Doug Ford’s “politicization of the judiciary”

Plus, Ottawa's online harms bill and what's next for The One [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the new online harms bill, outcry against Ontario’s court system and the controversial residential tower at Yonge and Bloor. DON’T MISS Lance McMillan/The Star federal politics [Ottawa’s contentious online harms bill would regulate dangerous content on the internet]( The Liberal government has finally introduced the Online Harms Act, or Bill C-63 — a sweeping piece of legislation that aims to regulate dangerous content on the internet to protect children and other vulnerable Canadians, Raisa Patel reports. But the bill, which Justin Trudeau pledged to introduce more than two years ago, has sparked debate through every stage of its development. [Here’s a breakdown of the content considered harmful, the platforms subject to regulations and what else you need to know](. - More: Recent years have seen several incidents of youth in Canada taking their own life after facing harm online. [This timeline lays out the cases](. - Go deeper: The mothers of teens who died by suicide after being targeted online are [urging the passage of the Online Harms Act](. Canadian Press/Cole Burston ontario politics [Amid outcry about Ontario’s justice system, Doug Ford doubles down]( The premier said on Monday that he wants to ensure Ontario has “like-minded judges,” a stance legal groups warn poses a “substantial threat” to the independence of the courts and the public’s confidence in the system. Ford was going even further than remarks he made on Friday, when he reacted to exclusive reporting in the Star about two of his senior staffers being appointed to a committee that recommends judges for the Ontario Court of Justice, Jacques Gallant reports. [Here’s what else Ford said, and why legal groups are sounding the alarm](. - More: “I’m not going to appoint some NDP or some Liberal,” Ford said Friday.  - Word from the Opposition: NDP Leader Marit Stiles warned Ford was continuing along a path toward “politicization of the judiciary,” calling it “a very scary prospect.” - Word from the attorney general: Doug Downey rejected NDP calls on Monday to remove the staffers from the committee, describing the party as “Liberals in sandals.” - Andrew Phillips’ take: Ford’s honesty is unique, [but his judgment on judges is dangerous](. Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey business [Mizrahi has been pushed out of The One development at Yonge and Bloor ]( Mizrahi Developments, the firm behind the long-delayed Bloor-Yonge residential tower project, will soon be replaced by construction veteran Skygrid, Ana Pereira and Richard Warnica report. Disgruntled lenders had forced the project into receivership last fall, initially keeping Mizrahi on as general contractor of the tower billed as Canada’s tallest, but the developer informed his team Monday that the relationship would be coming to an end. [Take a look at the controversy surrounding The One and the mishaps it has faced](. - Context: The One project was more than $1.6 billion in debt as of last October, according to court documents. It was originally scheduled for completion by the end of 2022, but by late 2023 workers had only poured concrete for about 40 of 85 stories. - More: “We just have a difference of opinion on how to build this building,” Mizrahi Developments founder and president Sam Mizrahi told employees Monday. “I like to build stuff that’s the top quality and the best there is … and they want [to] take it in a different direction.” WHAT ELSE Joe Biden said Israel may pause its war in Gaza during Ramadan if a hostage deal is reached. [Here’s what we know](. Housing organizations that support Indigenous people say [Ottawa is taking too long to provide funding](. [Doug Ford’s Tories are surging]( while Marit Stiles’ New Democrats have dropped. Canada’s mayors are slamming Pierre Poilievre’s housing plan. [Here’s where they disagree](. [Ontario EI recipients have surged by almost one third]( — the highest jump seen in any province. 10,000 Canadians were asked how to improve health care. [This is what they said](. As Toronto’s 2026 FIFA World Cup costs jump, Ontario is refusing to give extra cash. [Here’s how much more the city may have to pay](. [A Toronto cop has admitted misconduct]( for Tasering and kneeing the neck of a U of T student in a “mistaken identity” case. Here’s where Toronto chefs say you can [find the best meals in the city for under $20](. Vice, Bell Media, CBC — [take a look at recent media layoffs in Canada](. Where is Kate Middleton? It’s been two months since we’ve seen the princess — [and the internet has some theories](. Parts of Ontario will be hit with heavy snow this week, [while Toronto could see flurries](. POV Alberta wildfire/AFP via Getty Images [As rivers dry up, Alberta officials still balk at calling it “climate change.”]( CLOSE-UP Richard Lautens/The Star YES ELECTRIC TATTOO: Anwar Cushnie, a tattoo artist and illustrator, was tasked with designing a special jersey for Raptors 905. The Raptors’ G-League affiliate is setting the pace for uniforms with daring graphics and specific messaging, Alex Wong writes. From Black History Month to Lunar New Year, [here’s how its jerseys are spotlighting Toronto communities](. 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_209584). 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](