Toronto Launches $5M Summer Safety Plan to Support Youth and Prevent Violence

June 3, 2025 Alwin Marshall-Squire 0 Comments 2 min read

Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, and Police Chief Myron Demkiw unveil the 2025 Summer Safety Plan, adding $5M to youth programming under Toronto’s $43M SafeTO strategy.

The City of Toronto has launched a new Summer Safety Plan focused on youth development and violence prevention, part of its broader SafeTO: Community Safety & Well-Being Plan. Announced June 3 by Mayor Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, the plan brings a targeted $5 million boost for youth initiatives throughout the city.

The summer strategy emphasizes prevention through community engagement, expanded programming, and family-focused supports—especially in high-priority neighbourhoods.

Youth-Focused Investments

Highlights of the plan include:

3,000 youth expected to participate in new safety programs.
500+ families to engage in violence prevention workshops.
50% increase in youth drop-in programming through Toronto Parks and Recreation.
140+ youth and family-focused programs, grants, and activities over the summer.

The initiatives were developed through 16 community consultation sessions with youth organizations and safety networks held across the city in April and May.

“We built this plan with and for Toronto’s young people,” said Mayor Chow, adding that the new funding is designed to reflect the voices and lived experiences of residents. “We can build safer and stronger communities by investing in youth and families.”

Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, the Mayor’s Youth Champion, called the investment “a significant shift in how we support youth,” emphasizing collaboration across agencies, schools, and communities.

A Collaborative Approach to Community Safety

As part of the new strategy, Toronto Police Neighbourhood Community Officers will lead summer activities including sports, education, and mentorship to strengthen community trust.

Chief Myron Demkiw noted the importance of tailored, neighbourhood-specific responses: “This plan empowers families and youth by providing positive outlets and building a culture of safety together.”

Toronto’s $43 million SafeTO strategy now includes investments in: