Back to SearchIn their first meeting since the recent Ontario election, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) met today to discuss a variety of issues including the growing needs in our cities and downtowns around homelessness, mental health and addictions, OBCM’s advocacy focus with Premier Ford and his re-elected government, August’s annual meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and more. Like in Kitchener and throughout Waterloo region, the increased challenges from social issues being faced by residents, as well as challenges from the COVID pandemic over the past 2+ years, has increased pressures for municipalities as they serve those who were already struggling, and added to it for those who were on the borderline. The OBCM is calling on the provincial government to urgently meet with municipalities and other key stakeholders to discuss these issues and move forward with tangible solutions and investments.
“Downtowns are the foundation upon which our cities are built upon. They are the heart of our communities. 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 City of Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Gone are the days that homelessness was simply a person losing their job and being down on their luck. Residents and businesses want to be empathetic for those grappling with these issues, while also living in a safe and inclusive community for everyone. We have known for a long time that homelessness, mental health and addiction issues are intertwined and complex. 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 will require an all-of-government and cross-sector approach.”
Cities and businesses can’t thrive economically and socially if we don’t address the mental health and addiction challenges faced by some of our residents. Tackling these issues includes continuing to build more affordable and supportive housing, as well as providing greater investment in mental health treatment centres and wrap-around services. From work done by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, every $10 invested in supportive housing provides a $21.72 savings in other costs for the most complex individuals. By making these investments, we will ensure people who are struggling get the health and rehabilitation services they need, instead of going in and out of the justice system and emergency rooms.
“We are at a breaking point. The solutions to this crisis are already known by the province. The Big City Mayors have joined a chorus of others for years on these solutions 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 Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors. “This is unacceptable in the Province of Ontario and must be addressed immediately.”
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OBCM approved motion:
“That the Ontario Big City Mayors Caucus requests an urgent and emergency meeting with the provincial government to immediately address our shared goals to accelerate solutions for the root causes and impacts by residents, businesses and municipalities of homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues in our communities.
Furthermore, we ask the province to include other key stakeholders in discussions on these next steps, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, AMO, MARCO, the Ontario Chiefs of Police Association and the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association, who have all put forward comprehensive recommendations to address
Finally, that any such meeting with the province include a OBCM Day of Action on these issues with noted partners at Queen’s Park during the first sitting of the legislature during the Summer of 2022.”
For more information about:
OBCM media release
https://www.ontariobigcitymayors.ca/news/
Ontario’s Big City Mayors
https://www.ontariobigcitymayors.ca/
For more information, please contact:
Paul Grivicic, Chief of Staff
City of Kitchener
226-749-3410
Bethany Rowland, Director of Corporate Communications & Marketing
City of Kitchener
226-752-9038
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