Ottawa Observations: Monday, December 6, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Monday,  December 6, 2021

Canada / China tensions                 

Washington's diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics is worse than meaningless

PM urged to seek out expert on China to replace Dominc Barton as Canadian ambassador

Canada's ambassador to China stepping down at the end of the month 

'The mission is done': With the two Michael's released, Canada's ambassador to China is ready to move on

Canada considers joining US diplomatic boycott of Olympics even as China warns of 'countermeasures'

China syndrome: New Atlantic Military Base? Canadian Ambassador quits ...

A diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics

This is an appropriate time for Dominic Barton to exit China

Canada should join diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics: O'Toole

Dominic Barton leaving post as Canada's ambassador to China

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Travellers returning from Africa say conditions are wretched in quarantine hotels

Canadian traveller forced to stay in quarantine facility after negative COVID-19 test

Merck plans to manufacture COVID-19 antiviral drug in Canada

Delta variant's spread through the unvaccinated remains BC's focus: health minister

Omicron means Ontario's vaccine passport will be around 'for at least another several months,' Christine Elliot says

Next pandemic could be more lethal than COVID, vaccine creator says

Omicron's impact on Ontario reopening not immediately clear: Elliot 

This COVID vaccine can be inhaled and it's being made and tested in Canada

Omicron is a test, and Ottawa is failing once again 

Avoid Omicron panic, but prepare for a more contagious variant

Omicron variant will likely be worse than Delta, according to early research

BC records another 946 COVID cases over 1st December weekend, along with 11 deaths

Globe and Mail

Has this US river gone rogue? After BC floods, locals in Washington State think the answer may be sedimentary

Lumber prices surge amid BC flooding, higher US duties

Alberta surgeon issued four-month suspension for hanging noose on operating room door

O'Toole mum on vaccination starts of four absent Conservative MPs

Are foreign owners of empty homes to blame for Canada's unaffordable housing market?

Conservative Leader O'Toole calls for probe of dissent MP Shannon Stubbs over alleged staff mistreatment 

Federal government to turn over thousands of residential school files

CBC

Banned for decades, releasing oilseeds tailings water is now on the horizon

Sexual assault complainants say military shut down cases because the accuse wouldn't talk

Ottawa needs a whole new approach to national security threats, experts say

Federal government will soon hand over more residential school records: Miller

Windsor West MP urges Ottawa to match US electric-vehicle incentives for Canadian built products

Canadian energy, health, manufacturing sectors were major targets of ransomware  attacks: Cyber spy agency

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC moves to recovery management phase after floods; most military leaving province

Teck Resources says Q4 coal sales affected by rail disruptions in BC

In a small Ontario town caught in COVID's rural-urban divide, 'people don't even talk to each other'

Travellers who've forgotten to use ArriveCan app can now give details at the border

Military's water purification system up and running again in Iqaluit

In an increasingly intolerant world, Canada looks better than ever

This story couldn't be more boring

Toronto Sun

Toronto's health board moves ahead with drug decriminalization plan

More pressure on Trudeau than Ford to seal child-care deal

Liberals to trigger drop in jail time for serious gun crimes

The perpetually offended just need to get over it

National Post

When Justin Trudeau turned his back on veterans

Jobs blockbuster changes equation ahead of Bank of Canada rate decision

Industry minister says despite recent numbers, major investments in Canada are coming 

More than half the ransomware attacks in Canada target critical infrastructure

This is an appropriate time for Dominic Barton to exit China

Macleans

The future of the Liberal Party -- Without Justin Trudeau

Global 

Hours on hold. No customer support. WestJet passenger voices frustration after itinerary change

BC family moves to Edmonton, finds newly purchase home heavily damaged by fire

Travelling into or out of Vancouver's airport? What you need to know about COVID-19 testing

'The scale of the flood damage is extraordinary': BC crews continue cleanup

Indigenous report into BC's Elephant Hill wildfire calls for change in response, recovery

Essential travel restriction lifted on Highway 7 between Mission and Hope

'This remains the most pressing conversation': Abbotsford mayor on funding for dike repairs

Vancouver Police recover $75K in stolen goods from downtown core in just one month

Canadian spy agency targeted foreign hackers to 'impose a cost' for cybercrime

Ottawa awards COVID-19 border testing contracts worth $631M 

Miscellaneous            

Vancouver police campaign agains shoplifting yields $75,000 worth of stolen merchandise

East Vancouver lot with a 'not habitable' home listed below assessment and sold for $1,225,000

BC politicians issue statement on National Day of Remebramce

How to Crack a Shell Company Fraudster

A key role for media in the fight against Femicide

BC Housing criticized for top executive's pricy hotel stays

Andrew Nikirofuk on getting real about our crises