Who is behind Toronto’s next mayor?

Plus, a look at how one woman’s fight for justice changed the military [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. Assuming you survived yesterday’s pranks, how well do you know Toronto comedy trivia? [Take this quiz to find out](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Rick Madonik/Toronto Star GTA [An inside look at who’s working behind the scenes for those running to be Toronto’s next mayor]( Well-known political strategists, communications professionals, lobbyists and others are flocking to join mayoral candidates’ teams as nominations open Monday for perhaps the most hotly contested race Toronto has seen in a decade. So far, the list includes a pioneer of controversial right-wing social media campaigns, the mastermind behind Kathleen Wynne’s ambitious policies, Stephen Harper’s advertising guru, and a Polaris Prize-winning musician, reports Ben Spurr. [Here’s how the backroom players could be decisive in who wins the June 26 vote](. Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star SEXUAL ASSAULT [Infantilized. Re-traumatized. Silenced: Why Ontario won’t give these sex assault survivors what they want]( Three women spoke to the Star about their experience seeking alternatives such as restorative justice in criminal sexual assault cases and being refused by Crown attorneys. While restorative justice, which brings the two parties together in a mediated setting, has been used successfully in at least one Ontario criminal sexual assault case, the Ministry of the Attorney General says sexual offences are ineligible because they’re too serious. Where does that all-or-nothing policy leave survivors who want to pursue that path? Jacques Gallant breaks down [what restorative justice is and why it helps sexual assault survivors avoid a criminal system they say “is as violent as the rape itself]( Giovanni Capriotti CANADA [She was among those purged from Canada’s military. Today, Michelle Douglas looks back on the pain and the progress]( In 1988, the Canadian Armed Forces investigated military police officer Michelle Douglas for being in a same-sex relationship with a fellow officer. The military had a long-standing practice of ousting members found to be, in their terms, “Not Advantageously Employable Due to Homosexuality.” Between the 1950s and mid-1990s, an estimated 9,000 were surveilled, interrogated, and purged. Many were traumatized, left adrift and struggling with mental health and substance abuse. 30 years later, Brian Bradley shares [how Michelle’s fight for justice helped change the military and why a public apology from the government is “deeply moving” for soldiers as they heal from the past](. Richard Lautens/Toronto Star opinion [No money, no vision, reduced trust: Here’s the bleak legacy of John Tory that the next mayor must face]( While John Tory has left the Toronto stage and entered a political and personal wilderness of his own making, his legacy endures. From the uncertain future of Ontario Place to the city’s rough finances, whoever becomes Toronto’s next leader will be tasked with spearheading a painful “correction” to repair Toronto and rebuild trust in City Hall. [Here’s what Shawn Micallef says Toronto’s new mayor has ahead of them](. HouseSigma #GTAHOMEHUNT [This spacious two-storey Toronto condo was relisted several times before settling on $799K and selling over asking]( At an expansive 1100 square feet, this two-bedroom, three-bathroom condo was listed several times before selling over asking for $820,000. Located in Moss Park, the unit is a 10-minute walk from the Eaton Centre and is perfect for somebody who wants to live downtown and is interested in a trendy life, says realtor Othneil Litchmore. In this edition of GTA Home Hunt, [Janiece Campbell breaks down the home’s pricing strategy and answers the question: was it a good deal?]( UP CLOSE Nick Kozak/For the Toronto Star Being dubbed the city's Photo Laureate came as a surprise to Nadya Kwandibens, a member of Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation. On March 29, the award-winning portrait and events photographer became the first Indigenous woman to receive the honour. In an interview with Jamin Mike, [Nadya shares why she became a photographer and what she hopes to bring to her role as Toronto’s new Photo Laureate](. WATCH THIS HBO Is the HBO hit "Succession" worth all the hype? Debra Yeo believes so. The show pulled in a record 2.3 million U.S. viewers when it returned for its fourth and final season last Sunday. For your viewing pleasure, [here’s a list of all the things that make “Succession” so addictive as the final season plays out](. 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_174501), and Manuela will see you back here Monday. 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]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](