Toronto’s mayor and city staff are touting significant investments in tackling the roots of youth violence in the 2020 budget. Despite escalating gun violence, council has never moved to fund that staff-recommended plan in the absence of outside money. The lack of funding has led to the reduction in 11 positions in the city’s social development division, budget documents showed Friday. Senior city staff told reporters Friday the city is “committed” to both the TO WARDS Peace program and crisis response expansion while continuing to speak to federal partners. “I deeply appreciate Mayor Tory’s willingness to understand our arguments for youth spaces and that addressing the roots of youth violence makes our communities safer and can change lives,” Matlow told the Star.

Source: thestar January 13, 2020 10:05 UTC