A coalition of Ontario mayors is intensifying pressure on provincial and federal governments to address the rising homelessness and addiction crises that have gripped communities across the province. The Big City Mayors (OBCM), led by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, is calling for the creation of a single, well-funded provincial ministry to tackle these issues head-on.
“Ontario municipalities are struggling with a crisis we cannot solve on our own,” said Meed Ward, during a news conference at Queen’s Park. She emphasized that the situation on the streets has escalated into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with too many people living in unsafe conditions.
The OBCM, representing 29 of Ontario’s largest municipalities, has launched the “Solve the Crisis” campaign, urging higher levels of government to provide consistent and increased funding for supportive housing, harm reduction programs, crisis centers, and mental health services. The coalition’s key demand is for the province to appoint a dedicated minister and ministry to oversee the comprehensive response needed for these complex issues, which currently fall under approximately 16 different ministries.
Despite some progress and funding initiatives, Meed Ward stated that these efforts have been insufficient, with the crisis growing faster than the solutions being implemented. The coalition’s additional demands include the creation of a task force to develop a “made in Ontario” action plan, predictable funding for communities, resources to transition those in encampments to supportive housing, and investment in 24/7 crisis centers to alleviate pressure on emergency services.
As the situation deteriorates, the mayors argue that the current approach is not enough. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) reports there are about 1,400 encampments across the province, a stark symptom of deeper systemic failures. AMO President Colin Best highlighted the need for more robust government intervention, stating, “In a place as prosperous as Ontario, we can solve big problems.”
In response, the Ontario government pointed to its existing investments, including $240 million to Toronto and Ottawa for homelessness support and a $700 million annual investment in homelessness prevention. However, the province also shifted some responsibility to federal policies, blaming them for escalating the homelessness situation.
Mental health experts, including Camille Quenneville, CEO of the Ontario division of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), underscored the need for long-term investment in supportive housing and crisis centers. Quenneville noted that had the government met earlier calls for investment, the current crisis might have been averted.
The mayors and their supporters continue to push for immediate action, urging the provincial and federal governments to take leadership roles in resolving these growing crises.