Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, February 11-13, 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 11-13, 2023

Weekend Aerial incidents

US says it only recently discovered that China has been using spy balloons  

The mysterious flying objects are proof that North American is officially vulnerable 

China balloon dispute widens amid mystery airspace intrustions 

US Fighter jet shoots down 'cylindrical object' flying over Yukon on orders from Trudeau, Biden

NORAD shoots down 'unidentified object of Yukon

Trudeau says flying objects Brough down over the past week may be linked

US downs another aerial 'object' over Lake Huron as search continues for wreckage in Yukon

What we know about four objects shot down over North America 

Chinese spy balloons are taking over

Look! Up in the sky! It's an overblown security panic!

Trudeau says 'there is some sort of pattern' in aerial objects shot down recently

Unidentified objects show 'some sort of pattern' says Trudeau amid hunt for wreckage 

China says multiple US balloons have flow in its airspace over past year

Object downed over Yukon might play into 'intelligence long game' ex NORAD officials

'Far too early' to say whether objet shot down over Yukon came from China: minister 

Ukraine/Russia War

 

Kyiv carries on anxiously as  war's approaching anniversary raises spectre of Russian assault

Russian forces bombard Ukraine's Bakhmut in what NATO sees as start of new offensive

If we let Putin exploit the Holocaust, we risk repeating history's mistakes 

Canada should designate Russia a state supporter of terrorism 

Support for Ukraine and the message it sends Moscow

Russia has started new major offensive in Ukraine, NATO says

Globe and Mail

Premiers agree to accept Ottawa's health care funding proposal

Toronto Mayor John Tory prolongs his departure to preside over a budget meeting

A quarter of Canadians unable to cover a $500 emergency, StatsCan survey finds

Ottawa is not coming for your personal health data 

Five potential candidates who may run to be Toronto's next mayor

John Tory's exit is a sad departure, but a big opportunity for Toronto 

Globalive asks CRTC to suspend agreements between Rogers, Videotron 

CSIS warned Trudeau about Toronto area politicians alleged ties to Chinese diplomats

Bed Bath and Beyond starts proceedings to shut down its business in Canada 

Ottawa hires debt collectors to get grant back from Laith Marouf employer

Woman slashed on face at Toronto subway station, police seek three suspects 

No, Mr. Ford, it's not okay to host a party where developers come with cash

Laith Marouf once barred from re-entering Canada, interviews by CSIS

Canadian Heritage changes vetting process for anti-racism funds after nixing contract 

The government is dragging criminal law into the Competition Act - it shouldn't 

Rehab contract sparks fresh battle between veterans and the Liberal government 

NDP calls on current, former ministers to testify on inauthentic travel documents sent to Afghans 

To close the subsidized daycare gap, for-profit centres will be needed

Iran's protesters shouldn't be underestimated  

Instead of adding new programs, Ottawa should focus on proper delivery of the ones it has

CBC

Premiers accept federal health-care funding proposal

Trudeau travelling to Bahamas this week to meet with Caribbean political leaders 

Canada's job growth is challenging basic economic theory. Are the models wrong?

Will Biden's Buy American plan hurt Canada? Check the fine print

'Daily miracles' keep justice system going. Quebec chief justice warns  

Federal watchdogs, MPs slam corrections officials on treatment of prisoners 

Ford cals questions over 'developers' attendance at daughter's wedding party 'ridiculous'

Governor General's office closes social media comments after a wave of hateful remarks 

Premiers will answer to voters if cash injection doesn't improve the health system: LeBlanc

Sport Minister St-Onge says there's 'no coherence' in Canada's safe sport system 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Photojournalist, news organization file lawsuit against RCMP over 2021 arrest 

BC park site of Chinese-style matchmaking, as parents seek wedded bliss for kids  

Canadian government gives funding to help Vancouver's Chinatown revitalization 

Totem at Royal BC Museum on way home to Central Coast after repatriation ceremony  

Romance in the office: when do workplace relationships cross a line? Experts weigh in after John Tory revelation 

John Tory should not have resigned as mayor 

How John Tory decided to resign: the inside story of an agonizing week 

Ontario developers who benefitted from Ford government decisions to Greenbelt and MZos dined with premier with the premier at his daughter's wedding 

Turkish Canadian Society calls for faster deployment of rescue crews after disasters 

John Tory could take back his resignation. But that would betray his lifelong brand

The big problem with John Tory's budget? It's short one John Tory and $.5 billion 

What will it take to make the TTC safer?

John Tory goes up in flames as Doug Ford hides in a smokescreen

John Tory's poor judgment leaves city in limbo 

John Tory resignation: A political reset opportunity for Toronto 

Toronto Sun

Whoever replaces Tory needs to fix crime and Toronto's filthy streets

Scandal-plagued Mayor John Tory not done yet

TTC stations and entrances new tent cities for homeless 

It's time for Toronto's mayor to go

Romance in the Mayor's office created a conflict 

Thousands expected at former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion's funeral Tuesday

Canadians deserve same access to health care as their pets 

Docs show Trudeau government in panic mode over $6,000 per night hotel room story  

With brutal missile war raging in Ukraine, Canada remains missile free 

Tougher bail, Liberals? Let's see it in writing

Can't deny it: Canada's broken

National Post

Russian ambassador claims Canada a 'very dangerous country' to visit

CRTC gets new policy direction to prioritize telecom competition, affordability  

Emails show Trudeau minister's office quashed details of $6,000 a night London suite

Conservatives side with Bloc in supporting pre-emptive sued of notwithstanding clause 

Federal government changes vetting process for anti-racism funds after Laith Marouf affair

Court rulings on Aboriginals will make bal reform harder than we think

John Tory still hasn't officially resigned after admitting affair - and he may not have to

Court ruling on Aboriginals will make bail reform harder than we think

Premiers accept federal health care funding offer that they said falls far short of what they sought

Trudeau bucks health-care reform in favour of failed policies of his Liberal predecessor

Trudeau government finally notices that nobody trust the justice system

John Tory's final embarrassment

Even John Tory's sex scandal is boring 

The rural revolution a welcome counter to the liberal green agenda

Quebec's ban on fossil fuels could be fracturing 

Global          

Expectant couple told to sell their home after BC Strata votes to make complex 55+

Modify, reduce or remove? Park board to vote on Stanley Park bike lane

'It's known as Holy Week': All Native Basketball Tournament hue for Indigenous people in BC

Cowichan contractor says he's seen no change in right to work on new BC hospital

Vancouver police officier found guilty in takedown of man arrested for jaywalking

New outlet, journalist file lawsuit against RCMP for wrongful BC arrests

Video captures moment dump truck collides with Richmond overpass

'Exhausted' BC rescue team returns home from Turkey earthquake zone Tuesday

Burnaby's Central Park plays host to Chinese-style matchmaking

IIO investigating after woman seriously hurt during Vancouver arrest 

Final decision on Stanley Park bike lane coming Monday

Health care advocates urge BC to hire physician assistants to assist doctors 

Repatriated house post heading back to BC Indigenous First Nation from Harvard museum

Royal Canadian Mint temporarily lays off 56 workers at its Winnipeg facility

Premiers agree to accept Ottawa's health funding offer: A step in the right direction 

University of Regina strips Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond of honorary degree

Billy Two Rivers, retired Mohawk wrestler and politician dies at 87

Former Quebec cabinet minister Nadine Girault dead at 63

Public vs private care? Here's where Ottawa wants extra health funds to go

'Roxham Road! 60 dollars!: Here's how asylum seekers cross irregularly into Canada

Miscellaneous            

The Narwhal is suing the RCMP

Chelsea, Noelle and Tatiana went missing. Did Police do enough to find them?

Vancouver needs vacancy controls 

Celebrate Black History and Turn the page to black futures 

A 'Just Transition' to Greener Jobs? Getting to Yes in Alberta