Newsstand: April 20, 2015

As expected, news of the next Toronto police chief reached the public this weekend, via a leak: Mark Saunders will replace Bill Blair and will be the city's first black police chief. Read about that news, along with some more: the troubles plaguing Toronto Community Housing, and a teachers' strike.

By Tannara Yelland • Illustration by Matthew Daley

After months of rumours about who would replace longtime Toronto police chief Bill Blair, several sources have relayed to reporters that the next person on the job will be Mark Saunders. Saunders is currently a deputy chief, as is the man who was widely held to be the only other serious contender for the position, Peter Sloly. Saunders will make history by being Toronto’s first black police chief (the same would have been true for Sloly), and was regarded as the candidate of choice; Sloly rose quickly through the ranks and has spent much of his career as a more senior officer, not on the ground. However, some critics of police practices have worried that Saunders will be less friendly to reforming things like carding, which is a huge issue for many in Toronto’s black community. The formal announcement is expected this morning.

Durham public schools are the first to see what may be a wave of labour actions in the coming weeks, as public school regions across the province react to slow, and so far unsuccessful, negotiations. Six other school boards will be “targeted” for strikes, and if negotiations are still unresolved by fall, there is talk of a province-wide strike. This is the first time education labour negotiations are being conducted under legislation that followed the labour unrest of the 2012-13 school year. Under these new rules, teachers are negotiating with both the province for big-ticket items such as salaries and benefits, and the school boards for local specifics. Teachers have been working with no contract since August of last year.

Toronto Community Housing is well-known for its problems: two CEOs have left under less than glowing circumstances, the repairs backlog is nearing $3 billion, and residents are frustrated with their living conditions. The Toronto Star takes a closer look at these issues and how they might be solved.