Ottawa Observations: Saturday/Sunday, December 11 &12, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Saturday/Sunday,  December 11 & 12, 2021

Canada / China tensions                 

Dominic Barton's appointment to China was a 'dirty' ploy that failed spectacularly 

China will face 'consequences' if Canadian athletes targeted at Olympics: ex-ambassador

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

UK PM declares Omicron emergency, orders immediate COVID-19 booster shots for entire country

Ottawa drops COVID-19 travel rule that rejected South African tests

Approving religious exemptions for vaccine rules should fall to government, airlines say

Queen's University postpones remaining in-person exams due to COVID-19

Canada to accept South Africa COVID-19 tests, drop contentious 3rd country rule

Almost 2 years later, Anthony Fauci didn't think COVID-19 pandemic would have lasted this long

Quebec reports 1,753 new COVID-19 cases, one more death

The kids are not alright

Why are they still sick? The latest clue sin the mystery of COVID-19 long haulers

10 cases of Omicron identified in BC; Boris Johnson want of a tidal wave of cats coming to UK

Globe and Mail

Thousands of Canadian websites offline over cybersecurity threat

Mel Lastman, Toronto's gaffe-prone mayor, was a salesman like nooooo-body! else

Ontario needs new pandemic response strategy as Omicron COVID-19 variant makes inroads: experts

NHL should have known about Beijing's CO VID-19 rules

Brace for impact: Rate hikes are coming

Conservative council rejects petition to hold early vote on Erin O'Toole's leadership

CBC

Inflation, cost of living top of mind for opposition parties ahead of fiscal update

It's short and it got a late start - but this Parliament is getting things done

G7 warns Russia of 'massive consequences' if Ukraine invaded

As overdose deaths hit a grim new record, officials push Ottawa to stop treating addiction as a crime

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Volunteers join forces to help cleanup after unprecedented flooding in BC

Damaged parks, reduced holiday travel among impacts of flood on BC tourism 

Fading legacy: The loss of Olympic facilities in Calgary leaves athletes at a disadvantage 

Mel Lastman, former mayor of Toronto, has died at 88

'Non-standard' repairs made to fix cracks on military helicopters: commander

Ottawa has updated its biography of John A. MacDonald to reflect racist policies. But good luck finding it

Massive software flaw with global reach forces Quebec to shut government websites

Quebec daycare workers strike concludes after unions reach deal with province

First post-election fiscal update will be a glimpse into Liberal priorities

It's time for this generation's political leaders to tackle the hard issues in Canadian health care

Canada must 'build back better' its national security infrastructure

Toronto Sun

Iconic former mayor Mel Lastman remembered as man of the people

Large crowd expected to bid Mel Lastman farewell on Monday 

The slapping down of eco-exploiter David Suzuki

CRT is in Canada -- and here's what's wrong with it

There were more losers than winners in 2021

Liberal quarantine program was an utter failure

Toronto Police Service dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks Among vaccinated cops

New poll shows majority of Canadians are ready to live with COVID-19

Future generations of Canadians face bleak future

Afghanistan crisis isn't over

National Post

The Liberals are determined to squander Canada's independence 

Outspoken former Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman dies at age 88, premier says

Canada shouldn't be so quick to develop a culture insensitive to censorship, author says

Auditor General lays bare federal incompetence at the border

Extreme winds leave 210,000 without power in Ontario

Macleans

The Quebec Liberals in free fall

Global 

Motive in killing of beloved Kitsilano park caretaker a mystery to residents, police

Highway 3 closed for hours eastbound near Princeton due to 'spun out commercial vehicles'

Surrey mayor facing cod of conduct complaint in wake of public mischief charge

Councillor: Will funds from the public purse go toward mayor's defence on public mischief charge?

Proposed building heights spur controversy in plan to revitalize Ladner waterfront

Politicians hanged in effigy at protest at BC Legislature reflect disturbing trend: expert

BC's most exhilarating, demanding job? Wildfire service hiring smokejumpers for 2022

3 years since Canada legalized pot, some communities still can't access it

Organizations rally to send food donations to BC Indigenous communities

Miscellaneous            

Poll show high favourability rating for Premier John Horgan

Vancouver detached home with pool and hot tub sold for only $727,000, But there's a catch

TD Economics explains why higher interest rates will 'not prevent elevated sales, home price increases in 2022'

Park Board will vote on Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon's motion to share management of park lands with three First Nations 

Vancouver police investigate homicide in Kitsilano

In wake of Mayor Doug McCallum's criminal charge, NDP government must give Surrey residents a say on policing