In June 2023, the Governor General proclaimed the first Friday of June as “The National Day Against Gun Violence” in Canada because gun violence causes devastating impacts to victims, families and our community. This day brings awareness to the issue, the causes and effects of gun violence, as well as prevention, healing and creating a path towards peace.
Since 2024, the City of Toronto has been hosting an annual ceremony to commemorate the National Day Against Gun Violence to remember and mourn victims of gun violence and to look forward with a theme of healing and peace.
TO Wards Peace aims to increase effective interventions to mitigate violence in Toronto using a risk-driven, multi-sectoral model that is driven by a community-centric, public health approach. The program focuses on bringing community groups, local grassroots organizations, community health centres, hospitals and the City of Toronto together to advance actions for the interruption, intervention and prevention of gun violence in the city and create pathways to healing.
The Mayor’s Community Safety Awards celebrate innovative projects that help build safe communities and that reduce violence. Award recipients are honoured during an in-person ceremony at City Hall. Recipients receive a commemorative scroll and a $1,500 award to support their innovative approaches to addressing safety within their local communities.
The Mayor’s Community Safety Awards is a longstanding partnership between the City of Toronto and Toronto Police Service.
The City is taking a bold and different approach to advance community safety with the SafeTO 10-Year Community Safety & Well-Being Plan, working collaboratively across sectors, communities and governments.
Learn more about TO Wards Peace and how it will help Toronto become a trauma-informed city by contributing to the advancement of action 2.1 of the SafeTO Plan. This action focuses on the collaborative efforts between community groups, local grassroots organizations, community health centres, hospitals and the City of Toronto to advance actions for the interruption, intervention and prevention of gun violence in the city.
June 5, 2026
WHEREAS today we honour and remember those whose lives have been taken by gun violence, and acknowledge the lasting impacts on survivors, families and communities across Toronto and Canada.
Gun violence can cause long-term trauma that affects physical and mental health and left unattended to, can result in further violence. Therefore, this day also highlights the importance of prevention, support for those affected and shared responsibility for public safety.
The National Day Against Gun Violence is an opportunity to renew attention to proven approaches that reduce violence, promote healing and strengthen safety and community well-being.
The City of Toronto continues this work through SafeTO, the City’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, in partnership with residents, community organizations, Toronto Police Services and other orders of government, guided by a trauma-informed public health approach.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Olivia Chow, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim June 5, 2026, as “National Day Against Gun Violence” in the City of Toronto.