We view the gun violence in Toronto and the GTA as a pressing issue that has been disproportionately affecting the Black community. 

We also believe that, despite the flurry of media attention this problem received during the summer of 2005 and continues to receive today, violence among the black community is not something new. Rather it is a long standing and systemic problem that reflects much deeper social issues affecting our community.

We believe that the solutions to this issue come not from harsher sentencing and more policing, but from more investments in and support to social programs for young people.

We identify social programming from a broad, holistic perspective, including programs that meet physical, cultural, educational, and emotional/family needs as the programs most in need of support and most able to provide social cohesion, and empowerment for our youth.