Ottawa Observations: January 1-3, 2024

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for January 1-3, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Attack on Hamas leader in Lebanon, bombing in Iran heighten fears of Gaza war spilling beyond its borders

Hezbollah, Israel appear to signal no desire for spread of Gaza War 

Ottawa to accept 1,000 applications from Canadian's relatives seeking way out of Gaza 

After the Gaza war, conditions could be right for a broader Israel-Arab peace deal

The International Court of Justice is the right place for a ceasefire decision 

Canada, Allies warn Houthi rebels to stop attacks on shipping vessels in Red Sea 

Israel's allies warn against displacing Palestinians in Gaza to places like Canada  

US helicopters kill several Houthi rebels after latest Red Sea Shipping attack 

Senior Hamas official killed by blast in Lebanon, militant group says 

Why assassinating this Hamas leader might have been a gamble Israel was willing to make 

Lawsuit clams Brampton company 'refused to provide services to Jews' after buses to Ottawa rally failed to show

Firebombing of Jewish-owned North York deli likely fuelled by hate 

Complaining about protesters blocking roads not a two way street 

If it's not about Jews, stop targeting them 

Tik Tok, Universities steeped in Anti-Semitism 

'Pro-Palestinian' blockades are now just actively targeting Jewish neighbourhoods

US intelligence confirms Shifa Hospital was Hamas command centre 

Jewish owned grocery store in Toronto hit by suspected antisemitic arson attack

Israeli hostage killed during attempted rescue in Gaza 

Jews aren't 'weaponizing' antisemitism - they're often Israel's most vocal critics 

Israel on high alert after senior Hamas leader killed in Lebanon blast 

Ukraine/Russia War           

As a missile hits a Kyiv apartment building, survivors lose a lifetime's possession in seconds 

US Speaker Johnson demands hard-line policies during border visit as Ukraine aid hangs in the balance

Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners of war in deal brokered by UAE

NATO to help buy 1,000 Patriot missiles to defend allies as Russia ramps up air assault on Ukraine  

Neglecting Ukraine means losing the new Cold War 

Ukraine's greatest vulnerability is the fate of its allies

Globe and Mail

Staffing shortages, stress led to 40 per cent of low-wage Ontario hospital workers to consider quitting: Poll

PMO clarifies Trudeau and family stayed 'at no cost' during vacation in Jamaica

Air Canada flight diverted to Winnipeg after teen assaulted family member, says RCMP

Prolonged drought keeps BC Village in state of emergency 

Trans Mountain pipeline plans line fill for March or May pending regulatory decision 

The Moe government's open defiance of the law brings us closer to the brink 

Canada must face the facts: China is now closed for business 

Danielle Smith can pick a fight. But can she build a bridge?

Trudeau's climate plan faces setback in Saskatchewan over carbon tax

Canada's future prosperity, even independence hinges on the 2024 US presidential election 

Ottawa's hiring spree is not the problem   

Ottawa and the provinces need to address a growing child care gap

New Canadian laws and rules coming in 2024, and how they'll affect you 

CBC

Politicians' oath of allegiance to King Charles could be history if Liberal MP gets his way

The Environmental costs of EV batteries that politicians don't tend to talk about

Singh calls for solidarity, respect as hate crimes targeting Jewish, Muslim communities spike

Stigma of criminal record 'is massive' say advocates who want to reform pardon process 

Federal government launches consultations on a national plastics registry 

New year, new tax measure - what to expect in 2024

Trudeau goes into 2024 in dire need of a better story to tell

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives have been 'very good' at demonizing the carbon levy, environment minister admits 

A Toronto developer wants to bring American-style built-to-rent single-family homes to Ontario - could they work here?

Ontario has an accessibility criss. It's time Queen park acted with urgency 

Hospital staff overworked, support from province needed, Ontario union says

With belaboured bill recognizing Métis self-government in limbo, here's what to know 

Bonnie Crombie  smashes fundraising target as Liberals collect $1.2 million

Business group urges Ottawa to start charm offensive on trade ahead of US election 

Amid push for foreign registry, many say other measures needed to right interference 

Detector Dogs could help sniff out more fentanyl, firearms at border, review suggests

Toronto Sun

Chrystia Freeland reportedly spends thousands on limos, taxis in GTA

Guilbeault's plastics ban produces more garbage 

Trudeau Liberals still giving China more than $7.59 million in aid: Report 

Micro managing leading to mistrust of federal government 

Carbon taxes going up and so are emissions 

Are ordinary Canadians losing faith in federal institutions   

Ontario NDP plans to spend ignore fiscal realities

Trudeau wants us to allow him to radically change Canada

Loblaw's gaffe and apology  

Trudeau fights to get Trump on the ballot in Canada

National Post

Immigration and housing - the elephants in Canada's crisis room

School District must pay $5,000 to student with anxiety, BC rights tribunal rules 

Here's how much more Canadians will be paying in federal income tax hikes 

AI-generated videos a growing threat to elections, Canadian head of cybersecurity warns 

Alberta UCP dodges promised tax breaks but allows bigger gifts for politicians 

Why do EV and e-bike batteries keep catching on fire?

Air Canada diverted after teen assaulted family member mid-flight: RCMP

Contentious federal bill recognizing Metis self government faces uncertain future

City of Toronto apologizes for typos on new cycle path signs "Lake Shore Trial'

Bill 34 suspension shows the slippery slope of BC harm reduction

More than 20% of RCMP hard body armour units used in firearms calls are expired 

Canada seen as 'unserious player on the international stage' says Chamber of Commerce CEO

Liberals to 'double down' on climate policies (and other predictions for 2024)

 

Global          

Canada is 'improving' on earthquake preparedness but more can still be done 

Internal government polls capture desire for balanced budget, housing spending 

Saskatchewan carbon price halt shouldn't affect rebates, minister says  

Foreign agent registry not a 'magic potion' for interference, experts say

MLA outraged by 'gift of magic mushrooms, coca leaf from BC drug activist 

Court ruling on public drug use rankles BC Police Chiefs 

Man sentenced to 5 years for pair of gruesome, random Vancouver stabbings 

Scam phone calls down but spam calls on the rise in BC, poll finds 

Job action could disrupt some Metro Vancouver bus service as early as Saturday 

First look at the Vancouver Police Department's new body cameras 

RCMP officers breached rights of BC man accused of killing his wife , court finds 

'A relic': Critics call for changes to BC's Homeowner grant

BC Hydro fined $710K for workplace safety violations at Site C dam

BC school District fined for failing to address student's anxiety  

'Deficiencies': BC truckers group calls for safety review on overpass strikes 

Vancouver region closes 2023 with higher home sales, average price of over $1.1 million 

New information spurs investigation into Vancouver police's actions in 2022 death 

Should cell phones be banned in BC schools?

Vancouver moving to bi-weekly green bin pickup until March

BC Government slapped with $710K penalty over 'unsafe' wildfire work

New Westminster city councillors question mayor's trip to COP28 summit in Dubai

 

Miscellaneous            

Advocates win injunction blocking BC's Drug Decriminalization rollbacks

Arctic temperatures have broken records. What to know 

Telus and the politics of privatized health care

A teacher exodus at Britannia Secondary leaves Students on Edge 

Albertans: Brace yourselves for more UCP attacks 2024 

A Day In the Life: A conspiracy theory researcher 

Don't blame carbon pricing for affordability challenges