Are Ford's plans to “re-evaluate” the Greenbelt a sham?

Plus, natural disasters are increasing insurance prices and not even a recession would bring affordability to Toronto housing [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Apologies for landing in your inbox a little later this morning — we were experiencing technical difficulties. Here’s the latest on the development of the Greenbelt, rising insurance costs and what it would take to bring affordability to Toronto real estate. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Chris Young The GReenbelt [Doug Ford is vowing to “re-evaluate” his Greenbelt plans — while development goes ahead]( A day after his housing minister resigned amid scandal, Premier Doug Ford promised to “re-evaluate” all lands in the Greenbelt. But he’s not planning to pause development on the 14 parcels at the centre of the $8.28 billion controversy facing his government — nor is he ruling out the possibility of removing more land from Greenbelt protection, Rob Ferguson and Kristin Rushowy report. NDP Leader Marit Stiles called Ford’s plan a “sham” and “a step in the wrong direction.” [Here’s what we know about the review](. - Ford’s words: “If I don’t see movement, you’re going back into the Greenbelt,” Ford said to the owners and developers of the 14 parcels, urging them to begin building homes. - Edward Keenan’s take: [There’s no “better late than never” for Ford and the City of Toronto](. - The aftermath: Support for the Progressive Conservatives is sliding as the Greenbelt fallout continues. [Take a look at this new polling](. Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck climate crisis [How climate-related natural disasters are driving up your insurance costs]( With climate-related disasters becoming an annual occurrence across the country, there’s more uncertainty in the insurance industry, apprehension among real estate buyers, and delays in the issuance of building permits and construction, Omar Mosleh reports. Inevitably, the results are higher premiums for everyone, one expert said. [These are the events in Canada that proved most expensive for insurance payouts](. - By the numbers: “A decade ago, between 2001 and 2010, the insurance industry was paying out on average about $675 million a year,” said Rob De Pruis, national director of consumer and industry relations for the Insurance Bureau of Canada. “Over this past decade, that number has increased to over $2.3 billion dollars a year on average annually.” - Wait, what? “It’s not that huge storm or the wildfire in Kelowna that is directly affecting my premiums,” said Mary Kelly, a professor in finance and insurance at Wilfrid Laurier University. “But the insurance company knows that for everybody, they’ll have to retain more risk.” R.J. Johnston/The Star real estate [Even in a severe recession, Toronto’s real estate market would remain unaffordable]( A recession could bring a major price correction to Toronto’s housing market, but it wouldn’t be enough to make the city affordable, Desjardin economists have concluded in a new report. In a worst-case scenario — a 1990s-style recession — real estate prices could drop 30 per cent by the end of 2025, bringing buyers back to the “stretched” affordability levels of 2015, Clarrie Feinstein reports. But even that would come at the cost of tens of thousands of Canadians losing their jobs. [Take a look at the numbers](. - Meanwhile: Toronto house prices have dropped for a second month in a row. [Here’s where they stand now](. - Watch for: The Bank of Canada will announce today whether it’s raising interest rates again — [and most analysts predict another hike is on its way.]( WHAT ELSE Mayor Olivia Chow is set to face calls to cut spending at a council meeting today. [Here’s what she’s likely to pitch instead](. King West businesses are anticipating a downturn in the usual TIFF traffic as they [expect a lower wattage film festival](. Air Canada has apologized after customers were [told to sit in seats that appeared to be soiled with vomit on a packed flight from Las Vegas](. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a “winter whiteout” ahead for much of Canada. [Take a closer look at the forecast](. [Former Artscape workers are demanding severance pay]( after the organization entered receivership. The coach of Spain’s World Cup-winning women’s soccer team has been [fired weeks after the victory celebration kiss](. Hustle culture is killing us, Shellene Drakes Tull writes. [It’s time to retire the ideology.]( A Toronto realtor has gone viral after claiming a [restaurant served canned tuna for $25](. “There aren’t a lot of other hosts who are curve.” New “Breakfast Television” co-host [Meredith Shaw is bringing size inclusivity to morning TV](. Signed a lease, moved in and have renter’s remorse? [Here’s what to do](. POV Supplied Photo [Combined classes and added strain. Indigenous communities are feeling the impact of the national teacher shortage — but there’s a path forward.]( CLOSE-UP Lance McMillan/The Star DOWNTOWN YONGE EAST: A visitor at Toronto’s Berczy Park gets a little protection from the sun with the help of their scarf on Monday. The city is under a severe weather alert with hot and humid conditions expected to continue until Thursday. 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_198108). 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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