A permanently temporary life in Canada

Plus criticism of Canada’s quasi airline duopoly takes off, the GST/HST credit, Maple Leafs moves and more [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. Here’s the latest on the plight of Toronto’s temporary residents, how the WestJet labour disruptions expose Canada’s flight risks, and what to expect from the incoming GST/HST credit. DON’T MISS Nick Lachance/The Star immigration [Toronto’s temporary resident population surged. Now, many are feeling unsupported and scapegoated]( Temporary residents — including international students, foreign workers and asylum seekers — have been scapegoated for a litany of Canadian issues, from the housing crisis to health-care shortages. In some ways, the country is a victim of its own success as a magnet for migrants, Nicholas Keung reports. But with relatively few permanent resident spots up for grabs, many temporary residents have seen their Canadian immigrant dreams seemingly slide into permanent limbo. [Take a closer look at the rise in temporary residents and their struggle](. - By the numbers: Of Canada’s population of 41 million people, 6.8 per cent are temporary residents. - Go deeper: Temporary residents gravitate toward Canada’s largest cities, where they typically have more familial and social connections and expect greater job opportunities — but not much support until they become permanent residents. - In their own words: “Our problems are the same as other working-class Canadians,” said activist Bikram Singh, who came to Canada in 2019. “We are not your enemies. We are not the problem.” Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh business [A mechanics strike disrupted long weekend travel plans — laying bare the problem with a two-airline system]( WestJet reached a deal with its mechanics on Monday, but while the logistical ripples will continue to affect early-summer travellers, the big-picture impact on Canada’s air travel industry is just taking off. The saga raised new questions about the vulnerability of a sector dominated by two major players — WestJet and Air Canada — and the feds have already hinted at unspecified further “action” to come, Victoria Gibson reports. [Here’s what we know so far](. - Word from an expert: “What happened over the last 72 hours was really exposing the risk,” said McGill lecturer John Gradek. “We need competition in Canada to make sure we have enough capacity … to be able to supplement any disruption caused by one carrier having a labour issue.” - By the numbers: No, it’s not just you fed up with the state of Canada’s airlines. In 2018-19, the Canadian Transportation Agency received 7,650 new complaints. By 2022-23, the number had exploded to 42,068 grievances. Marcus Oleniuk/The Star finances [The newly boosted GST/HST credit goes out this week]( Keep an eye on your mailbox this week; the federal government will distribute its GST/HST credit on July 5, helping offset costs for Canadians with low or modest incomes. The income ceiling differs for each person depending on marital status and the number of children in the family, Andy Takagi notes. [Have a closer look at who’s eligible and how much of a credit you should expect](. - Now what? If you’re eligible and filed your taxes (even if you didn’t report any income), you should receive the GST/HST credit automatically. New residents don’t have to file a tax return but must send a form in to their tax centre. WHAT ELSE Despite the Liberals’ rough showing in a key Toronto byelection, [Justin Trudeau says he’s committed to his PM duties](. A new lawsuit argues that banning the internet for prisoners is unconstitutional. [Experts say it also makes reoffending likelier.]( Canada Day 2024 is in the books. Relive the [diverse sights and soundbites from North York’s Mel Lastman Square](. Didn’t attend this weekend’s Pride parades? [These are some of the exuberant and unyielding signs you missed](. Credit card “balance transfers” can save you from killer interest rates — [but be forewarned about the fine print](. Many neurodiverse people struggle with personal finance. [These specialists offer tips for money management success](. Ontario’s Assistive Devices Programs helps people afford essential wheelchairs. [But servicing them? Good luck](. Let’s hand out some summer superlatives. [Here are the 10 noisiest, busiest and dirtiest facts about Toronto](. With NHL free agency underway, [the Maple Leafs have gone to work, focusing in on the defensive end of the ice](. This musician is cycling coast to coast — [and he’s opening his ears to Canada’s geography along the way](. POV Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star [At age 69, I’m finally learning how to drive. But not everyone is on board for me to hit the road — including me.]( CLOSE-UP BBC Music/YouTube SOMERSET, ENGLAND: Canadian-American actor Michael J. Fox surprised the crowd at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, appearing alongside Coldplay during their anthem “Fix You.” [The “Back to the Future” actor, who has fought Parkinson’s since the early 1990s, was credited by frontman Chris Martin for inspiring the band’s formation.]( 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_215960). 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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