There's been a lot of mudslinging this week on the mayoral campaign trail. As much as it's been dominating headlines and newscasts, we hope it isn't a sign that this election is about to be defined by efforts to squash opponents with petty jabs, attack sites and the race to uncover skeletons in candidates' closets.
Is it too much to ask that we focus our energies on the future of this city? There are many issues to be championed - and the latest of which speaks quite directly to the future of Toronto: at-risk youth and the persistence of youth homicide.The matter was highlighted in a media report this week citing police statistics that show a rise in youth homicide. It claimed that though homicides in general are decreasing year to year, the percentage of teen homicides (19 and younger) has increased to 22.6 per cent from 8.75 per cent over a five-year period. What the police told The Guardian is that youth homicides fluctuate from year to year and what appears to be a recent rise in youth homicides is actually more of a plateau. However tragic, it's pretty consistent with numbers dating back to 2003.Still, as Const. Wendy Drummond said, "One (youth killed) is one too many."There are those across the city who would agree. Like the family of 17-year-old Andrew Dowden, Toronto's 33rd homicide in 2010 who was shot and dumped into the Humber River in Etobicoke last month. Like the crowd of people who turned up at an anti-violence march at a church in Rexdale on Saturday - the very location where an 18-year-old was gunned down at his best friend's funeral in 2005. Like the organizers of this weekend's urbanNOISE festival, an arts showcase designed to help youth speak out against crime in their communities. There's a broader issue at play here that deserves our attention and long-term commitment to finding solutions. Parents, undoubtedly, play the biggest role in instilling values, building confidence and helping children navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence. Those without, need positive role models and the community needs to take responsibility for that. Social programming must be in place to ensure at-risk youth and their families are given equal access to jobs, education and community engagement.Efforts are being made by a variety of groups in the city to do just that, such as Breaking the Cycle, the Cops and Kids mentoring program, Youth Assisting Youth, and the Dads Count conference, among others.But is it enough, when year after year we continue to mourn the loss of our youth?If this city's municipal candidates would like to steer their campaigns back on to the 'serious' trail, it would be a good question for them to ask.