Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, December 7-8, 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 7-8, 2023

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

US criticizes Israel over Gaza civilian toll 

US blocks UN Security Council demand for humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

Journalists' rights group counts 94 media workers killed this year, most of them in Gaza 

Israeli troops round up Palestinian men in northern Gaza as UN warns aid operation 'in tatters' 

'They just don't care': Palestinian-Canadians plead with Ottawa to help them get families out of Gaza

Palestinians mourn Refaat Aareer, poet reportedly killed during airstrike on Gaza 

US vetoes UN resolution backed by many nations demanding immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza

Six Palestinians are killed in the Israeli military's latest West Band raid, health officials say

Anti-semitic rhetoric is relentless 

Now is the time to release Canada's Holocaust related records 

Closing sides in the Israel/Hamas war

'Silence isn't neutral': Emails show debate in Quebec universities on Israel, Hamas 

No truth to the claim that Israel is committing genocide 

Public service union members speak out against $50K Gaza donation

The Druze Minority who fight with steadfast loyalty to Israel 

Can Mansour Abbas bridge the canyon between Israelis and Palestinians? 

To health care workers in Gaza: 'Remember them'

Ukraine/Russia War           

Ukraine says ICC arrest warrant for Putin helped return deported kids 

Putin tells soldiers: I will run for president again 

Putin to seek another presidential term in Russia, extending his rule of over two decades 

EU aims to grant Ukraine aid even if Hungary vetoes it at coming summit 

Hundreds of thousands wounded and dead in Ukraine as war rinds on, intelligence suggests 

Ukraine aid in growing jeopardy as Republicans double down on their demands for border security 

With Putin's election all but assured, Russia's opposition still vows to undermine his image 

Ukraine's human rights envoy calls for a faster way to bring back children deported by Russia

Putin announces plans to seek another term as Russian President 

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will seek another term in office 

White House says it can no loner promise Ukraine more US aid is coming  

Globe and Mail

Trudeau says Liberals not 'axing the tax' amid round-the-clock voting spurred by Conservatives over carbon pricing

Tories forcing delay of government bills, spending as holiday recess nears 

Still bearing scars of recessions past, Windsor is on the verge of a billion dollar revitalization

In Windsor, a chance to think big

Ontario to announce plan to allow beer in corner stores 

US Indigenous group in Canada competes for territorial claims against Canadian Indigenous nations  

National-Security adviser nixes idea of foreign-intelligence agency for Canada 

Alberta Finance Minister says government is 'listening' to public skepticism, pausing pension push

One in nine Canadian adults have had long-term symptoms from COVID infection, Statscan says

For all tis faults, the federal government isn't that bad at managing the economy

As security threats mount, the holes in Canada's defences can no longer be ignored

Ottawa doubles the cash foreign students need to study in Canada 

US urges Canada to co-operate on blocking Chinese imports made with forced labour. 

Cindy Woodhouse becomes new national chief of the Assembly of First Nations 

AFN's new National Chief Cindy Woodhouse vows to hold government accountable 

CBC head Catherine Tait summoned to committee over job cuts, executive bonuses

Canada proposes minimum 20-23% emissions cut from oil and gas sector, industry to pay for additional offsets 

Ottawa urged to create pathway for undocumented migrants to stay as deportations rise 

CBC

MPs pass 25 hour mark of marathon voting

Ontario men arrested on terrorism charges linked to neo-Nazi movement 

Danielle Smith would never accept Ottawa's oil emission rules, no matter how flexible

A federal cap forces a reckoning with oil and gas emissions

Federal government hikes income requirement for foreign students, targets 'puppy mill' schools

Group representing Canadian Muslim donors pulls back from Liberal Party over stance on Gaza 

CBC to look at executive compensation as it faces 10 percent workforce reduction 

CBC head Cathrine Tait summoned to Commons committee over job cuts, executive bonuses 

Surge in newcomers putting pressure on inflation via housing demand: BoC official 

Parliamentary committee studying housing affordability descends into crosstalk chaos

Ottawa getting $40 million refund from former parent company of Quebec COVID vaccine maker 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Justin Trudeau is playing a mobile game. MPs are dozing off. Here's why politicians are enduring a marathon Parliament session 

Why stop at killing the Science Centre? Toronto is no city for old buildings 

Back to the drawing board in Ontario Science Centre move 

Mayor Olivia Chow backs plan to rename Etobicoke stadium after Rob Ford 

Don't like the political weather in Doug Ford's Ontario? Wait five minutes 

This Palestinian-Canadian family has a way out of Gaza but is trapped by red tape 

' I apologize'" Metrolinx CEO still unable to give an opening date for years-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT

What is CSIS' Physical surveillance unit, whee staff allege sex assault, Harassment?

Transcript of statement by CSIS director Vigneault during town hall meeting for staff 

Some facts about Canada's Spy Agency, as director apologizes for rape claim response 

CBC considering 'all possible measures' in wake of concerns over cuts, exec bonuses

Supreme Court overturns NWT decision blocking students' admission to French School

Canada dusts off sanctions law on corrupt officials, joins allies to target 7 abroad 

Trial of 'Freedom Convoy' organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber adjourned until 2024

Pierre Poilievre sure has a strange way of showing respect for Parliament

Toronto Sun

Protecting the vile while hurting the innocent 

CTV has a problem covering the Israel-Hamas war

Trudeau is gearing to run against Trump!

Joe Rogan blasts Trudeau's ***hole communist government

Climate change activism deserves the cold shoulder 

Poilievre promises Trudeau a carbon tax election 

Where Trudeau failed, Poilievre now owns the housing issue

Canada's failing health-care system needs reform 

'Strict' emissions caps put Trudeau first, Alberta last

Poilievre says it's time for Trudeau to go, but will he leave?

Tsunami of critical reports show Canadian health care is on life support 

Study shows how much more Canadians pay for flights due to tax 

National Post

Disinformation is the' threat of a generation' but Canada is struggling to deal with it: National Security Adviser 

Student request to display menorah prompts University of Alberta to remove Christmas trees instead 

3.5 million Canadian adults have had long COVID symptoms: StatCan study 

Conservative MP ejected from House of Commons for calling Trudeau a liar 

MPs knit, Netflix and sign their holiday cards in marathon vote 

The Western politicians suddenly deciding that Hanukkah is 'divisive'

Global Affairs promised to boost language training for diplomats. Then it suspended to key programs

New AFN chief 'absolutely' supports push for carbon tax review by Ontario chiefs 

Conservative MP tells Freeland to watch Poilievre's housing video as parties clash over home prices 

Emissions cap shows the government is 'backing away' from the unpopular cartoon tax

An intentional attack': Alberta reacts to new federal oil and gas emissions cap 

Global          

Leonard  Marchand named chief justice of British Columbia in 'historic appointment' 

CSIS boss sorry for spy agency's response to rape claim

Debate on major health reform cut short after CAQ government invokes closure 

Quebec Premier defends out-of-province tuition hike: 'It's reasonable' 

McGill University applications down a 'catastrophic' 20% after rout of province tuition hike

Quebec labour conflict in 'crucial moment' as 420,000 public sector workers walk off the job

Alberta finance minister say she has not 'flip-flopped' on proposed pension change

Iranians, Russians among 7 sanctioned by Canada over rights violations 

Tories force House of Commons into late-night voting as part of carbon tax fight 

MPs are probing the Green Fergus video controversy, How did we get here?

Canada's oil and gas emissions cap is here. How does it work?

Loblaw, Walmart face heat on what they are doing to stabilize food prices 

Hong Kong activist Agnes Chow says she feels territory's intimidation tactics in Canada 

AFN election: Cindy Woodhouse named new national chief

Vancouver police ratify contract making them highest paid officers in Canada

Time's up for some short-term rentals in BC as new housing rules transform scene 

A year after Saanich bank shootout, police say they need more boots on the ground 

BC housing plans could deliver 293,000 new units over a decade: Premier 

BC Police watchdog investigating death of Saik'uz First Nation woman 

Vancouver's long delayed tiny home village set to welcome residents 

Nearly 40% of surveyed BC teens between 15 and 17 may have depression: SFU

Tens of thousands of BC residents received free contraception in eight months, Eby says 

'Some relief': Mosquito Creek Marina operator says evictions won't happen by end of May 

'Getting hit' BC craft brewers raising alarm about rising costs, closing doors 

Miscellaneous            

Fact checking Poilievre's 'Housing Hell' video

Poof goes the Electric car dream 

Peer support for drug using parents facing child apprehension

Danielle Smith is really mad - again 

Starbucks ups stakes in War of Words with Union 

A new drug testing location opens near Vancouver City Hall 

Seven myths that keep us from ending poverty