Groceries are too 🤬 expensive — here's who's paying the price

Plus, backlogs are shattering international students' dreams and Ford country without a Ford to vote for [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the impact of record-high food inflation, permit backlogs for international students and voters in Ford country without a Ford to vote for. DON’T MISS Susan Kao/Toronto Star Photo Illustration cost of living [Food inflation hit a 41-year high — and people are going hungry]( Although inflation is steadily decreasing, food prices remain the highest they’ve been since August 1981. Canadians are paying 10.9 per cent more at grocery stores now than they were this time last year — and families are having to choose “between paying their rent, buying healthy food, getting prescription medication, getting clothes and supplies for their kids.” Josh Rubin reports on [what it means for the Bank of Canada as it aims to calm inflation](. - Wait, what? There were six million Canadians living in food-insecure households in 2021, and food inflation is driving that number higher, one advocate said. - By the numbers: A new report shows almost three quarters of Canadian households changed their food shopping habits due to price increases, and roughly a quarter were simply buying less food. - Go deeper: A spokesperson for the Retail Council of Canada said grocers aren’t to blame for food inflation since they’re also facing increases from vendors. [But this Star investigation suggests supermarkets are hiking prices faster than necessary](. - More: Take a look at [how high prices are affecting people on social assistance, students and the person sitting next to you on the TTC]( R.J. Johnston/The Star immigration [The future of tens of thousands of international students is in jeopardy]( Canada has become the third-largest destination for international students, but a permit processing backlog at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is putting the fall semester of tens of thousands of international students at risk. With 151,000 applications still working their way through the system just days before classes began, according to IRCC figures provided to the Star, deferrals are being recommended and tuition is being refunded. Janet Hurley reports on [how the situation is “shattering” students’ plans and costing universities](. - Go deeper: Iranian student Ghodrat Jahromi has decided to defer — even though she had already resigned from her job in Turkey and now faces a huge rent increase after breaking her lease. - The aftermath: “Canada is now getting a reputation on the global stage that perhaps it’s better to go to the U.S. or it’s better to go to the U.K.,” said Deborah MacLatchy, president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University. - More: The IRCC told the Star it is “moving towards a more integrated, modernized and centralized working environment in order to help speed up application processing globally,” including a hiring blitz and digitizing applications. Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star municipal elections [“I don’t know what to vote.” For the first time in more than 20 years, there’s no Ford on the ballot in Ford country]( The Fords’ political dynasty in Etobicoke North has come to end (at least, for now), leaving many voters wondering who to vote for. Despite being white and wealthy in a riding where 83 per cent of residents are visible minorities and the average household income is far below Toronto’s average, the Fords built a strong family brand in the ward, Francine Kopun reports. But the Fords aren’t Toronto’s only political family. [Here are the many ways family connections have given candidates a leg up on the ballot](. - Wait, what? Etobicoke North voters have 16 candidates to choose from — more options than any other ward. - Go deeper: With just one mayoral debate confirmed this year, [how healthy is local democracy?]( - More: Toronto council is nowhere near as diverse as the city it represents. [Meet five candidates from a variety of backgrounds who have joined the race](. - By the numbers: Polling shows [close races for Toronto’s open council seats](. WHAT ELSE Canada secured more COVID vaccines than any other nation. [Will we keep our promise to help low-income countries?]( The economist who predicted a housing bubble expects a [“long, ugly” recession that will wipe out “zombie” institutions](. Justin Trudeau is favoured over Pierre Poilievre for prime minister — [but not by much](. An energy shortage could lie ahead for Canada — [as early as 2026 for Ontario](. [Outrage over Justin Trudeau singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” before the Queen’s funeral]( is much ado about nothing. How a 20-year-old student in Canada became a [Ukrainian war correspondent with a global following](. Toronto police will honour and say goodbye to the officer killed in the GTA stabbing rampage with a funeral and procession. [Watch the live coverage here](. Nova Scotia is joining B.C. in refusing to hold immigration detainees in provincial jails. [Here’s how the movement to end the “abusive” practice is gaining momentum](. Here’s what you need to know about [Ontario’s controversial new nursing home law](. Why the Canadian dollar just fell below 75 cents U.S. — [its lowest level in two years](. Giant broccoli meatballs and plant-based Banh Mi: [Here’s some weeknight inspiration](. An Amber Alert for a Vancouver child [has been cancelled](. POV Toronto Star File Photo [More people are taking the GO train on weekends now than before the pandemic. But the transit success story may not last.]( CLOSE-UP Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania/AP AUSTRALIA: Some 230 whales have been stranded on Ocean Beach, on the west coast of Tasmania on Wednesday. [Here’s how warmer temperatures may have led the protected species to shore](. 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_145795). 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. [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](