OTTAWA – Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) are calling for urgent provincial action as the mental health, addictions and homelessness crisis continues to worsen across the province, launching the next phase of our Solve the Crisis campaign: Reaction to Recovery.
Since launching the Solve the Crisis campaign in 2024, municipalities across Ontario have stepped up to address the crisis, working alongside community organizations and partners and investing in programs, services and spaces aimed at supporting people in need. The provincial government has also taken important steps, including the creation of HART Hubs, investments in youth mental health spaces and supportive housing.
But the reality is the crisis continues to worsen, and more people than ever are struggling across our province. Lives are at stake and the time to act is now.
Municipalities have reached the limit of what we can do. We will always be part of the solution, but the property tax base cannot continue to carry the growing costs of healthcare, housing and social supports.
We’re now calling for a recovery-focused approach that will:
- Expand timely access to recovery and treatment programs
- A dedicated ministry with appropriate funding
- A review of the Mental Health Act and the Healthcare Consent Act
- Expanding addiction treatment and rehabilitation programming within provincial and federal correctional institutions
- A declaration of emergency to treat this as the crisis it is
There are successful models across Canada, we just need urgent action and commitment to make them work for Ontario.
We will be talking with several Ontario ministers over the next few days, including the Minister of Health to discuss how we can work together, through leadership and investment to move Ontario from reaction to recovery.
We are asking all Ontarians to join our call by visiting www.solvethecrisis.ca and show their support by signing up and contacting your local MPP and Provincial Ministers to tell them that you want the province to take action now. Together we can do this, but we need your help. To watch our video please visit our YouTube channel or our website.
Together, let’s Solve the Crisis.
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“The homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis is getting worse in communities across the province, and the status quo is not an option. We are willing to do our part, but other levels of government have to step up and take action. There are success stories from across the country, of programs and services that are working. We just need the political will and appropriate resources to be able to provide them here in Ontario in a way that works for us.”
Marianne Meed Ward
Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors and Mayor of Burlington
“Our responsibility is clear: ensure help is available for those ready to accept it and restore safety in our public spaces. Compassion and accountability must go hand in hand. That means expanding access to housing, mental health treatment and rehabilitation while recognizing that parks, sidewalks and public spaces must remain safe and accessible for everyone. Solving this crisis will require every level of government working together with a focus on recovery, stability and getting people the support they need to rebuild their lives.”
Alex Nuttall
Vice-Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors and Mayor of Barrie
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is an organization that includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent nearly 70% of Ontario’s population and almost 30% of Canada’s population. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities.
Media Contacts
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Chair Angela Trewartha, Executive Director (Acting)
905-335-7777 647-308-6602