By Rathika Sitsabaiesan

MP (Scarborough-Rouge River)

 The power and ideas of our youth are far too often overlooked by law makers and by people in power. Yet the creativity and innovation they share along with the unique perspective our youth provide need to be considered and championed.

It is disappointing that Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford, has rejected funding for such programming from both the federal and provincial governments.

 So far this summer, it seems as though we have seen an increase in gun-related violence in our streets and our communities.

 In fact, gun crime in Toronto is up 19% since this time last year.

 The shooting at the community BBQ on Danzig has particularly shocked our communities. This shooting, which saw the tragic loss of life of two young, vibrant individuals – Shyanne Charles and Joshua Yasay – as well as 23 injured, was a senseless act of violence.

 Yet in the midst of this tragedy, Scarborough has come together in a statement of strength and unity.

 I was proud to participate in the vigils and the community solidarity marches that have taken place in the community since last Monday night’s tragedy. It is both moving and empowering to see the community, and neighbouring communities, come together and stand against such senseless acts.

 I was particularly moved by the number of youth who fled to the streets to participate in these vigils and marches.

 The power and ideas of our youth are far too often overlooked by law makers and by people in power. Yet the creativity and innovation they share along with the unique perspective our youth provide need to be considered and championed.

 Working with our youth is something that I have always enjoyed doing and have continued to do since my election as Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge River. Through my engagement with youth of different ages, backgrounds, and socio-economic classes, I have learned that they all have one important thing in common – their ideas are wonderful and they are all fighting to be heard. My work with youth has also taught me that our youth are not only our leaders of tomorrow, but are our leaders of today.

 Community safety has been one of the priority topics that I have been hearing on the streets of Scarborough-Rouge River. Since my return to the riding for the summer recess of the House of Commons, I have been canvassing the streets of the various communities in my riding, seeking input from residents on elements to be included in a comprehensive plan to deal with community safety and violence in our streets.

 The empowerment of our youth and the encouragement and support that we can provide them as a community is a common suggestion that I am hearing in our community.

 Along with highlighting the apparent need to keep guns off our streets, Scarborough residents are highlighting the importance of long-term funding for programs – and the creation of new programs – that help to prevent youth from turning to gangs and violence, as well as programs that help youth seeking to leave this lifestyle.

 These types of programming require support from all levels of government. Unfortunately, this is an area where the federal government has been missing in action. While the federal government does provide some funding to programs through the Youth Gang Prevention Fund – a fund that invests in communities where youth gangs are an existing or emerging threat and supports initiatives that clearly target youth in gangs or at greatest risk of joining a gang– communities and programs are only eligible to receive monies from this Fund once.

 Because of this flawed funding model, several extremely successful programs in Toronto and across the country will be losing funding this year. We all know that programs require sustainable, long-term funding to build the networks of trust within the community and to remain successful. Therefore this funding model needs to be changed to ensure that successful programs have continuous access to these monies.

 Additionally, it is disappointing that Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford, has rejected funding for such programming from both the federal and provincial governments.

 Scarborough, and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area, is a great place to live and a wonderful place to raise a family. Yet we need to acknowledge that we are currently having a problem with violence in our streets that has many residents worried. We need to work together in our communities, across the city, and with all levels of government to address the root causes of this violence, to keep guns off our streets, and to end the cycle of violence.

 I will leave you with a quote from a pair of wise 10-year old girls I met at one of the Danzig vigils, “Shoot for your dreams, not at each other.”