Ottawa Observations: Friday, December 11, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Friday, December 11, 2020


Canadians held in China / China tensions

How the Globe slipped under Xinjiang's surveillance state to expose forced labour at Lop County Industrial Park

Canada is trying to engage with a benevolent China that doesn't exist

Canada's envoy to China draws attention of US Senate Intelligence committee chair Marco Rubio

Canada was 'disgraceful' accomplice of US in Meng arrest: China's ambassador

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ontario moves two more regions into lockdown in bid to contain COVID-19

Canada on track for 12,000 daily COVID-19 cases by January as first vaccines arrive Monday

US FDA authorizes Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

Ottawa says all large provinces need stronger COVID-19 response 'now'

Federal officials say action 'urgently needed' as COVID-19 cases rise, holidays begin

Canada could hit 12,000 new cases of COVID-19 a day by January, new modelling shows

'This could all go away:' Nunavut minister pleads with Arviat residents to stay home

NWT to get vaccine in early 2021; territory sees first cases of COVID-19 in weeks

'The quicker I get that shot in me, the better' Quebec readies for vaccine

How our battle against the second wave is going

Hundreds of mink dead from COVID-19 on Fraser Valley farm in BC

BC releasing more detailed geographic COVID-19 data, but critics say it's not enough

BC reports 737 new COVID-19 cases, as deaths approach 600

Surrey school closed after outbreak, over 700 new cases and more

'We're just kind of sitting ducks': Cases surge near Fort St. James

Globe and Mail

Liberals pitch $15-billion in new spending, hike carbon tax to pass 2030 emissions goal

The charities that help struggling Canadians are struggling, too

With their carbon-price surprise, the Liberals finally show the courage of their climate-change convictions

A Canadian biotech giant is born: AbCellera stock triples in debut, company now worth US$15-billion

Travel restrictions at US land borders with Canada, Mexico extended through January 21

Student-loan relief program in disarray, resulting in late penalties and hefty payments

Feds asking court for third extension to deal with revamped assisted-dying regime

For Albertans, Ottawa's updated climate plan will be hard to accept

CBC
  

CSIS use of geolocation data could be unlawful, says watchdog

Ottawa to hike federal carbon tax to $170 a tonne by 2030

Lametti seeks 2-month extension to pass medically assisted death bill

Commons adjourns without resolving dispute over how it should resume in new year

Can employers make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory? The law isn't clear

3 digit suicide prevention hotline gets green light from House of Commons

Canada/US border restrictions extended into 2021

Canada introduces national compensation program for vaccine injuries ahead of pandemic vaccine rollout

Government isn't making it easy to see where all that federal pandemic spending is going

Toronto Star

Ontario bureaucrat who was fired in $11M COVID-19 fraud had ID from Panama

Latest Canada Border Services Agency scandal sparks renewed call for oversight

Justin Trudeau's climate plan is bold. It's also vulnerable - and there's no plan B

Ottawa proposes steep hike for carbon tax to meet greenhouse gas target

'It can no longer be free to pollute': Updated climate plan includes carbon tax hikes

Will Canada's rules be loosened for medically assisted deaths? That might depend on where you live

Toronto Sun

Government report shows COVID-19 a boon for legal smoke sales

Trudeau 'Great Reset' is to break his promise on carbon taxes

No skating around social distancing concerns at Mississauga rink

Uptick in homeless sheltering on TTC vehicles during pandemic

Trudeau's troubling climate evangelism

Time for Canada to uncork restrictive booze laws

Trudeau breaks a promise with massive carbon tax hike

Pandemic policy overkill will do long-term harm

National Post

Commons work grinds to halt as Liberals, Conservatives let deal on virtual parliament rules expire

Liberals' climate plan comes with too much of the messianic message

The CBC's journalists again show their anti-corporate streak, except when it helps pay their salaries

Federal carbon tax to increase to $170 per tonne by 2030 as Liberals unveil new climate plan

Federal climate plan includes carbon tax increases until it reaches $170 by 2030

Past Liberal donors still favoured for judicial appointments under Trudeau, Tories allege with new data

That many First Nations still don't have access to potable water is a stain on our national character

MPs voting their conscience shouldn't be a big deal

CBC scribes worry about their reputations, but not so much about a major news story

Maclean's

On climate, at last, Justin Trudeau is all in

The return of a grand federal-provincial tradition of long-term health funding negotiations

Is Ottawa both Jason Kenney's benefactor and his political straw man?

Global

Feds launching new anti-money laundering units in BC, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario

British Columbians will be able to renew ICBC insurance online in 2022

Former speaker claims 'Me Too' allegations at BC Legislature not properly investigated

Santa Claus to be 'first in line for vaccine,' cleared to make deliveries, Henry assures BC kids

'This will save lives': North Shore Rescue gets green light for night-vision googles

VIA Rail opens route from Winnipeg to Vancouver amid coronavirus

List of recent coronavirus exposures reported in BC

BC Liberal MLA hopes government will support bill to cap restaurant fee charges for delivery services

Miscellaneous

Despite COVID-19 struggles in Western Canada, VIA Rail reopens Winnipeg to Vancouver train route

City of Vancouver delays plastic bag  ban and disposable cup fee to 2022

Vancouver Now Owns the Balmoral and Regent, but their histories still haunt

From Gurdwaras to Truckers, How to Protect a Diverse, Working suburb

Mitzi Dean has plans for BC's Children's Ministry

Catholic Church names more sexually abusive priests, more victims come forward