Canada’s immigration minister weighs a crackdown + a Liberal minister steps away to clear his name

Good morning! Here’s the Thursday, Nov. 21 edition of First Up, your daily morning update.

Top Stories:

• Canada’s Immigration Minister Considers Crackdown
  Marc Miller is contemplating measures to address fraudulent job offers used by individuals applying for permanent residency. The current immigration system awards extra points for certain job offers, and Miller is considering changes to combat potential abuses. Additionally, the Ford government has introduced stricter regulations aimed at "bad actor" immigration consultants who exploit newcomers.
• Liberal Minister Steps Down Amid Allegations
  Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault has temporarily stepped away from his cabinet position to clear his name after accusations of falsely claiming Indigenous identity. Police are also investigating his former business for potential fraud. Boissonnault’s old company allegedly misrepresented itself as Indigenous-owned to access federal contracts intended for Indigenous businesses.
• Canada Post Strike Leaves U.S. Worker Stranded
  Wenqi (Michael) Xi, who traveled to Toronto to renew his H-1B visa, is now stranded in the city as his passport is caught in the ongoing postal strike. Canada Post workers are continuing their strike, leaving several individuals like Xi in similar situations. In a statement, Canada Post noted that discussions are ongoing, while the union reported progress on critical issues.

Other Stories:

• A Toronto man admits to fatally stabbing a 16-year-old in an unprovoked attack on the TTC.
• The tragic death of an infant near midtown Toronto is under investigation by police.
• Mayor Olivia Chow requests $5.6 million for safety equipment for city trucks.
• Families of Paul Bernardo’s victims are barred from attending his parole hearing.
• St. Michael’s hospital executive allegedly sought a bribe in a Toronto fraud trial.
• Construction firm lawyers express shame over overbilling allegations.
• NDP accuses Doug Ford of “meddling” and calls for a new municipal deal with former Toronto mayor David Miller.
• Premiers urge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pursue a trade deal with the U.S. that excludes Mexico.
• A “major affordability package,” including temporary GST relief, is expected from the Trudeau government.
• Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews reportedly sought medical treatment in Germany.
• Ticket prices for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour second weekend in Toronto continue to rise.
• Movie buffs discuss Denzel Washington’s most electric performance ahead of ‘Gladiator II.’

Opinion:

• Doug Ford and Olivia Chow have the resources to end encampments in Toronto. So, what’s stopping them?

Close-Up:

• The family of 22-year-old Rachel Turner, who tragically died in a school bus accident in October, is advocating for changes to prevent further fatalities. This was the third such death in the past five months.