London Chamber of Commerce Supports Ontario Big City Mayors' Call for Urgent Action on Homelessness,

The London Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the Ontario Big City Mayors’ (OBCM) urgent call for provincial and federal action to address homelessness, mental health, safety, and addictions issues affecting Ontario’s municipalities. The meeting, chaired by London’s Mayor Josh Morgan, emphasized how these challenges have become a critical concern not only for municipalities but also for businesses, especially those in the core areas of our cities.

For business communities like London’s, homelessness, addiction, and public safety issues have had a profound impact on the vitality and economic sustainability of downtown and commercial areas. Business owners and their employees face safety concerns daily, from aggressive trespassing to property damage, which negatively affects public confidence and discourages customers from visiting core areas. These circumstances create additional barriers for businesses already facing post-pandemic economic recovery and recruitment challenges.

The Chamber believes that only through collaborative action across government levels can we address the root causes of homelessness, addictions, and mental health crises, and restore safety and stability to our communities.

OBCM’s recent resolution outlines several measures that aim to address these issues, and the London Chamber of Commerce fully supports the recommendations for government action:

1. Legislative Updates for Mental Health and Addictions Support: OBCM’s call to update the Ontario Mental Health Act and Health Care Consent Act to better reflect today’s reality is essential for a more effective response. This step would enable municipalities and healthcare providers to intervene more effectively, relieving some pressure on businesses and improving conditions in commercial and downtown areas.
2. Expansion of Diversion Courts: The Chamber advocates for the expansion of Diversion Courts to redirect individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues toward treatment rather than the criminal justice system. Businesses report that untreated mental health and addiction crises are frequently visible on the streets of our core areas, impacting employee and customer experiences. By focusing on rehabilitation over punitive measures, Diversion Courts can support individuals in regaining stability and reduce the disruptive impact on local businesses.
3. Enhanced Public Safety Measures: OBCM has called for legislation prohibiting open drug use and public intoxication, alongside an update to the Trespass to Property Act. These steps would help keep public spaces safe, relieving citizens from having to manage public safety challenges independently. Clear, enforceable policies on public safety issues would restore a sense of order, making it easier for businesses to operate effectively in core areas and ensuring they are inviting for customers and staff alike.
4. Blueprint for Supportive Housing: The Chamber is encouraged by OBCM’s focus on supportive housing and calls on the provincial and federal governments to develop a funding plan for constructing thousands of supportive units. This investment would provide shelter and recovery-oriented support for individuals undergoing treatment, relieving downtown areas of the growing pressures of homelessness encampments that have placed a strain on public infrastructure and local businesses.
5. Coordinated Crisis Response: The Chamber echoes OBCM’s proposal for an action table that brings together government representatives, experts, and community partners to design a Made-in-Ontario strategy to tackle these intersecting crises. By fostering collaboration across government levels, this initiative would facilitate the effective implementation of solutions that better serve the vulnerable, businesses, and communities.

As winter approaches, immediate action is critical. Mayor Morgan’s leadership at the OBCM meeting highlighted the urgency of moving forward swiftly with these solutions to provide relief and protection for both the vulnerable and the business community. Our Chamber is committed to advocating for these essential changes, recognizing the substantial impact of these issues on London’s businesses, residents, and economy.

We encourage all residents and businesses to support the OBCM’s Solve the Crisis campaign and join the call for meaningful action. For more information, visit www.solvethecrisis.ca.