The government's cutting back — will it actually help?

Plus, more contradictions at the Emergencies Act inquiry and a looming education job action [Get access now!]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the government’s plans to tackle the affordability crisis, the division among authorities and governments during the Convoy, and stalled talks between school support staff and Ontario. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Cole Burston federal politics [New programs would have be funded by budget cuts, Chrystia Freeland warns cabinet ministers]( If cabinet ministers want funding to help Canadians weather new economic challenges, they’ll have to make cuts from their own departments, Stephanie Levitz reports. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland issued that warning in a letter obtained by the Star this week as part of her planning for the 2023 budget, adding Wednesday that “Canadians are cutting back on costs and so too is our government.” [Here’s what we know about the pressure the federal government is facing as it looks to tackle affordability](. - Meanwhile: The Bank of Canada is expected to introduce another oversized rate hike after Canada’s inflation fell to 6.9 per cent in September — [but grocery prices remain at a record-high](. - Context: The “reallocations” Freeland is demanding from departments follow a promise that the government would find a way to reduce spending by $9 billion over four years, beginning in 2023-24. - Wait, what? While noting that the government’s own financial projections will be laid out in detail in the coming fall economic statement, Freeland did not mention the possibility of a recession. [This Week in Politics] Want exclusive analysis of the Toronto election? Get that and more political news from the Star’s This Week in Politics newsletter. [Sign up for free here](. Steve Russell/The Star emergencies act inquiry [OPP intelligence reports warned the Convoy was preparing to stay put — but Ottawa police chief disagreed]( Peter Sloly, Ottawa’s chief of police during the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests last winter, misjudged just how long the occupation would last, seemingly ignored warnings from the Ontario Provincial Police that demonstrators would hunker down for the long term, and suggested he might resign a week before he did, a federal inquiry heard Wednesday. It also heard that Sloly, Ottawa’s first Black police chief, faced racism and dissent in his own ranks, Alex Ballingall and Tonda MacCharles report. [Take a closer look at how the warning signs about the convoy grew as the weeks went by](. - More: Seeing thousands of trucks lining highways and millions of dollars being raised, the OPP saw the Convoy’s arrival as a public safety threat and a potential threat to officers’ safety, the inquiry heard. - Point: The former chair of Ottawa’s police services board said she received death threats during the occupation, echoing similar statements made by Sloly and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. - Counterpoint: The OPP’s chief of intelligence said Wednesday the Convoy presented no “credible” threat of extremist violence. [Here’s why he argued that painting the protesters as “un-Canadian” was problematic](. Richard Lautens/The Star provincial politics [A mediator has called off contract talks between school support staff and Ontario]( After being called in on Monday because talks were stalling, a private mediator has decided to suspend meetings between the province and the union representing 55,000 support staff. Both sides will take a break and resume talks on Nov. 1, while the president of the CUPE school boards bargaining unit says a strike is possible, Kristin Rushowy reports. As tensions run high, [here’s what we know about the union’s requests](. - By the numbers: The union wants a raise of about 11 per cent a year. The province is offering two per cent annually over four years for those making less than $40,000, and 1.25 per cent for those earning more than that, as well as increased overtime pay, among other items. - Watch for: CUPE could be in a position to call legal job action or strike as early as Nov. 3, provided school boards are given five days’ notice. WHAT ELSE Heating prices could double for some households this winter. [Here’s why Canada likely won’t take the necessary measures to protect citizens](. Richmond Hill residents are protesting a “bullying culture” at council that’s upended city business. [Here’s a look at the mayhem](. These are [the Star’s endorsements for Toronto Council in Wards 1 to 8](. … [and in Wards 9 to 16](. Mayoral hopeful Gil Penalosa wants to tear down the east Gardiner Expressway. [Here’s what we know about the plan and its supporters](. John Tory’s approach to policing is a denial of basic dignities, rights and liberties for marginalized people. [Shree Paradkar explains](. [Will Jacob Hoggard go to prison?]( A pending appeal could see the ex-pop star walk out of court despite a multi-year sentence. “We basically shattered a lot of dreams.” [Here’s why some trustees are pushing to reopen the debate on specialized schools](. [Daniel Radcliffe talks learning to play the accordion and “the weirdest scene”]( in Al Yankovic’s movie. Why British PM Liz Truss, AKA the “Human Hand Grenade,” has [blown it for the Tories](. Luxury buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for more listings. [Here’s how their market experience is different from first-time homebuyers’](. Lotto Max jackpot is seeing its [longest-ever stretch without a winner](. ICYMI Erwin Wodicka/Dreamstime [Ontario is reducing doctors’ payments for one-off virtual appointments. Here’s what it could mean for your health care.]( CLOSE-UP R.J. Johnston/The Star CANADA’S RATTIEST CITY: Sherwin Baghani, the operational manager at SOS Wildlife Control, looks for signs of where a rat entered this west Toronto home. After Toronto was named the country’s worst city for rats, [here’s what we know is — and isn’t — being about the exploding rodent problem](. 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_149967). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Get unlimited access to all articles Only $0.50/week for a limited time [Subscribe Now!]( 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]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](