Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, March 3 & 4, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday-Friday,  March 3 & 4, 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

Russian forces surround major city centres in Ukraine

Ukrainians fleeing war with Russia share the items they couldn't leave behind 

How Canada help facilitate support for banking sanctions against Russia

Pressure building on Biden to ban Russian oil imports, increase military aid to Ukraine

'We must bear witness': Museums warn of losing Ukraine's cultural heritage to war

Amid Putin's war, Emmanuel Macron has become Europe's indispensable leader

Baltic warnings about Russia must be heeded now more than ever

Putin has driven Russia into a cul-de-sac filled with blood, with no obvious way out

We can handle millions of Ukrainians fleeing across borders. We've done it before 

Which countries are taking in Ukraine's 1.2 million refugees?

In remaining to fight for his country, Zelensky set the tone for both domestic and international resistance

Globe and Mail letter to readers about Ukraine coverage

Canadian air strike tech appears to be playing important role in Ukraine's fight against Russia

Canada to send rocket launchers to Ukraine, streamline immigration for refugees

Trudeau says Canada, NATO need to avoid all-out war with Russia

Putin's veiled nuclear threats 'a sign of weakness' says former Russian foreign  minister 

Why is the red and black flag, seen at rallies in support of Ukraine causing such a stir?

Kyiv paediatric doctor discusses the human cost of Russia's war on Ukraine

Under a foreign flag: Canadian veterans explain why they're fighting for Ukraine

Is Russia already at war with the West?

Why photo of Freeland holding a black-and-red scarf sparked a firestorm online

Canada prepared to welcome an 'unlimited number' of Ukrainians fleeing war, minister says

Canada's troop commitment to Eastern Europe is exposing weak points in its military 

'Another North Korea?" Why some are pushing back on banning Russians from things

Vladimir Putin's attempt at empire-building is destined to fail

Russia shells largest nuclear plant in Europe, Biden retaliates with targeted sanctions 

Is Putin sanction-proof? Why hurting 'Fortress Russia' is much harder than it seems

I was there when the Soviets invaded Prague. What Vladimir Putin is doing is different

Justin Trudeau heads to Europe to help organize more sanctions against Russia

As we stockpile weapons for Ukraine, we should remember Canada and its NATO allies are not at war

Putin's 'irrationality' means a  no-fly zone over Ukraine is too risky, Canada's top diplomat says

Russia seizes Europe's biggest nuclear plant and blocks media websites

Toronto couple eager to volunteer in Ukraine, and willing to fight

Will cancelling Russia be the catalyst that defeats Putin?

Russia pumps propaganda into Canada as part of war effort

Canada sends more arms to Ukraine, more military aid needed

Putin has forced the West to change how it views its role in the world

Europe's energy crisis set the stage for war in Ukraine

Two kinds of Ukraine war refugees flood Poland, some are not as welcome

Cyberwarfare could still decide the war in Ukraine, even though it hasn't yet played much of a role

Canada should beware of cyberattack escalation in Ukraine despite small part it has payed so far: analysts

Law on 'fake news' prompts media outlets to stop reporting on Ukraine war from within Russia

Disinformation and the disgrace of Canada's Russia apologists, on the left and right

NATO must avoid 'direct conflict with Russian soldiers while supporting Ukraine: Trudeau

Ukrainian refugees would be wise to flee to more serious countries than ours

Progressives weaponizing support for Ukraine to draw parallels with other conflicts is toxic

Vladimir Putin's brutality knows no bounds

Ukrainians are defending democracy for us all - they should not be alone

Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons - others will now hang on to theirs

Vladimir Putin - the man who trolled the world

Russia's attack on Ukraine an unmistakable reminder of Moscow's true face

How to get at Putin? Kill the body and the head will die

How to really stop Russia: A million little carrots

BC ready to 'absorb' as many Ukrainian refugees as we can' Premier says

Vladimir Putin's folly came in viewing Ukraine as a rebel province rather than country with an organized resistance

When the Rush of War Recedes 

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Public health restrictions in Canada are being dropped. So what does this mean for vaccinated individuals in the face of Omicron?

Public health officials welcome moves to ease restrictions as COVID-19 metrics improve

Canada scrambles to rebook rapid test deliveries amid ban of Russian planes

Ending COVID mandates shouldn't be terrifying. Spread the word

BC reports 8 more deaths as cases in hospital fall below 500

BC to begin distributing rapid tests to people aged 60+ on Monday

Globe and Mail

Russian Oligarch could have indirect stake in WestJet through SunWing deal

Arrest of long-time Canadian fugitive gang member stuns Puerto Rico

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliot bows out as pandemic recedes

The freedom convoy, and now Putin, are making Muslims look good

Back from the past, establishment Conservative Jean Charest is the insurgent in this race

Conservative party releases rules for leadership race

Federal government to protect number of Quebec's Commons seats, stop province losing one MP

Trudeau heads to Europe for talks on Ukraine and Russian disinformation  

Jean Charest says he's not afraid of a tough battle for Conservative leadership

CBC                                             

Gasoline has never been more expensive - and high prices are likely to stick around for a while

Ottawa's decision on Bay du Nord oil project off Newfoundland delayed another 40 days

Ottawa to protect number of Quebec Commons seats, stop province from losing MP

Lawyer for RCMP official accused of leaking secrets seeks a stay of proceedings

Adrienne Clarkson returns Russian Order of Friendship to protest Ukraine invasion

Government won't allow Rogers to buy all of Shaw's wireless business

Conservatives to announce new leader of party on September 10

GiveSendGo defends decision to raise money for protest convoy

Numbers suggest many American protest convoy donors also gave to Trump, Republican

Toronto/Vancouver Star

The Emergencies Act was only used for days. Finding out how will take months

Former GTA MP Leona Alleslev preparing to enter Tory leadership race

Alberta government to extend pause on Rocky Mountain coal mine development

Who's in, who's out and who else might join the Conservative party leadership race

Feds to protect number of Quebec's Commons seats, stop province losing MP

Trudeau announces spending for transit projects in Mississauga, Ontario

Without Christine Elliott, will Doug Ford revert to form?

Green Leader Mike Schreiner stands out among MPPs. So why does his party have a popularity problem?

Leslyn Lewis preparing to enter Conservative leadership race

'You did not communicate': GiveSendGo says government is to blame for convoy fundraising

Spokesperson for right-wing Quebec group is latest convoy leader seeking bail

Twitter pledges to do more to tackle misinformation - but some tools are missing in Canada

Toronto Sun

Elliot's departure and what it means for Ford's re-election chances

Patrick Brown's decision whether to enter Conservative race coming 'soon'

Hit the Road Carbon Tax! Energy prices too high

February home sales remain strong, despite cooler start to 2022

Conservative leadership race goes from expected coronation to exciting contest 

Will Ford break his promise to cut soaring gas prices?

Support Ukraine, while keeping out of the war

National Post

A $4 million 'wrap' of Parliament's Centre Block really is an illusion

Why Canadian gas prices are higher than ever before (it's not all Ukraine)

Russian charter jet racks up $20K in fees after exerting Canadians airspace this week

Jean Charest is a true conservative, and Canada needs his leadership

Does demoting moderate Conservatives signal a right turn, or is it to punish O'Toole loyalists?

Trucker convoy exposed hypocrisy of Canada's left-wing elite

When did Justin Trudeau grow a spine?

Doubling the size of the economy within 25 years would be a winning goal for the Conservatives

Macleans                           

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Global 

Gas prices in Metro Vancouver now over $2 a litre

Surrey Police Service inks 1st contract, making officers among the highest paid in Canada

'Concerning': FOI into BC woman's potential fatal mauling returns 270 blank pages

100 days after the floods, some members of Shaken Indian Band still can't go home 

TED Talks return to Vancouver, will feature Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Al Gore and Finnish PM Sanna Marin

Human rights complaint against city of Surrey, Cloverdale Rodeo gets green light

BC Swiss-style community, Edelweiss Village, up for sale for $2.3M

1 person in critical condition after rock falls on vehicle near Golden

'Worst I have ever seen it': Vancouver business owner says city not taking crime seriously

Massive ICBC profits not expected to go back to customers for now

New Liberal leader to get by-election before summer: Horgan

Okanagan Gondola moves ahead in regulatory process, despite rezoning concerns

Miscellaneous            

Report says surge in Metro Vancouver home listings sets stage for spring market 'barnburner'

Healing Canada's social infrastructure should be every Canadian's responsibility

BC Prosecution Service describes senior RCMP officer's statements as 'grossly inaccurate'

Survey finds Metro Vancouver  residents plan to buy homes  despite belief region in a 'housing bubble'

Group calls on Vancouver residents to rally against weekend antiimedia truck convoy 

Can Jean Charest save the Conservative party of Canada from itself

Expo Line 'track issue' shuts down Sky Train in New Westminster for rest of day

Bank of Canada's 0.25 percent rate hike means $13 month payment increases per $100,000 mortgage: broker

In Alberta, a Drug Poisoning criss rages

Hot Hot Housing

Why are US Politicians mad at Canada?

Budget promises extended supports for Youth Aging Out of Care

Come Clean on Bungled BC Bid system, say BC Liberals

Government's Effort to licence groundwater falls short 

Experts reject BC's Safe Supply Claims

Inside a student newspaper's battle against censorship