There is a humanitarian crisis unfolding on streets in our cities, large and small, urban and rural, across Ontario. The time for words is over, we need immediate action at all levels of government, starting with the Province. The homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis continues to grow with 3,432 drug related deaths in Ontario in 2023 as well as with an estimated 234,000 Ontarians experiencing homelessness and over 1,400 homeless encampments across Ontario communities in 2023. While the province has provided additional funding for mental health, addictions and homelessness programs, it does not adequately address the growing crisis and the financial and social impact on municipalities and regions across the province. Municipalities and regions are stepping up and working with community partners to put in place community-specific solutions to address this crisis, but municipalities and regions lack the expertise, capacity, or resources to address these increasingly complex health care and housing issues alone. This is primarily a health issue that falls under provincial jurisdiction and municipalities and regions should not be using the property tax base to fund these programs. There is no provincial lead focused on this crisis leading to unanswered questions that span over a dozen ministries, and a lack of support to manage the increasing needs of those who are unhoused. The 'Solve the Crisis' Campaign can be found here: https://solvethecrisis.ca/
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