Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, May 12-13, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday-Friday,  May 12-13 , 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

Russia hit with setbacks as Ukraine blasts ship in Black Sea and thwarts armoured column in Donbas 

Putin wanted less NATO on his border. Finland and maybe Sweden will give him more

Poland very much in favour of Sweden, Finland joining NATO, says Deputy Foreign Minister

The foolhardiness of Trudeau's surprise visit to Ukraine

Ukraine wipes out Russian forces crossing open bridge in 'highly risky maneuver' 

Canada boosting NATO military role as alliance eyes major strategic shift over Russia

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Until two years ago, mRNA vaccines had never been approved. Now, vast research offers hope in treating more than COVID-19

With a million COVID deaths, America dives deep into a strange cult of self-sacrifice

Canadian helping reform Ukrainian military says she's not surprised by its resilience 

A geeky scientific paper on airborne COVID-19 and the biggest BC scandal of the year

Globe and Mail

Trudeau requested briefing on one-time wealth tax weeks ahead of 2021 election campaign, documents show

Extreme intoxication can be used as a defence for violent crime, Supreme Court rules 

Pierre Poilievre's populist bitcoin support signals impending crypto crash

So much for the electric vehicle revolution, You cannot make the machines without the metals that power them

For Pierre Poilievre, undermining the Bank of Canada brings an easy political reward

Trudeau says Poilievre either doesn't understand or doesn't care about the Bank of Canada independence 

Ontario PC's commit to manufacturing in Windsor as NDP pledges overhaul of home care 

Ontario Liberals and NDP offer different rent control promises 

MPs resolve impasse over 440 page budget bill after Conservative push for more hearings

Justin Trudeau says it is 'completely atrocious' that Taliban is targeting Afghans who worked for Canada 

White House, Senators have 'sympathy' for Canada's position on Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline: Wilkinson

Doug Ford supports Stephen Lecce after candidate apologizes for 'slave auction' in University 

Pierre Poilievre fans frustration about Canada's inflation woes

CBC

Vatican announces late July visit by Pope Francis to Canada 

Threat of violent extremism rising in Canada, MPs told

New Zealand targets supply management system to get better access to Canada's dairy market 

Closing Roxham Road border crossing will not stop arrival of asylum seekers: Trudeau 

Conservatives have big things to fight about - whether they want to or not 

Poilievre under fire for saying he'd fire Bank of Canada Governor 

How much does a Royal visit cost?

Supreme Court rules extreme intoxication defence available for violent crimes in Alberta, Ontario decisions 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC invests $789 million for new safe, accessible and culturally inclusive museum 

$416 million in disaster funding comes through for homes lost in BC wildfires 

Emergency alert system in BC to be in place for extreme heat in June: minister 

Long lines at airports could get worse in coming months as staff shortage continues, strikes loom

Chilly conditions break century old temperature records in parts of southern BC

Ontario Liberals fire another candidate after NDP reveals he used a slur on Facebook

Doug Ford lies low after PC MPP Stephen Lecce apologizes for fraternity 'slave auction' 

Dutch Princess Margriet honours Canadian general who liberated her nation in WWII

Canadian warship hit with COVID-19 outbreak ahead of overseas deployment 

When is mental illness untreatable? An expert panel says there are no 'fixed rules' for that

It's Doug Ford's Ontario now, and voters aren't hungry for change

Pierre Poilievre has outrageous ideas about the Bank of Canada. His party - and the country - deserve better

Al Jazeera says reporter Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces during a military raid. How world leaders are responding to her death 

Politicians of all stripes are being pounded by disinformation and conspiracy theories. What can Canada do?

Toronto Sun

Roxham Road is back and Trudeau still has no plan to act 

Attack Ad season begins as Ontario Liberals unleash on Ford candidates

Social media posts of 13 year olds shouldn't be election issues

Close down Roxham Road

Woman pushed on train tracks at Toronto Subway station sues TTC for $1M

The harmful ban on single-use plastic products 

Is Trudeau an "FN' Dictator? Joe Rogan slams Canadian PM over Emergencies Act again!

Trudeau focuses on politics while airports and passport offices flounder

Horwath and her expensive clothing budget can't criticize other MPPs

Some wise words from Jagmeet Singh 

National Post

Military's push for Canada to go on 'wartime footing' to boost weapons production will cost taxpayers 

Why does Trudeau go maskless overseas (but not in Canada)

'Terrorist supporting' Finland, Sweden should not be let into NATO, Turkey's president says

Ottawa looking at wealth tax to pay for soaring spending 

Let's not get too precious about the Bank of Canada's Independence

Israeli police beat mourners at funeral of slain Palestinian Al Jazeera reporter 

Depressed and burned out, Ontario nurses planning to leave the field in droves, poll finds

Cops called to Ottawa Catholic High School as students walk out to protest dress code

'Employees are not showing up': Return-to-office plans unravel as workers revolt in tight job market 

CSE Cybersecurity centre's new boss says job has been 'dizzying' experience of responding to multiple major cyber incidents 

Controversy over federal online streaming legislation looms, again

Immigration minister says getting refugees out of Afghanistan a major challenge 

Jagmeet Singh met by protesters hurling expletives in Peterborough 

A judicial edict on saving Canada as we know it

How to stop Quebec's authoritarian creep

What Federal CPC leadership candidates can learn from Alberta politics 

Macleans                           

Poilievre chided over promise to fire Macklem

Global          

John Horgan encouraging people 'to think before you hop in the car' amid record breaking gas prices

'Missed opportunity' Pope will skip BC on reconciliation trip to Canada

Royal BC Museum to close in September as province plans new inclusive building for 2030

Emergency Alert system in BC to be in place for extreme heat in June: Minister

Taller tower proposed for Kelowna's old RCMP detachment site

Victoria police say groups of youth are randomly attacking people, openly consuming drugs

BC First Nations encouraged by government collaboration ahead of wildfire season

Okanagan Sixties Scoop survivor concerned about compensation delays

Vancouver Mayor promises protection for renters potentially displaced by Broadway plan

BC mayor censured, pulled from appointments over 'unbecoming' conduct

Day parole continued, full parole denied for Kelly Ellard, killer of BC teen Reena Virk

Indigenous leaders meet with Quebec lawmakers over Bill 96 concerns 

Plug pulled on English only debate after Legault says he won't participate

Canada's top court says voluntary extreme intoxication a defence in violent crimes 

Canada losing ground in global LNG race, former BC Premier says

RCMP 'following up' after Jagmeet Singh harassed by protesters in Peterborough

Miscellaneous            

Why we need more moms in politics

City of Vancouver hiring 1,500 for the fall municipal election - but no anti-vaxxers need apply

Canada's health care system is about to burst

BCREA reports home listings 'starting to accumulate in some markets as demand fades

DFO suppresses Science and pushes Salmon farms, critics tell MPs

Should we get rid of tipping?

How the shipping industry sails through Legal loopholes

Prescriptions for our housing crisis

Chinatown needs Senior Housing. What's in the way?

Province fighting climate change by fertilizing forests with Urea, by Helicopter

Am I a crypto wimp?

'Let's not be the ones dividing. Lead instead,' says Stephanie Cadieux

Abortion. Bitcoin. Political Orphans. That was some debate

The man behind Alberta's Pull away from harm reduction