Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for    Wednesday,  December 1, 2021

Notes on the Weather challenges in British Columbia can be found as part of our Victoria Viewpoints Archive.  

Canada / China tensions                 

China's disinformation campaign against Canada's election is undeniable

Canadian telecoms spent $700M on Huawei tech while Liberals delayed ban decision

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ontario, Alberta expanding eligibility of COVID-19 booster shots for adults amid rising case counts

Air travellers could wait up to three days in isolation for on-arrival COVID-19 test result in Canada

Why Omicron's list of mutations is raising concerns among COVID-19 vaccine makers and health experts

Ontario to lower eligibility age for booster shots to people 50 and over

Omicron could threaten COVID-19 immunity - but we're not going back to 'square one'

Virus that causes COVID-19 found in Quebec deer

68% of COVID-19 patients in BC hospitals not fully vaccinated 

Canadians in South Africa face cancelled flights uncertainty as they try to return

Caution, not panic is key to dealing with new variant

Mandating vaccines in schools is likely unconstitutional

Canada is dragging its feet on boosters. Once again, we will pay a heavy price

Longer gaps between mRNA vaccine doses give stronger immune response: Canadian study

BC reports 375 new cases and seven more deaths

Booster shots may come sooner as Omicron is detect in BC

Globe and Mail

Bulk of college tuition in Ontario comes from international students, Auditor-General says

Where did all the self-employed workers go?

Surprise Tory motion sends anti-conversion therapy bill through Commons

This Canadian city just did the unexpected - it voted against sprawl

The Liberals' beefed-up ban on conversion therapy is a Charter challenge in the making

A House united fully backs ban on conversion therapy, making life a bit safer for sexual and gender minorities in Canada

With inflation, public-sector negotiations will get tougher for Trudeau

Canadian delegates head to Washington to fight made-in-US vehicle credits, softwood duties

CBC

MPs embrace after bill to ban conversion therapy passes unanimously in House

Opposition parties want Liberals to reform finance committee to examine COVID support bill

Young Canadians launch court challenge to lower federal voting age from 18

Federal government falling short on funding to help First Nations operate water systems, PBO says

Why Canada is unlocking its vault of maple syrup

Premier's office denies toxic work environment in legislature in lawsuit rebuttal

Toronto/Vancouver Star

We need to make the connection between climate change and industrial animal agriculture

Don't take advice from the Conservatives on COVID-19

'Unacceptable': Alberta education minister slams association in wake of allegations that one teacher abused 200 children

Canada kicks Boeing from jet competition, narrows search to F35 and  Swedish Gripen

Interim Green Leader Amita Kuttner ready to get tough on party infighting

Quebec to introduce tracking bracelets for some conjugal violence offenders

Lawyer questions coverage of First Nations water settlement as a deal to be ratified 

Behind closed doors, Conservatives hatched a strategy to move past conversion therapy controversy

12 nuclear plants? 113 dams? That's how much Canada is short of its green energy needs, report says

Doug Ford made lots of mistakes in the pandemic. Spending money wasn't one of them

Toronto Sun

Ontario Line will trigger nearly a decade of downtown gridlock

Some needed good news as we face Omicron

Uncertainty over border rules clouds travel plans

Canada must do more to help low-vaccinated nations: WHO agency

Climate mitigation doesn't help today's victims of bad weather

God Save the Queen in Canada? Yes, Please

CBC's list of words we can't say is sophomoric, outrageous and wrong

Jihadi Jack isn't Canada's problem

National Post

Not enough money coming from federal government to maintain Indigenous water treatment systems: PBO report

Tongue-tied by CBC's 18 words you can't say

Look Out, Trudeau is promising money for infrastructure

Majority of Canadians unwilling to let unvaccinated friend or family member into their home: poll

Macleans

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Global 

Self declared 'Queen of Canada' detained by RCMP after allege threats to health-care workers

BC 911 operatives can now hang up on callers waiting for ambulances

Alberta pulp mill workers face layoffs because of issues cause by BC Flooding: company

Firefighters' union warns of cuts, hiring deferrals in Vancouver's 2022 budget

BC artist in disbelief after 46 painting, hundreds of custom ties stolen

Indigenous leaders concerned over BC's old growth deferral process

Police seek mischief maker after protest outside BC Legislature

Military says Admiral Art McDonald already faced 'significant' action as police report released

Why just Africa? Health experts question Canada singling out continent with COVID travel rules

Boeing is out of the running to replace Canada's fighter jet fleet

Miscellaneous            

4 detached-home lots marked by City of Vancouver for 14 storeys near Joyce Station sold over $13 millions

Law Society of British Columbia suspends former president of the Vancouver Bar Association

Climate stability becomes a relic of the past in BC due to loss of hydrologic stationarity

Inflation Hits Those on Disability Assistance Hard: 'Mostly, it's heartbreaking'

BC still has ways to go to eliminate Anti-Indigenous Racism in Health Care 

Where was the Warning?