Ottawa Observations: Friday, January 22, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Friday,  January 22, 2021

The Royal Farewell

Julie Payette wasn't adequately vetted for governor-general role, sources say

Why did Julie Payette quit? Who will be the next governor-general? Updates on the story so far

Payette's tragic appointment wouldn't have happened under Harper's system

Payette had to go, now Trudeau must restore confidence in the role

Trudeau says he's looking to improve vetting process for Gas following Payette controversy

Payette is the one resigning - but Justin Trudeau has to wear it

Justin Trudeau offers no apology for making Julie Payette his Governor General - for her $150K a year payout

Taxpayers shouldn't be paying Payette's expenses forever

Governor General blunder is all on Trudeau

Payette appointment leaves Trudeau with painful sting of a self-inflicted wound

Trudeau refuses to apologize or take any responsibility for decision to nominate Julie Payette as governor general General

The problem with modernizing (and the Governor General)

Canadians held in China / China tensions

China grants Canadian officials consular access to Michael Kovrig, but not to Michael Spavor

Opportunity vs threat: Canada's unpredictable and sometimes irreconcilable relationship with China

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

British Columbia's age-based COVID Vaccine plan: Oldest to youngest the main criteria

Well done, everyone: Vaccines were out last line of defence, but now our governments have bungled that as well

Provinces doing 'extraordinary' job to avoid wasting doses of COVID-19 vaccine

WHO advisor: COVID-19 pandemic started via a lab leak

Answers needed on Pfizer's vaccine shortage in Canada

BC prioritizing age and vulnerable people over non medial essential workers in mass COVID-19 immunization plan

Number of UK variant cases in BC climbs to 6, South Africa variant to 3

BC reports another 508 COVID-19 cases, nine deaths

Vancouver vaccine line jumpers, second corrections outbreak, longterm recovery clinics

BC to administer COVID-19 vaccines by age group from February to September

BC's New Vaccine rollout is based largely on age

Globe and Mail

Internal audit lays bare problems at Public Health Agency of Canada

Trudeau presses Biden for help in securing release of Kovrig, Spavor from China

Veterans face increasing wait times for mental-health support at government clinics, internal reports show

Have COVID-19 will travel: Why is the virus still pouring into Canada on international flights?

CBC
  

Biden pledged to work with Canada on 'Buy American' during call with Trudeau, official says

Trudeau says Pfizer CEO assured him that vaccines will arrive in February

Booted from caucus, Derek Sloan faces long odds if he pursues re-election

9 months after deadly NS shooting, Ottawa halts sales of decommissioned  RCMP vehicles

In letter to PM, Kenney calls for consequences or compensation over Keystone XL cancellation

Federal  government settles lawsuit with Canada's ambassador to Israel

It's a landmark day for nuclear disarmament, but an awkward one for the federal government

Toronto Star

       

Joe Biden tells Justin Trudeau in their first phone call that 'buy American' plan isn't aimed at Canada

Justin Trudeau warns tougher travel restrictions are on the horizon, and Canadians could be stranded

Google may remove it's search engine from Australia. Could the same happen in Canada?

Ontario recovers $11M in missing COVID-19 funds

Employee frustration grows after Toronto's tourism agency lays off local workers and uses federal funding to hire American contractors

New advocacy group launches pre-election ad campaign against O'Toole, Conservatives

Toronto Sun

Trudeau wants to deal with the border a year late

Durham doctor, TO Paramedic worker, charged for allegedly failing to disclose UK contact

Some COVID-19 quotes from political, medical leaders have not aged well

Cracks in Canada's system let first COVID case slip through

Judge relaxes Adamson BBQ owner's bail restrictions

Sloan gets bum's rush out of party

National Post

Trudeau, Biden chat called 'overwhelmingly positive' despite PM expressing 'disappointment' over Keystone

Were I an Albertan today, I'd be asking: What's the point?

Jason Kenney sends letter to PM, demanding compensation from US over Keystone XL

Canadians who travel outside Canada could be stranded abroad, Trudeau warns

Maclean's

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Global

Gangs made BC casinos too dangerous to investigate for money laundering, inquiry hears

Federal panel recommends rapid COVID tests in long-term care; BC still reluctant

BC Mounties chop firewood for elderly woman who was busting furniture to burn, heat home

BCHL, WHL requesting relief funding from provincial government

Boost school safety if BC teachers won't get COVID-19 vaccine early, union says

BC government has handed out just $10 million of $300 million business grant program

Miscellaneous

New extreme weather shelter opens tonight on West Side in Vancouver Odd Fellows Hall

Vancouver prepares for first winter snowfall this weekend, opens warming shelters

BCTF unhappy that teachers, other frontline workers not given vaccine priority, demands mask mandate

Joe Biden's top official, Ron Klein, steps out from the shadows, unlike Canadian political chiefs of staff

From Tent Cities to Affordable housing on one downtown Eastside lot

Meet the Albertans ditching the Jason Kenney Government

BC eases limits on Care Home Visitors. Families Fear Changes don't go far enough