Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, February 22-23, 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 22-23, 2022

Convoy to Ottawa/Emergencies Act Invoked 

  

Ottawa is ending the use of Emergencies Act, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says

Banks have unfrozen most convoy protesters' accounts, but some are still suspended under court orders, CBA says

The Ottawa truck convoy has revealed the ugly side of freedom

Federal government facing lawsuits over Emergencies Act

Criminal anthropologist says Alberta at heart of unrest, trucker protests

Our shared reality - and the knowledge that undergirds it - is being assaulted

Is polarization in Canada comparable to the US? Not even close

I witnessed the creation of the Emergencies Act. It shouldn't have been invoked in Ottawa

Alberta to proceed with Emergencies Act challenge despite it being lifted, Kenney says

Trudeau is eager to stop talking about the Emergencies Act, and talk about blockades instead

Response to Ottawa convoy protest carries $30 million price tag and counting, city manager says

Key Ottawa blockade organizer Tamar Lich denied bail; financial institutions begin unfreezing accounts 

The Emergencies Act: nine days that didn't really shake the world all that much

In the midst of cries for individual 'freedoms' Canadian collectivism prevails

Ottawa, a capital without imagination or ambition, collapses under siege. It's not hard to see why

Trudeau ends use of Emergencies Act, says 'situation is no longer an emergency'

Protest near Manitoba Legislature dwindles as Winnipeg police deadline passes

Alberta to proceed with Emergencies Act challenge despite it being lifted: Kenney  

Conservative senator says 'friendly ... patriotic' Ottawa protesters have been demonized

Trading relationship with US unaffected by border blockades, says US ambassador 

Governor General's office reminds Canadians they can't dissolve the government by contacting her

Most bank accounts frozen under the Emergencies Act are being released, committee hears

Populist rage demands leaders who listen - and choose their words with care

Conservatives accuse Trudeau of stoking division as Senate debates use of Emergencies Act

Convoy leader Pat King to hear bail decision Friday as woman puts up $50K in support

Justin Trudeau is warning about foreign money distorting Canadian politics. So why does the law allow it?

Ontario police officers are named in leaked list of donors to the 'Freedom Convoy'

Now that the Emergencies Act has been approved, what's next?

Rage against Ottawa has festered in the West long before the pandemic 

Justin Trudeau lifts Emergencies Act, as debate over its use rages on

Don't comment on 'frozen' bank account claims unit they are verified, Conservative MPs advised

'What emergency exists today?' Senators ask for more details on government's need for special powers 

This is not time for Justin Trudeau - or anyone else - to play cynical partisan games

Trudeau drops emergency powers less than 24 hours after defending them

Ontario lifts state of emergency  

Trudeau-appointed Senator to vote against Emergencies Act continuation 

Trudeau and Ford aren't enemies - they're two peas in a pod

The reporting wrong about the Ottawa occupation 

A chilling effect has come over protest in Canada 

Timeline doesn't back up need for the Emergencies Act 

Conservatives forcing Trudeau to defend and vote on emergency powers again 

Good Riddance to the Emergencies Act

Emergencies Act is open to abuse

Justin Trudeau revokes Emergencies Act: 'Existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient'

Trudeau's national emergency ends, but his contempt for the rule of law remains 

Praise for Justin Trudeau, in an alternate universe 

The Liberals cheer Justin Trudeau. The world thinks he blew it

Freedom Convoy protesters may be regrouping in rural campus outside Ottawa

Saskatchewan premier calls for end to all federal COVID-19 mandates after Emergencies Act revoked

Leaked email shows Conservative MPs want colleagues to do more checks on frozen accounts 

Trudeau to revoke Emergencies Act after convoy blockades end

BC RCMP investigating after journalists assaulted, harassed at protests 

Where do we go from Here?

Yes, Kenney, the Emergencies Act Fits

Ukraine/Russia tensions

Putin announces military operation in Ukraine

'Ukrainian people want peace,' President says in address to the country as it braces for possible Russian assault

Biden touts 'first tranche' of sanctions against Russia as toughest measures yet. how effective are they?

Ukraine's decision to remove nuclear arsenal 'huge mistake' former commander says, as Russia deploys troops

Sanctions against Russia benefit Canadian farmers and commodity producers  

Caisse sells Russian stocks that Canada places sanctions on in 2015

US Congress backs Biden on Russia Sanctions, urge tougher and swifter measures

What further Canadian sanctions on Russia will target: oligarchs, banks and exports 

Canada sanctions Russia over Ukraine 'invasion' pledges more troops to Europe

Canada to send more troops to Europe, slap fresh sanctions on Russia over Ukraine 

Western deterrence has failed in Ukraine

Putin's fictions endanger all of us in ex-colonies

President Vladimir Putin announces Russian military operation in Eastern Ukraine 

Along Ukraine's northern border with Russia, some younger people fear losing newfound identity

Ukrainian Montrealers fear full-scale Russian invasion could be imminent

Trudeau announces sanctions on Russia as Moscow ramps up pressure on Ukraine 

Oil heads higher as Ukraine tensions escalate - price depends on what happens next 

Russia's aim in recognizing 'independent' republics is to smash Ukraine bit by bit, expert says

On Ukraine, Putin is looking backward with dreams of empire 

Russia vows to retaliate as Canada readies more sanctions 

Canadian military's limits to be tested as fears of war with Russia mount 

'Premeditated War': Putin order military operations in Ukraine

Ukrainian Canadians push for more aggressive sanctions on Russia

World laughs as Trudeau claims to 'stand against authoritarianism'

Russia invades Ukraine, explosions in Kyiv

How Canada can keep Europe's lights on

Ukraine. like som any other countries, is 'at the mercy of psycopaths'

Canada slaps a 'first round' of sanctions on Russia 

Ukraine says 'full-scale invasion' by Russia underway as Putin orders military operation 

World condemns Putin's 'thuggery' after Russia launches military operation in Ukraine 

Japan hits Russia with new sanctions, joins West in condemning moves against Ukraine 

Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tweets that Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion

Justin Trudeau calls on Russia to immediately cease all hostile and provocative actions against Ukraine

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Is it time to dispense with proof-of-vaccination? 

Free COVID-19 rapid tests to be made available in BC for 70 and up starting Friday 

Cases in BC hospitals fall again, 1 death, as BC moves to sustainable COVID-19 management

Rapid tests available for those 70+ on Friday at pharmacies across BC

Globe and Mail

COVID-19 has undermined the grieving process in Nova Scotia mass shooting, resident says

Families want to be heard at Nova Scotia mass shooting inquiry 

Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Everything, has big plans for Canada's economic future

The Conservative leadership convention is shaping up to be a competition for the party's soul

Protesters need to understand: Canada's Charter is not the US Bill of Rights

Crypto's secret threat to modern warfare: diminishing  the power of economic sanctions

Gunman's spouse should be compelled to testify at inquiry into Nova Scotia mass shooting, lawyer for families says

Senior military officer charged with five counts of sexual assault

Interim Conservative Leader Candice Bergen announces changes to her party's team of critics 

Jean Charest inclined to seek the Federal Conservative leadership, but final decision depends on rules

CBC                                             

Laurentian University shifts tone and will release 3 million documents to Ontario, MPP says

Populist  rage demands leaders who listen - and choose their words with care 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Ottawa allocates close to $12 million for Indigenous commercial fisheries in BC

British Columbia cabinet ministers in line for 10 per cent pay hike: Opposition

Budget funding for BC Wildfire Service garners mixed reaction from experts 

New office tower planned for the Bay building in downtown Vancouver 

Metrolinx decision to destroy Don Valley park land shrouded in secrecy

Can Steven Del Duca pull off an election miracle?

Doug Ford's licence plate fee cancellation highlights growing inequalities 

Ontario's latest corporate handouts come at the expense of workers and their health 

It's now even harder for racialized communities to trust Ottawa Police 

Post pandemic, Toronto's downtown core needs be less nine-to-five and more 24/7

Cut through red tape preventing Afghanistan refugees coming to Canada 

Why is Andrea Horwath picking the same lane as Doug Ford?

Feds commit $140M to keep temporary staff hired to eliminate veterans' backlog 

NDP asks Liberals to drop appeal of tribunal ruling in EI maternity leave case

Toronto Sun

National action needed to prevent attacks on transit workers: union

Ontario should follow Quebec's lead, drop mask mandates for kids 

National Post

Conservatives would have been better off with Andrew Scheer 

Canadian broadcasters to share in revenues from tech giants, heritage minster says 

Macleans                           

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Global 

Mission parents say biracial child was singled out in slavery lessons

'We'll work with the numbers': Mixed reaction from Indigenous advocates to BC budget 

BC mulls overriding local governments to promote more housing development 

Iconic Hudson's Bay building in downtown Vancouver to undergo redevelopment

Still no leads after release of video from attack on Coastal GasLink site, says Mountie 

Police release brief videos showing alleged attack on northern BC gas pipeline camp

Ottawa allocates close to $12 million for Indigenous commercial fisheries in BC

Second judge to take BC old-growth logging protesters' case

60 assaults in Vancouver over long weekend, 22 of them random: Police

BC physician facing disciplinary hearing unapologetic for 'misleading' COVID-19 comments 

Miscellaneous            

Always excited about new experiences, ground breaking Sam Mizrahi looks to build a new legacy on the West Coast  

Greens and BC Liberals agree Budget is Disappointing 

Why the TMX will endlessly spill taxpayers' money

Vancouver Overdose prevention site could lose its space

Amidst Drug Crisis, Calls for Bold Safe Supply go unheeded

Stay the course BC budget offers few big measures