December 4, 2024
Earlier this week the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario released their Annual Report for 2024 which included performance audits of several government programs and services, including the Implementation and Oversight of Ontario’s Opioid Strategy.
The ongoing homelessness, addictions, safety and mental health crisis has been a top priority for Ontario’s Big City Mayors and our communities for several years, which we have addressed through various advocacy measures including resolutions, meetings with provincial and federal government representatives, submitting program and policy recommendations, and most recently through our SolvetheCrisis.ca campaign.
The report outlines several areas where the current strategy is failing those who need help the most, and that big changes must be made to address this humanitarian crisis, including those identified through our SolvetheCrisis.ca campaign including:
- The 2016 Opioid Strategy is outdated and does not address increased risks and needs, even with the new HUB Models
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- This is an 8 year old model that no longer reflects the reality of the current issues on our streets including the significant increase in encampments across the province. Based on the auditor general’s review over the past several years the number of people living in unsafe conditions and dying on our streets has grown every day. Opioid-related deaths in Ontario have increased by 292% the past 10 years, from 676 in 2014 to 2,647 in 2023.
- A review of the strategy is needed now and should be considered along with solutions for all aspects of the larger crisis. OBCM has asked for a task force with broad sector representatives including municipalities, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community, the tourism industry, and both provincial and federal government representatives, to evaluate policy and program proposals and review what is working and what is not, to develop a Made in Ontario Action Plan.
- Opioid Strategy Lacks a Clear Accountability Structure and Leadership
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- OBCM has requested that the province 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 the mental health, addictions and wrap-around supports required to support an individual’s recovery journey. Currently, upward of 16 ministries share a part of the responsibility with no one ministry in charge.
- Access to Supervised Consumption Services in Regions with High or Growing Needs was Further Reduced Without Evidenced – Based Analysis and Access to comprehensive care through OAT providers was limited
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- Although OBCM supports the creation of the new HART Hubs by the province, we have asked for a commitment to funding the appropriate services these individuals need, community by community where there are gaps in the system, including addressing the huge need for treatment and recovery beds.
- In addition, the outdated strategy does not address ongoing issues, such as the disproportionate impact of the crisis on specific regions and population groups
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- We have also requested investments in 24/7 Community Hubs / Crisis Centres across the entire province to relieve pressure on an increased reliance on municipal services, emergency rooms and first responders
- To address the distinct needs of local communities OBCM has also requested that the province provide municipalities with the tools and resources to transition those in encampments to more appropriate supports, when deemed necessary
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 province to step up and address the shortfalls outlined in the Auditor General’s report.
“The Auditor General’s report reinforces the concerns and calls to actions of our mayors to address the humanitarian crisis of mental health, addictions and homelessness unfolding on our streets. These findings demonstrate the need for a single ministry in charge, the need for a Made in Ontario action table, and the need for additional supports from both the provincial and federal governments.” said Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of Burlington and Chair of OBCM. “Municipalities are doing our part, but we can’t do it alone. We need the provincial and federal governments to step up to tackle the root causes of this crisis, and address the issues we have raised that are echoed in the findings of the auditor’s general’s report.
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