Racialized groups need to be better supported: report
Public safety task force verdict comes after a year of research on gun violence
Providing adequate supports to vulnerable members of Calgary's racialized communities is at the heart of final recommendations from the city's public safety task force, which delivered its final report to a council committee Wednesday.
It's the culmination of a year of work aimed at addressing gun and gang violence, first pitched by Coun. George Chahal in early 2020 amid concern about a spike in shootings.
Task force members have consulted on solutions to address the root causes of violence, and Chahal said a major barrier to effective intervention programs is a lack of funding.
The community and protective services committee unanimously approved recommendations to craft a plan to apply for anticipated federal grants to finance immediate solutions that Calgarians have said will help.
Chahal said he heard about heartbreaking gaps in the system and missed opportunities for violence prevention.
“What I didn't know was the stories of many Calgarians who have been disproportionately affected by urban violence and gun violence,” he said. “Many stories from communities and individuals that said, `Nobody has ever spoken to us or connected with us in this manner.'”
Task force member and Centre for Newcomers chief executive Anila Lee Yuen said engagement with racialized communities in Calgary uncovered systemic inequities, where people talked about a lack of access to appropriate resources to help them.
“Listening to the community let us hear stories about the expectations on newcomer parents to navigate a complex education system that is different from their home of origin, parenting skills that are geared toward a Western approach and professionals that don't understand their way of life or the background of their communities,” she said.
Chahal added that intervention and prevention programs are underfunded and overcapacity, leaving people who need assistance on wait lists.
Another task force recommendation is for the city to help community organizations co-ordinate public access for what they term “gang-involved populations.”
“We need to enhance and support all the good programs that are underway, but also look at adding additional ways to support Calgarians that are in need,” Chahal said.