Doug Ford’s government introduced a bill on Thursday granting cities and local police forces more power to address homeless encampments in parks and vacant lots.
If passed, it will apply to private businesses, offices, stores, hotels, parks and vacant land. Penalties will be enhanced for repeat offenders who trespass and “deliberately and continually break the law.”
Ford said local police officers and other provincial offences officers will be able to direct individuals to stop using illegal substances or to leave public spaces. If someone is found to be non-compliant, tickets will be issued, and enforcement officials are expected to provide “additional tools to stop the consumption of illegal drugs in public spaces.”
People found guilty of violating the proposed legislation, including those doing so in encampments, could face fines of up to $10,000 or up to six months in prison.
As part of the bill, the province will also invest $75.5 million to “further support homelessness prevention” and provide people living in encampments with access to alternative accommodation.
Ford has said he doesn’t expect to use the controversial legislative tool known as the notwithstanding clause that would override the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but is “fully prepared” to if the courts “interfere.”
“Mayors and residents from communities across Ontario have been clear that enough is enough when it comes to encampments and illegal drug use in our parks and public spaces,” said Ford.
“Families deserve to enjoy their local parks and playgrounds without fearing for their kids. People facing homelessness or addiction and mental health challenges should be supported in the right settings. The federal government’s approach to legalizing dangerous drugs for use in our communities has failed, and it needs to end.”
Ford announced his plan for the new legislation last week, saying it comes at the direction of 12 mayors who sent him letters asking for help dealing with the issue of encampments. Brampton mayor Patrick Brown, London, Ont., mayor Josh Morgan, Oakville mayor Rob Burton and Oshawa mayor Dan Carter were among some of the officials in attendance on Thursday.
It is unclear when these measures will take effect, as the Ontario legislature is set to rise today for its winter break.
The Premier’s political counterparts have criticized the move, notably provincial Liberal Party leader Bonnie Crombie, who said Ontario needs a program to give people experiencing homelessness appropriate shelter and necessary wraparound services.
Encampments started cropping up in many of Toronto’s parks when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, as people left shelters out of fear of contracting the virus.
Mayor Olivia Chow previously stated that if force is used to remove people from encampments, they will end up elsewhere.
Earlier this year, the City of Toronto adopted a “people-first, human rights-based approach” to connect people with shelters, services and housing after a Toronto ombudsperson investigation found “significant unfairness” in how officials cleared encampments in 2021.