Ottawa Observations: Saturday-Monday, August 19-21, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Saturday-Monday, August. 19 & 21, 2023

BC, NWT Wildfires

Smoke aids BC Fire fighter as more than 55 buildings damaged in Kelowna area

Trudeau accuses Facebook of prioritizing profits by blocking news access during wildfire

Wildfires' mounting damage will cloud the economic view for months 

What to know about home insurance if you've been displaced by wildfires in BC, Northwest Territories  

Wildfires reveal social media as the new problem child for government communications 

Trudeau denounces Meta's news block as fires force evacuations

BC restricts travel in southern Interior as wildfires force 30,000 out of homes

NWT says no financial aid for evacuees who organized own travel, accommodations 

Yellowknife 'still under a threat' despite rains in area, mayor says

Crews in southern NWT gear up for challenging conditions that could fuel wildfires

Yellowknife catches a bark a weather helps hold back wildfire 

Almost 60 buildings lost to wildfire in Kelowna, area, firs chiefs say

BC's Premier urges Meta to allow news sharing in BC amid wildfire crisis 

Trudeau slams Facebook for removal of news during wildfire season

'Big problem' Thieves still stealing gear from wildfire crews in BC's Shuswap 

50 structures confirmed lost to West Kelowna fire so far; 5 in Kelowna

Wildfires in BC, NWT causing 'apocalyptic devastation' Trudeau says 

North Shuswap controlled burn saved 'hundreds' of homes, BC Wildfire Service maintains

'Mr. Zuckerberg, open up access': BC Premier calls out Meta news ban amid wildfires 

How does wildfire misinformation affect communities in NWT and BC?

Yellowknife and Kelowna Fires are previews of our grim future

 

Ukraine/Russia War           

Zelensky visits Copenhagen, saying Ukraine will prevail over Russian invasion 

Two injured in Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow region; nearly 50 flights disrupted  

Ukrainians torn by evacuation calls as Russian shells fall in northeast 

Netherlands, Denmark commit to giving F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine 

Russian missile attack leaves 7 dead, over 100 injured in Chernihiv, Ukrainian officials say

Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said to be recruiting Wagner 'strongmen' for Africa

F-16 supply to Ukraine will escalate conflict, Russian official says

Globe and Mail

Federal government should look at cap on student visas, housing Minister Sean Fraser says 

Ontario to provide $1.2 billion in incentives, expand strong mayor powers to achieve housing targets 

Is six more years for Justin Trudeau really the Liberal plan?

Letting go of China's money - the price Canada must pay for its principles

Supply management is a disaster, and the terrible Bill C-282 will make it worse 

The West's embrace of economic populism is destined to end badly

Former Mount targeted BC real estate tycoon for China, RCMP allege

Justin Trudeau thanks Canadians for their support in wake of separation announcement

Canada keeps troops in Niger as the West hedges its bets on coup response

Trudeau accuses of stalling on public inquiry into foreign interference 

CBC

 Ottawa considering a cap on international students to ease housing pressure, says Fraser  

Can the Trudeau government revive its old 'middle class' message?

Hundreds of appointed positions vacant after 8 years of Trudeau's government

As Meta news block takes its toll, local media not unified on path forward 

Canadian media trained audiences to use Facebook. With Meta blocking news, what's next 

Ottawa needs to turbo charge construction innovation to get homes built faster: experts 

Lawyers ask Supreme Court to hear case of 4 Canadian men being held in northeastern Syria  

A recruitment 'crisis' threatens the RCMP's future - the new boss has plans to turn it around 

Veterans, advocates want to see change at Veterans Affairs under new minister amid ongoing backlogs 

Federal underfunding of Indigenous housing leads to years-long wait-lists, frustration 

Justin Trudeau thanks Canadians for respecting family's privacy after split with wife

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Amid sagging support, Justin Trudeau makes Canadians' housing woes a priority 

We need a 'war effort' approach to solving the housing crisis - from all levels of government 

Amid Greenbelt controversy, Doug Ford unveils $1.2B fund to encourage municipalities to build more homes 

TVO producers, content creators hit the picket lines in first strike at public broadcaster  

TMU offers students at its troubled Egypt campus free tuition to study in Toronto

West Edmonton Mall on lockdown as police receive reports of shooting

Ontario's Catholic teachers to hold strike vote in October 

Elections watchdog fines ex-PMO staffer for voting in wrong riding in 2021 election 

Is Pierre Poilievre a pit  bull or a golden retriever? We asked Canadians what they think of the Conservative leader - and he's what they said

Toronto Sun

Broadcasting advocate calls for Facebook, Instagram boycott this week 

Poilievre points out Trudeau's housing affordability failure 

Military officer AWOL from Ukraine mission returns to Canada 

McKenna blames Conservative 'arsonists' for many wildfires 

Union representing Ontario English Catholic teachers to hold strike vote

Yonge Street, Wellesley, Churchill and more on city renaming list

Canada must fight China tooth and nail for auto sector 

Opposing the Liberals isn't climate denial

A fair compromise on trans athletes

Canada sucker-punched by Biden's IRA

National Post

Doctor sues Queen's University for allegedly pushing him out of job over his COVID opinions 

Warship construction will accelerate because of $463M given to Irving, government says, but can't back up its claim

Doug Ford announces expansion of strong mayor powers to 9 Ontario communities

Trudeau says foreign interference inquiry coming, but details still being worked out 

Three seriously injured in West Edmonton Mall shooting, police end lockdown

Canadians being urged to stop posting on Facebook, Instagram by advocacy groups 

Rogers wants option to launch TTC service before deals struck with other carriers

Net-zero may be the most ill-conceived national project Canada has eve pursued

The Trudeau Liberals are risking political suicide by denying Canada's crime crisis 

"Have you considered MAiD? isn't a question hospitals should ask 

Liberal cabinet hopes to restore confidence in government at three day retreat 

Global          

Trudeau says affordability crisis is top priority at PEI cabinet retreat 

Omicron infection didn't protect some seniors from getting COVID-19 again: study 

Housing crisis to take centre stage at Liberal retreat with new cabinet 

Quebec Health minister to table 150 amendments to health-care reform bill

Montreal's REM Train network not as accessible as promised, advocates say

James Smith Cree Nation thanks first responders in lead-up to stabbings anniversary

Miscellaneous            

They'll always be 'Everyone's someone' to me

BC shuts down its fair wage watchdog 

The Singapore solution to BC's Housing emergency