Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, January 16-17, 2024

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, January 16-17, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Canada watching for UN court decisions on Israel and genocide, Trudeau says 

Shipment of medicine for hostages held by Hamas arrives in Gaza as Israel-Hamas deal moves ahead

US military launches another barrage of missiles against Houthi sites in Yemen 

MPs visiting the West Bank raise concerns about settler violence targeting Palestinians 

Canada considers adding Houthis to the terrorist list following missile attacks in the Red Sea. 

Immigration department says 144 Gaza's on track to come to Canada after biometric screening  

After days of confusion, Trudeau government says it will abide by ICJ on genocide case against Israel 

US ships, submarines launch renewed round of strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen 

Medicine shipments for hostages, Palestinians arrive in Gaza in deal brokered by France, Qatar 

Signs that betray the values we hold dear 

PM's flip flop on Mideast war shows we're not a serious country 

100 day vigil for Israeli hostages

Israelis and Palestinians condemn duplicitous Trudeau Liberals

Trudeau wants to bring Gaza refugees to Canada 

Poilievre's moral clarity, Trudeau's weasel words 

What the UN court case against Israel means for Canada  

Trudeau won't say how Canada would respond if UN court upholds 'genocide' claims against Israel  

Hamas to take 1m000 boxes of medicine for every one going to hostages: report 

Ukraine/Russia War           

Ukraine takes aim at Canada for year-long delay in delivery of air-defence system 

Soldiers in Ukraine's east take defensive posture against constant Russian assaults 

Blinken 'doesn't see' Ukraine ceasefire in near future

Zelensky calls for unity against Putin in Davos speech 

Globe and Mail

MPs call on Ethics Commissioner to testify amid scrutiny over Trudeau's Jamaica vacation 

After year of record-breaking imports, BC Hydro rolls out new spending plan 

Alberta's oil and as industry spent $1.2 billion on well cleanup in 2022, regulator says 

Premiers pan green-energy plans as cold weather strains Alberta's electricity grid 

Storm brings snow day for some in BC, a brutal blast of winter reality for others

TTC sees rise in number of people seeking shelter in stations during cold snaps 

Western Canada's dry winter heralds worsening drought for 2024

Massive residential tower near Vancouver's downtown goes into receivership 

Judges dismiss Jordan Peterson's request to challenge order he undergo social media training

Ontario moves ahead with expansion of private clinics to address surgical backlogs 

Housing minister warns against resistance to ending exclusionary zoning

We're not in a population trap, we're in an investment desert 

Vancouver's PuSh Festival has a new nickname: The Push Over Festival

Immigration Minister urged to crack down on international student 'no shows' at colleges 

Mayors ask Ottawa for help combatting extortions targeting South Asians across Canada 

Why Canada will continue to be a dumping round of products made with forced labour 

Study permits to students from India drop due to dispute, Marc Miller says

MPs probing misconduct related to federal contracts express concern about contradictory testimony

Retiring MP Carolyn Bennett appointed Canada's new ambassador to Denmark 

Longtime Liberal cabinet minister Carolyn Bennett to become envoy to Denmark 

Trudeau commits $9.1 million for new housing in Saint John, NB

Conservatives, NDP disagree on scope of Trudeau vacation probe ahead of committee debate 

Chretien-era effort to soften UN"s Indigenous language  a 'stain' on Canada, Hajdu says

Rachel Notley stepping down as leader of Alberta NDP, which she led to power in 2015

Americans fans a tough choice in fall election as polarization becomes more profound, says Justin Trudeau

Ottawa clamps down on university research partnerships with China, Iran and Russia 

Liberal cabinet holding retreat next week ahead of Parliament's return

When will Doug Ford rein in Ontarios' foreign-student industry?

Paramount Foods CEO Mohamad Fakih in hot seat after X post  

CBC

Trudeau to sign long-awaited devolution agreement with Nunavut Thursday 

Businesses need to pay CEBA loans or lose free money - because the deadline isn't changing

Housing minister warns against resistance to ending exclusionary zoning 

Notley made Alberta NDP a winner and planted unlikely dream: winning again 

MPs probing PM's Jamaican holiday vote to examine rules on MPs and personal gifts 

Day after Trump win in Iowa, Trudeau says US faces choice between optimism, retreat 

Gasoline prices help drive inflation up to 3.4%

Impatience grows as spare federal buildings stuck in bureaucracy  

Ottawa planning to reduce volume of international students in certain provinces: source 

Federal Dental care program will exclude 4.4M uninsured Canadians: report

Rachel Notley to step down as Alberta NDP leader 

NDP calls for public consultation on plan that could station Canadian border guards on US soil

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Is Ottawa 'scapegoating' international students? Report of possible restrictions draws concern 

Here's what Justin Trudeau thinks about the coming US election 

Olivia Chow's tax hike gambit angered local Liberal MPs. That doesn't make her wrong

'It's easy for Doug, because he's rich': MPPs haven't had raises since 2008 - and some see that as a problem

Ford government's controversial plan for private medical clinches will begin this spring

What is invasive group A strep? Deadly flesh eating infection hits record numbers in Ontario and Canada 

Worried Toronto's proposed budget will send your property tax soaring? Experts break down how you'll be impacted 

Pierre Poilievre is putting a new face on the Conservative Party. Here are some of the people who want to help 

Trudeau appoints former cabinet minister Bennett as Canada's ambassador in Denmark 

Trudeau defends free family vacation as MPs seek ethics probe 

Health Minister chides US officials over cost saving scheme to buy Canadian drugs 

Canada's new research security rules target institutions in China, Iran, Russia 

Toronto Sun

Peterson court decision impacts freedom of expression for all 

Parole board torpedoes trans inmate's female prison gambit

Matlow goes looking for another job while ignoring residents 

Dr. Jordan Peterson loses appeal, vows to continue fight 

Devaluation of Canada: From passports to the military on the international level

Canadians need answers after PM offers conflicting statements about vacation 

Notley departure will end banner days for Alberta NDP 

Trudeau's vacations getting him in trouble yet again 

Trudeau cranks up spending but Canadians are worse off 

Trudeau punishing Canadians for surviving cold winter 

These terrorist entities don't deserve the support of Canadians 

National Post

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau to lead yoga at solar eclipse 'wellness retreat'

From City council raises to the Trudeau trip, politicians know how to protect themselves 

Sabrina Maddeaux: I'mrunning for the Conservatives.because Trudeau abandoned my generation 

Trudeau defends free Jamaica vacation as MPs vote for ethics commissioner to testify 

Jordan Peterson: Bureaucrats will rue the day they tried to shut me up

Jordan Peterson says he's willing to risk licence over social media training after losing court battle 

The Liberal induced housing disaster cannot go on 

Montreal doctor suspended for three months after argument over patient's pronouns 

Ontario to expand number of private clinics offering publicly-funded tests, procedures 

Cost of Canadian Coast Guard patrol ships jumps by $500 million in less than a year, MPs told

Rogers Communications board shakeup as two family members depart amid dispute  

Trudeau Liberals try to distance themselves from Chretien-era effort to weaken UN Indigenous rights declaration 

Former Liberal foreign minister says Canada no longer 'useful' in world affairs : 'We ... lost our bearings'

Canadian researchers seeking federal funds banned from working with Chinese, Russian and Iranian institutions  

A look at Rachel Notley's legacy as Alberta Premier: from a carbon tax to higher minimum wages 

Former Premier Rachel Notley stepping down as leader of Alberta NDP

Trudeau's foreign interference adviser is now a parti time job, no experience required  

Global          

Zoning reforms are key to earning federal housing funds, minister tells critics 

Manitoba premier wants to work with Ottawa on revisiting carbon pricing

Ontario community reverses course, will allow Pride flag to fly 

Committee calls interim ethics watchdog amid Trudeau Jamaica trip scrutiny

NDP MP calls for Competition Bureau investigation into Loblaw discount reduction 

Health Canada says US has assured minister on domestic drug supply

Tension between Toronto and Trudeau government inflamed by 2024 tax hike

Canada needs immigration reform to escape 'population trap; economists say 

Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley stepping down as NDP leader

Snowfall warnings end for much of South Coast, remain in place for Metro Vancouver 

School closures Thursday as snow blankets BC South coast 

BC Premier David Eby announces 10 year $36 billion plan to expand BC Hydro system 

BC's $36 billion heft plan opens clean power economic opportunities, says premier 

Prince George hydrogen project to cut emissions, bring jobs: Eby

Vancouver Airport flights delayed, cancelled as winter storm pummels region 

Surrey mayor, police union, board at odds over budget 'misinformation' 

'Mortified' : BC to close loophole allowing prohibited drivers to get ICBC car insurance  

Ever wanted to ride shotgun in a snowplow? Here's what it's like  

BC paramedics respond to 90 frostbite, hypothermia calls in 12 days 

Ice bomb prevention: Video shows worker manually releasing Alex Fraser Bridge collars 

Canada Post suspends deliver across Metro Vancouver amid extreme weather 

Miscellaneous            

Rachel Notley's Great Gift to Albertans 

Dogs, Snipers and Axes: Inside the RCMP's Action sin Wet'suwete'en Territory 

Rally support Vancouver Compassion Club providing tested drugs 

Alberta's weekend electricity crunch should be a useful warning 

In Downtown Vancouver, the case of the vacant hotel 

Notley is stepping down as NDP Leader 

The world hit record temps in 2023. Canada led the way

The agonizing decision to yank a play in Vancouver