Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, January 29-31, 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 29-31, 2022

Convoy to Ottawa

Will the Ottawa convoy morph into a Tea Party style populist movement?

Justin Trudeau accuses Erin O'Toole of irresponsible leadership, says Canadians 'disgusted' by protesters' actions

Calling the Ottawa protests 'peaceful' plays down non-violent dangers, critics say

Border crossing near Coutts, Alberta blocked for third day by truck convoy

Where in downtown Ottawa is the trucker convoy based, and where have disruptions spread? A visual guide

Manitoba Tory backbencher loses appointment after meeting with trucker convoy

A protest that's not focused on truckers poses a bigger question for politicians who want to embrace it

Thousands of convoy protesters descend on Parliament Hill to demand and end to COVID-19 measures

Officials condemn 'desecration' of monuments, hateful signs on display at trucker convoy protest

Conservative MP falsely accuses Trudeau of sending photographers to 'misrepresent' convoy protesters

Minister says there's 'no sign' vaccine mandate is affecting cross-border truck volume

Ottawa Mayor says ticketing, towing Protesters could incite them 

After weekend of protests, Ottawa residents are feeling the effects

Ottawa Mayor would like protesters to move on, but organizers say they're not going anywhere

Thousands opposed to COVID-19 rules converge on Parliament Hill

The protest convoy carries a combustible load. Politicians can exploit it - or confront it

Critics call for new rules for online fundraisers after protest convoy takes anonymous donations

Ottawa police setting up hate crime hotline after reports of assaults, threats 

Terry Fox 'above politics' so leave him out of protests: mayor of hero's hometown

Justin Trudeau and Erin O'Toole scrap over who's to blame for 'Freedom Convoy' protest

'That has no place in Ontario or Canada': Doug Ford denounces protesting truckers

Time to call out nasty, hate-filled anti-vaxxers

Unvaccinated convoy protesters are selfish, plain and simple. Please, just get the jab

In Ottawa, we've seen the 'Freedom Convoy' up close. After the abuse, disruption and silly demands, we want them gone

'Freedom' protests are white supremacy in all its glory

The Freedom Convoy crashed and burned

'Freedom Convoy'  protesters actually gave Trudeau a boost

Liberals in no position to give lessons on what's acceptable

Those involved in Freedom Convoy hope trucker protest spawn dialogue

O'Toole's convoy response impressed no one

Trucker protest a fight about employment

Mainstream media fearful of protesters, oh my

The need for Unity

Democracy and the right to protest

To Ottawa Progressives, the trucker convoy is a military invasion they are bravely resisting 

Elon Musk says 'fringe minority is actually the government' in tweets about trucker protest

Not 'intimidated' by protesters: Trudeau says he will not meet with trucker convoy organizers

Truckers' US border blockade in Alberta no longer lawful, ready to make arrests: RCMP

Ottawa still gridlocked by protesters while residents say it's time for them to go

Canada's defence chief condemns protesters dancing on National War Memorial

Alberta Mayors criticize Conservative MP's 'lack of judgement' at Ottawa protest

Shame on the sports figures who supported invasion of Ottawa

Canada needs to explicitly ban swastikas, 'loathsome' hate symbols: NDP MP

Trucker protest forces downtown Ottawa businesses to stay closed as COVID restrictions ease

Ottawa trucker protest sparks questions about definition of 'peaceful' protest

'Just sickening': Backlash after Terry Fox statue 'appropriated' at Ottawa trucker rally

How Kennedy's Convoy support backfired

Where the Convoy is trying to drive Canada

Canada / China tensions                 

Famed blind lawyer Joy Luk has fled Hong Kong and wants refugee status in Canada

Ukraine/Russia tensions

Russia, US exchange harsh words over Ukraine at UN Security Council 

Ukrainian-Canadians fear for their loved ones as confrontation with Russia continues

Trudeau warns Moscow of 'serious consequences' during special debate on situation in Ukraine

Proactive sanctions would not deter Russia from invading Ukraine, says Estonia's Prime Minister

Anand meets with Ukraine's defence minister as country braces for possible invasion

Russia can choose negotiations or sanctions, Canada's defence minister says in Ukraine

Western waffling emboldens tyrants

'Empty words': Parties disagree on best way to help Ukraine in emergency Commons debate

Canada pulling non-essential embassy staff from Ukraine amid Russia threat

Weapons are powerful deterrent to Russia says ex-Ukraine ambassador

NATO wants to pull Ukraine into alliance, Russia's Lavrov says

Canada's military aid hypocrisy

Conservative Caucus Revolt

O'Toole faces causes revolt as 35 MPs sign letter calling for leadership review vote

Conservative caucus revolt triggers vote on Erin O'Toole's leadership

'I don't know anyone who thinks he can survey' Conservative caucus primed to call leadership review on Erin O'Toole

Erin O'Toole's leadership may have become unsalvageable

Nitpicking at O'Toole won't win Conservatives the next election 

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole faces direct challenge to his leadership with possible caucus vote

Erin O'Toole's leadership is over

Erin O'Toole is trapped

Erin O'Toole and the universe of Madness

'This is a fracture in the party': O'Toole to face leadership vote Wednesday

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

It's a delusion to think mass spread of Omicron will end the pandemic

Vaccines matter - and not just for COVID-19

Omicron subvariant BA.2 more infectious than 'original', Danish study finds

Britain to scrap compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers 

Booster shot rate in BC crests 49 percent, while 19 more deaths are registered

Public trust in science and medicine starts with humility

Canada must address the global antiviral deficit 

Treating COVID like the flu is inevitable, so do it sensibly

For the first time, more than 1,000 people in BC Hospital with COVID-19

Globe and Mail

Defence Minister Anand discusses aid for Kyiv, including possibility of Canada sending weapons to Ukraine

The pandemic kickstarted benefit programs like paid sick days and COVID leave. Why are so many essential workers still falling through the cracks?

The Bank of Canada is on the cusp of shedding bonds from its balance sheet

Ottawa to review US $600 million sale of BlackBerry patent linked to legacy smartphone business

Rising rates could put Labour in the line of fire

US to reduce levies on most Canadian softwood producers

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tests positive for COVID-19

Police responded to 78 harassment calls at polling stations during last year's federal election

Freeland lists housing affordability, green transition and jobs as 2022 budget prioriites

Federal election cost estimated $630 million, but many First Nations had no polling station

BC teachers' union may oppose standardized testing, but most parents support it 

CBC                                             

Trudeau tests positive for COVID-19, condemns 'hateful' rhetoric

Liberals short on time to deliver on 100 days promises as Parliament returns

Trudeau seeks NDP, Bloc support to prevent Conservative 'obstructionism'

Latvia hopes Canada will bolster mission amid tensions with Russia

Quebecers 'hope for a better future' on 5th anniversary of deadly mosque attack

BC extends aerial wolf cull for five more years

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC's Legislature deputy clerk told to trust advice on retirement payment: trial

If Doug Ford is reelected, the real winner will be Justin Trudeau 

One province is taking a first step toward ending Canada's immigrant detention system

Millions are reimbursed to federal parties after an election? Why is no one checking receipts?

Toronto Sun

Gyms, indoor dining return amid fears of future lockdown measures

NDP drops candidate who honoured Nazi naval officer

It's time to do the right thing, Canada -- it's time to end all COVID restrictions

Why it's time to move on from mandates and lockdowns

Homeowners should be prepared for pending interest rate rise

Ontario is moving out of restrictions and that's a good thing

Our fragile supply chains need attention

It's time to end COVID rules in Canada

National Post

Almost business as usual as Parliament reconvenes near trucker protests

LNG is more important than ever, but Canada isn't cashing in

Liberals to reboot controversial C-10, along with bill forcing digital giant to pay for news

Federal budget needs to focus economic growth, be mindful of high inflation: Freeland

It may be months before more federal skilled workers accepted: immigration minister

Macleans                           

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Global 

Surrey mayor aims to pull plug on proposed amendment freezing new ethics complaints

BC clerk says he didn't see rationale for predecessor's retirement benefit

Natural disasters help create feed shortage for BC ranchers 

'We will come back stronger': Vancouver Chinatown Lunar New Year parade cancelled for second year

Citing natural disasters and COVID-19, BC SPCA helped a record number of animals in 2021

Semiahoo First Nation hails pass on proposed Surrey Industrial area expansion

Okanagan Nation Alliance calls for criminal charges against Canada, church for deaths at residential schools

BC Liberals begin voting Thursday for new leader

Vancouver crews work to shore up shoreline ahead of King tide on Monday

COVID-19 testing offered at ski hills in BC Interior for international visitors

Advocates 'stunned' BC School sports can't resume along with other youth tournaments

WorkSafe advocates for firefighters with work-related cancer

Canadians want 'decisive' positions from Conservatives, says election report author 

Miscellaneous            

Six arrested in Trans-Canada Highway blockades on Irornworkers bride and near Horseshoe Bay Terminal

Activists will use super glue to halt traffic to Horseshoe Bay terminal and Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge

Let's put healthcare ahead of politics in 2022

Fire Chief Karen Fry to hold media briefing on fatal blaze at East Vancouver house

Islamophobia is on the rise, but we can defeat it - together

Kenney ordered public input on coal mining. Was it a sham?