Ottawa Observations: December 23-29, 2023

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for December 23-29, 2023

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

South Africa files genocide case against Israel at World Court 

Thousands of Palestinians flee to Southern Gaza town as Israel expands its offensive 

The Houthis are doomed to fail - but in another sense, they've already won

The UN can play a big role in what comes next in Gaza - and Sanaa is well placed to help

Israel hits Syrian air defence base in southern Syria, say intel sources 

Israel-Hamas war roils campuses, workplaces as online campaigns target ideological opponents 

Israeli tanks, missiles strike Gaza in offensive against Hamas

Pro-Palestinian protesters block airport access roads in New York, Los Angeles 

'I couldn't bring myself to do it': Palestinian-Canadian Christians struggle to find joy during Christmas 

Palestinians stream into southern Gaza town as Israel expands its offensive in the centre 

Last Canadian missing after Hamas attack, Judih Weinstein Haggai, declared dead

The Biden administration once more bypasses Congress on an emergency weapons sale to Israel

To bear witness in Hamas attack aftermath is to understand what true evil is

Liberals cutting off millions of Canadians this Christmas 

Justin Trudeau is 2023's biggest loser 

Poilievre has one position on Israel unlike Trudeau 

No right to protest on private property 

Hamas's October 7 attack wasn't only an antisemitic slaughter, it was  mass femicide

Ukraine/Russia War           

Dozens of civilians killed as Russia launches what Ukraine calls biggest aerial barrage of the war 

Poland says Russian rocket likely to have entered its airspace

The armchair generals saying Ukraine should give up some territory are wrong 

US announces new weapons package for Ukraine, as funds dwindle and Congress is stalled on aid bill 

Manitoba family waits for return of son's body from Ukraine's front lines 

Russia launches 'most massive aerial attack' on Ukraine since invasion began

Ukraine digs in as the West stumbles to keep up with Russian war production

Ukraine attacks Russian warship in Crimea 

Escape to uncertainty 

Why Ukraine can't beat Russia's 'elastic defence' About that

Russia launches the biggest aerial barrage of the war and kills 30 civilians, Ukraine says 

Russia launches 'massive' aerial attack on Ukraine, killing at least 20

Globe and Mail

Democratic leaders seem to have lost their ability to quit - and that includes Biden and Trudeau 

Loblaw, George Weston enter automatic share buyback plans 

Politicians need to remember that this is a suburban, car commuting nation 

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh rules out coalition government with Liberals after next election 

Cities need (a lot less) planning

Canada's Navy doesn't just have a recruitment crisis. It also has a retention problem 

Ottawa agrees climate adaptation saves money, but experts ask: where's the funding?

New payday loan rules will save borrowers $256.8 million but could increase use of loan sharks: Finance Department 

Forget inflation. Justin Trudeau's real sins in 2023 involved elections and ethics 

Pierre Poilievre made a splash in 2023. In 2024, he needs to show Canadians how he would govern 

CSIS asking for authority to disclose foreign-interference threats to universities, provinces and cities 

Greg Fergus reflects on his first months as Speaker, and cooling a fractious Parliament 

Canada urged to consider lifetime ban on cigarette sales to anyone born after 2008 

UN investigator stands by claim that low-wage foreign worker program is like modern slavery 

When Poilievre met Murphy, and the Liberals lost their minds

RCMP expected to make arrests soon in Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's slaying

Michael Kovrig hopes Ottawa settlement will cover lost income, could donate some to charity 

Ottawa ready to pay financial settlements to the two Michaels over their ordeal in Chinese prisons 

Despite a rough 2023, Liberal MPs say spirits are high ahead of election 

Could the progressive cote shift from the federals Liberals to the NDP?

CBC

Heritage Minister says she's like CBC's mandate updated to include strong online presence, fill info gaps 

Is Canada ready to expand medical assistance in dying? Liberals will face that choice with that choice with deadline closing in

Could some policy wins lift the NDP's political fortunes?

Meet Oscar, the Canadian-built, AI-driven recycling system helping government go green

Feds push back release date of foreign interference inquiry report 

Despite a difficult 2023, Trudeau says he's not ready to walk away

Governor General Mary Simon announces 78 new appointments to Order of Canada

Toronto/Vancouver Star

'Mean and nasty - and personal': Here's how MPs took insults to a new low in 2023

Marit Stiles: Five solutions to make life affordable in Ontario

Why Quebecers are waiting three times longer than other Canadians to unite with their overseas spouses

Clocked-out trade talks will curdle supply of British Cheese on Canadian shelves 

Governor General Mary Simon asks Canadians to commit to kindness in year-end message 

St-Onge wants CBC role redefined before next election, possible change of government 

Federal Liberals will announce 'renewed' housing plan in 2024, minister says

Ottawa agrees climate adaptation saves money, but experts ask: where's the funding?

NDP's Jagmeet Singh rules out coalition government with Liberals after next election 

George Stroumbuoulopoulos, NYT journalist, dairy CEO among 78 named to Order of Canada

Due date for first report by foreign interference inquiry extended to May 

Canada to offer humanitarian visas to those fleeing Sudan if relatives pay costs 

Minister to overrule Ontario Energy Board, says decision will raise cost of new homes 

Toronto Sun

Was full history of Henry Dundas's push to end slavery kept from city council?

New Year Hopes: Just do better

Drivers will pay more to use Highway 407 in Ontario starting in February

City focusing attention on growing tent city at Clarence Square Park

St-Onge wants CBC role redefined before next election, possible change of government 

Trudeau can't deny Poilievre's housing plan

Trudeau planning to hike taxes again in the new year

Poll shows Canadians conflicted on what 2024 will bring

Smartphones hurting student learning in the classroom

Jagmeet Singh rules out future coalition while standing by Trudeau 

Who are the political winners and losers of 2023?

Activist docs want social justice to replace medical expertise  

Poilievre says Canada faces a debt bomb in new video 

Commissioner in foreign interference inquiry playing politics 

Why I'll still be wishing for a 2024 federal election 

Trudeau reveals fatal flaw in year-end interview

Trudeau's exit would benefit all, except for one person

Canadians give Trudeau a lump of coal for Christmas 

Guilbeault serves up horse manure for Christmas 

Liberals driving EV's down the disinformation highway 

The chronic delay in emissions reporting  

Time to heed urgent defence warnings  

PM ignored warnings about foreign interference 

Impartiality concerns at interference inquiry 

National Post

Canadian couple says they were 'abandoned' at the airport after asthma attack on flight 

Here's what Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square should be renamed 

In 25 years, up to half of Canadians may identify as racialized or visible minority, report finds 

The surprising similarities - and the key difference - between the Conservative and Liberal housing plans 

Heritage Minister wants CBC's role redefined before next election, possible change of government  

Iranian National with alleged terrorism ties deported from US to Canada 

British Cheese in Canada about to get harder to find, more expensive as trade deal runs out 

New BC Laws against public drug use blocked by judge warning they would cause 'irreparable harm' 

First residents move into Vancouver's 'tiny shelter' pilot project 

2023 was a roller coaster for Danielle Smith, and 2024 is likely to be the same 

He's never, ever resigning: Takeaways from all of Trudeau's year-end interviews 

Doug Ford emerges from 2023 house poor but still popular 

Justin Trudeau's naive EV plan hands the keys to China 

Once Canada's most popular premier, Quebec's Francois Legault trails in polls

Federal Liberals to announce 'renewed' housing plan, minister says 

Liberals extend due date for first foreign interference inquiry report to May 

Jagmeet Singh rules out coalition government with Liberals after next election 

Poilievre's Conservatives are using the 'selfie' video to remake the Canadian political conversation 

After 150 years, is it time to say goodbye to the Mounties as we know them?

'This is the new standard': Poilievre's latest mini-documentary could set off an online arms race 

Long ballot activists planning to make short work of Toronto by-election  

The suddenly famous mushroom farmer in the middle of the Poilievre vs Trudeau carbon-tax fracas 

Guilbeault wants to ban gas-powered car sales by 2035. Is that even possible?

It cancels out every Liberal housing promise and then some: Canada's biggest immigration surge in 70 years 

Canada should do more to protect ship and international trade in Red Sea, retired colonel says 

Global          

Canadians could see changes in banking next year. What to expect 

Canadians can expect to see 'full' housing plan in 2024: minister 

Quebec premier's bad year: Polls suggest Francoise Legault's support is nosediving 

Teachers' indefinite strike over in Quebec after tentative deal reached  

Canada's Governor General urges unity, kindness in end of year address 

Canada's first-ever climate adaptation strategy lacks funding expert say

Exiting MPs share their views on the state of politics 'Toxic atmosphere'

Governor General announces Order of Canada appointees. Who made the list?

BC Premier hints at affordability measures for support in 2024

RCMP arrest 2, release vehicle photos in extortion racket targeting BC businesses 

BC Supreme Court blocks public drug use ban

Dentist  sued for performing 4 root canals, 8 crowns, 20 fillings in one day

BC responds to 27 per cent growth for Metro Vancouver social housing queue 

Food delivery worker stabbed while intervening in BC robbery says he'd do it again

Man shot dead by Winnipeg police was person of interest in death of missing BC trucker 

BC issues warning after 2 children die of flu-related illness 

Calls for even stiffer fines, infrastructure upgrades after latest BC overpass strike

2 arrested after gunfire breaks out in Surrey's Guildford neighbourhood

Miscellaneous            

An Alberta New Year's wish for a working public health system 

Who's going to win and lose in the seabed mining race?

David Eby on Progress made, and work still ahead 

Kevin Falcon says BC United isn't doomed. Here's why?

How Airbnb hosts flex political clout

Canada must recognize anti-homeless violence as a hate crime 

Canada's sea lice limits don't measure up

Midnight at the Furby Call Centre

Northern MP bets his turkey dinner on passenger rail