WHEREAS the homeless crisis is taking a devastating toll on families and communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario;
WHEREAS the homelessness crisis is the result of the underinvestment and poor policy choices of successive provincial governments;
WHEREAS homelessness requires a range of housing, social service and health solutions from government;
WHEREAS homelessness is felt most at the level of local government and the residents that they serve;
WHEREAS municipalities and District Social Administration Boards are doing their part, but do not have the resources, capacity or tools to address this complex challenge; and,
WHEREAS leadership and urgent action is needed from the provincial government on an emergency basis to develop, resource, and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent, reduce and ultimately end homelessness in Ontario.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Municipality of Mississippi Mills calls on the Provincial Government to urgently:
a. Acknowledge that homelessness in Ontario is a social, economic, and health crisis;
b. Commit to ending homelessness in Ontario;
c. Work with AMO and a broad range of community, health, Indigenous and economic partners to develop, resource, and implement an action plan to achieve this goal.
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services; the Minister of Health; and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario