Editorials - July 17, 2026
The Sound of Silence
The world watched in horror as a lively celebration of all things Latino was interrupted by a hail of gunfire, leaving two dead and five bystanders injured.
Salsa on St. Clair, billed as Canada’s largest Latino-themed festival, was the backdrop for an exchange of gunfire by individuals who were targeting each other. While the police have not gone so far as to identify motives, Toronto’s Deputy-Mayor Mike Colle was not so careful, calling out the “gangsters” and referring to those involved as “thugs”.
Despite our international reputation for politeness and welcoming attitudes, our track record for safe streets and cities is beginning to wane. The Government of Canada’s website cites that the Toronto’s rate of firearm-related violent crime reached its highest level in 15 years in 2024, police-reported statistics show a general upward trend in firearm-related violent crime since the mid-2010s and data from the Canada Border Services Agency also show an increase in firearms seizures at borders since 2020/2021.
Toronto police and city councillors are at their tipping point, calling on the federal government to strengthen gun control legislation. These “thugs” and others who have illegal firearms need to be afraid to be caught with them, not having open shootouts in the middle of a daytime festival on St. Clair Avenue.
The conversation around what it would take to get guns off our streets needs to happen, and soon. Two people shot in Toronto made the front page of CNN’s website because it is still an anomaly in Canada. Let’s not get as jaded as the United States, where (according to the website massshootingtracker.site - yes, it’s a thing) there were 292 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2026 as of July 14. – DS
The Dangling Conversation
There are blockbuster trades, and then there is the Kawhi Leonard situation: a Toronto basketball drama that has turned from celebration into suspense. When news emerged that Leonard could be returning to the Toronto Raptors, fans were flooded with nostalgia. The player who delivered the greatest season in franchise history appeared ready for a reunion with the city where he became a legend.
Then the excitement stalled. The proposed trade was put on hold while the NBA investigates matters involving the Los Angeles Clippers. The Raptors have chosen to wait rather than move forward while uncertainty remains. The outcome will depend on the investigation’s findings and whether the league determines any violations occurred before the trade proceeds.
That is what makes this case so unusual. Trades are normally judged by basketball questions: talent, fitness, chemistry and value. This situation has introduced questions about investigations, league rules and possible consequences.
For Raptors fans, the disappointment is easy to understand. Leonard’s return represented more than a roster move. It represented a reunion with the player who delivered the franchise’s first championship. Instead of a celebration, supporters have been left with speculation and unanswered questions. – SBS
Bridge Over Troubled Water
When the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens between Windsor and Detroit, it will carry more than vehicles across the Detroit River. It will carry the name of a man whose legacy was already shared by both sides of the border.
Gordie Howe is a Canadian hockey legend, a Detroit institution and a North American hero. Whether they cheered for him in Canada or the United States, fans recognized the same qualities: extraordinary skill, humility and an unmatched competitive spirit.
Howe played with an edge that earned him the nickname “Mr. Hockey” and a style that reflected an earlier era of the game, when players were expected to endure pain, battle in the corners and stand their ground. His “elbows up” approach made him formidable, but his character made him beloved.
That combination is exactly why his name belongs on an international bridge. A bridge is not a symbol of separation or rivalry. It is a structure built for connection, co-operation and shared journeys. Howe embodied those same values. He could compete fiercely while still earning admiration from opponents.
Howe’s legacy was not just about hockey; it was about determination, longevity and the kind of quiet excellence that inspires generations.
Names matter. They are the markers we leave behind to tell future generations who represented us at our best. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is made of steel, cables and concrete, but its name will carry something far more enduring: a timely reminder that some people can unite communities simply by being themselves. – SBS