Can anything scratch the Teflon Tory?

Plus, the Ontario Line's toll on communities and Canada's aging population [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on Doug Ford’s immunity to controversy, the community toll of a new Ontario Line station and the cost of Canada’s aging population. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Chris Young star exclusive [Doug Ford’s a magnet for controversy — but remains as popular as ever]( Start calling Ford the Teflon Tory, because little seems to stick — at least for now. New polling data from Abacus show his Progressive Conservatives maintaining a healthy lead over all other parties, despite facing one controversy after another, Robert Benzie reports. But as concerns around his honesty and handling of taxpayer money grow, [will the results of an RCMP investigation be the scandal to finally sink the untouchable premier?]( - The last straw? The RCMP are now probing Ford’s ill-fated $8.28 billion Greenbelt land swap. “If something bad comes out of that investigation, it could be the thing that breaks through that Teflon,” said Abacus’ president. - Back to the polls? Tory insiders tell the Star they’re mulling an early election next year, [well ahead of the scheduled vote in 2026](. - By the numbers: According to the poll, 42 per cent of committed voters intend on voting for Ford’s party — that’s well ahead of the Liberals at 26 per cent, the NDP at 21 per cent and the Greens at eight per cent. Richard Lautens/The Star ontario line [An Ontario Line station is coming to their neighbourhood — they’re heartbroken]( Residents of Pape village are visiting local stores to say goodbye and get one last meal, haircut or dress alteration before Ontario Line construction upends their neighbourhood, Mahdis Habibinia reports. Dozens of businesses along a 200-metre stretch on Pape Avenue are being forced to close or relocate to make way for the new Cosburn Station. [On top of mourning beloved shops, residents are facing down several years of construction](. - Word from residents: “It’s ridiculous, it’s dumb and it’s unnecessary. So many communities are being destroyed,” said one local, who felt the “heartbreak” dawn on her after watching shops she visits weekly being boarded up. - End of an era: The two-dozen long-standing shops on Pape between Gamble and Gowan Avenues must go by Sept. 1. But while Metrolinx pays to expropriate property, some business owners say it’s not enough to relocate or make up for uprooting their lives. - Under construction: The new 15-station Ontario Line is slated to finish construction by 2031. The Star trekked its 15.6-kilometre length to document the toll construction has had on communities. [Here’s what we found](. Steve Russell/The Star aging nation [Canada could hit a $2 trillion shortfall as residents age]( As Canada’s baby boomers continue to age, provincial governments may soon be in for severe financial strain, a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute suggests. To contend with rising health care costs and income support, hard-hit provinces may soon need to raise taxes, Marisa Coulton reports. Meanwhile, economic growth is expected to slow as boomers exit the workforce. [It paints a grim picture of Canada’s future](. - Word from an expert: “If you’re a young person now, as time goes by, you’re going to see a much bigger increase in taxes and a much smaller increase in services than your parents did,” one author of the report predicted. - Rising costs: By 2067, health care costs as a percentage of GDP are expected to almost double. In Ontario, costs are predicted to rise from 7.7 per cent of GDP to 12.6 per cent. - Down the road: The issue will take some time to materialize, as boomers are living longer, working longer and retiring later, experts say. WHAT ELSE Pierre Poilievre says the NDP should [drop its support for the Liberals and trigger an October election](. The man accused of killing a prominent Markham realtor [fled Canada three days after the victim went missing](. Israel launched large-scale military raids in the occupied West Bank. [Here’s what’s going on](. A new strike season is unfolding. [Will higher wages bake in higher prices for us all?]( Here’s why a judge [blocked this failed refugee claimant’s deportation from Canada](. An Ontario builder that sold homes without authorization [had its licence revoked](. Pandemic-style hybrid learning at Catholic schools [will be limited after a new ruling](. Whose wages are rising? [The answer will shock and maybe even delight you](. Butter tarts, mozza sticks, tacos — [here’s what nine Toronto food experts eat on the way to cottage country](. As ‘90s icon k.d. lang enters the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, [she reflects on her extraordinary career](. Fans had plenty of ideas for what to name Toronto’s new WNBA team. [Will Game of Thrones be a factor?]( [Here’s what to do in Toronto]( this Labour Day long weekend. POV Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov [Just what does a cop have to do to get fired in this town?]( CLOSE-UP Naomi Baker/Getty Images PARIS: Team Canada’s Rosalie Lalonde takes a shot during a preliminary round group A wheelchair basketball match against China on day one of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Bercy Arena. Canada came up short, with China winning 70-65. [Here’s how Canadian athletes are doing at the Paralympics so far](. Before I go, we’d love to hear from you: what are the best — and worst — songs of the ‘90s? Send your submissions to [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_1295) as the Star celebrates all things ‘90s. 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_1295). 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](