Setting up a new story can be tricky. I hate cliche devices that just assume everyone knows everyone, so I make a real effort to keep introductions more organic, but also bring the party together inside of a single session.
What I do for this, in games where there has to be a group of Adventurers/Runners/etc. is ask the players, while characters are created in Session 0:
Why is [your Character] with the group of [Adventurers/Runners/…] we're establishing right now?
No need for "You're all in a tavern …"-stupidity.
If any character doesn't want to be with the group, they should create a different character.
People meet up to play a game together, not to play different games (unless you're a Decker, then the rules say you're playing your own game ¬_¬)
★ Keep it up ★
RE: Shadowrun - Toronto Troubles