Big city mayors in Ontario are once again urging for increased assistance from both the provincial and federal governments to address homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges. The mayors reiterated their plea during the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa.
Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) and Mayor of Burlington, Marianne Meed Ward, emphasized the escalating crises of homelessness, mental health, and addiction across the province, stating that maintaining the current situation is not viable. She stressed that while municipalities are willing to contribute, it is imperative for higher levels of government to step up and implement concrete measures.
The OBCM, comprising 29 large cities with populations of 100,000 or more, representing nearly 70% of Ontario’s population, has been advocating for additional tools and support from both the province and the federal government since the launch of the Solve the Crisis Campaign in 2024.
The renewed call for action comes as the number of homeless individuals in the province continues to rise, prompting many municipalities to grapple with addressing homeless encampments in public spaces. The campaign seeks a state of emergency declaration on the crisis, increased investment in recovery-focused treatments, the appointment of a dedicated minister overseeing mental health and addictions, and expansion of addiction treatment in correctional institutions.
Furthermore, the campaign advocates for a review of Ontario’s Mental Health Act and Healthcare Consent Act to establish a more compassionate care model while safeguarding individuals’ rights and well-being. The focus is on holistic community-based treatments, housing solutions, and the reintroduction of safe consumption sites to address the root causes of addiction effectively.
Support for the OBCM’s initiative has been echoed by various mayors, including Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett, who emphasized the need for a shift from reactive measures to coordinated actions for recovery. The province’s efforts have included significant investments in Homeless and Addictions Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, addiction recovery beds, and supportive housing units.
Vice-chair of OBCM and Barrie Mayor, Alex Nuttall, emphasized the importance of combining compassion with accountability, highlighting the necessity of expanding access to mental health services, rehabilitation, and housing while ensuring public spaces remain safe and inclusive for all.