Ottawa Observations: Thursday, February 25, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday, February 25, 2021

Canadians held in China / China tensions

No indication federal security agencies were consulted before Beijing visa centre was approved

Canadian MPs call for sanctions against Chinese officials behind Beijing's crackdown in Hong Kong

RCMP should do more to help those intimidated by China, Lucki says

Conservatives authorized Chinese police owned company to run visa centre: Blair

Information  posted on Chinese Social Media platforms could be used for hostile activities' Bill Blair warns

Chines police-owned company given visa centre lead under Conservatives: Blair

Canada's Conservative party has a China problem

10 deaths, Dr Bonnie Henry and Health Minister on threats and personal attacks

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ontario officials mull lockdown for Thunder Bay as cases rise rapidly

Expert says Saskatchewan faces risk of COVID-19 resurgence; province pushes rapid tests

Thunder Bay could see renewed lockdown as COVID-19 case numbers surge

Risk of a third wave of COVID-19 grows as infections rise and variants spread

Yes, vaccines are coming. But be prepared for it to be messy

Ontario's vaccination plan is slow, uneven and uncertain

Ontario confirms another 57 cases of COVID-19 variants

COVID-19 warning bracelets are a potentially brilliant idea

Israel is the world leader in vaccinations. What can Canada learn from them?

BC 'not quite there' on easing restrictions, reports 395 COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths

BC researchers seek participants in study on long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccines

'Think small, think local' BC Health officials advise against big spring break plans

A BC Researcher's Crusade for Better Masks is so far going nowhere

Globe and Mail

Head of Canada's largest pension fund received COVID-19 vaccine in United Arab Emirates

Why Canada's labour recovery may be worse than thought

Alberta budget projects $18.2 billion deficit and spending freeze to rebuild from pandemic - but no path to balance

Erin O'Toole is caught between a rock and a hard base

It's time for Canada to strengthen our ties with Cuba

Why is Justin Trudeau cutting off his nose to spite Big Pharma?

Canadian documents show new link between Khashoggi killers and Saudi Crown Prince

Facebook open to paying Canadian news publishers for licensing as Australian plan becomes law

Ottawa has not provided adequate support to First Nations for safe drinking water: Auditor General

Admiral McDonald steps aside as defence chief amid investigation into misconduct allegations

Move to a hybrid Parliament could save about $6.2 million a year, budget watchdog says

There's only one group of Canadians the government can get away with torturing

CBC
  

Canada's top military commander steps aside following sexual misconduct claim

Too many First Nations lack clean drinking water and it's Ottawa's fault, says auditor general

Federal Conservatives call for suspensions of hotel quarantine policy following reports of sexual assault

International community should 'banish' Saudi prince over Khashoggi's killing: UN rapporteur

COVID-19 tents, shacks turned into homes amid housing crisis in Eabametoong First Nation

Government back in court seeking extension on assisted dying reform bill

Toronto Star

   

Top Ontario doctor grilled about why he didn't go public with concerns over Doug Ford's lockdown response

Top Law Firm apologizes after Black History Month statements draw fire

Ontario law would restrict election spending by third-party groups, double donation limits for individuals

Election law gives name and address of every Canadian voter to white nationalist party

US Secretary of State's first 'trip' to Canada will be a virtual one

Somebody stole Jagmeet Singh's bike

Erin O'Toole's path to power narrows as Jagmeet Singh rules out supporting the Conservatives

Will Justin Trudeau call a spring election? Jagmeet Singh thinks so

Ontario universities urge government to help with $1 billion COVID costs

BC businessman dinged for illegal donation to NDP MP"s 2015 campaign

Trudeau's meeting with Biden signals the end of Canada's independent foreign policy

Toronto Sun

Ontario offers 'good news' -- a nice contrast to DeVilla and Tam's doom, gloom

Ford and PC's to take millions in 'political welfare' from taxpayers

Other countries to open while Canada stays shut due to Trudeau's failures

Where did the flu season run off to?

When will Canada become unleashed? Many countries are opening but not us; blame Trudeau!

Interest on Government debt costing us $50 billion a year

Canada, US may impose carbon tariffs

National Post

'Trust is earned': Canada's new defence chief vowed to get tough on sexual misconduct, hours later he stepped down

Report on Canada's shipbuilding strategy leaves a sinking feeling

Forget 'great resets,' Ontario has a smarter plan for restarting post-COVID economy 

Makers of next-generation fighter jets tout economic benefits as Ottawa readies COVID-19 stimulus plans

Federal Conservative MPs call for suspension of mandatory hotel quarantines following sexual assault

Alberta releases a pandemic budget, with money for COVID-19 and economic recovery

Jason Kenney is stuck in an alternate universe of debt - and, possibly, a new sales tax

A guarded budget made for an Etch A Sketch

Why it's time to resurrect Energy East

A few days in and 'mandatory' hotel quarantines are already a debacle

Maclean's

It's time to ban the buying of made in Canada warships

Global

Vancouver police officer filmed posing for photos next to dead body

'It's the Wild West': Vancouver grocery store owner says violent incidents are out of control

Man stabbed over social distancing dispute in Nanaimo speaks out

RCMP upset over 'disrespectful' comments from BC's top doctor

BC government set to announce decision on future of Site C dam project Friday

BC's 'locals first' camping season will depend on the honour system

Canadian military  facing 'crisis' amid probes into top leaders: experts

Miscellaneous

The Vancouver Police Foundation and the class footings of policing

Different schools need different COVID-19 rules

50 year old man stabbed after his daughter asks male suspect to physically distance in Nanaimo

Flexible space transforms compact apartments into eminently livable units

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announces investigation into Chief of Defence Staff Art McDonald

As City signals False Creek South is up for Grabs, Here's a homegrown plan

We need Paid Sick leave for all

Is the Pandemic making urban wildlife crazier?