Headlines
An estimated 2 million people swarmed the streets of Toronto Monday in celebration of the Raptors' championship. While attention was focused on the likes of Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, and Marc Gasol's dance moves, politicians were also in attendance. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor John Tory shared the Nathan Phillips Square stage with the players and management. While it was an overwhelmingly celebratory and jubilant mood, when Ford was introduced he was roundly booed by the gathered throngs. This follows his being booed at recent events including the Special Olympics and the Collision tech conference.
Gary Bettman wishes he could be booed this hard pic.twitter.com/8fDCQi6OfT
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) June 17, 2019
The premier's office did not provide Global an explanation of the booing.
Some online observers also felt like Raptors President Masai Ujiri jilted Ford with the brevity of their meeting. Ujiri, a widely respected executive, later embraced Trudeau.
Masai giving @fordnation the "whatever buddy" handshake and Ford twiddling his little fingers after is giving me life pic.twitter.com/qJlo14Yt5b
— David Sun Lee 이철균 (@davidsunlee) June 17, 2019
Sadly, the event wasn't just about celebrating the team. Four people were injured in a shooting near the rally in Nathan Phillips Square, which sparked a dangerous rush of people away from the event. None of the injuries are life-threatening, and three people are in police custody, reports the Star.
Erinoakkids, a Brampton-based health facility that supports children with autism, issued 291 layoff notices yesterday in response to funding changes by the government, reports Global. In a statement, the government defended its autism plan, saying its policy would empower parents to make their own purchasing decisions rather than funding agencies. The NDP called the government's autism policy changes "callous cuts."
In case you missed our stories Monday:
- People for Education says ‘careful planning and adequate resources’ are critical for policy changes
- Coteau officially launches bid for Liberal leadership
- People on the move: PCs see a staffer shuffle as Ottawa departures have a ripple effect through ministries
The Star explains the federal government's new first-time home buyer mortgage program, with one Toronto MP making the case that it will still help GTA households despite price caps on the support.
Independent MPP Randy Hillier defended himself against a lawsuit from Dean French, the premier's chief of staff, arguing in statement of defence that the he didn't defame the political staffer's reputation in part because it was already negative to begin with, reports Canadian Press. None of the claims have been proven in court.
Google subsidiary Sidewalk Labs has shared its master plan with Waterfront Toronto, and it will be released to the public next week, reports the Star. The proposed project on waterfront land east of Toronto's downtown has faced substantial criticism over its public consultation process and potential data collection.
The Canadian and Ontario human rights tribunals have joined forces to express opposition to Facebook features that enable companies to limit what demographics can see their job postings, reports CBC.
Under Premier Doug Ford interest in Toronto is growing about getting more autonomy for the city, reports the Star. That includes exploring the potential of the province's capital becoming a charter city.
A new report from Canada Revenue Agency says Canadian companies are avoiding paying billions in tax dollars, reports the Star.
The Star analyzes the government's push to tear up the Beer Store contract, with experts concluding that no matter what, it will be a costly endeavour.
TVO looks at mental health education in Ontario.
And in the opinion pages:
- Martin Regg Cohn explores the "dream" of pharmacare, which he argues was "gutted" in Ontario by the Ford government.
- Marcus Gee says that the Raptors celebration wasn't just a party, but a glimpse of today's Canada.
- Jerry Agar says the premier has the right priorities by choosing to march in the York Pride Parade, which included uniformed police officers. This is a contrast to the Toronto Pride Parade, which the columnist refers to as a "cop-hating" event.
- Matt Gurney also welcomes the premier marching in a pride parade.
- Edward Keenan captures the sites and sounds of a championship parade in Toronto.
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