Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he’s open to idea of involuntary addiction treatment

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed openness to the concept of compulsory addiction treatment. The Big City Mayors group has recently reiterated their request to the province to reassess existing mental health laws with the intention of broadening involuntary treatment options. At a recent press conference, Ford stated, "I’d be open to it as long as we can help them and help the communities," during the announcement of a cabinet reshuffle that includes the appointment of a new associate minister of mental health, Michelle Cooper.

Currently, the province is examining involuntary mental health and addiction treatment in jails, but no legislative action has been taken thus far. Both homelessness and addiction rates have surged across the province following the COVID-19 pandemic, placing a significant financial burden on municipalities. "There has to be a point with some good consultation with the mayors," Ford emphasized.

"Do we force these individuals into treatment? We have a societal responsibility to care for these individuals and ensure they receive the assistance they require, but I want to engage in a conversation with the mayors right now because they're extremely frustrated." Although Health Minister Sylvia Jones has not dismissed the idea, she has expressed a preference for voluntary treatment and is currently consulting with experts on the matter.

The mayors initially approached the province two years ago to "urgently" review two laws, the Mental Health Act and the Health Care Consent Act, which permit brief periods of involuntary hospital stays. In late August, the Big City Mayors reiterated their plea for government assistance, stating, "The reality is the crisis continues to worsen, and more individuals than ever are struggling across our province." "Lives are at risk, and the time to act is now."