Meet the new party on the ballot

Plus, the dangers of biking in Toronto and twentysomethings in distress [The Star] First Up [By Kevin Jiang] By Kevin Jiang Good morning. Here’s the latest on Canada’s newest political party, the state of Toronto’s bike lanes and twentysomethings in distress. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Marc Grandmaison star exclusive [He detests Pierre Poilievre’s methods — so he’s launching a new political party]( A new political party will appear on the ballot in two upcoming byelections, offering a centrist option for voters wary of an increasingly polarized environment. In an exclusive interview with Stephanie Levitz, former Tory Dominic Cardy, interim leader of the Canadian Future Party, accused both the right and left of twisting facts to suit their narratives — and called Poilievre “terrifying” for challenging evidence and experts. [Here’s how his alternative stacks up](. - The details: The new party will field candidates this September in Quebec’s Liberal-held LaSalle—Émard—Verdun and Manitoba’s Elmwood-Transcona, held by the NDP. - The history: Future Canada started two years ago as a movement called the Centre Ice Conservatives, born out of frustration over the Tories’ inability to woo centrist voters. It rebranded itself after Poilievre won the leadership race, [before registering as a new party last year](. - The message: “We’re going to be here to talk about things that are real, not try and spin them, not have lots of hyperbole on either side, and actually offer concrete solutions around the problems that I think have been totally ignored by the Liberals and Conservatives,” Cardy said. Nick Lachance/The Star transportation [Toronto spent millions on bike lanes but cyclists are still getting killed]( Despite Toronto pouring tens of millions of dollars into its cycling network, 2024 is already the deadliest year in nearly two decades for the city’s cyclists, Mahdis Habibinia reports. It’s left experts wondering if it’s even possible to make cycling safer when congestion, construction and riders with varying skill levels have made Toronto’s streets so dangerous. [Take a look at what can be done](. - Record deaths: Five cyclists have been killed so far this year — more than any other year since police started keeping track in 2006. - Go deeper: Of those five deaths, four were killed riding where there was no protected cycling lane. Experts acknowledge speeding drivers are the main reason people get killed. - ICYMI: Toronto recently approved another 100 km expansion of bike lanes — at a cost of $105 million — over the next three years. [But some planning decisions have left residents baffled](. Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star generation distress [Twentysomethings are depressed and struggling financially. Would more office time help?]( Torontonians in their 20s are far more depressed, anxious and financially troubled than the generations before them, a new study found. Its lead researcher tells Ben Cohen the mental and financial well-being results have likely never been this dire. Here’s why the authors — and young people themselves — believe [spending more in-person time at the office could help (if you can even get hired in this economy)](. - Study results: Almost half of young Torontonians say their mental health is fair or poor, and about the same report feeling lonely at least three days a week. Forty per cent worry about making their housing payments each month. - What’s happening? Today’s twentysomethings were raised on social media before being swept up in the COVID-19 lockdowns, both proving disastrous for mental health. Meanwhile, wages have lagged behind inflation, causing “staggering” financial insecurity for the younger generations. WHAT ELSE Elizabeth May considered stepping down, the Star has learned — [then drama erupted over the Green party’s leadership](. Business groups are slamming Ottawa over [“minor” changes to its controversial capital gains tax increases](. A parliamentary committee will probe [how the Toronto terror suspects were allowed into Canada](. As the RCMP investigates the Greenbelt scandal, [Ontario’s finance minister says the government is “an open book.”]( This renter left Toronto to buy a more affordable home in a smaller city. [Here’s why he regrets it](. [More homeowners are picking variable-rate mortgages]( after the recent Bank of Canada rate cuts. A Toronto plainclothes officer shoved a bystander during an arrest. [Now the civilian is being charged](. The United Auto Workers are suing Donald Trump and Elon Musk for [intimidating workers in their X interview](. The CNE is back for its 145th year on Friday. [Here’s everything you need to know](. Toronto Public Health is warning about a [spike in mpox cases after downtown festivals](. All great Maple Leafs captains have this trait in common. [Does Auston Matthews have what it takes?]( The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid tied the knot in an opulent Muskoka wedding. [Check out the photos](. POV @MayorOliviaChow/X [If you disagree with this column, don’t bully me or question my intelligence — make your case.]( CLOSE-UP Basilio H. Sepe/AFP via Getty Images MANILA: Filipino Olympic gymnast Carlos Yulo (far right) brandishes his two gold medals while posing with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (far left), his wife Louise Marcos and their two sons. [Yulo was showered with more than $1 million in gifts after returning home from Paris — from a resort house to free buffets for life](. 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_218279). 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](