A coalition of Ontario mayors and regional advocates, led by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, is urging provincial and federal governments to increase and stabilize funding to address the growing homelessness and addiction crises in the province. The coalition, which includes Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), and other organizations, is concerned about the inadequate and inconsistent support from higher levels of government.
At a recent news conference, Meed Ward described the situation as an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” with many people living in unsafe conditions due to a lack of dedicated resources. The coalition’s “Solve the Crisis” campaign calls for a comprehensive approach to address housing, addictions, and mental health issues by appointing a single minister with the necessary authority and resources to manage these challenges. Currently, responsibility is spread across approximately 16 provincial ministries, complicating efforts to coordinate a holistic response.
The group’s five key demands include appointing a dedicated minister, forming a task force to create an Ontario-specific action plan, providing predictable funding for communities, and investing in 24/7 crisis centers. They also call for better tools to transition people from encampments to supportive housing.
Despite some progress and recent investments by the province, critics argue that long-term underfunding and mismanagement have worsened the crisis. The CMHA estimates that Ontario needs an additional 100,000 supportive housing units to address current demands effectively.
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