Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, March 15 & 16, 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 12-14, 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

Inside the Ukrainian city of Mykolayiv, where death, destruction and chaos are the norm

US warns Russia against using chemical weapons

Ukraine, Russia signal progress in peace talks as attacks on civilians continue

Nearly 3,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada since Russian invasion 

Zelensky pushes emotional nuclear button in speech to US Congress 

'Heartbreaking decisions' had to be made in Canada's response to Ukraine, Trudeau says

Deepfake footage purports to show Ukrainian president capitulating

International Court of Justice orders Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine 

Answering Zelensky's call to create a no0fly zone over Ukraine would be an unthinkable mistake

Canada needs to speed up the process for welcoming displaced Ukrainians 

Zelensky urges Canada to do more for Ukraine in historic address to Parliament

When will the war in Ukraine end, and how?

Putin warns of pro-Western 'traitors' in Russia, references 'self-cleansing' of country

Experts warn Canada weapons shipped to Ukraine could end up in wrong hands

Parliament gave Zelensky a hero's welcome, He gave us something else: a cold dose of reality

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky address Parliament as Russian forces edge toward Kyiv

Russia puts Trudeau, foreign affairs and defence ministers on its 'black list'

How a No-Fly Zone over Ukraine could lead to World War III

'Keep justice in history": Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky appeals to Congress to do more

'Please stop the bombing': Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeals to MPs to halt Russia's attack

Russia's invasion of Ukraine means higher food prices in Canada and around the world

Five key moments during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to Parliament

In their own words: The warm personal relationship between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau

Vladimir Putin bans Justin Trudeau and hundreds of other Canadians from Russia 

It's time for Canada to stand fully with Zelenskyy and Ukraine

The beginning of Putin's economic collapse

'Help Us, Canada!' Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses Trudeau

No Fly Zone risks a global war

Vladimir Putin is winning

The Trudeau government's history of ignoring Ukraine's call to arms

Ukraine is alone because the West fell for Putin's con

Airstrike turns Ukrainian theatre where 1,000 civilians were reportedly hiding into rubble

Ukraine traded nine Russian soldiers for return of captured mayor: news report

Russia basically threatened to attack the Canadian Air Force

'Justin, can you imagine?' Zelenskyy's virtual trip to Ottawa

Ukrainian mayor scrambles to safety when air-raid sirens go off during interview

Trudeau to join Biden, NATO leaders in Brussels for summit on Ukraine war: source

Zelenskyy says Russia wants to 'annihilate' Ukrainians, urges no-fly zone

Zelenskyy's pleas to Western governments for Ukraine aid 'having an impact' experts say

Canada slaps new sanctions on 15 Russians ahead of Zelenskyy's address to Parliament

Transcript of Ukrainians President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech to Parliament

World court orders Russia to pull troops out of Ukraine

Is Russia's military an inflated Bear?

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Canada to end pre-arrival COVID-19 testing rule for fully vaccinated travellers

Recent global rise in COVID-19 cases 'is the tip of the iceberg' WHO says

Federal government to end pre-arrival COVID testing fro travellers entering Canada

BC to review how its COVID-19 pandemic response decisions were made

Eight more COVID-19 deaths reported, one more health facility outbreak in BC

Ottawa to end pre-arrival  COVID-19 testing for vaccinated travellers entering Canada

Take Ontario Science Table COVID advice with a grain of salt

Canada poised to rend pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for travellers: sources

Eight more deaths in BC as cases in hospital fall once again

'Drop everything': Looking back at the week COVID-19 changed everything in BC

BC to review pandemic response, but not government or publish health decisions

Quebec tables bill to end state of emergency for COVID-19

A road map to reinstating indoor mask mandates in BC to fight the spread of COVID-19

Globe and Mail

Ottawa extends assault weapons amnesty until 2023, promises mandatory buyback program will launch soon

How expensive are food products getting in Canada? A breakdown of some popular items

The end of Trudeau? A Charest leadership win makes it likely

Companies prepare to return to office as COVID-19 restrictions loosen in some provinces 

There may be method in Pierre Poilievre's nastiness

Canada is an international haven for financial crime and the only antidote is transparency

UCP candidate Brian Jean wins northern Alberta by-election in a landslide

BC privacy law applies to federal political parties, commissioner's office finds

Ford says neither he nor Ontario PC caucus members will endorse anyone in federal Tory leadership race

Conservatives tear each other down to get to the top

The Christchurch massacre may have had a Canadian connection - but there's a reason you may not know about it

Canada can't save the world, but we can fulfill our commitment to Afghan refugees

The spectre of Donald Trump hangs over the Conservative leadership race

Canada can re-envision itself as a great arsenal of energy for democracy

CBC

Canada, Ontario commit millions for Honda plant upgrades to manufacture hybrid cars

Canada's inflation rate now at 30 year high of 5.7%

Defence Minister says she's considering 'aggressive options' to increase Canada's military spending

NATO makes plans to boost its military presence in Eastern Europe as Ukraine war grinds on

Ottawa plans to restore First Nation status for families that lost it to obtain citizenship

Canadians sharply and evenly divided over Trudeau's pandemic performance, poll suggests

Average Canadian house price hits $816,720 - up 20 percent in past year

Ottawa extends amnesty on 'assault-style' firearms, says buyback program still in the works 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC Premier raises concerns to Trudeau about jobs if fish farms close

BC Provincial data show 23,000 people experienced homelessness in 2019

BC Privacy law applies to federal political parties, commissioner's office finds

CRTC bans Russian state-run broadcaster RT from Canadian airwaves

Ford, Trudeau say Ontario child-care deal coming soon as end of fiscal year looms

Our national security has a price. Is Canada willing to pay it?

Don't underestimate Patrick Brown - for better or worse

CRA looked to resume collection efforts in full ahead of tax season, documents show

Toronto Sun

Trudeau must act to ease worsening inflation

Ford believes best shot at re-election is to support Trudeau

Bargaining to resume between Ontario colleges and faculty union as strike deadline looms

Tears for Kyiv but none for Kabul

Can anyone beat Justin Trudeau?

Honda's investment a show of faith in Ontario's auto sector

Woke Liberals move to dictate what is news

Don't persecute people based on where they were born

Conservatives need to stop bickering and show leadership

National Post

Trudeau has perfected the art of not answering questions - and our allies have noticed

Canada's defence minister to set 'aggressive' military spending options

Joly 'What we're good at is convening' comments sell Canadian military short generals say

Removal of limit on how much alcohol Quebecers can bring home from other provinces applauded

Federal government launches $190M fund to tackle gun and gang violence

Macleans                           

Pierre Poilievre in his combative style of politics and his plans for Canada

Global          

'I dropped everything': Rescuers hailed as heroes for saving mother and son lost in BC forest

Hollywood celebrities call on RBC to stop financing BC's Coastal GasLink project

BC businesses facing pressure to raise prices amid surging costs

Year-round floating spa barge proposed for Victoria's inner harbour

Vancouver Aquatic Centre damaged after front section of building 'falls off'

Vernon completes floodplain maps, considers development regulation 

BC collecting anonymized data on homelessness

BC government rules $5.7M must be returned to Vancouver police budget

Four recommendations given to BC Housing to improve space for women, children

Canada a step closer to permanent daylight time as US Senate passes bill

Saskatchewan premier says he's supporting  'friend or family' while his truck is impounded

Miscellaneous            

Vancouver resident Amir Bajehkian builds bridges in hopes of creating a more equal Canada

BMO Economics expects raging Russia-Ukraine war to 'chill Canada's overheated housing market'

Canadian Real Estate Association reports national average home price up 20.6 percent

Jean Charest's leadership bid poses thorny question for the future of the Conservative party 

Patrick Brown's Cage Match with Pierre Poilievre

Honouring their names

The "Dump Kenney" candidate won big in Alberta

Notley's NDP owns a big lead in Alberta says New Poll

Forget Police Reform in BC. The Fix is in

Where did convoy support come from? Here are the Maps