Item - 2024.MM22.14

City Council on October 9 and 10, 2024, adopted the following:

1. City Council declare its support for Ontario’s Big City Mayors 'Solve the Crisis' Campaign.

2. City Council request the Government of Ontario to:

a. commit to immediate action to solve the Humanitarian Crisis that Ontario is facing as the numbers of unhoused individuals and those suffering with mental health and addictions grows exponentially;

b. make homelessness a health priority; and

c. appoint a responsible Minister and Ministry with the appropriate funding and powers as a single point of contact to address the full spectrum of housing needs as well as mental health, addictions and wrap around supports.

3. City Council request the Government of Ontario strike a task force that:

a. includes broad sector representatives including municipalities, regions, healthcare, first responders, community services, the business community and the tourism industry;

b. reviews current programs developed by municipalities, regions and community partners that have proven successful in our communities, to ensure that solutions can be implemented quickly and effectively to tackle this crisis; and

c. develops a Made in Ontario Action Plan.

4. City Council request the Government of Ontario to provide adequate 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.

5. City Council request the Government of Ontario to invest in 24/7 community hubs and crisis centres.

6. City Council encourage the residents of the City of Toronto to join Council in appealing to the provincial government for support by visiting SolveTheCrisis.ca and showing their support by sending a letter to relevant ministers and their local provincial representative.

7. City Council forward this item for information to:

a. The Premier of Ontario;

b. The Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health;

c. The Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing;

d. The Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services;

e. The Ontario Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions;

f. Toronto Members of Provincial Parliament; and

g. Ontario’s Big City Mayors.