Ottawa Observation: Thursday-Friday, December 21-22, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday-Friday, December 21-22, 2023

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

UN urges more Gaza aid, UN chief says Israel creating distribution 'obstacles' 

Man believed taken hostage with Canadian wife by Hamas declared dead by kibbutz

Grieving and often overlooked, Palestinian Christians prepare for a somber Christmas amid war 

Can the generational rifts over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ever by mended

Toronto police warn people participating in upcoming demonstrations to follow the law 

Ottawa launches temporary vissa program for Palestinians in Gaza with ties to Canadians 

Israel-Hamas war's staggering toll reaches grim milestone of 20,000 dead

Gaza war 'most dangerous ever' for journalists, rights group says 

Canadian trapped in Gaza pleas for help as Ottawa announces new immigration measures 

Trudeau says allies 'increasingly concerned' about Israel's tactics eroding its international support

UN approves watered-down resolution on aid deliveries to Gaza

'Chilling effect': People expressing pro-Palestinian views censured, suspended from work and school

"It's like sending aid into a prison': Canadian humanitarian workers frustrated by roadblocks in Gaza 

Hamas thank-you the latest shame for Trudeau Government since October 7

Sun apologizes for cartoon 

We could use some wise men right now 

People taking part in upcoming protests warned by Toronto Police to follow the law

UN approves resolution on aid to Gaza, but without call for 'suspension of hostilities'

The Liberal response to Hamas thanking them couldn't be more offensive

CBC blames teleprompter error for 'Israel started the Hamas war' statement 

Trudeau and Biden turn their backs on Israel

A cursory history of evil regimes praising Canada 

In September,  Israel's future looked bright, That's the world it must strive for 

Liberals do damage control after 'thank-you' message from Hamas terror leader 

UN approves Gaza aid resolution that removes call for 'urgent' ceasefire 

Ukraine/Russia War           

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers find hope to ease pain after parliament legalizes medical cannabis 

In Ukraine, Christmas lights defy darkness of war amid prayers for peace and victory

Globe and Mail

Commissioner rejects Conservatives' appeal for full standing at foreign interference inquiry 

Did China and India meddle in the Conservative leadership race?

Immigration Minister says he will 'rein in' number of temporary foreign workers 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heading to Jamaica for post-Christmas vacation

BC Premier pledges reform after 'profoundly offensive' remarks in trial

Trudeau's Liberals broke Canada's immigration system. Here's how they can fix it

Canada's Global Security Reporting Program needs an overhaul, not mere tinkering

Liberals risk aiding Trump-style politics with temporary-resident failures

Federal government posts $15.1 billion deficit between April and October this year

CBC

Federal Court cuts legal bill in half for class actions relating to First Nations child welfare

Like British Cheddar? Enjoy it while you can still find it

Head of RCMP's advisory board resigns, citing frustrations with federal government  

Trudeau says he's concerned about what a Trump win would mean for climate action 

Judge rejects appeals by Conservatives, human rights groups on foreign interference probe 

HSBC sale to RBC 'a sad day for Canadian mortgage consumers' expert says

Ottawa will prevent AI tools from discriminating against potential hires, Anand says 

Trudeau family to jet to Jamaica for post-Christmas sun vacation 

Prairie First Nations call on Ottawa to rewrite clean water bill 

Toronto to get $471M in federal cash as part of new housing deal

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Brampton home of ex-Liberal MP Raj Grewal was site of recent shooting

How Police got DNA evidence for two cold-case sex-assault murders from a suspect in a remote northern town 

Receive and ye shall ask: Toronto got a half-a-billion dollar gift from the feds, but wants - and needs - more

Is Pierre Polievre a moderate?

We listened to 10 of Pierre Poilievre's year-end interviews. Here's what we learned about him (including how to pronounce his name)

Bosnian man accused of being a war criminal wins 15 year battle to keep Canadian citizenship 

She fought off online attacks as the face of Canada's COVID-19 response. Now, Theresa Tam reveals just what kind of toll that took on her

Why Doug Ford's gingerbread house-making Christmas video I drawing swift reactions online 

New agreement ratified for almost 26,00 workers at Loblaw owned stores in Ontario 

Two more people charged after off-duty officer stabbed outside an east-end store earlier this month 

Canada's aid cut, geopolitical stances challenge 'pragmatic' pivot to Global South

Freeeland approves RBC's $13.5 billion takeover of HSBC Canada with conditions 

Justin Trudeau criticizes Toronto Sun newspaper over 'antisemitic content' 

'Dedication to serving Canadians' PM pays tribute to former MP John Godfrey

PC attack ads show 'lack of civility,' new Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie says

Toronto Sun

Police warn those hoping to 'shut down' Christmas can't do it on private property

Newly unsealed DNA warrant details hunt for cold case killer 

Two more suspects nabbed in off-duty cop's stabbing

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heading to Jamaica for post-Christmas vacation

Trudeau government to spend nearly $10M to support unemployed youth in Iraq

Carbon tax a fraction of total carbon costs

Canada needs better leadership, not new hate laws 

National Post

Man called the top Mafia boss in Toronto is allowed to stay in Canada, IRB decides 

Federal government posts $15.1 billion deficit - $7 billion of which was in October 

'Lost Canadians' beat Ottawa in court over Charter violations that never should have happened

Conrad Black's ambitious History of the World brings a proudly western perspective  

'Dedication to serving Canadians: John Godfrey, former Financial Post editor and MP, dies

'Do you think I could walk away?" Justin Trudeau laughs off suggestions he'll take a 'walk in the snow' 

Global          

On military readiness, 'everyone is in big trouble' after Ukraine aid: Trudeau

Justin Trudeau, Sophie taking family vacation in Jamaica over holidays 

Canada's economy is still struggling to grow, fresh GDP data shows 

Air Canada fined by federal agency for failing to assist disabled passenger 

Canada inks landmark bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan 

Quebec tuition hike: Concordia joins McGill by offering new award for out-of-province students 

Are Canada's water bombers fit to fight climate change fuelled wildfires?

The never-ending strikes in Quebec and the impact it's having 

BC planning changes to honour 12 year old extortion victim: Eby 

Family slams Flair Airlines over eight-day flight delay that threatened Christmas 

Richmond RCMP probes gunfire at 2 restaurants 

Assault trial of 3 Vancouver police officers hears closing arguments 

Burnaby to form panel to tackle surging civic project costs 

Some Hazel Trembath parents frustrated by student commute to temporary school

Social housing waitlist grows 27 per cent in Metro Vancouver 

BC Ferries in 'great shape' for holidays with 152 extra sailings planned; CEO

Smooth sailing at YVR on airport's busiest travel day of the year 

Miscellaneous            

December at the Women's Shelter 

Atira overhauls Board, Acknowledges oversight failures

Dump all your carbon emissions in Alberta, pitches Smith 

Lobbyists, Telus and BC Health care 

How 2023 became the year of Unions 

Sonia Furstenau on BC's Poetical landscape - and Menopause 

Rachel Notley: 'They were comfortable lying'

The Not so sweet sugar warm then and now