Whereas there is a humanitarian crisis in Ontario among our streets in small, large, urban and rural municipalities;
Whereas the cases related to homelessness, mental health and addictions continue to rise with 3,432 drug related deaths in 2023, an estimated 234,000 Ontarians experiencing homelessness and over 1,400 homeless encampments across Ontario communities;
Whereas we need immediate action from all levels of government, starting with the province;
Whereas the province has provided additional funding and support for mental health, addictions and homelessness programs, these efforts do not adequately address the growing crisis and the financial and social impact on municipalities and regions across the province;
Whereas municipalities, counties, and regions are stepping up and working with community partners to put in place community-specific solutions to address this crisis, however, municipalities and regions lack the expertise, capacity, or resources to address these increasingly complex health care and housing issues alone;
Whereas this is primarily a health issue that falls under the provincial’s jurisdiction and municipalities and regions should not be using the property tax base to fund these programs;
Whereas 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;
Now therefore be in resolved that the Town of Orangeville supports the Ontario Big City Mayor’s “Solve the Crisis" Campaign;
That the provincial and federal governments commit to immediate action to solve the Humanitarian Crisis that Ontario is facing as the numbers of unhoused individuals and those suffering with mental heath and addictions grows exponentially;
That the province officially makes Homelessness a Health Priority;
That the Premier of Ontario appoint a responsible Minister and Ministry with appropriate funding and powers to act as a single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs as well as mental health, addictions and wrap around supports;
That the provincial government strike a task force with broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry to develop a Made in Ontario Action Plan to ensure that solutions can be implemented quickly and effectively to tackle this crisis;
That the provincial government provide the adequate, sufficient and sustainable funding to ensure that municipalities have the tools and resources to support individuals suffering with mental health and addictions, including unhoused people and those from vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted;
That the residents across the Town of Orangeville and within Dufferin County join Council in appealing to the provincial and federal governments by visiting SolveTheCrisis.ca and showing your support; and
That a copy of this motion be sent to:
- The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
- The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada
- The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
- The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
- The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
- The Honourable Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
- The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
- County of Dufferin
- Local and area MPs, MPPs and Heads of Council
- The Association of Municipalities of Ontario; and
- Ontario’s Big City Mayors