Could the debate upending U.S. politics do the same thing in Canada?

Plus, a convicted cop resigned and substance use in the construction industry [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on access to abortion in the U.S. and Canada, the cop convicted of assaulting Dafonte Miller and an overdose crisis in construction. DON’T MISS Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/TNS abortion [The clinics emerging as America’s safe havens for abortion]( A leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court decision shows the country’s highest court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that has allowed people across the country to seek abortion legally for 50 years. As some states, including Texas and Mississippi, have increased restrictions on that right, more women and girls have sought out clinics like the one run by Dr. Warren Hern in Boulder, Colorado. [Here’s why a patchwork of providers are committed to upholding the right to an abortion, and how they’ll continue to do it](. - More: A looming abortion decision has [overturned the political landscape in the U.S.]( - Word from Ottawa: Conservative MPs were told to stay silent about the leaked document. [Here’s how abortion controversy is rolling into the leadership race](. - On the home front: Could abortion be criminalized in Canada? [Here’s what you need to know](. - More: Although abortion was decriminalized in Canada in 1988, experts say adequate access relies on wealth and proximity to a major city. [Here’s the reality of abortion access in Canada](. - Susan Delacourt’s take: [Donald Trump’s legacy put abortion back on Canada’s political agenda](. - Michael Coren’s take: [There’s nothing Christian about a war on women’s reproductive rights](. Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star police [The Toronto cop convicted of assaulting Dafonte Miller has resigned]( Michael Theriault has resigned from the Toronto Police Service, two years after being convicted of assaulting a young Black man to the point of blinding him in one eye. The then-off-duty cop chased and attacked Dafonte Miller after finding him stealing change from his parent’s car in December 2016. Theriault had been suspended with pay until his conviction, and suspended without pay afterwards. He served nine months in jail. [Here’s what we know](. - Wait, what? The conviction was considered “groundbreaking” for factoring in the racial dynamics of a white officer assaulting a young Black man. - Go deeper: Theriault faced misconduct allegations under the Ontario Police Services Act, but they were withdrawn when he resigned. “This tribunal no longer has jurisdiction to proceed with the prosecutions,” a prosecutor said. - By the numbers: In 2021, more than [120 police officers in Ontario were suspended with pay]( — some banking more than $100,000 a year. Steve Russell/The Star overdose crisis [Nearly 1 in 3 employees to die from an opioid overdose works in construction]( During the first 10 months of the pandemic, more workers in construction died of overdose than in any other Ontario industry. The president of the Carpenters District Council of Ontario launched a campaign last year to raise awareness of the issue and ways to mitigate risk, and to speak openly about mental health and addiction. Last month, Ontario mandated that naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of overdoses, be available at every construction site and other workplaces. But some say the move isn’t enough to address the crisis in a meaningful way. [Here’s what you need to know](. - More: Some in the industry believe physical injury, stress and anxiety are among factors leading workers to use substances. One advocate said the province should expand harm reduction measures. - Go deeper: A Toronto addictions treatment facility specifically for construction workers was created in the 1990s. Once able to promise immediate access to a bed, wait times during the pandemic stretched as long as 10 weeks. WHAT ELSE Who’s telling the truth? Friend of First Up Lex Harvey will be [keeping track of the leaders during Ontario’s 2022 election campaign](. Who is Steven Del Duca? Here’s why friends, rivals and colleagues [say not to underestimate the aspiring Liberal premier](. ‘She’s the real deal’ — but is this NDP Leader Andrea Horwath’s [last shot at becoming Ontario’s premier]( The pandemic upended Doug Ford’s first term as premier. [Will his response to it earn him an encore?]( Canada’s largest landlords have saved billions through tax exemptions. [Is Ottawa about to end the party?]( Toronto-area [home sales have plunged 41 per cent]( since March as higher interest rates cool the market. One of the four people killed in a Sioux Lookout plane crash was a [fugitive wanted for murder in Thailand](. Here’s why it may matter that Russia is [calling Canadians fighting in Ukraine “mercenaries.”]( An Ontario doctor [accused of “disgraceful” COVID conduct]( has been suspended. Mattea Roach scored her 21st ‘Jeopardy!’ win — [with a Canadian twist](. POV Steve Russell/The Star [Ontario Liberals think cheap chickens and transit will woo voters. How about a bold housing plan instead?]( CLOSE-UP Manjunath Kiran/AFP via Getty Images INDIA: Muslims offer prayers during Eid al-Fitr at the Chamarajpet Eidgah Masjid in Bangalore on Tuesday. The festival marked the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. 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_121563). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( 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. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 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