Fee-fi-fo Ford tramples on local governments to get what he wants

Plus, protecting the Ontario wetlands one turtle rescue at a time and this uber driver’s secret to success [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the Ford government’s impact on democracy, efforts to save Ontario turtles and the cost benefits of electric vehicles. DON’T MISS Nick Kozak/Toronto Star File Photo ontario politics [How Doug Ford’s push for more housing is fuelling fears for the future of local government]( Since 2018, the Ford government has slashed Toronto city council, enacted strong mayor powers, cut development charges and started the process of separating Peel Region. Time and time again, it has imposed its authority over local government. It has also undermined the role of local elected officials, with changes to municipal planning and overriding decisions of councils, Noor Javed reports. Here’s more on [the Ford government’s impact on municipalities as it pursues its housing targets](. - Why it matters: “When the public gets upset, we hear it first,” said longtime Pickering councillor Maurice Brenner, “but we appear to be discarded and ignored by the province.” - Case in point: For two decades, Deborah Goss developed a world-class plan with community members and Mississauga council for a lakeshore development. The Ford government then fast-tracked zoning, shutting out council from the process. - Go deeper: “Democracy is completely thrown out the window,” Goss said. “Cities and the public are being told … you are not important. And what is important is for the province to put bedrooms wherever they like.” Lisa Gervais photo canada [These turtle rescuers scan backroads and shorelines to save creatures vital to Ontario wetlands]( Turtles are considered a keystone species for Ontario’s ecosystem — critical to maintaining water quality and sowing seeds of life into the wetlands and shore lands as they age, Lisa Gervais writes. The creatures have been on decline in the region, with all eight species in the province “at risk.” That’s where the Turtle Guardians come in. [Read about their delicate process to see more turtles survive into adulthood](. - Wait, what? The group excavates nests for eggs. Legally and biologically, the hatchlings must return to where they were found within 10 days because they have to preserve DNA families. “We don’t just dump them,” the founder says. “We release them so they have a fighting chance.” - More: “I try really hard to focus on the saves,” a staffer says, “because you just can’t be everywhere at once. So, you have to focus on the good that you can do and hope that’s enough.” Lance McMillan/Toronto Star clean tech [This Uber driver made the switch to an EV — and the profits rolled in]( Electric vehicles are key in decarbonizing the transportation sector,  accounting for about one-third of the GTHA’s greenhouse gas emissions, Marco Chown Oved reports. The impact of transitioning taxis and ride shares will be major since these cars are on the road as much as five times the average private vehicle. But professional drivers are often switching to EVs because of the savings. For Uber driver Wayne Edward, the change saves him more than $12,000 yearly in gas and maintenance costs. [Here’s a closer look at the benefits for Edward](. - By the numbers: Worldwide, more than 10 million EVs were sold last year, increasing 57 per cent compared to the year before. In Canada, yearly zero emission vehicle sales rose from 86,000 to 123,000. - At Uber: The company says all drivers will use zero-emission vehicles in North America by 2030, and globally by 2040. WHAT ELSE Russia has withdrawn from its Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine. [Here’s how it’ll likely drive up food prices worldwide](. Criticism persists after a review finds the [Correctional Service of Canada did nothing wrong with serial killer Paul Bernardo’s transfer](. Justin Trudeau’s appearance in Belleville was cut short after protesters swarmed his motorcade. [Here’s what we know](. Ahead of a byelection, Doug Ford’s Tories are scrambling to sway Ottawa voters. [Here’s how they’ve done in the region since the “Freedom Convoy]( Toronto has paid twice as much as double the original estimate for modular housing, the city watchdog says. [This is what was behind the cost increase](. Ginella Massa, the trail-blazing journalist and inaugural host of “Canada Tonight,” is leaving CBC News. [Here’s what’s next for her](. In just one month, the income required to buy an average home in Toronto has jumped by $7,200. [Take a look at the average prices in the city and across Canada](. Want a cheap cottage alternative near Toronto? [Consider a “dockominium]( New data shows four more Ontario supermarkets have closed their beer and wine sections. [Here’s why — and what it would take to stop the closures](. A shocking video online shows a driver ramming into a victim and driving over them at a busy Toronto intersection. [Here’s what we know](. What’s a “girl dinner”? [Inside the trend promoting low-effort meals — and what some worry is disordered eating](. Canada is laughing at the donair costume auction. [But this contest is dripping with saucy subplots](. POV David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press [The connection to the spirit and the body — and the urgency it adds to searching the Winnipeg landfill](. CLOSE-UP Brian Inganga/AP Photo DADAAB REFUGEE CAMP: Somali refugee children play outside in an open field in northern Kenya on July 13. At one of the world’s largest refugee camps, the global food security crisis is on full display as [refugees escape drought and extremism in Somalia but find little to eat upon arriving in Kenya](. 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_192160). I’ll 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. 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