Ottawa Observations: Thursday/Friday, April 7 & 8, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Thursday/Friday , April 7 & 8, 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

The last brave acts of the five Ukrainian men found dead and bound in a Bucha basement

Dozens killed in Russian rocket strike at crowded railway station in Ukraine

The owners of luxury super yachts can sail, but they can't hide

Finland anticipates speedy ratification should it apply to join NATO, ambassador says

UN refugee chief warns Ukrainians may need permanent resettlement if Russia's war drags on

As Russian accounts spread war disinformation, expert says Twitter crackdown isn't enough

UN Refugee Agency boss praises Canada's response to Ukraine crisis

Burned corpses and claims of a 'torture chamber': Here's what we know about alleged war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine

'He was very young': Russians bury dead soldiers as Kremlin admits major losses

Russia's 'special operation' in Ukraine, could end in foreseeable future,' Kremlin says

Six weeks into Putin's invasion, war enters new phase that could decide Ukraine's fate

Ruble rebounds despite Western sanctions as Russia cuts interest rates

Russia's war on Ukraine sends food prices soaring to record levels

The war in Ukraine: A weakened Russia is China's windfall

Inside the Banality of Putin's Evil

Budget 2022

Many details still need to be worked out with provinces before launching $5.3 billion dental care program, Chrystia Freeland says

Public sector unions alarmed by budget plan to save billions through first program spending review in a decade

Ottawa is getting closer to a vision for Canada's green-economy future, but the budget shows it still lacks conviction

Will a new tax-free savings account help homebuyers? Experts offer mixed reviews

What corporate leaders want from Trudeau - and what their growth plea really means

The good news is the Liberals have discovered our growth problem. The bad news is they don't know what to do about it

Federal budget hits mark with enough funding to meet record-setting immigration levels

A tax free savings account is coming for new home buyers. What you need to know

Liberals earmark $4-billion in budget 2022 to improve housing in Indigenous communities 

Chrystia Freeland's 2022 federal budget is a political instrument as much as an economic ledger

The Liberals' spend, tax and pray' 2022 federal budget devoid of bold growth measures

Promising more fiscal restraint, Freeland tables a lower spending budget focused on housing

Conservatives blast Liberal budget as NDP strives to balance criticism with support

Freeland makes 'a modern supply-side' bet on Canada's future economic growth

Announcing a major boost to defence spending, Freeland delivers a wartime speech 

New tax-free home savings account, foreign buyer ban top budget plan to tackle housing affordability

Is the Liberal housing blueprint built on solid ground?

Federal budget moves ahead with a new tax on big bank and insurer profits

Electronic espionage agency getting major funding boost to ward off cyber attacks

Cryptocurrency review, free tampons - and other things you might have missed in the budget 

Budget will compel crowdfunding platforms to report suspicious transactions

Freeland's budget is expected to focus on the soaring cost of housing

Budget's new housing rules no fix for Vancouver housing woes, say experts

Canada's premiers disappointed in lack of federal funds for struggling health systems

Automakers say federal budget not doing enough to hit new electric vehicle targets

Here's what it cost for the Liberals to buy the NDP's support

Federal budget for child care good start, but more needed: advocates

Her free spending ways behind her, Chrystia Freeland is all business now

Inflation, climate change and war: This budget has a sense of panic about Canada's future

Budget's commitment to funding carbon capture draws heat from environmentalists

Budget promises lower deficit, but more spending on housing, defence and social programs

Canada to increase defence spending by $8B, but that's less than what NATO wants

Budget doesn't address lessons learned during the pandemic, health groups say

Budget's housing plans target Canada's next generation of immigrants

Canada's money pit fiscally responsible? Generations will have to pay for Liberal-NDP budget  

Will $10 billion fed housing plan buy affordable homes?

Federal budget will pass, but does little to nothing

Trudeau's NDP budget spends bi while delivering little  

Nothing from Ottawa is free

Trudeau's legacy is a decade of deficits 

Liberals spending $8 billion for defence won't fix dysfunctional military systems

Chrystia Freeland finally gets serious with her second budget 

Provinces, left out of budget briefings, express 'disappointment in health funding

Liberals to 'go further' targeting high-income earners with budget's new minimum income tax

Chrystia Freelands' budget isn't prudent - it's merely  less irresponsible than expected 

Chrystia Freelands' budget crushes millennial home buyer-dreams

The Federal Budget is a mixed bag

New Federal budget will include up to $8 billion in defence spending

Federal budget will include a surtax on banks and insurance companies

2 prime ministers named Trudeau, 2 minority governments - and 2 very different budgets 

Federal housing money not expected to make big difference in overheated BC market

Liberals will put $15B toward new business investment fund

Canadian military budget will grow by $8B as policy review sees to reset vision

Canada's treasury 'depleted' as budget weans COVID spending, eyes uncertainty

Dental care program for kids under 12 will roll out by end of year

Cyber defence agency gets significant boost in Liberals' 

Canada needs $100B more annually to reach net-zero goal

Inflation and help for renters: Here's what's missing from Budget 2022

Tax free savings account coming for first-time homebuyers

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ready to go out as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions fade away? Prepare for sticker shock

Most provinces' stockpile of 'critical' COVID-19 drug Paxlovid sitting unused during sixth wave

If COVID becomes endemic, women will bear the burden

End of vaccine card in BC too soon as BA.2 variant spreads

Thousands in Ontario catching COVID twice: why reinfections are now more common that you'd think

Ontario is now seeing an estimated 100,000 new COVID-19 infections a day

Ontario is losing its game of COVID make-believe. Masks are a step toward turning it around

How Omicron is changing the way rapid tests should be used

COVID is running rampant. So where is Ontario's chief medical officer of health?

Doug Ford must resist COVID zero zealots

Vaccine card: BC's last major COVID-19 measure lifted

BC scientist wins prestigious national award for work on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

South of Belleville, even questioning Dr. Bonnie Henry's decision-making is seen as problematic

BC is betting wrong on COVID, say critics

Globe and Mail

Doug Ford's pre election gift-giving bonanza has begun

Pierre Poilievre draws crowds, but that isn't crucial for winning, Conservative rivals say

Foreign-lobbyist registry finds support among Canadian critics of Russia, Iran and China

CBC

Veterans Affairs sent tax slips to hundreds of deceased veterans - some them war casualties

Despite laying dozens of charges, RCMP have stopped targeting Canadian accomplices in foreign scam calls

With a windfall from Ottawa comes great climate expectations for the oil patch

Almost $8M of 'Freedom Convoy' donations still unaccounted for, documents show

Beverly Mclachlin should step  down from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC filmworkers vote for strike mandate - and some of your favourite shows could be affected

Kristyn Wong-Tam to leave city council to run for the NDP in June provincial election

BC police watchdog files report, saying charges against officer possible

The growing push for a new hospital for Tofino

BC floats rules to push charged, convicted politicians out of local elected posts

Want to be Conservative leader? Get ready to reveal your darkest secrets

Witness tells court police saw 'low' threat level for 2012 Quebec election shooting

Guilbeault asks Alberta minister Nixon to 'correct' column on emissions reduction 

Holocaust denial - and downplaying the Nazis' murder of Jews - to be outlawed

Quebec ministers responsible for early pandemic response not running for re-election

One word in gloomy UN climate report offers a ray of hope

How it's costing Doug Ford billions to buy your vote

Toronto Sun

Keystone Pipeline Killer: Whoops! Thanks to Putin's war, Biden wants Canada's oil

Government lowers energy costs for northern industry  

Conservative candidates betraying grassroots on climate again

NDP, Liberals play politics by calling for return of mask mandates 

Prohibiting demonstrations will stamp out social justice activism 

National Post

'An affront' Mandatory minimum sentencing has clearly failed, Justice Minister Lametti says

Canada's unemployment rate falls to record low of 5.3% 

Will anyone apologize for falsely accusing truckers of attempted arson in Ottawa?

Ontario's PCs have finally got a killer plan to win the election

Apologies are one thing, reconciliation is another 

Beverly McLachlin becomes another cog in Beijing's wheel

Canada's proposed Online News Act isn't perfect, but it's a start 

Liberal foot dragging on F35's has cost us dearly

Trudeau-Singh marriage will have grave consequences for the country 

Macleans                           

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Global          

Early rumblings of labour strife as public sector contract talks hit impasse

Province willing to work with City of Vancouver to help stop Chinatown graffiti

Man charged with trying to disarm Vancouver Police officer appears in court 

Squamish Nation artist's designs featured on new West Vancouver fire truck

Environmental group sparks debate over BC cruise industry's economic impact in Victoria

Free parking in Chinatown to be considered by Vancouver council in revitalization effort

Residents call fight over Jericho Lands redevelopment 'a battle for the soul of Vancouver'

New BC legislation would disqualify municipal politicians convicted  for indictable offence

IIO report opens door to possible charges against Port Moody police officer

Kelowna adds 3,000 jobs. according to labour market survey

Liberals' plans for new financial crimes agency raises questions about RCMP role

Quebec's higher education and seniors ministers won't seek re-election amid calls for resignation

Miscellaneous            

Environmental protests are back - on the North Shore and on the edge of False Creek

Pierre Poilievre rallies and the prevalence of Long COVID

Vancouver development presents city's first example of 'living heritage' as conservation approach

Wily Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart becomes latest Canadian politician  to riff on Obama campaign slogan

BC Tech Project Far Over Budget, Late, Minister confirms

Is Eby going to take aim at NIMBY's blocking housing?

About that letter of Support for Jason Kenney

Report Offers First Nations a blueprint for reclaiming mining sovereignty

BC government offers faster track to Unionization 

BC's Chief Forester Jumps to Multinational Wood Pellet Corporation