Ottawa Observation: Saturday-Monday, February 19-21

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Saturday-Monday,  February 19-21, 2022

Convoy to Ottawa/Emergencies Act Invoked 

  

House of Commons passes Emergencies Act motion after fractious debate

RCMP, banks and Ottawa say convoy protest donors won't have accounts frozen after viral tweet said otherwise 

Some journalists face harassment, assault while reporting on convoy protests, group says

It's time for Parliament to end the state of emergency

'Good for them,' says one of many in US offering financial support to Canada's convoy protesters 

Emergencies Act still needed, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, because threat of convoy trucks could return

Alberta to challenge use of Emergencies Act after asking for federal help to deal with Coutts protest 

After the trauma of the convoy protests, is there a healer in the House? 

Ottawa police 'not done' with operation to clear downtown of convoy protesters, interim chief says

Emergencies Act passes crucial House of Commons vote with NDP support

Clean Up crews replace protesters in downtown Ottawa as heavy presence remains

Party lines drawn ahead of key Emergencies Act vote on Monday

MPs push ahead with Emergencies Act debates as police and protesters face off outside

Ottawa police close in on final protesters, vow to hold all participants accountable

Kenney says province will challenge federal Emergencies Act in court 

No bail decision yet for Tamara Lich, convoy protest organizer 

Federal government will provide up to $20 million to Ottawa businesses shuttered by protests 

Capture the flag: how the convoy protests use Canada's most powerful symbol 

Standoff between protesters and massive police operation stretches into night

Police begin to remove checkpoints as Ottawa protest cleanup continues 

South Asian truckers say protest convoys didn't resonate with them, caused financial losses

Debate rages over government's use of Emergencies Act in convoy crackdown

Convoy protests: Total arrests in Ottawa reaches 170, key organizers appear in court, media swarmed by protesters in BC

The situation in Ottawa shows our police governance is broken

What you need to know about mischief charges and the Ottawa protests

Ottawa occupiers, meet the fashion police

Ottawa should make the case for extra powers to deal with occupations and blockades

Wedges provide no route of of this political sand trap. Above all, Canadians seek an end to divisions

Trudeau doubles down on taking away our rights 

Trudeau plays politics on vote for Emergencies Act

House of Commons passes Emergencies Act motion after factious debate 

PM urges healing while issuing threats over Emergencies Act

MPs get emails prior to Emergencies Act vote

Some MPs worried about banks freeze on convoy supporters report

Trudeau has brought Canadians to the tipping point

Any of us could get caught up in Trudeau's net

Canadian lawyers are rejection of Emergencies Act

Think of protesters as a fire -- you can't blame them for burning

Canada's increasingly autocratic government

Ottawa protest was not January 6

Police watchdog probes horse incidents, use of anti-riot gear during Ottawa protest clearing

Motion to extend Emergencies Act approved in House of Commons

No politician emerges from Freedom Convoy looking good

The Emergencies Act is far more dangerous than you think

Ottawa Police dismantle 'Freedom Convoy' logistics camp with saunas, heated toilets, tents

Ottawa 'businesses should feel safe to reopen' after streets cleared of protesters, police say

Government won't elaborate on claims 'foreign interference' played role in Freedom Convoy protests

Liberals, NDP pass key vote on Emergencies Act use for convoy blockades

Surrey border crossing open again, but questions remain over repeated blockades

Canada must work on 'healing'  from pandemic, convoy unrest, says Trudeau ahead of key vote

Letter shows Alberta asked for feds' help with Coutts blockade as Kenney claims province had resources

'Threat still exists': Emergencies Act to remain as long as required, Bill Blair says

Will the Emergencies Act survive Jason Kenney's challenge? 

Vancouver East NDP MP Jenny Kwan delivers devastating rebuke to those who claim the Ottawa protest was peaceful

As MPs consider Emergencies Act, rebels plan cross-country 'freedom chain'

Surrey RCMP investigates acts of aggression and intimidation toward media

Don't call the protesters

A Convoy Revved by Foreign Actors Spreading lies

Ukraine/Russia tensions

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two separatist regions of Ukraine after recognizing independence 

Perilous safe havens: Many of Ukraine's bomb shelters will not provide protection if war breaks out

US imposes sanctions on two breakaway regions in easter Ukraine

Poland braces for possible war as more NATO troops arrive for training mission

Canada's foreign affairs minister returning early from Europe trip amid rising Ukraine tensions

Putin orders forces to 'maintain peace' in Eastern Ukraine after recognizing separatist regions

Putin sends troops to Ukraine's separatist regions, US to announce sanctions

Russia sends in the troops to two Ukrainian regions recognized as independent

Thousands flee eastern Ukraine as fears of an offensive take root

Canada, Allies vow new sanctions on Russia for recognizing separatist Ukraine regions

US embassy in Russia asks Americans to plan 'evacuation' citing threats of attacks

Elderly men and women getting ready to fight in Ukraine separatist conflict

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Britain drops last remaining COVID-19 restrictions, will treat it like the flu

If restrictions and mandates are being lifted, thank the silent majority that got vaccinated 

Endemic COVID-19 isn't a return to the pat - let's start preparing now

Why some Quebec businesses want to keep the vaccine passport, even if they don't have to

Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19, but so far has mild 'cold-like' symptoms

More contagious BA.2 sub-variant spreading in Canada, complicating opening plans

Announcement regarding COVID-19 measures in Alberta coming Saturday: Kenney

Globe and Mail

The Bank of Canada is ready to raise interest rates. How high could they go?

Hot housing market in quaint BC Ski town represents wider affordability woes 

Truck blockades present a compelling argument for moving more goods by rail

The revival of Canada's oil patch puts investors in a tricky spot 

Conservative senator apologizes for berating Ottawa residents in late-night protest rant

CBC                                             

Steve Fonyo, who lost leg to cancer and ran across Canada to raise funds, dead at 56

Ontario's Priceville was a small, thriving Black community - until it wasn't

Conservative Senator apologizes for berating Ottawa residents in late-night protest rant

Calls mere for arrest of 'rogue' Ottawa-area MPP

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC prepares to remove some housing approval powers from local governments: minister                                                              

BC government adding 602 nursing seats in a move to address skills gap

Police investigating 'suspicious' fire at Vancouver's PNE, no injuries reported

Challenges of climate change focus of BC government's budget, says finance minister

Kamloops man with dozens of convictions sentenced for firehall burglary

Bargaining to resume over contract for Sea-to-Sky transit workers

Physician assistants could fill part of BC's need for more doctors: advocates

Getting 'ghosted' by Canada: Why those trying to reach immigration officials say no one is picking up the phone

Banks lead the pack as companies finally, slowly start bringing workers back to the office

Do Conservatives want to win leadership campaigns or elections

More questions than answers from Doug Ford's government as Ontario begins to reopen

Doug Ford and John Tory believe in life after COVID-19. That doesn't mean it's here yet

Toronto Sun

GO ridership plunged in January

Time for Ontario to bring in benefits for gig workers 

National Post

Complacent Canada is changing - and our politicians haven't a clue

Steve Fonyo who lost leg to cancer and ran across Canada to raise funds, dead at 56

Macleans                           

A new era of Quebec politics

Global 

Alleged attack at Coastal GasLink site in BC being investigated as criminal act

Fire breaks out in building with popular Squamish restaurant, witnesses say

British Columbia set to move to year round BC Wildfire Service 

Steve Fonyo, cross Canada cancer runner with troubled legacy, dead at 56

BC government funding 602 new student nursing spots

Bargaining to resume over BC transit contract 

Police watchdog reviewing arrest in Salmon Arm

Vernon families living in motels due to lack of housing

No injuries after PNE buildings rocked by 'suspicious' fire and explosions

Advocate calls for BC's drug checking program to be scaled up

Miscellaneous            

Burnaby teacher Daniel Tetrault seeks seat on city council with housing affordability as top-of-mind issue

Steve Fonyo dies at 56 in Burnaby hotel room

Surveillance Technology is wielded by the people in 'Eyewitness'

The Big Water Deadline that thousands will miss