Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, November 23-24, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday-Friday, November 23-24, 2023

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Hamas releases 24 hostages as truce with Israel take hold in Gaza 

York University professor among those charged with defacing Indigo store 

Canada's role in responding to Palestinian refugee crisis a potential 'minefield' experts say

An Israeli-Canadian who videotaped the October 7 attack is on a speaking tour

Hamas hostage deal 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps', Trudeau says

286K sign e-petition urging Trudeau to demand immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

Hamas hostage deal is 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps': Trudeau

Israel-Hamas truce offers respite from violence - but Gaza's displaced just want to go home

Hostages, detainees freed under Israel-Hamas agreement include children, seniors 

Relief, Sadness for families of Palestinians freed from Israeli prison in Gaza hostage deal 

Hostages in Gaza, detainees in Israeli jails released as truce between Israel and Hamas holds

Sheltering from war in Gaza 

Tears of Joy, families reunited and a ticking clock: How Day 1 of the Israel-Hamas hostage-prisoner exchange unfolded 

Families of hostages not slated for release from Gaza during current truce face enduring nightmare 

A chill has crept into Ontario's health sector when it comes to criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza 

What just happened? Speculating on the ceasefire moment in Gaza 

Hate crimes in Toronto 'the likes of which we have never seen'

Instead of blocking the Gardiner Expressway, look to open roadways to peace 

Activist accused of attacking cop, Indigo 11 share 'toxic, psychopathic' traits 

Will Hamas adhere to the ceasefire with Israel? 

The meaning of 'from the river to the sea' 

Hospital says most Israeli hostages released on Friday are in good health 

34 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested for disrupting Macy's parade: Police 

Israel's hostage deal is worth the sacrifice 

The despicable silence when it comes to sexual assault of Jewish women 

Majority of Canadians want 'neutral' or no role in Israel-Hamas conflict: Ipsos

Calgarians return from Israel; raise awareness about hostages still held by Hamas

Ukraine/Russia War           

Recent deaths of Canadian volunteer fighters in Ukraine illustrate brutality of new Russian offensive 

Ukraine aims a major drone attack at Crimean as Russia tries to capture a destroyed eastern city 

Three Russians killed in Ukraine after eating poisoned food: Report 

Ukraine launches major drone attack on Crimea as Russia tries to capture eastern city 

Globe and Mail

Ontario's police watchdog reopens crime problem in to RCMP shots mistakenly fired during Nova Scotia mass shooting 

Victims in Rainbow Bridge border crash identified as Kurt P. Willani and Monica Villani from Western New York 

Ontario Liberals cast votes this weekend in leadership race that hopes to recapture interest in party 

Subsidies to rich seniors make no sense 

Pressed on Ukraine trade deal, Pierre Poilievre tells tales 

Trudeau government meanders on financial crime even as FinTRAC cracks the whip on businesses 

Industry Minister wants to 'maximize' number of Canadians working at EV battery plant 

Conservative Senate Leader Don Plett makes tearful apology for yelling at women senators 

Canada, EU agree to new partnerships as Trudeau welcomes European leaders 

Watchdog report on Global Affairs unit named in Michael Spacer's case still unreleased three years after its completion 

New bill seeks to limit new captivity of elephants, apes in Canada

Mayors push for more funding following disappointing government fall economic statement 

Trudeau has sharp words for Conservative policy on Ukraine 

Up to 900 foreign workers to assemble and fit flagship Canadian EV battery plant, company says 

Poilievre sidesteps questions of whether Scheer went too far with 'wanted' poster 

Pierre Poilievre playing to base on Canada-Ukraine free-trade agreement is a compromise on democracy

Canada and Germany offer a cautionary tale of two budgets 

CBC

CSIS warns of Chinese recruitment campaign targeting Canadian government employees 

Poilievre points to media to explain Rainbow Bridge 'terrorist attack' comments 

'Regressive' Carbon capture tax credit open to projects that extract more oil, climate experts say

Trudeau government claims victory in latest trade dispute with US over dairy 

Former soldiers say they fear Iraqi  trainees committed war crimes with allies' weapons

Federal government expanding public consultations on foreign interference 

Conservative Senator from Manitoba apologizes for 'losing my cool' on Senate Floor 

Up to 900 foreign workers coming to Windsor to help build EV battery plant, NextStar says amid backlash

Plan to use 900 foreign workers at Windsor EV battery plant called an 'insult' to Canadian labourers 

Feds want Toronto to do more in exchange for housing cash -  the mayor says she's ready 

'I haven't said I would be resigning' over carbon pricing, Guilbeault tells Senate 

'Significant delays' will impact completion of RCMP C-IRG probe, review agency says

Right wing MAGA politics caused Conservatives to turn backs on Ukraine, Trudeau claims 

Federal government expanding public consultancies  on foreign interference 

Aid group says Ottawa still hampering work in Afghanistan, despite legislation 

Pressure mounting on Liberals to block HSBC-RBC merger 

Extending CEBA forgiveness deadline another year would cost Ottawa $907M: PBO

The new Canadian Mortgage Charter explained 

Ortis was 'on the cusp' of passing state secrets to foreign entity at time of arrest, Crown alleged

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Freed China detainee Michael Kovrig breaks silence, says allegations linked to Michael Spavor are 'baffling' and 'hurtful' 

Pierre Poilievre claims Justin Trudeau's Liberals are imposing a carbon tax on Ukraine. Here's what's really happening 

Ottawa to deliver on Mayor Olivia Chow's please for housing funding, if city meets new conditions 

Why the stakes are so high for Ontario Liberals this weekend

The city tried to clear a Kensington Market encampment on Friday - but one person remained 

Some Ontario cottage owners fear Ottawa's new short-term rental crackdown may force them to sell 

TDSB says it's working on a 'distinct strategy' to combat anti-semitism in schools 

RCMP delaying investigation into unit that polices BC resource protests: watchdog 

Clarity an essential feature of a foreign influence registry: consultation summary 

Justin Trudeau accuses Tories of turning their backs on Ukraine's needs, announces more aid

Liberals, Tories argue over carbon pricing in update to Ukraine trade agreement 

Liberals accuse Poilievre of 'riling' up Canadians in border crash comments 

Canada's high court to rule if bankruptcy wipes out court-ordered fines in BC case 

Blair insists budget cuts won't affect military members, despite readiness concerns 

Conservative senator from Manitoba apologizes for 'losing my cool' on Senate Floor 

Ontario giving police services $18M to fight auto theft 

Ontario Liberal members begin voting for new leader this weekend 

Send Doug Ford a message and give Bonnie Crombie a first-ballot win, her campaign team tells Liberals 

Here's what's in the tentative deal between the Ford government and Ontario's elementary school teachers

Toronto Sun

Victims in Niagara Falls border bridge crash identified as American couple 

Kensington Market encampment partially cleared over safety concerns 

Ontario pledges $18 million to combat 'pressing' auto theft problem 

Have yourselves a bureaucratic Christmas 

Budget update proves Trudeau isn't serious about federal finances 

Time for Toronto to get fair deal is now 

Moving from crisis to action - time to bring affordable housing home 

Trudeau government shows complete disregard for small businesses 

Is Canada broken? Spoiler alert: Poilievre and Freeland disagree

Hard to see how EV plant investment will supercharge economy  

Health care isn't free and it's broken

National Post

Scope of foreign influence registry must be well defined, consultation summary says 

Africans are being slaughtered, but with no Jews to blame, the left shrugs 

Victims in vehicle explosion  at Canada-US border identified 

Senate defers vote on bill to exempt farm heating from carbon tax until next week

Trudeau criticizes Conservatives on Canada-Ukraine trade deal in front of European leaders 

Federal commission declares Christmas holiday is 'religious intolerance' 

Trudeau attempts leadership, with middling results at best  

AI divides humanity into two camps - domes vs accelerationists 

Liberals and Conservatives clash over future of Canadian-Ukraine Trade deal

Poilievre accuses Liberals of using trade deal to push 'carbon tax ideology' on wart-torn Ukraine 

Canadian judges increasingly make 'governmental decisions': Supreme Court Justice 

Quebec suspends some Bill 23 governance rules on English School Boards 

Single department spent $160K at Liberal cabinet's 'affordability retreat'

Global          

Michael Kovrig denies his Chinese detention ws due to alleged 'espionage'

An Ontario town struggled for years with illegal trucking. Did the fight just turn deadly?

Police identify couple involved in Rainbow Bride explosion  

Multiple fruit recalls in Canada due to salmonella risk. What's happening?

Foreign workers at subsidized EV battery plant a 'slap in the face': Union 

Carbon pricing mention in updated Ukraine trade deal sparks political spat 

First Nation shares frustration over water incident at Kearl oilsands mine in northern Alberta 

'Far worse than you can imagine': How Iran's regime has 'spread its tentacles' in Canada 

Ottawa expands foreign interference consultations, says registry support broad  

Indigenous voices advocate for more equality in Canadian broadcasting

'He has always been the first premier of Manitoba': Riel to be recognized by new legislation 

Quebec premier aware people 'are angry with him' as backlash grows against him

Climate disasters will be pard to defend update as strains grow, minister says 

Trudeau hosting EU leaders for two-day summit. What's on the agenda 

EU Canada summit: Israel-Hamas conflict, climate change high on the agenda 

Trudeau says Canada joining EU research program, makes water bomber deal

New VPD contract could affect pay in other police forces 

BC lays out roadmap for million job openings forecast in next decade 

Draft policy could be a game-changer for BC old growth protection, conservationist says 

BC minister's 'big and shiny' memo ends up in Opposition's hands

BC woman pens letter to Adrian Dix after receiving 'live-saving' cancer treatment in US

Vancouver Council to debate plan to improve, replace SRO stock

Union of BC Municipalities asks provincial government to pull homeless bill 

First phase of TransLink's mega expansion plan approved by mayor's council  

Miscellaneous            

The 10 chilling laws of Pandemics

How Vancouver's Little Mountain Could be a model for affordable housing  

Climate Crisis? What Climate Crisis?

BC Updates its Opioid Use Disorder Treatment guidelines  

Pandemic report, or Conservative Campaign propaganda?

Vancouver's Pay Boost for Unionized Staff increases budget pressures 

BC Greens Call for more accountability for Child Welfare services