The Canadians evacuated from Gaza — and those that remain

Plus, Ottawa's missed climate goals and the problem with Ford's housing incentives [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the Canadians evacuating Gaza, Ottawa’s questionable climate plan and Doug Ford’s unsuccessful bid to build housing faster. DON’T MISS Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images israel-hamas war [75 Canadians have been evacuated from Gaza]( A Canadian family of seven finally heard from Global Affairs on Tuesday that their names were at the Rafah crossing, just 15 minutes south of them. The wife and five children of Mansour Shouman headed for the Egyptian border, making them among the first of 75 Canadians evacuated from the besieged Gaza territory, Steve McKinley and Nicholas Keung report. Shouman, however, decided to stay back, not knowing when he would see them again. “The war will continue and everyone’s effort will be needed. If I can donate blood, I’ll donate blood. If I can help remove rubble from the ground, I’ll help remove rubble from the ground,” he said. [As the death toll mounts, a former diplomat offers insight into the complexity of evacuation operations](. - Across the border: A new poll shows Americans are [divided over Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks](. - In Israel: Families of Hamas’ hostages have some hope — and questions — [as five more captives are freed](. - In Gaza: More Palestinians are fleeing northern Gaza as Israel’s ground campaign intensifies, the U.N. says. [Take a look at the staggering numbers](. Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld climate crisis [The Trudeau government’s climate plan can’t be trusted, the environment commissioner says]( Canada’s environmental policy watchdog is “extremely concerned about the federal government’s ability to make meaningful progress” towards its 2030 climate goal, Alex Ballingall reports. Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner Jerry DeMarco said Tuesday that the Liberals’ climate plan is full of holes and falls short of what’s needed to meet targets. [Here’s why the plan may be a flop](. - More: The Liberal government has pledged to slash emissions to at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, but an updated model of the plan released in December says Canada will only get to 34 per cent below 2005 levels by that point — a projection which is also being questioned by DeMarco. - Go deeper: Since taking office, Trudeau’s Liberals have introduced measures that many environmentalists see as the strongest ever at the federal level. But questions about their commitment to meaningfully reduce emissions have been raised before. Nick Lachance/The Star Ontario politics [Doug Ford asked 50 municipalities to build housing to get cash. Were they set up to fail? ]( Ontario mayors are crying foul over Doug Ford’s housing strategy that draws from a $1.2-billion pot to award municipalities that reach at least 80 per cent of their provincially-assigned building target — a goal the majority are poised to fail, Diana Zlomislic reports. While the government says municipalities are accountable for “housing starts,” many mayors say there’s a “fundamental flaw” in the government program: they are being rewarded or punished for something beyond their control. [They tell the Star why they never had a fighting chance](. - By the numbers: Twenty-six cities are less than halfway toward meeting their targets this year. By late October, 36 of 50 municipalities did not qualify for funding. - More: “If this is not fixed, the municipalities that won’t get the funding will have to do one of two things: raise taxes or not build infrastructure,” said Marianne Meed Ward, Burlington mayor and chair of the Ontario Big City Mayors. “Neither option is appropriate or palatable.” [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](. WHAT ELSE More than $2 billion in public transit is needed for Toronto’s booming eastern waterfront. [This is how — and when — it could come together](. Tucker Carlson is scheduled to meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for a live show in Calgary. [Here’s what we know](. [Misinformation on social media about the Holocaust brings an urgency to expanding education]( the Star Editorial Board writes. Islamophobia is exhausting, staggering and traumatic — [and I have never seen it as bad as it is right now, Steven Zhou writes](. Ontario’s registered nurses are getting new prescribing powers — [and some doctors aren’t happy about it](. Rogers is rolling out a $25 plan for Canadians with low income. [Here’s how it works and what it offers](. [Donald Trump is being accused of fantasizing much of his wealth, of being a lousy businessman and a con artist]( Heather Mallick writes. A getaway driver — also accused in the killing of a 12-year-old boy — [has been found guilty in the murder of rising Toronto rap star Houdini.]( The sexual assault trial against Peter Nygard closed Tuesday. [As jury deliberations begin, here’s what you need to know](. WeWork is teetering on bankruptcy, [delivering another “huge blow” to Toronto’s empty office space crisis](. Are you using a high interest savings account? [A money market mutual fund can earn you more](. Ontario Line construction has taken so long, [Osgoode Hall’s historic trees are growing back](. POV Canadian Press/Alex Lupul [Dear non-Indigenous people: on Buffy Sainte-Marie, we have a responsibility not to interfere.]( CLOSE-UP Stephanie Keith/Getty Images NEW YORK CITY: Activists from Jewish Voice for Peace occupy the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty on Monday. The group has been occupying high profile New York City locations calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.  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_203461). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. 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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