Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, November 19-21, 2022

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Saturday-Monday, November 19 - 21, 2022

Emergencies Act Inquiry

Use of Emergencies Act was necessary, CSIS director testifies at inquiry

Convoy protests both a national security threat and not

Minister Blair 'embarrassed' by lack of police response to convoy protest, evidence shows 

CSIS head say he supported invoking the Emergencies Act last winter to address convoy protests 

Border blockades tipped 'Freedom Convoy' protests into national security threat, Bill Blair tells Emergencies Act inquiry 

Trudeau government uses own wording to justify Emergencies Act

Trudeau's top bureaucrat tries to change meaning of law to justify Emergencies Act 

Dangerous logic used to invoke EA

Freedom Convoy rose to national emergency when 'critical' border crossings were closed, Bill Blair testifies

CSIS Director's elastic interpretation of Emergencies Act puts Trudeau on firmer ground 

Firm says claim executive carried Nazi flag at Freedom Convoy is 'absurd' threatens lawsuit 

David Lametti must explain why he didn't resign over bad Emergencies Act advice

CSIS head advised Trudeau to invoke Emergencies Act during convoy, inquiry hears

Ukraine/Russia War

 

'Close call' in shelling near nuclear reactor on Ukraine's frontline 

The disappeared: Ukrainians plead for answers on family members forcefully taken to Russia

Canadian-owned armoured vehicle producers sparks concerns with new Uganda deal

Russia is playing with nuclear fire in Zaporizhzhia 

NATO Secretary General says alliance must prepare for 'long haul' in Ukraine

Ukraine war offers preview of a world of 'tyranny and turmoil' says Pentagon chief

CSIS told government Freedom Convoy was no security threat 

Former president of Ukraine says only victory will bring peace to his country 

'Significant breakthrough' from allies amid Ukraine's push through 'darkness': deputy PM

Globe and Mail

Prime Minister, Federal ministers should not be exempt from access laws, former top public servant says 

Ottawa cites translation, accessibility costs as reason for keeping documents from public

Nunavut commits to greater transparency on tuberculosis outbreaks, but won't make figures public

After decades of broken health care promises, Canada's  governments need to prove themselves 

Shaw has yet to recoup $4.5 billion investment in Freedom Mobile, CFO tells tribunal 

Rogers-Shaw deal subsidizes Quebec and Pierre Karl Peladau at taxpayers expense 

Ottawa announces $250 million grant to help homeowners with to heat pumps

Former Harper adviser denounces Poilievre drug policy unveiled in video 

Proposed BC law would end age restrictions, rental bans in strata housing

Record-setting Ontario storm drops over a metre of snow, strong winds forecasted

Doug Ford fires a shot through the heart of democracy 

The kids are not all right. It's time to require masks and encourage flu vaccination 

New Conservative finance critic's story is one of redemption and opportunity 

Bill Blair and his two hats come to the commission

Legislation to tackle forced labour criticized as 'meaningless' 

Vancouver City Council debated antisemitism - and it was traumatizing

CBC

New $250M federal grant program will help offset costs of switching from oil to heat pumps

PM Trudeau appoints 3 new Senators for Ontario

Nunavut and Ontario join Federal effort to boost number of organ and tissue donors 

No intelligence briefing happened on Chinese funding of candidates: Trudeau

Haitian leaders must all agree before Canada would lead a potential military intervention, Trudeau says

Trudeau says government monitoring after CSIS reports Iran has issued death threats against Canadians

Canada needs to take a harder line on 'evil authoritarian regimes' like China: senator

Elizabeth May wins Green Party of Canada leadership, set to co-lead with Jonathan Pedneault

Climate damage fund for poor nations approved at COP27 - but no deal on emissions reduction 

Refugees and a student abroad serve up tears, humanity and grace at Halifax security forum

Iranian Canadians say they are being punished with travel restrictions for being conscripted as young men

Thousands of Canadians still on the hook for pandemic benefit repayments

Poilievre blasted during Commons debate on cryptocurrency legislation

Trudeau at French-speaking summit in Tunisia amid 'battle of influence' for Africa 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Deadly shooting in Prince Rupert mall was an isolated incident: RCMP

Ex Mayor Doug McCallum cleared of mischief, in case behind political storm in Surrey

BC scientist and First Nation create decomposing 'biofoam' packaging from wood

BC Public Safety plan includes focus on repeat offenders, more mental health teams

Seven commercial poultry flocks in BC's Fraser Valley have bird flu: ministry

BC Government to bring in rental changes, supply laws to boost housing

'Huge' abuse problem: Canadian former athletes urge MPs to launch nationwide inquiry

CUPE calls off strike, schools reopen Monday as tentative deal reached with province

Justin Trudeau slammed for response after allegations of Chinese interference in 2019 election

Russia resuming bomber, submarine patrols near North America after pause: Norad

Critics say red-flag provision in federal firearms bill could weaken public safety

Trudeau announces appointment of three more Senators to represent Ontario 

RCMP monitored hostility from anti-vaccine movement abasing Trudeau since election

Montreal committee says toppled statue of John A. Macdonald should not be put back

Elizabeth May returns to Green Party Leadership with running mate Jonathan Pedenault 

Toronto Sun

How fortunes flipped I the battle over keeping schools open

Last year saw highest rate of gang-related homicides in 16 years: StatsCan

NDP MPP Joel Harden epitomizes the left's obsession with Israel

What did Trudeau really know about Chinese interference?

Canadians kept in dark about foreign interference in elections 

Not so Great Britain goes from bad to worse 

Family doctors can help anticipate needs

National Post

High-profile curators fired in 'palace purge' at National Gallery of Canada

To increase organ donations, CRA is asking taxpayers to tick a box on 2022 form 

Edmonton's giant Christmas tree eliminated from city's celebrations, prompting racist response

Belarus opposition leader asks Trudeau for support against Lukashenko regime

Smith's health spending accounts aimed at grooming Albertans for private payment 

Saskatchewan woman accused of kidnapping son, faking their deaths and fleeing to US faces new charges

Liberals stick to script amid hard questions over what PPM knew about Chinese election interference 

Russia resumes bomber, submarine patrol near North America after pause: Norad

Global          

1 person dead, 1 injured in at Prince Rupert mall

Some stolen phones bumped after gunpoint robbery at Vancouver cafe, police believe 

Court rules former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum not guilty of public mischief

'Preparing for disfigurement': Wait for BC Cancer surgery leaves time for nurse's tumour to grow

BC government introduces Housing Supply Act and removes strata rental restrictions 

Only 4 percent of surveyed caregivers support BC's change to autism funding model: report 

Daycare operator sentenced to 20 months in jail after Baby Mac Died in her care

Heavy police presence witnessed in Merritt win wake of shootings 

Avian flu detected at seven Fraser Valley commercial poultry farms 

BC scientists and First Nation create decomposing 'biofoam' packaging from wood

Bank of Canada won't say whether it used NDAs in harassment, workplace violence cases

Trudeau says he was not briefed on federal candidates allegedly receiving funds from China 

Canada's Sajjan to attend tournament in Qatar 

Elizabeth May to return as federal Green Party leader, sharing role on joint-ticket  

Miscellaneous            

A fired health leaders's open letter blasting Danielle Smith 

More reasons to take fracking Quakes seriously 

'Back to Normal' is bringing a COVID crisis for children