How an Ottawa McDonald's became a symbol of downtown decay

Plus, a GTA man arrest for selling sodium nitrate and a victory for rental law [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the “World’s Worst McDonald’s,” a legal poison linked to suicides, and a new rental law in a Vancouver suburb. DON’T MISS Dave Chan for The Star ottawa [How the “World’s Worst McDonald’s” became a symbol of downtown decay]( The 24-hour fast-food restaurant in the heart of downtown Ottawa had long been a popular stop for people leaving the bar district in search of greasy food. Workers would struggle to keep up with cleaning, while customers would report seeing drug use and sex acts in the hall to the bathroom. It was often visited by drunk youth, tourists, homeless people seeking an affordable meal, gang members and a raccoon. Now, after nearly 40 years in business, the franchise at 99 Rideau Street is closing for good. Amy Dempsey lays out [how the spot earned its legacy as the “World’s Worst McDonald’s” and how it exemplifies the challenges that downtown communities face amid a housing crisis and epidemics of homelessness, mental illness and addiction](. - By the numbers: Over the last five years, police received 800 calls for help from the restaurant on average each year. In 2017 alone, they received more than 900 calls. - More: In an attempt to intervene with the issues playing out at the McDonald’s, Ottawa’s then-police chief Charles Bordeleau attempted to appeal to the corporation’s desire to protect its image. He wrote them a letter about the problems at the franchise — and gave it to the media. Graeme Frisque/Metroland crime [A Mississauga man charged in the sale of sodium nitrite has been linked to two deaths in Peel]( Peel police have arrested a Mississauga man who has allegedly been selling a lethal but legal poison involved in a number of suicides after two people in Peel Region were found dead. They say the suspect marketed and distributed sodium nitrate online internationally “targeting individuals at risk of self-harm.” After a months-long investigation, police say they have been made aware of 1,200 packages shipped to at least 40 different countries, although they are unsure of the contents of all packages, Santiago Arias Orozco reports. [Here’s what is known about the case](. - Context: Sodium nitrite is a preservative salt used in deli-meat preparation for products like ham, bologna and bacon; very small amounts are used to cure the meat and give it a reddish colour. When intentionally consumed in high doses, it can be deadly because it reduces oxygen levels and impairs breathing. The chemical has been the focus of a soaring number of suicide cases abroad. - More: The Times of London approached the suspect in person outside a GTA post office and reported that he confirmed he was selling sodium nitrite, but said: “I’m not assisting anything. I’m selling a product.” The Star has not independently confirmed the details of that investigation. Paige Taylor White/The Star housing [A victory for this rental law in B.C. has Ontario politician calling for same rules]( A zoning bylaw in a Vancouver suburb has overcome another court challenge, preserving legislation that prevents owners from living in their properties in areas designated for rental use only. The intention for the bylaw in the City of New Westminster is to protect rental units by not allowing individual owners to move in or demolish them to build condos. “You don’t often hear good news about cities acting boldly to protect vulnerable renters,” Mayor Patrick Johnstone said. “It’s a good day for renters in New West and provincewide.” [Jeremy Nuttall reports on the local reaction and the Ontario MPP eyeing the law](. - The aftermath: Rental units in the city are now being built at a rate faster than anywhere else in the region, Johnstone said. Monday’s victory also “sends the message” the courts will protect the right of cities to rezone to rental-only, he added. - On the home front: A lack of listings is leading to higher GTA home prices. [Take a look at the numbers](. WHAT ELSE Former officials say Canada’s health minister ignored guidelines to lower the cost of pharmaceuticals. [Here’s more on the allegations](. An ISIS leader was reportedly killed by Turkish intelligence. [Here’s why the death, if true, would be a major blow to the group](. Those itchy, red, watery eyes could be allergies. [With a new variant, they could also be a sign of COVID](. Long awaited subway construction means a long era of disruption. [Does transit progress have to be this hard?]( A Calgary pastor who tried to have Danielle Smith intervene in his criminal proceedings has been [convicted of mischief in relation to a COVID blockade](. This Canadian entrepreneur’s new home store will be [r]( the 21 retail spaces left vacant by Bed Bath & Beyond](. [Tributes have poured in for legendary folk icon Gordon Lightfoot]( by people from all walks of life. Gordon Lightfoot’s music has been covered by a number of artists. [Here are 10 popular renditions](. Since it opened more than 50 years ago, [nothing at this Leslieville diner has cost more than $10](. Jeff “ODog” O’Neill is “on leave” from TSN’s OverDrive afternoon show. [This is what we know](. Maple Leafs captain John Tavares [celebrated the birth of his daughter shortly before scoring the OT winner against the Lightning](. Meet Toronto mayoral candidate 65, [the record-breaking hopeful](. ICYMI Ramon Ferreira/The Star [He nearly died pursuing HIV’s origins. Then this Canadian scientist set his sights on the COVID lab leak theory.]( CLOSE-UP Bilal Hussein/AP Photo LEBANON: Syrian children play soccer at a refugee camp in the town of Bar Elias in the Bekaa Valley on July 7, 2022. Now with a worsening economic crisis and political stalemate, [Lebanese officials are ramping up deportations, spurring panic among Syrian refugees](. 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_179713). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. 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