Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, August 31.September 1, 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 31-September 1, 2023

BC, NWT Wildfires

Yellowknife says residents may return as early as September 6 after wildfire evacuations 

Two key fires under control in Okanagan but winds pose challenge to north 

Yellowknife re-entry plan to have residents returning on September 6

Shuswap wildfire and evacuee blowback fans BC political flames 

Protect yourself from the Health threat posed by Wildfire smoke

Ukraine/Russia War           

Russia reports more drone attacks as satellite photos indicate earlier barrage destroyed two aircraft  

US to send controversial depleted-uranium munitions to Ukraine

Ukrainian children go back to school in the midst of war

Musk's new Twitter policies helped spread Russian propaganda, EU says 

Globe and Mail

Canada Revenue Agency fires 120 employees following review of inappropriate CERB payments

Auditor-General Bonnie Lysyk ends 10 year term with Greenbelt report: "It happened in a wrong way"

Meta says Ottawa's C-18 regulations aren't enough to stop it blocking access to news

Ontario Housing Minster Steve Clark apologizes for lack of oversight in Greenbelt process, but refuses to resign

Canada's economy unexpectedly contracts in second quarter, setting up next weeks BoC rate decision

Almost half of Canadians living paycheque to paycheque as Conservative support grows: poll

A 'scramble for India'

India envoy to Canada says Ottawa has asked 'to take a pause' in trade talks

On Queue

BC researchers studied how homeless people spent a $7,500 handout. Here's what they found

Canadians work almost as much as Americans, but produce far less. Why?

This is why you don't have a family doctor 

A walk through Vancouver's two worlds 

Sea of ghosts 

Ottawa still deciding which Emergencies Act inquiry recommendations to accept 

Former CRTC Chair appointed as new interim federal ethics commissioner  

Saskatchewan, New Brunswick naming changes means 'life or death' for trans students, minister says 

Ottawa to revise how it counts non-permanent residents after economists warn of undercounting 

Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives still don't have a viable climate plan 

CBC

120 employees no longer work with CRA after inappropriately claiming CERB, agency says

Battle over 25 Sussex's future heats up with a new plan to save run-down residence

Feds handout 4.3 million hound over Phoenix pay system woes 

Feds still considering whether 'imperfect'  Emergencies Act needs an upgrade  

New fences, gate controls among International border upgrades since 'Freedom Convoy'

Opposition parties warn new natural health product regulations could drive up costs 

Canada broadens pushback on 'unfair, unjust' US softwood lumber duties 

US politicians want to hear from MP Michal Chong on threats from China 

Soldier praised for heroism in Afghanistan dies

Ford stands by Ontario housing minister as opponents call for firing over Greenbelt land swap

Canadian delegation to Syria calls on Ottawa to offer full 

Federal government names interim ethics commissioner after months-long wait

Pierre Trudeau spy unit reflects secrecy of Ottawa toward Quebec sovereignty 

Online News Act could see Google, Meta pay combined $234 million to Canadian media

RCMP federal policing recruits could soon skip Regina training depot, frontline policing 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Steve Clark hired lawyers who defended Liberal staffer in gas plants scandal

Who is Mr. X? After scathing ethics probe raises questionable conduct of unnamed Greenbelt consultant, a picture emerges

How lobbying 'loopholes' allowed developers' Greenbelt meetings to be kept off books

As Artscape enters receivership, Ottawa's housing minister says feds need to protect existing affordable homes

Why is Doug Ford ducking accountability on his Greenbelt debacle?

Thoughts on Labour Day weekend, as democracy dwindles 

Teacher at centre of Halton dress code controversy moves to Hamilton school

'Leave our kids alone'? How Conservatives are twisting the conversation over trans children

If watchdogs want safeguards on sports gambling sites they should have thought of that earlier 

Economists see Bank of Canada holding on rates after surprise GDP contraction 

Toronto Sun

Trans teacher shows ups new Hamilton School without massive prosthetic breast 

Gas tax hikes show Trudeau doesn't care about affordability  

The million dollar mysterious Mr. X has turned Ontario politics into a spy novel

Trudeau takes fringe position on gender, schools and parents

New COVID variant no cause for parental panic, says doctor, but kids need flu shot

BC prison announces $287K seizure of contraband, from cellphones to steroids 

Report finds pandemic fuelled an explosion in public sector jobs

Toronto or Feds need to force Rogers to open up TTC service 

Thomson's extraordinary art on receiving end of extraordinary idiocy

Double standards on climate change

Navigating through the back to school daze

National Post

Almost half of Canadians say workers' right to strike outweighs economic hit: report

Taxpayers are funding criminality at 'healthy centre' drug injection sites

What happens when you give 50 homeless people $7,500 each? A Canadian study found out

UBC covers for bad science in homeless cash transfer study

Antisemitic Egyptian Sheik was to be hosted by Ottawa funded Muslim group 

Ottawa puts price on what it wants Meta and Google to share with Canadian news publishers  

CRA Fires dozens more employees for applying for CERB while working for tax authority 

'I'm not sure what the reason is': India envoy to Canada says Ottawa has asked to 'pause' trade talks 

Global          

'Life or death': LGBTQ2 people warn on dangers of school pronoun policy changes

120 employees 'no longer wit CRA' after review of CERB claims 

UBC study: What happens when you give homeless people $7,500?

Could rate hikes be 'over and done'? What economists say as economy stalls 

James Smith Cree Nation survivors stil struggle with trauma, addiction 1 year after tragedy  

Who is Kenneth Law? What we know as police worldwide investigate Canadian man

COVID booster messaging 'truly confusing' What the latest guidance says 

Canada calls for 'pause' on trade treaty talks with India in surprise move 

2nd Afghan Canadian sues feds, claiming fleeing Ukrainians treated better

DFO raises alarm about 'rampant illegal fishing' in protected BC Waters 

Vancouver Island communities call for compensation after highway 4 shutdown

BC pledges development charge reform as housing crisis persists 

Meta to continue blocking Canadian news despite new C-18 regulations 

Ottawa launches new softwood lumber dispute challenges, urges US to negotiate 

Ottawa's full plan for Emergencies Act inquiry recommendations to come in 2024

Ottawa names interim ethics commissioner after 6 month vacancy 

Miscellaneous            

Did BC need to end letter grades on Report cards?

Australia's Big Vote to honour Indigenous voices

Affordable housing has become unaffordable to build 

Pregnant and Trapped in a burning apartment building 

With new meds for ALS, a better quality of life

A case of bad apples, or a rotten orchard? 

Canada needs a youth climate corps and more

On the front lines of BC's drought