How many Canadians believe racist conspiracy theories? You may be surprised

Plus, the inside story of Ottawa dropping vaccine mandates and mounting allegations against an Oakville megachurch [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the politics and science behind the end of the federal vaccine mandates, an Oakville megachurch facing mounting allegations of sexual misconduct and the rise of racist conspiracy theories in Canada. DON’T MISS Steve Russell/The Star vaccine mandates [The inside story of why Justin Trudeau suddenly ended vaccine mandates for travellers]( Caucus pressure, differing opinions on how fast to move, and a shared belief that Ottawa needed to be more persuasive, rather than coercive, all played into Tuesday’s sudden announcement that vaccine mandates will end on June 20. The Liberal government attributed its rationale to science, [but here’s how politics played a role, too](. - Go deeper: Experts agree that now is a reasonable time to lift vaccine mandates for travel, but they’re stressing that this doesn’t mean mandates don’t work. [Here’s what travellers should know and what could come next](. - More: “When you come out of a big wave, like the Omicron wave, where millions of people are infected, the case for vaccine mandates is different than a state where many people are going to be freshly susceptible to getting infected,” said the scientific director of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. - The aftermath: The travel industry has blamed COVID-19 measures for delays. [Here’s why experts say wait times could get worse as mandates are rolled back](. Mirko Petricevic/Torstar star investigation [This Oakville megachurch is facing dozens of sexual misconduct “allegations, disclosures and concerns”]( It’s only been a week since a pastor at The Meeting House megachurch was charged with sexual assault, but in the time since, the church says its victim advocate has received 38 “inquiries” related to sexual misconduct, harassment and abuse by former pastors. A member of the church’s overseers board says the allegations are not new or recent, but they do come as a surprise. [Here’s what we know](. - Context: Hamilton police arrested pastor Bruxy Cavey on June 6, charging him with sexual assault. Police said they believe there are more victims. In 2014, a former pastor was charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation. The allegations also include another person who is believed to have been charged with sexual exploitation in January 2021. - Word from the church: “We are deeply sorry for the abuse and harm that has occurred, be it sexual, emotional or spiritual, in our church family,” Jennifer Hryniw, a member of the church’s overseers board, said at a June 7 service. - Wait, what? What are megachurches? Here’s what we know about the [increasingly popular — and controversial — phenomenon](. Canadian Press/Justin Tang misinformation nation [This racist conspiracy theory has found an audience in Canada]( The lie that there is a co-ordinated effort to replace white people with immigrants — known as the Great Replacement Theory — is gaining traction in Canada, and its popularity is becoming hard to ignore, one misinformation expert says. According to an Abacus Data poll, nearly 40 per cent of 1,500 Canadians polled believed in the conspiracy theory, which is linked to the recent racist massacre of 10 Black Americans in Buffalo, N.Y. [Here’s more on what the poll reveals about a culture of misinformation in Canada and how we got here](. - By the numbers: More than half of respondents said official government statements can’t be trusted and 44 per cent said they believe a secret group of elites is controlling world events. - Context: Certain political groups and individuals have been pushing lies, especially about global elites, because it’s politically profitable, said misinformation expert Timothy Caulfield. - Watch for: “Are we going to see more hate crimes because of the legitimization of these conspiracy theories? I think that is an absolutely legitimate concern,” he said. WHAT ELSE Toronto’s police chief is expected to apologize to Black communities today over use of force, sources say. [Here’s what that could signify](. Plans for another smaller, stand-alone Scarborough rail line has drawn fire. [Could the city be making the same mistake over and over?]( Here’s why a study found disabled Canadians to be more likely to [live in unaffordable and unsuitable homes](. Chrystia Freeland will [unveil a $7-billion plan to fight inflation]( Thursday, the Star has learned. Here’s what to expect. At this Toronto long-term-care home, [a little extra money has paid off handsomely]( — with time, respect and attention for residents. This homeowner doesn’t want Bell Canada poles, wires or workers on his property. [Here’s why he’s now taking the telecom to court](. Why are so many leaving city council? For some, [it’s a tough job that Doug Ford made worse](. Car thieves are using Apple AirTags to target vehicles. [Here’s how you can protect your car](. Is there any point of upgrading an urban observatory if light pollution dulls the view? [Here’s why York University’s starry-eyed astronomers say yes](. Two Air Canada planes narrowly [missed colliding on a Pearson airport runway]( in 2020, a report says. ICYMI J.P. Antonacci/Torstar [The abrupt cancellation of an $18-million land deal stunned Port Hope — and has locals questioning Ontario’s new real estate program.]( CLOSE-UP Richard Lautens/The Star TORONTO: Disability advocate Luke Anderson, pictured June 9, is concerned by the number of CafeTO program patios that aren’t accessible for disabled people. “Patio season is coveted and it is our human right as Canadians to be able to access space on an equal basis,” he said. [These are what changes he is calling for](. 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_129337). Jordan 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](