Condos are coming for Toronto's last affordable neighbourhood

Plus, controversial King's Counsel designations and Ford's infrastructure push [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on downtown Toronto’s last affordable neighbourhood, Ontario’s controversial King’s Counsel designation and Doug Ford’s push for infrastructure projects. DON’T MISS Lance McMillan/The Star housing [Condos are coming for Toronto’s last affordable downtown pocket. What happens to the people living there?]( In the heart of Moss Park, Dundas and Sherbourne has long been a refuge for people with few options. It has offered rooming houses, smaller rentals, public housing, drop-in programs, street health clinics and homeless shelters, Victoria Gibson reports. But anti-poverty advocates, church leaders, community workers and residents fear that new developments could pose a threat to the opportunities the neighbourhood has offered to those living in deep poverty. [Can a neighbourhood change without displacing people?]( - Context: Developments in the area increased at the turn of the millennium, one advocate said. To the west of Moss Park, the revitalization of Yonge and Dundas Square was unveiled in 2002. Soon after, Regent Park to the east was changed from public housing to mixed-income. - Another angle: Experts and officials see Moss Park as prime real estate for intensification — it’s downtown, transit accessible and in a city with a housing shortage. Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star Ontario politics [More than a dozen lawyers who received a King’s Counsel honour donated to Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey]( This month, Attorney General Doug Downey decided to revive an honourary designation for Ontario lawyers, recognizing their excellence and service to their communities. Now, Doug Ford’s government is facing accusations of patronage for how it chose to dole out the new titles. The Star has found that 14 people granted the honour either donated to Downey’s election campaign or his riding association, Jacques Gallant reports. [Here’s what we know](. - Context: The Ford government is facing criticism for giving the King’s Counsel title to several Tory politicians, staffers and loyalists without sharing the selection criteria. - ICYMI: Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney was [called to the Ontario bar only three days before the government announced she was getting a K.C.]( - Word from Downey: A spokesperson said there is no connection between donations and receiving the designation. Graham Paine/Metroland Ontario politics [Doug Ford plans to push other premiers to support better co-ordination with Ottawa for big infrastructure projects]( Frustrated by long delays, Premier Doug Ford wants to convince Canada’s 12 other provincial and territorial leaders to work with the federal government “to move big, ambitious projects forward” faster. While last year, the leaders at the annual Council of the Federation focused on health care, this year affordability is their top priority, Kristin Rushowy reports. Meanwhile, speeding up projects will be Ford’s main mission. [Here’s why he’s so keen on getting “shovels in the ground faster.”]( - Context: Ford has faced delays with the Ring of Fire critical mineral project in northern Ontario and slowdowns in other dealings with different levels of government. - More: “It shouldn’t take years to get approval to build homes for growing communities. It shouldn’t take 15 years to open a mine. It shouldn’t take decades to build roads to the Ring of Fire,” Ford said in June. WHAT ELSE Are more tornadoes coming to Ontario? [Here’s what twister trackers are finding](. [The angst of baby boy billionaires means we all suffer]( Heather Mallick writes. These Afghan refugees are facing today’s challenges of starting over in Canada — [all in the shadow of the terror they left behind](. [This Hamilton family has been unable to use their driveway for months]( after the city installed fencing around a “dilapidated” house next door. [A sex worker has won in a Nova Scotia court]( but the ruling has left the sex industry conflicted. Air-monitoring has found [unhealthy levels of a cancer-linked contaminant across Hamilton](. Toronto police have released images of [suspects in the fatal Leslieville shooting as the search continues](. The cost of producing and selling groceries is moderating. [Why are grocery prices still surging?]( Crushing mortgage payments have Canadian homeowners looking for options. [Here are a few](. Why some Toronto ballplayers are [crying “foul” over Centennial Park’s revamped facilities](. A 29-year-old newly engaged millennial has received some surprising money advice. [Here’s why she should stop saving](. What should you be doing with your money? [Have these financial goals in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s](. POV Annette Ejiofor [The Beyoncé concert was about way more than music. This is how it provided healing when I needed it most.]( CLOSE-UP Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images PUY DE DOME, FRANCE: Michael Woods approaches the finish line to win the ninth stage of the Tour de France, making him the third Canadian to ever win a stage in cycling’s most prestigious event. [Here’s what you missed](. 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_190720). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. TORONTO STAR SUMMER SALE Get unlimited access for: $3.33/month for 12 months [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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