Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, April 13-14, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday-Friday, April 13-14,  2023

Ukraine/Russia War

A new law makes it harder for Russians to dodge the draft 

China won't sell weapons to Ukraine or Russia, foreign minister says

Group seeks to help Russians dodge draft

The Battle for Crimea: Why it could be 'the missing piece in the puzzle'

Drones sold at WalMart help keep Ukraine in the battle for Bakhmut

Russo-Ukraine War will only end in a negotiated settlement 

Putin's war on Ukraine in sinister tradition of Russian War Machine

'Trudeau's being cocky': Russian hackers claim attacks on PM,Pearson airport and others 

Globe and Mail

Trudeau Foundation asks Auditor-General to investigate donation from Chinese benefactors 

Katie Telford testifies no national security intelligence withheld from PM Trudeau  

MPs question Katie Telford on Liberal government's response to foreign interference attempts 

Big moment of Telford's testimony brings small answers on foreign interference

Increased scrutiny of Canada's Intelligence culture is overdue

Johnston should tell Trudeau to call inquiry on China now

Bill C-11 will create 'surge' in Canadian TV shows, say internal government memos

Report finds Thunder Bay Police making glacial progress on needed reforms

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces new limits on media questions 

Federal employees working from home will have to join strike picket lines

Emails detail anger over RCMP handling of border protests

Canada ready to become a reliable provider of critical minerals to allies, Environment Minister says

Poilievre's pitch to defund CBC, keep French services would require change in law

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau falls short of committing to keep RCMP depot in Regina

Instead of seeking reconciliation, politicians manufacture crises for partisan gain

Have I, as Alberta Premier, interfered in the administration of justice? I couldn't possibly comment

The unseen victims of homeless encampments 

                  

CBC

The foreign interference saga is still more heat than light 

Canadian MP felt 'shadow of doubt' after spay agency warned him about diplomat

Ban on homegrown cannabis plants in Quebec upheld in unanimous Supreme Court ruling

Poilievre's pitch to defund CBC, keep French services would require change in law 

Intelligence agency says cyber threat actor 'had the potential' to damage critical infrastructure 

Trudeau's top aide says election interference allegations 'don't add up' to her

When, where and why federal workers could strike 

Supreme Court upholds acquittal of Quebec man who refused to give breath sample

Poilievre asks CRA to audit Trudeau Foundation over donations connected to foreign governments 

Trudeau says Ottawa will not change provincial control over natural resources 

Watchdog rips Mounties for preventing a woman in custody from showering for nearly a week

PM briefed at least 6 times on foreign election interference since 2018, says PCO document

Chinese communities in Vancouver tell public safety minister about intimidation by foreign powers and proxies

The strange death and rebirth of the Liberal Party under Trudeau

Despite bump in 2021, Canada's carbon emissions were still below pre-pandemic levels report

Toronto/Vancouver Star

City of Vancouver says safety up, overdoses and attacks down, after tent camp removed           

First Nations Health gets $8.2B in funding; may be used on 'social determinants'

Bus drivers' union seeks better safety after 'bloody' fight on West Vancouver bus

22 overdoses in one night: Ex-paramedic looks back on 7th anniversary of BC crisis

BC marks 7th anniversary of overdose emergency with grim record statistics 

A dozen more addiction centres coming for youth in BC

BC seasonal forecast suggests long cool spring, flood risk in his snowpack regions

Dangerous driving factor in drowning deaths of four RCM cadets: military

A look at the bargaining demands ahead of potential strike by federal civil servants 

Canada's pledge to make more vaccines at home is still a work in progress 

Ottawa mayor declined feds' offer to take over street in front of Parliament Hill

Alberta Premie Smith, with election loo ing, announces new limits of media questions

Telford says national security limits what she can say on foreign interference 

'We would have acted on it': Justin Trudeau's top aide rejects claims Ottawa overlooked evidence of election meddling 

The new Canada-US border deal will cost Canadian taxpayers at least this much

Here's what happens to government services if federal public servants go on strike

MIA: No sign of Canadian quick-reaction force first pledged to UN in 2017

Toronto Sun

Telford selective and self-serving in what she would answer

Telford says national security limits what she can about foreign interference

History offers insight into dealing with federal workers

As Trudeau sputters falsehoods, he's looking like Baghdad Bob

Poilievre slams 'woke anti-police agenda' as 'ugly extremism

Feds must show restraint in deal with union

The Feds aren't just coming for the Sun

National Post

Conservatives call on tax authorities to investigate Trudeau Foundation over Chinese donation

Subpoena for Trudeau to appear at People's Party officials trial was political stunt, judge says in ruling

Katie Telford and the Liberal doctrine of secret government 

The World Cup Swindle was always plain to see

'Another convenient non-answer': Katie Telford stonewalls on foreign interference 

Trudeau's ultimate gatekeeper': All you need to now about Katie Telford

Student newspaper drops "McGill' from name because university founder had slaves

Sentencing delayed for OPP officer who wasn't fired after filming sexual assault 

Danielle Smith the reign choice to lead Alberta

Closing Roxham Road loophole a benefit to all migrants 

Work from home but strike in person, union tells federal public servants 

Federal government cancels Strategic Policy Review aimed at finding $9B in savings: PBO analysis

Trudeau Foundation donor heads group that adheres to 'total leadership' of Chinese Communist Party

'Trudeau and the NDP' to blame for violent crime wave, Poilievre says in Edmonton 

Canada is seeing violent crime like never before. What's behind wave of killings and attacks

Global          

Myles Gray: Inquest set to begin 7 years after fatal confrontation with police 

'We will not stand for this': TransLink CEO addresses recent bus, SkyTrain attacks

BC court levels $150K in fraud damages for trio of staged car crashes 

BC seizes three Hells Angels' clubhouses

Breakthrough: Broadway subway tunnel-boring machine reaches City Hall station 

Parents, politicians call for care, compassion on 7th anniversary of overdose crisis

'First of its kind' report on BC sex workers outlines risks, calls for action

BC United leader calls for help for suffering downtown businesses in Kelowna, across the province

Former BC Paramedic gives advice on the 7th anniversary of the overdose crisis 

1 in hospital after 'serious assault' on transit bus in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside: police 

City of Vancouver says safety up, overdoses and attacks down, after tent camp removal

Ash from Russian volcano drifts into BC, some flights delayed or grounded 

Alberta Premier Smith, with election looming, announces new limits on media questions  

Trudeau was briefed at least 5 times on foreign interference since 2021: docs

Canada Revenue Agency won't extend tax deadline if workers strike 

China's Consul General threatens Tory MP Bob Saroyan before 2021 election, committee hears

Canada plans to reduce overdose rates with new funding, Liberals stress crisis impact

Street at heart of Ottawa convoy could a big change - but there's a hiccup

Vincent Ke serves Global News with libel notice over foreign interference report

Miscellaneous            

What the 'Freedom Convoy' Taught us about ourselves

The War on Journalists, Part Two

In Gastown, the case of the Misunderstood clock

We should be archiving MP's newsletters 

In BC, Precarious work is the new normal

Why we need social justice in the Just Transition  

Alberta chooses Religion over Lives in Drug treatment  

The War on Journalists