Ottawa Observations: Friday, December 10, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Friday,  December 10, 2021

Canada / China tensions                 

China's ambassador to Canada warns against rejecting Huawei, says the two Michaels confessed to crimes

Majority of Canadians polled support a full boycott of Beijing Winter Olympic Games

Canada's diplomatic boycott sends a message to China

Canada at risk as media struggles with Chinese conundrum

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As Omicron reveals itself, Canada's scientists scramble to predict its impact on at-risk populations

Four half vaccinated couples, the relationship status is doubly complicated 

Is the case for vaccine mandates like the case for seatbelt laws? No, it's much, much stronger

Ontario expands access to COVID-19 boosters in face of Omicron spread

COVID-19 infections are on the rise and omicron could quadruple daily case counts, federal modelling says 

BC reports 437 new cases of COVID-19 and three new deaths

Omicron threat grows as COVID-19 surges in Ontario and Quebec

COVID-19 resurgence forecast for Canada, worse if Omicron replaces Delta: Tam

Ontario makes small adjustments while monitoring fast-moving variant

427 new cases in BC and 3 more deaths, Omicron cases climb to 10

Good News from the Omicron Epicentre

Globe and Mail

Canada warns of trade retribution if law favouring electric vehicle assembly in US passes

Liberal MP rejects claim he advised constituent on how to cheat CERB

Chrystia Freeland to announce Bank of Canada's renewed mandate on Monday

Legault says board wrong for hiring hijab-wearing teacher, Ottawa open to fighting Quebec secularism law

Conservative MPs take harder line than Erin O'Toole on Quebec secularism law

Minister Marci Wen self-isolating after potential COVID-19 exposure

Uncertain if Liberals can pass two remaining priority bills before Christmas break

Father of Canadian detained in Syria over allegedly joining ISIS urges Ottawa to repatriate his son

Governments seem to be missing the point on Canada's housing crisis

The federal bill to reduce mandatory minimum sentences is missing a few crucial words

Canada's rural-urban divide is getting deeper, and that hurts all Canadians

CBC

Canada threatens US with tariffs, partial suspension of USMCA over electric vehicle tax credit

Federal government to announce child care deals with NB, NWT next week

Canada's central bank appears more concerned with job creation than about inflation

Minister Marci Wen self-isolating after potential COVID-19 exposure at gala

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC organizations deliver food donations to Indigenous communities after floods

Mayor of Surrey charged with public mischief over claim of being run over

Iqaluit residents can drink city water again after 60 day health order

Health workers say existing law against intimidation isn't strong enough: Lametti

'Canada will defend its national interests': Ottawa threatens US with tariffs over EV subsidy 

Why Justin Trudeau and Erin O'Toole dare not interfere with Quebec's Bill 21

Police strategy on mental health should start long before 911 call

Individual Rights Day: Individual rights come with collective responsibility

Toronto Sun

Reality of Quebec's Bill 21 sets in as Muslim teacher removed from classroom

Electric car sales quotas are a bad idea

National Post

Guilbeault wants to force auto dealers to sell a quota of electric vehicles starting by end of 2022

School Board should not have hired teacher with hijab in the first place: Quebec Premier

Trudeau hasn't 'closed the door' to legal action after Quebec teacher loses job over hijab

Freeland threatens trade sanctions against US over electric vehicle credit

Melanie Joly has no business being foreign affairs minister

Macleans

And now, the inevitable Bill 21 fight 

Global 

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum charged with public mischief over claims his foot was run over

Abbotsford lifts final evacuation order, but warns of disaster if dikes aren't updated

Repairs underway on Coquihalla Highway, officials confident with January reopening timeline

'Absolutely devastating': Recovering user reflects on BC's worst year of the opioid crisis

Ferry sailings cancelled as storm bering wind, rain, snow bears down on BC's South Coast

Vancouver, Whistler and First Nations to explore feasibility of 2030 Olympics Bid

New calls to protect salmon, wildlife as BC rebuilds flood defences 

BC residents urged to  look for Comet Leonard this weekend, if weather allows

Customers flock to opening day of Kelowna's first Costco gas station for cheaper fuel

Anti-Islamophobia advocates want action from politicians now speaking out against Bill 21

Canada eyeing Kabul trip to restart consular ties - protected by special forces

What is 'surveillance capitalism'? What we know, and why it's raising privacy fears

Fate of COVID supports, hospital protest bills uncertain as holiday break nears

Miscellaneous            

City of Vancouver enters into MOU with Whistler and four First Nations regarding 2030 Olympic bid

TransLink installs bus info screens at UBC transit exchange

Canada is on fire - and banks are pouring fuel on it

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum charged with public mischief in connection with his own police complaint

Hudson Pacific Properties proposes new Vancouver downtown Office building at Bentall Centre

Why a new Angus Reid poll spells good and bad for news for Jagmeet Singh and worse news for Erin O'Toole

Canadian Mining companies profit as Guatemalans suffer, authors argue

Archaeologists have unearthed Exciting Secrets in Haida Gwaii

Retrofit your home? Supports Are a complex patchwork