November 7, 2024
Ontario’s Big City Mayors stands firmly behind it’s call on the Premier and the Government of Ontario to solve the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis in Ontario.
As we head into the winter months we need proper supports in place for those who are living in unsafe and precarious living situations, the time to act is now.
Since it’s launch in August 2024, the Solve The Crisis campaign has gained the support of more than 240 municipalities through motions passed, unanimous votes of endorsement and through the work of fellow municipal organizations.
SolveTheCrisis.ca has seen more than 2300 unique letters written by those experiencing homelessness and addictions issues, family and friends of these individuals, community partners, municipal leaders, and members of the public, resulting in over 15,000 emails sent to provincial and federal MPPs, MPs, Cabinet Ministers, and party leaders.
Three months after the launch of our campaign, we are still being asked every single day “How can we help?” and “What can we do to drive action to address the crisis?” by municipalities, community organizations, and the public.
This is a humanitarian crisis that is impacting municipalities big and small, urban and rural, and being felt by residents across the entire province. That is why Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is requesting:
- That the Premier appoint a single responsible Minister and Ministry 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. This one-window approach will reduce barriers and red-tape, helping the province take action more quickly.
- That the province convenes an action table 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 that can be scaled up quickly, getting services in place across Ontario specific to the needs of each community.
- Provide municipalities with the tools and resources to transition those in encampments to more appropriate supports, when deemed necessary, including building more supportive housing units with treatment and recovery beds along with the wrap-around supports required to support an individual at each stage of their recovery journey.
OBCM built on these asks through a recent resolution passed 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 the Trespass to Property Act and introducing legislation prohibiting open and public use of illicit drugs and public intoxication.
The resolution passed by Ontario’s Big City Mayors did not include support for the use of the notwithstanding clause.
Municipalities have done everything we can, but we don’t have the resources or policy expertise to take this on alone. Together with various community partners, municipalities have been tackling this provincial issue as best as we can, working with community partners to create various programs and spaces to find solutions. Despite the success of many of these programs, it is not enough. Without direct support from the province of Ontario, this crisis will continue to grow.
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) 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