‘Reckless criminals’ will not stop Toronto from hosting street festivals: mayor

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Mayor Olivia Chow says the city will not let “reckless criminals” stop Toronto’s from hosting summer street festivals amid calls for changes to these events following a deadly shooting at Salsa on St. Clair over the weekend.

An unknown number of people exchanged gunfire in the middle of the Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday night, sending panicked festival-goers running for safety. Two men were killed in the shooting and four others were injured. The festival was subsequently cancelled for the rest of the weekend.

Police initially reported the incident as an “active shooter” situation but later clarified that it involved two groups firing at one another and there was no ongoing threat to public safety.

Police have not yet announced any arrests in the case.

“The shooting at Salsa on St. Clair was reckless and disgusting,” Chow said in a video posted on social media.

“It happened at a crowded festival with families enjoying a summer night. The pain caused by senseless gun violence in unimaginable it ripples through communities, casting a long shadow of fear and anger.”

The mayor noted that the “spirit of Toronto is resilient.”

“For everyone who would do our communities harm, there are many more who would look out for their neighbours,” she said.

“We will not let reckless criminals stop Toronto’s tradition of outdoor street festivals.”

She said despite Saturday’s violence, other street festivals continued Sunday without incident.

“I have spoken to the federal public safety minister and urged him to work with his American counterpart to stem the flow of illegal American guns into Toronto streets,” Chow said.

She added that she is confident that police will apprehend those responsible, noting that they have the full support of the city with whatever resources are needed.

Community wants to see changes

In an interview with Newstalk 1010, Toronto-St. Paul’s councillor Josh Matlow called Saturday’s shooting “surreal, traumatic, and terrifying.”

“The experience of this community, along with the business owners and their staff, is one where it should have been a joyous fun festival celebrating Latin culture, and supporting the businesses, and it turned into a really horrific experience for so many people,” he said Monday.

“Now we are going to have to take some time to both reflect on what happened and also support each other and help each other through it.”

Following the deadly Lapu Lapu vehicle-ramming attack in Vancouver that killed 11 people in 2025, Matlow said that “significant” safety enhancements have been made in Toronto and other cities in Canada to prevent vehicles from harming pedestrians during outdoor events.

“.... it is far more complex to predict where somebody might walk in a weapon,” he said.

“In the context specifically with Salsa and St. Clair, sadly and unfortunately this is not the first time there has been an incident. This is obviously the most high-profile incident but there have been stabbings and shootings in the past.”

Matlow said the community is “understandably worried” and “upset.”

“What they are asking for is that all options be on the table. And I think that is reasonable when you are doing an honest review. Some have said shut it down altogether, others have said move it to a park,” he said.

“Others have suggested, you know, rather than move it, limit the hours because they’ve seen that some of the problems, the problematic behaviour, happens as we get into the evening hours. So everything needs to be considered.”

With files from CP24’s Bryann Aguilar and Beatrice Vaisman