Ontario Big City Mayors asked and it seems like the premier is listening. When questioned on the possibility of involuntary addiction treatment, at an unrelated press conference Thursday, Doug Ford said, “I’d be open to it as long as we can help them and help the communities.” Ford said he’ll work with municipalities on possible involuntary treatment legislation. “I was getting pictures of kids having to walk by people who were jacked over, or ‘jackknifed over,’ as they call it. It’s actually sad, right?” he said. “You know, driving down University (Avenue), I almost hit someone because they had fallen off the sidewalk and into the lane of traffic,” Ford continued. “Well, you guys have seen that.” OBCM pressures the province In August, Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) launched its “Solve the Crisis” campaign, urging the province to take stronger action on homelessness, mental health and addictions. The latest phase, titled “Reaction to Recovery,” calls for stronger measures, including involuntary treatment in some cases. OBCM vice-chair Alex Nuttall says the province needs to take more decisive action to address the crisis. The group says municipalities have been working with community organizations and investing in programs, services and spaces to support people in need. It also acknowledges steps taken by the province, including the creation of HART Hubs and investments in youth mental health and supportive housing. But the mayors say the crisis continues to get worse and municipalities have reached the limit of what they can do on their own. They argue property taxpayers can’t continue carrying the growing costs of health care, housing and social supports. They’re calling for a greater focus on recovery, including faster access to addiction treatment and recovery programs and the creation of a dedicated ministry with appropriate funding. They also want the province to review the Mental Health Act and Health Care Consent Act, expand addiction treatment and rehabilitation programs in provincial and federal correctional facilities, and declare the crisis an emergency. “These people need help, and we’re going to do everything we can,” Ford said on Thursday. “We just have to find more capacity, and that’s a challenge.” OBCM is a coalition of mayors from Ontario’s largest cities, representing nearly 70 per cent of the province’s population. The organization works to influence policy decisions affecting municipalities, with a focus on homelessness, mental health and addictions.
