Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, March 8-9, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Tuesday-Wednesday,  March 8-9, 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

Zelensky accuses world of 'losing humanity' by refusing to provide no-fly zone over Ukraine

White House warns Russia may use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine

Canada promises more military equipment for Ukraine, but rejects renewed pleas from Zelensky for a no-fly zone

Hundreds of Russians flee their country for Finland amid sanctions' heavy economic toll

Russia's economy is in chaos. These charts show how the crisis will get worse

Russian ruble drops to record lows in Moscow amid fresh sanctions

Removing Putin is the only option now

Should we call Putin's bluff? We already have

Canada and the Russians: Fifty years of hope go up in smoke

The unintended effect of sanctions may be to fuel further Russian nationalism

China wanted to build ties with Europe to balance an increasingly hostile US. War in Ukraine may make that impossible 

Canada should open its door to Ukrainians fleeing war, without limit 

NATO warns Russia against attacking alliance members; Trudeau affirms Canada's support in Eastern Europe

Chaos in Ukraine complicating aid efforts by Canadian non-profits 

NATO chief warns Russia away from attacking supply lines supporting Ukraine

Trudeau tours NATO base, announces renewal of Canadian mission in Latvia

Trudeau promises surveillance gear to Ukraine, invites Zelensky to address Parliament

I'm a veteran who trained Ukrainian soldiers. They've taught me the meaning of resiliency

'I call on all allies to step up:' NATO chief urges alliance members - including Canada - to increase defence spending

Canada urged to help as millions face starvation due to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Freeland hints upcoming budget could have more money for military

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

Cutting off Russia will mean tough choices for the environment as well as the economy

Putin will pay for 'war crimes he's committed in Ukraine' Justin Trudeau says

Open Letter to Vladimir Putin

So many Canadian fighters in Ukraine, they have their own battalion, source says

Zelenskyy to address Canadian parliament as Trudeau announces more military equipment to Ukraine

How Russian mothers upset about their sons being 'cannon fodder' could help end war in Ukraine

Russia admits it sent conscripts to fight in Ukraine as it reportedly struggled to amass large invasion force

Trudeau combats Russia's invasion of Ukraine with Operation Photo Opportunity

Canada playing leading role but needs to 'step up' NATO spending: Stoltenberg

Ukraine says Russia bombed maternity hospital despite ceasefire

Arm Ukraine with missiles, but not with fighter jets

Almost two weeks in, it's clear Russia won't take Kyiv, and won't likely win the war

Reality is trick. So is preventing nuclear war

4 men, 3 ambulances, 1 mission: Canadian volunteers to deliver medical aid to Ukraine

Ukraine-Russia negotiations can't happen with 'gun to head' says Joly

'We mustn't despair': Restoring faith in democracy key amid Russian threat, says Trudeau

Russia will 'fail' in its objectives in Ukraine, NATO chief says

Vlad intentions

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Hong Kong grapples with COVID-19 chaos as many foreigners head for the exit

Vancouver Coastal Health's top doctor said vaccine mandates may cause more harm than good, letter reveals

Ontario lifting COVID-19 mask mandates in most public settings, including schools, March 21

Fourteen more people die from COVID-19 ahead of BC restrictions announcement

As provinces announce an end to mask mandates, where in Canada is the rule still in effect?

Data shows Canada remains dependent on COVID-19 protective gear from abroad

When will federal mask mandates and other pandemic restrictions be lifted?

Fourteen more people die from COVID-19 ahead of BC Restrictions announcement

Ontario Masks Off March 21, all public orders gone April 27

Removing mask mandates not politics, the right thing to do

Ontario reveals deaths caused by COVID much lower than previous reported 

BC retailers and restaurants prepare for lifting of mask and vaccine card requirements

BC reports 14 more deaths as number in hospital edges toward 400

'We had no idea': Unvaccinated. BC doctor stuns patients over COVID-19 beliefs

BC hospitalizations continue downward trend

British Columbia to update long-term care visitation rules Thursday

Globe and Mail

Jean Charest heads to Calgary for first sep in Conservative leadership race

Patrick Brown to decide 'very soon' whether to seek Tory leadership

To save the Conservative party, open the membership doors wide

Thunder Bay police chief says she remains confident in her force after reports outline shortcomings in past investigations

Indigenous leader calls for dismantling of Thunder Bay Police

The world needs more Canadian oil and gas

Rogers supports pulling TV channels owned by sanctioned countries as CRTC weighs fate of Russia's RT

Leslyn Lewis announces bid to lead federal Conservatives

CBC

Jean Charest confirms he's running to lead the Conservative party

Minister says government looking to shore up short-term supply of crude oil and natural gas as US bans Russian imports

Leslyn Lewis runs for Conservative Leadership again - this time with a political track record

Immigration Canada probing claims of systemic racism at two offices, union says

Lewis, Brown and Charest to announce Conservative leadership runs this week: sources

Patrick Brown settles defamation lawsuit as he prepares CPC leadership bid

RCMP gave banks police info on Ottawa protesters with a list of accounts to freeze

How much are taxpayers really subsidizing Canada's fossil fuel industry?

Canada increasingly isolated as allies pledge more military funding in response to Ukraine invasion

Convoy protest organizer Tamara Lich released from jail

Jason Kenney's win-win-win announcement might not give him the big win he needs

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC residents advised to discard sand ginger powder that may contain poison 

Lululemon founder starting new venture to find cure for type of muscular dystrophy

Panel calls for urgent action on safer drug supply in BC to prevent overdoses

BC's auditor general says more work needed to assess risk of fraud in public sector

GiveSend Go tells court it is refunding convoy donations amid Freezing order

Arc'teryx parent company and CAE Inc. halt sales in Russia

CTV News expresses 'regrets' over story that ended Patrick Brown's leadership of Ontario's Progressive Conservatives

Some Tories want rougher stand on Bill 21. Will that happen during leadership race?

Guilbeault touts coming green bond, as experts stress need to choose projects wisely

Police seized digital wallets as lawsuit seeks millions from Ottawa protest organizers

Patrick Brown and Jean Charest have a deal that could make one of them the next Conservative leader

Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could leave Canadians on the hook for billions of dollars

How the Ukrainian refugee crisis has put a spotlight on Canada - and prompted calls that it do more

Leslyn Lewis launches bid for Conservative leadership 

Toronto Sun

Driver in Humboldt Broncos crash denied first bid to remain in Canada after sentence

Brown Cleared for takeoff in Conservative leadership race

Another fight for free speech at University of Toronto

Ontario's great unmasking faces a range of public reaction 

Feds wrong, Canada can help Europe deal with oil troubles

Is Canada Useless? Trudeau's energy strategy is now a security issue in the Ukraine-Russia war

Restaurant owners all smiles to hear end to indoor masking

Trudeau moves to reduce Canada's oil workforce a world looks for new oil sources

The convoy bank account seizures were unjustifiable

Trudeau has irreparably damaged our country

Conservative leadership race shapes up

Energy independence key to our future

National Post

Potential for Canadian natural gas to hep Europe move away from Russia: Wilkinson

Toronto 18 terrorist attack plotter finds unusual support for his bid to become licensed lawyer

Maybe Jean Charest could convince voters there's more to Conservatives

Independent Ontario MPP Roman Baber to enter Conservative party leadership

Macleans                           

The most Irish island int he world is in Canada   

The likely Doug Ford majority

Global          

Safer drug supply needed to prevent illicit drug deaths, says new BC coroners report

Eight officers assaulted by inmate at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre: BC Corrections

North Vancouver woman underpaid  by $900K for expropriated home, court finds

Spring flood worries for BC Indigenous community still reeling from November storm

'Better outcomes': BC organization gets American award for championing Indigenous children

Brentwood SkyTrain station to get $32.6M upgrade 

BC Rancher sues health authority, doctors for operation on wrong ankle

Indigenous communities ink Coastal GasLink option deals with TC Energy

Residents encouraged to return to Lytton to 'sift' as debris removal gets underway

BC government to consult groups on new legislation to help close gender pay gap

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum headed for five-day trial on mischief charge     

Miscellaneous            

BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon accuses NDP of misdiagnosis the housing market 

Exodus from Metro Vancouver leads to soaring housing pries elsewhere in the province: BCREA

Last two places in Lower Mainland where a typical detached home costs less than $1 million

Why do "Convoy' protesters hat journalists? We asked them

Expert Panel urges Safe Supply

Horgan's Plan won't build a 'Stronger BC'

Catching crabs in a suffocating sea

Canada needs a Russian Propaganda Detox

We embraced remote work. But remote learning suffered