Could you live off $1,169 a month?

Plus, reaction to the Liberal handgun freeze and what needs to change in Canada's military  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

First Up   By Manuela Vega   Good morning. Here’s the latest on a gun reform bill that could be implemented across Canada, recommendations to tackle sexual misconduct in the military and what it’s like to live on disability support in Ontario.       DON’T MISS John Locher/AP Photo   gun laws Canada announced a freeze on handgun sales as part of a sweeping firearms control bill The freeze, which could come into effect this fall, would ban the purchase, sale, transfer or import of handguns nationwide, but it would not ban people who already legally own handguns from using them. Among the provisions in Bill C-21 are red and yellow flags, which would restrict gun access for those deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. Here’s what else we know about the new measures. More: The bill would implement a mandatory buyback program for any “assault-style” weapons, which were made illegal in 2020. Such an initiative was expected to be voluntary. What we know: Divisions on gun control in Parliament have been simmering for decades. Here’s where the parties have stood historically and what they’re saying today. Listen: Despite one mass shooting after another, the U.S. keeps failing to implement gun reform. Here’s a look at the culture and politics behind the matter. ICYMI: The type of gun used in the Texas school shooting has been at the centre of debate in Canada for five decades.   Canadian Press/Lars Hagberg   federal politics The Canadian Forces’ sexual misconduct review gives dozens of recommendations for a “deeply deficient culture” A highly anticipated independent review of the military is calling for more thorough assessments during recruitment, a reconsideration of the role of military colleges, and for civilian authorities to play a greater role in addressing sexual assault and harassment complaints. The federal government says it will immediately implement 17 of 48 recommendations, and study the rest. Here’s what you need to know. Context: In 2015, retired Supreme Court justice Marie Deschamps found in an external review that sexual misconduct in the military was “endemic.” The latest review began as several current and former senior leaders faced allegations of sexual misconduct.   Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star   Cost of living “Barely surviving.” An Ontario disability recipient shares what it’s like to live off $1,169 a month Anne Jensen feels lucky if she has little more than the price of a cup of coffee in her bank account at the end of the month. The 30-year-old from Kitchener is on the Ontario Disability Support Program, which gives disabled people income and employment support. As a single person without dependents, that adds up to about $14,000 a year for Jensen, compared to Ontario’s average income of $50,000. Here’s why she says it doesn’t feel like she can “live life at all” on ODSP. Vote for change: For some, it seems like the first time party leaders are pledging to make changes. Advocates are calling for increased funding and for measures to allow more people to be accepted to the program. Here’s everything you need to know about voting. More: A former social assistance policy analyst for the Ontario government noted that other assistance programs, such as those for seniors, are indexed, but rates for disabled people are frozen for years at a time.         Get up-to-the-minute updates on election night. Don't miss a thing as the results roll in with the Star's email breaking news alerts. Sign up for free here, and you'll start receiving breaking updates on the election and other local and national news you need to know.         WHAT ELSE   An inquiry heard that RCMP failed to use a roadblock to stop the N.S. mass shooter due to botched radio communication.   Steven Del Duca is at risk of losing his own riding, while Doug Ford heads for a second majority, polls show. The election is just two days away. Here’s what Ontario’s political parties are promising for Toronto.   Doug Ford campaigned in storm-damaged Ottawa amid questions about what took him so long to get there. A jury begins deliberating the over a father and son accused of murdering two Métis hunters in rural Alberta.   Two years into the pandemic, women continue to suffer greater economic losses than men. “I don’t want to get my hand too close to them.” Here’s why Toronto residents are trash talking their public litter bins.   “Sacrilegious?” Some are peeved about an affordable housing development proposed for a Toronto Christian school. The shocking killing of Sidhu Moose Wala is sparking calls for a public inquiry in India.   Not all food prices have skyrocketed. Here’s how to shop and save and still eat well. These two Gen-Z-run Toronto street style accounts are the antidote to Instagram fashion.   Toronto’s Alo was bumped to second place on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list.       POV McKenna Deighton/The Star Star Editorial: Ontario voters should back progressive parties to avoid a second Ford majority.       CLOSE-UP Richard Lautens/The Star   TORONTO: A woman who identified herself only as Lynn lives in a tent in Allan Gardens in the Sherbourne and Gerrard area. After nearly nine months in the park, the city served Lynn with an eviction notice on Friday. “I feel betrayed. They (city staff) told me they wouldn’t take my tent until they found me housing,” she said. Here’s more on what Lynn and her supporters told the Star.     Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. 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. 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