Safety roundtable convenes after fatal Salsa on St. Clair shooting

A safety roundtable convened Monday in Toronto to address the aftermath of a mass shooting at Salsa on St. Clair that claimed two lives and injured several others more than a week ago. The future of the beloved festival remains uncertain as its main sponsor, TeleLatino Network (TLN), has threatened to pull its support.

Participants at the discussion hosted by TLN included Latino community advocates, Toronto Deputy Mayor Mike Colle, high-ranking police officers, city and federal politicians, and experts in youth violence. The focus centred on public safety, guns, gangs, and youth violence prevention.

Latino community advocate Marilyn Solano described her family's traumatic experience at the festival. Her son witnessed a young woman shot in the neck, and Solano had to shield her 10-year-old daughter from being trampled. Solano said her son sensed danger upon arrival, noting people wearing masks, hoodies, and carrying fanny packs that made him uneasy.

Colle said the city cannot simply call for more programs — it must take concrete action. Irvin Studin, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee who studied COVID-19 lockdown impacts on youth mental health, argued the pandemic created lasting ripple effects. "There is pre-2020 Toronto and there is post-2020 Toronto and we must reckon with that," he said, emphasizing the need for in-person youth engagement rather than online outreach.

The discussion highlighted recent changes to Canada's bail and sentencing framework that took effect last month. Superintendent Ryan Forde with 13 Division called the reforms "a step in the right direction," though results remain to be seen. Solano stressed the need for systemic support: parents, schools, and teachers require guidance to address the crisis, she said.

TLN President Aldo Di Felice said the organization is focused on having public safety discussions with the city, police, and event organizers but has not yet decided whether to continue supporting the festival. No arrests have been made in the shooting investigation.