A fatal blow to Canadian universities?

Plus, the Liberals' campaign director and charges against a megachurch pastor [The Star] First Up [By Andy Takagi] By Andy Takagi Good morning. Here’s the latest on a decline in international enrolment at Canadian universities, reactions to a Liberal loss and charges dropped against a megachurch pastor. DON’T MISS R.J. Johnston/The Star education [Canadian universities are seeing a major decline in international enrolment]( New federal rules mean that Canadian universities are welcoming drastically fewer international students. International enrolment is down at least 45 per cent from last year — more than the intended 35 per cent cut made to study permit applications by the federal government. The steep decline could have serious consequences for Canadian schools. [Here’s how](. - Not to be dramatic, but: “The system is really just hanging on,” Universities Canada president and CEO Gabriel Miller said. “If it takes another blow in the next few weeks, it could be fatal.” - Wait, what? International students make up a sizeable chunk of university populations. A massive slash to their numbers thanks to new rules could mean bigger classes, fewer researchers and lower quality education, Miller’s advocacy organization warned. Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi federal politics [Liberals are reacting to their party’s campaign director’s resignation]( It’s a good thing that the Liberal party’s campaign director is resigning his post — at least that’s how insiders are spinning the news broken by the Star yesterday. This is “a significant change” and one that was needed, according to one MP, but the resignation coming just a day after the NDP tore up its deal with the Liberals raises the spectre of an early federal election. [Here’s how the Liberals are coping with the loss of their campaign director](. - To recap: [Jeremy Broadhurst confirmed yesterday that he is stepping down](. One source said Broadhurst had told Trudeau that he didn’t think the PM could win the next election. - Justin Ling’s take: Jagmeet Singh is floundering. [This one thing could give him the lifeline he needs](. - Martin Regg Cohn’s take: Federal politics could derail Doug Ford’s [plans to distract from his fading fortunes](. Mirko Petricevic/The Record crime [Charges have been withdrawn against megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey]( The sexual assault charges against the former megachurch pastor were withdrawn after the Crown determined there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. Cavey was one of several staff members from the Canadian megachurch Meeting House that were accused of sexual misconduct. [Here’s why the charges were withdrawn](. - Not the first time: Another sexual assault charge against Cavey was [stayed over court delays in July](. - To recap: In August 2022, the Meeting House said it “substantiated” additional allegations against Cavey, including one case involving a minor. These allegations arose from the church’s internal investigation. [There is no criminal case related to this matter](. WHAT ELSE [The Ford government is risking the reading skills of thousands of kindergarten students]( a new human rights report says. Looking for a convenience store that sells beer, wine or cocktails? [This map shows every licensed store in Ontario](. Delivering on a six-year-old campaign promise [gives Doug Ford something to run on in a snap election](. Trump’s running mate [JD Vance says school shootings are a “fact of life,”]( while calling for better security. A voluntary police registry was an attempt to help police de-escalate encounters with vulnerable people in Toronto. [Here’s what went wrong](. “The demon was me.” [The Toronto 18 ringleader’s new book offers a rare glimpse inside the mind of a convicted terrorist](. I’ve mastered how to get the most bang out of my $3.30 Presto fare. [Here’s what I do](. Should you start wearing shoes indoors? [How being barefoot affects your health](. The Star’s resident foodie lists his [top four places to eat near downtown campuses this school year](. Meet the next gen: [these six directors are poised to be the breakout stars of TIFF and beyond](. The Blue Jays are abandoning the Spencer Horwitz experiment at second base. [What does this mean for his future?]( TIFF is officially underway. [Keep up with all the Star’s coverage here](. POV Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star [Doug Ford’s booze dreams might turn out to be small beer.]( CLOSE-UP Canadian Press/Paige Taylor White TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: What better way to kick off Canada’s world-famous film festival than with the Tragically Hip? [The premiere of a four-hour documentary featuring the Canadian rock band on TIFF’s opening night led to a massive sing-along in the city streets](. 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_1698). 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](