Plus, how Toronto unmasked and China's search for plane crash survivors [The Star] First Up [By Lex Harvey] By Lex Harvey Good morning. Here’s the latest on how Torontonians reacted to the end of mask mandates, an anticipated deal between the federal NDP and the Liberals and searching for plane crash survivors in China. DON’T MISS
Paige Taylor White/The Star to mask or not to mask? [The mask mandate is gone, but the face of Toronto looks similar]( On paper, it was a momentous day. But in Toronto, Ben Cohen reports, it felt like any other pandemic Monday. Despite Premier Doug Ford’s assurance that Ontario is “now at a place where we can safely remove the mask mandates in most settings,” it seems most Torontonians are opting for caution. Those still donning masks in the city said they don’t find them burdensome to wear, and it doesn’t feel like the right time to ease up on COVID rules. [Here’s more on how Torontonians reacted to dropping mask mandates](.
- More: While most chose to cover up, some Torontonians told the Star the mandate ending has been “liberating.” “It’s great just to look at people again, interact normally, see people’s faces and expressions,” said one man.
- Another angle: Meanwhile in schools, where masks became optional yesterday, [Ontario students staged walkouts across the province]( calling for more health measures. “It’s a betrayal to us,” said one Grade 11 student. “We don’t really get our voices heard.”
- Watch for: Ontario’s science table predicts a rise in cases, hospitalizations and ICU occupancy now that almost all public health measures have been lifted. But the burden should be “manageable” thanks to widespread immunity.
- Martin Regg Cohn’s take: [Doug Ford is right — it’s time to end mask mandates in Ontario](.
Canadian Press/Justin Tang federal politics [The Liberals and the NDP have a deal in the works to keep Trudeau in power]( You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours — the federal Liberals and New Democrats are hammering out a deal that could see Canadians spared a federal election until 2025 in exchange for NDP-friendly measures in future budgets, Susan Delacourt and Heather Scoffield report. The favour of the NDP could give the minority Liberals the support they need to pass confidence votes, while the New Democrats can push Trudeau on policies like dental care, pharmacare, and housing. [Here’s what you need to know](.
- By the numbers: The Liberals have 159 seats in the Commons — just 11 short of the 170 votes they need to stay in power. The NDP’s 25 seats more than make up for that.
- Word from the opposition: Interim Conservative leader, Candice Bergen, released a statement late Monday saying Canada was in for a “rough ride” if the deal pans out. “This is little more than backdoor socialism,” she said.
- Now what? The deal is being discussed by both caucuses and isn’t expected to be finalized until MPs are on side. The NDP and Liberal leaders will [address the media this morning]( before the PM leaves for Brussels tomorrow for NATO talks on Ukraine.
Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images plane crash [A desperate hunt for survivors continues after China’s worst plane crash in years]( Rescue workers continue to search a remote mountain valley in southern China where a passenger plane carrying 132 people plunged more than 20,000 feet in just over a minute Monday, the New York Times reports. No survivors have been found so far. The government and China Eastern Airlines, which operated the felled Boeing 737-800, are investigating the cause of the country’s biggest aviation disaster in over a decade. The accident is bound to put manufacturer Boeing under renewed scrutiny after turmoil in recent years following two crashes of the company’s 737 Max. [Here’s what we know](.
- What we know: Flight MU-5735 took off from Kunming at 1:11p.m., according to tracking platform Flightradar24. At 2:20 p.m, halfway to its destination of Guangzhou, the plane “suddenly started to lose altitude very fast.” A thunderous boom followed.
- Context: China Eastern’s last fatal crash was in 2004, when a Bombardier CRJ-200 flying from the city of Baotou in inner Mongolia to Shanghai plunged into a frozen lake, killing 55.
- Word from Boeing: Boeing offered condolences to the families of victims Monday and said it would help investigate the crash as its shares plunged 3.6 per cent. Boeing’s 737 Max was grounded for nearly two years before it was approved to fly again. WHAT ELSE [Ukraine retook a key Kyiv suburb]( as the battle for Mariupol rages. With nothing more to donate, [Canada is going weapon shopping]( for Ukraine. [Fewer Canadians are thinking of buying a home]( as inflation takes hold, an RBC survey found. CP rail workers will be [back on the job at noon]( after the company and the union agreed to final arbitration. Ontario is giving $1.5 billion in rebates to “safe” employers. But critics say [companies with serious violations are eligible](. Some business owners are keeping masking in place — and legal experts say [they have every right to do so](. [So, who’s still masking?]( The Star checked multiple places around town to find out. Doug Ford insists Ontario is open for business — [but is America listening?]( GET THIS
Source: EKOS/Toronto Star graphic [A new poll shows anti-vaxxers are much more sympathetic toward Russia — here’s why.]( CLOSE-UP Drew Angerer/Getty Images CAPITOL HILL: U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson listens during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C. Monday. If confirmed, Judge Jackson will become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. 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_113515). 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.
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