Phase 3 reopening means the Legislature is back, but still mostly remotely, with a plethora of bills. We look at what the latest developments in the hostage taking of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor mean for Canada and our relationship with China and the USA.

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Links

Segment 1

* BC to allow ‘careful’ travel within province as it eases more COVID-19 restrictions under Phase 3* Stabilization care proposed for youth following an overdose * Chief coroner’s statement on proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act * B.C. lifts ban on some residential evictions and other tenancy laws* Province announces next steps to support renters, landlords* Minister’s statement on Province’s response to allegations of racism in health-care system* Office of the Ombudsperson | Ombudsperson investigation finds two pandemic emergency orders not authorized by Emergency Program Act – Office of the Ombudsperson* Report calls for end of B.C.’s legislative assembly police force, changes to sergeant-at-arms job

Segment 2

* China charges Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor with espionage* China suggests it will free Kovrig and Spavor if Canada allows Huawei executive Meng to return home* Former parliamentarians, diplomats pen letter calling on Canada to release Meng* Senators urge Trudeau to sanction Chinese officials over human-rights violations

Quick takes

* Fitch downgrades Canada’s credit rating as deficit grows due to emergency coronavirus spending* Foreign Affairs Minister Champagne repays mortgages held by state-owned Chinese bank