Ottawa Observations: Friday, December 17, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Friday,  December 17, 2021

Canada / China tensions                 

Ex-federal scientist charged with fraud, breach of trust over alleged ties to Chinese University 

China is buying up the critical green-revolution mineral sector in Canada and elsewhere. Enough already

The US is set to ban imports from China's Xinjiang region - so why do Uyghur advocates feel 'hopeless' about Canada?

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

US issues stark warnings as Omicron variant takes hold, but adopts no new measures to slow its rise

Ontario tightens COVID-19 restrictions, BC imposes gathering limits as Omicron spreads

Hockey tournaments creating risk of COVID-19 spread, health experts say

Capacity limits, parties cancelled as BC tries to hold back spread of Omicron variant

Canada lifts travel ban on 10 African countries, reimposes COVID-19 testing rule for short trips abroad

Vaccines, not lockdowns, are our only real way out of the Omicron wave

Omicron is super-infectious. To slow it, Canada needs a circuit breaker 

All travellers will once again need a molecular COVID-19 test before arriving in Canada

Trudeau calls on Canadians to 'starve' Omicron by following public health guidance over the winter

BC limits indoor gatherings, cancels New Year's Eve events as Omicron picks up speed

'Omicron will not take a holiday': Ontario announces new limits for gatherings, businesses as COVID-19 spikes

'Need to act now' top doctor says as holiday season gathering limited announced for Manitoba

Canada's COVID policies in Africa reflect a long, troubling history

Canada lifts African travel bans, restores COVID-19 pre-arrival tests for short trips 

Ontario limits gatherings to blunt Omicron spread

'Tis the season for 'hope' as restrictions return to slow Omicron spread in Ontario

Toronto Bars and Restaurants say they are reliving a nightmare with restrictions

Good news on Omicron severity

Trudeau says Omicron spike 'scary,' Ottawa to lift Africa travel ban 

Staring straight into the next round of COVID Zero mania

O come all ye faithful - faithfully vaccinated, that is

Is the official Omicron paranoia overblown? Frustration, fatigue overtake fear of  'doomsday' warnings

Omicron might yet cancel Christmas: COVID restrictions, travel rules tighten across Canada

Genetic 'X-factor' may explain Japan's success in combatting COVID

BC enacts social gathering and event capacity limits as Omicron variant spreads

BC reports 789 new cases, 3 deaths as Omicron count jumps to 302

New BC restrictions not enough to curb Omicron without boosters sooner: expert

BC's contact tracers will 'not withstand' rapid spread of COVID-19, warns top doctor

As Omicron cases surge, some BC vaccine clinics will have extended holiday closures

3 doctors speak out against child vaccinations at Kelowna gathering

Canadian official eyed 'high pandemic potential' of COVID-19 travellers in February 2020

Cancel New Year's Eve, as Omicron brings new BC restrictions 

Globe and Mail

Russia has set out demands that NATO will have to refuse

Canada's bank regulator keeps mortgage stress test unchanged despite spiking home prices, rising household debt

Taliban's fatal shooting of Afghan girl underscores urgency of rescue effort, advocates say

Justin Trudeau shares father's disdain of notwithstanding clause

Nearly half of federal incarcerated women are Indigenous, evidence of 'public policy' failures'

Manitoba judge rejects challenge of Tory Leadership vote

CBC                                             

Ottawa reveals its latest plan to plant 2 billion trees by 2030

Toronto/Vancouver Star

No injuries reported after 3.5 magnitude earthquake on BC coast

Canadian Forces completes flood response work in BC communities

Toronto Sun

Toronto Police Service Chief James Ramer tests positive for COVID-19

Ontario businesses taken to cleaners by 'lockdown light'

Science Table top doc tells restaurant workers to 'stop moaning'

Major hurdles to new housing development are at municipal level

National Post

Omicron's the end of the world as we know it (but I feel fine)

Senate helps Liberal government get all priority legislation enacted before Christmas break

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's UCP caucus ordered not to travel internationally over the holidays

Dominic Barton emerges as frontrunner to be next Rio Tinto chair

Omicron hit likely short-lived but supply chains may suffer, says Bank of Canada governor 

Macklem in year-end interview promises to rein in inflation, but not choke the recovery  

Macleans                           

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Global 

One in custody in case of missing Langley teacher Naomi Onotera: IHIT

No jail time for Washington man who helped migrants enter Canada illegally

BC teachers at loggerheads with First Nations leaders over standardized testing

Fake nurse at centre of proposed class-action against BC health authority

Canadian Armed Forces completes flood response work in BC communities

No injuries reported after small earthquake in BC early on Friday

Kelowna Mayor baffled by decision to deny Uber in Okanagan, Vancouver Island

BC hears from 161 First Nations on plans for old growth logging deferrals

Miscellaneous            

Elder abuse response in BC should not be modelled after our child protection system

Protecting Vancouver from climate change is costly - and Big Oil should help pay

Vancouver Canucks get two more home games before Doctor Bonnie Henry's public-gathering restrictions  kick in

Magnitude 3.6 earthquake in Gulf Islands felt around the region

Memo to Safe Surrey Coalition: when leaders are charged, bad things sometimes happen to their parties

Housing can't be both a human right and a profitable asset

Gold Bridge and BC's Last remaining One-Room School