A Canadian university cut ties with Huawei — here's what it means

Plus, funding long-term care and financing housing for Toronto's unhoused community [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. The CRA and the workers’ union have reached a tentative deal, [ending the strike for 35,000 workers]( Here’s the latest on Huawei partnerships, long-term care insurance and a Toronto housing benefit. DON’T MISS Andy Wong/Associated Press star exclusive [The University of Waterloo has ended its research partnerships with Huawei amid China security concerns]( As scrutiny increases for Canadian university partnerships with potential ties to militaries or security powers of foreign bodies — and debate over Beijing’s influence here continues — the Star has learned that one of Canada’s top research schools is calling it quits with Chinese telecom giant Huawei. [Joanna Chiu reports on why the move by Waterloo is being seen as a potential precedent-setter that could see the company lose $25 million annually](. - Context: Canada has banned Huawei from its next-generation 5G wireless networks, but the government has so far allowed universities to decide if they want to collaborate with the company. - More: In February, Canadian authorities made their policies on bankrolling research with foreign entities more strict. They announced Canada’s federal research granting councils would reject funding for projects with institutions that had ties to foreign governments posing a risk to national security. No specific countries were named. Dreamstime/TNS third act [Should we be taking money off Canadians’ paycheques for long-term care?]( According to a new white paper from the National Institute on Ageing (NIA), Canada is behind on long-term care insurance, trailing several jurisdictions that have prepared for their aging population with benefits to cover the care. Although trying to catch up now would have a minimal impact on the eldest boomers, one expert said, having a national insurance program for long-term care is a necessary “social contract.” [Moira Welsh reports on where we are now — and where we could be with such a program in place](. - Context: The NIA report notes that a public — not private — long-term-care insurance program could help pay for costly and unexpected expenses due to ill health or fragility that can be financially devastating. It said the private-paid long-term-care insurance, which is currently available in Canada, is often very expensive. - Wait, what? The NIA’s white paper defines “long-term care” as a combination of supports or health care services from public or private care providers across a range of settings, including institutions, the community and individual homes. Steve Russell/The Star housing [A housing benefit for homeless people is set to run out of money after only two months, Toronto says]( Homelessness in the city is increasing, shelters are closing down and money the city has allocated to address the problem is running out faster than expected. A subsidy meant to assist shelter residents in affording market rent — which was supposed to last until the spring of 2024 — is on pace to be out of funds by May 31. [Victoria Gibson reports on how the disparity came to be and what it could mean for the future](. - Why it matters: “The shelter system is currently serving twice as many people as it was six years ago. Despite continually adding new beds, there is increasing pressure on the shelter system, which is at capacity most nights,” the head of the city’s shelter department wrote in a recent city report. “Even at the service level of almost 9,000 spaces, we are unable to match all people reaching out for shelter.” - By the numbers: The average single person on Ontario disability supports receives a maximum of $1,228 per month, with $522 of that earmarked to cover housing costs. Meanwhile, Urbanation says the average purpose-built rental apartment in the Toronto area has surpassed $3,000 per month. WHAT ELSE Unmanned aerial vehicles crashed into the Kremlin state building. [How will Vladimir Putin respond to the “assassination attempt”?]( The prime minister’s brother is insisting there’s [“no possibility” of foreign interference within the Trudeau Foundation](. Ontario power workers have gotten retroactive raises in a two-year contract deal. [Here’s a look at their payout](. Maple Leafs trolls? Or anti-heroes? [Meet the viral fans who wear the visiting team’s jersey at every home game](. “Buy now, pay later” online programs are taking off — [but providers not reporting growing debts to credit bureaus could lead to serious risks](. TTC riders will have to wait longer on the city’s busiest subway line starting Sunday — [and what else to know about transit cuts](. A Toronto man has been sentenced to 11 years for the [“brazen shooting” at his baby son’s birthday party](. Bullets were fired through a Toronto bail courthouse, possibly overnight. [Here’s what we know](. Here are the Canadians who will attend [Saturday’s coronation of King Charles](. This is why Doug Ford has [no love for Pierre Poilievre](. [Jeff “ODog” O’Neill is back on air with the TSN OverDrive show]( an unspecified “leave.” Niall Horan’s fans camped out for hours in the rain for a free concert. [Take a look at the scenes](. POV Canadian Press/Chris Young [Doug Ford’s luxury spa vs. Mike Harris’s Highway 407: which privatization deal is worse?]( CLOSE-UP Urban Animal Photography TORONTO CAT RESCUE: Nearly 200 unneutered cats and kittens have been rescued from a hoarding situation in a single home outside of Toronto. [Now, 135 of those rescues are looking for new families]( 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_179899). I’ll 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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