NORTH BAY—The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) has issued a dire call for legislative reform, urging the Ontario government to amend the Mental Health Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to formally recognize addiction as a substance use disorder. This move, FONOM argues, is critical to addressing the growing crisis of addiction in the region, which has overwhelmed local resources and left vulnerable individuals—referred to by FONOM as “lost souls”—without adequate support.
In a statement released last week, FONOM emphasized the need for new legislation that would allow for the temporary detention of individuals found intoxicated by drugs or other substances without the need for criminal charges. This measure, according to FONOM, is essential to ensure the safety of both the individuals affected and the wider community.
The proposal comes after extensive consultations with stakeholders across Northern Ontario, including police chiefs from the region’s largest cities, a police association, District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) chief administrative officers, community and wellbeing coordinators, healthcare professionals and community advocates.
“We do not make this recommendation lightly,” said Danny Whalen, president of FONOM. “Our communities are facing a crisis that is straining our hospitals, overburdening our police forces and pushing social services to the brink. The current system is failing both those in need and the broader public.”
As part of their broader strategy, FONOM has also called for the creation and funding of “Ontario Homes,” small, community-based psychiatric facilities staffed with psychiatrists and mental health specialists. These homes would replace the outdated, large and often isolated institutions that have long been the norm in mental health care.
The situation in Northern Ontario has reached a critical point, with emergency rooms overwhelmed by individuals repeatedly seeking help, only to return to the same dangerous patterns of behavior once discharged. The lack of effective intervention has led to frustration among healthcare workers, police, and community organizations, who are struggling to cope with the same individuals cycling through the system.
FONOM’s proposal has sparked concern among some who worry that the recommended legislative changes could infringe on individual rights. However, FONOM argues that similar measures are already in place, citing the role of the Public Guardian and Trustees in making decisions for adults deemed mentally incapable.
FONOM is urging Premier Doug Ford to convene a special Cabinet Committee to review the proposed amendments and to engage in a collaborative approach with municipal leaders, law enforcement, and health professionals to address the crisis.
In a follow-up letter to Premier Ford, FONOM expressed frustration at the lack of action since their initial communication in March, despite assurances that the issue would be addressed. The organization is now calling for immediate dialogue and decisive action, warning that the current approach is inadequate and that the situation is only getting worse.
The premier’s office has yet to respond to the latest plea from FONOM, but the growing public outcry suggests that this issue will not fade quietly into the background. As Northern Ontario’s communities continue to grapple with the devastating impact of addiction, all eyes are now on Queen’s Park to see if the government will take the bold steps necessary to stem the tide.
