What's happening to Ontario courts on Ford's watch

Plus, Ford's boost for post-secondary institutions and the carbon rebate debate [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on Ontario’s process for appointing judges, funding for post-secondary institutions and fact-checking the carbon rebate. DON’T MISS Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star courts [“Blatant” patronage? Former Ford staffers are now on a committee that selects Ontario judges]( Legal experts are expressing concern over the appointment of two of Premier Doug Ford’s former senior staffers to a 13-person committee that recommends which lawyers should become Ontario judges, Jacques Gallant reports. University of Waterloo political science professor Emmett Macfarlane, for his part, said he’s not sure he’s seen “such blatant examples of patronage recently.” But the move isn’t the first to raise alarm when it comes to judicial selection — it comes after Attorney General Doug Downey made significant changes that experts say have rocked what was once the gold standard for appointing judges. [Here’s what legal experts and law associations are saying and how the system has changed under Ford](. - Context: The Ontario Court of Justice handles most of the province’s criminal caseload and a large number of family matters. It’s one of the busiest courts in the country.  - More: “We had a great non-partisan model for almost 35 years; it had tremendous output in terms of quality and there was not even a whiff of the ‘gravy train.’ By conspicuously politicizing it, they’re debasing the currency of the judicial appointments,” one legal expert said. R.J.Johnston/The Star STAR EXCLUSIVE [The Ford government will provide $1 billion to universities and colleges, sources say]( Post-secondary schools running deficits and warning of budget cuts may soon receive help to balance their books — but will it be enough? Ontario is set to allocate $1.2 billion for colleges and universities over the next three years, particularly those with the greatest need, the Star has learned. But that amount would fall short of what schools had hoped for, Kristin Rushowy reports. [Here’s why so many institutions are in a tight spot — and how the province’s funding scheme would work]( - By the numbers: Ontario set up an expert panel on the future of the post-secondary sector in 2023. It recommended an immediate 10 per cent boost in government grants, with future increases, and an immediate tuition bump of five per cent this fall. All in all, the total would come to $2.5 billion over three years. - Word from the Opposition: “Our colleges and universities are deeply underfunded, funded at a lower rate by this government than any other province in Canada,” NDP Leader Marit Stiles said. “The obvious answer is let’s start to invest ... at a significant rate if you’re going to make up the difference and not see post-secondary institutions diminished.” Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov federal politics [Justin Trudeau claims eight out of 10 Canadian households get more back from rebates than they pay in carbon pricing. Is that true?]( In defence of the controversial carbon levy, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals often say eight out of 10 Canadian households get more money back through the rebate than they pay under the federal carbon price. Ahead of the next federal election, the Star is fact-checking Canada’s federal parties. So is the claim true? Raisa Patel reports it’s “accurate, but it’s incomplete,” to quote Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO). [These are some of the big caveats at play](. - Context: Carbon pricing is one of several tools that can be used to counter climate change, with the premise being that imposing costs on pollution will deter people and businesses from burning fossil fuels. - Go deeper: The PBO, an independent and non-partisan office providing the government with economic and financial analysis, released a report in March 2023 that came to the conclusion Trudeau cites, but there are some factors that conclusion doesn’t account for. WHAT ELSE Backing out at the ICJ, [Canada seems to have forgotten its peace building legacy in the Middle East]( Thomas Walkom writes. [Here’s why unions say Doug Ford’s government is to blame]( for the worsening teacher recruitment and retention crisis in the province. No way out? [Russia is facing a growing problem with deserters after two years of war in Ukraine](. The OPP and U.S. Homeland Security have announced [the largest illegal gun bust in Ontario history](. Reduced speeds, early closures and bus replacement — [look out for these temporary TTC changes starting tonight](. Betting Toronto home prices will skyrocket once rate cuts come? [Here’s why economists say that’s unlikely](. [Toronto police now admit an officer in a cruiser hit a pedestrian]( after previously denying contact. A low-cost airline is shutting down Monday, [telling passengers to seek refunds through their credit cards](. Vice Media says “several hundred” staff members will be laid off and Vice.com news site shuttered. [Here’s what we know](. “Law & Order Toronto” is true-to-format, but is it true-to-Toronto? [The Star’s crime reporters weigh in](. “They look fake.” [Cosmetic dentists are breaking down famous smiles on TikTok and spurring a new celebrity teeth obsession](. Are you ready for tax season? [These changes this year might affect your filing](. POV Supplied Photo/Bell Media [Are millennials ready to rule Canada? The transition will be anything but smooth.]( CLOSE-UP Giovanni Capriotti for The Star MOUNT ST. LOUIS-MOONSTONE: Sarah Huter says the resort where she works as assistant general manager is in “good shape,” but other operators are suffering. [“Winter just didn’t show up,” and it’s taking a toll on Ontario businesses](. 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_209373). Andrew will 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](