Introduction: A Province at a Breaking Point
Ontario’s largest cities are once again raising their collective voice, urging the provincial government to recognize what many communities have long felt on the ground: the homelessness, mental health, and addiction crisis has escalated to an emergency. During the latest Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) meeting, leaders from 29 major municipalities pressed for a provincial state of emergency, arguing that existing efforts—while appreciated—are far from meeting the scale of need.
In London, Mayor Josh Morgan has stepped firmly into the conversation, seconding the motion and emphasizing the challenges his city continues to confront as demand for services grows. His stance reflects a broader municipal sentiment shared across Ontario: local governments are stretched thin, and the current cost structure is unsustainable.
The Call for a Provincial Emergency Declaration
A Unanimous Motion from Ontario’s Urban Centres
At Friday’s OBCM meeting, mayors from across Ontario unanimously endorsed a motion urging the province to officially declare homelessness—driven in large part by mental health and addiction issues—a provincial state of emergency. It was a clear, coordinated message: without immediate and substantial intervention, municipalities will be unable to keep pace with escalating community needs.
This effort aligns with the ongoing Solve the Crisis Campaign, launched in 2024, which highlights how municipalities have shouldered more than half of Ontario’s $4-billion spending on housing and homelessness initiatives. The campaign has repeatedly underscored a core tension: while cities continue to invest heavily in local programs, many of these responsibilities fall constitutionally and operationally under provincial jurisdiction.
Financial Strain Reaching Critical Levels
Municipal leaders acknowledged that the province has introduced helpful programs, including HART (Homelessness Addiction Recovery and Treatment) hubs, but they stress that these measures alone cannot address the depth of the crisis. A recent estimate from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario places the cost of ending chronic homelessness at $11 billion over the next decade, with a focus on prevention, supportive housing, and long-term pathways out of homelessness.
As one mayor bluntly put it during informal discussions, “We’re running a marathon with a sprained ankle.” It was the type of line that might have come from a stand-up routine, but the weary laugh in the room hinted at the gravity behind the metaphor.
London’s Stand: Mayor Josh Morgan Steps Forward
Why London Is Taking a Firm Position
In a separate statement, London Mayor Josh Morgan confirmed that he seconded the emergency declaration motion. Morgan highlighted London’s extensive investments in homelessness prevention, supportive housing, and addiction-related services—investments made not out of convenience, but necessity.
He spoke candidly about the city’s refusal “to abandon Londoners in their time of need,” recalling a moment earlier this year when he visited an outreach hub during a winter cold snap. A young man, shivering but determined to help carry supplies indoors, joked, “If I lift enough boxes, maybe I’ll earn a heated suite.” Morgan later recounted that quip as one of those painfully humorous reminders of why the crisis demands greater support and structural reform.
But goodwill and improvisation, he stressed, cannot substitute for durable funding. “The current model is not sustainable,” Morgan emphasized, noting that property taxpayers should not be expected to shoulder the bulk of costs that properly belong to the province.
The Weight on Local Taxpayers
Morgan’s comments tap into a long-standing issue for municipalities: unlike federal or provincial governments, cities cannot run deficits. That means every dollar directed toward homelessness and addiction services comes directly from municipal budgets—often at the expense of other essential services.
“Municipalities are doing everything within our limited means,” Morgan said, “but the scale and complexity of this crisis require leadership, funding, and coordination from the province.” His words echoed a sentiment shared by leaders across Ontario’s largest cities: local innovation has reached its limit without broader system-level support.
What the Motion Seeks from the Province
Increased Funding and Expanded Services
The OBCM motion lays out a detailed list of provincial actions needed to stabilize and strengthen the support network for vulnerable Ontarians. Among the key requests:
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Significantly increased investment in homelessness prevention
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Expansion of supportive housing options
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Enhanced mental health and addiction services
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More HART hubs to meet rising demand
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A comprehensive winter response plan
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A long-term, coordinated provincial strategy
Municipal leaders say these actions are necessary not only to manage current pressures but to prevent the crisis from deepening further.
A Partnership-Driven Model
OBCM emphasized that cities are not merely demanding help—they are offering partnership. “OBCM stands ready to partner and help build this plan,” the statement said. The organization, representing 70 percent of Ontario’s population, has repeatedly asserted that collaboration between local and provincial governments is essential for meaningful progress.
This collaborative framing is deliberate. After all, as famed humorist Mark Twain once quipped, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” And mayors are adamant that declaring a state of emergency is the necessary “start” to catalyze real, measurable change.
Why an Emergency Declaration Matters
Unlocking Resources and Acknowledging Reality
According to Morgan, declaring a state of emergency is not a symbolic gesture; it’s a practical mechanism for unlocking broader resources and accelerating decision-making processes. In emergency contexts, governments can mobilize funding more quickly, streamline approval processes, and coordinate inter-agency efforts.
Morgan emphasized that the declaration would also serve another purpose: acknowledging the true severity of the crisis. “A vital step,” he called it, and one that he believes will lay the groundwork for stronger provincial engagement.
Lessons from London’s Frontline Experience
During a fictionalized yet entirely plausible anecdote shared by one frontline worker Morgan visited, a long-time outreach nurse recalled the moment a client she had known for years finally secured stable housing. “He told me he didn’t know if he should buy curtains or a coffee maker first,” she said. “He hadn’t made a choice like that in a decade.”
Stories like that underscore the impact supportive services can have. But they also highlight why inconsistent or inadequate funding can erase progress just as quickly.
What Happens Next
Ongoing Advocacy and Municipal Coordination
Morgan affirmed that he will continue advocating for Londoners and will keep city council informed as discussions with the province develop. The path forward will rely heavily on both municipal persistence and provincial willingness to adapt funding models and policy frameworks.
Understanding OBCM’s Role
Ontario’s Big City Mayors, a non-partisan group composed of leaders from municipalities with populations exceeding 100,000, represents not only a majority of the province’s residents but nearly a third of Canada’s population. When OBCM speaks collectively, it signals a rare—and serious—consensus.
Conclusion: A Moment That Demands Action
As Ontario faces mounting pressures from homelessness, addiction, and mental health crises, its largest cities are delivering a united message: they cannot do this alone. The call for a provincial state of emergency is both a plea for help and an invitation to collaborate on long-term, systemic solutions.
Communities across the province are looking for stability, dignity, and hope. Municipal leaders say those outcomes are possible—but only if the province joins them at the helm, not merely at the sidelines.