What — and when — did Ford really know about the Greenbelt?

Plus, the Houthis' role in the Israel-Hamas war and the state of the economy [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on Doug Ford’s ongoing Greenbelt scandal, an emerging major player in the Israel-Hamas war and claims that Ottawa’s policies are undercutting Canada’s economy. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Chris Young greenbelt scandal [Internal emails suggest Doug Ford’s office knew Greenbelt swap details earlier than claimed]( Doug Ford’s imploded $8.28-billion plans for a Greenbelt land swap continues to haunt him after internal emails uncovered by the opposition NDP suggest his government was “far more involved” in the scheme than the premier has maintained. The Oct. 17, 2022 email concerned a “list of criteria for removals” of protected land from the Greenbelt, sent between current chief of staff and then-principal secretary Patrick Sackville and Ryan Amato, the former top aide to then-municipal affairs minister Steve Clark. That’s at odds with testimony made under oath to Ontario’s integrity commissioner a year later, when members of Ford’s staff said they weren’t involved with the selection of properties. [Here’s what this all means](. - Context: The blistering Aug. 30, 2023, report from the integrity commissioner found [Clark had failed to oversee the process by which Greenbelt lands were selected for development](. - Word from the NDP: Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the email “shows that the premier’s office was far more involved than Mr. Ford claims,” adding: “Conservatives very much want their Greenbelt scandal to go away, but it is glaringly clear they can't hide from what they’ve done.” AP Photo israel-hamas war [Iran’s puppet or pulling the strings? Here’s where the Houthis fit in the Israel-Hamas war]( The Yemeni rebel group has emerged as a major player in the Israel-Hamas war, after hijacking a cargo ship in November and laying siege to a critical shipping artery in the Red Sea. In doing so, they’ve disrupted what some estimates list as up to $200 billion (USD) in international trade, given their control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, which marks the entrance to the vital shipping corridor. Sometimes touted as an extension of Iran, the militant group have their own domestic interests, motivations and tribal politics, Michelle Shephard and Khaled Al-Hammadi report. [Take a closer look at what makes them tick](. - More: [U.S. officials have moved to re-designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization](. A U.S.-led coalition of nations, including Canada, named “Operation Prosperity Guardian” have assembled to protect the trade route. - On the home front: [Experts told the Star the Red Sea crisis could mean eventual price hikes on certain goods in Canada]( as shipping companies are forced to take a more circuitous route through the area, leading to delays and supply chain complications. Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi Federal Politics [The Trudeau government’s policies are undercutting Canada’s economy, a business group charges]( The Business Council of Canada has accused Justin Trudeau’s government of eroding the country’s economic standing through unconstrained spending and a failure to cash in on the global transition away from fossil fuels, Alex Ballingall reports. “The government’s failure to act with urgency has weakened and worsened our domestic economic growth,” a letter from the lobby group reads. As a result, the council claims Canadians are facing affordability issues “driven by high interest rates, persistent inflation and low productivity.” Of the G7 nations, Canada notes it has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio of the group. [Here are the other issues the council raised](. - Go deeper: In its report near the end of 2023, Statistics Canada noted the nation’s GDP was flat for the third straight month in October, another sign of a sputtering economy. [The organization anticipates “at least a mild recession” in 2024]( as more households and businesses feel the bite of heightened interest rates. - What we know: While a deep recession is possible, most economists agree the economy will likely keep sputtering along, either shrinking or growing marginally. [Here’s why they say the year ahead will still be painful for many households](. WHAT ELSE He was a Black trailblazer in Canadian politics. [Now Lincoln Alexander is being honoured at Queen’s Park](. [The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 25,000 in Gaza]( as Israel announces the death of another hostage. Ron DeSantis had ended his struggling presidential bid — [and endorsed Donald Trump](. Trump won in Iowa. New Hampshire is next. [Here’s how the U.S. election will be run](. A Toronto police officer has been [charged with assault in an alleged landlord-tenant dispute](. Ontario car insurance rates are skyrocketing. [Here’s how to lower your premiums](. Drugs like Ozempic have “solved” the weight loss problem — [where does that leave dieting?]( A financial plan can cost you thousands. [Here’s how to get one on the cheap if money is tight](. Sarah, the Duchess of York, has been [diagnosed with malignant melanoma found during her breast cancer treatment](. Is it possible to have a “good” divorce? [Here’s what experts — and battle-tested exes — say can help](. This Thornhill cereal expert and TikTok star eats 20 bowlfuls a week. [Here’s why he can’t have it for breakfast](. How can Toronto IT professional Anthony [rebuild his savings after being laid off from his job?]( POV Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick [Mad at Justin Trudeau? Tuning him out? The prime minister says he hears you — and he gets it.]( CLOSE-UP Peter Power for The Star HAMILTON: McMaster University now has Canada’s largest collection of human remains for study. [Here’s how paleopathologist Megan Brickley teases the secrets and stories from the old bones](. 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_207553). 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. 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](