Ottawa Observations: Thursday, March 25, 2021

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

 

Canadians held in China / China tensions

Crown says burden is on Meng's lawyers to prove device information was wrongly shared

Don't let much-needed criticism of China spill over into anti-Asian sentiment

China continues to show its contempt for the US

Judge questions refusal by key RCMP witness to testify at Meng Wanzhou extradition case

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Canada to ramp up COVID-19 vaccine distribution  as more than 11 percent of adult residents receive first shots

Stricter measures needed in Ontario to reduce spread of COVID-19 variants, epidemiologist says

Moderna delay is latest hurdle as officials scramble to reassure Canadians vaccines are coming - and safe

We were going to write about the good, bad and the ugly of COVID-19 right now. Turns out, it's all ugly

Canada's Moderna shipment of nearly 600,000 doses delayed into next week

Canadians need guidance on what activities are safe following first dose of vaccine

COVID-19 surging in BC as province reports 800 new cases in a day

New case Count jumps to 900l longterm care visits and religious service amendments

Globe and Mail

Canada's carbon pricing is constitutional, Supreme Court rules

The court deals a blow to the already-weakening political opposition to carbon taxes

Canada's carbon tax: How much is it and how does it work? What you need to know

The Supreme Court rules. And the winner is ... Erin O'Toole?

Auditor General finds Ottawa was not prepared for pandemic, but acted quickly to approve support programs

Misuse of pandemic early warning system, inaccurate risk assessments hurt Canada's response to COVID-19, Auditor General says

Liberals to instruct staffers to not appear if summoned to testify before Parliamentary committees: Rodriguez

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki must go

A win for Canada, for federalism and for the fight against climate change

Military ombudsman Gregory Lick tells MPs he stands by actions taken by predecessor in misconduct complaint

Rivals press Ottawa on integrity of key spectrum auction in wake of Rogers-Shaw deal. sources say

Federal budget expected to include $7 billion to provides for health, municipalities and COVID-19 funding

Ottawa signals closer scrutiny of foreign takeovers over security fears

CBC
  

Public Health Agency was unprepared for the pandemic and 'underestimated' the danger, auditor general says 

Freeland, Harris discuss COVID-19 recovery, Canadians detained in China in first call

The Supreme Court gives Conservatives a chance to move past the carbon tax

Tax Agency lacked tools to keep wage subsidy away from ineligible employees: AG

Supreme Court rules Ottawa's carbon tax is constitutional 

Former Prime Ministers quietly line up with the crowds for their COVID-19 shots

Liberals will tell staffers to disobey House of Commons summons, House Leader says

Ottawa proposes $7B top-up to transfers for health care, infrastructure

Toronto Star

   

Online learning could be here to stay as Ontario considers plans to offer it to all students- post pandemic

Senior Canadian Forces officer didn't know where to take allegation of sexual misconduct, MPs told

'The Premier didn't get the memo': Doug Ford slammed for lack of paid sick days in  budget

'My people need help': Nunavut MP's report on housing decries living conditions

Salons say COVID-19 restrictions are unfair - and outdoor haircuts won't help

Ontario government loses carbon pricing fight and now wants to work with Ottawa to battle climate change

Military ombudsman contradicts defence minister over handling of misconduct allegations

Outgoing medical officer of health criticizes Ottawa for treatment of migrant workers and asks for airport vaccinations

Toronto Sun

Supreme Court sets dangerous precedent with carbon tax ruling

Health Canada to use influencers to target you on social media

Trudeau's carbon tax is legal - it's just a bad and ineffective law

Pandemic drives Ford's budget into a decade of deficits

National Post

Auditor general finds pandemic pushed public service to perform, but there were still failures

Government faces monumental task of recouping hundreds of millions in COVID benefit overpayments: auditor general

Liberal ministers will tell staff to disobey any Commons committees summons: government house leader

Federal government plays the "POGG" card on carbon tax

The dissenting view: Two SCC justices say federal carbon tax 'rewrites the rules on Confederation'

Public Health was unsure if returning travellers were following quarantine: auditor general

Delays plague 'inconsistent and incomplete' $188B infrastructure program: auditor general

Liberal MP John McKay is a maverick with a mission

Provinces, not Ottawa, should decide carbon pricing

How can Harjit Sajjan think he can do his job fro this far down the rabbit hole?

Maclean's

The reality of carbon prices sinks in

The Montreal rematch? Denis Coderre leads Valérie Plante

Why Laurent Duvernay-Tardif put his NFL career on hold for his community during the pandemic

Global

Additional visitors and longer unmonitored visits to be allowed in BC long term care

New BC research raises questions about risks of delayed vaccine interval for the elderly

BC to more than double COVID-19 fines for attending social gatherings

City of Vernon BC votes to transfer Ogopogo copyright to Syilx Okanagan Nation

BC to allow limited indoor religious gatherings for upcoming holidays

Military ombudsman rebukes Sajjan's claim his predecessor failed to probe Vance complaint

Miscellaneous

Fines for attending or promoting illegal gathering more than doubled

District of North Van councillor Jim Hanson seeks NDP nomination in Burnaby-North Seymour

TransLink board of directors votes in favour of 2.3 percent annual fare increase

Now is time for the federal government to ban unwanted conversion therapy

Supreme Court of Canada upholds federal carbon tax

We could have been largely free of the Pandemic by now

BC Income Assistance Rate Hike still leaves kids in poverty

Visits and Hugs returning to long-term care and assisted living

The Blockaders