Newsstand: May 21, 2015

Happy Little-Friday! Today in the news, a gruesome alleged Uber incident that might tip the local debate in favour of licensed taxicabs, Fiona Crean sets her sights on the province, and a local comedian puts her foot down against sexual harassment onstage.

By Kelli Korducki • Illustration by Matthew Daley

A Mississauga Uber driver has been accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger this weekend. According to York Regional Police, the alleged victim was the last of three passengers going home after a night out in York Region when she asked to be released from the car, and reports to have been followed out by the driver and assaulted. York Regional Police have so far resisted making comment on whether or not licensed taxis are any safer than Uber.

Fiona Crean is applying to become Ontario’s next ombudsman. The current city watchdog, whose gig wraps in November, told the Star “I’m looking at a number of opportunities. That (provincial ombudsman) one is certainly of great interest and I’m acutely interested in continuing to serve the public.” Crean’s tenure as Toronto’s ombudsman has been rife with controversy, largely stemming from members of city council who felt her actions—that is, performing the requirements of her job—were politically motivated.

Stand-up comedian Jen Grant has come forth about a May 13 stand-up set for a corporate awards ceremony that ended early due to sexually harassing heckling. The chair of the Ontario Printing & Imaging Association, which hosted the event, says the heckling was not “in keeping with our normal conduct.” At any rate, Grant’s experience has continued a conversation about sexual harassment in the workplace that kicked off last week with CTV reporter Shauna Hunt’s on-camera heckling.