Following Ontario\u2019s Big City Mayors\u2019 renewed calls for involuntary treatment for people experiencing severe addiction, Premier Doug Ford told reporters he was open to the idea \u2014 drawing political applause but concern from harm-reduction groups.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In August 2026, Ontario\u2019s Big City Mayors launched the next phase of their \u201csolve the crisis campaign\u201d called \u201creaction to recovery\u201d<\/a> where they have called for a new approach to this issue. Their calls to action focus on expanding timely access to treatment programs, a review of the provincial Mental Health Act and Healthcare Consent Act, the expansion of addiction treatment and rehabilitation programming within provincial and federal correctional institutions, and more.<\/p>\n Brampton and its mayor Patrick Brown are among municipalities and local government leaders calling for a re-examination of current mental health legislation to permit compulsory treatment for people experiencing severe substance use and mental health issues. Brown is pushing for Peel to be the site of a provincial pilot.<\/p>\n In a Sept. 20 column published in the Toronto Sun, Brown reiterated his call<\/a> for what he refers to as \u201ccompassionate intervention\u201d to support individuals living with severe addictions, concurrent mental health disorders and acquired brain injuries.<\/p>\n \u201cWe see every day what happens when someone in severe crisis is not able to ask for help themselves,\u201d Brown said in a news release issued in response to Ford\u2019s comments. \u201cThis is about connecting people to the care they need, easing the pressure on our emergency services and keeping our community safe,\u201d said Brown.<\/p>\n In 2024, Mayor Brown urged the provincial government to consider a pilot project in Peel Region<\/a>, where a physician could order compulsory treatment if they felt it was necessary for the health of the individual and the safety of others.<\/p>\n Brampton City Council unanimously passed a motion formally requesting the provincial government establish the project. However, when it went before regional council it received pushback<\/a> from other councillors. Brown withdrew the original request and councillors, instead, passed an amended motion focused on voluntary harm reduction services and treatment wait times.<\/p>\n Renewed calls for provincial action<\/p>\n Calls for compulsory treatment from mayors across the province have resurfaced as Ontario continues to see significant drug-related harms.<\/p>\n The Office of the Chief Coroner reported 709 suspected drug-related deaths between June and August 2026, a 35 per cent increase from the same period in 2019.<\/p>\n Last year, Peel recorded 76 opioid toxicity deaths, 126 paramedic naloxone calls, 924 emergency department visits for suspected opioid toxicity and 247 confirmed emergency department presentations for opioid toxicity, according to the region.<\/p>\n Harm reduction specialists weigh in<\/p>\n Jillian Watkins, the executive director of Moyo Health and Community Services, a Peel organization that focuses on harm reduction, among other issues, has expressed skepticism about the idea of involuntary treatment for drug addiction.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is some evidence that shows people may be at higher risk of overdose deaths following involuntary treatment,\u201d said Watkins.<\/p>\n The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), in its February 2025 evidence brief<\/a>, stated evidence supporting involuntary treatment for drug use was mixed and limited.<\/p>\n The report states \u201cresearch reviews have found that while some studies suggest InvTx (involuntary treatment) can help people stay in treatment programs longer, most do not show significant improvements in reducing substance use.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn some cases, InvTx has been linked to negative health outcomes, such as increased risk of overdose or death,\u201d the report adds.<\/p>\n