Sault Ste. Marie, ON (2024 08 15) – The mayors of Northern Ontario’s five largest municipalities have endorsed the ‘Solve the Crisis’ campaign launched by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, and are calling on the Government of Ontario to implement the campaign’s recommended actions.

Like the communities represented by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) municipalities – Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Thunder Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie – are grappling with the growing homelessness crisis. Despite their best efforts, these municipalities lack the necessary government support to effectively address the issue. Municipalities did not create the homelessness crisis and do not have the resources to solve it, yet they are being forced to manage its impacts.

“Homelessness is an increasingly complex and challenging situation. Municipalities do not have the funding capacity or jurisdictional authority to implement the necessary programs and supports independently. We’re doing what we can, but we cannot do it alone,” said Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.

“The Solve the Crisis campaign provides actionable steps that can make a meaningful difference in our communities. Through NOLUM, we have a unified voice and we’re using it to urge the government to implement the campaign’s recommendations,” said Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff.

The Solve the Crisis campaign is more than a call for help – it’s a comprehensive plan to assist municipalities in addressing this challenging situation. Key recommendations include:

• Appointing a single minister provincially to bring cross-ministry focus to this issue and fund that ministry appropriately.
• Have the new provincial minister strike a task force to advise and make recommendations on solutions to these issues with a cross-section of stakeholders and commit to funding the recommendations.
• Provide the municipality with resources to transition homeless and underused individuals to appropriate housing with the necessary supports Fund a 24/7 crisis response service across the province to relieve the pressure on hospital emergency centres and first responders.

“Homelessness isn’t just an issue for the Greater Toronto Area. Small-to mid-sized municipalities, like those in Northern Ontario, are often overlooked when it comes to homelessness, making it crucial for NOLUM to highlight the impact across the north and advocate for the necessary support,” said Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau.

“We need increased support from the Provincial and Federal Governments, and we need it urgently. Like my colleagues, I’ve witnessed the profound impacts of homelessness, and I’m confident that the recommendations from the Solve the Crisis campaign will greatly benefit our communities,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.

“Recent data from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing shows that homelessness continues to rise across Ontario. Municipalities are ready to help, and we’re bringing a plan to the table – we need the Province to step up and support our efforts,” added North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico.

To learn more about the Solve the Crisis campaign, visit solvethecrisis.ca. Ontarians are asked to participate in the campaign through the correspondence portal on the website and by contacting their local MPP.