Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, February 1 & 2, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Tuesday/Wednesday,  February 1 & 2, 2022

Convoy to Ottawa

Impasse remains in Ottawa as Police chief says all options to resolve protest pose risks, while Alberta blockade eases

The 'Freedom Convoy' was hauling a load of bad ideas - but the people on board are not the enemy

Protesters in southern Alberta allow Coutts border to partially reopen after five days of protests over COVID-19 rules

Calling COVID-19 vaccine mandates a 'crime against humanity' isn't just wrong, it's dangerous  

Instead of trying to quell convoy tensions, Trudeau inflamed them

Honks outside and inside Parliament, and a debate about the protesters' character 

Protest organizers dig in and say only politicians can clear Ottawa's downtown

Ottawa's police chief says the response to the protest has been a success. Not everyone agrees

As anti-vaccine mandate protest enters 5th day in Ottawa, some worry about how it might end

GoFundMe pauses anti-vaccine mandate protest fundraiser 

From 'Freedom convoy' to border blockade: The tale of tow towns Ottawa  and Coutts, Alberta caught in the middle of a protest

Conservative party's embrace of trucker convoy is deeply troubling

Ottawa Police may seek military assistance as 'Freedom Convoy' protesters dig in

Truckers came gunning for Justin Trudeau. They got Erin O'Toole instead 

Toronto Police, OPP plan for potential weekend trucker rally at Queen's Park

Protest or not, it's business as usual for Ottawa's parking enforcement 

'We're being overrun': Counter-protesters brave intimidation in the heart of the Ottawa trucker demonstration

Canadians now realize our health enforcers have gone too far

All options being considered to end trucker protest, including military: Ottawa police chief

A Canadian insurrection? It is to laugh

The longer convoy protesters paralyze Ottawa, the more they damage their cause

Bashing the trucker convoy is good politics for Trudeau, even if it is bad for the country

Ottawa police were right to let the truckers say their piece

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

Freedom Convoy dismantles stereotypes about who is opposed to vaccine mandates 

Trucker convoy GoFundMe suspended, 'under review' after raising over $10M

The Convoy's wrong turn

Canada's far right finds its moment

Revolting Truckers, Stumbling leaders

Canada / China tensions                 

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Ukraine/Russia tensions

Unlike Putin, the West doesn't know what it wants in Eastern Europe

Canada relocated its military trainers in Ukraine in response to fears of Russian invasion

Conservative Caucus Revolt

Erin O'Toole ousted as Conservative Party leader after caucus leadership vote

Conservatives face daunting task: finding a unifier to lead a deeply divided party to victory in a deeply divided country

The powder-keg party blows itself up again - is anyone surprised?

It's not the leader Conservative MP's need to kick out, but some of their own

Erin O'Toole, we hardly knew ye

Erin O'Toole's survival is one thing. The survival of the Conservative Parry is another

Candice Bergen voted interim Conservative leader after caucus ousts O'Toole

Conservatives react with praise, pessimism to vote ending Erin O'Toole's leadership 

Two roads diverged before the Conservative party - and left Erin O'Toole stranded

Sudden leadership challenge follows campaign review that blames part of election loss on O'Toole

Conservative MPs oust Erin O'Toole; MP Candice Bergen steps in as interim leader

Who will be the next Conservative leader? Here are some potential contenders

Reactions to Erin O'Toole bored out as federal Conservative leader

Tories choose Manitoba MP Candice Bergen as interim leader after ousting O'Toole

O'Toole is out but the Conservative party is far from over

O'Toole mistakenly tried to be everything to everybody

O'Toole ousted in open rebellion. Who dares be next?

The potential candidates to replace Erin O'Toole as Conservative leader

The O'Toole saga is a cautionary tale

What an O'Toole! Where topsy-turvy Conservative leader went wrong

With O'Toole out, new Conservative leader will ace 'bloody tough job' healing divided party

And now for another hideously flawed Conservative leadership race

Erin O'Toole's plea to Conservatives as he steps down as party leader: "hear the other side'

Erin O'Toole's ouster frees party of leader embarrassed by conservatism 

Erin O'Toole did everything he could to lose the Conservative leadership 

Pierre Poilievre îs obvious choice to lead Conservatives 

O'Toole's divisive leadership style comes back to haunt him

Divisions over Erin O'Toole's leadership are indicative of deeper fissures with the Conservative Party 

O'Toole is out. Meet the new new new new Conservatives

Conservatives elect Candice Bergen as interim party leader

You're fired! Conservative caucus votes to oust Erin O'Toole as party leader 

Can Endangered Conservative Leaders be saved?

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccine boosters slows in Canada despite Omicron's risks, Globe analysis finds

Britain's COVID-19 human challenge trial offers insights into why the virus spreads so quickly

Israel having trouble repeating its world-leading success in fighting the pandemic as Omicron cases surge

COVID-19 hospitalizations and health facility outbreaks falling in BC

Most BC COVID patients testing positive after hospitalization for other reasons

Peel Region addresses hesitancies preventing parents from getting their child vaccinated  

Lockdowns only reduced COVID deaths by 0.2 per cent, Johns Hopkins study finds

The long-term effects of COVID have nothing to do with health. 

BC reports 18 more deaths as cases in hospital dip below 1,000 

Federal government reviewing border measures as Omicron wave eases 

BC Looks to ease COVID restrictions 

Globe and Mail

Hundreds of air travellers using special code to avoid Canadian no-fly list snags

Images from Quebec high school homework assignment called to as racist

Canadian led battlegroup ' on front line' with Russia in NATO's defence of Baltics

Canada's current travel restrictions don't make sense

Liberals re-introduce Broadcasting Act bill, pledge amendments will ensure individual social media users are exempt

Newly revealed e-mails raise questions about Canadian transportation regulator's independence

US wants Canada to share travel information on convicted child sex offenders 

Bother of Canadian Embassy worker in Kabul killed in Afghanistan 

Indigenous former justice minister Wilson-Raybould outlines vision for 'true reconciliation'

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh throw support behind drug decriminalization bill 

Vaccination tax flip-flop caps a bad month for François Legault 

CBC                                             

Inflation isn't the main factor driving Canada's sky-high housing costs, experts say

First Nation wants Ottawa to help clean up plastic waste left behind by 27 year boil water advisory

Design flaws blamed for cracks in tails of military's Cyclone helicopters 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC Liberal asks court to delay leadership result over membership concern

No parking for wood splitter at centre of case against former BC clerk, court hears

January home sales slow as supply dwindled: Vancouver Real Estate Board 

Vice-Admiral showed 'poor judgment' golfing with ex-top officer who was under investigation, defence department says

Environment groups serve Alberta premier, government with defamation lawsuit

Canada talking to allies about 'options to reinforce' Eastern Europe: Anita Anand

NDP drops candidate who defended honouring a Nazi

What would happen to Canada's health-care system if the trucker protests to their way?

Prices are soaring. Is this the best Ottawa's got?

Toronto Sun

The CBC's gleeful promotion of its 'Genocide Games' coverage is shameful

Trudeau's 'woke' policy on plastics a nightmare for Canadians 

Toronto pays when Mayor drops ball on blizzard readiness

Powerful group seeks to control Canadian economy, restrict personal freedom

Legault abandons punitive vax tax

National Post

Rebooted broadcast bill includes exemptions for user-generated content 

Land acknowledgements have become empty gestures. But there is a path to reconciliation 

Harry Steele's drive was immense. HIs Newfoundlander's heart was larger 

Macleans                           

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Global 

Canadian Premiers hoping new poll will convince Ottawa to up health transfers

5 people facing charges after $1.6M drug bust with ties to Alberta and British Columbia

Windows of at least 26 Vancouver transit buses damaged while travelling through DTES

Vancouver Police arrest 3 people after unrelated shoplifting incidents turn violent

WestJet vacations customer endures long battle getting refund from airline after COVID cancellation

Miscellaneous            

Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley real estate boards report price increases in January 

BCREA predicts average 2022 home prices breaching $1 million mark, up more than 41 percent from 2018

Asking price for Vancouver luxury home first listed at $34.8 million  now reduced to $24.8 million

'Their Workspace is Safe and Clean Because we do all the Physical Labour in cleaning up'

Craig James is on Trial. MLA's are too

Vancouver's Big, Promising Step on Affordable housing