TABLE OF CONTENTS

Video Summary & Related Content 3 Video Review 4 Before Viewing 5 While Viewing 6 Talk Prompts 9 After Viewing 12 The Story 15 Activity #1: “The Year of the Gun” Photo Essay 23 Activity #2: Take Action to Prevent Gun Violence 25 Sources 27

CREDITS News in Review is produced by Visit www.curio.ca/newsinreview for an archive of all CBC NEWS and curio.ca previous News In Review seasons. As a companion resource, go to www.cbc.ca/news for additional GUIDE articles. Writer: Chris Coates Editor: Sean Dolan CBC authorizes reproduction of material contained VIDEO in this guide for educational purposes. Please Host: Michael Serapio identify source. Senior Producer: Jordanna Lake News In Review is distributed by: Packaging Producer: Marie-Hélène Savard curio.ca | CBC Media Solutions Associate Producer: Francine Laprotte Supervising Manager: Laraine Bone © 2018 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation UNDER THE GUN: 's War Against Firearm Violence

Video duration – 14:25

In 2018 Canada’s largest city, Toronto, saw a massive increase in gun violence on its streets. Shootings were frequent and often flagrant, taking place in broad daylight and near children’s playgrounds. The numbers were so high it had people worried that gun deaths in 2018 would surpass that of the so-called “Summer of the Gun” back in 2005. Police, politicians, social advocates and residents all made suggestions on what was needed to decrease the gun violence. But the solutions remain as contentious as the problem.

RELATED CONTENT • News in Review, January 2006 – Guns and Gangs: Toronto Fights Back • News in Review, February 2006 – Gang Wars: Bloodbath in • News in Review, November 2008 – A Community Fights Gangs and Guns • News in Review, April 2013 – U.S. Gun Debate • Treating gun violence as a public health issue could save lives • Walk Good

curio.ca/newsinreview / 3 VIDEO REVIEW

curio.ca/newsinreview / 4 BEFORE VIEWING NOTE TO TEACHERS: The classroom must promote a safe place for students “Technological progress has merely provided us with more to discuss sensitive issues such as efficient means for going backwards.” violence and death. Prepare students - Aldous Huxley for the topics that will be discussed. Allow for individual reflective time in As a class or in small groups, consider the following: addition to small group activities where students can safely process 1. To what extent do you agree with Huxley’s statement their thoughts and emotions. about technology? How can a form of progress (like television or a smartphone) also lead individuals and society in the wrong direction? 2. In Greek mythology, the titan Prometheus (whose name comes from a Greek word for “forethought”) makes humankind from clay and defies the gods by giving them fire. While Prometheus’s gift enables progress and civilization, it also leads to destruction. Thus, this myth serves as a lesson about the duality of technology, which both helps and harms us. Brainstorm a list of important inventions (a minimum of five) and, for each, create a T-chart in which you list their advantages and disadvantages. Share your findings with your classmates.

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 5 WHILE VIEWING 1. By November 2018, there were more than 350 shootings and 45 gun-related deaths in Toronto. TRUE or FALSE? 2. Toronto Mayor, , believes the solution to escalating gun violence in the city is: a) More arrests b) Increasing officer numbers and police surveillance cameras c) Increasing spending on police technology d) Changing the racial composition of the city’s prison and rehabilitation staff 3. Zya Brown, founder of Think 2wice, believes the best way to address gun violence is: a) More arrests b) Increasing officer numbers c) Having former gang members mentor inmates before and after their release from jail d) Redirecting police officers away from non-emergency calls toward patrolling at-risk communities

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 6 4. TAVIS, the police task force launched in the summer of 2005, was controversial because: a) It relied heavily on police spot checks like “carding” b) It disturbed more affluent neighbourhoods c) It cost $2 million and added 200 officers to the streets d) It violated some citizens’ Charter Rights

5. TAVIS had a clear, positive impact on gun violence in the city of Toronto. TRUE or FALSE?

6. Which of the following locations was a site for gun-related violence in Toronto in 2018? a) The Danforth b) Yorkdale Mall c) Across the street from the CNE d) All of the above

7. Most of the handguns used in violent crimes on Canada’s streets are smuggled across the border from the U.S. TRUE or FALSE?

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 7 8. According to Louis March, founder of Zero Gun Violence Movement, 2018 differs from the “summer of the gun” in 2005 because: a) There have been fewer deaths b) Many gangs in Toronto police’s “high priority” neighborhoods have disbanded c) There are now more guns that are considerably more powerful d) Jobs are now harder to get than guns 9. Which of the following is a proposed solution to this year’s spike in gun violence? a) More officers b) Gun control c) Increased resources for communities and police d) All of the above

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 8 TALK NEW PROMPTS

curio.ca/newsinreview / 9 TALK PROMPT #1 Pause the video after John Tory says, “We have to redouble our efforts to make sure we get these gangsters, round them up, get them off the street.” 1. Who is Tory speaking about? Is it that simple? 2. What are some of the problems with arresting people who possess and use handguns? 3. Does this address the issue of escalating gun violence effectively?

TALK PROMPT #2 Pause the video for discussion after Zya Brown says, “The majority of the young people that are in jail are either native Indian or black, but all the staff, the counsellors, the programmes’ officers, the wardens, the management, they’re all white.” 1. What does Brown suggest is the real issue at play? 2. What does this have to do with the issue of escalating gun violence?

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 10 TALK PROMPT #3 Pause the video after Ian Hanomansing says, “Whether Toronto’s strategy was responsible for reducing the gun violence is not clear, but TAVIS was disbanded last year and ’s premier campaigned on a promise to bring it back.” 1. What are the pros and cons of carding? 2. Is this an effective strategy in combatting gun violence in the city?

TALK PROMPT #4 Pause the video after Mike McCormack, President of the Toronto Police Association (TPA), says, “What I want is meaningful, tangible acts that are going to have a real impact on people going out there, committing murders and using firearms in public places.” He said this in response to a call for a ban on handguns. 1. Why do you think the President of the TPA would not favour a ban on handguns as a solution to the problem of escalating violence?

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 11 AFTER VIEWING Your teacher will tell you that an issue is a people’s aspirations for a more desirable future complex problem that: and they generate a range of feelings, including • Requires a solution and has many different surprise, shock, concern, anger or anxiety, which sides is why we have conflict in society. Issues are • Involves some dispute complex because there are no simple answers. • Has become a matter of concern to many Issues are interrelated because they have many people. implications. Not least, they are controversial because they divide people based on their For example, somebody being shot is a problem; personal experience and worldview. escalating gun violence in Toronto is an issue. Issues arise because of disagreements about

TASK 1. Form a group of four and visit MindMup, a digital mind-mapping app, found at: www.mindmup.com

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 12 • Create a new mind map and write “Escalating Gun Violence in Toronto” in the text box in the centre of your document. • For each of the following categories, brainstorm three to five (3-5) impacts stemming from the issue of escalating gun violence in Toronto. Use these definitions to help you:

o Political Impacts: Having to do with power and control and involving any organization that designs, administers and makes judgments about rules or control.

o Social Impacts: Having to do with interpersonal relationships or relationships among communities

o Cultural Impacts: Having to do with beliefs, values, rituals, norms and traditions. o Economic Impacts: Involving the impact on the financial well-being of the location involved. • After you have noted all of your ideas in the document, share your MindMup with your classmates.

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 13 It seems to me that the point of jail is just to put them in a cage and have them come out of our hair. The majority of the young people that are in prison are either native Indian or black, but all the staff, the counsellors, the programmes' officers, the wardens, the management, they're all white. – Zya Brown, Founder, Think 2wice THE STORY 2. Post your article on the classroom walls in the Minds On designated areas set up by 1. Locate and print a story from your teacher. Each area will 2018 involving gun violence have a sheet of paper with in Toronto. Ensure the two columns labelled

report is from a reputable “What I Notice” and “What source (consult your teacher I Think.” if you are unsure about what constitutes a reputable 3. Walk around the classroom source). This could include and observe the gallery of reporting on an actual crime, reports. For five of the articles, record a minimum the aftermath of the event, * Make sure you are not of two observations, one or the political response to commenting on the under “What I Notice” and gun violence in general. article you selected. one under “What I Think.”

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 15 The year of the gun violence continued — When Sheldon Eriya, Tarrick at a rate unprecedented Rhoden, and T’Quan since 2005’s “summer Robertson recklessly pumped of the gun” — and by 10 bullets into a playground mid-November 2018, full of children — injuring two there had been 360 sisters! — it was mid-June and incidents, claiming 492 there had already been 200 victims and 45 lives. shootings in Toronto. A month Some Torontonians want more By mid-November, there had later, the city mourned its police surveillance on the been 360 incidents of gun first-ever mass shooting after streets. Others wants a full-on violence, claiming 492 victims Faisal Hussain brought a semi- federal ban on firearms. Still and 45 lives — a figure that was 70 per cent higher than in automatic pistol into the others want adult-youth 2017 and 16 per cent higher Danforth restaurant district mentorship programs at the than in 2016. during dinnertime, killing two community level to address and hitting 13 more. The gun the problem at its root.

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 16 Meanwhile, the gun problem force. The Danforth shooting “Why does anyone in this city grows as the city’s leadership prompted a near-unanimous need to have a gun at all?” remains divided on how vote in to – Toronto Mayor John Tory exactly to address it. lobby the Trudeau Zero tolerance Government to ban the sale of confirmed government plans handguns and ammunition in this August to study the According to current Canadian urban areas. “Why does prohibition of handguns and law, a handgun can only be anyone in this city need to assault weapons in Canada. obtained through a special have a gun at all?” wondered Such a legislative change could license held by registered Mayor John Tory in the wake reduce the number of guns target shooters, collectors, and of the massacre. Almost 70 per acquired for use in violent those who need a pistol for cent of support this crime. It makes sense that if work purposes. However, the sentiment, according to recent civilians are able to purchase argument that the federal polling data by Ekos Research firearms legally, there is government should outlaw Associates. Public Safety potential that they could enter handguns altogether is gaining Minister

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 17 the illegal market. According to per cent of the firearms were than $100,000 over a five- Jooyoung Lee, an associate smuggled into Canada from the month period. professor at the University of United States. By 2017 about Missing the mark Toronto who specializes in gun half had been bought violence, studies show many domestically in what has Making handguns illegal seems guns used to commit crimes in become lucrative business. like an obvious solution, but Canada in recent years have Toronto detectives say some not everyone agrees it will hit originated from within this Canadians are buying weapons its target. Head of the Toronto country. Before 2012 almost 75 legally only to sell them illegally Police Association, Mike McCormick, calls it a “nominal for a handsome profit. Those same detectives gesture” that fails to report tracking more than understand the psyche of gun users. “There’s no way in my 40 major illegal private weapon sales, with one world, or any world I know, seller moving 47 legally that this would have an impact purchased guns for more on somebody who’s going to go

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 18 out and buy an illegal gun and Increased surveillance neighbourhoods like Rexdale, use it to kill another person or Lawrence Heights, and Jane While we await the findings of shoot another person,” says and Finch have seen some of the federal government’s study McCormick, who spent the the highest rates of this kind of on a potential gun prohibition, bulk of his career policing profiling. However, since the some city leaders are shooting Toronto’s Regent Park district. province banned carding in from the hip. This summer, He argues that someone 2017, gun violence has actually then-Peel Police Chief Jennifer willing to sell, steal, or use gone down by 40 per cent in Evans blamed the surge of guns illegally has already gunplay on restrictions around these neighbourhoods. (Note: shown that the considerable the controversial practice of shootings in 52 Division – the punishments for breaking the carding, a process whereby area that includes Kensington, law are not enough to citizens can be randomly Spadina, Richmond, and discourage their actions, so University – are up 250 per stopped, questioned, and one more law would have little cent over the same documented by authorities. impact. timeframe). Historically, residents of “high crime” Toronto

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 19 Another polarizing solution is Charter Rights of groups in law enforcement have Toronto City Council’s already over-represented in actually traumatized confirmed commitment of $4 the criminal justice system. In a communities. “Oppression million through 2020 to letter to John Tory about brings violence, period,” she purchase ShotSpotter ShotSpotter, CCLA executive observes. Following the technology, an aggressive director Michael Bryant called “summer of the gun,” Brown surveillance system that would the initiative “an founded Think 2wice, a see gunshot-detecting sensors unconstitutional sucker punch grassroots correspondence and microphones installed in to racialized communities of program that pairs at-risk public places where gun crime Toronto.” is common. The Canadian Civil Healing from the inside out Liberties Association (CCLA) has fired back at both carding Rexdale resident and and the incoming surveillance community volunteer Zya technology, claiming the Brown agrees with the CCLA measures infringe on the and suggests some practices Zya Brown

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 20 youth with reformed members leadership have lived the shot down new of the community who were street life, been to prison and funding for projects like once in their shoes. She know what it like to live the Think2wice, instead promising believes services like hers are lifestyle of an at-risk youth. He $18 million to Toronto police the best way to stop gun says, “I feel like (our youth) can for digital and investigative violence before it starts, saying learn something from me, and technologies and $7.6 million “…every neighbourhood and if they see that I can change, to a legal team devoted to every youth in the anybody can change.” denying bail to those charged neighbourhood will only listen with gun crimes. Meanwhile, Government response to the role models who they the Trudeau government can identify with and relate As bullets ripped through introduced Bill C-71 aimed at to.” One-time gang member, Toronto in 2018, organizations better monitoring the former convict, and Think like Think 2wice continued to movement of handguns in the 2wice volunteer-mentor Darue operate at the community country. The legislation Ramsay says programs like level with limited resources at proposes enhanced Brown’s work because the their disposal. Ontario Premier background checks on

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 21 prospective gun buyers and TO CONSIDER technology, controversial? mandatory inventory and What impacts might they 1. The majority of Canadians transfer record keeping by have on society? favour prohibiting handguns businesses for non-restricted entirely. To what extent firearms so police can track the might a handgun ban weapons more efficiently. reduce gun violence? Be it more officers, new 2. How might making technology, community handguns illegal affect the service, stringent policy, or number of instances of gun stiffer punishments, residents violence? How might a ban of the city long for peace and a NOT help the situation? meaningful and permanent solution to 2018’s gun war. 3. Why are increased Until then, they duck in the surveillance measures, such crossfire. as carding and ShotSpotting

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 22 ACTIVITY #1: “The Year of the Gun” Photo Essay What are the important articles your peers posted events that defined the rising on the classroom walls. gun violence in Toronto in Which stood out to you and 2018? Find two or three why? credible news articles that • Conduct some follow-up reflect the crisis. Post these research online, determine articles on one of the walls of the key incidents, and your classroom. (Note: For a locate visuals that tell the more in-depth version of this story of Toronto’s struggle upload the six (6) photos exercise, complete the Minds with gun violence. that you feel best represent On activity in The Story section this narrative. Be sure to of this News in Review guide. • Use the free photo essay ) caption and cite your application Exposure at sources in MLA format for • Individually or with a www.exposure.co/ and partner, reflect on the

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 23 each photo (for information • Write an artist gloss of • Share your photo essays on proper citation, visit approximately 150 words with your class. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl that explains why you /research_and_citation/mla selected the images you _style/mla_formatting_and did, how they were _style_guide/mla_formattin sequenced, and what g_and_style_guide.html). emotional effect you were striving to convey.

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 24 ACTIVITY #2: Take Action to Prevent Gun Violence A public service as to how to address this important to the public? announcement (PSA) is a complex problem. Are there any statistics message about a social issue, involved that might be In groups of three, select ONE delivered free and in the useful? solution you believe to be public interest, with the end- most effective in solving gun • The Target Audience: To goal of promoting awareness violence and design a 45-90- whom are you speaking? and influencing people’s second PSA that persuades the Are there any barriers to perception. You have now viewer toward your solution. understanding the seen and read that the issue of Your PSA should include the message? firearm violence in Toronto is following: The Message: What is your increasingly pressing, yet there • proposed message? What is division among citizens and • The Significance of Issue to do you want the person leadership at the local, the Public: What is the who is watching this to provincial, and national levels proposed issue? Why is it understand?

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 25 -An Action Step: What is the words, in which you address call to action? What do you the significance of the issue to want people to do? What can the public (supported by an individual do in the home research), the target audience, or community? How will the the message, and the action action solve the problem? step. Present your PSA and statement of intent to your When you are finished, write a class. statement of intent for your PSA of approximately 250-350

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 26 SOURCES

Bowden, Olivia. (July 24, 2018) “Illegal guns sourced in Canada are surging, compared to those smuggled from the U.S.” . Retrieved from: www.nationalpost.com/news/illegal-guns-sourced-in-canada-surge-compared-to-those-smuggled-from-u-s.

D’Amore, Rachael. (June 21, 2018). “Accused in Scarborough playground shooting will plead not guilty, lawyer says.” CTV News. Retrieved from: www.toronto.ctvnews.ca/accused-in-scarborough-playground-shooting-will-plead-not-guilty-lawyer-says-1.3983554

Gillis, Wendy. (July 23, 2018). “Civil rights oganization urges city hall to delay purchase of gunshot-location technology.” . Retrieved from: www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/07/23/ccla-urges-toronto-city-hall-to-delay-purchase-of-gunshot-location- technology.html.

Giovannetti, Justin. (August 10, 2018). “Ford opposes handgun ban as he pledges funds to fight gun violence.” The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from: www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontarios-ford-objects-to-handgun-ban-in-favour-of-more-funding-for/

Harris, Kathleen. (August 29, 2018). “Liberals to look at ‘full ban’ on handguns, assault weapons.” CBC News. Retrieved from: www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-handguns-firears-1.4801700.

Levitz, Stephanie. (December 3, 2017). “Most Canadians back total ban on guns in urban areas, poll suggests.” The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from: www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/most-canadians-back-total-ban-on-guns-in-urban-areas-poll- suggests/article37171638/.

Under the Gun: Toronto's War Against Firearm Violence curio.ca/newsinreview / 27 SOURCES, continued

Robins-Early, Nick. (July 26, 2018). “Toronto’s mayor did what no U.S. leader has done after a mass shooting.” HuffPost Canada. Retrieved from: www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/07/25/john-tory-toronto-shooting-gun-control-us_a_23489571/.

Scheel, Elise von. (September 3, 2018) “Toronto police union head says handgun ban would have ‘no impact’” CBC News. Retrieved from: www.cbc.ca/news/politics/handgun-ban-blair-toronto-police-union-1.4807778.

Wilmot, Claire. (July 30, 2018). “Analysis of Toronto gun shooting stats will surprise you.” Toronto Star. Retrieved from: www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/07/30/analysis-of-toronto-gun-shooting-states-will-surprise-you.html.

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