Locals theorize about the Dominica murders

Plus, Strombo headlines Order of Canada appointees and the untapped potential of the waterfront [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. Here’s the latest on the murder of Canadian expats in Dominica, developing Toronto’s waterfront and 2023’s Order of Canada appointments. DON’T MISS Dominica Police/Supplied Photo dominica murders [With scant details emerging about the murder of two beloved Canadians, Dominica locals form their own theories]( Locals knew there was bad blood between Canadian Daniel Langlois, the former 3D animation pioneer turned eco-resort entrepreneur, and his neighbour, American chocolatier Jonathan Lehrer. But how did a mid-2010s meeting between the two expats over public road access lead to the ambush murder of Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand this fall? As Sheila Wang reports, even as new details emerge, [much about the case remains almost incomprehensible to the people of Dominica](. - Go deeper: Locals have speculated that Lehrer’s envy of Langlois’ success played a part in the alleged murder. One former employee called the cocoa plantation owner “an egoistic type of person” who strived to be the centre of attention. - What we don’t know yet: Local police have been cagey — including about the large, well-stocked underground bunker discovered at Lehrer’s estate and the reason they recently brought Lehrer back to his property as part of an investigation purportedly unrelated to the double-murder case. R.J.Johnston/The Star waterfront [Why a lonely, torn-up parking lot represents one of the last great chances to re-imagine Toronto’s waterfront]( Once one of many, 318 Queens Quay West is now the last of its kind — a damp, crater-pocked surface parking lot nestled south of the Gardiner Expressway, just a stone’s throw from some of Toronto’s biggest attractions, Francine Kopun writes. What it represents in a downtown core short on blank canvases shouldn’t be lost on anyone. [That’s why the city has ripped up its original park plan for the space and is going back to the drawing board](. - Context: More than 40 design teams from 18 cities submitted proposals for the site back in February 2018. Waterfront Toronto has since backed away from the winning plan — a soaring concrete ridge inspired by the Scarborough Bluffs. - By the numbers: Thanks to inflation and supply-chain issues, the original $10-million budget for the project has been upped to $15.8 million. Only about $800,000 has been spent to date. - Word from the Waterfront BIA: “This is the last opportunity to do something on the west side of Queens Quay,” executive director Tim Kocur says. “I’m hoping to encourage people to maximize the potential of it.” Toronto Star File Photo awards [Here are the 78 new appointments to the Order of Canada]( Growing up, George Stroumboulopoulos never even envisioned a career in media. Now, the longtime radio and television personality is among the latest crop of appointments to the Order of Canada, a testament to his decades of contribution to making Canada a better country. This year’s list, announced by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon on Thursday, contains 78 people representing a wide-range of fields — from orchestra leaders to business moguls, Mark Ramzy reports. [Was this your year?]( - By the numbers: Of the 78 appointments, 59 were Members, which denotes service to a particular community. Another 15 were Officers, plus an Honorary Officer — those who provided service to Canada or humanity at large. - What else? There were three internal promotions of those previously appointed. Former MP and senator Serge Joyal, Indigenous rights activist Wilton Littlechild, and public health leader Ron Stewart were each made fully fledged Companions, the highest distinction within the Order of Canada.  WHAT ELSE Looking to buy or sell a home in Toronto in 2024? [Here’s what experts expect from the real estate market next year](. Echoing Colorado’s move, [Maine has also removed Donald Trump from its presidential primary ballot](. Toronto police deny their officer kneeled on a pro-Palestine protestor’s neck during an arrest. [That’s not what a video shows](. Already awaiting trial, the former pastor of The Meeting House megachurch is [now facing new sexual assault charges](. E-bikes and new cyclist-geared infrastructure have [more Torontonians opting to leave their cars at home](. Mother nature brought a cruel gift to holiday pastime enthusiasts: [rain-soaked slopes and slushy outdoor rinks](. In Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the Blue Jays are adding yet another light-hitting utility man. [What is the front office thinking?]( Canada’s World Juniors squad faces their toughest test yet against host Sweden today. [The pressure is on in Gothenburg](. Moviegoers beware! If recent Hollywood history is any indication, [your local multiplex might be rife with “stealth musicals.”]( Barack Obama released his annual roundup of his favourite films of the year. [Canada was well represented in 2023](. ICYMI Steve Russell/The Star [Inside Olivia Chow’s intervention to change course on renaming Dundas Street.]( CLOSE-UP R.J. Johnston/The Star NORTH YORK: A picture told a thousand words back on June 11, when Nick Taylor became the first Canadian to actually win the Canadian Open since 1954. Naturally, this wonderfully timed shot made the cut for the [10 best sports pics snapped by Star photographers in 2023](. 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_206270). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. BOXING WEEK SALE 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. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](