Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, March 19-21, 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 19-21, 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

Georgia fears becoming the next victim of Putin's apparent effort to recreate the Soviet empire

These journalists documented the destruction in Mariupol and escaped as Russian forces hunted them down

A Global economic Cold War is coming

Higher prices spark protests and instability in fallout from Ukraine War

This Ukrainian ride-sharing service gave away its cars to help citizens flee

Canada tightens ban on Russian aircraft to include humanitarian flights 

We've reached a new post Cold War era. What follows may e even more dangerous 

Wartime rhetoric: How Zelenskyy's address compares with other speeches by foreign leaders

The war in Ukraine could force Canada to shed its self-image as a peacekeeper

HMCS Halifax leaves for deployment as part of NATO support for Ukraine

With no more to donate, Canada goes weapon shopping for Ukraine

Vladimir Putin's KGB background likely affected intelligence disaster in Ukraine

It is increasingly clear Vladimir Putin will be defeated. What happens next?

Zelenskyy's cause is just, but Holocaust comparison was beyond the pale

Ukraine will be destroyed before it gives up Kyiv, other major cities to Russia, Zelenskyy says

Melanie Joly vows to tackle 'virtual battleground' of Russian disinformation 

No surrender: A portrait of horror as Mariupol is cut off from the rest of Ukraine

Radio Free Europe: More than 2,500 Russian soldiers' corpses shipped back as morgues

Russian defence ministry lets slip that almost 10,000 soldiers have been killed in Ukraine

The Liberals' continued policy of doing as little as possible for Ukraine

Are Canadians fighting in Ukraine protected by the Geneva Convention? We'll see

End to Ukraine-Russia war not possible without Putin Meeting: Zelenskyy

Canadians help aid effort on the ground in Ukraine with Samaritan's Purse

At least four people dead following shelling in Kyiv, city authorities say

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

When with the federal government lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates? It's complicated, health minister says

With public restrictions all but gone, we're left to fight COVID-19 on our own

Canada wants WHO approval Medicago: COVID-19 vaccine so it can be donated: Sajjan

BC expands eligibility for rapid COVID-19 tests to people over 30

No end in sight for Federal COVID-19 restrictions, health minister tells Commons committee

Masks no longer mandatory today in most public spaces in Ontario

BC records 8 deaths over the weekend, including a person in their 40's

COVID-19 rapid tests now available for people aged 30+ at BC pharmacies

Dropped mask mandates: Public facing workers face hostility, health risks 

We are dangerously relaxed about COVID

Globe and Mail

Liberals reach deal with NDP to stay in power until 2025

NDP seek to expand promised Liberal surtax on banks to include oil companies an big box retailers

Xplornet in talks to acquire Freedom Mobile from Rogers

Canadian telecom carriers are spending $26 billion on 5G, but will it pay off?

North Warning System incapable of responding to modern missile technology, defence expert warns

Canada to issue first Green Bonds this week

Canada has blown through our fiscal guardrails. When will our federal budgets reflect that?

Canada's National Research Council hit by 'cyber incident'

Candice Bergen's move into Stornoway cost federal government $19,404 though she will move out in a few months

Prominent Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner joins Patrick Brown's campaign

Ontario MP Scott Aitchison, BC MP Marc Dalton make bids for Tory Leadership official

CBC

Liberal, NDP leadership have tentative deal to support Trudeau government to 2025

CP Rail shutdown begins as talks continue and farmers brace for potential fallout

Trans Mountain blames massive spike in project cost on natural disasters, debt costs - and frogs

A mother's fight for facts about her daughter's death could rewrite the Access to Information Act

Liberals, opposition debate CP Rail stoppage but avoid discussing back-to-work legislation 

Rising oil prices may give Liberals extra spending for next Ottawa budget 

Top military leader calls for 'accelerated' defence investments in response to Russian aggression

Investigation launched after National Research Council is hit by 'cyber-incident'

Oblates to open Rome archives next month for residential school records search

NATO head urges Canada, other allies to do more on defence commitments

Marc Dalton enters Conservative leadership race, Scott Atchison officially launches campaign 

14,000 UCP members already signed up to vote on Jason Kenney's leadership 

Digital currency donations for Freedom Convoy evading seizure by authorities 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Safety board says flaw in rail found, but not fixed before 37  cars derailed in BC

BC First Nation's land rights claim is about reconciliation, lawyer tells court

BC surf town cuts out plastic forks, knives in growing pollution prevention efforts

Deal in the works between Liberals and NDP that would keep Justin Trudeau's government in power in exchange for NDP friendly measures 

Was it really about vaccine mandates - something darker? The inside story of the convoy protests 

It's now clear the truck convoys were never about the pandemic

The world is waking up to a new security reality. It' time Canada did the same

Doug Ford is right - it's time to end mask mandates in Ontario

Convoy leader and Farfadaas spokesperson Steve 'L'Artiss' Charland granted bail

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed Canada to think about Arctic security

Don't like Russia sanctions? You probably don't like COVID-19 vaccines either

War in Ukraine is the least of Chrystia Freeland's budget woes

Think Pierre Poilievre is a loser? That's what they said about Stephen Harper

Toronto Sun

Ontario introduces bill aimed at tackling border blockades

CP Rail stoppage threatens economy, cross-border trade

Students stage walkout in favour of keeping mask mandates

Happy to ditch the habit of wearing a mask

Protect Canadians, buy fighter planes

White House 'hoping for timely and fair resolution; of CP Rail labour dispute

'Buy American' should be 'Buy North American' Ford says

Welcoming Ukrainian refugees can be a win for all

Lockdown, affordability and telework drove people from Ontario

Jean Charest Exclusive Why is the former Quebec Premier running?

Ukraine invasion shows Trudeau's green agenda needs a reset

Charest's offer to Conservative party, take me as I am

Trudeau's magic wand eco-measures are under scrutiny 

Canada - The Great Convenor of the Great Reset

Jean Charest looks like only adult in Conservative leadership race 

If you want peace, prepare for war

Hey celebs! Stay out of our energy convo

Military spending must be sustainable

National Post

'That was a mistake': Air Canada CEO grilled by MPs for not learning French before taking job

Lelsyln Lewis says her social conservatism mean smaller government 

Liberals and NDP close to deal to keep Justin Trudeau in power until 2025

Ban on Russian aircraft in Canada now specifically includes humanitarian flights

Concern over shenanigans as UCP party fighting over Alberta premier's leadership escalates

Ontario to introduce new measures to block further blockades

Industry wants Ottawa to fund at least 50% of carbon capturing technology in next budget

Macleans                           

Want to buy a house? Don't bother checking the foundations

Global          

Victoria family frustrated after hospital puts patient in room with no washrooms, call button

Man gets conditional discharge for assault of 92 year old Asian man in Vancouver

Victoria police to continue access control points for 'foreseeable future'

Disgraced former BC social worker to be sentenced

How the war in Ukraine and CP Rail strike is affecting BC's agriculture industry

Frustrations still reported as BC's new campaign reservation website goes live

BC to provide nearly $500,000 to help 14 communities develop emergency evacuation routes

BC Supreme Court to hear lawsuit over First Nation's land rights

Safe schools group calls on BC to keep mask requirement in K-to-12 schools

Hundreds of First Nations youth attend Kelowna basketball tournament

Feds say it's 'irresponsible' to set date for ending COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Second day of CP Rail stoppage puts Ottawa under pressure as talks continue

Arctic at 'inflection point' as Russia's Ukraine invasion raises questions: officials

Canada's spy agencies have held back information from Parliament's watchdogs

Miscellaneous            

The real reason Doug Ford is staying above the Conservative party leadership fray

BC MP Marc Dalton seeks Conservative leadership with thinly veiled pitch to convoy supporters

Vancouver police arrest suspect in videotaped assault at Granville Station

Surrey mayor Doug McCallum's pretrial conference on public mischief charge will be held in Prince George  

Foot soldier in BC's so-called freedom movement demands more transparency about donations

How Poilievre is reinventing Right-Wing Politicking 

Why Vancouver is a Sci-Fi Paradise

Rumours of the Death of False Creek are False

BC needs its own Gig Worker Protector