Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, May 3-4, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Tuesday-Wednesday, May 3-4, 2022

Ukraine/Russia War

Russia using 'missile terrorism' in wide attacks, Ukraine says

How Ukraine's tech talent joined the resistance agains the Russian invasion

US Intelligence helping Ukraine kill Russian generals, report says

The origins of Putin's totalitarianism

Ukraine's prime minister urges Trudeau, Freeland to visit Kyiv

'Deep into their cache': Russia's changing missile strikes in Ukraine could signal supply shortages 

Canada will return its ambassador to Ukraine when it is safe, Joly says 

Communications now lost with last defenders in Mariupol steel plant, mayor says

Russian forces are attacking Ukraine's railway network. Here's why

The Global Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ontario doctor accused of 'disgraceful' COVID conduct has been suspended 

Globe and Mail

Trudeau renews pledge to protect abortion rights in Canada, but unable to offer timeline

Toronto Pearson urges Ottawa to boost security staffing levels as airports complain of Lon waits for screening  

Surveillance plane circling Ottawa during convoy protests was military training exercise, Trudeau says

Fight over Athabasca University's future continues as Jason Kenney gets government involved

What access to abortion looks like across Canada

Bank of Canada opened the door for today's independence questions at a podium two years ago

Today's budgets are a secret even after they've been presented

Conservative MPs, senators ordered not to comment on leaked draft US Supreme Court decision to strike down abortion rights  

Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline faces second shutdown risk in the Great Lakes after Indigenous band asks US court for injunction

Ontario leaders debate Ford's controversial Highway 413 in kick-off to 2022 election campaign

RCMP needs to boost Indigenous representation within its ranks to advance reconciliation efforts, review says

Doug Ford has learned co-operation with Justin Trudeau has benefits as Ontario election campaign begins

House of Commons to debate NDP bill on lowering voting age to 16

Alberta opposition leader Rachel Notley demands province affirm abortion rights

Deputy finance minister, senior officials defend Ottawa's unprecedented move to backdate nearly $10 Billion in spending

Canada's Infrastructure Bank should be abolished, Commons transport committee recommends

When lying becomes normalized in politics, democracy suffers

CBC

Canada's top soldier says defence industry needs to ramp up production to 'wartime footing'

Rejected Conservative leadership candidate demands to know why the party dumped him

Claims that Israel is imposing 'apartheid' on Palestinians put new pressure on Trudeau Liberals

Charest pledges to boost supply as Conservative leadership rivals stake out positions on housing 

Canada's electricity grid will need substantial changes to help achieve net zero: report 

Groups surprised at government 'secrecy' over online harm bill consultation 

American women can obtain abortions in Canada if Roe v Wade falls, minister

Why Canada's Roe v Wade didn't enshrine abortion as a right

Canadian Conservatives reluctant to comment on report that US Supreme Court will overturn abortion law

Battle over secret CRA tax deal divided staff, launched complaints, documents show

Ontario 2022 election campaign to officially begin Wednesday 

Conservative caucus accuse Trudeau of dropping F-bomb during chaotic question period 

What's Canadian? Minister to update definition of Canadian film and TV productions  

Crowdfunding platforms now require to report transactions, after truck convoy protests

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC Opposition leader Kevin Falcon to target NDP on crime, health, affordability 

BC hiring more health-care staff as it wipes out surgery backlog: minister

Minster flags 'creative' plan for repeat offenders after being called soft on crime

RCMP investigate after two suspicious wildfires sparked in BC's north Okanagan

How the anti abortion movement changed tactics - in Canada and the US

Nothing Christian about war on women's reproductive rights 

TDSB seeks end to auctions, entrance exams for specialty high school programs

Big questions loom in the aftermath of the Emergencies Act to deal with the so-called 'Freedom Convoy'

Hateful rhetoric driven by extremism becoming 'normalized' CSIS director warns

Rejected Conservative leadership hopeful demands to be let back into race as party defends vetting process  

Not 'fuddle-cuddle:' Conservatives accuse Trudeau of swearing in Parliament

Military dealing with gap in search and rescue services due to new procurement delay 

Indigenous people experiencing homelessness in Montreal a 'humanitarian crisis'

Donald Trump's legacy puts abortion back on Canada's political agenda

Ford, Howarth and Del Duca talk of hope and fear. For Ontario voters, the stakes could not be higher

Wages are not keeping up with inflation. And that's the way Ottawa likes it

Could abortion be criminalized in Canada?

Toronto Sun

Ford promises to build while Horwath and Del Duca fall into his trap

Will Premier Doug Ford still be driving a bus a month from now?

Cop who opposed COVID health measures faces misconduct charges

Construction strike risks deepening housing supply crunch

US abortion fight a diversion from Canada's crumbling health care 

The use and abuse of minority voices for the sake of narrative 

Trudeau doesn't really believe people should have a choice in medical decisions

Environmental racism is the latest cause for woke warriors 

Trudeau government peddles junk climate science, junk economics 

Ford offers clear message while his opponents struggle to be heard

What do Ontario voters want?

American abortion fight soon to become an issue for Trudeau 

Overturning Roe v. Wade will have big Canadian political consequences 

Where are the parents?

There's no there there in Trudeau's climate plan

National Post

Government must tell Canadians if it's tracking their date, let them opt out: ethics committee

Liberals melt over Rolling Thunder protest, but ignore left-wing vandals in Montreal

Liberals bury Senate rule changes, pay raises for some caucus leaders, in budget bill

The Roe leak wouldn't matter to us if Canada had it's own legal system

Canadian Senator demands to know why man linked to terrorist group is allowed to live in Canada 

Liberal, Bloc MPs try to reopen abortion debate to corner the Conservatives 

Federal Conservative fundraising surged during caucus revolt over O'Toole leadership  

Steven Guilbeault says government hasn't decided what to do with carbon tax after 2030

Trudeau affirms women's Rights to choose after lead of draft US ruling overturns abortion rights  

Macleans                           

Ahmed Hussen has a plan to solve Canada's housing crisis

Global          

'Sick to my stomach': Surrey Six victim's mom sees son's death echoed in BC jail guard slaying

ICBC stops seeking costs from pedestrians and cyclists in certain crashes

Smashed glass repaired on Gaston steam clock

2021 heat wave over BC, Alberta was among most extreme since 1950s: study

Stanley Park trail closures in effect to head off conflict with denning coyotes

Sections of BC LNG line complete, partnership on disputed portion: Coastal GasLink

Vernon HandyDART passengers say newer buses are less accessible

BC Opposition leader aims at NDP's problem issues of crime, health affordability

BC ramps up surgeries as catchup continues on operations cancelled due to COVID

Suspected human-caused wildfire burning northwest of Merritt 

'Mistaken identity' to blame for 2021 death of BC corrections officer, say police

Over my dead body: BC government strongly condemns info in Roe v. Wade draft leak

Canadian flight crew could be sent back to jail in Dominican Republic: airline

Suspected human-caused wildfire burning northwest of Merritt 

After criticism during November storms, BC expands Alert Ready system to floods and fires

Liberals, NDP maneuver to get fall economic statement to final vote

Some Canadian MPs block motion to recognize 'freedom of choice' on abortion

Conservatives told to stay quiet on leaked US Supreme Court abortion draft decision

Why the Ontario election is one that all of Canada should watch

Miscellaneous            

Vancouver posts Canada's biggest increase in new condo pries as 'investors jump into hot rental market'

BCREA suggests 'doubling' new home construction will make prices 'flat' for a decade

Greater Vancouver Fraser Valley home prices post double-digit price increases amid falling sales  

Four Things to know about BC's proposed Police Reforms

If you want to live on Salt Spring, You need to be rich

Sometimes tackling injustice means laughing at it

BCGEU pans BC decision to expand private long-term care

What Haunts Canada's Banks? A Green Pivot from Oilsands 

Another 165 British Columbians killed by Toxic Drugs

Anti-Safe Supply Report panned by critics 

Sweet, Sweet Fantasy Babies

'Exhausting and Heartbreaking'. The Other side of Eased COVID measures