Toronto's Big Problem

Toronto is experiencing a huge problem with the use of guns and gang warfare. One of its biggest problem dealing with the situation is the Mayor. How he is so uninformed about the causes of the youth gangs is remarkable. Budgets have to be balanced and every time you cut support programs for the youth in the city's troubled areas you can expect trouble.

Youth gangs form and grow because the alternative to the comfort of the gang is unemployment and idle hands. Regent Park is a good example where in the old days with the old living quarters there was a definite need for change and change there is. New housing and a volunteer and paid staff to bring meaningful programs for all ages have turned life in the Park around. Everything from sports, music and cultural events have made the Park a good place to live. The residents feel safe and the programs work but they cost money.

The Mayor publicly states that he hates "hug a thug" programs. He wants more police. Does this sound familiar to that Federal Minister who wants to build more prisons. How sad when people get elected to high office and are ignorant of the basic understanding of what causes social problems among the youth. Sadder is the belief that more police will solve the problem.

Monies shared with communities who wish to bring about change can be one of the most cost effective means of balancing a budget. Most people realize that preventative programs save huge amounts of money in the long run. It costs over a $100,000 a year to keep a person in a prison where the youth will learn to be a better criminal when they are released. Some of that money used in a proper program can save some of the youth to become sound citizens.

After all these shootings mothers say to the press that her boy was a wonderful son. How sad that these wonderful sons and daughters join a gang and become a negative influence in the community.

I confess that the problem is very complicated but we have to find a solution to the problem and we surely will not with people like the Toronto Mayor in charge. He is a sad reminder of the mistake the people of that great city made when they elected him Mayor. How embarrassing.