Canada's minister of border security and organized crime reduction isn't committing to a possible gun ban in Toronto, but stressed the government will look at every possible measure that could lead to gun violence going down.
At a funding announcement to combat gun violence in Toronto Thursday, Bill Blair was pressed about a possible ban, which has been pushed by Toronto Mayor John Tory, in what's been a violent year in the city.
"We are prepared to examine any measure that will be effective in reducing that gun violence, but I think I also have a responsibility to look at every measure and to determine what would be most effective," he said. "Quite frankly, we are committed to doing the things that work."
Of Toronto's 95 homicides this year, roughly half have been from guns and there have been over 400 overall shootings.
The funding announced includes $6.7 million over five years for the city's Community Healing Project for Crime Prevention and Intervention.
Blair said the money will go towards programs and community organizations focused on preventing gang recruitment through mental health supports, peer support, job skills training and community support.
Asante Haughton is the peer development and training manager at Stella's Place, a youth mental health organization for those aged 16-29, which provides clinical and peer support services.
"From a community perspective, it's extremely important that we are able to invest in our young people," he said. "What we're trying to do is we're trying to reach young people who may have experienced trauma at a young enough age that we can help them to understand what's happening, help them build resiliency factors and other protective measures."
Mayor John Tory has requested roughly $30 million in gun violence funding applications and says this is likely a first step in more funding for the city.
"We wanted to come to help us," Tory said. "While you do have to measure each and every one of these initiatives to make sure that they work, I think it has been proven time and time again that when you invest in these communities, when you support the police and you have laws that are adequate to the task, you are going to make a difference."
Blair said he'll be going to the government in the new year with the results of an examination into a possible gun ban.
He was also asked about how some criminals are buying legal parts and building illegal guns out of them.
"Many of those parts are strictly regulated and we're looking at any gaps in the law," Blair said, who added as long as there's a demand for guns, there will be a supply.
"We have to be effective in reducing and restricting the supply of guns coming into our community however they come in, whether it's across the border, illegally diverted from the domestic market or illegally manufactured," he said. "At the same time, we have to work in our communities."
$400,000 is also going to the Toronto Police Service's enhanced Neighbourhood Officer Program.