Why are young voters suddenly interested in the Conservative party?

Plus, Toronto’s ambitions to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2040 [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. A report from the recently dissolved Ontario Science Table says masks and cohorts aren’t required in schools this fall. [Do you think schools should bring back COVID-19 measures]( Here’s the latest. MUST READS Richard Lautens/Toronto Star CLIMATE CHANGE [Toronto has a plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. Who will pay for it?]( One Toronto city councillor spent $48,000 to retrofit his home to neutralize GHG emissions, but what will it take for all of Toronto to do the same? The city’s TransformTO plan will electrify buildings and transit with clean energy to reach its net zero goal by 2040 — if implemented. Francine Kopun reports on [the city’s ambitious climate plan and why some believe it’s fatally flawed](. Toronto Star Photo Illustration Federal Politics [Here’s how Pierre Poilievre is attracting younger voters]( Recent polling shows that the Conservative Party is becoming more competitive with young people, and blue heart emojis are flooding TikTok in support of Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre. Raisa Patel reports on [why Poilievre’s compelling communication style and focus on freedom appeal to young adults, and how other parties are responding](. Toronto Star Photo Illustration HOUSING [Home prices will keep dropping, some as much as 24%. What does that mean for prospective owners?]( A dramatic drop in real estate prices could see the average Canadian home lose a quarter of its value. Great news for buyers, right? Wrong. Mortgage interest rate hikes are making homes less affordable and with rates expected to increase in the coming months, buyers and sellers are waiting to see how high they go before they make any moves. [Clarrie Feinstein reports on the declining market for those looking to buy a home](. Matt Rourke/The Associated Press File Photo COVID-19 [What you need to know about the new-and-improved COVID vaccines]( This fall, Canada expects to stock updated vaccines that immunize against Omicron. Still, many wonder if they should hold off for an even newer shot that targets more recent variants. Alex Boyd reports on the [two upgraded vaccines in the pipeline and the pros and cons of waiting or taking what’s available now](. Shruti Bhatnagar/Toronto Star Photo Illustration HOME TRUTHS [One of Toronto’s oldest downtown condos became my home 20 years ago. Why I’m here to stay]( This year, 40 Homewood Ave. is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Residents say the 31-storey condominium is one of the first downtown highrise condos in the country. Bruce DeMara, who moved into the building 20 years ago, writes about [the romance and controversy that are part of the building’s history and why he’s never leaving](. UP CLOSE Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star As head of the Canadian International Air Show and its sole employee, Lori Duthie works year-round to negotiate air space and secure talented aviators to create spectacular CNE events. Katie Daubs chronicles [Lori’s journey to the Air Show and the advice she holds dear from her grandfather, a former CNE sports director](. HEAR THIS Amy Gottung Turn your commute from mundane to musical. The new augmented-reality (AR) smartphone app, A More Beautiful Journey, pairs ambient sounds with particular TTC routes, but listeners can also tune into jazz, hip-hop, reggae, and R&B. Here’s Briony Smith on [the app that plans to turn your commute into a sweet soundscape](. 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_141930), 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](