Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, August. 17 & 18, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday-Friday, August. 17 & 18, 2023

Ukraine/Russia War           

Russia's economy proved resilient last year. Now the pain is setting in - the collapsing ruble says so

Ukraine will get F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and Netherlands after the US allows transfers 

Drone attack damaged building in Moscow centre 

Russian firm escalates dispute with Canada over seized cargo plane

US estimates nearly 500,000 soldiers wounded, killed in Ukraine war: NYT report 

Globe and Mail

BC declares state of emergency as thousands flee Kelowna; flights continue out of Yellowknife 

Dozens remain in Yellowknife hospital as evacuation stretches past deadline 

Thousands in BC told to evacuate as West Kelowna blaze flares 

Residents in Northwest Territories deprived of information during emergency as Meta blocks news links

How airlines are handling the evacuation of Yellowknife amid NWT fire

A wait and see approach won't cut it for today's intense wildfires 

Green party's Elizabeth May says top secret foreign interference briefing lacked key documents 

Canada needs a foreign-agent registry (still)

Former NDP MP Romeo Saganash faces charge of sexual assault 

Pierre Poilievre and colleagues sniff out a scandal that doesn't exist - and they know it 

Anita Ananda's move to Treasury speaks volumes about Justin Trudeau's priorities 

Anita Anand's tough task to accomplish little 

Canadian minister urged to quit Chinese government advisory board chaired by senior member of Politburo 

Federal government could spur rental construction with tax incentives, financing: experts 

Canada mulling 'game plan' if US takes far-right, authoritarian shift, Joly says

Distinguished Tory Hugh Segal's enriched Canadian political life

CBC

BC declares state of emergency as homes near West Kelowna destroyed by fast moving Wildfire 

'It was 100 years' worth of firefighting in one night': West Kelowna chief on wildfire 

Okanagan wildfire evacuees wait to learn if they have homes to return to after harrowing night 

Feds say no one will be left behind in wildfire zone as military evacuation flights begin 

95% of Yellowknife has now been evacuated due to NWT wildfires 

Government prepared to order military airlift out of Yellowknife, defence minister says

Supreme Court will hear airline's challenge of federal passenger protection rules 

NDP MP, Beijing critics call on Ottawa to launch foreign agent registry quickly

Quebec, Ottawa investing $644M for construction of new Ford EV plant in Bécanour

Elizabeth May frustrated by lack of detail in top secret documents on foreign interference 

Bloc leader Blanchet visits New Brunswick, insists his party doesn't plan to expand beyond Quebec  

Toronto/Vancouver Star

BC declares wildfire emergency amid desperate  battle to save West Kelowna

The battle to save Yellowknife: As evacuees empty 'ghost town' authorities brace for fire's wrath 

Toronto's new mayor has tough days ahead to fix the city's budget crisis. She needs Ottawa and the province to step up

Privately, some Liberal MPs say they're frustrated with Justin Trudeau's government: "Do I want to keep taking the beating I'm taking?"

Liberal leadership hopefuls say, if elected premier, they'd help Toronto lift itself out of financial ruin

Ottawa 'shouldn't walk around with a stick' to enforce health deals: Holland

Doug Ford should be investigated for other controversial decisions that may affect environment,  advocates say

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau posts on social media for first time since separation announcement  

TVO, union talks continue past Friday's strike deadline 

Insiders say Doug Ford saved staffer blamed in Greenbelt scandal - despite advice to let him go

Why it's time for Canada to rethink exporting water to the US

As the forests burn and oceans warm Canada is running out of options 

Toronto Sun

BC declares wildfire emergency amid desperate battle to save West Kelowna 

Vaughn, Brampton, Toronto rudest cities in GTA, survey finds

Addictions specialist calls on Ford to clean house at SRCHC

Here's a better game plan -- don't meddle in foreign votes 

History says to honour Dundas, not remove him

China does what it wants on climate change

China looks to greenwash image using Canada and Guilbeault 

Government needs a lesson on dealing with teacher unions 

Real-time data on how wind turbines aren't helping 

Joly says Canada is planning for Trump. What about Biden?

Toronto's plan for more taxes should get failing grade 

Fires raging Yellowknife residents issued emergency evacuation order 

Health care reform can shorten waiting lists and prevent deaths 

Is this Liberal cabinet minister a Beiing bestie?

National Post

'Exponentially worse than expected: BC declares province-wide state of emergency as crews battle to save Kelowna homes from wildfire 

BC town has yet to finish rebuilding from 2021 wildfire. Now it is facing another one

Wildfire evacuation turns Yellowknife into a 'ghost town' as last of residents get out 

Government calls on Meta to reverse 'reckless' news blocking as wildfires force evacuations 

Melanie Joly pushes conspiracy theories about Pierre Poilievre 

Searching for Trudeaunomics: After three years at finance, Chrystia Freeland's second act is still unclear

Pierre Poilievre says new immigrants are warning people off Canada - but are they?

Government response to Emergency act report expected 'in the coming days'

Danielle Smith gears up for her next bi fight - with Ottawa 

Guilbeault hand waves Chinese interference while coating up to Beijing

The surprising truth about Ford's plan to develop a minuscule portion of the Greenbelt 

Canada has 'game plan' if US takes far-right, authoritarian shift, Joly says

Farmers  struggling to find foreign workers blame Canada's baffling immigration bureaucracy 

Excavation after 14 anomalies detected at former residential school site found no evidence of graves: Manitoba chief

Global          

BC declares state of emergency amid 'worst wildfire season in our province's history'

Wildfires spread in BC, NWT forcing evacuations and sending smoke east

Wildfire threatening West Kelowna expands to 10,500 hectares 

Canada monitoring new COVID variant BA.2.86 found in at least 4 countries 

Ozempic may soon be hard to find in Canada as supplier cites shortage 

Green leader says foreign interference review did not include key materials  

China is keeping group tour restrictions on Canada. What will the impact be?

Elections Canada plans app so blind, visually impaired voters can OK ballot

International students are struggling. Can Ottawa's review of the program help?

Montreal, Pierrefonds mayors approve $62 million aquatic complex

Miscellaneous            

Climate collapse is happening now. What the Heat tells us

Why Burnaby decided to develop its own housing

Climate Change is driving us apart. That's Dangerous

Tenants to get good - or bad - News on Rents next month  

Danielle Smith rips off the mask

The Truth about rising crime. And a solution