Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, January 22-24, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Saturday - Monday,  January 22-24, 2022

Canada / China tensions                 

Canada still needs to engage with China despite its human rights record, experts say

It's absurd for Trudeau to let China buy a Canadian lithium. firm - especially without a security review

Ukraine/Russia tensions

Canada's Foreign Ministry hit by 'Cyber incident' as Ukraine-Russia tensions rise

NATO sends reinforcements, US puts troops on alert as Ukraine tensions rise

Russia and Europe risk mutually assured destruction in a natural gas war

When it comes to Ukraine's national security, Vladimir Putin has already won

Former Ukrainian president says war can still be avoided but urges accelerated Canadian aid

Federal Government investigating after cyberattack hits Global Affairs

'It looks pretty grim': Former Estonian president on the prospect of a Russian attack on Ukraine

Ukrainian communities watch, wonder how far Canada will go to protect their ancestral homeland

World War III? And what's Canada's plan?

Ukraine needs real assistance, not juvenile gestures

NATO sends reinforcements to Eastern Europe, US puts 8,500 troops on alert as Russia nearly encircles Ukraine

Ukraine could receive $10M Canadian arms cache originally meant for Kurds

Canadians need serious solutions from their government. Instead, the Liberals give them memes

The Hawks are screeching over Ukraine. Will cooler heads prevail?

Non-essential Canadians advised to leave Ukraine amid growing tensions with Russia

Canada weighing small weapons shipment to Ukraine amid Russia threat: sources

Russia denies UK claim of seeking to install pro-Moscow government in Ukraine

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

'I'm done with COVID' is easier said than done

How the COVID-19 pandemic is shaping main streets in five Canadian cities

On Nova Scotia's St. FX campus, the lure of the rings sparks a COVID-19 outbreak and polarizes a town

Britain to drop COVID-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers

Goggles or face shields not needed for most people to prevent COVID-19, experts say

Vaccines are a tool, not a silver bullet. If we'd allowed more scientific debate, we would have realized this earlier  

How the COVID-19 outbreak in Bearskin Lake shows Canada needs to boost crisis response in First Nations

As US accelerates distribution of rapid tests, critics call on Ottawa to catch up

BC reports 24 COVID-19 related deaths, 4,997 infections over three day period

Send more COVID-19 vaccine doses to poor countries, Liberal MP tells Trudeau government

Kids' vaccine rate still low despite rampant spread of Omicron variant

Saskatchewan eschews more COVID-19 rules, Ontario saw high absences in some schools

Ottawa had four waves of COVID-19 to get ready for Omicron. What happened?

The UK acknowledges they have. COVID anxiety problem -- why can't we?

Being PPE ready did not turn back Indigenous deaths

The ethical failures in Canada's pandemic response 

Another record for BC as almost 1,000 people in hospital

Alberta reports 41 new COVID-19 deaths, number of coronavirus patients in hospitals rise

US limits use of Regeneron, Eli Lilly COVID-19 antibody treatments amid Omicron spread

We need to get Rapid Tests to seniors in Care and Beyond

Young adults are most Vaxed. Let them explain why

Globe and Mail

Trucker convoy raises millions in funds as vaccine-hesitant supporters flock to cause

Erin O'Toole gives a pass to Batters support

Canada needs to build more rental housing, A lot more

Challenges for Indigenous leaders 'are many' but so are the people working to change things

Former Afghan translator for the Canadian military stuck in Kyiv fears being caught in a war zone - again

Google executive cautions Canada agains adopting 'extreme' new internet rules

No regrets for dishonesty, an don consequences inside political parties

Afghan women in Pakistan wait on Canadian visas to start new life in Saskatoon

Spending a 'marked departure' from former BC Legislature clerk's duties, Crown says

Privacy outrage over the use of cellphone data by public health officials is unwarranted

Many Afghans are still stuck in purgatory, We must not let their plight fall off our agenda

With political incivility hitting home, security becomes a genuine concern

Canada can do more to support the US in their special relationship  

CBC                                             

Conservative MPs accuse Trudeau of pushing 'vaccine vendetta' as convoy protest heads to Ottawa

'Freedom Convoy' leaves BC for Ottawa to protest trucker vaccine mandate

Former head of national vaccine task force pleads not guilty to sexual assault charge

BC based First Nation may put names to unmarked graves with new residential school documents

Public outrage over the unvaccinated is driving a crisis in bioethics

Lack of action on supply chain will make 'empty shelves the norm' say Conservatives

Canada planning technological fixes to make crossing the border faster 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC Court rejects WestJet's appeal of class action certification about baggage fees

Truckers convoy: How a TikToker, oil advocates and Wexit organizer  helped fire up the 'Freedom Rally' that's heading to Ottawa

Fringe candidates won't win, but Doug Ford Could be the biggest loser

Conservatives defy Erin O'Toole by siding with critical senator

Slow down trucker vaccine rule, business groups say as PM, Tories trade barbs

Montreal's Chinatown, threatened by development, to be granted heritage status

Florida man charges in Canada-US human smuggling scheme freed on appearance bond

Nunavut signs $10 a day child care deal with federal government

Is the pandemic providing cover of privatization of health care?

Pandemic rage is taking a toll on Canada's young retail workers

Why is Justin Trudeau in a rut? Maybe it's all the slogans

Hijab ban divides younger voters from boomers

Toronto Sun

Mexico no safe haven for Canadian gangsters and hitmen

Metrolinx dodges questions on close ties to private consultant

State broadcaster might even get more cash from Trudeau!

Is there a real way to get $10 daycare?

Building back better, Part II

As many lost jobs and hours, government workers got raises 

Public Service had it easy during COVID

Liberals laugh off supply chain woes

Trucker ban may do more harm than good

National Post

Man charged in human smuggling plot in which a migrant family froze to death to be released from jail

Ontario, Ottawa said close to finalizing child-care deal as pressure builds on Ford

As opposition to trucker vaccine mandate grows, Erin O'Toole dodges questions 

Liberals thwart badly needed skilled immigrants with mendacious political meddling 

Truckers are the proxy protesters for a lot of angry Canadians

'Turning into a crisis': Jason Kenney working with US governors to end trucker vaccine mandates

Canada's US-beating jobs recovery might not be as great as it looks 

Macleans                           

Canada's place in the world is changing. How can it find its footing?

On energy and climate, politics is the problem

Who can best challenge Doug Ford in June? Polls disagree

Global 

Former BC residential school to release early ground penetrating radar results 

Legal proceedings set to begin for Surrey mayor facing public mischief charge

'Justice and equity': Dozens of students walk out of SFU classrooms over COVID-19 risk

BC Court rejects WestJet's appeal of class-action certification about baggage fees

Months later, only four 0f 109 missing containers from MV Zim Kingston have been found

'People need help new': BC ranchers in urgent need of financial aid to rebuild their lives

Fraud and breach of trust trial for former BC legislature clerk Craig James begins 

Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon reopens to all traffic 

BC wedding industry needs 'clear, long term plan' or businesses will fail under COVID

Anthology created for mothers struggle with perinatal mental health 

'They came to intimidate us': Calgary MP speaks out following protest outside his home

Quebec is punching well below its economic weight, federal officials tell new minister 

Majority of truckers are vaccinated, Trudeau says, as 'freedom convoy' heads to Ottawa

Kenney says relations with Trudeau 'professional', but climate minister is 'extremist'

Miscellaneous            

Who inside the caucus might stand up to the BC NDP's 'Best and Brightest'?

Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows that too many people have died?

Protest fills downtown Vancouver streets with opponents of COVID-19 vaccines

Who's fuelling the truckers protesting vaccine mandates?

BC Oil and Gas Cleanup 'Going in wrong direction'