Whereas Communities across the Province are addressing an intensified social crisis and Northern Ontario is no different. We recognize that creating solutions will require a multi-ministry approach but if there are lessons to be learned from this pandemic, what were once cracks in the health care foundation, there are now large gaps forming especially around mental health, addictions, and homelessness;
And Whereas Northern Ontario has significant challenges when it comes to accessing mental health and addictions services for our people in our communities;
And Whereas over 300 child care staff who provide services to over 21,000 licensed child care spaces in over 340 locations across the North see the effects of mental health and addictions every day in the children they care for and the parents they support;
And Whereas the defined area of Northern Ontario is over 800,000 square kilometres. Also, annually over 500 Social Services staff provide financial and employment assistance to over 15,000 families in 37 delivery sites across the North. Over 300 Community Housing staff provide safe and affordable housing to over 17,000 families in the North. In addition, there are many Police Officers and over 900 paramedics who responded to 200,000 medical emergency 911 calls. Paramedics have seen the direct results of the mental health and addictions crisis in the North and some cases becoming ill themselves trying to cope with what they have seen;
And Whereas the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) appreciates the efforts of all the agencies that are working to help and support those addicted to opioids. In some districts, over 30 agencies are providing some assistance. But we would like to see consolidation of these agencies with the input of Municipalities/DSSAB’s and local stakeholders. As we believe, a streamlined agency would be able to put the combined funds to better use.
Therefore Be it Resolved that the Council of the City of North Bay ask that our Northern Ontario Health Teams, in consultation with Municipalities/DSSAB’s and local stakeholders, support a province-wide strategy that supports such consolidation.
Further be it Resolved that a copy of this Resolution to be shared with Premier Ford, Christine Elliott the Minister of Health, Michael Tibollo the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the Leaders of the Provincial Oppositions, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).