Bidding wars and soaring prices abound in Toronto’s rental market

Plus, more responses to Lisa LaFlamme’s ouster, potential employment lawsuits, and the upcoming municipal election [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. Paramedics say [a dozen people were injured after a Toronto Island ferry crashed]( into a terminal dock Saturday evening. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Steve Russell/Toronto Star REAL ESTATE [Toronto renters face a ‘perfect storm’ in tight market]( Higher interest rates and low housing inventory are creating a bidding war for Toronto rentals. Realtors say they are seeing an average of eight bids per unit on the first viewing day, that prospective renters are paying about $300 over asking price, and some landlords are asking for a year’s rent up front. Clarrie Feinstein and Ghada Alsharif report on [the soaring prices in Toronto’s rental market and what it means for prospective renters](. Canadian Journalism Foundation GREY MATTER [Here’s why the Lisa LaFlamme hair conversation has resonated with many women]( The unceremonious ousting of Lisa LaFlamme, one of Canada’s most respected broadcasters, is bringing the societal pressure women face about greying hair into public discourse. A report suggested that senior CTV officials questioned who approved LaFlamme’s decision to “go grey.” Sarah Laing writes about [how women are responding to the reason behind the former anchor’s dismissal — and their own experiences with ageism at work](. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star BUSINESS [Will the end of this COVID employment measure lead to a new wave of lawsuits from workers?]( In 2020, Ontario enacted the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL), which allowed employers to legally keep workers on unpaid leave for longer. Some have been on “temporary layoffs” or “emergency leaves” for over two years. Now, lawyers say there could be a wave of lawsuits from workers who were “left in limbo”, reports Rosa Saba. [Here’s how employees are responding to the end of IDEL](. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press CLIMATE CHANGE [How climate change policy could sink the next Conservative leader]( Both Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest have showcased an aggressive agenda to increase Canada’s oil and gas production and exports in the Conservative party leadership race. In doing so, they could dismantle the climate change infrastructure put in place by Justin Trudeau’s Liberals over the past seven years, writes Chantal Hébert. [Here’s what the next Conservative party leader could mean for Canada’s climate change policy](. Cole Burston/The Canadian Press MUNICIPAL ELECTION [What to watch for in the 905 in this year’s municipal election]( The stakes are high for the 24 municipalities in the GTA (outside of Toronto.) As election season nears, issues of governing in a pandemic, managing growth, advocating for transportation needs, and staying fiscally sound will be addressed at the ballot box. [Noor Javed lays out the key issues, races, and faces across the GTA in the October 24 municipal election](. UP CLOSE Kagan McLeod for the Toronto Star Irene Sterian broke the corporate glass ceiling and spent more than 30 years at IBM/Celestica Inc. As the CEO of REMAP, she helped both emerging and established companies bring their ideas to life and drive new Canadian products into the global market faster. [Tracey Tong remembers the innovative engineer](. VISIT THIS Giovanni Capriotti for the Toronto Star More than 130,000 people are expected to pour into the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for Fan Expo Canada, the country’s largest pop culture convention, from August 24 through 28. This year’s event is the first full-scale event since the pandemic, writes Tracey Tong. Before you head out, [here’s a preview of what you can expect](. Thanks for reading. You can reach 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_140816), and Manuela will see you back here Monday. [The Star]( 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]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](