In the move to split Peel Region, what does Doug Ford gain?

Plus, inside the fiery debate behind the decision to rename Dundas Street [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. In case you missed it, [here’s what’s open and closed in Toronto during the Victoria Day long weekend](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Toronto Star photo illustration GTA [Dundas Street and its name are back in the public eye]( The decision to rename Dundas Street, the namesake of influential 18th-century Scottish politician Henry Dundas who was complicit in the slave trade, was controversial. Now, some mayoral candidates are nudging the debate back into the spotlight, saying they’ll rescind or review the decision, even as a city committee prepares to publicize a shortlist of new names this summer. But should Toronto go through with it? [Francine Kopun reports on the process and how the debate is part of a cultural reckoning taking place in cities worldwide](. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press politics [Here’s why Rachel Notley has sought to distance herself from Jagmeet Singh]( Alberta is in the middle of a bitterly fought election campaign between UCP’s Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley of the Alberta NDP. Polls have pegged the race as neck-and-neck and all eyes are on what happens in battleground Calgary come election night on May 29. While the UCP leader has attempted to sink her rival over her perceived ties to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh, Notley has been vocal about reiterating her independence as leader of the Alberta NDP. [Raisa Patel and Kieran Leavitt explain what that assertion could mean for the upcoming provincial election in Alberta](. N/A Health [With the race on to save a cottage country ER, officials reveal their case for shutting it]( Announced in an April 20 news release, the decision to close the Minden ED on June 1 has enraged residents and cottagers, prompting a grassroots “Save Minden ER” movement that has collected over 22,000 signatures, staged demonstrations, and more. In response to the outcry, public health officials are offering their fullest public defence of the controversial decision, reports Kenyon Wallace. [Here’s what officials say necessitates shutting the ER down and how one resident plans to fight it](. Chris Young/The Canadian Press Opinion [Why Doug Ford is happy to split up Peel Region]( By birthing a stand-alone Brampton and Mississauga, Premier Doug Ford is also midwifing future “strong mayor” powers for these two sizable cities, which he previously conferred upon Toronto and Ottawa amid much controversy, writes Martin Regg Cohn. So, what’s in this move for Ford? With Ford’s Tories holding every single seat in Mississauga and Brampton, Peel is Progressive Conservative in its entirety. [Here’s why this columnist believes there is more political calculation and triangulation behind the Premier’s decision to liberate Peel Region](. Realtor.ca #gtahomehunt [This three-plus-one-bedroom Bradford home doubled in price in 10 years]( Complete with a fresh paint job, an open concept living and dining room, laminate floors and plenty of storage, this detached property in Bradford has been listed as a “beautiful starter home.” But priced at $888,000 and expected to sell for more, is it really a “starter home” in the current market? Alessia Passafiume speaks to realtor Othniel Litchmore about [how real estate prices skyrocketed in the city an hour outside of Toronto and how you can still score a deal](. [Living Here newsletter relaunch] Need a trusty guide through the housing crunch? Living Here, the Star’s free newsletter, can help. Each week, it’ll bring you the analysis and expert advice you need to navigate renting, buying, owning or just getting by in and around Toronto — plus more of the Star’s essential real estate coverage. [Sign up for free here](. UP CLOSE Supplied Sekai Muscutt, who is missing part of her left arm, is the first recipient of a SmartArm, a 3D-printed, vision-powered bionic arm developed by SmartArm, a Toronto startup company. In an interview with Kevin Jiang, [Hamayal Choudhry, the 25-year-old founder and CEO of SmartArm. shares his vision behind creating the world’s first vision-powered, AI-controlled bionic arm](. SUPPORT THIS Courtesy of Roveena Jassal In the summer of 2011, 11-year-old Roveena Jassal, her brother, and their parents embarked on a one-month road trip across the U.S. and Canada. Each night, the family set up camp outside and reflected on their journey so far. [Read more about how the trip strengthened their bonds, and learn how you can support meaningful outdoor experiences for children through The Fresh Air Fund](. 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_182917), and I 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](