Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, March 7 & 8, 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 7 & 8,  2023

Ukraine/Russia War

 

Russia's Wagner Group claims eastern Bakhmut as NATO warns Ukrainian city could fall within days

Canada and EU pledge stronger economic and energy ties, reaffirm support for Ukraine 

Inside the Canadian crash course training Ukrainians on Leopard tanks 

Russian forces claim progress in Bakhmut but no end in sight 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine 'a war on women's rights' EU leader tells Parliament 

Globe and Mail

Canada rejected a visa for Chinese diplomat on foreign-interference grounds

Trudeau can survive Chinese meddling uproar - but economic harms for Canada could be deep

What's really shocking about China's election interference

How fentanyl became the king of street drugs 

The killing of Oshawa's 'Star Wars guy' has residents wondering what's happened to their city

Bank of Canada holds key rate steady at 4.5%

The harshest interest-rate hikes of all are still under way at the big banks 

Rising wages lack the productivity to support them 

New study finds COVID-19 didn't have a big impact on the mental health of most people 

Loblaw, other grocery CEOs grilled by MPs on high food prices and profits 

Look beyond grocers such as Loblaw: Food insecurity is going to get a lot worse 

Investigation into Supreme Court Justice Russell Brown's conduct underway, removal could be next

Marc Garneau to leave politics after 15 year career 

Ontario will be short 33,000 nurses and personal support workers by 2028, report says

TDSB apology before investigation into alleged racism 'troubles' Ontario's principals' group

The Trudeau Liberals don't own our elections 

The Prime Minister launches an investigation into everything but his government, his party or himself 

Experts caution parliamentarians against more stringent bail measures, amid calls to do so

Trudeau may have saved his political skin, at the cost of public confidence in the next election 

The Bank of Canada needs to end its fixation on inflation

Canadian lumber CEOs to press Ottawa to start softwood talks with US

Freeland drafting 2023 budget with an eye to fiscal restraint 

Bill C-11 approaches finish line as YouTube, Tory MPs express anger over rejection of key amendment 

RCMP told Ottawa it could offer advice to Winnipeg police on landfill search, document shows 

Indigenous chiefs to fly to Ottawa in rival moves as salmon farm battle intensifies 

Liberals filibuster opposition attempt to call PM's chief of staff to testify on Chinese interference

Immigration department has 'more than enough' staff to meet processing goals, PBO says

In Calgary, Rachel Notley gears up for the fight of her life 

CBC

As Poilievre presses on election interference, Trudeau calls suggestion he isn't loyal to Canada 'despicable'

Online Streaming Act back in House, minister intends to reject some Senate amendments 

CRTC launches consultations to lower internet prices, boost competition

Former cabinet minister Marc Garneau resigning from House of Commons 

Facing questions about China, Trudeau chides Poilievre for far-right meeting 

Biden's big, bold green spend sends shockwaves around the world, including Canada 

Ottawa says special rapporteur on election interference will be named within weeks 

European Commission president calls Canada a 'true friend' in address to Parliament 

'It is simply not true' - Grocery CEOs push back at price-gouging allegations

Defence chief wanted CF-18s to destroy object over Yukon, but fighters were delayed

Poilievre accuses Trudeau of working against Canada and in a 'foreign dictatorship's interests'

Green Party co-leader walks back comments suggesting Ukraine would push war into Russia

Top EU executive confident Canada can address foreign interference

Man pleads guilty to common assault after gravel thrown at Justin Trudeau during London campaign event 

Governor General shares abusive comments she received through social media 

For the Liberals sake (and democracy) Trudeau needs clearer answers on foreign interference

Toronto/Vancouver Star

              

Annual count of Metro Vancouver homeless underway after pandemic hiatus

A pedestrian in Fort St. John killed by snow clearing equipment 

'100% preventable' say families calling for change after deadly BC tug sinking

BC auditor general renews calls for better fraud risk management in public bodies

BC's overdose death rate double what it was when health emergency declared in 2016

Surrey to use new provincial fund to shave 5% from proposed 17.5% property tax hike

BC commissioner urges creative ways to fight hate as reports double during pandemic

Diaspora groups tell Ottawa to start a foreign influence registry - and do it fast 

'It is not a crime to give someone the finger': Quebec judge issues candid ruling in neighbour dispute

We used the Ontario government about its controversial licence suspension, Staff prepared answers. They they were told to withhold them

Citizenship should be marked by a more meaningful ritual than just a mouse click

Canada failed to protect Chinese Canadians fro intimidation by Beijing   

Secrecy could sink Ottawa's review of election meddling

Toronto's next mayor take note: Most of us want more housing built - but not near us

Private landlords are partly to blame for housing crisis

After so many mistakes, Doug Ford should be finished. What's going on?

Why Calgary's white cowboy hat didn't sit well on a new-fascist 

How the Hassan Diab affair undressed Canada's extradition law

Toronto Sun

Trudeau refuses to answer on CSIS warning about Liberal MP

City removes 'no-barking zone' signage at downtown dog park

PM defiant as furor over alleged Chinese election meddling heats up

We'll never know about election interference under current rules 

Tragically Hip backtrack after Pierre Poilievre slam

MPs taking pay raise same day they stiff taxpayers

Canada should increase productivity, not supercharge immigration 

Canada, India should change script and become real partners 

It is painfully obvious the TrudeauLiberals have plenty to hide

How can Justin Trudeau stand in judgment of himself?

What does Katie Telford know that Liberals want to keep under wraps?

MPs are calling Grocery CEOs to testify in Ottawa for a good day of political theatre

Trudeau's plan doesn't cut it, he's only buying time

Trudeau's Liberals playing games on alleged election interference 

Liberal filibuster is a slap to transparency 

Raise the bar against foreign interference

National Post

'It's impossible' that grocers are causing food inflation, Loblaw chairman tells MPs

'Great loss': Veteran Liberal MP Marc Garneau is resigning his seat 

Beijing simply could not abide Erin O'Toole's  tough-on-China policies 

Poilievre puts an end to our pretentious political pleasantries 

Who needs a public inquiry when you have a 'special' rapporteur? We do

Alberta gun bill embodies UCP's "Keep you hands off my six-shooter's thinking 

Poilievre presses Trudeau on reports of money from China in Canadian elections 

Canadians have 'God-given' constitutionally protected right to give the middle finger: Quebec judges 

Critics 'stunned and furious' at Liberals rejecting Senate amendment from controversial  online streaming bill

Trudeau has degraded the value of Canadian citizenship

Trudeau's priority on Chinese interference is protecting himself, not democracy 

Global          

Alberta civilian police watchdog to lead probe into historical Prince George RCMP allegations

International  Women's Day: Greater supports urged for BC's female enterepreneurs 

Vancouver Police investigate serious assault near SRO on the Downtown Eastside

BC tug sinking highlights systemic concerns: TSB

First Nations knowledge crucial in fighting climate disasters 

BC Liberal private member's bill aims to bolster hospital's suicide prevention tools 

Annual count of Metro Vancouver homeless underway after pandemic hiatus

West Vancouver property tax hike smaller than expected 

Snow forecast across BC's Southern Interior just in time for spring break 

Guns seized, 5 men charged in major Lower Mainland firearms trafficking probe

'We want to be heard': Portland Hotel residents advocates hold protest in Vancouver  

Man killed by snow-clearing equipment in Fort St John 

BC Ferries revises 4 year plan to deal with new inflation, staffing challenges

BC Liberal MLA to pitch bill updating mental health law after VPD officer's suicide 

Airlines see busy summer ahead if airports can keep up

First Nations criticize Alberta Premier's Kearl oilseeds tailing spill comments 

Beijing is an 'existential threat' to Canada, Liberal MP says amid interference probes 

Marc Garneau, former Liberal cabinet minister, resigns as MP

CRTC orders cut to some internet prices amid industry review. What's going on?

Chinese Canadians worried about political backlash amid foreign interference scrutiny 

Lack of Indigenous consultation showed 'incoherence' of failed firearm amendment: leaders 

Canadian jets did not take down object over Simon due to weather delays: military chief 

Alberta government Ann ounces firearms legislation to give province more authority over regulation 

Canada's immigration minister heads to Washington amid high scrutiny of border crossings 

Who will be Ottawa's interference rapporteur? Opposition welcome to pitch names: Trudeau

Miscellaneous            

Spring COVID boosters are recommended, but are they coming?

How to fix the gender wage gap in BC

Please Advise! Is BC really aiming to be Canada's Cocaine Capital?

These rare and beautiful BC Reefs fight climate change  

BC's Toxic Drug death toll is not budging 

BC's negotiations with Government lawyers collapse 

All aboard the energy rollercoaster

Five things to know about BC's Housing plan

Once torn from his nation's past, he helps secure it's future