What will follow the Pope's historic apology?

Plus, Ontario braces for an epidural tube shortage and plummeting home sales [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the Pope’s historic apology, a global shortage of epidural tubes and the anticipated “historic correction” to the housing market. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Nathan Denette reconciliation [Pope Francis’s apology was history-making — so what comes next?]( It was an expression of sorrow and regret — a historic apology. “I am deeply sorry,” Pope Francis said, speaking of the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system. After first apologising in Rome, the highly anticipated remarks were finally uttered on the soil of Indigenous people. But missing from the acknowledgment were concrete promises of action and a hoped-for renunciation of harmful papal doctrine. With only the vague mention of an “investigation” to follow, many survivors and chiefs say more work is needed to alleviate the trauma inflicted by the church. [Here’s how two chiefs described their mixed emotions](. - More: “Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the Indigenous peoples,” Francis said. - Watch: [Here are highlights from the apology to survivors](. - The aftermath: [Here’s how others are reacting to Pope Francis’s residential-schools apology](. - Gillian Steward’s take: Although he didn’t apologize on behalf of the entire church, Pope Francis sounded heartfelt and remorseful. [Why did it take so long?]( Steve Russell/The Star HEALTH CARE [The global shortage of epidural tubes has hit Western Canada — and Ontario is watching closely]( For those giving birth, an epidural is considered the “gold standard” for pain relief and safety, says Dr. Dolores McKeen, the president of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society. But western provinces are feeling the effects of a global epidural tube shortage and the situation is becoming more urgent. Now, Ontario hospitals are on alert as they watch their own dwindling supply. [Here’s how Ontario hospitals are preparing and the implications for labour and delivery](. - By the numbers: According to a report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, epidurals were used in 59 per cent of vaginal deliveries from 2017 to 2018. - Go deeper: Epidural is often used in high-risk pregnancies, McKeen said. For instance, in the case of twins, it allows a medical team to quickly pivot to an emergency Caesarean section, if needed, without putting the mom to sleep. R.J. Johnston/The Star real estate [Canada’s housing market could see sales drop 42 per cent]( Facing a “historic correction,” Canada’s housing market could see its biggest downturn in recent history, according to a new report from RBC. With home sales expected to take a dramatic drop, national prices could be more than 12 per cent lower next year. The correction is likely a result of the Bank of Canada’s push to raise interest rates to their highest level since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. [Here’s how the changes could look across the country](. - By the numbers: Home sales are expected to decrease by 23 per cent this year and 15 per cent next year — bringing the total expected drop to 42 per cent since early 2021. By comparison, the market faced a 38 per cent decline in 2008 and 2009. - In the meantime: Prices in the GTA are rising even as demand wanes. [Here’s why that’s concerning](. - Go deeper: Fixed-rate mortgage? Here’s how much more you may have to pay when you renew — [and what to do if you can’t afford it](. [Food Crawl launch] Eat your way through the best of the GTA. From strip mall standouts to downtown gems, nobody knows Toronto like the Star’s food team, and our new newsletter Food Crawl is your guide to where to go, what to order and why you’ve got to try it. [Sign up for free here](. WHAT ELSE What happened the day Rogers went dark? [Here’s an inside look at the hearings](. Stephen Harper is [endorsing Pierre Poilievre to lead the Conservatives](. The Ontario Liberals have a new interim leader, while Andrea Horwath may run for Hamilton mayor. [Here’s what you need to know](. “There was pressure” to release information about N.S. mass shooting firearms, a top Mountie says. [Here’s what that means for the Liberals](. [Here’s what to expect this week from Hockey Canada officials testifying about sexual assault allegations](. Despite witness accounts, Mounties say [they couldn’t believe the N.S. mass shooter had a replica RCMP car](. The man charged with killing Muslim family in London, Ont., [will be tried elsewhere](. [This is the “catch-up” plan for Ontario students]( who faced COVID-19 disruptions. A senior Toronto cop had an open rum bottle in a police-issue SUV and “almost fell over” after crashing, police say. [Here’s more on the allegations](. Four victims were shot in Langley, B.C. over a six-hour period, the RCMP says. [Here’s what we know about the police response](. Here’s how Canadians can [cash in on a $30M settlement over electronics price-fixing](. [A&W’s Whistle Dogs are back for the summer and the internet is going wild](. POV Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese [Whether it’s Rogers or the RCMP facing questions, the Liberals are in the hot seat]( CLOSE-UP Hatem Salhi/AFP via Getty Images TUNISIA: A woman votes at a polling station in Kasserine on Monday as the country weighs in on a draft constitution put forward by the country’s president. [Here’s why the controversial vote is raising concerns that a pre-Arab Spring dictatorship could return](. 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_136471). 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. 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