Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, March 12-13, 2024

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, March 12-13, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister plans to press Trudeau on UNRWA funding 

Israel says it plans to direct Palestinians out of Rafah ahead of anticipated offensive

House motion on Israel-Hamas war adds to Canada's divided views

Canada pledges help for Palestinians sex-crime victims, angering Israeli envoy

View from US military aid flight shows Gaza desolation  

After living a 'horror movie' in Gaza for 160 days, Canadian brothers finally escape 

A floating pier to get aid to Gaza is in the works - but faces challenges and criticism  

Targeting synagogue must be treated as the hate crime it is 

Tips for Canadian society on surviving the Israel-Hamas war 

Ukraine/Russia War           

Zelensky adviser calls for more Western aid for Ukraine after Putin raises nuclear war risks 

Putin warns the West: Russia is ready for nuclear war 

Israeli tank strike killed 'clearly identifiable' Reuters reporter, UN report finds 

US to send Ukraine $300 million in new aid

Globe and Mail

ArriveCan contractor won't address Auditor-General's finding he set contract terms 

Trudeau and Smith hint at compromise over federal pharmacare proposal 

New Zealand says it's not questioning Canadian allegations on Nijjar after remarks by Country's Deputy PM

Tories promise to force Parliament votes to spike carbon-pricing increase. 

Canadian airline market on path to consolidation, raising risk of higher fares 

Say hi to the new weak, stagnant economy. It'll be here for a while 

'My job is not to be popular' Trudeau says after pressed to ditch carbon price hike 

Canadians unsure online harms bill will make social media safer, poll shows 

Auditor-General's office fires two employees for their undisclosed side-business with government 

Jagmeet Singh takes pharmacare win and does a pratfall 

Liberal premier joins Conservative calls to stop carbon price hike 

Foreign interference inquiry to grant opposition parties power to cross-examine witnesses  

Russia's nuclear arsenal: How big is it, and who controls it?

CBC

Trudeau calls out 'short term' thinker politicians as some premiers urge him to drop carbon price hike

Alberta premier urges Trudeau to heed growing concerns from premiers on carbon levy  

Quebec runs historic $11B deficit in budget that prioritizes health, education  

YouTube blocks access to Fifth Estate story on killing in BC Sikh activist at India's demand

Less than half of daycare spaces promised by Ottawa have been created ahead of 2026 deadline 

Furey asks Trudeau to halt carbon tax increase, citing few options for consumers in Newfoundland 

Election interference inquiry will let opposition parties cross-examine witnesses 

ArriveCan contractors rejects auditor general report, blames government's poor record-keeping

As gang violence explodes, Canada welcomes Haitian PM's promise to resign 

Former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi announces bid for Alberta NDP leadership 

GC Strategies was awarded 3 other border agency contracts while working on ArriveCan

Federal disaster aid for 2021 BC floods taking too long: MP

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Another dangerous amoeba has been linked to nets pots and nasal rising. Here's what to know 

BC couple sold firm for fortune, With last $92 million donation, they've given it all away 

Canada's new animal slaughter rules violate Charter rights of Canadian Jews, lawsuit alleges 

Privately and publicly, Doug Ford warns Justin Trudeau's Liberals they'll be 'annhilated' if they raise the carbon price 

New Law and Order Toronto episode to feature crack-smoking mayor 

They've waited years for the help they say will improve their lives. Where is the money the Trudeau government promised?

Doug Ford claims union chief is 'lying' about him selling off the LCBO

Here's how Canadians can pay their final respects to Brian Mulroney

Politicians want more competition but supply management still a 'sacred cow'

By the numbers: Canada's disaster financial assistance program 

Canada's UN envoy says intervention is the best chance to heal an crisis in Haiti 

Richmond BC seeks federal funding to house refugees crowding homeless shelters 

Justin Trudeau ally joins Pierre Poilievre to demand a halt to the April 1 carbon lev increase. 

Toronto Sun

Top court judge's take  on 'woman' is no joke 

Flair airlines accuses financial services firm of withholding $25 million

4 arrested trying to enter US from Canada on railway bridge 

Hands up everyone who wants a bonus 

The reality is, Trudeau hasn't offered a real pharmacare plan 

Even Liberal premiers are calling on Trudeau to spike planned carbon tax hike

Millions in bonuses for CBC's hapless president, execs, but none for taxpayers

Why aren't dangerous offenders in maximum security?

Governments should end corporate welfare this budget season 

Woke leftists will use online bill to wreak havoc 

Canada spending more on debt than health 

Elites out of touch on gender identity 

National Post

Trudeau stands by environment minister as Danielle Sm with calls for Guilbeault to be turfed 

CBC won't let poor performance stop $15 million in bonuses 

Freeland touts 'affordable' development renting 330 square foot units for $1,600

Trudeau's not for turning, even as the carbon tax precipice approaches 

'My job is not to be popular': Trudeau doubles down on April 1st carbon tax increase 

Supreme Court decision opts for 'person with a vagina over 'woman'

ArriveCan contractor blames 'false' reports his company soaked taxpayers for little work

Alberta introduces bill to create new police force meant to complement, not replace RCMP

Canada's top general gives speech calling for openness on defence issues - then won't share it

I chaired the Human Rights Tribunal. It has no business policing 'hate speech'

Poilievre's desire to unleash free enterprise by takin on corporate lobbyists 

Health Minister's berating of suffering patients was downright cruel 

Canada's Air Force ends pilot training as Ottawa's spending priorities grow more unbalanced 

Global 

ArriveCan contractor calls auditor general's damning report 'inaccurate'

Carbon price could see Liberals 'annihilated' Ford says as Trudeau, Smith meet

Trudeau defends environment minister in face of Smith's calls to remove him 

Variable or short-term fixed mortgage? Where experts see the 'sweet spot'

Night no longer offering firefighting reprieve, Canadian study shows 

Shocking murder of BC teen Reena Virk subject of new Hulu series

Thieves may be picking break in victims by tracking their vehicles with GPS: BC RCMP

City green lights permanent 'Vancouver' sign 

BC says 'final offer' on table in bid to push Surrey police transition forward 

Vancouver council approves plan to expand free Wi-Fi in Downtown Eastside  

Chinatown triple stabbing suspect ''calm and cooperative' on day of attack: report

Tofino wants new short-term rental restrictions despite exemption 

'Need this funding now': BC MP calls for federal disaster aid for Fraser Valley

Miscellaneous            

BC is closing a loophole that forced workers to cross some picket lines 

Why are they cutting down so many trees in Stanley Park 

Does living near LNG plants pose health risks? Scientists investigate 

Poilievre's Tough on Crime measures will make things worse 

For struggling workers, Singh and Poilievre pitch different fixes 

Naheed Nenshi wants to lead Alberta's NDP. Can he win?

The anti-vax doctor praised by Danielle Smith faces the Music

The strange story of Vancouver's subsidy for one small private school