Over a week after a mass shooting at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair resulted in two fatalities and numerous injuries, the future of the popular festival hangs in uncertainty. As discussions about public safety intensify, one key sponsor has warned they may withdraw their support for the event, following the tragic incident.
A safety roundtable convened on Monday, initiated by TeleLatino Network (TLN), which is both the founder and primary sponsor of Salsa on St. Clair. The meeting aimed to address community safety concerns and prevent the pivotal issue from fading from public consciousness without action.
Among the participants was Marilyn Solano, a Latino community advocate, who shared her family's harrowing experience during the festival. Her son witnessed a woman being shot in the neck, and Solano herself had to shield her 10-year-old daughter from being trampled in the ensuing panic.
Solano recounted that her son expressed feelings of insecurity upon their arrival, noting that many attendees were wearing masks and hoodies, coupled with fanny packs. "He sensed trouble,” she stated, emphasizing the intense anxiety they felt during the event.
In light of the events, TLN is considering the future of its sponsorship, as the festival drew an estimated one million attendees last year. Toronto's Deputy Mayor and Councillor Mike Colle highlighted the need for community anger and proactive solutions, stating, “We can’t just say we need more programs.”
The roundtable discussion included high-ranking police officers, local and federal politicians, and experts addressing the pressing issues of public safety, gun violence, gang activity, and youth-oriented violence. Notably, Irvin Studin, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who has investigated the mental health impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns, shared his thoughts on the enduring consequences of the pandemic, asserting, “There is pre-2020 Toronto and there is post-2020 Toronto and we must reckon with that.”
Studin also stressed the importance of direct, in-person engagement with youth, urging that adults should work with young people face-to-face rather than through digital channels. This sentiment aligns with the growing concern about the effects of social media and virtual interaction on youth well-being.
The topics discussed were further influenced by recent changes to Canada's Criminal Code, as new bail and sentencing reforms took effect last month. Vince Gasparro advocated for immediate results stemming from these reforms as part of the broader conversation about safety and crime reduction.
Superintendent Ryan Forde of 13 Division expressed optimism regarding these legal changes, indicating that they could be beneficial for community safety in Toronto. "I hope to see how that looks as it matriculates through the system," he commented, reflecting the cautious hope among law enforcement officials.
However, Solano raised concerns over the need for a comprehensive approach, stating that “parents need guidance, schools need guidance, teachers need guidance," highlighting the limitations currently faced by law enforcement within educational institutions.
As discussions continue, Aldo Di Felice, the president of TLN, shared that he remains focused on public safety dialogues with city officials, police, and event organizers. He has not yet decided whether TLN will maintain its sponsorship of the festival.
As of now, the police investigation into the shooting remains active. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not provided additional details regarding potential suspects. The Unit Commander for 13 Division affirmed during the roundtable that the festival was adequately staffed at the time of the incident, and no intelligence had indicated a risk of gun violence during the event.
