Provincial state of emergency on homelessness, mental health, and addiction

Please be advised that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Thorold, at its meeting held on February 3, 2026, considered the aforementioned topic and passed the following resolution:

WHEREAS the Niagara Region have declared a state of emergency for homelessness, mental health and opioid addiction;
WHEREAS the City of Thorold declared a mental health, homelessness and addiction emergency in the City of Thorold;
AND WHEREAS Ontario's 29 Big City Mayors (OBCM) are calling on the province to declare a state of emergency as municipalities deal with a “community safety and humanitarian crisis” created by homelessness, mental health and addiction;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Corporation of the City of Thorold enacts as follows:

1. That Thorold City Council FORMALLY REQUESTS that the Premier of Ontario Doug Ford declare an Ontario-wide state of emergency on mental health, homelessness and addictions.
2. That City Staff BE DIRECTED to forward this resolution to the Premier of Ontario, the Deputy Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ontario Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Solicitor General of Ontario, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, all Niagara area MPP's, the Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles, all Niagara area municipalities, OBCM, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, MPP John Fraser, and MPP Mike Schreiner.
3. That Staff BE DIRECTED to provide notice of the passage of this motion on the City’s website.

Thank you,
Nicholas Debono City Clerk, City of Thorold

Deputy Premier of Ontario
Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ontario Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Solicitor General of Ontario
Provincial Emergency Operations Centre
Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
All Niagara area MPP's
Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles
Niagara area municipalities
OBCM
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
MPP John Fraser
MPP Mike Schreiner