Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, March 5 -7, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Saturday-Monday,  March 5-7, 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

'It's like Dunkirk': Civilian convoy of hope makes perilous journey to rescue Ukrainians trapped near Kyiv

Kyiv, a once-vibrant city, is shattered by Russian attacks and littered with checkpoint 

Banning Russian Oil exports might hurt Europe far more than the US or Russia - and Vladimir Putin knows that

Ukrainian opera performers sing the national anthem while volunteers help prepare for Russian attack

Facing criticism for supporting Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, Beijing says China-Russia relations 'rock solid'

Canada to sanction 10 more Russians over Ukraine, Trudeaus says

Military aid to Ukraine will likely provoke - not deter - Putin's aggression

Russia fails to appear at International Court of Justice as Ukraine argues invasion was built on a lie

The EU has been energized by Ukraine's fight. Th least it could do is offer it membership

Canada, UK, Netherlands discuss humanitarian coalition for Ukraine

Non-citizens of Ukraine don't qualify for temporary refuge in Canada

Number of refugees fleeing Ukraine reaches 15 million

Canada announces new sanctions against Russian individuals

Federal government urges Canadians not to travel to Russia - and to leave if possible

US sanctions should hit the Russian energy sector, says former US national security adviser

The West's sanctions campaign is going after Russia's oligarchs - but it won't be easy

Ukraine war sparks fresh worries about North America's own defences

As Russia's military stumbles, its adversaries take note

The war in Ukraine has put petty political divisions in perspective. Can this moment of unity last?

Trudeau opens door to more military spending in response to Russian invasion

Justin Trudeau hints at boosting Canada's Military spending

Chrystia Freeland's long crusade for Ukraine began at home in Alberta

Can the West apply enough pressure to end the war in Ukraine without further provoking Vladimir Putin

Meet Anita Anand, the defence minister overseeing Canada's military response to Russia

As foreign affairs minister, Mélanie Joly has focused on building relationships 

Chrystia Freeland uniquely well-placed to take on Canada's response to Russian invasion of Ukraine

GTA doctors, corporations and volunteers ready to help Ukraine's people

Germany rejects US call to ban Russian energy exports 

Trudeau dropped the ball in Europe on oil production, he needs to get this right 

Putin's mistress, four kids in Switzerland: Report

Russian, Belarusian hackers target Ukraine in phishing, Google says

Putin's misadventure unites the West

Trudeau strikes a balance on Ukraine

Rolling out the welcome mat

'They desperately need people': The Canadians heading to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia

A good allied response to Russia, far too late

Canada sending CF-18 jets to Romania in summer to bolster NATO's eastern flank: Joly

Trudeau pledges support for European nations to move away from Russian energy

A second Ukraine nuclear facility has been damaged by Russian shelling

Russia gets Crimea, no NATO for Ukraine: Kremlin reveals its terms for peace

Transport Canada slaps fines on Russians, airline for breaching airspace ban

Canada actively looking at sending drone cameras to Ukraine: Anand 

'The Exodus': Why some Russians are fleeing their homeland amid Ukraine invasion

Putin miscalculated if he thinks West will move on after Ukraine invasion: ambassador

Europe is left to confront Putin in Ukraine as US takes a backseat

Zelensky's attack on NATO demonstrates that he's not an obedient pawn of the West

Vlad Instincts

Can Ukraine Win

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

How the pandemic spurred more traffic violence  

Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 see slight drop in BC; 11 more deaths recorded 

Judging by their actions, Canadians rightly believe COVID is over

Almost 3,000 deaths recorded in BC as worldwide death toll hits 6M

Mayor of BC town near Alberta border calls for end of mask mandate, vaccine card

Globe and Mail

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defends Canada's Military spending below NATO target

Sudden deaths of Indigenous people in Thunder Bay require further action, report on police service says

Judge rules convoy organizer  Tamara Lich can be released on bail, reversing a prior decision 

Rogers arranges $19 billion financing to fund Shaw takeover ahead of expected rise in interest rates

Canada's private debt funds face a reckoning after retail investors jolted by redemption freeze

Banks went beyond RCMP list of names  in freezing a 'small number' of accounts under Emergencies Act: Bankers Association 

Latvia wants Canadian natural gas to reduce reliance on Russia, says ambassador

Alberta to temporarily suspend provincial gasoline tax in response to increasing prices

The Queen meets Trudeau in first in-person engagement since testing positive for COVID-19

Accusations of un-Conservatism divide party's early race

Cruise ships return to Canadian ports for the first time since 2019

Ottawa announces COVID-19 rules for the return of cruise ships to Canadian ports  

To save the Conservative Party, open the membership doors wide

Canada may finally have the political will to strengthen our depleted defence capacity

Iqaluit has endured six months of water woes - when will the federal government step up?

Edmonton's real estate market the latest sign Ottawa should get serious about house-price inflation

The heritage Minister's push to ban RT undermines the CRTC's independence 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives in Europe to meet with leaders on military aid for Ukraine

Ottawa seeks to hide 'sensitive' details of foreign interference case from public view

Local MPs call for post-protest rethink of Wellington Street

CBC

Jean Charest to launch Conservative leadership bid Thursday, Radio-Canada sources say

War impact, lending boom mean inflation expectations will likely rise despite latest rate hike

More privacy breaches in handling of military sexual misconduct settlement deal

Convoy protest organizer Tamara Lich released from jail

Mounties starting to lean on deterrence methods over force, new report says

The committee reviewing Trudeau's use of the Emergencies Act faces a daunting task

Canadians working from home need protection from employer surveillance, Liberal MP says

Pierre Poilievre promises to scrap 'anti-energy laws' during CPC leadership campaign stop in Saskatchewan 

What is the federal government willing to do to combat high gasoline prices?

'Digital mercenaries': MPs describe their clashes with disinformation campaigns

Interim Green Party leader Amita Kuttner begins grassroots tour

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Lytton Fire recovery work gets $18.4 million from province; debris removal starts

'No simple solution' to gas prices; BC has not tax reduction plans: Farnworth

Opposition to forced transfers of BC patients seeking medically assisted deaths

Inside a little known tax 'loophole'  experts say is helping rich Canadians avoid millions in taxes

Doug Ford has doled out election treats to drivers and some transit riders. But guess who's getting taken for a ride?

Will Stephen Harper meddle in the Conservative leadership race? Insiders say contest is reviving old rivalries and divided loyalties 

Poilievre's team takes aim at Charest's Conservative cred as his campaign takes shape 

Tasha Kheiriddin bows out of Conservative leadership race

How Justin Trudeau fell short on one crisis - and rose to another

Toronto Sun

Ontario overhauls homelessness prevention program

Tamara Lich, the 'spark that lit' the convoy protest in Ottawa, gets bail

MPs across the country vote to maintain an unfair electoral system

Yes, of course we need to question how our tax dollars are spent

Canada's workplace privacy concerns worth monitoring

The convoy response exposed Liberals as frightened snobs

Gig works rights are coming to Ontario

There's no need to fear populism coming to Canada

Lack of pipelines costing us billions

National Post

Banks were only asked to freeze accounts of 'Freedom Convoy' protesters in Ottawa, and after most were warned: RCMP

Freedom Convoy Protest organizer Tamara Lich granted bail after review

Jean Charest to announce Conservative leadership bid on Thursday, gets support from Kheiriddin  

Not too late to build Keystone XL, Kenney says as US looks for Russian oil replacement 

Macleans                           

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Global 

Metro Vancouver drivers can get cheaper gas and skip the required COVID tests in Point Roberts

Rebuilding Lytton: Removal of ash, soot, metals, bricks to begin Tuesday

Even as costs soar, Indigenous groups still aim to buy Trans Mountain pipeline

BC government spending $22 million to support survivors of sexual assault

BC gas prices keep rising, adding more pressure on struggling travel sector 

BC to make Indigenous-focused coursework a high school graduation requirement

City Hall red tape puts Vancouver Little League Tradition at risk of cancellation

Queen Elizabeth hosts Trudeau in first in-person meeting since COVID-19 diagnosis

Miscellaneous            

OneCity Vancouver nominates incumbents Christine Boyle and Jennifer Reddy, along with 10 others

Freedom convoy organizer James Bauder announces plans for large convoy to Victoria to fight vaccine mandates

Vancouverites including their mayor, come out to show support for the people of Ukraine

BMO Economics says Russia-Ukraine war has Canadian housing 'caught in a crossfire'

Listen to the vast majority opposed to exotic wild animals in zoos and aquariums

Russian Community Centre in Kitsilano vandalized with colours of Ukrainian flag

Child care workers deserved better than this

Coastal GasLink faces more water pollution concerns

Modo drives into the future