Is your landlord misusing this method to increase rent?

Plus updates on a new path to permanent residency for undocumented workers [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. Check out [what’s open and closed in Toronto this Labour Day long weekend](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press Immigration [How a new path to permanent residency for undocumented workers could have a profound impact]( As many as 500,000 undocumented residents living in Canada work exploitative jobs in construction, cleaning, caregiving, and agriculture. Many come legally, only to lose status because of issues with extending short-term permits, report Sara Mojtehedzadeh and Nicholas Keung. [Here’s what an avenue to permanent residency could mean for them and how it might help Canada, too](. Toronto Star EDUCATION [Experts share advice as students return to classrooms]( The government recently announced that it’s scrapping the five-day quarantine for those infected with COVID. Coupled with science table recommendations and public health advice, parents struggle to make informed decisions for their children as they return to school. Megan Ogilvie and Kenyon Wallace spoke to eight experts about [mask wearing, vaccines, extracurricular activities, and how to navigate COVID-19 risks as kids head back](. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press Federal POLITICS [Can this secret document help Conservatives to victory?]( Vying to lead the federal Conservative party this year, Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest are following a “blueprint for victory” outlined in a mysterious 2020 document, but in vastly different ways, reports Stephanie Levitz. [Here’s what it says about how the Conservatives might win power](. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star HOUSING [Many fear landlords are using Above Guideline Increases to fleece residents]( Building outfitted with a new boiler system? Watch out for price jumps in rent. AGIs allow landlords to raise rent over the yearly cap for capital expenses like upgrading building functions, writes Jenna Moon. Some tenants may have problems because there’s no limit on how many times landlords can use AGIs. [Here’s why the process is a disadvantage for renters](. Richard Lautens/Toronto Star CITY POLITICS [This twisted tree planting tale is so classically Toronto]( Chris Tindal hoped to plant a tree in his yard to help Toronto achieve 40 per cent tree canopy cover by 2050. After turning to the city for help a year ago, there’s still no tree in sight, writes Emma Teitel. Why is a city with lofty environmental goals making it difficult for Tindal to plant a tree? [Here’s what Toronto can do differently to meet its ambitious plans for climate, housing, and more](. POV Chantal Hébert: To remain in power, Justin Trudeau should focus on leading the country, [not attacking Pierre Poilievre](. William Cooper: Donald Trump is stirring up his mob again. [Here’s why the threat goes to the core of American democracy](. Thomas Walkom: [Doug Ford is getting everything wrong on health care.]( Gurpartap Singh Toor: Ontario’s upcoming municipal elections conflict with Diwali. [Here’s why we can and should move voting day](. Rick Salutin: [Mikhail Gorbachev’s death underscores the return of Cold War vilifications](. Star Editorial Board: A strong mayor could be more of a puppet than a magician. [Here’s why we need to rethink the proposal](. VISIT THIS Natasha Luckhardt Calling all “Gilmore Girls” fans. If you love the perpetually autumnal town of Stars Hollow, you’ll probably love Merrickville, Ontario’s quaintest delight that’s only four hours from Toronto. [Natasha Luckhardt makes a case for what to discover in Merrickville](. 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_142919), and I 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](