Ontario’s 29 largest cities are urging the provincial government to declare a state of emergency as homelessness, mental health crises and addiction place unprecedented pressure on municipalities. The call came Friday after Ontario Big City Mayors unanimously passed a motion describing the situation as a growing “community safety and humanitarian crisis.”
Municipal leaders say they are shouldering more than half of the $4.1 billion spent on homelessness and housing programs in 2024—a level they argue is no longer sustainable. Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, who chairs the caucus, said cities have “dug deep” financially but cannot continue funding at this scale. She emphasized that addressing homelessness should not rest solely on property taxpayers. “It is simply unacceptable for us as leaders in our community who care for everyone to let those people suffer on the streets,” she said.
A spokesperson for the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing defended Ontario’s efforts, pointing to major investments already underway. The province has allocated $75.5 million for supportive and affordable housing projects and additional shelter spaces, plus $1.7 billion for municipalities through programs such as the Homelessness Prevention Program. Ontario is also spending nearly $550 million to establish 28 Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs.
“These are historic actions to give municipalities the tools they need and asked for,” spokesperson Michael Minzak said. Several of the new hubs replace supervised consumption sites that were forced to close earlier this year under a provincial law restricting their proximity to schools and daycares.
But mayors say the funding falls far short of what is required. Citing a report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, they noted the province needs to invest $11 billion over the next decade to meaningfully address homelessness. Toronto Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie said the crisis continues to worsen. “Although we’ve seen some support from the provincial government, it’s not enough. Municipalities cannot solve this alone.”
With shelters full, encampments expanding, and outreach workers stretched thin, mayors warn the situation demands urgent provincial leadership. Their call for a state of emergency underscores the growing pressure on cities struggling to respond to rising homelessness and addiction across Ontario.