News stories from the Star you should know about on Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Good morning. This is the Tuesday, May 2 edition of First Up, the Star’s daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox.
Here’s the latest on the Alberta election, the death of Gordon Lightfoot and the government workers’ strike.
DON’T MISS:
Why you should pay attention to Alberta’s election — even if you don’t live there
According to polls for Alberta’s May 29 election, United Conservative Party Leader Danielle Smith and former premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley are neck and neck. With two distinct visions for the province, the result will have major implications for the country — on energy and environmental policy, potential conflict with the prime minister and perhaps a new kind of Canadian conservatism. Alex Boyd reports on the race and its potential ripple effects.
Legendary folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has died at 84
Gordon Lightfoot died of natural causes at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on Monday, according to his longtime publicist and a representative for the family. The folk legend — whose music articulated Canadian identity and was heard around the world — had experienced various health issues in recent decades. From the Yorkville folk club scene in the 1960s to the world of pop, here’s a look at Lightfoot’s life and his legacy.
- Word from the Prime Minister: “We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters,” Justin Trudeau tweeted late Monday. “Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever.”
After a historic strike, tens of thousands of Treasury Board workers are back on the job. The Public Service Alliance of Canada reached a tentative agreement with the federal government that, by the union’s calculations, works out to a 12.6 per cent wage increase over four years. The agreement also addresses remote work, seniority rights and job security. However, 35,000 Canada Revenue Agency workers remain on strike. Stephanie Levitz reports on what comes next.
Some federal government workers have a deal, but CRA employees are still on strike
- Word from PSAC: The fact that a deal was reached is proof the action worked, the union said. “During a period of record-high inflation and soaring corporate profits, workers were told to accept less — but our members came together and fought for better,” union president Chris Aylward wrote in an email circulated to union members.
- Context: The federal government previously offered Treasury Board workers a nine per cent wage increase over three years. The union was asking for 13.5 per cent.
WHAT ELSE:
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ICYMI:
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Toronto police’s “dated” drug lockers opened the door to officer theft, a confidential report says
CLOSE-UP:
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2023 MET GALA: Doja Cat pays homage to the controversial designer Karl Lagerfeld’s cat with feline facial prosthetics on Monday night. Here are more must-see looks from celebrities on the biggest night in fashion.
Thank you for reading First Up. You can reach me and the First Up team at [email protected]
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