A major problem for decent people living their everyday lives is the take over of towns and cities by violent gangs. This is usually compounded by weakness on the part of the authorities or, as now, fear of offending Political Correctness. This allows the gangs to develop and move into ilicit businesses and corrupt more young followers and harm innocent members of the public. The massive and exteremy violent LA gangs are infamous throughout the world but there is a similar proliferation in England and ignoring them does a lot more harm than dealing with the early manifestations

Firearm-related homicides in Canada have been steadily increasing, reaching a total of 223 in 2016, 44 more than the previous year. Shootings have now become the most common method of homicide, surpassing homicide by stabbing and beating. Gang-related homicides involving guns are no exception. In 2016 alone, police reported 141 gang-related homicides, 45 more than in 2015. Since 2013, gang-related homicides in Canada’s largest cities have almost doubled.

In November 2017, the federal government announced approximately $327.6 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, and $100 million annually thereafter, in new federal funding to tackle the increase in gun related violence and gang activity in Canada. This initiative will bring together federal, provincial and territorial efforts to support community-level prevention and enforcement efforts, build and leverage unique federal expertise and resources to advance intelligence related to the illegal trafficking of firearms, and invest in border security to interdict illicit goods including guns and drugs. Funding would also be provided to Indigenous organizations to help build capacity through education, outreach and research, addressing the unique needs of Indigenous communities and urban populations. The Initiative will help reduce gun and gang violence so that Canadians can feel safe in their communities.

Summit on Gun and Gang Violence

On March 7, 2018, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada hosted a Summit on Gun and Gang Violence, to engage stakeholders and provide them an opportunity to share challenges, opportunities and best practices in the fight against gun crime and in combating the deadly effects of guns and gangs in communities across Canada. The Summit was attended in person and via webcast by over 180 

experts from law enforcement, Indigenous, youth and community organizations, mayors from large municipalities and representatives from most  provinces and territories..

Ontario is committed to reducing gun violence and the dismantling of gangs by increasing local prevention, enforcement and prosecution efforts across the province.  As part of our strategy, we are providing additional tools and resources to support our police services and justice partners. Some examples include:

  • a new provincial gun and gang support unit that will support gun and gang investigations and prosecutions, and will improve province-wide coordination
  • a dedicated Gun and Gang Specialized Investigations Fund to support major investigations involving multiple police services to target organized crime areas that fuel gang operations such as drug, gun and human trafficking
  • increased corrections intelligence and security with enhanced training to correctional staff on the identification of security threats, improved intelligence reporting and court preparation, as well as specific challenges such as contraband smuggling

Ontario is also investing in prevention programs that provide meaningful alternatives for communities and youth at high-risk of involvement in gangs, gun violence and victimization, to help break the cycle of offending. These programs will help to identify root causes and risk factors of violence, prevent criminal activity, as well as support at-risk youth and young adults with alternatives to entering gangs or exit strategies to those already involved in gang activity.

Guns & gangs lawyer in hamilton have defended numerous individuals who have been targeted by the Toronto Police Service’s Gun and Gang Task Force. Most recently, we defended an Accused involved in Project Fusion.

Project Fusion

In 2010, we represented an Accused who was arrested as one of numerous suspects in a police round up known as “Project Fusion” – A multi-jurisdictional operation – led by the Toronto Police Service’s Gun and Gang Task Force. One-hundred and twenty five people were arrested in what police described as “an operation believed to be the largest of its kind in Ontario. Project Fusion involved over 1,000 officers from across the province. It began in mid-2008 and focused on a series of violent crimes dating back to 2003. It is alleged that those involved are leaders, members and/or associates who participate in two criminal organizations that operate in concert with each other, known as the “MNE” (Markham Road/Eglinton Avenue East), and the “400 Crew” (400/McCowan Road). A total of 100 homes and 61 vehicles were the targets of the search warrants across Toronto, as well as in York, Peel and Durham.

Our client “A.L.” was arrested on charges relating to weapons, robbery, and drugs. Part way through Mr. A.L.’s preliminary inquiry, we challenged the Crown Attorney on the basis that there was not enough evidence to commit Mr. A.L. to trial. Before the preliminary inquiry was over, we negotiated to have all the charges against A.L. withdrawn. Many of A.L.’s co-accuseds in Project Fusion are still facing charges before the courts.