After Ontario’s Big City Mayors renewed their push for involuntary treatment for individuals facing serious addiction issues, Premier Doug Ford told the media he was open to the concept – gaining political support but raising concerns among harm-reduction advocates.
In August 2026, Ontario’s Big City Mayors kicked off a new phase of their “solve the crisis campaign” called “reaction to recovery,” where they called for a fresh approach to this problem. Their demands focus on improving access to treatment programs quickly, reviewing the provincial Mental Health Act and Healthcare Consent Act, expanding addiction treatment and rehabilitation options within provincial and federal correctional facilities, and more.
Brampton and its mayor Patrick Brown are part of a group of municipalities urging a reassessment of current mental health laws to allow compulsory treatment for those struggling with severe substance use and mental health challenges. Brown is advocating for Peel to be chosen as the site for a provincial pilot project.
In a on Sept. 20 in the , Brown reiterated his call for what he describes as “compassionate intervention” aimed at supporting people dealing with serious addictions, concurrent mental health disorders, and acquired brain injuries.
“We witness daily what happens when someone in deep crisis can’t seek help themselves,” Brown said in a news release responding to Ford’s remarks. “This is about linking people with the care they need, alleviating pressure on our emergency services, and ensuring community safety,” stated Brown.
In 2024, Mayor Brown urged the provincial government to explore a pilot project in Peel Region where a doctor could mandate treatment if it was deemed necessary for an individual’s well-being or public safety.
Brampton City Council unanimously approved a motion formally asking the provincial government to implement this project. However, when it reached regional council, it faced opposition from other members. As a result, Brown withdrew his initial request and council members instead passed an amended motion concentrating on voluntary harm reduction services and reducing wait times for treatment.
Renewed calls for provincial action
The demand for mandatory treatment from mayors across Ontario has resurfaced as drug-related issues continue to escalate in the province.
The Office of the Chief Coroner reported 709 suspected drug-related fatalities between June and August 2026-an alarming 35 percent rise compared to the same period in 2019.
Last year alone, Peel recorded 76 deaths due to opioid toxicity along with 126 naloxone calls by paramedics, 924 emergency department visits related to suspected opioid toxicity, and 247 confirmed emergency department admissions due to opioid toxicity within that region.
Harm reduction specialists weigh in
Jillian Watkins, executive director of Moyo Health and Community Services-a Peel organization focused on harm reduction among other matters-has expressed doubts regarding involuntary treatment approaches for drug addiction.
“Some evidence suggests that individuals may face increased risks of overdose deaths following involuntary treatment,” remarked Watkins.
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), in its February 2025 evidence brief mentioned that support for involuntary treatments concerning drug use is mixed and limited at best.
The report notes that while some research indicates Inv Tx (involuntary treatment) can help individuals remain engaged in treatment programs longer than others do not show significant reductions in substance use overall.”
“In certain instances, Inv Tx has been associated with adverse health outcomes such as heightened risks of overdose or mortality,” adds the report.
The CCSA references an article by Kisely et al., from 2024 discussing findings from Massachusetts which suggested individuals subjected to mandatory treatments were found to be twice as likely (2.2 times) to die from opioid-related overdoses compared with those receiving voluntary care afterward; similarly showing nearly double (1.9 times) likelihoods regarding deaths from any cause post-compulsory care versus voluntary options available priorly.”
Watkins believes these results stem from “individuals not being ready or willing toward pursuing actual assistance.”
“Putting someone into involuntary therapy only means returning them immediately back into previous environments without proper readiness doesn’t guarantee long-term success.” she added further expressing concern over possible recurrence leading back toward higher risk factors surrounding future overdoses.”
Adequate support needed after treatment
There are ongoing worries about whether enough resources will exist once patients complete their treatments before reintegrating into society again afterwards.
“We’re lacking sufficient options even just catering towards voluntary treatments let alone enforcing mandates upon them… The entire system lacks adequate setups required making such measures practical,” emphasized Watkins further asserting concerns raised through statistics indicating shelter demand exceeded capabilities throughout regions reporting greater needs causing overflow accommodations needing set up based around existing conditions during past years.”Reportedly exceeding normal capacities needing additional hotel spaces reaching numbers surpassing totals experienced earlier causing noted increases totaling around fourteen percent comparisons made observed previously seen timelines noticed during last year pertaining evaluations performed collectively overall outcome discovered lack affordable supportive housing addresses concerns regarding challenges faced specifically targeting populations dealing directly involving mental wellness aspects alongside addiction issues confronted throughout communities affected thus far currently at hand.”Brown himself again reiterated through his aiming towards advocating necessary enhancements surrounding corresponding supports addressing aforementioned dilemmas combined establishing valid grounds operating under potential pilots fulfilling essential medical thresholds encompassing regular assessments sustaining aftercare protocols allowing protection ensuring respect preserving dignity deserved throughout interventions utilized moving forward completing respective endeavors undertaken effectively executed achieving hopeful desired outcomes sought ultimately clarifying intentions established promoting improvements verified beneficial goals sought extending outreach collaborations attaining universal objectives targeted benefiting everyone involved entirely paving pathways directing transformations ultimately impacting lives positively changing perspectives encountered head-on unraveling new possibilities explored continually forging ahead towards brighter futures emerging consistently arising possibilities presented engaging collaboratively enhancing surroundings transforming lives uplifted securely rooted determined resilient communities flourishing persistently evolving ahead together united purposefully uplifting every participant actively engaging fighting disparities challenging circumstances affecting vulnerable demographics navigating complexities experienced handling issues prevalent significantly outweighing emerging advancements being recognized producing favorable developments contributing collective growth shared aspirations gained momentum gradually progressing favorably steering transformative efforts enduring sustained relevance embodying values fostering inclusion elevating experiences maximizing potentials encouraged fostering resilience developing platforms nurturing thriving ecosystems inspiring purposeful commitments built partnerships trustworthiness cultivating harmony fabric binding everybody interconnected serving progress envisioned”
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Bridget Potasky Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Mississauga. com
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