Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) have reversed a proposed plan that initially called for involuntary addiction and mental health treatment in the province, opting instead to focus on funding and support measures. This decision leaves Brampton to pursue the controversial initiative independently if provincial approval is granted.
During their meeting on Friday, OBCM passed a resolution urging the federal and provincial governments to provide more resources to address homelessness, mental health, addiction, and safety challenges in cities across Ontario.
Initially, the motion had suggested using the notwithstanding clause and involuntary drug treatment, which sparked criticism from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA). The CCLA labeled these proposals as “dangerous” to basic rights and freedoms. However, OBCM chose to remove these controversial elements before the final vote. Instead, the mayors pushed for increased funding from Ottawa and Queen’s Park, as well as “intervenor status” in managing city encampments, and a review of the Mental Health Act and Health Care Consent Act, among other key recommendations.
Meanwhile, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown continues to advocate for a forced treatment plan that he believes could save lives and reduce the nearly 18,000 police-attended overdoses and 328 fatalities recorded in Mississauga and Brampton in recent years.
Before the vote, Brown expressed hope that the Big City Mayors would support his proposal. However, the plan has faced resistance from both Mississauga and Caledon, which raised concerns earlier this month at the Peel Regional Council meeting.
Rather than implementing new measures, OBCM is calling on the province to establish a comprehensive strategy to create thousands of supportive housing units across Ontario. The mayors stressed the need for units tailored to individuals beginning recovery and requiring ongoing shelter, care, and additional support.
“It is crucial that, before any new measures are introduced, the province swiftly develops a plan to build numerous supportive housing units, particularly those designed to address the needs of individuals in recovery who need ongoing shelter and support,” OBCM stated.
The mayors emphasized that these priorities are essential to helping the province’s most vulnerable residents and ensuring community safety.
Ontario currently allows involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act if someone poses a danger to themselves or others. However, Brown is pushing for an expansion of this authority to include individuals suffering from chronic mental health and addiction issues.
Brown’s proposal was inspired by B.C. Premier David Eby’s recent election promise to introduce involuntary treatment for people dealing with severe addiction, mental health challenges, and brain injuries—a plan that the CCLA argues contravenes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The CCLA stressed that “Courts have recognized the right to refuse unwanted medical treatment as fundamental to a person’s dignity and autonomy.”
Amid long wait times of over 12 months for treatment programs and nine months for psychotherapy, Peel Regional Council is urging the province to commit more funding to voluntary treatment programs—an initiative that the CCLA also supports.
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