A verdict — and apology — for Umar Zameer

Plus, a pricey probe for “efficiencies” in Peel and the global plastic treaty [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Commuters can breathe a sigh of relief — TTC workers won’t go on strike today [after reaching a tentative deal](. Here’s the latest on the Umar Zameer trial, the cancelled dissolution of Peel Region and global plastic treaty negotiations. DON’T MISS Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star courts [A jury acquitted Umar Zameer as the judge gave a rare apology]( With Umar Zameer’s acquittal on Sunday, a jury indicated they believed Toronto police Const. Jeffrey Northrup’s death in the parking garage on July 2, 2021 was a tragic accident and not a criminal act, Betsy Powell and Kenyon Wallace report. The 34-year-old accountant and father of three was found not guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter. “I think today I see that Canada didn’t let injustice happen, so I thank Canada,” he said. The judge, meanwhile, made a rare remark: “You have my … deepest apologies for what you have been through.” [Here is a closer look at the days leading up to the verdict and how support for Zameer is a far cry from early reactions from the public — and politicians](. - More: “I am very disappointed in today’s outcome, from day one, all I’ve wanted was accountability,” Northrup’s widow, Margaret Northrup said outside the court. - ICYMI: The trial judge called the absence of motive for killing an officer “the elephant in the room.” [Here’s what else the jury didn’t hear](. - Edward Keenan’s take: At the Zameer trial, motive was the central question. [But in the end it was a tragedy, not a crime](. Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld peel region [A provincially appointed board is charging Peel $1.5 million to find “efficiencies”]( Even though Premier Doug Ford reversed his decision to break up Peel Region months ago, a provincially appointed board that was overseeing the dissolution has charged the region’s taxpayers $1.5 million, Noor Javed reports. Since December, when the Ford government changed its mind about separating Peel, the four-person transition board has been tasked with finding “efficiencies” in local services. But regional politicians say the board isn’t being transparent about its work and residents are being forced to pay for the province’s indecision. [Here’s what an internal email reveals about the work being done and the questions it still hasn’t answered](. - Wait, what? After the nixed breakup, the transition board was supposed to look for ways to reduce duplication around land use planning, regional roads and waste management. It’s expected to provide recommendations for the Ontario government this spring, but it’s not required to make the report public. - More: “We don’t know how these board members were selected. How much are we paying them?” one Brampton regional councillor asked. “Now they have apparently hired consultants. How much are they getting paid, and for what? We don’t know anything.” Minderoo Foundation climate crisis [A frightening “plastic forecast” aims to refocus global treaty negotiations]( As part of a UN Environment Assembly resolution to develop an internationally legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, representatives from around the world will convene in Ottawa this week to continue negotiations, Patty Winsa reports. So far, critics say the talks have been hampered and weakened by the sheer number of lobbyists attending. But one organization hopes to drive home the importance of reducing plastic production and waste with its “plastic forecast,” which predicts more than 210 kilograms on average of microplastics falling on the city each day. [Here’s what to look out for at the negotiations](. - More: Canada is one of only 64 countries committed to reducing plastic production and eliminating waste by 2040 through the legally binding treaty. The U.S., however, wants measures to be voluntary, while other countries want the treaty to focus only on waste, not production. - By the numbers: At the last round of negotiations in Nairobi, Kenya, 143 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists were registered, 36 per cent more than in round two of negotiations, according to the Center for Environmental International Law. WHAT ELSE Ride-shares, pay protests and why Toronto needs fewer cars: [Here’s what Uber Canada’s general manager has to say](. [A school vaccination backlog is leading to more infectious diseases across Peel Region]( the public health authority says. Scammers are posing as police officers. [Here’s what Toronto police say to look out for](. Strangulation is a top predictor of femicide in domestic abuse. [But it’s often “hidden.”]( Police say a 15-year-old boy has life-threatening injuries after [falling off the roof of a moving GO Train](. A veteran Toronto police officer has been arrested for allegedly assaulting two women. [Here’s what we know](. Police have arrested a man after he [allegedly sexually assaulted multiple people inside an East York restaurant](. Ralph had a million funny Toronto dating stories — [then the Juno-nominated star found true love, “a first.”]( This Toronto condo sat on the market for months. [When the seller tried open bidding, it sold in just over a week](. What is a halal mortgage? [Here’s what you need to know about why Canada is considering them](. If you’re always itchy, it might be more serious than dry skin, experts say — [here’s why](. [Here’s how Jeanne Beker and two famous Toronto chefs celebrate Passover](. POV Canadian Press/Justin Tang [Liberal MPs fear Trudeau’s budget is a gift to Poilievre — and that the Grits are shooting themselves in the foot.]( CLOSE-UP Amir Levy/Getty Images TEL AVIV: Protesters hold flags and signs during a demonstration calling for a hostage deal with Hamas and against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government on Saturday in Israel. [Here’s the latest](. 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_212631). 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. 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