NDP MPP responds to gun violence

YORK SOUTH—WESTON — NDP MPP Faisal Hassan made the following statement in response to gun violence near Black Creek and Trethewey drives Sunday night:

"Overnight, gun violence erupted in our city with a series of shootings. I want to offer my sympathies to everyone impacted by the traumatic events that took place.

I know this community well. It is home to many families, hardworking people and advocates working to make our communities stronger and more resilient. They don’t deserve the anxiety and fear that comes with this type of horrifying experience.

The violence that took place at Clearview Heights is unacceptable. The fear and grief that families face must come to an end. I’ve called on this government to make the issue of gun violence, and the work of preventing gun violence, a priority.

Our community deserves the resources needed to keep us safe. We know that if we are to reverse this worrying trend of violence, we must invest in communities and people. This type of scar cannot be healed with bandaid solutions; we need real action.

As I work with the community to help heal these wounds, I urge this government to work with its federal counterparts to address the flow of weapons coming across the U.S.-Canada border. I insist that it support impacted communities and Neighbourhood Improvement Areas with real investments.

The NDP will continue pushing the government to invest in addressing the root causes of violence, including poverty, lack of affordable housing and the need for youth programming."