Ottawa Observations: Thursday/Friday, June 1 & 2, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday/Friday, June 1 & 2,  2023

Ukraine/Russia War

MPs say Russian activist Vladimir Kara-Murza should be given honour citizenship

Russian bombardment of Kyiv kills at least 3, including a child and her mother 

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warns Ukraine ceasefire now would result in 'Potemkin peace' legitimizing Russian invasion

Tanks, F16 jets part of long term aid for Ukraine, won't be ready for upcoming offensive, US Says

The bombing of Moscow could hasten nuclear war

Globe and Mail

Wildfire rage across the country from BC to the Atlantic

Nearly 700 more international firefighters coming to Canada to help battle fires 

Canada's overburdened firefighters aren't getting enough support 

Trudeau fills one of two Senate vacancies on security oversight watchdog

Trudeau takes his concerns about Poland's LGBTQ record behind closed doors after publicly admonishing Italy 

Danielle Smith's victory in Alberta's provincial election may have started on May 18

Teck leaning towards partial sale of coal unit as it weighs new restructuring plan 

Bank of Canada to hold rates this year, but high risk of at least one more hike: economist poll

Facebook to test blocking Canadians' access to news in response to Ottawa's online news bill 

Fellow Canadians: Visit British Columbia at your own risk

Pride flag flap shows why it is time to end public funding for Ontario Catholic schools

If Parliament has no confidence in Johnston how long can it have confidence in the man who appointed him?

MPs question how deeply Ottawa probed Paper Excellence's acquisitions 

Poilievre tries to head off PPC vote as Bernier best on Social Conservatives 

Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls that he step down

Denying bail OK if for a 'just cause,' says Charter statement on Liberal reform bill 

Independent publishers in Canada torn over Meta's move to block news on platforms 

David Johnston's report on foreign interference will keep the issue front and centre

Three newly-elected Indigenous MLA's to serve in Alberta Legislature 

'No one person' responsible for Ottawa failing to warn Michael Chong he was being targeted, national security adviser says 

Catherine Tait's term at helm of CBC extended for 18 months 

Interim director of National Gallery Cassie to depart 

CBC

Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls for him to step down 

Johnston hired crisis communications firm as he prepared report on foreign interference  

David Johnston's position is barely tenable. Can his investigation be salvaged?

Meta to start blocking news content for up to 5% of Canadian Facebook, Instagram users 

Ottawa lacks an 'overall strategic plan' to tackle military sexual misconduct, report says 

Group files court application over whether Canada's laws allow entry of former Israeli PM

Number and severity of wildfires grows, bur Blair says federal aid isn't stretched thin 

Kelowna encampment residents speak out after Poilievre compares designated sleeping area to 3rd world country 

Poilievre wishes Canadians a happy Pride month - but won't say it he'll attend an event 

PM"s national security adviser says there's been a 'breakdown' in how intelligence is shared  

The NDP turned 'blue(ish) to woo Conservative voters. It didn't deliver a victory 

COC states support for national safe-sport inquiry as national fencing execs grilled in Ottawa 

Trudeau and Polish PM discuss plugging the gaps in Russia sanctions ahead of NATO summit

RCMP says it has shut down 'illegal police activity' connected to alleged Chinese 'police stations'

Pulp giant's purchase didn't go through a newt benefit review, federal officials say

'Unprecedented ' start to wildfire season destroyed almost 3 million hectares of forest: Blair

Catherine Tait staying on to lead  CBC/Radio Canada  - bit with a shorter mandate 

Process to arrange Han Dong's possible return to Liberal caucus is underway, source says

Bombardier calls for 'fair competition' as Ottawa eyes sole-source contract for surveillance planes 

Half of Shelburne County population now under evacuation order as wildfires grow 

Trudeau government proclaims annual day against gun violence 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

'Chaotic scene':  Vancouver police say two injured in Downtown Eastside shooting

BC giving $4.6 million to upgrade children's hospice facility

BC extends deferral of old-growth logging in Vancouver Island's Fairy Creek 

Transportation Safety Board deployed in BC after plane crashes, catches fire 

Vancouver Coastal Health reverts to new overdose text alert system for bad drugs 

Vancouver home sales rise in May, nearing 10 year average: real estate board

'The dream is shattered," says student facing deportation as supporters join rally over fake admission letter 

How AI is helping Canada keep some people out of the country, And why there are those who say it's a problem 

Debate over defunding Ontario's Catholic Schools is raging again. Experts say doing it actually quite simple

Ford government cancels 'clueless' plan to allow housing on farmland after backlash

Federal government provides $5.9M for Indigenous clean energy projects in BC

Officer in Langley faces charges from incidents dating back five years 

David Johnston isn't the only casualty of opposition attacks 

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 

Nearly 700 more international fire fighters coming to Canada to help battle fires 

Teachers' union blames province for cuts as Ottawa school board eyes balanced budget 

Ontario to launch strategy to identify and plug abandoned oil and gas wells 

Bridge that closed on Quebec's north shore, isolating communities, to partly reopen

Statue of Queen Elizabeth repaired and reinstalled, two years after vandalism 

'Good riddance' or don't unfriend us"? Publishers torn over Meta move to block news

Feds open to cutting plastic production. but global agreement will be hard: Guilbeault

Toronto Sun

Suspected MS-13 crime gang members accused of shooting innocent Schomberg man 

Can anyone beat Olivia Chow for mayor? Better hope so!

Notorious child killer Paul Bernardo transferred to Quebec institution 

New Toronto subway line pushing owner of Tibet Shoppe out of business

Feds, Province strike new deal to try to save Stellantis  

What did Johnston know and when did he know it 

Wokeness and brokeness finally awaken conservatives  

Toronto small businesses need construction relief now 

Anthony Furey gaining traction in the by-election, can he reach the mayor's office?

MPs can't allow Trudeau to ignore their calls for an inquiry  

Is Canada losing its opportunity to get into the EV battery game?

With lower commodity prices, why aren't food prices dropping?

Why is Albertas NDP a contender for power but not Ontarios?

White flags being raised in Canada's one-sided war on drugs 

Jobs? Yes! just not at any price 

National Post

'Unprecedented' Canadian fires intensified by record heat and climate change 

Poilievre says PPC leader Bernier no threat in Manitoba by-election  

Fisheries minister  'on the warpath' to close down fishery, says First Nations leader 

Jasmine Hartin's mom makes desperate plea to Pierre Poilievre  

Vandalized Queen Elizabeth statue reinstalled at Manitoba legislature 

A harsh rebuke from the bench for a Supreme Court on the 'loose'

Notorious child killer Paul Bernardo transferred to medium security institution in Quebec 

How Ontario wound up with a surprise $4.48 I health care funds

How Ottawa could boost the economy with $32 billion  (other than give it to foreign carmakers)  

Trudeau,  Ford to blame for Stellantis shakedown  

Danielle Smith's mission is to revive conservatism in Alberta 

Singh accuses Johnston of being 'tone-deaf' in refusing to step down

Information about Chong was lost in broken systems, intelligence adviser tells MPs 

Only 27% of Canadians believe David Johnson is credible and impartial on foreign interference: poll 

Meta launches tests blocking news for some Canadians on Facebook, Instagram 

Global          

'Burst into flames': Pilot seriously injured, fire sparked after ultralight plane crash in Surrey

Suspect in BC Walmart stabbing found not guilty, drespite being film on body camera 

'At least' 2 hurt in 'chaotic' shooting on Vancouver's Downtown East side

'Genuinely stressed': Gibsons mayor wants BC's help as Sunshine Coast prepares for drought 

Video shows suspect bear-spraying victim after allegedly stealing AirPods on Vancouver street 

1 wildfire in northeast BC has burned nearly twice as much land as entire 2022 season

'Going to make the situation worse': BC mayor pushes back on housing targets 

BC gives $4.5 M to upgrade Vancouver children's hospice

BC extends order to stop old growth logging in Fairy Creek watershed  

Vancouver coastal Health adopts mainstream overdose text alert system for bad drugs 

Vancouver home sales up 15 percent from 2022 for May 

New discount offered by ICBC for drivers, could save up to 15 percent

'Our eyes and ears on the land': Indigenous Guardians soar to 170 programs nation wide

Doctors warn of a summer ER crunch in Canada: " A lot of waiting by patients'

Notorious  killer Paul Bernardo moved to a medium security prison 

'Noah's Law' to be introduced in House of Commons, Senate 

Cabins destroyed in northern Alberta wildfire: I'm terribly sorry  

Housing  affordability in Canada just saw the biggest improvement in almost 4 years 

Trudeau says he 'voiced concerns' on LBTQ2 rights amid Poland PM's visit to Canada 

Inside the Navy's search for war grave robbers in the South China Sea 

Poilievre wishes "happy Pride month' - but tight-lipped on joining celebrations 

Health Canada recalls children's multivitamins over choking risk 

Halifax area residents board buses to view dozens of homes destroyed by wildfires 

Poilievre rallies Conservative support ahead of key vote for PPC's Bernier 

As Forest fires multiply, Quebec north shore city declares state of emergency 

Almost 700 more international firefighters set to join Canada's wildfire fight 

Miscellaneous            

Despite Inquest evidence, on Police use of Force, VPD stands ground 

That didn't take long, Danielle Smiths first new attack on Democracy 

'Everything else from my whole past was all gone'

K'emk'emeláy, the place of many Maple Trees

Smith, Trump and the Paranoid Populist assault on Democracy 

For teens who drink and do drugs, here's how to reduce the harm 

Canada's broken electronic medical records mode 

Chinatown Seniors return to City Hall to protest 105 Keefer 

'I had to break the rules'