Here’s how to actually end violence on the TTC

Plus, femicide in Canada reaches a new high. Here’s why. [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. [A knifepoint robbery at TTC’s Coxwell station]( is the latest in a continuing wave of violence on the transit system. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Lance McMillan/Toronto Star GTA [How to stop random violence on the TTC? Seven top experts offer real fixes]( As the city mourns another TTC-related death, many are seeking answers about how to respond to the thrum of violence that’s shaken the city’s public transit system. While experts have warned there is no single cause or simple solution, several things can be done — in both the short and long term — to turn things around meaningfully. From cell service on the subway to smart policing methods to better social services, May Warren, Victoria Gibson, and Jim Rankin break down what [health researchers and practitioners, criminologists and police leaders, social service workers, and mental health advocates say could make transit safer](. Dave Chan CANADA [How this Canadian doctor became the “Wayne Gretzky of vasectomies” — and why he stopped]( In his 30-year career,  Dr. Ronald Weiss has performed 58,789 vasectomies — more, his peers say, than any other doctor in the Western Hemisphere. So, why did he quietly retire? On June 5, 2020, the doctor struggled to finish his workout, woke up from a nap feeling like a claw was scraping his skull, and couldn’t string words together in a phone call with his daughter, which led to a hospital visit. Before he knew it, Ronald had six months to get his affairs in order. [Amy Dempsey reports on how a life-altering diagnosis compelled Ronald, who was once known as The Vasectomy King, to stop practicing](. Allan Woods/Toronto Star CANADA [Eight migrants perish in the bitter waters of the St. Lawrence River]( While searching for Casey Oakes, an Akwesasne man reported missing Thursday, police made a horrifying discovery. The bodies of eight migrants were found in the frigid waters of the St. Lawrence River, report Allan Woods and Steve McKinley. The deaths are being called a human disaster with a horrible political twist. “We question why? Why is this happening? It seems to be (people) in search of something better,” said Akwesasne Grand Chief Abram Benedict. [Here’s why advocates say recent policy changes by the United States and Canada will result in migrants taking greater risks to reach their intended destinations](. Toronto Police Service CRIME [Nearly 200 women and girls killed as femicides hit new highs in Canada]( Data released by the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability revealed nearly 200 women and girls were killed by violence in Canada in 2022 — the highest number recorded by the national research organization that began tracking femicides five years ago. Recent deaths include 23-year-old Daniella Mallia, who called Toronto police just three days before her ex-boyfriend allegedly murdered her, which led to misconduct charges being laid against the officer who allegedly failed to investigate her case. [Wendy Gillis reports on how COVID-19, systemic policing issues, and a lack of race-based data are compounding the issue of femicide in Canada](. Toronto Star photo illustration BUSINESS [Green For Life’s founder built a garbage empire on $9 billion in debt. Now interest rates are rocketing up — is he worried?]( Patrick Dovigi’s appetite for risk helped him build one of North America’s largest waste management companies in just 15 years. At 14, he left his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie to chase a professional hockey career, and at 27, a job in investment banking to start a garbage-pickup enterprise — just a few of the risks Patrick has taken, and it’s safe to say they paid off. His company currently operates in all 10 Canadian provinces and 26 U.S. states and has a market capitalization of approximately $17 billion. [In conversation with Alex Cyr, Patrick shares how he reached his success — and what’s coming next](. POV The Star Editorial Board: [Here’s the unacceptable problem facing Toronto subway riders](. David Olive: [It would be a mistake for the Bank of Canada to lower interest rates now](. Thomas Walkom: Could Trudeau be right? Is now the time to spend? [Here’s why the Prime Minister is not afraid to run deficits](. Andrew Phillips: [Bell, Rogers, and Telus owe it to Toronto to provide cell service on TTC](. Rick Salutin: [Here’s the most interesting part of this year’s budget day](. Rachel Pulfer: [Canada’s slashing of foreign aid is a blow to supporting global democracy](. EAT THIS Steve Russell/Toronto Star Dining alone at Yunnan Noodle Shack on 43 {NAME} St. is not only encouraged, it’s expected. With QR code menus, a phone holder that allows you to stream while you eat, and a button for your bill, the space is designed to let you have a conversation with yourself, says the owner. [Richard Trapunski shares how this Chinese restaurant is working to merge meals with mindfulness](. Thanks for reading. You can reach 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_174344), and I will see you back here tomorrow. 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