The victim, who was aged in his late 30s, was shot once in each leg on Tuesday night.
It happened in the Strathroy Park area just before 8pm.
Crews from the NI Ambulance Service rushed him to hospital.
Police at the scene of a shooting in the Strathroy Park area. Kevin Scott
Paul McCusker, an independent councillor, said the shooting had caused “disruption and fear in a community that has experienced significant trauma and heartache for many years”.
He said such attacks “have reduced over the past number of years and we need to work to ensure they do not return or increase.
“The recent shooting has caused a lot of fear within the local community.
“Dialogue is the only way to resolve issues and I would encourage those involved in this activity to make contact and to plea to them that we do not want to see an increase to guns or violence on our streets.”
Police said they will step up patrols in the area.
Detective Sergeant Long said: “Although his injuries are, thankfully, not likely to be fatal, they are severe and will no doubt leave him with lasting physical and emotional trauma.
“Officers remain at the scene tonight, carrying out enquiries. Local residents will notice a heavy police presence in the area.
“This attack has caused fear and disruption in the very community those responsible for this criminal act claim to protect.”
The incident occurred in the Ardoyne area (Photo: Kevin Scott)
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North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly appealed anyone with information to approach the police.
The Sinn Fein MLA said: “I condemn this attempted murder. There is no place for guns on our streets. I call on anyone with any information whatsoever to bring it forward to the police.”
SDLP councillor Carl Whyte said the shooting “must be strongly condemned”.
“This will have caused much concern and upset in the local community and left the victim with potentially serious injuries,” he added.
“The days of gunmen roaming our streets must be consigned to the past. There can be no justification for the use of barbaric violence of this nature.
“It is deeply concerning that those behind this attack are in possession of a deadly weapon and it must be seized and taken out of circulation before anyone else is hurt.”