The inside story of Trudeau's "best offer" on health care

Plus, the rising death toll in Turkey and Syria and deciding Jeremy Diamond's penalty  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

First Up   By Manuela Vega   Good morning. Here’s the latest on the federal government’s health care deal, the earthquake in Turkey and Syria and a Toronto lawyer who admitted to misleading advertising.       DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick   health care Justin Trudeau is offering $46.2 billion more for health care, but leaders see it as only a first step As part of what Trudeau called his “best offer,” the federal government will allocate $17.3 billion for additional annual federal transfer payments to provinces and territories and $25 billion to bilateral deals that will address federal priorities over the next ten years. It will add $2 billion for Indigenous priorities in health, and is immediately transferring $2 billion to tackle the crises in pediatric hospitals, emergency rooms and surgery wait times. Provincial and territorial leaders, however, say the funds fall short of what they need to tackle health challenges. Tonda MacCharles and Robert Benzie report on how provinces are expected to hold up their end of the deal. Susan Delacourt’s take: Nothing in Tuesday’s meeting between Trudeau and premiers produced a quick fix for a system in crisis. Another angle: Here’s why the NDP is accusing Doug Ford of “deliberately underspending” on health care and education after a watchdog said the province’s deficit is going to be billions lower than predicted. Behind the scenes: Cigars with Doug Ford. Coffee with François Legault. This is the inside story of what broke Canada’s political stalemate on health-care funding.   Ismail Coskun/IHA via AP   world The death toll in Turkey and Syria has surpassed 11,000 With rescue teams continuing overnight to pull bodies from beneath the rubble of thousands of toppled buildings, the earthquake that ravaged Turkey and Syria on Monday is now the deadliest the world has seen in a decade. Its aftermath is affecting as many as 23 million people, according to a senior emergencies officer with the World Health Organization. The Associated Press reports on the devastation plaguing the countries. More: Damage to roads and infrastructure in southern Turkey, coupled with sanctions on the Syrian government, have created political and logistical challenges to getting aid to the country — and emergency workers say delays could cost lives. Here’s what you need to know. Meanwhile: Search teams from more than two dozen countries have joined Turkish emergency personnel, while aid pledges have poured in. But efforts are being stretched thin to cover the scope of the disaster. The aftermath: Will there be political fallout from the earthquake in Turkey?   Diamond and Diamond/Facebook   law society of ontario Fine, suspension or reprimand? Toronto lawyer Jeremy Diamond’s misconduct saga turns to his penalty In 2021, Diamond admitted that, from 2013 to 2017, he improperly marketed personal injury legal services that he did not provide. Now, he’s arguing to a disciplinary panel that even a short suspension would be “unduly harsh,” unfairly impacting the other 50 lawyers at his firm, Betsy Powell reports. A fine, however — which would reach a maximum of $100,000 — would only be a “drop in the bucket” for Diamond, one Law Society prosecutor argued. Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing saga. Previously: While Diamond’s lawyer and Law Society prosecutors had agreed a reprimand was the most appropriate penalty, the tribunal chair said a harsher punishment was warranted. Diamond then attempted to rescind his plea. Context: The Star has been investigating Diamond and his law firm for years. Read the key stories.       WHAT ELSE   Ontario’s top pathologist pushes back against accusations he abused his power during an infant death investigation.   Uncovering a rift among the Liberals, an MP blasted another for the “shameful” criticism of a proposed language law. Two teen girls have been denied bail in the fatal attack on a Toronto homeless man.   Google Canada employees are starting to get layoff notices. Here’s what we know. An interpreter’s alleged use of impostors at hearings is sparking a major review at Canada’s refugee board.   CaféTO has been served a reprieve as Toronto council approves phasing in new permit fees over three years. There’s a “shocking surge” in consumer and business insolvencies thanks to this “perfect storm” of factors.   A Brampton man has been charged in a $200,000 lottery scam on vulnerable seniors across Canada. Why are so many street mailboxes shrink-wrapped? Canada Post’s answer only adds to the mystery.   A man is in stable condition hours after being stabbed at Ajax GO station. Shania Twain is back — here’s why her new music, new hair and new attitude matter.   Pressure cooker risotto, roast chicken and more delicious recipes for easy meal planning.       POV Canadian Press File Photo Centralized wait-lists work. There’s no excuse for Canada not to use them in health care across the country.       CLOSE-UP Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick   OTTAWA: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith exchanges an awkward handshake with Justin Trudeau in a one-on-one meeting. Packed into this moment is years worth of Alberta conservative political theatre embellished with cynicism and partisanship, Graham Thomson writes.     Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. 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