How $2 million was stolen from the YMCA

Plus, pandemic fury in Alberta and the state of First Nations housing [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on an alleged conspiracy to steal millions in government money, ongoing turmoil over COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta and the state of housing on Indigenous reserves. DON’T MISS Nick Lachance/The Star investigation [An alleged inside job saw more than $2 million stolen from the YMCA]( The YMCA of Greater Toronto is suing a former employee, alleging she orchestrated a kickback scheme that defrauded the charity and robbed taxpayers of more than $2 million, Brendan Kennedy reports. Christine Ruth Burns is accused of conspiring with others to steal millions intended for a job-training program funded by the federal government. In October 2023, Burns was criminally charged with fraud, identity theft and uttering forged documents. The YMCA’s statement of claim names eight individuals — including Burns and her husband — and eight companies as defendants; the allegations have not been proven in court. [Take a deep dive into the details](. - What we know: From 2015 to 2018, Burns allegedly ran a scheme in which several companies would invoice the charity for training that never took place, to be reimbursed through the Canada-Ontario job grant. In return, Burns received “secret commissions,” the YMCA alleges. - Word from the defendants: In a joint statement of defence, Burns and her husband denied the allegations against them, saying they have “no knowledge of any alleged fraudulent scheme.” Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick public health [Years later, fury still burns hot in Alberta over COVID-19 restrictions]( Although the pandemic is waning and restrictions are receding, Alberta remains gripped by vaccine skepticism — something its premier now appears to be distancing herself from, Alex Boyd reports. A new town hall, centring on how to “help Albertans put a stop to COVID shots that kill children,” is being hosted by a local branch of the governing United Conservative Party and boosted by its president. Not on the ticket is premier Danielle Smith, who said in a statement she is “not involved in this event” and does “not plan to attend.” [We break down the ongoing turmoil in Alberta](. - More: The event, titled “An Injection of Truth,” will be held in Calgary this June. Organizers insist they’re just asking questions — but experts question if they’re asking in good faith.  - Background: Smith rode a wave of pandemic anger and anti-Ottawa fervour to office after her predecessor, Jason Kenney, came under fire for enacting pandemic restrictions. Her government has since pushed a flurry of bills, many of which appear rooted in relitigating pandemic decisions.  McCarthy Tétrault/Supplied Photo housing [The shocking state of housing in “deliberately underfunded” First Nations]( For years, complaints from the people of St. Theresa Point First Nation about their decrepit and overcrowded housing were largely ignored by Ottawa. But veteran construction and safety consultants brought in as part of an ongoing lawsuit against the federal government were shocked by what they saw in the community. None of the roughly two dozen homes they assessed met building code, a quarter of them should be torn down, mould flourished throughout the buildings and some were home to thousands of cockroaches, Ryan McMahon and Max Binks-Collier of the Investigative Journalism Bureau report. [Take a closer look at how many Indigenous people are living](. - Context: The report joins the scores of documents produced as part of a $10 billion lawsuit against the federal government that alleges [Canada “deliberately underfunded” housing on reserves to “weaken” and “force the assimilation” of First Nations](. - Go deeper: Indigenous Services Canada said federal funding for housing on reserves increased 1,100 per cent from the previous decade, including $15.6 million in housing improvements at St. Theresa Point First Nation. WHAT ELSE War crimes prosecutors are seeking the [arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders](. [Iran’s president and foreign minister have died]( in a helicopter crash at a moment of high tension in the Mideast. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear [Omar Khadr’s appeal of his teen war crimes conviction](. [Economists are expecting a decline in Canada’s inflation rate]( when StatsCan releases April numbers later today. Ottawa’s rejection of Toronto’s drug decriminalization plan has “dismayed” some advocates. [Here’s what they say the city should do](. As wildfires rage, some [wonder if Justin Trudeau’s government is doing enough](. Do you owe money to the Canada Revenue Agency and can’t afford to pay? [Here’s what you should do](. The future of American democracy may rest on Michael Cohen’s shoulders. [That is not a good thing](. Small business owners say they can’t fight big online retailers — [this one’s  packing it in](. Doors Open Toronto is back. [Here are five must-see places](. Craig Berube will be introduced as the next Maple Leafs coach today. [Here’s what we know about the NHL veteran](. The Oilers are the last Canadian hope for the Stanley Cup. [But the Canucks won something, too](. POV Raffi Anderian/Toronto Star Photo Illustration [What did I learn from my conversation with Justin Trudeau? There’s only one way to fix Canada and everyone is going to hate it.]( CLOSE-UP Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star WOODBINE BEACH: Beachgoers soak up the sun on Victoria Day. Toronto will get a real taste of summer this week, with temperatures expected to hit a high of 27 C today. [Take a peek at what’s in store](. 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_213977). 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. 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