Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, March 21-22, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Tuesday-Wednesday,  March 21-22,  2023

Chinese Influence Allegations 

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MP Han Dong leaving Liberal caucus, denies allegations related to conversation with Chinese diplomat

Trudeau adviser Katie Telford to testify on Beijing election interference after Liberals end filibuster 

Doug Ford says his office received CSIS briefing about Toronto MPP Vincent Ke

Trudeau retreats, and retreat is his best political strategy

MP Han Dong leaving Liberal caucus, denies allegations of working against release of 2 Michaels

Former PM Harper takes jab at Liberals over foreign interference 

Liberal MP at centre of Chinese government election interference allegations says CSIS has yet to reach out

Government will ensure wood pulp giant Paper Excellence respects Canadian laws: Wilkinson

Trudeau's chief of Staff Katie Telford to testify at committee probing Chinese government interference 

David Johnston to decide on inquiry into foreign interference by May 23

CSIS briefed Ford's office on potential interference by China but details too limited, he says

MP Han Dong quits Liberal caucus after media report that 'attacked his reputation'

Who is Katie Telford, the top Trudeau aide se to testify on foreign election interference?

Why Justin Trudeau decided to 'test' his relationship with the NDP to fight off a Conservative attack 

Liberal MP Han Dong says he's gotten death threats following Chinese election interference allegations 

Liberal MP Dong resign from party over interference claims 

Liberal MP allegedly advised Chinese official to hold off on freeing Two Michaels: Report  

Why is the PM stalling on a public inquiry? 

For Dong and Ke to clear their names, we need a public inquiry 

Trudeau ends drama on Hill, but doesn't stop questions about China 

Trudeau risking Johnston's reputation

Ford briefed by CSIS about MPP allegations after news broke 

Katie Telford one of many chiefs to PM who appeared at committee

PM creates word salad on election interference 

MP Han Dong resigns from Liberal caucus, denies advising China to delay Two Michaels' release

David Johnston the right man to whitewash Chinese interference

Trudeau once again goes nuclear on a touchy issue ... before dropping it entirely 

Trudeau only offended by foreign money only when it opposes him

Liberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two Michaels' sources

Han Dong to sit as Independent MP following 'serious' allegations in new report 

Liberal MP Han Dong says he hasn't verified Chinese interference allegations with PMO

Ukraine/Russia War

 

Canada extends emergency visa application period for Ukrainians until July 15

Canada extends emergency travel program for Ukrainians fleeing war

Give Ukraine what it needs to repel Putin's forces 

Canada extends Ukraine temporary visa program by 4 months. What to know

Globe and Mail

Ottawa signals fix to border migrants issue ahead of Biden's visit 

Canada must note US friendship during Joe Biden's visit, but also stand up for itself 

Supreme Court skeptical about argument Ottawa is undermining provinces on regulation of natural resources 

Bank of Canada officials worried inflation could get stuck above 2 per cent, minutes show

'Nobody's perfect' Foreign Minister Melanie Joly says as MPs chide Afghan evacuation 

Stephen Harper says Pierre Poilievre should save his policy platform for federal election 

Pierre Poilievre needs a Common Sense Revolution of his own

Long after giving up control, Stephen Harper still commands the room 

Liberals introduce legislation to create a corporate ownership registry

Biden urged to raise Canadian bills' impact on Google, Facebook, Netflix, Disney

Don't assume US minds are made up about Safe Third Country treaty, Canada's envoy says

Disgusting sewer smell drives Senate to abandon debates 

Senator McPhedran, Minister Sajjan to testify about inauthentic travel documents sent to Afghans 

Canada's passport application backlog 'completely eliminated' minister says

Canadian MPs of all stripes condemn Punjab crackdown as some receive online threats 

CBC

Kind words, tough talk: What to expect when President Joe Biden come to Ottawa

Human rights commission acknowledges it has been dismissing racism complaints at a higher rate

Is your Canada Child Benefit much lower, or nil, this month? You're note alone 

Ottawa condemns Israel minister's 'shameful' remarks about Palestinian people

Thousands of military members to be cut off as Ottawa introduces expanded housing benefit

Premier Ford denies abandoning Ottawa during convoy crisis 

US strategist apologizes for joking that he could have killed PM '20 different ways'

Economy on top oof agenda as Biden makes first visit to Canada as President 

Quebec slashes income taxes in new budget and promises more public spending 

Canada's population grew by record 1 million in 2022, spurred by international migration

After months of backlogs, Canadians can now check their passport application status online 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

              

Saskatchewan First Nation says BC willing to keep taking to resolve concerns  

Former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart wins $100,000 costs in NPA defamation case 

For the first time, Canada's population grew by over 1 million in a single year 

Joe Biden's quick visit to Canada will leave some Liberals wanting more 

Pierre Poilievre to get face time with US President Joe Biden in Ottawa  

US groups don't like Canada's plans for online regulation - and they want Joe Biden to push back

Federal decision to shut down BC Salmon farms prompts company court challenge 

16 year old who killed Edmonton police officers was 'very troubled' details emerge in shooting that sent shock waves through community

Yet another bank has failed. Are Canada's banks vulnerable to global contagion?

Zellers is back with the grand opening of 12 stores this Thursday here's where they are and what to expect 

Was Alberta's Sovereignty Act just a bluff?

An Ottawa-Ontario turf war hobbled efforts to bring in skilled workers. Here's what ended it

Is Ottawa trampling provincial jurisdiction to protect the environment?

Alberta information commissioner to investigate Kearl tailings  leak notifications 

Toronto Sun

Knock, knock. Cops came to his home to demand breath sample

Trudeau's pledge of open government has become a farce 

Doug Ford haircut comes up short

Expect Ford's budget to be big on spending, light on restraint 

Weapon to beat China and Russia in Cold War 2.0 is free trade

Trudeau government's budget should stop spending spree

Glad you could drop by, Joe

National Post

Joe Biden has been a terrible friend to Canada 

Pierre Poilievre to have in-person meeting with US President Joe Biden in Ottawa 

Heavy security presence in Ottawa as city gets set for Biden arrival on Thursday

Tax season could be chaos as strike threatens to bring CRA to 'standstill'

Trudeau's a climate hypocrite, but doesn't realize it

As federal Liberals strive to change Canada's very nature, the future rests with Supreme Court   

Tech associations urge Biden to take hard line on Canada's digital tax, online laws

JTF2 special Forces base to get $1.4 billion modernization

Kremlin summons Canadian diplomat over Joly comment on Russian 'regime change'

Senate adjourns early due to an odour so foul it was causing headaches 

Global          

Vancouver city council to weigh restricting display, sale of bear spray

East Vancouver resident questions quick action to clear homeless from west side park

As BC waitlist continues to grow, 240 bed long term care home confirmed for Vancouver 

Former Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart wins $100,000 costs in NPA defamation case 

Turfing the turf: City of Langford to stop adding artificial grass to building fronts 

'It's unfair': Business group calls for support as more shops shutter during Broadway construction 

Petition seeking to recall 'dictator' BC Premier David Eby fails 

BC parents face childcare fee hikes as facilities miss out on provincial subsidy

Joly calls Afghanistan evacuation 'messy' as MPs hear of challenges on the ground

Canada 'badly' needs a 'Conservative renaissance' Harper says

Ottawa moves to create corporate ownership registry to stem financial crimes 

Privacy commissioner investigating Alberta Energy Regulator over Karl oilseeds site leak

Miscellaneous            

What a BC Librarian thinks about calls to ban books

How Medical bills can slam a newcomer to BC

Greens take lead to stop NDAs from silencing victims 

BC renews investigation into Prince George RCMP

A Hero to the falsely imprisoned 

Why BC Needs a climate fund for First Nations

Legal Centres supporting families struggle to keep Lawyers