Thanks, but no thanks? What Toronto police need to do next

Plus, alleged interference in the Nova Scotia shooting investigation, and high tensions in High Park [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on why the police’s apology for systemic discrimination rang hollow for some racialized Torontonians, allegations about federal officials meddling in the investigation into the Nova Scotia massacre and rising tensions between pedestrians and cyclists. DON’T MISS Steve Russell/The Star too little, too late [Toronto police finally addressed systemic racism in policing, but the apology fell flat for many]( Nearly 40 per cent of the time that police use force, it’s on Black residents, even though they only make up 10 per cent of Toronto’s population, according to data the Toronto Police Service released last week. And while the apology — and 38-step action plan for change — that accompanied the report was welcomed by some, many felt that it was all too little, too late. [Check these charts of Toronto’s population and arrest data, and read accounts of the brutality Black Torontonians have faced over the decades](. - More: Cha-nese Ila strongly believes she was arrested because she’s Black. Earlier this month, police told her that there was insufficient evidence she was racially profiled. - Watch: [“This is insulting to Black people.”]( Beverly Bain and Desmond Cole say the Black community didn’t ask the police for an apology. - The Star’s take: When a police service fails to police without bias, it betrays not just those caught in such discriminatory practices but all citizens. [Here’s why Toronto residents need accountability, not apologies](. - Another angle: Ontario university students in mental health crises are routinely restrained by police and handcuffs. [Here’s why it could make a “bad situation 10 times worse.”]( Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick nova scotia mass shooting [Trudeau’s office and the public safety minister were accused of interfering in RCMP operations]( New documents released by the Mass Casualty Commission probing the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia — the worst in Canadian history — suggest RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki promised government officials to have information released about the firearms used in the attack. That allegation was made in handwritten notes from RCMP officials in the aftermath of the tragedy. Now, the Liberal government is facing accusations that it interfered with an active police investigation in order to push its own gun-control agenda. [Here’s what we know](. - More: Lucki and former public safety minister Bill Blair have both denied the allegations. - The aftermath: After the shooting, Canada banned the sale of 1,500 models of “assault style” weapons. The government is now angling for a handgun ban with Bill C-21, which is currently in the House. R.J. Johnston/The Star park life [A crackdown on speeding cyclists has tensions rising in High Park]( Who is the park for? As more and more people venture to enjoy the summer in public parks, pedestrians and cyclists are increasingly at odds over how to make use of the shared space. Some worry that speeding cyclists are ignoring signage, posing a risk to strolling pedestrians, while others say that the real issue at hand is with cars, not bikes. From police doling out tickets to the possibility of opening a fast lane, [these are some of the proposals being discussed to keep High Park safe](. - More: Toronto police say they have received a significant number of complaints about cyclists and vehicles travelling at high speeds in High Park this year, although they say they haven’t issued any tickets yet. - Another angle: “The park is the place you go to unwind and police pointing radar guns at you does the opposite of that,” one lawyer says. “BIPOC communities have voiced their concerns about this. Police cannot be the answer here.” WHAT ELSE Death threats. Panic buttons. Home security. [Threats to Canadian politicians aren’t just jokes](. [Doug Ford is consulting Christine Elliott]( on who should replace her as Ontario’s health minister. Ontario promised families $10 a day child care. [Here’s when parents can expect rebates](. [Top NDP staff members are leaving Queen’s Park]( after Andrea Horwath’s resignation. An [unlicensed 19-year-old drunk driver]( found guilty in a 170 km/h crash that killed a Richmond Hill dad. Don Mills neighbours are mourning an [85-year-old woman killed by a city street sweeper](. Two Canadians were found murdered in the Mexican beach resort town of Playa del Carmen. [Here’s what we know](. Water is life — but it’s being “disrespected, violated, contaminated.” [Here’s what we need to do to protect it](. A powerful earthquake in Afghanistan has killed at least 920 people. [Here’s what we know so far](. How unhealthy is it to eat on a curbside patio next to traffic? [Here’s what CaféTO diners need to know](. Auston Matthews won the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award in a [historic night for the Maple Leafs superstar](. [Rexdale businesses were evacuated]( after reports of propane tank explosions. ICYMI Rob Gillies/AP Photo [The Star saw the Sherman crime-scene and autopsy photos. How could a pathologist and police call it a murder-suicide?]( CLOSE-UP R.J. Johnston/The Star WOODBINE BEACH: People and dogs took to the water to cool off Tuesday, Toronto’s hottest day of the year so far. Thanks 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_130622). 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. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](