Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, May 30-31, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Tuesday-Wednesday, May 27-29,  2023

Ukraine/Russia War

Russia reports strikes on oil refineries and town near Ukraine 

Ukraine takes plea for more weapons directly to Canada's defence sector 

Joe Biden approves a new $300 million military aid package for Ukraine   

Globe and Mail

MPs vote to ask David Johnston to step aside as special rapporteur in Chinese interference  

'The Stars are aligned' for at least one more BoC rare hie: Economists and markets react to today's surprisingly strong GDP data

Firefighters continue to battle Nova Scotia wildfire as gusting winds, dry weather worsen

Northern Alberta community evacuated with military airlift as out of control fire rages 

Drug price regulator sought meetings with  health minister to discuss reforms, documents show 

Canada's economy outperforms in first quarter, raising pressure on BoC ahead of next week's rate decision 

Lone tenant in $400 a month apartment could hold up major Montreal condo project

Family of BC woman missing for 12 years issues statement after remains found 

Liberals dismiss prorogation rumours, say focus is on passing Lon list of government bills 

How big are Canada's carbon emissions? Compared to China, we're a rounding error 

With Danielle Smith's win, the Wildrose Party has firm control of Alberta 

With Alberta election over, Danielle Smith must formally toss her provincial pension plan idea 

Danielle Smith's win in Alberta ups tension with Ottawa and economic uncertainty

Greek company Mytilineos to launch Canada's largest solar farm in Alberta 

First quarter may be last hurrah for GDP, but Bank of Canada may need more rate hikes anyway

Enbridge keen to revive natural as pipeline plans in Northern BC

Alberta oil sands win $4.4 billion endorsement from Texas energy giant ConocoPhillips

Bombardier warns Ottawa against going with Boeing on military plane contract  

MPs should be debating  interference, not David Johnston's honour

Trudeau dismisses criticism of David Johnston as political 

Court of Appeal overturns ruling directing Ottawa to help repatriate men in Syria 

Canada to work with US to set up cyber security certification  for defence contractors, Anand says  

Bill C-18 needs changes  to prevent from snooping in newsrooms, Senators told

Ottawa changes law to make tobacco companies put health warning on every cigarette 

Ottawa hopes for collaboration as Danielle Smith vows to stop federal energy and climate policies

Singh calls for removal of special rapporteur Johnston

CBC

Appeal court overturns ruling directing Ottawa to repatriate 4 men detained in Syria 

Populist or not, Danielle Smith is another challenge to Liberal climate policy

Alta., Sask. likely to take on Ottawa together over energy policies following UCP win: experts

Poland is rearming itself at high speed - could Canada take a lesson from Warsaw?

Cigarette warning labels are about to get even harder to ignore in Canada 

David Johnston plans to stay on as spacial rapporteur after Commons votes for him to step aside 

Pulp giant Paper Excellence's secretive owner could face parliament summons

O'Toole says CSIS told him he was targeted by Beijing during 2021 election 

AFN national chief claims workplace investigation is a 'tool' to undermine her  

MPs expected to extend sittings to midnight until House rises for the summer 

Sport Minister imposes new conditions on Canada Soccer's funding 

Minister says he hopes bill to create watchdog for CBSA will pass before summer travel season 

New RCMP units to protect ministers, top bureaucrats from threats of political violence 

Drug policy advocate wants meeting with Poilievre 

Singh says he won't force an election until confidence in the electoral system is restored 

New jets for official travel won't have a private cabin for the PM -- for now

Canada unveils plan for regulating offshore wind energy projects in Atlantic Canada 

Alberta health workers want Smith to listen and act quickly on province's health woes

Premier Danielle Smith says she has 'very strong mandate' to implement the UCP agenda 

With an NDP sweep in Edmonton, leaders look for dialogue with UCP

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Schools warn families in Saanich of youth gan crime as summer break nears  

BC pharmacists set to treat minor ailment, prescribe contraception starting June 1

BC names 10 cities for faster development to help address housing crisis

Doctors at Surrey Hospital raise alarm over staffing, and patient-care crisis

BC government to provide additional $25 million for marine restoration projects 

Vancouver Council announces Komagata Maru street name to address historic wrong

AG largely praises BC COVID-19 tourism supports, cites 'minor shortfalls'

Fate of Vancouver Chinatown condo project pushed to June 12 as city hearing adjourns 

BC Housing non-profit at heart of controversy names interim CEO

Here's why Danielle Smith couldn't afford to campaign from the hard right - and why it's a warning for Canada's other politicians  

Expect Danielle Smith's Alberta to move further right than it ever has 

Doug Ford's idea of lowering auto insurance rates means you pay your own repair bill

David Johnston defies House of Commons, refuses to quit probe into foreign interference 

Canada closing in on deal to get Stellantis battery plant back on track: Industry Minister François-Phillipe Champagne

More federal ministers could get security details as threats increase 

Justin Trudeau confidante Dominic LeBlanc to study if there's a path back for Han Dong

Northwest Territories releases strategy to address homelessness

City of Ottawa applies for federal support in fight for more housing

Committee will oversee changes recommended by inquiry into Nova Scotia shooting

Ottawa sends minister to Nigeria inauguration after accusing party of terror link

Feds still trying to rescue families of Canadians who helped in Afghanistan: minister 

Toronto Sun

MPs must call Trudeau's bluff and force an election 

Trudeau Liberals hide behind 'science' to avoid drug debate 

Four women charged wit running bawdy house, 13 victims rescued

Rider who shot off fireworks on TTC bus may soon be one feeling the heat 

Asylum-seekers stretching Toronto shelters beyond their limit: Deputy Mayor 

O'Toole proves why we need a public inquiry

Danielle Smith's job is to defend Alberta

Trudeau in for major battles with Alberta 

O'Toole contradicts Johnson on foreign interference

Ford backs down in fight with farmers, turns to consultation

After O'Toole's revelations on China, an inquiry must be held

Here's why governments should avoid tit-for-tat subsidy wars 

Mr. Johnston, it's time to go

Are Ottawa and Alberta headed for a fight?

It's time to stop stalling and do something about 24 Sussex 

National Post

David Johnston  refuses House of Commons call to step down as special rapporteur 

'Woke' light assembly question on Queen's engineering exam sparks controversy  

US-Canada border temporarily closed after motorist with sign claims to have explosive device 

More federal ministers could get security detail as threats increase 

The activist, anti industry Trudeau minister who wants to unteach First Nations to fish 

Mendicino commits to significant RCMP reform, but offers no details or timeline 

Erin O'Toole - the man China wanted to take down

Danielle Smith isn't an 'American-style' fringe conservative 

David Johnston needs to go; he's lost our trust 

Cybersecurity, not NATO defence spending, dominates defence minister's keynote CANSEC speech

Pay centre backlogs leave retired public servant unable to resign, draw pension

As experts warn of 'extinction' risk, AI pioneer says Canada needs urgent regulation

PM dismisses calls to remove David Johnston as special rapporteur

Johnston is wrong, ex-CSIS officer say: Inquiry is possible despite classified information

Global          

'Not acceptable': Family speaks out about woman's death at Surrey Memorial Hospital

'Stark' funding disparity highlighted Amid crisis at Surrey Memorial Hospital 

'I want justice': Rally held as BC teen's death remains under investigation

'Cut red tape': BC working to build more homes faster in select communities  

BC woman's family finds 'some relief' as remains found 12 years after disappearance 

BC pharmacists to treat minor ailments, prescribe contraception starting June 1

Fatal crash involving dump truck closes stretch of Langley Road

'We want to see results, now': Hundreds of BC nurses march in Vancouver  

Vancouver gives green light Komagata Maru street name, addressing historic wrongs 

Step aside,  opposition MPs urge Johnston as NDP motion passes

Each cigarette in Canada will soon have a health warning. Here's how. it looks

Bank of Canada will 'actively' talk about rate hikes after GDP surprise, experts say 

'It's a little odd': Halifax police warn of suspicious call as wildfire rages on

Shortage of children's pain meds linked to surge in dousing errors: report 

Trudeau says more ministers, MPs could get security details as threats grow 

'Rolling like a freight train': How province's other major wildfire keeps getting bigger 

Ontario charges Mainland over care of its black bears 

National Bank joins other major lenders in setting aside more cash for bad loans 

Anand says '100% of military sex offences being handled by civilian courts 

Michael Chan suses CSIS, unidentified leakers, reporters 

Pets belong inside vehicles when travelling, SPCA and BC Highway Patrol

Ottawa to roll out cybersecurity checks for defence contracts, Anand says

O'Toole says CSIS told him about 'active' voter suppression by Beijing

Trudeau congratulates Smith for 2nd Term as Premier 

Miscellaneous            

'It looked like an animal, just arms of fire going forward

'Weirder and Weirder': Danielle Smith's new example for Canada 

New Atira Head Pledges to improve safety and financial management  

BC promises four new cancer care centres 

Danielle Smith's UCP shuts the door on an NDP opportunity 

Brace for post-election chaos in Alberta 

Ex-Georgia Straight Editor testifies about RCMP pressure