Why the provinces have beef with the prime minister

Plus, the end of an HIV self-testing program and a loneliness epidemic [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on tensions between Justin Trudeau and the provinces, a wave of new HIV infections and the growing public health challenge of loneliness. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Cole Burston fedreal politics [The prime minister is angering Canada’s premiers with his legacy projects]( Although Justin Trudeau came to power promising a new era of federal-provincial cooperation, the prime minister has found himself locked in battles with friends and foes alike, Tonda MacCharles reports. And it’s not just about carbon pricing. The Liberal leader’s initiatives have sparked opposition across Canada, from his carbon price-and-rebate program (which only two premiers still support) to his recent announcement of $25 billion in pre-budget measures to expand housing, child care, and school lunch and breakfast programs — which some have seen as overstepping provincial jurisdiction. These initiatives are complex and require provincial cooperation — but two senior provincial government sources told the Star Ottawa didn’t consult the provinces in advance. [Take a closer look at the rising tensions](. - Miss something? The latest tear in Trudeau’s provincial support came after he [announced $6 billion in new infrastructure funding for new housing on Tuesday]( — with some strings attached. Several premiers discussed the move privately that night, with some going public the next day calling it an overreach. - Susan Delacourt’s take: The federal government is contending with an all-out revolt from premiers over its carbon levy, sparking calls for a full-blown first ministers’ meeting. [That’s a good idea and the prime minister should hold one as soon as possible](. - Go deeper: Trudeau’s latest ambitions reveal a federal government desperately trying to court voters as [his party trails 15 points behind the Conservatives in the polls](. Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov health care [Canada is cancelling a free HIV self-test program despite an “alarming” rise in infections]( A wave of HIV is spreading across Canada, with case numbers growing by 25 per cent in 2022 from the previous year — it’s a surge unprecedented in the last decade. Despite this, Canada is cutting federal funding to the first self-testing HIV kit to be approved in the country, even though advocates say the tests are critical in reaching vulnerable populations who don’t interact well or who have had negative experiences with the health care system in the past. “Almost half of the people that we’re reaching (through the program) are first-time testers,” an expert tells the Star’s Patty Winsa. “And these are the right people — people who are Black Canadians, Indigenous,” populations traditionally underserved by the medical system. [Here’s what you need to know](. - Word from Health Canada: The agency told the Star its initial investment in the program was time-limited and part of a larger $17-million program supporting access to HIV testing. Communities can still draw on a limited inventory of the kits or they can be purchased online for $35. - By the numbers: The prairie provinces saw the biggest surge in HIV cases, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba posting rates of 19 and 13 respective cases per 100,000 in 2022 compared to the national average of 4.7. Experts expect these figures to have doubled by now without meaningful intervention. Bay Area News Group/TNS third act [As Canada shifts toward “super-aged” status, we need to start treating loneliness like a public health challenge]( Canada is growing older and colder. Research shows many older Canadians are leading exceptionally lonely, isolated existences that can lead to debilitating psychological and physical conditions, Moira Welsh reports. Now, a group of experts, policy-makers and advocates are urging Ottawa for a national strategy to limit the impacts of loneliness. There are no simple solutions: “The causes of loneliness vary across population groups, even individual trajectories depending on events in early life, your personality, your coping strategies, and even where you live makes a difference,” an expert says. But as surveys find Canadian seniors, especially women, are experiencing the highest levels of social isolation across 11 commonwealth countries, advocates say a solution is urgently needed. [What can be done?]( - Wait, what? Research shows loneliness or social isolation can be linked to an increased risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke and death. One researcher a decade ago compared the health toll of social isolation to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. - By the numbers: In the next decade, a quarter of Canadian adults will be over 65. [A study found more than 40 per cent of those over 50 are at risk of social isolation and 58 per cent have experienced loneliness](. [Calendar icon] Are our messages a little late for you lately? Emails from the Star are taking longer than normal to arrive to Gmail and Hotmail inboxes after we send them. That's a problem we're solving now, but we're sorry for keeping you waiting. WHAT ELSE Canada’s spy agency collected intelligence suggesting [foreign funding for both the 2019 and 2021 federal elections](. Three NDP MPs say they won’t seek re-election — [creating openings for Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives](. Bonnie Crombie slammed Doug Ford for his [“reckless” underfunding of colleges and universities](. 👉 but Ontario is [committing $1.3 billion to build or expand 60 schools, including in the GTA](. The UN Human Rights Council has [called for all weapons shipments to Israel to stop amid mounting concerns for Gazans](. [An ethics watchdog cleared Ford’s chief of staff]( he “overlooked” a Greenbelt email. [“Murder advice” a man gave to undercover cops tainted the conviction in an Etobicoke killing]( an appeal court ruled. The decision to push back EV production means [Ford won’t build a single vehicle in Canada “for years,” a union says](. Dollarama customers have until tomorrow to register for a class action settlement. [Here’s what you should know](. This Toronto multiplex has four units, including a garden suite. [They’re all for sale — separately](. “The world is screwed up. Somebody’s got to do something.” [A Toronto high school’s farm gives hands-on lessons in sustainability](. Everyone knows Joe Flaherty was funny. [These Canadian comedians say he was also generous, friendly and kind](. POV AFP via Getty Images [An Israeli attack on an aid convoy in Gaza killed seven aid workers. Why aren’t civilians better protected in this war?]( CLOSE-UP Richard Lautens/The Star ROGERS CENTRE: Blue Jays officials showed off the Rogers Centre’s new $400 million facelift as it prepares to host games again, starting Monday. [Take a look inside the shiny new stadium](. Before I go, yesterday’s subject line should have read “Daniel Langlois’ accused killer breaks his silence.” Sorry for any confusion caused by our typo. Thank you for reading.You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_211683). Andrew will 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]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](