TORONTO -- Public housing residents in Toronto who harbour gunmen should have their welfare benefits slashed and be evicted, a local councillor says.

"They should automatically face eviction and have their welfare payments stopped," insisted Giorgio Mammoliti.

The outspoken councillor hopes to present a four-year plan to deal with Toronto's gun and gang problems to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

He said tough measures are required to end gang gunfights such as the July 16 mass shooting at a barbecue in the city's east end which left two dead and 23 people wounded.

Mammoliti wants all newcomers who have not obtained Canadian citizenship "immediately" deported from Canada if they are convicted of gun offences.

He said Canadian citizens who come to Toronto from municipalities outside of the city should be sent packing to their hometown if they have lengthy criminal records, including for gun crimes.

"There is a turf war going on in this city with gangs," Mammoliti said. "The murders now are more brazen and right in your face."

He is also calling for tougher sentences for gun crimes and a return of capital punishment.

"The kinds of crime we are getting now merit the return of capital punishment," he added.

Toronto Community Housing spokesman Sinead Canavan said officials do not have to wait for a tenant to be convicted of a crime before they pursue eviction.

"We can pursue an eviction if we have evidence that someone has committed a crime," Canavan said. "If charges are laid, we can pursue an eviction if the charge relates to the types of illegal acts we can seek eviction for."