The federal government has committed to holding a high-level summit over Toronto's gun violence, according to a coalition of Toronto's black leaders

Scott Deveau:

The Coalition of African-Canadian Organizations met with Prime Minister Paul Martin in Ottawa Tuesday to urge him to recognize the issue as a national crisis.

The group said Mr. Martin committed to the summit, which aims to bring together the federal, provincial, and municipal governments with community leaders in the new year to tackle the issue of gun violence head on.

"This is a crisis," said Margaret Parsons, director of the African Canadian Legal Clinic. "It is a national crisis, it's a state of emergency. I don't think we want to wait for any more lives to be lost."

Last Friday, an 18-year old was gunned down amongst 300 mourners at a funeral for another teenager, who had also fallen victim to gun violence. Both were young black men and the 18-year old's death marked the city's 69th homicide this year, 48 of which have come by way of the gun.

The murder also prompted the church's pastor to call on Mr. Martin in vain to evoke the War Measures Act to stop the violence. The shooting did, however, elicit a promise for police presence at any gang-related funeral in the city.

In addition to the summit, the group also called on the federal government for more money to build critical social and economic programs for young people in troubled neighbourhoods.

All three levels of government have come under fire over the issue in recent months and with a federal election pending, the issue is quickly headed to the forefront of the federal agenda.

The Ontario provincial government has allocated additional funds for Toronto's guns-and-gangs task force and earlier this month the federal government said it intends to introduce legislation that would enforce mandatory sentencing for gun crimes.

The feds also committed to a $50-million, five-year plan to expand its crime prevention strategy to include a gun violence and gangs-prevention fund.

On Monday, Toronto Mayor David Miller and Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach announced $1-million in funding for a new youth job counselling centre in the city.

After the announcement, Mr. Miller told reporters the problem was not just for politicians to deal with, and he urged witnesses to gun-crimes to provide information to the police, as well as urging others in the community to hire young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

In perhaps somewhat more misguided strategy, Immigration Minister Joe Volpe was asked Tuesday by one of his Liberal colleagues to prevent rap artist 50 Cent from coming to Canada.

Born Curtis Jackson in Queen's, N.Y., 50 Cent is scheduled to launch a Canadian tour Dec. 3 in Vancouver, with stops in Halifax, Saint John, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, and Ottawa.

But the rapper promotes gun violence, says Toronto MP Dan McTeague, who wants Mr. Volpe to turn back 50 Cent at the border.

"I don't think people in Toronto or any urban centre need or want to hear Mr. Jackson's message right now," Mr. McTeague said.

The musician performed in Toronto in 2003, where Mr. McTeague points out there was a shooting.

"I think it's time we send a message of our own to those who glorify violence that their gratuitous violence and movies are not welcome in our country," Mr. McTeague said. "We need to do a better job at protecting Canadians from people who's message runs counter to all of our efforts of trying to curb gun violence."

The rapper has a criminal record, and would be required to obtain a ministerial permit to enter Canada, although such permits are issued regularly, he added.

A spokesman for Mr. Volpe said he was unaware Mr. McTeague's letter and was unable to comment on whether the government would consider such actions.

Coalition says Ottawa fails to address racism behind Toronto violence

MP wants rapper 50 Cent banned for gun violence

Race is the elephant in the room

Community urged to act