2018 - EMERGING ISSUE #1: CURBING GANG ACTIVITY AND GUN VIOLENCE
Whereas #1
gang activity and gun violence is an increasing and evolving issue across Canada involving primarily youth from twelve to young adults twenty-five years of age; and
Whereas #2
this issue is complex, impacting families and communities, the public health and educational systems, public safety including law enforcement and the criminal justice system; and
Whereas #3
illegal guns are widely available through the internet, the dark net and other hidden importing means, and gang activity involves and promotes illegal activities; and
Whereas #4
since a ‘one size fits all’ model is not effective in addressing the issue, research is required with a Canadian perspective, as well as a review of best practices from other jurisdictions; and
Whereas #5
prevention and intervention are significant remedies where women can play a major leadership role; therefore be it
Resolved #1
that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that gang activity and gun violence be curbed through best-practices preventive and intervention initiatives; and be it further
Resolved #2
that National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to identify and act upon the systemic problems underlying the issue of gang activity and gun violence, and to fund the best-practices preventive and intervention initiatives to overcome the problem and mitigate its impact; and be it further
Resolved #3
that National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) urge the Government of Canada to collaborate with the provinces and territories and municipalities to take whatever steps are needed to overcome the problem of gang activity and gun violence and mitigate its impact.