Ottawa Observations: Thursday-Friday, February 1-2, 2024

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday-Friday, February 1-2, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Gaza's fear they will have nowhere to flee as Israeli forces shell outskirts of last refuge 

Canada may impose sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers in West Bank, Foreign Minister Joly says during Ukraine visit 

One state is the only solution 

BC Minister sorry for 'crappy piece of land' remark that angered pro-Palestinian groups 

Trudeau mulls sanctioning Israeli settlers, says he's 'seized' with case of missing Canadian 

Palestinian Authority ready to work with an Israeli government that backs two-state solution: PM Shtayyeh

Houthis shoring up power in Yemen with Red Sea strikes in support of Gaza 

Suspending financial aid to UN agency punishes Palestinians 

Did Trudeau actually stop funding to terrorism linked UNRWA?

BC NDP minister apologizes for calling pre-1949 Palestine 'crappy piece of land with nothing on it'

University instructor fights back after being suspended for daring to denounce Hamas 

Canada had already sent  UNRWA $48M when pause announced, GAC confirms 

BC minister Soory for 'crappy piece of land remark than angered pro-Palestinian groups 

Gaza protesters blockade truck access to Port of Vancouver 

The RCMP sent its pipeline protest unit to pro-palestinian rallies 

Ukraine/Russia War           

Conservatives urge Ottawa to send aging rockets to Ukraine 

Ukraine suspends senior defence official amid corruption probe 

Conservatives cll on Canada to donate rockets to Ukraine - but no all are battle ready 

Joly announces child repatriation initiative during surprise visit to Ukraine

Melanie Joly in Kyiv to launch global push to get Russia to return Ukrainian children

Ukraine asked for 83,000 surplus rockets, Trudeau remains silent

Trudeau accuses Conservatives of bowing to 'Pro Russian narrative' as fight over Ukraine deal returns 

Globe and Mail

Groups plead for transparency at public inquiry on foreign interference 

Safety Minister stresses need to balance transparency, security on foreign meddling 

Nova Scotia watchdog calls for overhaul of province's FOI Laws 

Medical experts warn Danielle Smith's restrictions on gender affirming care will harm vulnerable youth in Alberta 

Danielle Smith has waded far deeper than expected into the social issues realm 

Judge sets aside ruling that granted US trans woman's refugee status in Canada 

Canada's huge bet on the EV battery industry demands a jolt of reality 

CBC president Catherine Tait had her own Harvard moment

No, for sure, I believe Justin Trudeau is the right leader for the Liberals 

New National Security council has only met four times as critics accuse Ottawa of not taking threats seriously 

New declassified details from report on Nazi war criminal released by Ottawa  

Trudeau says Poilievre needs to explain adviser Jenni Byrne's links to grocery sector 

Ottawa should boost grocery competition at home, not seek outsider, experts say

Conservatives tell MPs not to comment on Alberta transgender policies, prioritize parental rights, internal e-mail shows

It's too late for universities and colleges to complain about the foreign student cap 

Ottawa proposes delaying MAID expansion for patients with mental illness until 2027

Suspension not necessary for accused NHL P.ayers, says are Bettman

Hockey Canada team suspension expected to stay I place for now, pending appeal of sexual assault investigation 

The 'invaluable crisis manager' leading the NHL's probe of the 2018 Canadian world Junior hockey scandal 

NHL's investigation into sexual assault allegations complete, but won't be revealed while case before courts, Bettman says

The NHL would like us to believe hockey culture is just fine 

CBC

Trudeau calls out Poilievre after top Conservative adviser is tied to Loblaw lobbying 

Military was warned some Cyclone helicopter blades are defective, could rip apart in flight 

Supreme Court rules Premier Doug Ford's mandate letters to be kept secret 

Participants tell foreign interference inquiry to keep Canadians in the loop 

Pierre Trudeau opposed stripping accused Nazi War Criminal of citizenship, government document says 

Planned rollout of dental care will miss deadline in Liberals deal with the NDP

Carbon capture tax credit could cost taxpayers $1B more than expected, PBO warns 

Task Force rejects calls for special employment status for Jewish, Muslim public servants 

High interest rates aren't to blame for housing crisis, Bank of Canada governor says 

Canada a high priority target for Chinese interference, CSIS doc tells Hogue inquiry  

Canada's Greener Homes program is ending. Thousands of layoffs could follow

NHL commissioner says it's not necessary to suspend NHL Player charged with sexual assault 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Justin Trudeau slams Pierre Poilievre for link to Loblaws lobbying

Supreme Court rules Doug Ford's mandate letters for cabinet ministers can be kept secret 

Ottawa finally comes through with refugee funding for Toronto 

Jagmeet Singh on his new baby's name and why he regrets biking with Doug Ford ... 

There's one thing Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre agree on - and it isn't good 

Senior Iranian official ordered to be deported under recent Canadian sanctions 

Greenbelt developer accused of duping business partner into selling land set to explode in value 

Catherine Tait says CBC needs new financial model, not new mandate 

Politics trumpeted legal advice in decision not to revoke citizenship of Nazi in 1960's

Turning Rideau Cottage into prime minister's permanent home comes with costs: docs 

Analysts propose more Canadian ties to Southeast Asia amid chill with India, China 

Canada is a 'high priority' target for China, foreign interference documents reveal 

Ford government expands primary care teams in effort to fix doctor shortage  

'Poilievre is worse than Harper': Justin Trudeau's Liberals are Cleary bugged by the Conservative leader 

'Pierre is going to win': PC insiders privately fear more MPPs will abandon Doug Ford for Team Poilievre 

Bettman says NHL 'committed to setting the right example' says commenting on junior case 'would be inappropriate'

Toronto Sun

Smith's policy on gender is caring, compassionate, reasonable 

Ontario doc loses licence for anti-vax disinformation 

Mayor Olivia Chow tries to sell nearly 10% tax hike as affordable 

Trudeau or his staffers' name calling is unacceptable but tolerated 

Toronto's budget is going through the roof, so are your taxes 

Will the foreign interference inquiry deliver?

CBC Bonuses? Underperforming and out of touch exec needs to go

Chrystia Freeland in WEF-land

Feds risk 'doom loop' by failing to rein in deficits: report

Prosperity waning due to Trudeau's population growth policy 

The smell of sexual scandal takes away from Olympic Hockey celebration

Gary Bettman defends NHL's handling of world junior's file

Expect Hockey Canada sexual assault cases to drag on

National Post

Trudeau blasts Alberta transgender proposals as 'most anti-LGBT in the country' 

Trudeau's cartoonishly aristocratic lifestyle is more than a matter of ethics

Governments must halt ads on platforms that enable child abuse 

Calm down, Canada. Alberta's new gender policies appear quite sensible 

Government mulls costlyRideau cottage transformation amid 24 Sussex Drive dilemma 

Shot at BC home belonged to Sikh activist, group says 

Poilievre pulling in nearly double the donations that Trudeau ever did 

Assisted dying for the mentally ill is off the table - but for how long?

Three lessons for the Federal Government from the COVID crisis 

Public safety minister 'stuck' by extent Canada is 'net importer' of intelligence from allies 

Spy agency will try work with foreign interference inquire but the purpose of CSIS is to have secrets, director says

Liberals 'deeply disturbed' by Alberta's new transgender rules, will 'talk' to Danielle Smith's government 

Expanded assisted dying eligibility on pause until after next federal election: health minister  

Global 

Trudeau says Poilievre aide lobbied for Loblaw. Tories call that 'pathetic'

Fact checking Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's claims about trans athletes

More than 15% of immigrants have left Canada within 20 years: Statesman

Canadians are going into debt to cover out-of-pocket cancer costs: survey. 

Canada's refugee board orders deportation of senior Iranian official 

Alberta's new trans policies continue to raise issues of rights and harms: expert 

Canada in a 'bit of a bind' amid chil in relations with India, China: experts 

LeBlanc stresses need to balance transparency, security on foreign interference  

Asylum seekers coming through Montreal airport in record numbers 

Danielle Smith believes Alberta UCP policies on trans youth are 'supportive

Ottawa monitored domestic extremists as possible threat to 2021 election: docs 

NHL won't consider punishment for 2018 WJC player until after legal proceedings 

Man seriously injured in daytime shooting on Surrey-Delta border 

Vancouver's plan for SRO rent and vacancy control dealt another legal setback

Dispute brewing over changes to private dock management on Sunshine Coast 

High profile member of Vancouver Police Board resigns 

BC launches review of province's Labour Relations Code 

Vancouver homeless encampment on provincial land ordered cleared 

2 women assaulted in downtown Vancouver, including Crown Attorney  

Recruitment a 'key priority' education minister says amid Vancouver teacher shortage 

Miscellaneous            

Expand BC's Safer Supply program, says Dr. Bonnie Henry 

Danielle Smith declares war on Trans Kids 

Last minute deal ends threat of weekend transit strike 

BC FOI delays hit record levels 

No justice yet for women who accused Prince George RCMP officers of assault 

Inquest into Winters Hotel Blaze reveals more jarring safety oversights

'I love the forest, but I destroy it'