Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, March 19-20, 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 19-20, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Motion on freezing arms to Israel will make it harder to get Gaza families to Canada, says immigration minister  

Quebec newspaper La Presse removes cartoon denounced as anti-semitic

Israel-Hamas motion sows confusion among NDP, Liberal MPs on nature of official arms-exports policy 

Liberal MP Anthony Housefeather ponders next move after party backs NDP motion on Middle East conflict 

MP weighs future in Liberal arty amid fallout of House of Commons motion that Israel says will weaken its self-defence 

A divide is growing between the Conservatives, Liberals on issues of Israeli and Palestinian rights  

Auditor-General report calls out Ottawa's poor record on First Nations  housing, policing 

Hamas says Israeli response to its latest ceasefire proposal was negative 

Blinken adds Israel stop to latest Mideast tour as tensions rise over Gaza War

Joly pushed for even softer arms export language in motion on Israel-Hamas war: NDP

Montreal newspaper/s political cartoon showing Netanyahu as a vampire decried as antisemitic 

Liberal and NDP support on Israel-Gaza motion was a 'knife to the heart' October 7 families say

Heckling of Jewish city councillor at soccer meeting a new low 

Singh should be ashamed of his divisive ploy 

Who's writing the cheques for anti-Israel protests?

Trudeau sends Ukraine billions in weapons, puts ban on Israel 

Trudeau treating Ukraine and Israel differently based on votes 

Liberal/NDP deal rewards terrorism 

Relatives of Canadians murdered by Hamas call for RCMP investigation

Hamilton cinema called antisemitic for dropping Jewish film festival over 'security' concerns 

The utter circus of Monday's Palestinian statehood debate 

Heritage Minister St-Onge declines to condemn anti-semitic cartoon, but 'relieved' by retraction 

How a last minute Liberal scramble neutralized the NDP's attempt to recognize a Palestinian state 

Jewish groups denounce passage of watered down NDP Palestinian  motion

Housefather still 'thinking' on Liberal future as eyes turn to Israel arms exports

Ukraine/Russia War           

Russian border region reels from sustained Ukrainian artillery and drone strikes 

US assures allies it  'will not let Ukraine fail'

Senate passes updated Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement without support Tories

Trudeau treating Ukraine and Israel differently based on votes

Globe and Mail

Procurement review finds nearly  $5 million in fraudulent billing tied to three subcontractors, ministers say

Poilievre threatens no confidence vote on carbon price, Guilbeault calls him a liar 

Carbon pricing has become out national dumpster fire 

On the carbon tax, the Opposition's cynicism neatly coincides with the public's 

Bank of Canada sees conditions for rate cuts this year, according to deliberation summary 

Why you can't afford a home, explained in 10 charts 

Liberals introduce legislation updating Elections Act, in keeping with NDP pact 

Toronto public health officials sound alarm over rise in monkeypox cases

More than a year into ArriveCan mess, the government runs to catch up to its procurement problem  

This is the end of the road for electric-vehicle subsidies 

So, what expenditures should Canada cut to meet its NATO obligations?

The Supreme Court of Canada went viral for what it didn't say about 'a woman'

Ottawa refers cases to RCMP after internal review of contracting 

On Brian Mulroney's birthday, members of the public continue to pay their respects 

Fired Winnipeg scientists use pseudonyms in China as RCMP probe continues 

Infectious-disease scientist fired from Winnipeg laboratory surfaces in China 

ArriveCan vendor Dalian won government contract on the same day its president joined DND

Dignitaries pay tribute to Brian Mulroney as former PM's casket lies in state 

Greek PM to announce purchase of Canadian-built water bombers during official visit 

CBC

Poilievre wants to topple the Liberal government with a non-confidence motion on the carbon tax 

Ontario Liberals rule out provincial carbon tax as part of 2026 election platform 

Federal government refers three cases of suspected contractor fraud to RCMP 

Mulroney's former photographer reflects on his favourite photo of the former PM

Liberals introduce legislation amending Elections Act as part of agreement with NDP

The carbon tax has its critics - do any of them have better ideas?

'Stay the hell away from our kids':  Health minister vows to restrict nicotine pouches - but how?

Mark Mulroney says family 'loved' hearing Canadians' stories about former PM

Quebec and Ottawa reach deal to increase federal health transfers by $900M

Former Ontario Attorney General Roy McMurtry dead at 91

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Trudeau government calls in the RCMP over suspected fraud worth $5 million on federal contracts 

Amid doctor shortage, Ford government looking at building a medical school in Vaughan: sources 

'Beyond shameful': Bell reportedly laid off hundreds of workers in virtual group meetings, union claims 

There's an easy solution to the car theft crisis. Too bad the Trudeau government is paying attention 

We need to stop China from buying influence in Canada. Here's how our laws need to change right now 

Canada Child Benefit payments will land in bank accounts today. Here's what Ontarians can expect

The OPP doesn't have to enforce First Nations laws. Indigenous leaders say that's outrageous - and they want the Ford government to act        

'A national priority': Provincial police leaders call on Trudeau Liberals for tougher laws to help  combat violent auto theft crisis 

Pierre Poilievre tries to bait Justin Trudeau into forcing an election over carbon levy increases

Auditor's reports expose Ottawa's failure to support Indigenous housing and policing, AFN National chief says 

Toronto Sun

Poilievre challenges Trudeau to hold a carbon tax election 

Liberal defence of their carbon tax divorced from reality 

Poilievre could draw up a list of taxpayer-funded comedians to axe 

NB Premier shows the way

Who knew? Carbon tax takes more than gives back for most

Trudeau in full defensive mode to save his carbon tax hike  

Liberals turning military into a farce 

Trans Mountain pipeline's soaring cost proof of government failure

 

National Post

Saskatchewan budget projects $273 million deficit for 2024-25 amid record spending 

Gender critical nurse wins public opinion battle against woke activists 

Poilievre to force confidence vote over looming carbon tax increase 

Winnipeg police officer sued for at least the 10th time 

What to know about TD deal with Indian bank to attract students to Canada 

DND denies making statement that ArriveCan contractor and former employee was not in conflict of interest 

Release of NL budget postponed after chaotic confrontation between police officers and fishers 

Canadians line up to pay respects to the 'last gentleman in politics'

Liberal government looking for 'more responsive' models for RCMP's contract policing 

MPs poke hole sin Arrive-Can contractor's claims that his government employment was no conflict 

Ex-Privy Council clerk says RCMP didn't interview him for SNC-Lavalin investigation 

Ottawa says it doesn't screen out China-affiliated researchers in federal grants 

Global 

Liberals table bill to update Elections Act, increasing advanced voting days 

Probe of fired Winnipeg scientist's 'extremely appropriate': health minister 

Guilbeault's road funding remarks sent staff scrambling, emails show

Poilievre motion fails on carbon price increase; confidence threat remains 

Ottawa urged to step up against homophobic laws in Uganda, Ghana

Ottawa eyeing 'more responsive' police service models under RCMP contract 

An Ontario city smashed its new housing targets by 250%. But are prices going down?

Study for Red Dress Alert starting a committee in Ottawa

Guilbeault defends carbon pricing as more provincial Liberals voice concern 

US 'Havana syndrome' reports raise concerns, Canadian diplomats' lawyer says

New Brunswick budget $41 million in surplus, but health-care increase just $2 million 

Petition to stop tree removal in Stanley Park gains steam

BC patients forced to travel need more financial support, advocates say

'Abandoned by the system;: Prince Rupert family shares health care horror story

Prince Rupert emergency department closed for 3rd night in a row

BC cancer travel charity says it has been left out of provincial funding 

'Crisis of integrity' behind complaint against Victoria police, ex-board member says 

New coalition formed to fight against BC's 'Zero Carbon' updated building code 

BC putting up $30M to help build 500 new public EV charging stations 

George Garrett, legendary CKWN reporter, dies at age 89

BC auditor finds shortcomings in overdose prevention programs meant to save lives 

Miscellaneous            

Can FortisBC actually get its promised 'Green' Gas 

Alberta's ''Astonishingly Bad' New K-6 social studies curriculum 

Can we build needed housing while preserving local democracy 

More Seniors are being denied BC Rental Supports 

Just How Much is Big Pharma paying?

Tourists on the road to salvation

What opiums history tells us about Today's Drug War