“It’s time for a reckoning.” Erin O’Toole's days could be numbered

Plus, Trudeau told the "Freedom Convoy" to go home and the NYT bought Wordle [The Star] First Up [By Lex Harvey] By Lex Harvey Good morning, and welcome to February. Here’s the latest on efforts to oust O’Toole, the “Freedom Convoy” protests, and Wordle’s big sale. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Justin Tang federal politics [Erin O’Toole’s time as Conservative leader could be up]( At least 35 MPs have signed a letter calling for a vote on O’Toole’s leadership after months of private and public infighting over his ability to lead. That easily clears the threshold to trigger a review. Next up, a secret vote. If a majority of Conservative MPs (at least 60) vote to oust O’Toole, he’ll be sent packing immediately — and multiple sources told the Star’s Stephanie Levitz they believe that will be the case. [Here’s what we know](. - Context: Efforts to oust O’Toole have been bubbling since the Tories failed to win the 2021 election. While the party won the popular vote, they lost seats in their Alberta heartland, plus a few in B.C. and the GTA — two regions O’Toole promised to deliver. - Robin V. Sears’ take: With a “Freedom Convoy” flip-flop, [O’Toole’s leadership may have become unsalvageable](. - Word from O’Toole: “It’s time for a reckoning. To settle this in caucus. Right here. Right now. Once and for all,” he wrote on Facebook. Canadian Press/Justin Tang Freedom Convoy [Justin Trudeau told the “Freedom Convoy” to go home]( Appearing virtually in the House of Commons while quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19, the Prime Minister had a clear message for protesters who had overtaken Parliament Hill: Sayonara! By Monday, the so-called “Freedom Convoy” had shrunk to a fraction of the size it was when it rolled into town Saturday, but it wasn’t clear how — or when — the protest would end, with Ottawa’s police chief stating that “all options are on the table,” including use of force. [Read Raisa Patel and Alex Ballingall’s latest from the Hill](. - Context: The cost to the city of policing the protests is about $800,000 per day. Ottawa police have gotten help from the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police and four GTA police services. - Robert Hiltz’s take: In Ottawa, we’ve seen the “Freedom Convoy” up close. [After the abuse, disruption and silly demands, we want them gone](. - Another angle: Meanwhile, tensions are rising at an [ongoing truck blockade in Alberta]( which has cut off a border crossing into Montana. Rick Madonik/The Star wordle [Wordle has been bought by the New York Times and fans aren’t happy]( Everyone’s favourite word game has a new owner. The Times bought the trending online game for a sum “in the low seven figures,” according to a news release Monday. Though creator Josh Wardle promised on Twitter that the game would remain “free to play for everyone,” not all were happy with the news, Kevin Jiang reports. [Here’s what fans said on social media](. - Context: The game revolves around players trying to guess a different five-letter-word each day within six tries. Victories and defeats can be shared on social media — a big part of Wordle’s meteoric rise. - More: The Brooklyn-based software engineer launched Wordle in October for him and his partner to enjoy. The day the game launched it had 90 players. Today, it’s played by millions. [Medal Alerts] Find out fast whenever Canada makes it to the podium. Get up-to-the minute email alerts from Beijing with the Star’s Medal Alerts. [Sign up for free today](. WHAT ELSE Justin Trudeau and Erin O’Toole are scrapping over [who’s to blame for the “Freedom Convoy” protest](. …While Premier Doug Ford denounced the protesting truckers: [“That has no place in Ontario or Canada.”]( [Overdue debt is climbing for GTA businesses]( as the pandemic stretches on. Want to end COVID-19 restrictions? [It’s simple — just get vaccinated](. Small businesses are [“feeling like Charlie Brown and the football”]( as Ontario reopens. Ottawa is debating sending more troops to eastern Europe and [weapons to Ukraine](. The NDP dropped a candidate who [defended honouring a Nazi](. [Joe Rogan apologized]( following the Spotify COVID misinformation controversy. POV Steve Russell/The Star [Is teaching kids about racism scary? Shree Paradkar explores the critical race theory bogeyman in Ontario.]( CLOSE-UP Fabrice Coffrini/AFP YANQING, CHINA: Airport staff dressed in protective equipment welcome people to Yanqing on Monday ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Yanqing is the site of the Games’ alpine skiing and sliding venues. [Read Rosie DiManno’s first dispatch from the Olympics]( where everything is COVID-shielded and shrink-wrapped. And here are [22 Canadian athletes to watch]( in Beijing. Thanks 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_103114). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( 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]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](