Who's endorsing who in the race for mayor?

Plus, a new law on publication bans and investigating lethal chemical sales [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. Here’s the latest on the search for endorsements in the mayoral race, a new law meant to help sexual assault survivors, and a police investigation into a GTA man selling lethal chemicals online. DON’T MISS Richard Lautens/The Star race for city hall [Inside the search for endorsements on the Toronto mayoral campaign trail]( As Toronto mayoral candidates vie for the support of everyday voters, there’s another contest going on behind the scenes: the hunt for big-name endorsements. Ana Bailão has emerged as the leading endorsee in the early stage of the race, amassing an impressive list of backers that include members of Parliament, councillors, two former Toronto mayors and — surprisingly, given the candidacy of former New Democrat MP Olivia Chow — some major public-sector and construction unions. Some say endorsements are a smart strategy to grab headlines; others say they won’t translate into actual votes. But in a wide-open field with several candidates jockeying to stand out from the pack, endorsements are an easy way to signal values and attract donors. From politicians and activists to an Oscar-winning filmmaker, Ben Spurr and Alyshah Hasham break down [who’s backing who in the Toronto mayoral race, and whether it really matters anyway?]( - Who cares: Not voters. “I’m not sure endorsements are going to be what makes a difference in this election,” said a Liberal strategist at Crestview Strategy. “It’s the ability of candidates to carve out a compelling position for themselves that is far more important.” - Watch for: Unforeseen issues may also throw a wrench in endorsements — such as the province’s decision to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place which has angered some Toronto residents. Bailão is in favour of the move, while several other candidates are not. - Another angle: Who will be Toronto’s next mayor? [It depends on how well they tell their story](. Lance McMillan/The Star courts [A lawyer is calling Ottawa’s new law to help sex assault survivors counterproductive]( The federal government unveiled changes they say will make it easier for sexual assault survivors to lift publication bans and speak out about their experiences. However, one leading expert warns the changes will have the opposite effect. The bill tabled Wednesday in the Senate would amend the Criminal Code and require judges to ask prosecutors if complainants have been consulted before a ban is ordered. If a victim wants the ban modified or removed, the bill would require judges to order a hearing on its application. But Robin Parker, a Toronto lawyer who has represented complainants in publication ban cases, says the latter part of the bill will make it easier to prosecute survivors for violating a publication ban, while making it harder to get bans lifted. [Jacques Gallant breaks down everything you need to know about the new bill and its potential impact on sexual assault survivors](. - Context: The issue of publication bans gained attention in 2021 after the Star and other media reported that a Waterloo Region woman was fined $2,000 plus an additional $600 victim surcharge for violating the publication ban on her own name. Her ex-husband had been convicted of sexually assaulting her and she had shared the transcript from the court proceedings with a small group of supporters. - More: Parker said the new bill actually broadens the scope of publication bans by stating that information that could identify a victim cannot be “published in any document, broadcast or transmitted in any way or otherwise made available.” Parker argues the new wording means a survivor could once again be prosecuted for sharing a transcript from a court proceeding. Graeme Frisque/Metroland Policing [Police are investigating a report that a GTA man sold the chemical used in U.K. suicides]( Peel police are investigating after the Times of London reported earlier this week on seven deaths by suicide, including four in the U.K. and three in the U.S., linked to sodium nitrite — a legal, but lethal substance — sold on a website run by GTA man Kenneth Law through a business listed at a Mississauga post office box. While Peel police confirmed they are conducting an active investigation, a spokesperson declined to speak to the specifics of the investigation and did not confirm whether police have contacted Law in the probe. [Here’s everything you need to know about the controversial chemical and the GTA man behind the sales](. - More: Sodium nitrite is a preservative salt used in meat processing. The chemical is safely used in the preparation of ham, bologna and bacon, where very small amounts are used to cure the meat and give it a reddish colour. However the salt is lethal at larger, more pure concentrations and researchers in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., have warned about a recent increase in deaths by suicide involving sodium nitrite. - What we know: A U.K. study from earlier this month reported 20 deaths in that country, concluding that suicides are being facilitated by “the unregulated availability of sodium nitrite online as a chemical or supplied as part of a ‘suicide kit.’” [Food Crawl newsletter] Where should you eat next? If you’re wondering where to eat as the city heats up, you need Food Crawl, the Star’s free food newsletter. Whether it’s a strip mall standout or a downtown gem, Food Crawl will make you an insider on the best eats in Toronto and beyond. [Sign up for free here](. WHAT ELSE Police were called after a [heated dispute at a Catholic school board meeting over raising a Pride flag](. [Confusion reigns over Ford’s Science Centre plans]( that includes conservation authority land. The Canadian military is [unlikely to conduct airlifts out of Sudan past this week](. The Trudeau government has revealed the [first phase of its gun buyback plan](. [PSAC says it has “compromised” on wage demands]( as federal government strike continues. Rogers has partnered with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Lynk Global [to offer new satellite-to-phone service](. “We’re coming after you.” [Toronto police sent a message to thieves after recovering $27 million in stolen vehicles](. Police say an Uber driver sexually assaulted a passenger, [then used her phone to give himself a tip and 5-star review](. Canadian writer Rupi Kaur’s book is [among the most banned in U.S. schools so far this year](. [What’s behind the soaring cost of milk, eggs and chicken in Canada](. Leaders of northern Ontario First Nations launched a lawsuit against the province and federal government. [Here’s what they’re fighting for](. Canada will get 2,000 high-speed public electric vehicle chargers — [with Toronto a potential key point of expansion](. Experts say the $20 million Pearson gold heist was likely a professional job. [Here’s why](. Ontario has announced it will fund a [job programs for people with criminal records](. ICYMI Todd Korol for The Star [“As long as I’m alive, I’m going to think about them.” The truck driver who killed 16 in the Humboldt Broncos crash is out of jail and fighting to stay in Canada.]( CLOSE-UP Steve Russell/The Star TORONTO: Fans celebrated a goal scored in Game 2 of the Maple Leafs’ first round NHL playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 18. Leafs fans will gather in downtown Toronto tonight, as the team tries to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2004.   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_178751). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Get unlimited access to the Star Sale: Only $2/month for a limited time [Get This Offer]( 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](