Paul McLaughlin’s acclaimed novel, The Suicide Magnet: Inside the Battle to Erect a Safety Barrier on Toronto’s Bloor Viaduct, is one of five books shortlisted for the 2024 Toronto Book Awards, in addition to being one of fifteen 2024 Book Award nominees for the Heritage Toronto Awards.
The book recounts the story of how a group of volunteers led by two citizens – Al Birney and Michael McCamus – underwent a six-year journey to advocate to help those with mental health challenges, and push Toronto’s City Hall to fund and construct a suicide barrier on the bridge.
A course director in the Writing Department, McLaughlin is an award-winning author of several books, numerous magazine articles and several plays.
Established by Toronto City Council in 1974, the Toronto Book Awards honour works of literary merit that are inspired by the city and its residents. The five finalists shortlisted for this year’s awards showcase the breadth of creativity and diversity within Toronto’s literary community. The Heritage Toronto Book Award recognizes written works that explore all aspects of heritage in Toronto.
