Ottawa Observations: Saturday/Sunday, April 17-18. 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Saturday/Sunday,  April 17 & 18, 2021

 

Canadians held in China / China tens                         

Canada, China and our common futures

Sentencing of veteran democracy activists illustrates deteriorating political situation in Hong Kong

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ontario lowers age fr AstraZeneca, revises some COVID-19 lockdown measures amid public outrage

Alberta lowers minimum age for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, hours after Ontario

Trudeau pledges more health-care workers, rapid testing for pandemic battered Ontario

Moderna hasn't breached its vaccine contract despite repeated delivery concerns: Anand

Ontario's failure to control the third wave has implications for all of Canada

BC to start registering people 18 years and older for COVID-19 vaccines

Ontario lowers eligibility age for AstraZeneca vaccine to 40

'Our health care system is going to totally collapse' These doctors listened to Doug Ford's new plan and heard defeat and death

Understanding the blood clot issue behind the AstraZeneca vaccine and its safety

Ontario lowers minimum age for AstraZeneca shot to 40 to 55

Three prominent docs call lockdowns a waste of time

Ontario logs 4,250 new COVID cases, ICU admissions reach new peak

Ontario to expand use of AstraZeneca vaccine to people 40 and older on Tuesday 

BC encouraging anyone 18+ to register for COVID-19 vaccine this week

Ontario, Alberta to lower minimum age for AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from 55 to 40

'It's not the old COVID': Whistler doctor urges BC to overcome pandemic fatigue

Is it time to ditch disinfecting? CDC updates data surrounding COVID-19 surface transmission

Atlantic Premiers consider reallocating COVID-19 resources to hard-hit Ontario

Our overly cautious approach to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine needs to change

Globe and Mail

Freeland's budget to include plans for $10 a day child care, new hiring credit for employers

The Liberals promise a budget for 2030, but can they resist spending it all on 2021?

Canadian Tire and Loblaw pay out millions in bonuses to top executives after COVID-19 sales boom

Federal Fisheries Minister ignored science advice on fish farms, judge rules

Federal budget likely to trigger political battles, but not an election

In Canadian commemorative ceremony, PM calls Prince Phillip 'a man of great service'

Ottawa working to ensure counselling supports urged by advocates for victims dealing with military trauma

The Liberals were planning for a post pandemic budget. The pandemic made other plans

Dealing with debt: If we're not prepared to cut spending, then we have to get serious about growth

CBC
 

Federal budget to commit more than $2B for child care, deficit not to exceed $400B: source

'We're in trouble': Advocates urge Ottawa to help close the access-to-justice gap

RCMP commissioner vowed to change how Mounties handle threats against politicians

To win the next election, the Conservatives need to be taken seriously  on climate change

Child care experts say they're looking for sustained funding in federal budget

'We don't want anymore tears': First Nations urge Ottawa to boost mental health spending

Warnings ignored, action delayed: Ontario road to its most dire COVID-crisis

Our plan to fight the third wave is a silent admission some Canadians are more valuable than others

Criticism of carbon offsets doesn't acknowledge changes to how projects are approved, monitored

Toronto Star

 

Opposition parties denounce Ford government proposal to shut down Legislature amid COVID-19 crisis

Businesses urge federal government to keep COVID subsidy taps open

Ford government walks back increased police powers and ban on using playgrounds

Liberal MP's bill aims to keep turmoil at Laurentian University from happening at other schools

Canada's billionaires have grown richer during the pandemic, and calls for a wealth tax are getting louder

The public has come out in force against the Rogers-Shaw deal - is it too late to stop it?

Chrystia Freeland's historic budget balancing act: plugging pandemic holes while kick starting the recovery

Ontario golfers have every reason to be teed off. The safest sport is also an easy target

The federal government will extend pandemic lifelines into September and introduce a new benefit for struggling companies

'It's more than just a fish:' Scientists worry cod will never come back in Newfoundland

Trudeau committed to eliminating anti-Black racism. The 2021 federal budget is Canada's chance to deliver

Joe Biden is on track for the most impressive first 100 days of a US presidency. The contrast should make Liberals blush

Will voters be persuaded by Erin O'Toole's daring new climate plan?

Ford government should focus on source of the pandemic, not flail about with pointless restrictions

Instead of social cohesion, Ford is only creating more envy and frustration with vaccine rollout

Toronto Sun

Trudeau budget should focus on defeating COVID

Trudeau taking reins from premiers would be disastrous

The Ford government backed down - but where was the apology

Ford government walks back increased police powers, allows parks to stay open

Let the stimulus come from taxpayers, not governments

Respecting the environment without big government

Ford scraps COVID cops law

National Post

Doug Ford under fire for plan to shut down Ontario legislature this week

Erin O'Toole promised boldness and change. We're still waiting

Trudeau Liberals to pile on record debt steering Canada out of pandemic

How the Trudeau Liberals put an end to fiscal discipline

Maclean's

The big issued in the next federal budget should be the Care economy

Erin O'Toole's make or break climate change bet

Global

Vancouver police 'reassessing' approach after large beach parties: Mayor

Warning sirens coming to Capilano River following deadly dam accident

What to watch as former cabinet ministers testify in BC money laundering inquiry 

BC to table unprecedented budget amid COVID-19 financial pressures

Anand doesn't rule out using Canada Emergencies Act to help curb COVID-19 third wave

O'Toole urges need to get spending 'ack under control' ahead of federal budget

Federal budget amid COVID-19 crisis will 'set the agenda' for next election 

Majority of Canadians say election during COVID-19 would be unsafe, unfair: Poll

Miscellaneous            

 

Large unmasked gathering at English Bay Beach captured on video after uproar over Kits Beach Dance party

BC must follow US lead on transportation 

Affordable homes advocate Kishone Roy makes case for scrapping public hearings for social housing projects

Canada's crazy Pandemic response