The Greenbelt scandal has spread to cottage country

Plus, Toronto's buckling shelter system and the Rogers execs keeping the WNBA away [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. Remember, remember: today is the Fifth of November. If you see someone wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, just know that it’s either a celebration of the failed plot to assassinate King James I on this date in 1605 or a politically confused declaration that they’ve seen the 2005 film “V for Vendetta.” Here’s the latest. MUST READS Nick Lachance/The Star israel-hamas war [More than 25,000 pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in Toronto as the recurring demonstration expands]( With a diverse cohort including members of Toronto’s Jewish, LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities in tow, the city’s largest demonstration since the Israel-Hamas war began nearly a month ago marched peacefully through the downtown core on Saturday. Starting at the U.S. Consulate General, the crowd repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of over 9,500 Palestinians — thousands of them children — since the initial Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 that claimed over 1,400 Israeli lives. [Ben Cohen, Joshua Chong and Ana Pereira recap the sights and sounds from the rally](. Susie Kockerscheidt/Metroland star investigation [Inside a cottage community’s fight against a Greenbelt developer’s planned golf resort]( When attempting to ingratiate yourself with a tight-knit community of cottagers, blocking off access to what had long been considered the public boat launch makes for an inadvisable introduction. In trying to build a “world-class” golf resort in Kawartha Lakes, Shakir Rehmatullah did exactly that — and resistance was fierce even before his name began making frequent appearances in reporting around Ontario’s Greenbelt scandal. Brendan Kennedy takes us to the shores of Sturgeon Lake, where it’s increasingly clear that [fallout from the Greenbelt scandal now extends well beyond the protected region’s borders](. Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star housing [With cold weather around the corner, Toronto’s shelter system is already buckling]( Even amid an unusually warm September, Toronto’s crammed shelters were turning away 278 people per day on average — an indicator of an extremely difficult winter to come for the system and the city’s unhoused population. At the risk of overcrowding, there are plans to stretch limited resources even further, but the city concedes even that “may not be sufficient,” Victoria Gibson and Emily Fagan report. [Hospital, church and outreach workers offer dire forecasts for what to expect in the months ahead](. Steve Russell/The Star sports [How two top Rogers bosses helped block Toronto’s WNBA hoop dreams]( When over 19,000 fans packed Scotiabank Arena for a landmark WNBA pre-season game this May, the league’s permanent expansion into Toronto seemed inevitable and imminent. In reality, the city’s prospects of getting a team of its own were dead before the opening tip-off. The dagger? Richard Warnica takes us inside the contentious Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment board meeting where the [feud between Rogers chairman Edward Rogers and MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum trumped the case for pro women’s basketball](. Metroland File Photo personal finance [The four simple rules that should guide your financial philosophy]( You don’t need to be a math wiz to keep your personal finances in good health, Lesley-Anne Scorgie writes. In fact, all you really need is a few guiding principles, like making sure your money has a “mission.” What does that mean? For starters, ask yourself what you’re currently saving for; are you trying to give your family a comfier life in the short term or building a nest egg for your eventual retirement? There is no wrong answer — except not having any answer at all. [Here are three other personal finance rules that you can apply at any point in your life](. [Smart Money newsletter launch] Get expert help with your money. If you’re looking for advice you can trust when it comes to managing your finances, you might like the Star’s new Smart Money newsletter, [sponsored by Fidelity](. Every week, Smart Money will break down what you need to know to make, save and manage your money. [Sign up for free here](. UP CLOSE Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Sure, we’ve seen tall players in the NBA — but never quite someone with Victor Wembanyama’s prodigal abilities, writes Doug Smith. With the Raptors taking on the San Antonio Spurs this afternoon, it’s time to familiarize yourself with “Wemby,” [the 7-foot-4 French teenager who’s literally redefining the known basketball universe](. watch THIS Elevation Pictures Often relegated by pop culture historians to the margins of Elvis’ titanic orbit, Priscilla Presley takes centre stage in the latest film from “Lost in Translation” director Sofia Coppola. [Marriska Fernandes details what you can expect from “Priscilla,” now in wide release](. 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_203322). and Manuela 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. 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