Ottawa Observations: Thursday, December 16, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Thursday,  December 16, 2021

Canada / China tensions                 

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Quebec sets capacity limits, Ontario faces calls to impose 'circuit breaker' to stem Omicron's spread

Ontario's move to speed up COVID-19 booster rollout reflects the threat of Omicron, experts say

Travellers face tough choices amid surge in COVID-19 cases

UK reports more than 88,000 daily COVID-19 cases, a new record amid Omicron variant concerns

Canada's collective response to Omicron? Chaos and confusion

A national booster-shot campaign is needed to beat Omicron - but by itself, it won' be rough

Quebec government tightens public health measures as COVID-19 cases soar

'Circuit breaker' measures needed to prevent Omicron from overwhelming ICU's, science table says

PEI reports 10 new COVID-19 cases, has highest active case count yet

Kingston area now has highest rate of COVID-19 cases in Canada

COVID-19 cases rise in BC as Health Ministry warns of Omicron variant

Medicago, maker of first Canadian COVID vaccine candidate, submits final application to Health Canada  

Modelling predicts COVID surge in Ontario without 'circuit breaker'

We don't need a lockdown, we need to act responsibly

CDC recommends Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines over J and J's

Trudeau calls for holiday caution as provinces response to Omicron variant threat

Smarter response to pandemic now vital

'It's not a lockdown': Ontario needs stronger public health measures to fight Omicron, experts say

'Vaccination is not sufficient': Quebec orders shops, bars, restaurants churches to operate at 50% capacity

The booster shot is the best hope we have in the relentless battle against COVID-19

When it comes to controlling COVID-19, it's the ventilation, stupid 

Ontario sees the value of rapid tests for COVID - as ever, way too late

COVID-19. surges as BC reports 753 cases more than double last Thursday

BC considering new restrictions amid rising COVID cases

Long lines at Metro Vancouver test sites amid surging COVID-19 case numbers 

University of Victoria trying to get rapid tests to students, staff amid COVID-19 outbreak 

New COVID-19 outbreaks declared at North Vancouver hospital, Surrey school

Some premiers say federal travel moves are evidence-free 'political theatre'

Omicron Explained

How Canada helped create the Omicron threat

Globe and Mail

Taliban shoots dead 10 year old Afghan girl whose family was waiting for Canada to rescue them

Ottawa urged to help Canada's lawyers left behind in Afghanistan

Trudeau presses for Canada to become critical mineral powerhouse

Trudeau sets more inclusive, fair Canada as priority in mandate letters for ministers

Senators pass pandemic aid bill after MPs leave for winter break

The federal Liberals' lack of concern about the economy is bound to catch up with them

Overhauling military culture to root out sexual misconduct to take five years, Canadian Armed Forces says

Canada hasn't abandoned 200 soldier promise to UN peacekeeping: Minister

CBC

Changing the military's culture to end sexual misconduct could take 5 years, senior officer says

Canada Revenue Agency should do more to help taxpayers facing hardship, ombudsperson says

'Get rid of this silly BS' PEI premier urges Ottawa as potato export  ban drags 

Budget officer estimates Liberals' heavy icebreaker plan will cost $7.25B

Trudeau instructs ministers to create more inclusive, fair Canada in new mandate letters

Higher interest rates are coming, Omicron is unlikely to change that

Toronto/Vancouver Star

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

Federal government announces closure of most Pacific herring fisheries

Arctic cold, snow, winter storm warnings up for areas of BC

Cars. couches, propane and fuel tanks among debris from record flooding in BC

Climate  change and reconciliation are top priorities, Justin Trudeau tells ministers

Canada has an inflation problem. Toilet paper has a solution

EV rebate program topped up with $73 million in fall economic update

Should Ottawa fight Quebec in federal court over religious symbols? 'Of course,' diversity minister says

Permanent change within five years, says the officer in charge of reforming Armed Forces' culture

NWT replaces Alberta curriculum for junior kindergarten to Grade 12 with BC's

The economy is doing well, thanks in part to the pandemic 

Toronto Sun

This is now all about hospital capacity. -- so why isn't it better after 2 years?

A Liberal licence to fleece your neighbour's pockets

'Trying to tell us something': Climatologist says 2021 a weather year like no other

Toronto's universities revert to remote learning

Bill 21 and the politicization of the hijab

National Post

In mandate letters, Trudeau tells ministers to focus on goal of creating more diverse, inclusive Canada

Trudeau orders ministers to take harder line on US trade amid recent tensions

Liberals to introduce bill forcing online giants to compensate news outlets

'Words are not enough': Public safety minister defends assault rifle buyback plan at committee

How are Alberta and Quebec treated differently? Let me count the ways

The hottest holiday item this year? A COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit

Parents of alleged ex-ISIL follower ask RCMP to probe his reported torture in Kurdish Syrian prison

Liberals' warped sense of fiscal discipline would be funny, if it weren't so serious 

Jason Kenney's critics can't believe he would allow a little personal autonomy during COVID

Macleans                           

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Global 

BC Hydro unexpectedly cuts power to family trying to restore Sumas Prairie home

West End residents pan plan for waterman replacement under Stanley Park

Not heard from in weeks,  police still search for two missing Fairy Creek advocates

Warnings, watches and statements for snow, cold across the province 

BC transportation board denies Uber application to operate in Interior, Vancouver Island 

Watchful farmers in Abbotsford help police arrest two alleged property thieves

Probation, $300K fines issued in 'sickening' Chilliwack abuse case

Non-profits team up to offer mental health support for farmers impacted by BC floods

Trudeau eyes foreign buyers ban on non-recreational properties, end to blind bidding 

Girl shot dead by Taliban while family was preparing to flee to Canada 

Northwest Territories to stop using Alberta curriculum, will adopt BC's

The House of Commons rises until January 31 as Canada's Omicron cases explode

Canada plans to plant up to 320 million trees a year to meet Trudeau's 2 billion target

Trudeau on military misconduct: "I wish I could have done more'

Trudeau tasks cabinet with new cybersecurity plan amid growing attacks, spying

Trudeau sets goals for more inclusive, fair Canada in mandate letters for ministers 

Miscellaneous            

Kitsilano school sues Broadway Subway Project over traffic safety, noise, emissions concerns

Park Board shows sense of humour with 'Barge Chilling Beach" creation

Man fined over $100,000 for unlicensed management of Vancouver rental properties by 'overseas clients'

Growing number of signatures on petition calling for Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum to pay his own legal bills 

  

The Mysterious end of CN"s Wildfire Cost-sharing Agreement with BC

A Dozen Gentle Density ideas for the New Year