Here's who was leaking info to the "Freedom Convoy"

Plus, the state of talks between CUPE and the province, and the importance of getting a flu shot ASAP [Get access now!]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on mediations between CUPE and the province, how “Freedom Convoy” leaders got leaked information and why you should get a flu shot soon. DON’T MISS Richard Lautens/The Star provincial politics [CUPE slashed its wage demand, but school workers will still strike Friday if no deal is reached]( The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) made a new offer to the provincial government Tuesday night, the Star has learned, but the union and the province remained at a standoff Wednesday. While the government says it will move forward with back-to-work legislation, invoking the notwithstanding clause to override the Charter, school support staff still plan to walk off the job unless a deal is reached. The union is set to strike Friday and into next week, despite the hundreds of millions of dollars in fines it is set to face each day. [Here’s what we know about mediation efforts as the clock ticks](. - Go deeper: Education workers are the “backbone” of schools. [In their own words, here’s what they do](. - From the Star Editorial Board: [Why everyone should be concerned about the Ford government’s tactics]( to stamp out labour strife and run roughshod over individual rights. - Another angle: I’m a fed up mom, but [my anger is directed at Ford and Lecce, not education workers](. - The aftermath: The NDP lost its bid for emergency debate into use of the notwithstanding clause. [Here’s why an MPP called it a “constitutional crisis.”]( Canadian Press/Justin Tang emergencies act inquiry [Police officers leaked information to “Freedom Convoy” organizers]( Sympathetic officials with the Ottawa police, Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP and even the Canadian Security Intelligence Service leaked information to leaders of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” during the three-week blockade of downtown Ottawa, a lawyer representing some convoy leaders told a federal inquiry. [Tonda MacCharles and Alex Ballingall report on what officials knew about leaks and how protestors acted on the information they received](. - More: The OPP told the Star it will investigate allegations. Ottawa Police Service, the RCMP and CSIS did not respond to the Star’s questions Wednesday. - Go deeper: The Star has reported that police officers donated to the convoy, and the inquiry has heard evidence from law enforcement leaders that some front-line officers supported the overall goal of the occupation. According to a Feb. 14 OPP report, some protesters saw themselves as “being at war with the Canadian government and everything it represents.” - Meanwhile: Prominent convoy leaders [downplayed controversial elements of their protest movement at Emergencies Act inquiry](. Canadian Press File Photo health [The next two weeks are critical for getting flu vaccines]( Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore is urging Ontarians to get their flu shot in the next two weeks, as the province’s health system struggles to keep up with an early start to the viral season. Right now, about four per cent of lab tests for influenza are coming back positive, but once that rate reaches five per cent, influenza will begin to spread quickly, Moore said. Megan Ogilvie reports on [the “triple threat” facing the health system as hospitals contend with a winter of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza](. - Wait, what? Although most people with influenza recover in seven to 10 days, some can get severely ill and require hospitalization. Those at higher risk include adults over 65, pregnant people and individuals with cancer, kidney disease, diabetes and other chronic health conditions. In Canada, influenza and pneumonia are ranked among the top 10 causes of death. - More: [Here are 10 things you need to know about RSV]( as cases surge in children. WHAT ELSE [An eyewitness video shows the shooting at a Scarborough high school]( as police identify the teen suspect and the victim who died. Economists say home prices will benefit from record-high immigration targets for years to come. [This is what it could mean for the long term](. Toronto region home prices are flatlining. [Here’s what that suggests about the unpredictable market](. Hoping for $10-a-day child care? [Here’s how many Toronto daycares are opting in to the federal program](. [This inflationary year was a great one for Loblaw]( according to a new report. [There won’t be subway service at these six TTC stations]( this weekend. Toronto is adding 25 new photo radar cameras to eliminate traffic-related deaths. [Road safety advocates say the city isn’t thinking big enough](. A prosecutor says a man murdered his mom, a Mississauga spa owner, [for her $1 million insurance policy](. Pearson airport is testing an AI system to detect weapons. [Here’s what you can expect](. [This is how to survive a crowd crush]( like the deadly one in Seoul. [Elon Musk’s plans to charge $8 a month for verification]( on Twitter is receiving heavy backlash. Primp your garden for its top performance next spring by [doing these eight things](. POV Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick [Chrystia Freeland will announce “rapid reaction” help for low-income workers, students and the housing sector. Expect a lot of words — but not much money.]( CLOSE-UP Tauseef Mustafa/Getty Images INDIA: A woman walks amid maple trees at Nishat Garden in Srinagar on Tuesday. 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_152180). 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. 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