Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, May 23-24, 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 23-24,  2023

Ukraine/Russia War

Russia's Wagner boss says more than 20,000 of his troops died in Bakhmut battle

Russia could face 'revolution' if Moscow loses Ukraine war, Wagner boss claims 

Globe and Mail

Public inquiry would restore trust in Ottawa's handling of Beijing election meddling, legal experts say

Bloc, Tories reject Johnston briefing, as Trudeau questions Polievre's seriousness

Fix the flaws in David Johnston's report

I met with David Johnson for his report - here's what happened 

Sorry Mr. Johnston: Public Hearings into foreign interference are inadequate to the task 

Gentleman Johnston pushes back at politicians, but problem lingers 

Ring of Fire project at risk due to red tape and cumbersome consultation process, billionaire owner says

Ontario's top court rules SNC can't be sued for failure to discuss lack of deferred prosecution agreement 

Danielle Smith says candidate who made faces comment won't sit in caucus, decision final

Stop the presses on the King Charles $20 bill

Montreal's LRT delays confirm a predictably Canadian pattern 

For Canada-China relations,  trade will remain strong whatever the path forward 

Trudeau leaves door open for Independent MP Han Dong to come back to Liberal caucus

Proposed bill to give MPs, senators choice not to swear oath to King Charles 

Canada's billions to Volkswagen and Stellantis are irresponsible and inflationary  

Former BC Premier says centrist group should focus on candidates 

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer's airport chaos

CBC

Poilievre calls on Singh to force a foreign interference inquiry 

Johnston says no to public inquiry on foreign interference 

Watchdog to prove how military police handles case against Major General Dany Fortune

5 things we learned from David Johnston's first report on foreign interference

Federal government announces new program to streamline airport security 

MP Han Dong says he wants to rejoin Liberal caucus after being 'vindicated' by Johnston's report 

Canada, Saudi Arabia agree to restore relations 5 years after diplomatic feud 

Chinese hackers targeted US infrastructure, security agencies warn 

On foreign interference, Johnston asks Canadians to trust him - and Parliament 

Politicians allegedly targeted by foreign interference 'disappointed' in Johnston's report 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

School bus on BC's Sunshine Coast tips over, injuring driver 

Surrey municipal police force calls for clarity over future 

BC's human rights commissioner seeks more responses to survey on human rights 

All evacuation orders lifted in northeastern BC as rain dampens wildfire threat

BC company expands antibody research, production facilities for second time

Federal government pledges $5M to Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver 

Critics of David Johnston's report against formal inquiry says hearings not enough

David Johnston rejects public inquiry, accuses Canada's spies of mismanaging foreign interference info 

David Johnston says allegation is 'false' that Toronto MP Han Dong urged China to keep the two Michals in jail 

Canadian MPs ask Trudeau to condemn Pakistan arrest of ex-PM Imran Khan

Postal workers' union settles defamation lawsuit with B'nai Brith

David Johnston warns Canadian politicians to deal with foreign interference before the 'next crisis'

Public Safety Minister does not have access to top secret emails from CSIS, says David Johnston 

Trudeau imperils his career with continued bad judgment 

Justin Trudeau risks paying a heavy price for letting David Johnston put principles over politics 

David Johnston says politicians can save democracy. Has he seen politics lately?

Toronto Sun

Trudeau connected to all investigating China's interference 

With Crombie in race, Ontario Liberals fight for soul of party

Transit, City Services dominate Scarborough-centric Mayoral debate 

Chinese hackers targeted US infrastructure, warn Five Eyes, including Canada 

Canada Day bash back at Nathan Phillip Square 

Singh must either put up or shut up 

Johnston's report proves we need a public inquiry  

Trudeau could have written Johnston's report 

Canadians are buying less food and that trend won't end soon 

David Johnston's report on China's interference failed Canada 

Johnston sings 'Sound of Silence' on China 

What the decision to forego Chinese interference inquiry fails to do

National Post

After eight years, Trudeau still stubbornly popular - more than his Dad, less so than Chretien

UCP's 'no increases' tax plan could give then edge over NDP

More conflict allegations face David Johnston over Liberal-donor legal adviser 

David Johnston escapes inquiry into his own China dealings 

Disturbing details about China's interference that Johnston discovered - and downplayed 

So much for David Johnston

David Johnston's election interference investigation fall short  

Parti Quebecois calls for release of "No' campaign investigation documents for 1995 referendum

Canada, Saudi Arabia restore full diplomatic ties after 2018 spat over women's rights 

Here are the histories of 10 buildings the federal government plans to offload in the Ottawa region

The shame of Johnston lending his trust to the Trudeau Liberals 

David Johnston's not tremendously surprising decision to minimize foreign interference 

Coming soon from the Liberals - woke museums 

Hassan Diab must face justice following terrorism conviction 

David Johnston's foreign interference whitewash

Former Alberta attorney general says Smiths' ethics breach may warrant criminal charge  

Opposition wants David Johnston to explain refusal to hold foreign interference public inquiry to committee

The difference between David Johnston's foreign-interference 'hearings' and a public inquiry  

The fatal flaw in David Johnston's Chinese interference report is David Johnston

Global          

Man's finger severed, jaw broken in attack after Vancouver bus ride

Major BC Pub chain the Donnelly Group files for creditor protection

Health minister responds as doctor says Surrey Memorial Hospital at 'boiling point'

Vancouver's Canada Day fireworks scrapped for good

Lack of housing becoming an HR issue in the North Okanagan

Federal approval of BC marine terminal faces dual legal challenges in Canada, US

Surrey Police Service letter calls for clarity on future amid transition limbo 

Voices from 6 regions of BC missing from human rights survey: Commissioner  

BC businesses eating $6.5B in government-imposed costs over three years: report 

'We don't think it's safe' BC to help Abbotsford clear out 'problematic encampment'

A Chinese cyber espionage operation is hitting US infrastructure, West warns 

Canada, Saudi Arabia name new ambassadors in move to restore full diplomatic ties 

Canada's intelligence sharing shortcomings exposed in Johnston report 

Johnston must 'answer' on interference report at committee, opposition MPs say

BMO, Scotiabank are putting aside more money for loans that could go bad 

Nova Scotia, Denmark sign memorandum of understanding on health care 

Fate of Stellantis EV battery plant in Ottawa's hands: Ford

Unseal 'No' campaign investigation documents from 1995 referendum, PQ says

What else we learned from David Johnston's interference report 

Han Dong did not advocate for two Michael's continued detention, Johnston says

Canada doesn't need foreign interference inquiry, but public hearings warranted: Johnston

Miscellaneous            

Twice Invisible: People who use drugs in rural Alberta continue to be ignored 

Over the DOJ's objections, an expert witness testifies about the RCMP 

Drawing up union plans for Vancouver's animators 

Here's the only path to real change in Alberta

The People's filter 

Please Advise: Who will win in Alberta?

We can get better at seeing Disasters coming

What's at stake for Alberta Voters? Just Democracy and the rule of law

RCMP Lawyers suggest a journalist planted memories in Burns Lake

Why BC leads the country in evictions