Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Wednesday, July 8, 2020 




Canadians held in China / China tensions

Champagne not ruling out sanctions against Chinese officials over Hong Kong, Xinjiang
Australia ends Hong Kong extradition treaty, extends visas
China gets nastier, but Trudeau's Liberals still grovel


The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

St. John's bar hub George Street sparks COVID-19 outbreak fears as pictures of crowds emerge
Canada's public health agency warns threat of COVID-19 resurgence in Canada 'not just hypothetical'
Canadians' COVID-19 fears are rising again - and the US might be to blame
Ontario reporting nine more COVID-19 deaths
Exposure notice expanded after 2nd COVID-19 case linked to Vancouver strip club
Three new deaths as BC COVID-19 cases top 3,000
What British Columbians can do to help contact tracing to stop the spread of the coronavirus
Second individual at Vancouver's No. 5 Orange strip club tests positive for COVID-19
There's a Drug to treat COVID-19, but Canada must act soon to ensure access
COVID-19 infections in BC exceed 3,000



Finance Minister Morneau's Financial update

Morneau projects $343.2 billion deficit; federal debt to climb above 1 trillion
Ottawa won't be much worse off fiscally, even with record borrowing
The government's fiscal update told us one thing - there's a reckoning on the way
The government's emergency plan was a success - but the recovery will be even harder
Ottawa to post $343B deficit as spending hits levels not seen since Second World War
Highlights of Bill Morneau's 2020 fiscal 'snapshot'
Does the Trudeau government have a plan to end the pandemic economy?
Ottawa racked up hundreds of billions in debt to help us through the pandemic. What happens next could make or break us
Federal deficit hits $343.2 billion, but Bill Morneau says it prevented a full-blow economic collapse
Canadians have the big deficit number but where do we go from here?
Canada's fiscal 'snapshot' has no plan to get us out of this mess
Canada's finances are worse than anyone expected
Canada's fiscal snapshot predicts $343 Billion deficit as Liberals offer little intention to curb spending
The way out of COVID-1i's economic hole looks slow, uneven and bleak: fiscal snapshot
A pandemic-era economic and fiscal snapshot or patting their own backs?
All the bad news, half the bad press
Where will Canada's coronavirus economy go next? Here are 3 possible scenarios
Canada's coronavirus deficit soaring to $343B as feds warn of 'permanent change' to economy




                                                                                                                   
Globe and Mail

Ford says he won't accept a 'bad deal' with Ottawa for financial aid, introduces omnibus COVID-19 recovery bill
Ontario government tells school boards to maximize time children are in the classroom
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn't recuse himself from cabinet decision on WE charity
In reopening schools, Canada will get a passing grade if we listen to teachers
By reducing air travel within Canada, COVID-19 has opened another equity gap
CBSA failed to promptly deport most people facing removal orders, Audtior-General finds
Crown company responsible for Saudi combat vehicle deal failed to screen for human rights risks: Auditor-General
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh calls on Trudeau to address systemic racism within the RCMP
Conservative leadership candidate Peter MacKay faces criticism for skipping pair of virtual debates


CBC

Trudeau says cabinet will look at policies to address systemic racism
Trudeau 'concerned' by US threat of tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel
CBSA did not know whereabouts of 34,000 foreign nationals slated for removal: AG report
Singh says Rideau Hall incident would have ended differently if suspect was person of colour
Auditor general finds $2.4B in unpaid student loans, calls for stronger recovery efforts
Via Rail cutting about 1,000 jobs amid struggles over COVID-19 pandemic





Toronto Star

Doug Ford's Tories table COVID-19 bill to 'get Ontario back on track' but some are calling it a power grab
Seniors who survived COVID now at risk from lack of air-conditioning in long-term-care homes
Directors of Education don't need to be teachers, province proposes
Why Bob Rae is the perfect choice for the UN
Auditor General says Tories vastly overstated the cost of irregular border crossers seeking asylum in Ontario



Toronto Sun

Trudeau remains clueless on his role in WE fiasco
Ontario's illegal border crossers costs 'overstated' but still $81M: Auditor
Trudeau didn't learn his lesson about conflict of interest


National Post

Trudeau admits he did not recuse himself from decision to outsource $900 million volunteer grant program to WE Charity
Canada's National Gallery criticized for 'significant deficiency' in how it manages its works: Auditor General
Rideau Hall intruder wrote letter prior to attack, saying Canada needs a wake up call
Vandalism of sign commemorating victims of communism is 'deplorable', Ukrainian Canadian Congress states
A more dangerous world looms will Canada, freighted with pandemic debt, be ready?
The feds don't know the whereabouts of 34,000 foreigners ordered deported: Auditor General
From Me to We  to Whoops we got caught


Maclean's

Has enthusiasm for the CERB paved the way for a universal basic income?



Global

Details on back-to-school plan coming in 'three weeks' BC education minister says
BC Legislature announces plan to update Police Act, points to 'systemic racism' in BC institutions
BC Real Estate Association releases new rules for open houses
Female BC RCMP officer docked 20 days' pay for sexual misconduct
How pets are  helping residents of one BC Seniors' home get through COVID-19
Vancouver school and playground zones to be 30 km/h all day, every day
Evacuation orders, alerts remain in Cache Creek, with more rain possible
Many British Columbians' finances, debt worsening under COVID-19: poll
Former Kelowna Mountie speaks out about RCMP's lack of mental health support
Surrey in rare position to redefine policing amid calls for defunding
Trio of Canadian politicians call for Parliament to examine wellness checks
Hundreds of student volunteer positions advertised on federal website don't exist
Canada absent as US, Mexican presidents meet at White House to talk CUSMA


Miscellaneous                            
       
Masks now required at home showings in new guidance for BC realtors

Facial recognition firm suspends RCMP contract
BC courts continue return to normal operations