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Toronto youth caught up in gang activity will be the focus of a $4.9-million pilot project announced Wednesday afternoon by federal public safety minister Stockwell Day.
With Toronto Mayor David Miller at his side, Mr. Day said the federally funded pilot will run for three and a half years in some of the city's toughest neighbourhoods to prevent vulnerable youth from joining gangs or assist them from exiting a life of crime.
“People who possibly would be vulnerable to the attraction of gang activity will know there are other alternatives for them,” said Mr. Day. He also said that the funding, part of Ottawa's $33-million national crime-prevention program, is earmarked for Toronto “regardless of the verification of any particular rumour you may have heard,” a reference to an expected imminent announcement of a federal election this fall.
Mr. Miller praised the announcement as “precisely what is needed” to supplement existing city programs that already offer a range community-based services to disadvantaged youth.
What has been missing, however, is funding for youth and their families caught up in or trying to escape from gang activities.
Mr. Miller said youth in gangs in Toronto are a “small part of the population, but they are really at risk.”
He added that they often need education and training. “Most of all they need hope that they can have a real chance in life,” he said.
Mr. Day said that if the pilot projects announced Wednesday prove successful in combatting gang activity, “you will be in a good position to see a continuation of the funding.”
With the Toronto skyline in the background for the announcement, Mr. Day reiterated his opposition to a Canada-wide handgun ban endorsed by Mr. Miller.
The minister said that handguns already are essentially banned now except for the police and legitimate collectors and target shooters.
“Where we do agree … is on programs that reach out to young people and being aggressive at looking at street gang activity,” said Mr. Day.
