Ontario Mayors Urge Province to Consider Strengthening Involuntary Addiction Treatment Laws

October 19, 2024 TruthUSA

Mayors from Ontario’s largest cities are urging the provincial government to take immediate action to address the growing addiction and mental health crisis affecting their communities.

During an Oct. 18 meeting in Markham, Ont., members of the Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) passed a resolution calling on the government to review its mental health regulations. They specifically want to determine whether involuntary treatment should be enhanced to combat the province’s mental health and opioid crisis.

The mayors highlighted that the current regulations do not adequately address issues like fentanyl addiction, which is now prevalent. They emphasized the need to update the regulations to reflect the current challenges.

“We’re urging the province to promptly review the act, consult with experts, and consider if this is the appropriate next step for Ontario,” said Josh Morgan, mayor of London, Ont., and vice chair of the OBCM, during a press conference after the meeting.

This call to action comes shortly after the British Columbia government implemented involuntary care for individuals with severe addictions and mental illness, following pressure from municipal leaders concerned about a series of violent incidents involving offenders with these issues.

The OBCM, comprising mayors from 29 Ontario cities with populations of 100,000 or more, collectively representing nearly 70 percent of the province’s population.

The OBCM has been leading a campaign known as “Solve the Crisis,” urging both the provincial and federal governments to address what they describe as a humanitarian crisis on the streets, including the increasing homelessness. While acknowledging some government action on these matters, the OBCM believes more needs to be done.

“The crisis is evident in all our cities and requires immediate action. We are committed to taking steps at the local level, but we need the support of other levels of government,” Morgan stated.

Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, a former chair of the OBCM, emphasized that mayors have long been united on issues like encampments, drug use in public areas, and threats to public safety. He stressed the importance of community members voicing their concerns to ensure the province gives priority to these issues.

“Immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of lives, destruction of families, harm to businesses, and negative impacts on our communities’ economic prospects. The responsibility now lies with the province and federal government,” Guthrie added.

The OBCM also urged both levels of government to introduce legislation addressing illicit drug use in public spaces, which poses risks to public safety and local businesses. They noted the lack of facilities to provide care for individuals struggling with addiction as a significant challenge in addressing open drug use.

Morgan clarified that the OBCM’s stance on open drug use aims to manage its adverse effects on the community rather than simply eliminating it. “The impacts are real, significant, and hindering our communities. By providing proper support to the most vulnerable, we can effectively address these issues,” he explained.

Municipal leaders additionally called for a review and update of the Trespass to Property Act to help communities tackle aggressive and recurring trespassing behavior.

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