
Vancouver man becomes first plasma donor for Canadian COVID-19 treatment trial
Race matters in a pandemic, but we're not gathering basic data
COVID-19 hospitalizations keep falling in BC



                                                                                                                                              
Globe and Mail

Search continues for five Canadians missing, one dead in military helicopter crash
Nova Scotia woman identified as one of the victims of a military helicopter crash off Greece
Commercial landlords and big retailers work together to pitch rent relief plan to Ottawa
Swedish epidemiologist Anders Tegnell the target of praise, criticism over handling of COVID-19 pandemic
Brazilians start defying isolation, egged on by Bolsonaro
Half of US states easing coronavirus restrictions as jobless numbers grow
Ottawa expected to announce new Bank of Canada governor Friday
Chief executive says AIMCo takes responsibility for losses in letter posted online
Liberals set to break promise to buy back 'all' assault weapons in Canada
Doug Ford says businesses should 'get ready' as Ontario releases new safety guidelines
Only the United Nations can prevent Venezuela's collapse
Federal deficit could hit $252.1 billion this year, may rise if emergency programs extended: PBO
Ontario's declining rate of COVID-19 infections looks 'promising', chief medical officer says


CBC

Ottawa to appoint new Bank of Canada head on Friday
1 dead, 5 missing in Canadian military helicopter crash during NATO during NATO operations near Greece
Peter MacKay ahead in competitive fundraising race for Conservative leadership
Air Canada anticipates return of worldwide air travel by Christmas
Liberals hope to ban firearms used in Polytechnique, Dawson College shootings: sources
Federal deficit could top $252 Billion says budget officer



Toronto Star

As businesses in Ontario reopen they'll need to follow these rules
Crew members named in Canadian military helicopter crash off Greek coast
Can the Green Party really win 50 seats in Parliament? Glen Murray thinks he can lead them there
Doug Ford announces scores of new rules for businesses once they are allowed to open
COVID-19 creates opportunities for Canada's centre-left


Toronto Sun

Trudeau lies and subverts democracy to push his anti-gun agenda
City moves homeless from encampments to temporary furnished apartments
City staff give updates to COVID-19 response at virtual meeting
Officials go overboard with fortified High Park

National Post

Federal deficits to hit $230B in 2021 as COVID-19 spending measures kick in
'It's very unfair': Private schools reeling after being excluded from Canada's emergency wage subsidy
As Alberta reveals reopening plan, parks and golf courses the first to spring to life
Present and future Alberta doctors criticize provincial health minister for new fees, billing changes
It's not the size of the event, but the behaviour that matters

Caveats in commercial rent subsidy program leave small business owners fearful of eviction
Conservative MP Scott Reid slams 'leak' about Derek Sloan, suggests leadership campaign could be behind it
First quarter Tory leadership fundraising: Mackay has the most dollars, O'Toole has the most donors


Maclean's




Global

Wet'suwet'en chiefs to sign proposed agreement with governments over land rights, title

Miscellaneous

Where's the help for students with special needs?
Glimpses of the 'New Normal'
No, Air pollution isn't much better
We're in for a Bad Wildfire season. The Virus will make it worse
BC Green Party Leader wins defamation case appeal
B C's road to recovery: Governments peer anxiously at post COVID-19 horizon
Canadian NATO helicopter crash: "Heartbreak and loss for so many'
BC courts  technologically lacking: Chief Justice