16-05-2025
How much does it cost to 'protect Ontario?' + What happened to dogs seized by welfare agents
Good morning. This is the Friday, May 16 edition of First Up, the Star's daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox.
Time is running out to see 'Sinners' in IMAX 70 mm at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan. While you're there, food reporter Karon Liu has some recommendations of where to eat nearby.
Here's the latest on the Ontario budget, seized animals who died on the government's watch, and a damning report from a municipal watchdog.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
DON'T MISS
Doug Ford vowed to protect Ontario with his record budget
The record $232.5-billion provincial budget includes a new fund for businesses affected by Trump's tariffs.
Ontario budget adds funding for more teachers and gives a boost to skilled trades training
Ontario pushes local cannabis, booze in budget as LCBO revenues slide
Martin Regg Cohn: Doug Ford's bad news budget reveals why he called an early election
Ontario seized dogs they said were in distress — then the animals started to die
Here's what the Star learned from medical records, necropsy reports and legal records.
How a Toronto dog rescue's quest to save animals has led to painful consequences for dogs and the people who love them
A new report found the city did nothing to help these tenants
The tenants endured 'torture' while their utilities were shut off for six months. Here's what happened.
WHAT ELSE
Protesters clash outside a Thornhill synagogue last year.
R.J. Johnston Toronto Star
Toronto shared long-awaited details of its proposed 'bubble zone' bylaw. Take a look.
A former aide to Doug Ford has been sanctioned for breaking Ontario lobbying rules.
If you're buying a new house in Ontario, you need to know about this rule change.
A developer sued this student after he complained about construction. But he fought back.
One of the girls who pleaded guilty in the swarming death of Kenneth Lee will be sentenced today.
The Hockey Canada sexual assault trial continues today. Here's what happened in court yesterday.
Who's going to Pope Leo's inauguration? Here's who's attending — and who's staying home.
Canadian Tire will pay $30-million for Hudson's Bay name, brands and stripes. Here's what we know.
Andrew Phillips: Donald Trump's oddities mask a real threat that lurks in plain sight.
Katharine Lake Berz: Don't boycott the States — do this instead.
The long weekend is upon us. Here's what's open and closed in Toronto on Victoria Day.
Can the Leafs find a supply of on-ice desperation to best the Panthers tonight? Here's Dave Feschuk's take.
POV
Make housing cheaper without prices coming down? Mark Carney's new housing minister is talking in riddles.
CLOSE UP
A dog walker passes near a group of bird watchers at Marie Curtis Park in Toronto, May 15, 2025.
Andrew Francis Wallace Toronto Star
MARIE CURTIS PARK: A dog walker passes by a group of bird watchers on Thursday. Victoria Day long weekend starts today — for some heralding the unofficial beginning of summer. From fireworks to food festivals, here's what's going on this weekend.
Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@ I will see you back here tomorrow.
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