Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, February 2 & 3, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday/Friday , February 2/3, 2023

Ukraine/Russia War

 

Zelensky vows to defend 'fortress'  Bakhmut, hosts EU leaders in Kyiv

Should Ukraine be part of NATO? It already is

Wagner Group defector's asylum plea raises thorny questions for Norway

Canada adds Russian media personalities, companies in latest round of sanctions 

European Union officials hold Kyiv talks in show of support for Ukraine 

Along Ukraine-Belarus border, a war of nerves - and drones

Canada adds Russian media personalities, companies in latest round of sanctions 

Russia seems to have curbed 'human wave' tactics in Ukraine, which rely on 'single-use soldiers' 

Canada slaps new sanctions on Russia targeting 'disinformation actors'

Up, Up and Away in China's Spy Balloon

US Secretary of State cancels Beijing trip after Chinese surveillance balloon drifts through Canada into US

A suspected Chinese spy balloon entered US airspace. Here's what to know

'They're telling us: We're watching,' military analysts says of suspected Chinese spy balloon

Global Affairs summons Chinese ambassador after surveillance balloon crosses continental airspace 

Ottawa tight lipped on details as Canada, US call out China over balloon 

Trudeau must take Chinese spy balloon seriously  

Why did Canada not report on China's spy balloon in our airspace 

What you need to know about spy balloon from China floating above the Western US

Canadian pilots were warned of 'untethered ballon' amid China surveillance concerns 

Globe and Mail

Liberals withdraw controversial amendments to gun law

Athabasca University chair says process to pick new president was legal, but not best practices

As central bankers talk tough on inflation, markets prepare for rate cuts

A year ago, there was a divide between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Today, there are no vaccine teams

The jarring echo in a recent Pierre Poilievre speech

Toronto police issue arrest warrant in death of retired CBC editor Michael Finlay

Canadian police forces' condemnations of the killing of Tyre Nichols amount to a cynical bit of PR

Vancouver mayor criticizes Pierre Poilievre's 'hell on earth' comments 

Margaret Atwood on Bill-C11 and why bureaucrats shouldn't tell authors what to write 

MPs pass private member's bill that would change references to 'child pornography' in Canada's laws

Ottawa to announce health, climate spending, Freeland says

Trudeau must drop Amira Elghawaby, get rid of anti-Islamophobia position, Bloc leader Blanchet says

Prominent Quebeckers voice support for Trudeau's anti-Islamophobia representative

In sea of consulting contract problems, the Conservatives only dream of their whale 

Ottawa vows to curb Canadian University research with Chinese military scientists 

China accuses Canada of 'politically manipulating' with Uyghur refugee vote 

Federal government introduces legislation to delay changes to the MAID law until next year

CBC

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

Does the government spend too much on outside consultants?

Ontario First Nation hires outside firm to investigate 28 year boil water advisory

Governments seek buyer as Quebec COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer Medicago set to close

Minister unclear on whether government will get back $173M it gave to vaccine maker set to close

BC has no 'red line' going into health talks with federal government, premier says

Intelligence agency says ransomware group with Russian ties poses 'an enduring treat' to Canada

Ottawa withdraws controversial amendments to firearms law 

The Liberals backed themselves into a corner on firearms - leaving no option but surrender 

There are questions to ask about government contracting - but MP's don't seem interest in asking them 

Federal government moves to delay MAID for people suffering solely from mental illness 

As Conservatives push government on bail reform, Lametti warns there are no easy fixes 

Some First Nations leaders criticize probe into national chief's workplace conduct

Veteran broadcaster Tom Clark to be named consul-general in New York: sources

Freeland to call for joint federal-provincial effort to counter Biden's tax credits 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Metro Vancouver homicide team probes two separate shootings in less than 24 hours 

House arrest, probation for old-growth protester who blocked Metro Vancouver traffic 

BC family 'in the dark' before long-delayed manslaughter charge against Mountie

Jury males 12 recommendations after inquest into Vancouver Police officers suicide

January home sales down 55% from year earlier, 21% from December: Vancouver Board

Inside the Trudeau government's decisions to scarp its controversial gun ban amendments 

Justin Trudeau promised a bridge and delivered a wedge

Liberals laughed at Ontario's new NDP leader. Who's laughing now

Make National standards mandatory and fix long-term care 

Ottawa food banks struggling to keep up with demand amid funding crunch 

A Canadian senator helped save Afghan women. The immigration department called police on her 

Liberals withdraw bill's assault-style firearm definition, promise more consultation  

Character assault. Contempt. This week showed us the ugly, sneering face of Canadian politics.  

Why doesn't Canada treat Afghan refugees like Ukrainians? Because they aren't 'white and Christian' complaint alleges 

Justin Trudeau should fire point-person on Islamophobia - and get rid of her job too, BQ leader says 

Prominent Quebeckers plead for federal anti-Islamophobia rep to be given a chance 

Here's why Canada's industry minister thinks the country needs to seize a 'generational opportunity' 

Toronto Sun

Nearly 50 Department of Employment staffers fired after allegedly taking COVID relief benefits illegally

Too warm for ice skating but too cold for ice sculpting in Ottawa 

Facing anger in Liberal - and other - ranks, Trudeau pulls his gun ban, for now

Federal managers misspelled the Queen's name repeatedly on social media

Trudeau government withdraws amendment to Bill C-21

Liberate Canada! Îs Tucker Carlson onto something?

Viral video shows Canada's dirty dairy secret - we dump lots of milk 

Calgary COVID hotel was just the beginning of pandemic waste 

Trudeau government paid for 38 hotels like one in Calgary hotel with outrageous costs

Heritage Minister shouldn't define Canadian content, says Senator 

Time to deploy police officers, not defund them

Democracy worth showing up for

Time to toughen bail conditions 

National Post

Largest federal public union calls on members to vote for strike the will 'shut down' government 

Withdrawal of gun ban amendments 'humiliating climbdown for Liberals: Poilievre 

The two most common elements in Ottawa - hydrogen and stupidity

No cards, no candy: Ontario school bans Valentine's Day, arguing it harms equity goals 

Senator David Richards: Liberals' Bill C-11 is 'censorship passing as national inclusoin'

Freeland pledges fiscal prudence to availed feeding inflation even as demands for spending grow 

Trudeau keeps the NDP fooled about his pharmacare promise 

With a friend like Trudeau, you don't need an enemy 

Alberta demands free speech 'report cards' from universities, colleges after anti-woke lecture cancelled 

Alberta pastor 'lit a match' with fiery speech at Coutts blockade, prosecutor tells trial 

Trudeau Liberals have given judges license to go easy on rapists 

Liberal appointed Senator passionately denounces Liberal 'censorship bill' 

Public pursuit of Green Party leader is a new low for Ontario Liberals 

Did no one vet anti-Islamophobia rep's past?

Liberals 'won't accept' any Senate amendments that 'impact' online streaming bill: heritage minister

Survivors of 2017 mass shooting at Quebec City mosque asked Amira Elghawaby to apologize to Quebeckers

Global          

BC gangster Conor D'Monte to be extradited to Canada on charges in rival 's killing

Nanaimo teen hero battles off knife-wielding suspect at parents' business 

BC's South Coast hit with heavy winds causing power outages, ferry troubles 

High-risk, repeat Kelowna offender 'Johnny Blaze' on the run

Man charged with second-degree murder following Nanaimo fatal stabbing

Man shot and killed inside Abbotsford drug lab: Police

How much will the BC official opposition's health care plan cost?

Global ocean protection conference in BC looks to build on COP 15 work

Drastic action needed from BC government regarding looming labour shortage: report 

New electronic fare collection system in the works for BC transit riders 

Nearly 900 patients received care at BC Women's Hospital from 'fake nurse': court document 

Freeland says Canada must seize clean economic opportunities in response to US

Liberals ditch gun law reform critics said would ban hunting rifles 

Woman says Russian embassy in Canada denying her access to consular services 

Freeland meets provincial and territorial finance minister in Toronto 

'No quick or easy solutions' for surge of transit, street violence in cities: Lametti 

Is TikTok a risk to Canadian privacy? A federal committee wants to find out

Feds approve Alberta government importation of kids' pain medications but confusion lingers 

Miscellaneous            

A Bold Experiment in Local Journalism hits the rocks 

Why it took six years to charge officers in Deadly RCMP incident 

BC launches new legal action over privatized health care 

Athabasca U president firing: Board members raise questions 

When will rents come down?

2022 was a deadly year for SRO fires in Vancouver 

Here's why electoral reform isn't dead in Canada 

For Christy, who lived fiercely and died precariously