Ottawa Observations: Tuesday-Wednesday, April 9-10, 2024

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday0Wednesday, April 9-10, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

Under constant threat of Hezbollah fire, residents of Israeli town welcome wider war as path to peace 

Israeli military confirms strike that killed three sons of Hamas leader 

Like Arafat, Netanyahu is choosing political power over scoring his people's future

Lufthansa suspends Tehran flights, Middle East on alert for potential Iran attacks 

Gaza's mark Eid as Hamas reviews Israeli ceasefire proposal 

Canadian embassy in Syria damaged in Israeli strike on Iranian embassy next door 

Palestinians mark sombre first Eid since outbreak of war in Gaza 

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says 3 sons in Gaza killed by Israeli airstrike   

Air Canada resumes flights to Tel Aviv after six-month pause due to Israel-Hamas war

Ukraine/Russia War           

A Russian attack on a Ukrainian village kills a 14 year old girl and two other, officials say 

Ukraine will be outgunned by Russia 10 to 1 in weeks without US help, top Europe general says 

Globe and Mail

Trudeau casts doubt on CSIS intelligence about Chinese interference in 2019, 2021 elections 

Prime Minister Trudeau tells foreign interference inquiry recent elections were 'decided by Canadians' 

Liberal Party member warned MP Dong of CSIS surveillance, national security source  says 

PMO staffers say intelligence reports on foreign interference fuzzier than advertised 

Alberta tables bill aimed at blocking funding deals between Ottawa, cities

Bank of Canada holds rate steady, says June rate cut a possibility  

Traders lighten bets on June rate cur: How markets and economists reacted to the BoC decision 

As the Bank of Canada resists cutting interest rates, it  facing behind the curve again?

Former police recruit impersonating police officer charged with sexually assaulting two young girls 

Shutdown order for Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline should be reconsidered, Biden administration says  

Doug Ford may not be able to get you a family doctor, But he can bring back paper bags 

Ottawa wants 'fairness' for the budget, but what about economic growth 

Justin Trudeau owes the Premiers a meeting 

Volunteer firefighters' tax credit to double, as Ottawa prepares for catastrophic wildfire season 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'expressed frustration' about 'sensationalized' leaks of intelligence 

Ontario government will support bill declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic 

Ontario housing bill would bring in 'use it or lose it' rules to spur construction 

Trudeau challenged to a TV debate on carbon pricing 

Feeeland doesn't rule out new taxes on wealthy or corporate Canada in upcoming budget 

Sham defence review shows Canada will never meet its commitments to NATO allies

Liberal budget to include $500 million for youth mental health, Freeland says 

Liberal's rural carbon rebate boost likely delayed

CBC

PM tells foreign interference probe government's hands are tie on intelligence leads to media 

ArriveCan contractor found in contempt of Parliament, ordered to appear before the house 

Canada at risk of another devastating wildfire season, federal government warns 

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 5%, says things moving in right direction 

Why the Conservatives and NDP are headed for a clash over Canada's working class votes

Don't shut Line 5: Biden administration issue along awaited position on Canada-US pipeline 

MPs kill bill that  would have made oath to King Charles optional 

'Ground is shifting' for social media giants, says federal justice minister pushing Online Harms Act 

NDP backs Conservative demands for 'emerenchy meeting' between PM and premiers on carbon pricing  

Freeland doesn't rule out new taxes on wealthy or corporate Canada in upcoming budget  

Federal government to launch $500M fund for youth mental health

John Allen Fraser, first House Speaker elected by secret ballot, has died

New defence spending will still leave Canada $6B to $7B short of NATO target, Blair says

Toronto/Vancouver Star

China's alleged targeting of Michael Chong is contempt of Parliament: report 

Justin Trudeau tells inquiry he challenged some CSIS intelligence about election meddling - but was it he dark about other meddling allegations 

Pressure mounts on Justin Trudeau's Liberals as NDP joins Conservatives in calling for national meeting on carbon levy

Ford government attempts to speed new housing starts with sweeping bill 

Bank of Canada holds key rate at 5% signals June cut 'within realm of possibilities' 

Ford government changes tune, supports NDP bill to declare an epidemic of intimate partner violence  

This last lane closure on the Gardiner Expressway marks the official start of a three year rehabilitation project. 

Bell says facts have been 'distorted' amidst criticism over its mass layoffs. Here's what it's saying 

Ford government attempts to speed new housing starts with sweeping bill

Health Minister compares dentists' 'fears' on dental-care program to medicare rollout  

Dental Associations are 'negotiating' ahead of federal dental plan rollout: Minister 

Top Trudeau staffer testifies that CSIS conclusions about Chinese-state election meddling weren't revealed at briefing 

"It's very, very strange': Key figures in Doug Ford's $8.28 billion Greenbelt land swap are still waiting for RCMP questions 

Doug Ford can fix your LCBO bag woes, just don't expect him to do the important part of his job

Mark Carney offers a preview of what he'd look like as Justin Trudeau's successor - and what he'd stand for 

Toronto Sun

Rate stays put as Bank looks for clarity on Canada's economy 

Trudeau claims he didn't read documents, Telford swears he did 

'Mere words' from mayor not enough to combat anti=Semitism, B'nai Brith says 

Liberal announcements are not being framed properly 

Trudeau gets thank you from Hamas, but questions Alex Jones 

Conservatives riding high -- until Liberals get new leader

Do councillors support pro-Hamas groups that rejoice in the October 8 terror attacks?

Will Trudeau answer questions at foreign interfered inquiry? 

What did Trudeau know about foreign interference and when did he know it? 

Trudeau's spending is killing our economy 

Cutting taxes in upcoming federal budget would spur economic growth 

Conservative leaders must stop promoting climate scare 

Justice delayed is no justice at all 

Cruel folly of wide open immigration 

National Post

NDP, Bloc, Tories unite calling for Trudeau to meet Premiers in televised carbon tax summit 

Inside Trudeau's foreign-interference inquiry appearance: security dogs, armed officers and a speech in English 

Trudeau doubted intelligence officials 'ability to spot interference in Liberal nomination contest; testimony

On Chinese interference, Trudeau sounds like someone with something to hide  

Five big takeaways from Justin Trudeau's testimony about foreign interference.  

Mélanie Joly's budget video based on a tweet from a person that doesn't exist 

Why are 15 times more Canadians than Californians choosing assisted death?

Boris Johnson tells Canadian Conservatives that freedom is the key to victory 

Alberta tables bill that would let province veto deals between cities and federal government  

Montreal adding security at some Metro stations amid rise in mental health and addictions issues 

People who threaten Quebec politicians could soon  face a fine of up to $1,500 

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 5%

Montreal suburb passes non-confidence measures on federal Liberals' Israel stance 

Telford testifies PMO saw errors in foreign interference intelligence; unaware of some allegations 

PM's six-day Indo Pacific trip cost $2, including $200K in catering 

'The costs have ballooned;" Liberal government failed to anticipate difficulty of gun 'buyback' association says 

Global 

Trudeau says there wasn't 'sufficient' intelligence to remove Dong in 2019

Bank of Canada holds key rate,  but signals June cut in 'realm of possibilities'

As AUKUS looks to collaborate with other allies, why is Canada not mentioned? 

Trudeau should meet with premiers on carbon price, MPs say as motion passes 

Canada 'preparing for the worst'  after record season last year 

Mischief trial hears RCMP tried to convince Coutts border protesters to quit 

Feds fund wildfire emergency co-ordinators for 48 Alberta First Nations 

Ottawa's cap is a 'reallocation' of internationals students . Which provinces will gain?

CSIS saw 'low-level' Chinese meddling in 2019 election, inquiry   hears  

Alberta proposes legislation giving it gatekeeping role on federal funding  

RCMP investigate gunfire in Willowbrook area of Langley 

BC driver so engaged with they phone they didn't notice police for 15 seconds 

New BC Law would prevent disruptive protests around schools 

Surrey Police chief hails 'clarity' and 'way forward' on transition from RCMP

No magic at city council for Vancouver mushroom dispensaries as retail framework rejected 

Details of failed Surrey policing deal 

Mass timber construction approved for more builds  in BC

City says new Vancouver park sheltering rules necessary, but some call them 'inhumane'

Vancouver neighbourhood group launches petition, bus ad opposing seniors housing project 

'Maybe things would be different': BC United calls for Medal Health Act changes 

Nanaimo's unhoused population jumps nearly 19% but officials think it's likely higher 

Surrey rejects police funding  deal but transition won't stop, minister says 

Miscellaneous            

Alberta chooses ideology over Evidence with its Recovery War Room

Vancouver Island made a big chance in how it defines tourism success  

Vancouver razed CRAB Park's Tent City. What's next? 

BC raises rent support for low income seniors 

The Truth about Western Separatism 

The case of the Building that couldn't be bought 

No punishment for RCMP office who pleaded guilty to assault