How Ontario’s emissions and energy prices went haywire

Plus, miners trapped for weeks in a Canadian-owned mine and how LTC could shape Ontario’s election  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

First Up   By Manuela Vega   Good morning. Apologies for today’s newsletter arriving late. We were having some technical issues. Here’s the latest on Ontario’s skyrocketing emissions and electricity prices, workers trapped in a Canadian-owned mine and how long-term care could shape Ontario’s election.       DON’T MISS Toronto Star Photo Illustration   climate crisis Ontario energy grid emissions are set to skyrocket 400 per cent as the Ford government cranks up the gas Greenhouse gas emissions from Ontario’s energy grid are about to soar like never before. Thanks to Doug Ford’s promise to cancel all renewable energy projects when he was elected in 2018, Ontario now has no option but to rely purely on natural gas to meet energy demands as a major nuclear reactor in Pickering is set to shut down. The Independent Electricity System Operator, a crown corporation, lays this out in its official forecast. Here’s how we got here. By the numbers: Until now, natural gas plants have been operating about 60 per cent of the time, with emissions from Ontario’s electricity generation sector declining for years. They’re going to be running constantly by 2033. Background: Ford promised to cancel renewable energy and reduce electricity costs in 2018. But electricity prices are up, along with emissions — by more than 5.4 megatonnes, or double what they were before Ford took office. Watch for: Polls suggest Ford is on track to win another majority. Here’s by how much.   Screenshot/Trevali Mining Corp.   trapped miners Eight miners enter their fourth week of being trapped in a flooded Canadian-owned mine in West Africa There has been no communication with eight miners in Burkina Faso who have been trapped half a kilometre underground since April 16, when heavy rainfall cut off the zinc mine’s access to the surface. Although the status of the workers is unknown, it’s possible they have access to an emergency room with food and oxygen. Vancouver-based Trevali Mining Corp. said rescue teams are working non-stop in an effort to get them out. Here’s what we know. The aftermath: Interim Prime Minister Albert Ouédraogo has called those in charge of the mine irresponsible, saying the use of dynamite enabled the flood. Watch for: The mine’s management is reportedly prevented from leaving the country while officials in Burkina Faso launch an investigation.   Richard Lautens/The Star   long term care Finally, boomers — and politicians — are paying attention the need to age well Triggered by thousands of deaths in long-term care during the pandemic, politicians and voters are paying more attention than ever to the conditions in which Ontarians age. The provincial election season is renewing calls for new, small-home style living, improved at-home community supports and more day programs. These are the challenges that residents have faced, and changes in care that residents, experts and advocates want to see. More: “It is the fulfilment of my needs during the day that makes life worth continuing, even in long-term care,” one resident said. “I need challenges, intellectually and socially, interacting with friends and family.” Go deeper: There are about 3.3 million caregivers in the province — many burned out — and that number is set to rise with the population of people over 65 set to double by 2046. Watch: The Star visited two Toronto programs that help older adults stay active.         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.         WHAT ELSE   A Conservative leadership hopeful has asked the party to reconsider his disqualification from the race.   Canada made a point of reopening its embassy in Ukraine on Sunday. Here’s why. Canada’s Competition Bureau is going to court to block Rogers’ $26-billion merger with Shaw, calling it bad for competition.   After a complainant testified that Jacob Hoggard turned into a “monster,” defence argues she “made up” the rape claim out of embarrassment. SickKids is reporting seven likely cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin.   Ending Toronto’s COVID-19 state of emergency sends a clear message: “We’re done.” Despite not budgeting for it, Ford is promising to hike Ontario Disability Support Program payments.   Ontario’s Liberals unveiled their housing strategy and released a fully costed election platform. The provincial NDP is promising 300 additional doctors in northern Ontario.   A Toronto teen secured a spot in the top five on American Idol. An ex-Toronto pastor will go to prison for manslaughter in the “diabolical” drowning of his pregnant wife, an appeal court rules.   The Ukrainian Canadian Congress launched a Toronto storefront offering basic necessities to Ukrainian newcomers.       POV Toronto Star File Photo Booze-free pedal pubs and $300 fines for wine in the park: is this Toronto’s idea of summer fun?       CLOSE-UP Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz   MONTREAL: A gas station sign is seen in front of a wall mural as gas prices continue to break records, surpassing $2.00 a litre on Monday.      Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.     If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below.   Unsubscribe From This Newsletter Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts Become a Star Subscriber View in Browser Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 PRIVACY POLICY