The inside story of Danielle Smith's re-election

Plus, outrage over a school board's pride flag decision and kids using brain computer interface [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on Danielle Smith’s win, Pride in the Catholic school system, and game-changing technology for disabled children. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh alberta politics [Inside the Danielle Smith win in Alberta that almost slipped away]( Danielle Smith’s campaign trail was ridden with moments of anxiety. Candidates had to be disqualified, offensive comments (even to some people campaigning for her) resurfaced and an ethics commissioner report found she broke the Conflicts of Interest Act on the day of the election debate. How did the United Conservatives bounce back? It started with a plan to keep Smith away from reporters and closed with a successful debate, according to insiders. [Kieran Leavitt reports on the tense moments, the wins and the lost opportunities that insiders say brought the UCP to a close victory](. - Context: The newly re-elected premier set the stage for more confrontations with the federal government, pushing back against environmental policies she says would devastate Alberta’s economy. - Susan Delacourt’s take: Here’s why Smith couldn’t afford to campaign from the hard right — [and why it’s a warning for Canada’s other politicians](. - More: Just how divided is Smith’s Alberta? [Get ready for a “very chaotic” ride](. Toronto Star education [Outrage swells over the York Catholic board’s rejection of the Pride flag]( To Dina Mayr, a teacher and mother of a trans child, the York Catholic school board’s decision not to fly the Pride flag outside its main office in June is part of “a worldwide movement of hatred that has just infiltrated school boards, including our own.” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he is disappointed with the board’s decision, but stopped short of forcing them to reverse it. Kristin Rushowy, Dhriti Gupta and Isabel Teotonio report on the [ongoing debate within the school board and the outrage from students, staff and parents](. - Word from Queen’s Park: “Every child in a publicly funded school should be supported, should feel affirmed and should feel safe,” Lecce said. - Word from the NDP: “Suicide is the lead cause of death for young people and that number is multiplied many times for the 2SLGBT community” and there continues to be a number of concerning hate-related incidents “and yet this government remains silent,” said New Democrat MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam. - More: Although some are calling on the province to order the board to fly the flag, Catholic schools are guaranteed control over non-denominational issues under the Constitution. Dan Pearce/Metroland health care [These kids are making computers work with their minds]( Children who depend on their parents, family and caregivers to speak or act for them are gaining a new opportunity to foster a greater sense of autonomy. At Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, dozens of children and teens are using brain computer interface (BCI) technology to interact with their environment — including playing a favourite song, painting with a robotic ball or racing a remote-controlled car around a small track, Megan Ogilvie writes. Researchers are hopeful the non-invasive system will help children with severe neuromotor disabilities learn, communicate and play. [Here’s why “the future is completely wide open.”]( - More: Children with cerebral palsy, brain injuries and neurodegenerative conditions have used the technology developed at the Bloorview Research Institute’s PRISM Lab. The program has also recently started offering it to kids with autism spectrum disorder and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. - Word from a parent: One parent said participating in the BCI program confirmed that his son understands the world around him — and has allowed him to engage with it in ways they didn’t think possible when he was younger. WHAT ELSE Pierre Poilievre is daring Jagmeet Singh to [force an election over foreign interference](. The Liberals are defending their green policies after [Danielle Smith slammed Justin Trudeau in her victory speech](. Doug Ford’s idea of lowering auto insurance rates means [you pay your own repair bill](. Your clothes are harming the planet. [Here’s how a new washing machine could stop it](. Mississauga is set to vote on Bonnie Crombie’s [motion to support changing the lyrics to “O Canada” to this version](. The Toronto Star is co-hosting a mayoral debate. [Follow here for live updates during the event starting at 6:30 p.m.]( Canada’s news publishers say a ban by Google and Facebook would devastate them. [Here’s why “business would be over.”]( Restaurant and bar owners are being left high and dry. [These are the delays they’re facing with CaféTO approvals](. Carleton researchers invented a rapid saliva test for early detection of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. [Here’s what we know](. Air Canada pilots have opened the gate to early contract talks — [should travellers expect a strike?]( A teacher who wore blackface to class has [pleaded guilty to professional misconduct](. The Jays have to get rid of Anthony Bass. [How many strikes does it take?]( POV Richard Lautens/The Star [Why can’t you find an apartment in Toronto? The city added 15,000 units in 2022 — but Airbnb now lists 16,000.]( CLOSE-UP AFP Photo/Nova Scotia Government TANTALLON, N.S.: A helicopter drops water on the Tantallon wildfire, west of Halifax, in this May 29 aerial image courtesy of the Nova Scotia government. More than 16,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes, officials said Monday. [Here’s a closer look at how lives have been interrupted by the fire]( 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_184397). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Get unlimited access to the Star Last chance: Only $1/week for 52 weeks [Get This Offer]( 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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