The Great Resignation of Toronto’s councillors

Plus, the impact of inflation on low-income Canadians, youth workers responding to gun violence, and an immigration privacy breach [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. [The Star’s astrologist]( encourages us to tap into the sweetness of life by way of compassion and imagination to help offset stress today. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Toronto Star/Wire Services CITY Politics [Is city councillor still a coveted role? Mass exits say no]( Seven Toronto city councillors have resigned this year alone — the workload is overwhelming and the job can be dangerous with personal and sometimes violent attacks on elected officials. Does anyone still want to be a city councillor? What does the answer mean for Toronto and its politics? [Read Francine Kopun’s report on the resignations and how it affects civic democracy](. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press Finances [Low-income Canadians are spread thin by inflation. Here’s what it means for their finances]( While inflation tops everyone’s stresses, low-income Canadians are more worried about food and rent than others. Some are even cutting down on essentials like food to cope, and even though signs suggest that inflation is subsiding, [Rosa Saba reports that its effects will be long-lasting for the most vulnerable among us](. Paige Taylor White/Toronto Star Gun Violence [Why these youth workers fighting Toronto’s gun violence crisis are giving up on government help]( In the absence of sustainable funding and government recognition, youth advocates in Toronto are moving forward on their own to combat gun violence in the city. Few of them earn a living wage, and many suffer burnout trying to keep their organizations afloat. In a candid conversation with Jennifer Pagliaro, they express their frustration with the government and [the challenges they face as they embark on this path alone](. iStockphoto/Getty Images DATA BREACH [Looking for updates on your immigration status? They might be in someone else’s inbox]( Immigration is rushing to renew more than 93,000 expired and expiring work permits by the end of this year, and in the process, they’ve made some mistakes. Some applicants found private immigration information belonging to other people was sent to them. [Read Nicholas Keung’s report on how applicants and the government are responding to the immigration privacy breach](. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star Parks and Rec [Ontario Place needs fresh ideas, not generational mistakes]( A proposed revitalization of Ontario Place feature swooping, heavy buildings that leave precious little public space on the edges, writes Shawn Micallef. While the public will get a chance to share their thoughts about the redesign next year, Shawn argues that local politicians like Mayor John Tory should make it a political issue, and defend Ontario Place for Torontonians. [Read more of Shawn’s response to the latest plans for Ontario Place](. UP CLOSE Rebekah Bennett When the North American monarch butterfly was classified endangered, citizen scientists in Toronto stepped up. Don Davis, who specializes in tracking migratory monarchs, collects all the data he can. Rebekah Bennett grows host plants and repairs butterfly wings while Bruce Parker gives educational lectures. [Read Tracey Tong’s profile of the citizen scientists saving the endangered migratory monarch butterfly](. WATCH THIS Samuel Engelking Looking to skip big action blockbusters this summer for something more…peaceful? You’re not the only one. Hot Docs special programs curator Will Di Novi says films about meditation and spirituality have been drawing large audiences over the last few years. He shares with Briony Smith [four Toronto-inspired docs to chill out to](. Thanks for reading. You can reach 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_138409), and Manuela will see you back here Monday. [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](