Cracks are appearing in the Liberal party's pandemic unity

Plus, the provinces scrapping pandemic restrictions and Faith Goldy's campaign financing troubles [The Star] First Up [By Lex Harvey] By Lex Harvey Good morning. Here’s the latest on a Liberal backbencher’s break from Trudeau, the provinces leading the charge to drop health restrictions and a possible prosecution for former mayoral candidate Faith Goldy.  DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld federal politics [A Liberal backbencher broke with Trudeau over vaccines and restrictions]( Joël Lightbound delivered a rebuke of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s pandemic messaging, while expressing sympathy for some “Freedom Convoy” protesters who want to lift all health measures, Alex Ballingall and Raisa Patel report. The Quebec City MP said he noticed the Liberal Party’s tone change during the last election from a “positive and unifying approach” to one that divides and stigmatizes. [Here’s what you need to know](. - Context: Before the so-called “Freedom Convoy” paralyzed the streets of Ottawa, Trudeau said demonstrators were part of a “fringe minority” with “unacceptable views.” - More: While Lightbound condemned symbols of hate seen on the streets of Ottawa, he said the government shouldn’t “demonize” protesters with legitimate concerns — and he said other Liberal MPs agree. - The aftermath: But not all. “I think saving lives is much more than a political debate,” said one cabinet minister, describing politics as a “team sport.” - Althia Raj’s take: [I wish more MPs had Joël Lightbound’s courage](. Canadian Press/Todd Korol covid rules [Alberta and Saskatchewan are leading the charge to drop COVID restrictions]( Several provinces are peeling back the vaccine mandates and health restrictions at the heart of Canada’s polarizing debate over what it will mean to live with COVID-19, Omar Mosleh reports. Alberta scrapped its vaccine passport requirement at midnight and Saskatchewan plans to follow suit on Valentine’s Day. Meanwhile, Quebec unveiled a plan that will see most restrictions lifted by mid-March. [Here’s what we know](. - Go deeper: Some observers say the West’s rush to reopen is driven by premiers’ need to placate their bases, which have opposed restrictions from the start. - Context: Backlash to public health measures has reached a boiling point since protesters first occupied the streets of downtown Ottawa two weeks ago. According to a new survey, two-thirds of Canadians oppose the protest — but 44 per cent sympathize with the demonstrators’ frustrations. - On the home front: Ontario’s top doctor said last week the province will need to “reassess” vaccine passports and health measures in the coming weeks. Jim Rankin/The Star campaign financing [2018 mayoral candidate Faith Goldy is facing possible prosecution over election finances]( The far-right pundit is in hot water after Toronto’s compliance committee said she failed to disclose more than $150,000 in campaign donations, illegally took money from non-Ontarians, mixed her personal and campaign finances, and didn’t co-operate with an audit, David Rider reports. The damning findings will now be handed over to a provincial prosecutor — and Goldy faces hefty fines and a ban on seeking office if prosecuted and convicted. [Here’s more on Goldy’s financial fumbles](. - Miss something? Goldy finished a distant third in the mayoral race after appearing on a 2017 neo-Nazi podcast. She was [kicked off Facebook and Instagram]( in 2019 for sharing “white nationalist sentiments.” - More: During the election, she promised to expel “illegal immigrants” from Toronto’s shelter system and to monitor the finances of mosques, while begging for funds in online videos. “The money is going to my account, not my campaign’s, so it’s a wide-open field,” she said. - What we know: Goldy told the committee her accounting errors were made “in good faith” and she has no plans to run in the next election. WHAT ELSE Ottawa police say [children on trucks add complications]( to ending the trucker protest. The Ambassador Bridge blockade [will “affect everything that you buy.”]( Rivals [slammed Doug Ford’s plan]( to scrap licence plate renewal fees. As several Tories mull a leadership run, [Candice Bergen charts a path forward](. Students at a North York middle school [displayed swastikas and “Hitler’s salute.”]( Here’s why banning hateful symbols like the swastika [is nearly impossible](. Beijing Olympics Day 5: Canada’s Meryeta O’Dine wins bronze in snowboard cross; Medals in team figure skating delayed by a legal issue, [and more updates](. Ontario will start [naming teachers and child-care workers facing criminal charges]( or convicted of serious crimes. GET THIS Cameron Tulk/Toronto Star Graphic [Immigrants. The working poor. Essential workers. Here’s who is being left behind in Toronto’s third dose rollout.]( CLOSE-UP Harry How/Getty Images BEIJING, CHINA: Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens blocked a shot from Team U.S.A.’s Abbey Murphy in the first period during a preliminary ice hockey match at Wukesong Sports Centre Tuesday. 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_104836). I’m off for the rest of the week, but Andrew will 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](