Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has expressed interest in implementing a controversial proposal in Ontario that could see individuals with severe addiction and mental health challenges forced into treatment. Brown’s comments come in response to B.C. Premier David Eby’s recent announcement of a similar plan in British Columbia, which aims to introduce involuntary treatment for those facing serious addiction issues, chronic mental health conditions, and brain injuries.
Under the B.C. proposal, individuals could be detained under the Mental Health Act and sent to correctional or regional facilities for long-term care. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has voiced concerns about the plan, highlighting potential risks to basic human rights. However, Mayor Brown believes that Brampton is ready to be one of the initial regions in Ontario to pilot such changes.
“There’s going to be a real openness to look at regions in the province that would want to pilot this…but we’re ready to be one of those initial pilot projects,” Brown said at a press conference on Thursday.
Addressing Gaps in Voluntary Treatment
Brown criticized the province’s current approach to voluntary addiction treatment, stating that it leaves a “significant gap” for those unable or unwilling to seek help. He pointed to alarming statistics from Peel Regional Police, who conduct around 12,000 mental health apprehensions annually—equivalent to roughly 14 each day in Brampton and Mississauga.
“This is not police doing police work; this is police having to fill the void because government hasn’t acted,” Brown stated. He added that since 2022, Peel police have spent 30,000 hours in hospitals instead of being on the front lines, resulting in a strain on emergency services.
Between January 2022 and June 2024, Peel Regional Police attended over 18,000 overdoses, with 328 fatalities. Fentanyl was a “key contributor” in 90% of opioid-related deaths in Peel during 2022 and 2023. Additionally, in 2023 alone, hospitals in Peel saw 573 opioid-related emergency room visits and 147 deaths due to opioids, with 34 deaths already reported in 2024.
Calls for Broader Initiatives and Legal Safeguards
Brampton Councillor Rowena Santos emphasized that introducing forced treatment alone is not enough. “Simply detaining individuals for treatment without tackling the underlying social determinants such as homelessness will not result in lasting recovery,” she said. Santos advocated for pairing any forced treatment measures with broader initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of addiction, mental health, and homelessness.
Santos also stressed the need for safeguards, including legal options for patients and the involvement of human rights advocates to ensure that individuals’ rights are protected throughout the process.
Pushing the Province for Action
Brown acknowledged that any new legislation in B.C. is likely to face legal challenges but remains optimistic that Ontario might consider a similar approach. “I’m cautiously optimistic there will be support for a pilot project here,” he said, urging the province to consider “compassionate intervention” as a necessary step to relieve financial and staffing pressures on emergency services while addressing the escalating opioid crisis.
The debate in B.C. has already stirred criticism from addiction and harm reduction advocates, who argue that forced treatment may not lead to effective recovery. Meanwhile, Alberta is also exploring the possibility of introducing involuntary mental health and addiction legislation, signaling that the issue is gaining traction across Canada.