World Headlines: Could Grade 13 come back to Ontario schools? Just don’t call it a “victory lap”

First Up

By Jordan Tamblyn

Good morning. I’m filling in for Andrew this weekend so let's get into it. High school students could soon have an extra year to make up for classroom time lost to COVID-19. Plus, updates on Jeopardy! champ Mattea Roach and Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial. Here's the latest.

MUST READS

Giovanni Capriotti/For the Toronto Star

REAL ESTATE

Toronto’s housing market is on a downswing. Is that a good thing?

Heads up, exhausted and priced-out home-hunters: the average price of a home has declined for two months in a row. Realtors are also reporting fewer showings, bully offers, and bidding wars. A price drop might look like an opportunity, but experts say rising rates will likely make up any difference in home prices — and will potentially push first-time buyers to the sidelines. Victoria Gibson and Tess Kalinowski breaks down what a downturn in the GTA housing market could mean for you.

Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

GAME SHOW

Canadian "Jeopardy!" champ Mattea Roach’s last hurray

Mattea Roach’s incredible 23-game run on Jeopardy! came to an end last night after she came up a dollar short in the Final Jeopardy round. Roach is bringing home over $720,000 along with some hefty bragging rights — she is now the most successful Canuck to ever compete on the show. Katie Daubs breaks down Roach’s final Jeopardy! match.

Cole Burston/The Canadian Press

eDUCATION

Grade 13 to make a limited comeback

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca has unveiled a $295-million proposal that allows students to attend an extra year of high school. The plan is aimed at those who need extra instruction and attention to prep for college or university, after missing months of in-class learning thanks to COVID-19. Rob Ferguson has more on the newest plank in the Liberal education platform.

Alexandra Newbould sketch

COURTS

Hedley lead singer Jacob Hoggard’s monstrous turn

Warning: Graphic content. A young woman testified at Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial that he raped her when she was 16. In 2006, she and the 37-year-old Hedley singer were alone in a hotel room, when she says Hoggard turned into a "monster of a human who has no compassion and no empathy." The 37-year-old has pleaded not guilty to sexual touching of a person under the age of 16 and two counts of sexual assault causing bodily harm. Alyshah Hasham has the latest on the trial.

Toronto Star

IMMIGRATION

Why a beloved chemistry teacher can’t get a teaching licence

Thiru Thirukkumaran has been teaching chemistry at a Scarborough high school for three months. Despite being loved and respected by colleagues and students, he’s been working without pay as a volunteer. The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) denied his application for a teaching licence, even though his degree is accepted at Canadian universities. Ghada Alsharif sheds light on a chronic problem within Canada’s immigration system that makes it difficult for some to find jobs in their field.

Get a front-row seat this provincial election. As the Ontario election heats up, you need This Week in Politics, featuring exclusive analysis from Queen's Park bureau chief Robert Benzie and columnist Susan Delacourt. Sign up here, and you'll start receiving their insight on what just happened, what it means — and what's coming next.

POV

Vinay Menon: Did another Trudeau use an F-bomb in Parliament? Who effing cares?

Susan Delacourt: Progressives like Jean Charest are the new fringe in today’s angry Conservative party.

Althia Raj: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his deal with the Trudeau Liberals is working (so far.)

Amir Barnea: Canadian credit cards’ unjustified 2.5% foreign exchange fee screams for more competition.

David Olive: Canada on high alert for ransomware attacks amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Kevin McGran: Passengers on the Leafs bandwagon can enjoy the ride for a spell.

DRINK THIS

Steve Russell/Toronto Star

Beer yoga, anyone? Erica Campbell and Jaime Dobbs founded the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies to support women working in the dude-heavy beer industry. This month, they’re launching the Society Clubhouse on College Street with plans for events like beer yoga. To mark the occasion, the duo share their picks for Toronto’s best drinking spots with Diane Peters — and give us a few hints about the Society’s future.

Thanks for reading. If you have questions about Toronto's hellscape housing market (or beer yoga, frankly) reach out to the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. I will see you back here tomorrow.

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