Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) would like to congratulate Premier Ford and the new Ministers appointed to Cabinet today. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the government to advance key municipal priorities.
Earlier this week, OBCM requested an emergency meeting with the Premier to address the crises of chronic homelessness, mental health, safety, and addictions issues facing Ontario’s cities. Based on this request, OBCM looks forward to meeting with Premier Ford, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Merrilee Fullerton and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli, in the upcoming weeks.
“Ontario’s Big City Mayor’s Caucus unanimously agreed to requesting an urgent meeting to discuss this growing crisis in our communities,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie, Chair of OBCM. “Municipal governments have stepped up to tackle the urgent need for shelter and healthcare services, but this is the responsibility of the provincial government. The impacts of these issues are being faced by our downtown cores and communities, creating further devastating impacts on marginalized and vulnerable populations.”
OBCM believes that the province must come together collaboratively with the municipal sector and other key stakeholders to put in place the supports urgently needed for our chronically unhoused, those suffering with mental health and addictions, and our downtowns.
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), formerly known as the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario, includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent nearly 70 per cent of Ontario’s population. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities