Who makes the cut at Ontario's top universities?

Plus, calls to review refugee application process for Gazans and Poilievre's transgender attack [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on admissions at Ontario’s toughest university programs, refugee applications for Gazans and Pierre Poilievre’s anti-trans comments. DON’T MISS Susan Kao/Toronto Star Photo Illustration EDUCATION [He had a near-perfect average but still couldn’t get in. How Ontario’s most competitive university programs decide who makes the cut]( Dante Capobianco had more than a 99.5 per cent average — he was also a math mentor, an executive of the social justice club and a AA hockey player. So when he wasn’t accepted into the software engineering program at the University of Waterloo he was shocked and dismayed. Only 5 per cent of more than 2,000 hopefuls had made the cut. The Star took an inside look at the admission process at some of Ontario’s most competitive undergraduate programs and found intimidating odds, but also a holistic approach, Janet Hurley reports. [Here’s a breakdown of what it takes to get into eight of the province’s toughest programs](. - By the numbers: Take a look at the [admissions data from the most competitive university programs in Ontario](. - Meanwhile: Canada’s new restrictions on study permits will blunt efforts to diversify the international student body, experts say. [Here’s how it will change where students are coming from](. Fatima Shbair/AP Photo immigration [Immigration lawyers want a judicial review of the refugee application process for Gazans]( Families who applied to Canada’s refugee application program for their loved ones in Gaza have fallen into a “communication black hole,” facing “radio silence” from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration lawyers say. They’re launching a legal challenge against the federal government, arguing the program has been plagued by erroneous rejections and a lack of transparency, Ben Cohen reports. [Here’s a closer look at what one lawyer called “an incredibly dysfunctional system.”]( - Wait, what? Israel and Egypt have thus far refused to let anyone approved by Canada out of Gaza — but the scope of the legal action is more narrow. Participating lawyers told the Star they want better communication from the IRCC and for applicants rejected over filing errors to have their submissions reopened.  - More: “The amount of stress and panic this has caused is unimaginable,” said Toronto-based lawyer Hana Marku. “Regardless of whether they are accepted or rejected, people just need answers at this point.” - Meanwhile: Palestinians in Gaza face a worsening humanitarian catastrophe without desperately needed aid. [This explainer lays out how the situation grew so dire](. Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick federal politics [Pierre Poilievre’s attack on transgender people puts vulnerable Canadians at risk, Justin Trudeau says]( As U.S. lawmakers restrict drag performances, pronoun changes and health services for transgender people, similar ideas are gaining prominence around Canada. On Wednesday, Canada’s Conservative leader said he supports banning trans women — which he called “biological males” — from female bathrooms, change rooms, shelters and sports, Tonda MacCharles reports. Earlier this month, Poilievre said he opposes puberty blockers for minors. Among criticism he received was Justin Trudeau accusing him of trying to create divisions while ignoring the risks posed to vulnerable LGBTQ youth. [Here’s what else Poilievre has said on the topic — and how it adds to the policies some provinces are enacting](. - Word from the NDP: Noting that Poilievre’s statement came in response to a question about women’s safety, Jagmeet Singh said Poilievre is “not serious” about addressing domestic violence, abusive male coaches in sports, or discriminatory pay practices in sport. - Linda McQuaig’s take: [Poilievre wants to look tough — but he bows to Donald Trump](. WHAT ELSE “Is the Canadian dream broken?” [These earning gaps are emerging for second-generation Canadians](. What are “zombie fires”? How flames from last summer are [still smouldering at record levels](. TDSB has pulled a controversial anti-racism teaching resource [after the ministry called it divisive](. Ontario’s Black history curriculum plan shows improvement, [but this teacher gives it an “F”.]( Patients are pleading for help after 10,000 were dumped by their clinic. [They say Doug Ford left them disappointed](. Pharmacare for everyone? [Here’s a look at what the plan likely will — and won’t — cover](. An “alarming” report is raising questions about [the state of the Scarborough RT before it crashed](. [Random shootings at a North York bus stop are part of an alarming pattern]( police and experts say. $1 million is better spent on a home in Toronto than Vancouver, a new report says. [Here’s what it can buy](. [Organizers have cancelled a free downtown Toronto ski hill event]( due to expected bad weather. The maker of the popular Stanley cup is facing [lawsuits alleging the company failed to disclose lead](. Auston Matthews has scored more than most Maple Leafs legends, [but his legacy is still on the line](. GET THIS Cameron Tulk/The Star [Shelter inflation continues to be a major challenge for the Bank of Canada. Take a closer look at the problem.]( CLOSE-UP Richard Lautens/The Star TORONTO: As kids battle climate distress, this CAMH worker uses evidence-based approaches to address their anxieties and connect them to potential solutions. [Here’s how Swelen Andari helps people navigate “healthy responses to a troubled world.”]( 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_209289). 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. 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