The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) says the ‘status quo is no longer acceptable’ when it comes to dealing with homelessness.
FONOM says northern communities are at the breaking point and they’re ready to work with provincial and federal governments on real, practical solutions.
They’re calling for legislative reform provincially after new provincial data showing homelessness is growing fastest—and most severely—in Northern Ontario.
New figures released by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) show homelessness grew by more than 37% in Northern Ontario in just one year, compared to 7.8 per cent provincially.
FONOM says homelessness in the north is increasingly driven by untreated mental illness and addiction, particularly substance use disorders involving methamphetamine and opioids. To that end, they’re calling for temporary, health-focused detention, without charge, of people found acutely intoxicated by drugs or other substances.
“This is about compassionate, temporary intervention — not criminalization,” says Dave Plourde, FONOM President. “Frontline police, paramedics, and hospitals are cycling the same individuals through emergency systems with no ability to stabilize them or connect them to care. Northern communities need tools that reflect today’s realities.”
Plourde adds temporary enforcement measures alone will not solve the ‘crisis’.
“Homelessness is no longer just a social issue; it is an economic and community sustainability issue for Northern Ontario,” he says. “Without sustained, housing-led and prevention-focused investment, the cost of inaction will continue to rise for everyone.”
FONOM supports AMO’s call for long-term provincial and federal investment in deeply affordable and supportive housing, mental health and addictions services, and income supports.
They also stress municipal property taxes are not a sustainable funding source for addressing a crisis of this magnitude.
**With files from Richard Coffin
