Inside allegations of homophobia at Toronto Fire Services

Plus, an inquest into Soleiman Faqiri’s death and plans to reign in grocery prices [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. In Ottawa’s mid-year fiscal update today, [expect the Liberals to try to recapture some public confidence](. Here’s the latest on a human rights complaint against Toronto Fire Services, Soleiman Faqiri’s jailhouse death and grocery giants’ plans to calm food prices. DON’T MISS Richard Lautens/The Star star exclusive [He joined Toronto Fire to save lives — the homophobia he says he encountered nearly ended his own]( Edward Azadeh says he arrived at Toronto Fire Services in 2017 “full of joy, confidence and health.” But the majority of his time there was marred by discrimination, he says in a complaint against City of Toronto Fire Services with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Ultimately, the homophobia — along with what he had seen as a first responder — drove him to attempt suicide, he says. Today, he continues to struggle physically and mentally, Francine Kopun reports. [Here’s a closer look at the treatment Azadeh says he experienced](. - Go deeper: Among his allegations, Azadeh claims he was outed during training, subjected to homophobia and harassment, driven out of one firehall and singled out for criticism by the acting captain. None of the claims have been tested before the tribunal, and TFS has denied the allegations in a response filed with the tribunal. - More: “I would like to see Toronto Fire shine light in the dark corner of TFS, on the culture of toxic masculinity that exists, where people don’t feel comfortable working with openly gay or LGBTQ people,” Azadeh says. Richard Lautens/The Star courts [The coroner’s inquest into Soleiman Faqiri’s jailhouse death has begun]( Nearly seven years after Soleiman Faqiri’s violent jailhouse death, a long-awaited coroner’s inquest began Monday with the release of never-before-seen video of the 30-year-old’s last moments. His brother, Yusuf, had been pushing for the video to be released, but the province previously refused, citing labour law, Mahdis Habibinia reports. [Here’s what we know about the 24-minute clip and why Yusuf says his brother was a “defenceless poor soul who just needed help.”]( - Context: Soleiman had been in solitary confinement for 11 days at Lindsay’s Central East Correctional Centre while awaiting a mental health assessment and transfer to a health facility. In the days leading up to his death, he experienced an apparent mental health crisis. He was eventually beaten, pepper sprayed and restrained by dozens of correctional officers. - Watch for: The inquest will take place virtually over the next two weeks. It is expected to hear from some 22 witnesses, including jail guards, medical staff, a former inmate and legal experts. Lance McMillan/The Star cost of living [Canada’s grocery giants have revealed plans to stabilize food prices]( Faced with the threat of new taxes, Canada’s grocery chain giants promised the federal government almost two months ago that they would roll out plans to lower food prices. For weeks, there was almost no intel as to what those plans would look like. But now, the chains are starting to reveal upcoming discounts on staples and price freezes on thousands of packaged goods, Jake Edmiston reports. Experts, however, aren’t so sure the plans are worth any hype. [Will your grocery bill actually go down?]( - Context: The federal government has been pushing grocery giants to do more to combat inflation after the prime minister publicly criticized them for growing profits during a national affordability crisis. One expert in supply chains told the Star the timing is likely to benefit the grocers since inflationary pressures around the world are starting to subside, anyway. - ICYMI: [About a quarter of Canadians will turn to charitable services for help within the next six months]( a recent poll suggests. WHAT ELSE A company’s plan is raising concerns that subsidies for a [new EV battery plant will go towards foreign workers, not Canadians](. The Ontario government isn’t holding public hearings into its new Greenbelt protection law. [Here’s how Doug Ford is defending the decision](. [The revelation about the “Two Michaels” doesn’t excuse Beijing’s behaviour]( Andrew Phillips writes. Air Canada has fired back at Brinks, [saying the airline is not to blame in the $24-million gold and cash heist](. An “unconscionable systemic failure.” [This is the reason your ER doctors are leaving](. After years of construction turmoil, [the Finch West LRT is on track to open in 2024](. Soon, some auto insurance coverage that was mandatory will become optional in Ontario. [Should you opt out?]( The TTC is promising Scarborough “fast and reliable” service to replace the missing SRT. [Don’t count on it](. American elites are living in a delusional universe. [Here’s why the next crisis will make the 2008 recession look like a garden party](. [A new bike lane on Eglinton is so poorly designed it’s “illegal,”]( according to one lawyer and disability activist. Black Friday deals will be extra good this year — [here’s where to find the best ones](. Meghan Markle’s return to the red carpet [feels decidedly pre-royal](. ICYMI Supplied Photo/Sherman Family [A new warrant in the Barry and Honey Sherman murder case focuses on business deals.]( CLOSE-UP Fatima Shbair/AP Photo RAFAH: Medics prepare premature babies who were evacuated from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for transport to Egypt on Monday. As Palestinian health authorities report more than 12,700 people dead, the WHO warns that most hospitals in the territory are no longer functioning. [Here’s the latest](. 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_204126). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. BLACK FRIDAY SALE Now only $39.99 for 1 year [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. 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