Ontario Mayors call for investments in mental health, addiction support

By Luke Schulz

Meeting for the first time since the re-election of the Ford government, Ontario's Big City Mayors (OBCM) met on Friday to discuss the key issues and growing needs seen in cities across Ontario. Noting a growing need around homelessness and mental health, that meeting led to further advocacy work focused on the provincial government, as the group representing cities with populations of 100,000 or more is continuing to call for urgent action on root causes and impacts of those issues. 

The Ontario Big City Mayors' Caucus has since approved a motion to call on the provincial government to “immediately” address shared goals to “accelerate solutions” for those issues, while also asking that key stakeholders be included in discussions of next steps — including those with the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Ontario Chiefs of Police Association, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and more. 

One of the local voices speaking during Friday's meeting was Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, noting the impact of both social issues and two years of COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt in Kitchener, the region, and across Ontario — increasing pressures for municipalities as they work to serve those who are struggling.

“We are seeing the impacts of COVID in many areas, not the least of which is a greater need to invest in supportive and affordable housing, and related operating funding for wrap-around services to support those struggling with mental health and addiction,” said Vrbanovic. “We need to create and implement an integrated and comprehensive response to mental health and addiction issues in terms of services, supports, prevention and equitable access, which all require an all-of-government and cross-sector approach.”

Also voicing his perspective was Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, who argued that municipalities are currently at a “breaking point” in meeting challenges of homelessness and addiction. Guthrie said that the Ford government is already aware of the solutions to the current crisis, as Ontario's Big City Mayors and stakeholders have been advocating for years as to what needs to be funded and implemented. 

“We are the voice for the most vulnerable in our communities. They are not just falling through the cracks in our healthcare and housing systems, but many are now dying at an alarming rate,” said Guthrie. “This is unacceptable in the Province of Ontario and must be addressed immediately.”

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