Ottawa Observations: Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Wednesday,  December 8, 2021

Canada / China tensions                 

Canada joins allies in diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

Why Canada and the EU should join the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Games

Ahead of a US summit, China tries to move the goalposts on the meaning of 'democracy'

Trudeau announces diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics

Quebec man accused of using space agency status to negotiate contracts for Chinese company

Canada joins allies in diplomatic boycott of Winter Games 

Canada joins US, UK in diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics

Canada joining diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Britain unveils tighter COVID-19 restrictions as Omicron spreads 

Officials confirm 21 infected with COVID-19 after Nova Scotia grad event

Almost 86% of BC residents five and up and have first dose of vaccine

6 deaths, 379 new cases in BC as hospitalizations fall again

Globe and Mail

Canada faces growing global criticism of its African travel bans

PEI Premier calls on federal government to lift the ban on exports of crops to US

PEI potato farmers struggling as exports to the US remain banned

The anti-vaccine rants from Doug Ford's daughter are now a matter of public interest

The Royal Family is facing a succession crisis

Conservatives table counteroffer to Liberal proposal on ending standoff over virus lab papers

Members of Parliament to probe government's handling of Kabul evacuation

Immigration minister predicts two year timeline to fulfill promise to get 40,000 Afghans to Canada

Liberals repromise to change Conservative crime policies, years later

CBC

NDP MPs press Singh to call on BC government to pull RCMP out of Wet'suwet'en territory

Old enough to choose: The case for letting younger Canadians vote

Haitian commission sends message to Canada, US, - stop meddling in our government

Protecting Prince Harry cost Canadians more than $334,000

Canada's effort to bring in Afghan refugees expected to take up to two years

The ideological war between Conservative factions can only be won at the ballot box

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC giving $1 million to wildfire-ravaged Lytton to help with recovery 

Seniors advocate calls for reporting line for abuse and neglect amid rising reports

More than half of young potential buyers in Toronto have given up on ever owning a home, survey finds

Report urges tax sale changes after BC woman loses home and $270,000 in equity 

House of Commons finishes review of vaccination exemptions for MPs

The US ranks travel destinations by their COVID-19 risk. Why doesn't Canada do the same?

'Wrong side of history': Is Jagmeet Singh's stance on pipelines splitting the NDP?

MPs will probe government efforts to help Afghan refugees

Three NDP MPs sign petition criticizing BC's NDP government over pipeline protests 

Quebec committee says Alzheimer's patients should get access to doctor-assisted death

One military helicopter repaired using reinforcement in the tail

Tories reject proposed compromise to allow MPs to see documents on fired scientists

Politicians raise concerns about carbon pricing benefits given to oilseeds companies

Doug Ford looks poised to win next year's election. Here's how he reversed his political fortunes

Toronto Sun

Gangsters, guns and CERB a real headache for Trudeau Liberals

A common sense approach to climate change from Ontario's budget watchdog

A legislative 'here's your hat, what's your hurry?'

COIVD cases spread like wildfire in Toronto Fire station

Canada pledges money, not troops, for future peacekeeping missions

Rapid tests the latest political fetish in public health crisis

Trudeau needs to make government debt a priority 

Justin Trudeau's words don't match his deeds

Red tape continues to hamper Canadian energy industry 

We must do better for our kids

National Post

Conservatives reject Liberals' compromise deal on Winnipeg Lab documents over firing of scientists

Hopes for Canada's promised return to peacekeeping dashed as Liberals pledge money, not troops

Commons to study Canada's frantic exit from Afghanistan 

Jewish federal employees form network to combat anti-Semitism in government service

Biden's summit isn't up to the task of stopping democracy's global decline

Toronto school board takes lunacy to a whole new level

Toronto school trustee faces potential censure after calling out anti-Semitic material in teaching manuals

International pressure for Canada to reverse Africa-specific Omicron travel ban

New US ambassador to Canada confident the two countries 'will be aligned' on China policy

Activists keep ignoring Indigenous pleas to go away

Other Canadians don't much like Alberta? That's good

Macleans

Trudeau, Joly and Canada's (un) diplomatic corps

Global 

BC Cabinet minister 'knocked to the ground' police investigating

From healing to disappointment, here's what a papal apology could mean for residential school survivors

New weather alert issued with more heavy rain headed to BC's South Coast

Trio of New Democrat MPs sign petition criticizing BC NDP government in Wet'suwet'en dispute

Scathing report issued after City of Penticton sells vulnerable woman's. home to pay $10K tax bill

Visitors to Mount Seymour Provincial Park will need free day passes starting next week

Cultus Lake storm damage hints at scale of cleanup work ahead

Princeton BC batting the weather amid flood cleanup

BC announces $1 million recovery grant for wildfire-ravaged Lytton

Floating crane renews buzz around English ay barge, but city says no timeline for removal 

BC watchdog reports disturbing hike in abuse and neglect of seniors

Vancouver gives green light to 2022 budget and a 6.35%hike in property tax

Ottawa expected to release details of carbon capture tax credit soon, Cenovus says

Canada's response to fall of Afghanistan target of new social committee of MPs

Is the 'War on Drugs' over? Canada is seeing a 'shift' in its approach to drugs, experts say

Miscellaneous            

Rezoned for condos by Vancouver Council, Cambie site now selling at $28.8 million, Listing says 'no affordable housing'

BC tenants must have the right to collectively bargain

How Cascadia can prevent another lost decade 

A 2022 Agenda for Cascadia's Climate Dreams

Can blowing up Canada's political parties save us?

A Big Rise in mentally Ill prisoners with substance use disorders

How will the left ruin Christmas this year?