An undocumented worker’s life in the shadows + Crombie to seek Ontario Liberal leadership

Good morning. This is the Tuesday, May 23 edition of First Up, the Star’s daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox.

Here’s the latest on undocumented workers in Canada, the Ontario Liberal leadership race and dental coverage without health insurance.

DON’T MISS:

This undocumented worker has spent years in the shadows — a new federal program could change her life

Homophobia and an abusive marriage pushed Jane to leave Uganda — but what Toronto would grant her remained uncertain. In Canada, a refugee claim that cost her $30,000 was ultimately unsuccessful, leaving Jane at risk of deportation. She lost access to formal jobs and health care, and social services came with the fear of apprehension. The result has been a secret life of precarity, constant fear and little comfort. But, as one of an estimated 500,000 undocumented residents in Canada, Jane may be eligible for a new path to permanent residency. Sara Mojtehedzadeh reports on Jane’s experience in Canada and how the new policy could set her life on a new trajectory.

Insiders say she’s a threat to Doug Ford — now Bonnie Crombie is poised to seek the Ontario Liberal leadership

In a move that Progressive Conservative circles see as an existential threat, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie is launching an exploratory bid to lead the Ontario Liberals with hopes of defeating Doug Ford’s government in 2026. The news comes as the Liberals seek a leader to revive the party after taking major losses to the Tories in 2018 and again last year. Robert Benzie reports on Crombie’s vision for the party and the Dec. 2 leadership contest.

No health insurance? Here’s how to keep dental costs from bankrupting you

For more than 2.6 million self-employed workers in Canada, lacking access to dental coverage may be a financial concern that could set them back hundreds of dollars in an emergency. But experts say there are strategies that can help alleviate the financial weight of surprise costs: prevention, having honest conversations about dental procedures and determining whether you should get insurance or pay out of pocket. Ghada Alsharif explains what you should consider and how you can make the best decisions for yourself.

WHAT ELSE:

POV:

How Olivia Chow is putting Toronto’s right in a bit of a spot.

CLOSE-UP:

MEXICO: Women stand on an ash-covered street on Monday as the Popocatepetl volcano in Santiago Xalitzintla spews plumes of gas, ash and incandescent rock into the air. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week, but evacuations have not yet been ordered. Here’s what we know.

Thank you for reading First Up. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca

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