Ottawa Observations: Thursday, February 4, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday,  February 4, 2021

Canadians held in China / China tensions

Why did Trudeau trust China on vaccines?

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Study of Ontario COVID-19 cases reveals small but growing presence of British  variant

Every COVID-19 vaccine maker was asked to make their doses in Canada and all said no, Anand says

Next Moderna COVID-19 vaccine delivery in doubt but Pfizer doses could increase

Canada doesn't know how many more Moderna doses will be delivered, or why there are delays

Mandating 'vaccination passports' for access to services, travel would be violation of civil liberties

100 cases of worrisome COVID-19 variants found in scan of a single day's worth testing

Compulsory licensing would allow Ottawa to authorize generic copies of the COVID-19 vaccines

Every COVID Vaccine manufacturer passed on making them in Canada: federal procurement minister

Made-in-Canada vaccine announcement was little more than smoke and mirrors

As number of Canadian COVID cases drop by 30 percent, federal officials call for continued vigilance

Using COVAX is not a good look, but it's the right thing for Canada

BC's COVID-19 curve 'slowly moving downward' as province weighs updated health measures

BC reports 465 new COVID-19 cases; number in hospital continues to fall

COVAX vaccine fund 'always' intended to help vaccinate Canadians, feds say

Trudeau says feds having 'great discussions' with airlines on COVID aid package

Maskeshift nightclub details, Victoria pub and several McDonald's with exposures

Globe and Mail

Indigenous people lack access to health care because of racism, report says

BC makes masks in middle and high school classrooms mandatory

No refunds without a bailout, Air Canada executive says

Ontario mulls cancelling March break in effort to curb spread of COVID-19

Quebec bets on wind, citing shift in cost of power

Legislation coming this year to force Google, Facebook to pay for news content

Indigenous health legislation needed to end racism in health care, Miller says

Work from home tax credit claims expected to cost Ottawa $260 million, budget watchdog says

Hong Kongers can apply for new Canadian work permits on February 8

CBC
  

Liberal, Conservative governments were made aware of concerns and allegations against Vance: sources

Special Forces pulls new pistols from service after solider injured in misfire

Canadian member of IOC dismisses calls for Beijing 2022 boycott

What's a safe lead in the polls? History suggests Trudeau's lead isn't enough

Federal Conservatives call for special Commons study of Canada-US relations

How WE Charity tried to keep its donors happy

Ottawa beefing up suicide prevention services, but 3 digit hotline could be more than year away

How provincial politics could complicate this year's municipal elections in Alberta

Landmark ruling on Civil Code shows the resilience of Quebec's trans communities

Toronto Star

       

Peeved Canadian snowbirds devising plans to avoid hotel-quarantine 'jail'

TTC recommends seven years of shuttle buses in place of Scarborough RT ahead of 2030 subway opening

'A tone-deaf hire?" Appointment of new education director for York Catholic school board sparks controversy

'People feel like they've got no other choice': Protest group says hundreds of small businesses will defy rules and reopen next week

'You're going to be left with the junk': What happens when Google hides the news?

What would life be like without Google's search engine? Australia might be about to give Canada a preview

Libel notice served against Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam by Joe Volpe, publisher Courier Canadese circulated at Council

Battered by public opinion, Liberal government says it tried to get COVID-19 vaccines made in Canada

Anxious and pandemic-weary Canadians are running out of patience with Justin Trudeau

Should getting rid of Canada's for profit nursing homes be a federal election issue? At least one party thinks so

Laurentian University's plight could be a grim warning of more financial distress to come at public institutions, insider fears.

Toronto Sun

Premiers blast Trudeau on vaccines as PM calls for calm

Horwath not capitalizing on Ford's mistakes is bad news for NDP 

Why Trudeau could win again

Those held in COVID-detention preparing class-action suit

Retired Toronto Police officer's view on enforcing stay-at-home order

National Post

Cash strapped airlines call for clarity from Ottawa when vaccinated Canadians can travel again

Senior bureaucrats managing problem plagued Phoenix pay system received nearly $2M in bonuses

COVID Vaccine woes hurting Liberal support among Canadians, poll finds

Out-of-business Canadian retailers only have themselves to blame

Maxime Bernier denies he ignored mask rules on Air Canada flight or was fined

Ford's getting ready to loosen Ontario's lockdown. But is he ready for blowback?

Liberal failures on vaccines will mean more COVID-19 deaths that should have been preventable

Maclean's

A call to arms

Taking MAiD way too far

Novava's vaccine will be produced in Canada. What do we know about it?

Global

Masks will now be required in BC classrooms with some exceptions still in place

1st Court appearance for man accused of posing as cop in attack that killed BC Senior

Accused Vancouver 'makeshift nightclub' host alleges 'smear campaign'

'I'm extremely disappointed': BC government fires back at Skip The Dishes' new fee

BCLC board chair didn't brief minister on International money-laundering scheme, inquiry hears

Report links racism, poor Indigenous health outcomes in BC healthcare

Big hit to BC's cruise ship sector as Feds extend ban until 2022

BC's COVID-19 curve 'slowly moving downward' as province weighs updated health measures

BC businesses now eligible for grant money to help transition to online sales

Prime Minister Trudeau rejects plea from premiers to release details of vaccine contracts

Canada working 'very, very, closely' with US to fight coronavirus: Trudeau

Military police say they are opening an investigation into Vance allegations

Cruise vessels banned from Canadian waters until February 2022

Miscellaneous

NPA directors file defamation suit against Mayor Kennedy Stewart and City of Vancouver

Canada extends cruise ship ban until 2022

Do federal travel restrictions infringe on Canadians' mobility rights under the charter?

Conservatives' Bid to overturn Tanker Ban on North Coast Fails

Racism in Health Care is taking a terrible toll on Indigenous people, Report finds

Exploring an ancient BC forest, before its too late

How BC could get to COVID Zero

Whose History is taught in our high school classrooms?

Cindy Blackstock is still fighting for Indigenous kids