October 30, 2024
Burlington, ON – Today the province released their 2024 Fall Economic Statement. Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) are pleased to see that the province has acknowledged some of the priorities for Ontario’s largest cities, including measures to help make life more affordable for residents. However we are disappointed in a lack of funding and commitments to tackle the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis happening across the province.
Ontario’s Big City Mayors were looking for today’s statement to commit to the creation of a designated ministry or minister as well as a taskforce dedicated to addressing the emergent needs of our most vulnerable residents. Through our SolvetheCrisis.ca campaign OBCM has outlined our asks of the province to address this crisis including:
- Appoint a responsible ministry and Minister with the appropriate funding and powers as a single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs as well as mental health, addictions and wrap-around supports required for an individual’s recovery journey.
- Have this Minister strike a task force with broad sector representatives including municipalities, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry to evaluate what is already working, along with other policy and program proposals, to develop a Made in Ontario Action Plan.
- Provide municipalities with the tools and resources to transition those in encampments to more appropriate supports, when deemed necessary
- Commit to funding the appropriate services these individuals need, community by community where there are gaps in the system, including addressing the huge need for more treatment and recovery beds.
- Invest in 24/7 Community Hubs / Crisis Centres across the province to relieve pressure on emergency centres and first responders
OBCM has also built on these asks in a recent resolution on October 18th (full resolution here) outlining how the province can do more by funding the quick build of supportive housing units, reviewing the Mental Health Act and the Health Care Consent Act to reflect the current realities of this crisis, as well as addressing public safety through a review of Trespass to Property Act and introducing legislation prohibiting open and public use of illicit drugs and public intoxication.
Municipalities have done everything we can, but we don’t have the resources or expertise to take this on alone. Together with various community partners, municipalities have been tackling this issue head on, funding various programs and spaces to find solutions. Despite the success of many of these programs, the crisis continues to grow and municipalities need help. This is the number one priority for Ontario’s Big City Mayors, and we need the provincial and federal governments to act now.
OBCM does look forward to learning more about the newly announced Affordable Energy Act and how it will prioritize much needed energy transmission infrastructure including the “last mile” connections required for new housing developments which will allow Ontario families to find and move into their new homes, faster. We are also pleased to see continued investment in skilled trade and apprenticeship programs to help address the labour shortage in the building industry. Housing and housing enabling infrastructure is an important issue for municipalities and we hope to continue working with the province on a Team Ontario approach to unlock long term, sustainable infrastructure funding that will work for Ontario municipalities.
We also note that although the statement today did commit to more funding for the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund that primarily supports northern and rural municipalities, it did not provide an update on whether the province will commit to a sit down with municipalities and municipal organizations to review and discuss a new municipal fiscal funding system. Municipalities deliver economic, health and social services on behalf of the province every day and often subsidize the province on cost shared programs where funding hasn’t kept pace with population growth. We also own and manage the majority of Ontario’s public infrastructure including roads, bridges, water systems, transit, buildings and recreational facilities. As we work to meet our housing targets, a key role for municipalities is to service these new homes and communities. Municipal funding models at both the provincial and federal level are outdated and need to be updated to reflect the financial pressures on municipalities as we work to build and maintain thriving communities.
“Ontario’s Big City Mayors are disappointed that today’s announcement did not include new funding addressing the humanitarian crisis happening on our streets. There are too many people that are suffering with homelessness and living in encampments, and as we head into the winter months our most vulnerable residents need help. They need programs and supportive housing that will keep them safe and help those that need it on their path to recovery, ” said Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of Burlington and Chair of OBCM. “Our Mayors will continue to put pressure on the province to work with municipalities to address this and our other key priorities including housing and a municipal fiscal review, so that we can all work together to build a better Ontario.”
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is an organization that includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent nearly 70 percent of Ontario’s population. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities.
Media Contacts
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Chair Michelle Baker, Executive Director
chair@obcm.ca michelle@obcm.ca
905-335-7777 647-308-6602