Ottawa Observations: Tuesday/Wednesday, January 30 -31, 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 30-31, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Canada sends $40-million for Palestinians in Gaza, as Liberal MP decries UNRWA freeze

Canada warned to cut off military exports to Israel or face legal challenge 

Trudeau says Ottawa 'actively working' to find missing Palestinian-Canadian in Gaza 

It may be too late to save UNRWA now

How the UN's aid agency for Palestinians works - and why it's under fire now

Mother of missing Canadian-Palestinian says government keeping her in the dark 

After pausing  funding to UNRWA, Canada will send another $40M in aid for Gaza 

In the absence of an official Israeli postwar plan, settlers push their goal of  a Jewish Gaza 

UN Secretary General urges countries to reconsider UNRWA funding withdrawal  

Israeli troops in disguise conduct deadly raid at West Bank hospital 

Investigate UNWRA -  but for sake of Gazans, don't defund it 

Best for world if Netanyahu leaves office 'sooner rather than later': Liberal MP

Israel and Lebanon are prepping for a war neither wants, but many fear it's becoming inevitable 

Canada must review NGO support in light of UNRWA accusations 

For peace in the Middle East, UNRWA should be dismantled 

ICJ's ruling is not a win for Palestinians in Gaza 

There is no possibility for a two-sate solution at this point 

Trudeau chased by 'free Palestine protestors on foot as security jumps into action

UNWRA exists only to pash the delusion that Israel is a temporary state 

Ukraine/Russia War           

Ukraine's victory is a bulwark for Canada and NATO against future Russian aggression 

EU heads urge more Ukraine support as ministers debate how to fill  war-torn nation's ammunition gap 

Rumours that  Ukraine's top commander may be dismissed expose rifts in Ukraine top brass 

Putin vows to make military gains in Ukraine as he meets with his campaign staff 

For the fourth time in a month, Russia just bombed itself 

Globe and Mail

Alberta Transgender law to require parental consent for name changes at school, restrict access to medical treatments 

Uyghur  Canadians pull out of public inquiry into foreign interference

Conservatives formally request foreign interference inquiry examine Iranian activities in Canada 

Internal Hockey Canada report now under spotlight in Ottawa after players charged with sexual assault 

Jury, coroner make recommendations in Saskatchewan mass killing inquest 

Seniors aged 72 to 76 added to federal government's new dental program 

BC to apologize for historical treatment of Doukhobor sect 

Ottawa announces $360 million more in funding to house asylum seekers 

Conservatives more than doubled Liberal fundraising in 2023, which they say is a record 

CBC boss Catherine Tait declines to rule out executive bonuses, despite job cuts

Liberals acknowledge there's 'work to do' in catching up to Conservatives on fundraising

Manulife, Loblaw need to 'get the message' on competition following deal, Champagne says

Global Affairs hit by cyberattack, shuts down computer systems to fix 

Prime Minister's free vacation acceptable as it was gifted by 'a true friend' ethics watchdog says 

Federal Court criticizes CSIS over judicial warrants, failure to keep court informed 

Champagne says he's working phones to court new players for Canadian grocery market 

Majority of provinces, territories ask for indefinite pause to MAID for individuals with mental illness

Personal support workers are the undervalue heart of the long-term care system

All Parliament wants to talk about is each other 

CBC

Bloc Québécois leader sends US Secretary of State letter defending French-language laws

Uyghur group withdraws from foreign interference inquiry, says victims won't be protected 

Conservative Party reports record-breaking fundraising haul in 2023 

CBC CEO grilled by MPs over management  'bonuses' with layoffs looming   

Ottawa says it never told CBC to cut 3.3 percent of its budget, as executives claimed 

Two. post-secondary organizations express 'significant concern' over international student cap

Canada's 2022 fertility rate lowest on record, Stats Can reports

Federal  government pledges more money to help with refugee housing crisis 

As Europe's armies brace for war, allies call on Canada and others to catch up 

Manulife-Loblaw deal raises questions over ties between insurance companies, bu drug retailers

Ford not willing to raise port-secondary tuition in Ontario despite schools reporting.financial struggles 

Drowning of RCM cadets unrelated to their military service, report finds  

Authorities investigating massive security breach at Global Affairs Canada

Federal Court calls out CSIS over how it handles warrants 

National security sector tends to put secrecy first,  foreign interference probe hears

An alleged group sexual assault involving hockey payers may be going to court. Here's what might happen next

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Under pressure from Toronto and Quebec, Trudeau government announces $262.4 million in new refugee supports 

Mayor Chow lowers budget tax hike to 9.5 per cent 

One in five Toronto-area tenant households fell behind on rent in 2023 - a significant rise over previous years

How scammers tricked a northern Ontario city into wiring $1.5 million to a Toronto bank account

City budget spinning from police could be a big problem 

Who hacked into Global Affairs Canada? Here's what we know and don't know  

A rare total solar eclipse will be seen from parts of Ontario this spring. Here's how to watch

Canada's dental benefit is expanding. Here's what you need to know

Ottawa to pour $100 million into Telefilm Canada over two years

Conservatives get more than $35M in donations during Poilievre's first year as leader

Doug Ford, Justin Trudeau governments announces $1212M in federal funding to fight auto theft, gun crimes

Time to revisit ethics rules around gifts, Tory MP says after Trudeau Jamaica trip 

Farmers anxious as carbon [rice carve out bill faces uncertain future 

Ontario seeks municipal daycare audits, raising cost-cutting concerns   

Ontario expands program to train long-term care staff 

Doug Ford does not want to raise post-secondary tuition in Ontario

Despite pressure from universities, Doug Ford says it's 'not the time' for a tuition increase 

Ford government wants to refurbish Pickering nuclear reactors -  cut can't say how much it will cost 

For Scarborough residents, the TTC is the Forgotten way 

Toronto Sun

Trudeau offers some money but no solutions on asylum seekers

Rejoice!? Toronto Mayor Chow to trim skyrocketing tax hike to 9.5%

CBC CEO shows lack of leadership, refuses to answer on bonuses 

Mayor must restore police funding to protect public safety 

Random syringe attack shows Toronto now a dangerous city

Carbon tax won't save the Liberals 

Chow's budget means some renters are more equal than others 

Canadian taxpayers getting soaked by FIFA

Trudeau Liberals are out of ideas  

Pickering nuclear plant refurbishment will help meet energy demands 

Trudeau's real problem is policy, not communications 

Trudeau Liberal's polices causing Canadian economy to lag 

National Post

Ontario to receive $121M federal funding boost to curb auto thefts, gan violence 

Toronto School Board votes to cancel classes on day of solar eclipse 

Immigration Minister announces $264.2 million for refugee housing 

Conservatives raise more than $35M during Pierre Poilievre's first year as leader 

Alberta's new transgender rules: From restricted treatments to pronouns and parental rights 

'Embarrassing': MPs react to Catherine Tait's refusal to rule out bonuses amid CBC job cuts 

Black only swim times, Black only lounges: The rise of race segregation on Canadian universities

Liberal MP Anthony Housefeather reappointed parliamentary secretary after losing post for criticizing languages bill

Canadians to pay  even more for groceries as industry wide price freeze ends 

Conservatives need a plan to take back the Senate from Trudeau Liberals 

Public fury sends the bag bylaw packing - but Gondek stays on wrong side 

Nobody 'can buy a Quebec minister for a $100 donation' CAQ insists 

Why latest delay could be 'death' of assisted suicide for mental illnesses

Greg Fergus to stay on as Speaker as MPs reject Conservative attempt to send issue back to committee

Canada's 'global reputation' is at stake: Universities, colleges ask for pause to international student cap

CBC head Catherine Tait tells MPs it's not her decision if she gets a 'bonus or not' amid planned layoffs  

Global 

China tried to influence last two federal elections, says report released by CSIS

Alberta proposes parental consent for name changes in schools, age limits n gender affirmation care 

'Largest in prairie history': $50 million in meth seized at Manitoba border crossing 

Canada's dental-care plan to take claims soon, but dentists still waiting on details

Canada's banking regulator lays out final guidelines on protecting against foreign interference 

Alberta government to begin water-sharing negotiations amid risk of sever drought 

CBC head says team doesn't get 'so-called bonuses' but 'incentive pay'

20 BC Ferries vessels scheduled for refit this year, says engineering vice-president 

BC United starts media blitz as poll shows official Opposition party in 3rd place

BC lawyer who used fake, AI-generated cases faces law society probe, possible costs 

Prompt call to fire supply company could have prevented deadly Vancouver SRO fire, inquest hears 

Snow woes: Warm, wet weather forces Wednesday closure of Metro Vancouver ski hills

BC rent affordability an increasing problem as Canaan's national vacancy rate declines

Traffic is combing on some Metro Vancouver bridges. Others, not so much

Miscellaneous            

Retiring Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe on Staring Death in the Face 

Please advise! Is Canada as Grim as Poilievre says?

The Housing Tax Loopholes BC Failed to close 

Uber Anger: New law hasn't satisfied some BC Gig workers 

Pen, Paper and Promise in a Vancouver Recovery Centre 

Advocates call for Police to drop charges against Indigenous reporter 

Visualizing the toxic drug crisis's deadliest year yet 

Another failure for Freedom of Information in BC

Not all fossil fuels are created equal 

Video shows how rapidly the deadly Winters Hotel fire spread