Ottawa Observation: Thursday-Friday, October 19-20, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Thursday-Friday, October 19-20, 2023

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Delays continue to Gaza's promised aid as food, water, medicine supplies dwindle to critical levels 

Canadians in Lebanon encouraged to leave, but for many, it's unfeasible

Israel-Hamas war puts Arab leaders on edge as domestic anger grows and region unravels  

Rift in Liberal Party grows as nearly two dozen MPs call for ceasefire, PM acknowledges divisions 

York University may withdraw recognition of student unions over statements about Hamas attack

Israel aims to end its responsibility for Gaza Strip, minister says 

Occupation made the two-state solution impossible. So what comes next?

Trudeau grapples with divided Liberal caucus as he navigates Israel-Hamas war 

There will be a cost to eliminating Hamas 

We are in a crisis of knowledge - and it couldn't have happened at a worse time

Hamas's attack has opened up another front in the growing war against Liberal democracy

The Israel-Hamas war represents the Michael Bay-ification of geopolitics 

What businesses can learn fro how universities dealt with Israel-Hamas war

More than 30 MPs - including 23 Liberals - call for ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war

'We're ready to go in' says Israeli Canadian reservist preparing for Gaza offensive

Trudeau not ready to accept US finding that Palestinian militants' rocket was behind Gaza Hospital blast 

Ontario Universities minister called on to apologize for calling profs antisemitic 

Why Sarah Jama's libel notice to Doug Ford amid Israel-Palestinian uproar is an act of courage 

Middle East war presents the challenge of sorting fact from fiction 

Justin Trudeau has a Middle East program

Canada scrambles to help trapped citizens in Gaza as Liberal MPs tell Justin Trudeau to bak ceasefire calls 

Justin Trudeau under pressure over response to Israel-Hamas war 

Canadian military preparing for possible evacuation from Lebanon 

Heckling Torontonians heading into Jewish Community Centre crosses a line

Unlike our allies, Trudeau reluctant to accept Israel did not bomb Gaza Hospital

Canadian evacuation flights from Israel  scale back as tensions grow along Lebanese border

Israel says it doesn't plan long-term control of Gaza after war with Hamas

Nobel peace laureates demand Hamas release child hostages, call it a 'war crime' 

Trudeau admits Liberal caucus divide over Israel-Hamas war. Says differences are 'source of strength' 

All the lies Hamas has told the world in war against Israel 

Hamas releases two American hostages to refute 'fascist' Biden administration

Post terror attack rallies demolish hope for a two state solution

As a spooked Europe cracks down on pro-Hamas rallies, Canada ... doesn't 

Trudeau Liberals leave world questioning whose side Canada is on  - the terrorists or their victims?

Canadians need to realize Hamas just wants to kill all Jews

Israel says 2 American held hostage by Hamas the been released 

Inside the 'civilian war room' where Israeli volunteers hunt for the prisoners of Hamas

Canada preparing for military evacuations from Lebanon as clashes with Israel grow 

Ukraine/Russia War           

 

Now is not the time to abandon aid to Kyiv, Ukrainian officials say

US commitment to Ukraine a central question as Biden meets with EU leaders 

Ukrainian and Russian leaders assess their resources as war heads into winter 

Israel and Ukraine? Americans should remember it's the same war on two fronts 

Will Russia try to exploit Middle East volatility? What could come next 

Globe and Mail

World 'should be worried' about India's threat to strip Canadian diplomats of immunity, Trudeau says

In today's incredibly destabilized world, Canada is increasingly a bystander  

Federal government denies teenage surfing prodigy's bid for Canadian citizenship 

Manitoba NDP replaces most of Crown corporation board in first act of busines 

Alberta should stick with Canada Pension Plan, Poilievre says 

Getting to the core of Pierre Poilievres's biting BC interview 

Jim Dinning says he was surprised by report saying Alberta is entitled to $334 billion of Canada Pension Plan assets 

Why is the federal government picking on banks?

Pierre Poilievre urges Chrystia Freeland to reject proposed RBC takeover of HSBC Canada  

Majority of Canadian diplomats leave India after ultimatum from New Delhi 

100 days in, mayor Olivia Chow advances agenda despite looming challenges at Toronto city hall

Even as Israel-Hamas war escalates, the global economy will be fine 

New high frequency rail CEO says project could include direct link between Toronto and Montreal

The Liberals win points on housing policy, but it might not change the politics 

Plans to fix federal systems delivery payments such as OAS, CPP and EI are over budget, behind schedule, Audittor-General warns 

CBC

MPs block Conservative attempts to probe CBC coverage of Hamas attacks 

Former House Speaker Anthony Rota makes first public comments after resignation 

The Speaker tried to make a speech about decorum - did anyone hear it?

Conservatives call return of Canadian woman with ISIS ties 'unacceptable'

Company that arranges military moves has been hacked, defence department confirms 

India making life 'unbelievably  difficult' for millions by order diplomats out, says Trudeau

Government confirms 41 diplomats have left India as diplomatic tensions remain high 

Poilievre steps into Alberta's pension dispute with Ottawa, says province should stay in CPP

Pension becomes another Alberta-Ontario fight.  But this time, Trudeau's on offence

A fight over pharmacare threatens to fracture the Liberal-NDP alliance. Can it survive?

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Justin Trudeau says India contravened international law - and every country should be 'worried'

Bonnie Crombie  'clearly spooks Doug Ford' should be next Liberal leader, current and former MPPs say

Cardiology clinic becomes first in Saskatchewan to opt out of public health care

Bonnie Crombie uses strong mayor powers to push fourplexes for Mississauga

Pension systems world wide are 'under pressure as never before.' Here's where Canada ranks 

Lost police messages slow "Freedom Convoy'  organizer's trial 

NDP MPP Sarah Jama accuses Doug Ford of libelling her and demands an apology

Battered by the Greenbelt scandal, Doug Ford can think the NDP for changing the channel

Toronto Sun

Polling says Trudeau should leave now so why won't he?

Toronto teacher convicted of luring teen student spared jail time.  

Canada's Foreign Affairs lacking in strong leadership 

Unparliamentary? Oh Fuddle Duddle

Poilievre will destroy Trudeau if PM stays 

COVID caused thousands of Ontario students to drop off the grid - we need to get them back on track  

Toronto is in dire need of a dose of common sense 

Feds set bad precedent with shipbuilding handout 

Dubious government investments stunting our standard of living 

Ontario's NDP in disarray over anti-Semitism, Stiles flailing 

Auditor General says outdated IT puts Canadians benefits at risk

National Post

PSAC thought it negotiated a great remote work deal with the government. But then little changed 

Saskatchewan legislature passes controversial pronoun bill in special sitting

Australian spy chief says he has 'no reason to dispute' Canada's claim India linked to Sikh Canadian's murder

When harm-reduction meets medical assistance in dying

Quebec denies English eligibility certificates if students apply after his school

'I encourage Albertans to stay in the CPP': Poilievre speaks on Alberta pension plan proposal

Global          

Trudeau wants cities to change zoning rules. Why does that matter?

Poilievre urges feds to block RBC's $13.5B takeover of HSBC over competition concerns  

As diplomats leave India, Canada halts in-person services at its consulates 

Canadians want urgent climate action, but most not willing to pay more tax: poll 

As diplomats leave India, Canada halts in-person services at its consulates 

'Freedom Convoy' trial: Ottawa police liaison to continue testifying 

Ottawa launches BC Port Strike review seeking 'stability' for future

What role is archeology playing in the slow pace to rebuild Lytton?

Mayor breathes second life into rejected Port Coquitlam daycare

Surrey makes pitch to get Metro Vancouver's first Bus Rapid Transit line 

Vancouver Council approves wine sales in grocery stores that meet requirements 

BC Premier sends Trudeau letter asking for CEBA repayment extension. 

Countdown begins with 1 year to next BC provincial election 

Port Moody council 'grills' developer over proposed tower with fast food drive-thru

Dignified focus needed for BC toxic drug crisis, doctors says 

Miscellaneous            

BC's new Political map: The Right Starkly split 

BC Untied, Greens call for Children's Minister to resign after damning audit 

Why the Canadian Citizenship Test Offers a troubling road map for newcomers.  

Making it easier to talk about drinking too much

Pharmacare's Big moment is here. The deciding factor is political will 

'Fire Weather' Author John Valiant : What I told Parliament 

The cost of falling behind: Inside BC's lack of Speech Pathologists

Here's a quick way the BC Government can reduce poverty