This month, the Canadian federal government publicly announced the first National Day Against Gun Violence, to be held annually on the first Friday of June. Simultaneously, Ontario was also the first province to take action moving towards recognition of a gun violence awareness day. These declarations represent a significant step to mitigate the growing risk of gun violence.
While gun violence problems in Canada are not as acute as those in the United States, Canada ranks as third among high-income countries for rates of firearm homicides. To reduce gun violence risks, the inaugural National Day Against Gun Violence promotes prevention, intervention and healing.
Writing as a mass shooting survivor from a 2022 incident in Vaughan, Ont., I have experienced situations where communities are unequipped to provide for the necessary trauma support. The impacts of gun violence are not only in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but remain long after.
