World Headlines: Why Toronto social housing is the worst

First Up

By Manuela Vega

Good morning. Here’s the latest on the state of city-owned social housing buildings, why Canada is seeing a handgun-purchasing frenzy and upcoming changes to mask mandates in Ontario.

DON’T MISS

Paige Taylor White/Toronto Star

HOUSING

Toronto community housing buildings score worst in the city’s own evaluations

A Star analysis found that Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) buildings have consistently performed the worst under the city’s evaluation program, compared to private or non-profit social housing. One lawyer with the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario says it’s unsurprising since TCHC has struggled with underfunding and long-term financial support for decades. Here’s more on what we know about the state of TCHC buildings.

The aftermath: Issues with Toronto social housing often only get patchwork fixes until the problem gets out of hand, lawyer Dania Majid said. The analysis comes after a ceiling at a TCHC complex collapsed last month.
By the numbers: From 2017 to 2021, TCHC properties scored an average 69.7 per cent, while private buildings scored 72.4 and non-profit social housing scored 75.4 per cent. When the city received a nine-year, $1.34-billion investment through the National Housing Strategy, scores improved, but still lag behind the average.

Dave Chan/AFP via Getty Images

GUN CONTROL

Handgun sales are through the roof

As the federal government proposes to freeze handgun sales and further restrict firearms, Canadian gun vendors are seeing a purchasing frenzy. One Markham store sold over 200 guns in three days as sales have “more than tripled,” a worker said. The measures in Bill C-21 announced last Monday will likely be passed in the fall but that’s not stopping anyone from stocking up now. Here’s more on what the federal government can and cannot do to control gun sales.

The aftermath: The Bloc Québécois leader called on all parties to support an immediate freeze on handgun sales to combat the current rush. Although the public safety minister said he would like to see it, the Conservatives have said they believe Bill C-21 targets law-abiding gun owners.
Go deeper: Provisions in the bill would require people who raise a “red flag” due to intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, or self-harm to surrender their firearms. Here’s how such a provision could have stopped the Nova Scotia mass murder in 2020.
Across the border: Americans want more gun controls. For once, there’s a sliver of hope.

Paige Taylor White/Toronto Star

PUBLIC HEALTH

Ontario’s last mask mandate is set to expire Saturday, but you’ll still need to cover up here, here, and here

Mask mandates for public transit, long-term care homes and other health-care settings are likely to expire on June 11 but some theatres, doctors’ offices and workplaces will continue to require them. Here’s what we know about the future of mandates in the province and Toronto.

More: The University Health Network and Sunnybrook are among those that will continue with current requirements beyond June 11, a spokesperson confirmed. The same goes for Mirvish theatres, which is following Broadway’s lead.
The spread: Wastewater surveillance data shows transmission has dropped in the GTA and Ontario since April.
Go deeper: One epidemiologist said Ontario should ensure some spaces remain safe for people who are at higher risk, implementing mask-only hours at grocery stores and keeping mandates on public transit. Masks should be recommended based on wastewater levels each week, he said.

WHAT ELSE

Canada will extend “super visa” stays and relax health-insurance restrictions to ease family reunifications.

Critics say needless COVID-19 screening is causing Canada’s airport delays, while Ottawa says it’s following the science.

Patrick Brown lost the support of two Conservative MPs to Pierre Poilievre’s leadership campaign.

An NDP insider says the party abandoned working-class Ontarians to Doug Ford.

The TTC denies responsibility in the subway-pushing case, calling for the $1 million lawsuit to be dismissed.

A coroner’s inquest into the death of a Black Mississauga man says Ontario police must overhaul their use of force training.

At least 17 people have died after a train derailed in Iran.

Could Canada follow the EU and force cellphone companies to pick just one charging format?

Eight people have been arrested in the assassination of rapper Sidhu Moose Wala.

Cadence Weapon’s new memoir “could easily have delivered a damning, name-naming diatribe against the evils of the business.”

Justin Bieber fans were “heartbroken” by his last-minute cancellation of Toronto shows due to illness.

What’s your favourite thing to do in Toronto during the summer? We want to hear from you.

ICYMI

Dreamstime/Susan Kao Photo Illustration

Car theft in Toronto is up 60 per cent. Here are four ways to make sure your car isn’t next.

CLOSE-UP

Ontario Provincial Police

TORONTO: Police released a composite sketch on Tuesday of an unidentified little girl whose remains were found inside a Rosedale dumpster in May. Insp. Hank Idsinga said they hope that her ponytails, dark eyes or smile “will trigger a memory or a thought in anyone out there.” Here’s more on what police know.

Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. I’ll see you back here tomorrow.

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