This Olympian says she's looking for truth. Many don’t agree

Plus, the battle for accountability between TDSB and the corporation overseeing $20 billion worth of its properties [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. On Saturday, [an injunction was granted to halt the removal of centuries-old trees at Osgoode Hall to make room for station work on the Ontario Line subway](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star STAR EXCLUSIVE [Toronto District School Board and the corporation overseeing $20 billion worth of its properties square off over transparency]( The Toronto Lands Corporation is scrambling to replace six TDSB members after they resigned en masse last week in a row over transparency. Following an independent review, TDSB says it learned that TLC went to the province’s Integrity Commissioner to get an exemption from a law prohibiting publicly funded organizations from retaining paid lobbyists and hired a firm to lobby the government. [Isabel Teotonio breaks down the school board’s request for more transparency and accountability](. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star SPORT [Here’s how this Canadian girl is breaking records and misconceptions about weightlifting and kids]( Rory van Ulft, who turns 10 today, became the youngest person to lift double their body weight in Olympic-style weightlifting during the Variety Village Open in Toronto two weeks ago. Despite Rory’s success, Kerry Gillespie notes there is still criticism about lifting at such a young age, thanks to outdated beliefs about how dangerous weightlifting is to children. But coaches are encouraging hopefuls to learn the fundamentals of the sport much younger to develop their techniques and compete abroad as they age. [Here’s everything you need to know about Rory’s experience as part of a small but growing group of youngsters who are weightlifting at ever younger ages](. Darryl Dyck/For the Toronto Star CANADA [Pierre Poilievre called it “hell on earth.” Here’s what people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside want him to see]( After British Columbia announced it would decriminalize hard drugs for quantities under 2.5 grams as part of a three-year experiment, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside “hell on earth,” which remains the focal point of lament for the drug crisis. But residents say Poilievre’s comments lack a clear understanding of how the neighbourhood works for those who call it home. [Jeremy Nuttall explores the community and shares its residents’ responses to Poilievre’s claims about the neighbourhood](. Codie McLachlan CANADA [Jamie Salé was Canada’s sweetheart on ice. Now the Olympian is championing something darker]( Jamie Salé went from an Olympian ice skater whose gold medal was allegedly snatched by a corrupt French judge to an advocate peddling claims that COVID was a hoax, the mainstream media is lying, and our leaders should be in jail. While Salé declined requests from The Star for an interview, Alex Boyd masterfully depicts a rapid shift in priorities that took the ones closest to Salé by surprise and a clear portrait of a woman who has chosen a new ideology over old friends and loved ones. [Here's why the Olympian says the "Freedom Convoy" was more patriotic for her than her Olympic experience](. Paige Taylor White/Toronto Star OPINION [Ahead of CaféTO vote, here are three ironclad truths to keep in mind about Toronto and its restaurants]( At Tuesday’s upcoming city council meeting, a plan to make the CaféTO street patios permanent is up for debate. Using three ironclad truths about the city and its restaurants, Edward Keenan shares insight into how the program can stay alive and Toronto restaurants can remain supported, like possibly waiving the application and permit fees for a cafe’s first year if it builds an accessible platform as required. [Here’s how the city’s best intentions can ensure that CaféTO remains a viable program for Toronto restaurants](. UP CLOSE Kay Lee Photography Have you noticed an increase in artisanal hot sauces that set taste buds ablaze? You can thank the pandemic for sparking the trend, which has introduced a wondrous range of sauce types informed by different cultures and spices represented in the province, writes Briony Smith. [Here are six homegrown brand founders whose hot sauces provide an alternative for Super Bowl Sunday snacks](. VISIT THIS Art Gallery of Ontario This Spring, Toronto galleries are returning with a full roster of engaging shows, offering a variety of world views. Sue Carter breaks down [11 must-see sexy, thoughtful, celebratory, richly textured, colourful, cleansing art exhibitions in Toronto to check out this season](. 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_165471), and Manuela will see you back here Monday. 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](