Ottawa Observations: Tuesday/Wednesday, February 14-15, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Tuesday/Wednesday, February 14-15, 2023

Ukraine/Russia War

 

Life, Upended

Russia declares battlefield gains on eastern front; Ukraine says it shot down balloons over Kyiv

In Ukraine 'fortress,' soldiers struggle to save a city almost empty of life

European Union seeks new Russia sanctions package, targets Iran's drones

United Nations agencies seek $5.6 billion to help Ukraine and its refugees abroad 

Globe and Mail

Brenda Lucki leaving her post as RCMP commissioner 

Quebec National Assembly passes unanimous motion criticizing Bill C-11, demands 11th hour change

Canada's immigration target has nothing to do with McKinsey or its former head, Dominic Barton says Immigration Minister

Suncor to cut contractor positions as company announces massive earnings in fourth quarter  

Percentage of permanent residents becoming Canadian citizens in decline, Statesman data shows

Ford defends stag and doe party with $150 admission fee, calling questions 'ridiculous'

Toronto Mayor John Tory should stay on despite resignation, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says

Israel's legal reforms look awfully Canadian - and that's not good

Terror in the skies! This isn't the first time North America has been threatened by balloons

How will Biden and Trudeau emerge from the balloon follies?

The US isn't rushing to deal with Canada's Roxham Road migrant problem 

Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion quits 

Liberal MP may not vote for party's language bill due to changes made by Bloc, Tories 

OPP Commissioner calls for more restrictive bail procedures in Canada, after killing of constable 

MPs call on committee to probe Canada Soccer amid dispute with women's national team

Kurdish officials want Canada to help set up tribunal to try Islamic State suspects 

Trudeau arrives in Bahamas to meet Caribbean leaders as Haiti crisis deepens

Ottawa ends all research funding with Chinese military and state security institutions 

Conservatives clarify opposition to Quebec's Bill 21 following vote for notwithstanding clause 

Advocates, MPs call on federal government to expand access to psychedelics as medical treatments

Beyond the Rogers-Shaw deal: How, in public firms, the few hold power over the many

Liberal MP Greg Fergus breached conflict of interest act with CRTC letter, watchdog rules

Gun-control group tells MPs 'disinformation' muddied assault-style firearm measures 

MPs want Canada to match more charities for Turkey and Syria earthquake donations 

MPs summon big grocery store CEOs to testify in Ottawa over food inflation 

CBC

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki is stepping down

Union head says he has 'productive' relationhship with embattled RCMP commissioner

Object downed over Yukon  a 'suspected balloon': top soldier

Government should broaden ban on research funding to cover any 'foreign dictatorship' Poilievre says

Ottawa convoy protest from part to finish

Trudeau heads south to discuss aid for Haiti at CARICOM conference 

Congressman says US should consider tit-for-tat tax on Canadian owned properties in the States 

The Canadian businessman accused of helping Iran's regime 

MP Greg Fergus becomes the latest Liberal caught violating ethics rules

People with disabilities need more federal supports to deter requests for assisted dying committee says

Ford won't say who sent invites to daughter's $160 stag-and-doe event

Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi urges politicians to stand up for Amira Elghawaby

Fertilizer tariffs appear to be here to stay as Russian sanctions continue 

Haiti has become a failed state, says former Governor General Michaelle Jean

Why do unidentified objects seem to be popping up above North American all of a sudden?

Trudeau defends government actions as questions swirl around businessmen indicted in US

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Richmond  drivers told to slow down as snow geese arrive on roads

Old growth logging deferrals in BC increase to 2.1 million hectares: minister

Search and rescue team from Burnaby arrives home after aiding Turkish relief efforts 

West Fraser Timber reports loss in Q4 as interest rates weigh on US construction

BC Premier Eby and Federal ministers discuss bilateral health agreements 

Pandemic benefits pushed down BC's child poverty rate in 2020: advocacy group 

Early results of search for possible graves at Vancouver Island school to be released 

Latest British Columbia avalanche claims two backcountry skiers 

Doug Ford's advisers know who they'd like to replace John Tory

John Tory to remain mayor until 2023 budget passes  

New report predicts Canadian home prices could drop by 30%  - or more

Doug Ford should demand Caroline Mulroney's resignation 

Would Pierre Poilievre's Tories let provinces strip our rights? Signs point to yes

The Sad Fall of John Tory

'Freedom Convoy', UFO's ... Why doesn't the Trudeau government give us straight answers?

'Not an easy decision': RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki to retire next month

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki announces her retirement just days ahead of 'Freedom Convoy' report 

Committee studying assisted dying calls for more engagement from government 

Proposed redrawing of Ontario's election boundaries will eliminate Liberal MPs riding

Canada faces fresh pressure on military spending as NATO Chief eyes hard target 

Chrystia Freeland says John Tory's resignation as Toronto Mayor is 'necessary'

Governor General shuts down social media comments, citing rise in 'violent threats'

Toronto Sun

Trudeau, Tory and Ford and the failure of ethics

Cops are right, it's mayhem on streets in Toronto

John Tory tenders resignation as Toronto residents ill pay more after 2023 budget passes

Junior hockey players endured horrific 'evil' judge finds in scathing judgment 

Teenage thugs at forefront of alarming rise in armed robberies  

RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki will retire next month

Army under Trudeau government has less bark and no bite

Trudeau government turns to secrecy after $6G per night hotel fiasco

Holier than thou mob wants John Tory crucified 

Fire Trudeau's minister Mary Ng for using your money to reward friend

Trudeau's balloon bursts on defence front

Trudeau's Liberals are no tell on the hotel

Is John Tory really going to resign as mayor or is he dithering?

Trudeau government still peddling COVID misinformation 

When a Liberal MP gives a contract to her bestie 

Race to replace Tory: Who has the best chance to be Tonrot's new mayor

Time's up for RCMP boss

Ethical rules impotent without consequences  

National Post

Toronto Mayor John Tory submits formal resignation after staffer affair 

Committee studying assisted dying recommends looking at extending eligibility to 'mature minors'

Bail system in 'desperate need' of change, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner tells MPs

In Quebec, the Tories can choose principle or pandering, Not Both

Doug Ford begs John Tory to remain Toronto mayor; Chrystia Freeland denies she did the same

After years of scandal, RCMP Commissioner Brent Lucki announces retirement 

Cannabis producers say 'crushing' taxes, fees have made legal industry 'uneconomic'

It was Justin Trudeau who pricked the fight with the 'Truckists'

'Not an easy decision': RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki will retire in March

Pierre Poilievre backs Albert's concerns over federal 'just transition' legislation 

Taxpayers federation launching legal action to reveal who stayed in $6,000 per night hotel suite

There's no excuse for Liberals to keep giving money to their friends 

Normies unite! Toward. Liberal conservative alliance against Wokeism

City of Ottawa sends a powerful message to the brutal mullahs in Iran

Cold, dangerous racists - what foreign travel advisories say about Canada

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante testifies at racial profiling class action suit 

Trudeau was told soldiers would be needed to safely reopen embassy in Kiev

Trudeau arrives in Bahamas for meeting of Caribbean leaders as Haiti crisis deepens

Federal government announces new restrictions on research funding to protect Canadian intellectual property

Global          

Criminal investigation launched into allegations VPD officers interfered after crash

BC family angry as driver gets conditional sentence in crash that killed 30 year old

Vancouver City Council removes single use cup fee in majority vote 

Patullo Bridge replacement on track, Surrey council hears, but critics still want more lanes

All Native Basketball Tournament great for community and economy in Prince Rupert 

BC wins longstanding civil forfeiture case against Hells Angels

BC Chamber of Commerce calls for tax relief ahead of provincial budget 

Surrey votes to support inclusion of farmland to ALR, First Nations lay land claim

BC Premier says no plans for early election, as poll finds majority expect 2023 vote 

Vancouver council green-lights $1.5M in street cleaning grants 

BC introducing measures for old growth, forest stewardship with Indigenous collaboration

More than 20 snow geese found dead after hit by cars in Richmond 

NORAD conducting planned defense exercise off BC And Washington State coast

BC paramedics ratify new contract with over 96% support 

RCMP's Brenda Lucki says she will retire next month, "I did my best'

John Tory officially submits resignation as Mayor of Toronto

Engagement better disability supports would improve assisted dying program: report 

Hockey Canada did not use public funds for legal settlements, federal audit finds 

Miscellaneous            

BC Trades Training needs an overhaul. Here's the solution 

BC Police involved deaths have risen 700% in the last decade

'Taxpayers' Watchdog eerily silent as Alberta hands cash to oil companies

'Justin Trudeau, say their names'

Beyond Carbon taxes: Even Better climate solutions for government 

Please advise! Should I enrol at Daniel Smith U?

How to talk to your racist relatives about Indigenous rights  

ABC's revamped 100 police, 100 Nurses promise Heads to council 

Psychosis. Then gunshots from Police. Inside Dani Coopers death