Ottawa Observations: Thursday, May 14, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday, May 14, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions

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The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 testing shortfall spurs quest for radical approaches as provinces look to reopen
Calgary to crack down on pandemic violations as city lags behind in Alberta relaunch
Could COVID-19 be less lethal than we thought?
Parts of Ontario with the highest rate of COVID-19 cases aren't testing as much as places with less spread
Dr. Bonnie Henry says health impact of British Columbia's reopening won't be known for two weeks
Superior Poultry outbreak declared over, plant reopens
US faces 'darkest winter' if pandemic planning falters, says whistleblower




                                                                                                                                       
Globe and Mail

Ontario begins gradual reopening on Tuesday, but limits on social gatherings remain in place
Alberta suspends environmental monitoring rules for oil sands during pandemic
Nationalizing care homes won't necessarily improve the situation
CRTC rejects call for oversight of contact-tracing apps
Big banks are tightening lending standards for real estate investors: mortgage brokers
Africa's biggest economy faces a double blow from oil crisis and surging pandemic
Federal spending on pandemic measures now at $151.7 billion
What property rights do the owners of second homes have in COVID-19 Canada?
Optional buyback program could see assault-style gun ban unravel, group warns
Fishing industry nets $470 million in aid from Ottawa

CBC

Increased foreign threat to COVID-19 research prompts extraordinary warning from Canada's spy agencies
Deadline to become voting member for Conservative leadership race lands Friday
Liberal finance chair says government hasn't been clear enough about risks of pandemic benefit fraud
Wet'suwet'en, BC and Canada sign MOU on negotiations for legal recognition of title
Senate still doesn't know how much Centre Block reno will cost
National parks, historic sites partly reopening June 1, but no camping yet
Trudeau urges consumers to 'buy Canadian' as government pledges $570M for fisheries
Former government point man Peter Harder joins the Progressive Senate Group
Pandemic benefit cheats could get caught by new CRA measures - but not soon
Signing of Wet'suwet'en agreement could land Ottawa in court
Canadian approved N95 mask targeted by Chinese counterfeiters
Halt drug possession charges during pandemic to stem spike in overdose deaths, advocates say
Federal plan to redirect $50M in surplus food not as simple as it sounds


Toronto Star

Premier Doug Ford unveils next steps in reopening Ontarios economy
'The simple fact is that the GTA is not there yet': Region's mayors cautious as Ontario moves to reopen
If you clean teeth, cut hair, serve food or work with your kids, your job is considered high risk for COVID-19 contact, study suggests
Firearms group launches charter challenge of 'assault-style' weapons ban
Border Officials calling for COVID-19 health screening support at Canada-US crossings
Canada's COVID-19 research 'a valuable target' to foreign spies, intelligence agencies warn
Better to get money out now, and clean up later



Toronto Sun

Ford starts reopening but not fast enough
Ontario's Stage One reopening plan set to begin
Has the high flying Peter MacKay come down to earth?
City's COVID-19 data still lagging
Trudeau and his gov't must answer for billions being spent
The year of the Canadian road trip
Learn from mistakes in COVID-19 crisis

National Post

'They created a problem': Chiefs say Trudeau Liberal's Wet'suwet'en deal opens up fresh conflicts
Canada's road to UN Security Council seat goes through Fiji
After finally lifting restrictions, Doug Ford needs to un-scare Ontarions -fast
Ontario moves to reopen many workplaces, resume recreational activities
Tourist towns cautiously prepare for reopening of national parks from COVID-19 shutdown
A job in the public sector has never looked better


Maclean's

Quebec's coronavirus outbreak in long-term care homes could have been prevented
Beijing has fuelled a huge trade in animal-based remedies. Is that where the pandemic began?



Global

BC urged to 'stay local' over long weekend as coronavirus recoveries near 80%
'It's up to all of us': BC woman speaks out after intervening in racist incident
Parents say BC Cuts to early-years programs for deaf children putting kids at risk
Wet'suwet'en elected chiefs repeat call for minister's resignation as gov't pact signed
BC fitness fans face uncertainty as sector looks towards COVID-19 restart
BC tourism sector anxiously awaits travel restrictions update as border still closed
Premier Moe, Ottawa at odds over Indigenous ceremonies during coronavirus pandemic
'No consultation': Vancouver police chief slams $8.5M budget cut amid COVID-19 crisis
Trudeau urges people to 'buy Canadian' food, produce amid COVID-19
Montreal area schools to stay closed until September amid coronavirus crisis


Miscellaneous

BC Court of Appeal overturns Cambie Street property owners' victory in Canada Line case
Chief Adam Palmer expresses surprise that council is seeking reduction to frontline police response in a pandemic
Three House of Commons petitions blasting Justin Trudeau's gun prohibition draw huge response
Now more than ever, housing for all is a public health imperative

Will BC Let all Homeowners Defer Property taxes?
We're Paying More and More for the Liberals' BC Hydro Mismanagement
Shut Out: How Families have fallen off the housing ladder

BC Supreme Court to resume partial operations in June
Dentists won't be reopening May 19
Quarter of BC non profits fear closure by November
Shutdown will continue for places of worship in BC
ICBC facing $1b investment loss after market collapse
Feds pledge nearly $470M to fish harvesters
More than 70% of BC residents support province's plan to reopen economy: poll