Could an Eaton Centre water park become a reality?

Plus, how did Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives raise a record $6 million at a private fundraiser? [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. Friday’s thundersnow storm has left more than 500 customers in Etobicoke without power and multiple vehicles stuck on the road. [For live updates, follow the Star’s winter storm watch](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Richard Lautens/Toronto Star file photo PROVINCIAL POLITICS [Behind closed doors, Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives raise a record $6 million at a private fundraiser]( More than 4,000 people paid $1,500 apiece to attend Thursday’s sold-out fundraising event at the Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke, reports Robert Benzie. The guest list included elected officials, lobbyists, developers, union leaders, political staffers, lawyers and assorted other hangers-on. Members of the media were notably absent — Ford’s office ended the tradition of inviting the press to partisan fundraising events in 2019. [Here’s what attendees say Ford shared at the event about his plans for Ontario](. Jenyasmyk/Dreamstime CANADA [Two Canadian companies announced they can legally sell cocaine, but Health Canada says not quite]( Two B.C.-based companies stirred up confusion and controversy Thursday after they announced they were permitted to manufacture and sell cocaine. While it is technically accurate that Adastra Labs and Sunshine Labs are legally permitted to possess, produce, sell, and distribute cocaine, Health Canada confirmed the main purpose is for “scientific and medical purposes only,” not for distribution to the general public. [Kevin Jiang breaks down how the licenses issued to both companies are part of a larger conversation around access to a safer supply of illicit drugs](. Steve Russell/Toronto Star BUSINESS [An Eaton Centre water park? Nordstrom’s closure has some dreaming big as prime Toronto real estate opens up]( On Thursday, U.S. retailer Nordstrom announced it is closing all 13 Canadian stores, including the 220,000-square-foot flagship at the Toronto Eaton Centre. Since then, retail experts have made suggestions about what could now occupy some of the most desirable commercial real estate in the country. Could a water park, cluster of restaurants, or conference centre be next? [Josh Rubin tables the most viable suggestions and explains why another fashion retailer is an unlikely option](. York Regional Police TRAFFICKING [Police announce bust of a massive international labour trafficking ring in GTA]( Canadian authorities say they have dissolved an international labour trafficking ring and rescued 64 Mexican workers from “deplorable living and working conditions” across Greater Toronto, report Nicholas Keung and Sara Mojtehedzadeh. Police say the workers were coerced with promises of a better life, decent wages, quality housing, and, eventually documentation. Instead, the men and women were transported in yellow school buses to work in farms, factories, and warehouses across the region while housed in cramped and infested homes. [Here’s how the workers reached out for help and what Ontario’s Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said about the province’s efforts to protect vulnerable workers from labour trafficking](. Steve Russell/Toronto Star The Third ACT [He spends his days caring for his wife, who has dementia. This is his lonely struggle]( At 88, Bill Lynn is a full-time caregiver to his 89-year-old spouse, Marg, who has dementia. Diagnosed a few years ago, Marg had a quick decline. With few supports to help older adults living at home, Bill is spending his later years in a life of devotion and isolation as he cares for Marg. Twice a week, he receives two hours of Ontario-funded home care in the couple’s East Toronto home, a short-lived freedom that allows for grocery shopping and sometimes, coffee at the mall. [As part of the Third Act Series, Moira Welsh and Steve Russell document Bill’s daily life as a caregiver](. POV David Olive: The “15-minute city” could be life-changing for Torontonians. [But we won’t talk about that](. Thomas Walkom: [China is just one foreign government trying to influence Canadian elections](. Navneet Alang: It’s not just TikTok. [The real problem Canada faces is toothless online privacy laws](. Rick Salutin: [Is the internet to blame for the downfall of the news and the dismay of the young]( Andrew Phillips: [Fox News is an example of what happens when journalism outlets won’t tell you the truth](. Jonathan Scott: [Here’s what Ontario’s Liberals can learn from kids’ movies](. VISIT THIS Redtea/Getty Images If you’re in search of some budget-friendly destinations and activities in Ontario this summer, look no further. Sarah Laing talks to a few travel experts for their best budget-friendly escapes and activities. From an idyllic archipelago for outdoor lovers to a fascinating Northern Ontario town, [here are some affordable destinations to hit up and what to do there](. 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_169866), and I will see you back here tomorrow. 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. 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