Ontarians are reacting to Premier Doug Ford’s plans to fine people who repeatedly take illicit drugs in encampments and public parks up to $10,000.
At a press conference on Thursday, Ford told reporters it was time to clamp down on public drug use and to end the spread of homeless encampments.
“These encampments are taking over public spaces, with illegal drug use happening out in the open, creating huge safety risks for people and communities, enough is enough,” he said, adding that the provincial government would invest $75.5 million to support homelessness prevention, in addition to the more than one billion dollars it has already allocated.
The funding builds on the $378 million the province is spending on homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hubs, and the nearly $700 million invested annually on homelessness prevention and supportive housing initiatives, Ford said.
His announcement comes less than a month after a dozen municipal leaders wrote a joint letter to the Premier asking him to get a handle on the province’s homelessness crisis.
Mayors from across Ontario have asked for our help to deal with homeless encampments that are taking over public spaces and making their communities unsafe. I agree. Enough is enough.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) December 5, 2024
Today, I let them know that we will be stepping up with new measures to protect communities… pic.twitter.com/BWjawSChpx
Joined at the press conference by all twelve mayors from various municipalities, including Brampton, Barrie and Pickering, Ford said $50 million would go towards creating long-term affordable housing units throughout the province, and that $20 million would be used to expand shelter capacity and create more temporary accommodation, such as tiny modular homes.
READ MORE: Toronto opens 50+ modular units designed for those exiting homelessness
But funding isn’t enough, says the premier, who will grant police, the courts and municipalities new powers to clear out encampments, and make amendments to the Trespass to Property Act to enhance penalties for people who “deliberately and repeatedly break the law.”
New legislation will make it “crystal clear” that it is illegal to use illicit drugs in public spaces including encampments, Ford said, adding that police will have new tools to direct individuals to stop using drugs and to leave public areas.
Fines up to $10,000 and up to six months in prison for people who repeatedly use drugs in parks and community spaces, will also be introduced.
Ford added that the dismantling of encampments and the crackdown on drug use will include an exploration into alternative measures that provide the option of rehabilitation for people convicted of minor or non-violent offences, and a deep dive into how provincial investments are being spent.
“Ultimately, our goal is to help people recover while keeping our communities safe,” Ford concluded.
In response to Ford’s announcement, Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said in a statement that “the solution to homelessness is housing, not jail.”
“If someone is sleeping in an encampment, it’s because they don’t have anywhere else to go. Does the Premier seriously think that fining someone $10,000 is going to solve any of the systemic problems Ontario is facing?,” he added.
People online have been reacting to Ford’s plans.
“You need to crack down on illegal drug distribution, not on use! users need help, not a crack down,” one X user wrote.
“The homeless need mental health treatment and addiction treatment, not fines and/or jail time,” another person commented.
“You’re now creating unnecessary criminal records for people having a tough enough time, so when they want to apply for a job they won’t have a clean background check, solid,” someone else wrote.
Plans to enforce stricter punishments for public drug use and to clear encampments come weeks after the Ford government voted to close safe consumption sites.
In mid-November, two people were removed from Queens Park for speaking up against the closure of 10 safe consumption sites across Ontario, five of which are in Toronto, and are set to shut down in March.
The provincial government says the closures are a way to protect children and families by prohibiting the operation of supervised consumption sites within 200 metres of a school, licensed child-care centre or EarlyON Child and Family Centre. However, some protesters say the government has “blood on its hands” for the move and that the sites save lives.
