Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, February 4-6, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Saturday-Monday , February 4-6, 2023

Ukraine/Russia War

 

Canada is taking an unserious approach to stopping the Russian Wagner Group

Canada's Russia sanctions are hitting people with no connection to Putin's war 

Russian forces keep up pressure as Ukraine anniversary nears 

Earthquake in Turkiye, Syria

Rescuers scramble in Turkey, Syria after quake kills thousands

Canadian Turkish diaspora stepping up to help after massive earthquake 

Earthquake survivors in Turkey cling to hope as they wait in the cold and dark 

Ex-Chelsea forward Christian Atsu missing after Turkey earthquake

How a devastating quake killed thousands in Turkey, Syria 

Rescuers race agains the cold to find survivors of deadly quake in Turkey and Syria 

Canada 'stands ready' to help after deadly earthquake rocks Turkey, Syria: Trudeau

Turkish, Syrian British Columbians in shock following deadly earthquakes

Deadly Turkey earthquake exposes dangers of major fault lines below

Turkey earthquake: More than 2, 600 dead as Trudeau says Canada 'stands ready' to help 

Up, Up and Away in China's Spy Balloon

In the Chinese spay balloon crisis, cooler heads prevailed - and that's a good thing 

The time a wayward Canadian balloon caused an international stir - and thwarted 3 air forces 

I've got the Big Balloon of China on my mind

Opposition parties demand answers as Liberals say little about Chinese balloon 

Chinese spy balloon caught buy surveillance improved under Biden, White House claims

China slams US for shooting down suspected spy balloon:  "indiscriminate use of force'

Chinese spy balloon: US military in search of remnants after shoot down

Globe and Mail

Trudeau to offer more than $100 billion in health care over 10 years

Enough talk. Get that health care deal done and move on to actually fixing the system

Trudeau is meeting with Canada's premiers to reach a new health care funding deal. Here's what to know

Ottawa will repatriate Canadian children, but not their foreign mothers held in Syrian detention camps 

Google parent Alphabet begins layoffs in Canada 

The four-day workweek is going to be a reality, survey suggests 

Hudson's Bay to close two Alberta department stores this summer amid 'market changes'

Many Bay Street analysts see rate cuts later this year, according to BoC survey

Quebec Immigration Minister 'surprised' asylum seekers given free bus tickets from New York

Earthquake felt in Ontario is largest to hit Buffalo area in decades

Forensic pathology to be eliminated in Thunder Bay

Justin Trudeau's Liberals are stuck in the mud and hoping a health care deal helps pull them out

Ottawa seeks provincial guarantees on hikes in health care funding

Minister asks Procurement Ombudsman to conduct independent review of McKinsey outsourcing

For the oil patch, 'just transition is buzzword legislation, not sound economics

Shuttering salmon farms not just threatens jobs but also hurts the environment 

Ottawa announces $46.5 million for deep sea research 

Former Liberal MP Raj Grewal seeks dismissal of charges due to lack of evidence 

How a bomb in his home forced Heritage Minister's family to flee to Canada

Why is the government spending $21 million advertising on social media such as TikTok?

CBC

Ottawa to propose 10 year health care funding plan to provinces, territories

Federal government is in a tight fiscal environment, Freeland says ahead of health talks

'Clearly something is wrong': Correctional Service to review elder programs in prisons

Conservatives want auditor general to probe McKinsey contracts 

Duclos says federal/provinvial health deal needs to set priorities, be flexible, to fix broken system 

Federal government asking RCMP to ban use of sponge rounds, CS gas for crowd control 

New York City is paying for migrants' bus tickets upstate. Their nest stop: crossing into Canada 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

First Nations, BC groups launch coalition to save Pacific Samoan from extinction

Suspect arrested after Nanaimo axe attack: RCMP 

BC Fire Tanker crashes in Australia, both on board safe: owner 

Canadian government announces $46,5 million for deep sea research 

Gloomy economic outlook, elevated mortgages drag down 2023 BC Housing market; BCREA

Pierre Poilievre called it 'hell on earth' Here's what people in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside want him to see 

Governments, BC Coastal First Nations endorse marine protection action plan 

BC throne speech forecasts slowdown but says it's not time to cut back on spending

Vancouver council to review new grant proposal for enhancing mental health services 

BC NDP expects to table more than two dozen new bills in spring legislature sitting 

Canada extends and expands work permits for Hong Kongers 

When it comes to cataract surgery, is there more to Ontario's private clinics than meets the eye?

Why party supporters think Marit Stiles, the NDP's new leader, can take down Doug Ford

Justin Trudeau's anti-Islamophobia disaster reveal a government dangerously out of touch with voters 

Insiders say Justin Trudeau's about to make his 'best offer' for more health care funding. Here's what we know

Mendicino: forego-agent registry would need equity lens, could be part of 'toolbox'

Federal government not protecting Parliament Hill interpreters: tribunal

Quebec minister 'surprised' asylum seekers given free bus tickets from New York City

Strike, lockout notices loom over negotiations between City of  Yellowknife, union

Feds will increase annual health transfer and offer targeted funding with conditions 

Toronto Sun

Costly and false fight pits trees vs subway and could cost you big time

University bans speaker to protect feelings of woke mob

Higher  productivity could alleviate labour shortage

Artificial bot not on a politically level playing field 

Canada can fix its milk dumping problem, easily

NYC now paying for bus fare if migrants head north to Roxham Road

United Front key for premiers as they bargain health deal with Trudeau 

Freezing out the national media hasn't hurt Poilievre

Ontario judge's political ruling on homeless encampments must be appealed 

Justin Trudeau adds former McKinsey executive to his hug club

Medicare is broken and it's time to fix it

Time to slow down expansion of MAID

Never trust the Liberals on gun laws

National Post

Most Canadians agree 'Canada is broken' - and they're angry about it: National Poll 

Mendicino: Foreign agent registry would need equity lens, could be part of tool box

Governor General got a $40,000 pay raise during pandemic 

Why Canada intentionally limits its supply of doctors

Motion to scrap mandatory Indigenous 'cultural competency' training for Alberta lawyers fails

The Trudeauing of Amira Elghawaby

Premier's to get a 'generous offer' on health care, but short of their demands sources

Liberals willing to look at 'other measures' on bail reform, minister says

Quebec minister 'surprised' asylum seekers given free bus tickets from New York City

Liberals could freeze beer taxes and show Canadians they actually care 

Government 'trusts' CRTC will respect Charter rights with online streaming rules, new chair told

Ex-Libera MP Raj Grewal seeks dismissal of criminal charges due to lack of evidence

Jagmeet Singh uses confusion about private care to support the status quo 

Maybe BC's drug addicts should have to face shame and stigma

Global          

'We know it can be done': Tenants protest after Vancouver SRO elevator broken for months 

Northern Vancouver Island physicians call for resignation of region's top doctor

'I'm worried' Head of BC's Police watchdog says staffing levels critical

'We're still here, we're resilient': New First Nation Community Store brings hope to Lytton

NDP throne speech says BC will spend surplus as slowdown looms

Vancouver Folk Festival board to continue fight for event 

'Cusp of collapse': Oliver mayor calls for changes to BC health care initiative 

Concerns over staffing issues and lack of care in Okanagan long-term care homes continue

Gloomy 2023 BC housing forecast, but 2024 better

Kelowna Mountie's widow sues province for unsafe work conditions 

SFU researchers look to maximize living space at single-family homes in partnership program

Union-favouring community agreement seemingly at odds with Indigenous rights in Duncan

McKinsey not qualified for banning company from federal contracts, bureaucrat says

Ottawa extends, expands work permit program for Hong Kong residents

Cree woman lead initiative making over 100 red ribbon skirts for families of MMIWG

McKinsey contracts probe will see committee press minister over awards 

Conservatives launch radio ad campaign, taking on Trudeau over carbon tax

Miscellaneous            

BC pledges to spend Surplus Billions to improve services 

Why a Top BC Heart Surgeon quit for politics 

Nicole Chan deserved safety within her VPD workplace

Will the Smith-Trudeau cage match be worth watching?