The Western Ontario Warden's Caucus has joined the Eastern Ontario Warden's and Mayor's Caucus's in a joint call for more assistance to help address the homelessness crisis in the province.
The call to action for the federal and provincial governments to get more involved is being led by the Ontario Big City Mayors. Western Ontario Warden's Caucus Chair and Huron County Warden, Glen McNeil, says this joint call made at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario 125th Conference, is necessary to address homelessness and mental health at the municipal level.
"Not everyone realizes that homelessness is not just a large city issue anymore, it's everywhere throughout our province. So, collectively, we have a stronger voice to ask to address the challenges involved in this," McNeil stated.
With all these different municipal leaders coming together, McNeil says the main request is very specific.
"That a ministry be set up with a dedicated minister to address the homelessness crisis in all of our communities in the province. It is a very worthwhile file that needs to be addressed," McNeil urged.
Additionally, McNeil adds that part of the request to Premier Doug Ford in an upcoming letter will be for a Social and Economic Prosperity Review for Ontario in relation to homelessness.
"Well we all know the socio-economic impact of homelessness on our respective communities. We would like the provincial government to undertake a study to this effect so they get the full understanding of what's involved for our residents," added McNeil.
McNeil says the initiatives that come from this call will be driven by individual municipal leaders to address different needs specific to their area. He feels that's because many areas have different needs and ways to assist the homeless populations in their respective regions that might not apply to other areas.
"It might be affordable housing, that is a component. Rent gear-to-income, and without a doubt, supportive housing, with the professional, wrap-around services to assist individuals that find themselves in this precarious position," McNeil said.
More about the "Solve the Crisis" campaign led by the Ontario Big City Mayors can be seen here: https://solvethecrisis.ca/.
"As Chair of the WOWC, I see the impacts first-hand around the homelessness and mental health crisis. Municipalities have been working tirelessly on the front-lines to address complex issues. We want to build safe, health communities and the only way to do so is to work together. Let’s step up and ‘Solve the Crisis’ together," McNeil concluded.
“In communities of all sizes, not just big cities, people are unhoused, suffering and dying. We need to help them and municipalities do not have the financial tools and resources to do it alone. It is time to take action to ‘Solve The Crisis’ together with municipalities, the Ontario Government, the Federal Government, and community partners at the table,” shared EOWC Chair, Peter Emon, Warden of Renfrew County.
“This is something we (the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus) have been pursuing, over the last year: the need for substantial investment by both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada, to deal with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis that all municipalities are now facing," said EOMC Chair, Jeff Leal, Mayor of the City of Peterborough.