Is Justin Trudeau still the best leader for the Liberal Party?

Plus, here’s why this Toronto lawyer is pushing for alternative methods to addressing sexual assault cases [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning, and Happy Easter to those celebrating. Today’s [Toronto Easter Parade will feature live music, colourful floats, and bunnies (especially the chocolate kind]( Here’s the latest. MUST READS Steve Russell/For the Toronto Star FEDERAL POLITICS [Why do Liberals still think Justin Trudeau is their best bet?]( On April 14, it will be 10 years since Justin Trudeau became leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. His rise from a floppy-haired backbencher to party leader might well have saved the storied Liberals from ruin. But Trudeau has weathered a number of controversies over his eight years in power, which leads Alex Ballingall to ask, why is he still the Liberal party’s first choice? Polls suggest Trudeau’s Liberals would have a tough time beating the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, if an election were held today. [Here’s why some worry that the “big red tent” has shrunk on Trudeau’s watch](. Lance McMillan/Toronto Star JUSTICE [This Toronto lawyer wants other women to have the same path to justice — outside the court]( When it comes to sexual violence, Robin Parker has seen the justice system “from every angle,” having worked as a prosecutor and criminal defence lawyer. She is also a survivor who successfully advocated for her case to be resolved in 2019 through restorative justice. The Star previously reported that The Crown has denied three complainants in two recent sexual assault cases who wanted to explore alternatives like restorative justice. In an interview with Jacques Gallant, [Robin shares her story for the first time, her experience with the restorative justice, and why she’s advocating for others to have the same opportunity](. Lance McMillan/For the Toronto Star Opinion [Where does invasive neighborhood development leave its most vulnerable residents?]( Rosie DiManno lives in Moss Park, the last area of Toronto to be eyed covetously by developers rapidly running out of space for their monstrous projects. Trees have been felled to make way for the new station for the Ontario Line and developers have scooped up properties for prospective condos. With the proposed changes, what will happen to the homeless, the marginally housed, the vulnerable, and those with low income? [Rosie argues for why she would like her humble hardscrabble neighbourhood to remain just as it is](. Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star GTA [TDSB apologizes for excluding racialized, disabled, LGBTQ students from alternative school admissions lottery]( The Toronto District School Board issued an apology for a system error that prevented some applicants of under-represented communities from being fully considered in the admission process for placement in 17 of the Board’s alternative elementary schools. While parents say they are glad TDSB explained what went wrong — a mistake with a new “centralized process” implemented to ensure representation — they are questioning how TDSB is planning to correct the error. [Jamin Mike breaks down what happened, and how parents suggest Canada’s largest school board rectify the issue](. Heather Greenwood Davis Travel [“It hits different when Harriet Tubman looks like your grandmother”: This writer’s painful, powerful trip to Maryland’s Harriet Tubman country]( During the visit, Heather Greenwood Davis couldn’t shake the unease she felt in her stomach. She wanted to know more about the historic abolitionist who escaped slavery and returned south to save at least 70 friends, family and strangers. But there was a fear of bearing traumatic witness to explicit depictions of slavery. In this essay, [Heather shares her moving journey through the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, which traces the route Tubman is believed to have taken to reach freedom, starting from her enslavers’ home in Maryland](. UP CLOSE Richard Lautens/Toronto Star The Toronto band, the Beaches, is going through a musical evolution. Last year, almost a decade into their career, they went independent and are celebrating their newfound freedom with a fresh sound and upcoming U.S. tour. In a interview with Briony Smith, [members of the band discuss their new sound and look as they model the season’s coolest sunglasses trends](. WATCH THIS Erin Brubacher “Vierge” by Rachel Mutombo and “Love You Wrong Time” by Maddie Bautista and Deanna H. Choi — two productions playing in Toronto this month. Both explore and challenge young women’s experiences of sexuality and sexualization, writes Theatre Critic Karen Fricker. [Read how one story looks at the cost of not talking to girls about sex, and the other pokes fun at the sexualization and fetishization of Asian women](. 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_175628), 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. 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