Ottawa Observations: Thursday, December 23, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Thursday, December 23, 2021

Canada / China tensions                 

China imposes full lockdown of city of 13 million ahead of Beijing Olympics

Western companies doing business in China face risks

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Story of the COVID-19 pandemic is now the past, present and future of Omicron

Alberta, Montreal urge residents to use COVID-19 rapid tests amid surge in demand for lab tests 

UCP chastised for holding Christmas party despite Health Minister's plea

Hamilton doctor looks to normalize 'goofy' N95 respirators

Latest COVID-19 numbers Ontario and Quebec point to rapid infection surges

Worries about the spreading Omicron preoccupy many as 2021 winds down

Ontario sets record number of daily COVID-19 CASES

Omicron is milder but still a threat, time for a reality check for all sides

What if the vaccine miracle never happened?

Ontario smashes single-day record for COVID-19 cases set in April

Risk of hospital admission with Omicron up to 70% lower than with Delta, UK says

With Omicron cases surging, it's time to ditch the cloth mask, experts say

Ridiculous and extreme COVID isolation rules will have us all tuning out

BC records 2,046 new COVID cases, surpassing projected 'worst case scenario'

Province reports more than 2,000 cases over 24 hour period

Omicron is our second shot at COVID redemption

Globe and Mail

Canadians frustrated by long wait times, cancellation policies as COVID-19 travel restrictions remain unclear

Alberta, Montreal urge residents to use COVID-19 rapid tests amid surge in demand for lab tests 

Salmon swept off course by BC floods rescued by Sumas First Nation members, volunteers

It's time for Ottawa to seriously study how a guaranteed basic income could replace outdated layers of sclerotic support programs

COVID-19 might have lasting impacts on the way Canada handles immigration: Monday

For fourth time, Ottawa delays new drug-pricing regulation

CBC                                             

Canadian air task force commander relieved of duties in Kuwait after claims of inappropriate comments

Russia urges West to move quickly to guarantee Ukraine won't join NATO

Nunavut and Ontario lone holdouts to signing onto $10 a day federal child care plan

Trudeau beset by series of crises as PM, 2022 promises to be no different

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC businesses can apply for grant to offset latest COVID-19 shutdown costs

Environment Canada warns frigid temperatures to blanket BC through next week

Canadian looking to privately sponsor Afghan refugees frustrated at process

Saskatchewan premier reflects on loss, what he learned about himself in pat year  

Toronto Sun

Unvaccinated Toronto cops feeling scrooged by held back 'lieu' pay

Surge of COVID cases prompts Toronto Fire to lean on captains, new recruits 

Canada's oil and gas sector is resilient

National Post

Two thirds of Canadians proud of country's history despite injustices against Indigenous people: poll

Beset by crises, question looms whether Trudeau will consider an early exit in 2022

Alberta UCP holds Christmas party hours after health minister asks workplaces to cancel gatherings

Macleans                           

Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie's bright and green designs are travelling the globe

Global 

'We're living in daily pain': Frustration as COVID-19 drives BC to cancel surgeries again

BC businesses ordered to shut down due to COVID can apply for relief grant 

Money-laundering inquiry must judge whether corruption reached top of BC government 

BC set to experience 'near-record cold' Christmas Day and next week

British Columbians urged to check in on seniors as arctic air mass approaches

BC resort gets creative to stay open after suspicious fire takes out main chairlift 

Trump name officially removed from Vancouver hotel building

Trudeau belongs on Santa's naughty list, alongside Chinese and Russian leaders: poll

Miscellaneous            

Owner of $24.3 million property obtains court order forcing review of City of Vancouver-imposed empty homes tax

Chilliwack man charged in connection with thefts from homes in flood-ravaged Sumas Prairie area

Vancouver home with sauna sells over a million dollars above assessment for $5,399,999

Vancouver experiences a spike on homicides during pandemic years 

BC denies public health care to Newcomers. We All Pay

It's now winter. We are wired to stay home

Come for the press conference, stay for the Party?

Undoing Harper's 'Tough on Crime' Legacy

We will be taking a break from our chronicles of the Ottawa Observations, with a return set for December 28th. Have A Merry Christmas Holiday period.