Province Pledges $75.5M in New Funding as Ontario Reintroduces Encampment Legislation

The Ontario government has reintroduced legislation aimed at ending encampments in public spaces, pledging $75.5 million in new funding to expand shelter capacity and supportive housing while proposing tougher penalties for illegal drug use and trespassing.

Dubbed the Safer Municipalities Act, the legislation would give municipalities and police enhanced tools to dismantle encampments and prohibit open drug use in parks and other public areas. If passed, it would amend the Trespass to Property Act to allow for stiffer penalties, including aggravating factors for continuous trespassing and likelihood of reoffending. A companion bill—the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act—would enable officers to order individuals to stop consuming illegal substances or leave a public space, with penalties reaching $10,000 or six months in jail for non-compliance.

“We have heard loud and clear from the people of Ontario: They want their parks and public spaces to be protected and safe for everyone to enjoy,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as he unveiled the legislation in Toronto.

The new investment includes:

• $50 million to create 1,239 new housing units, including 815 long-term affordable and supportive homes.

• $20 million for 971 new shelter or temporary accommodations, including modular units.

• $5.5 million to top up the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, helping 1,000 individuals transition out of shelters into permanent housing.

The announcement follows mounting pressure from municipalities struggling to balance public safety with humanitarian concerns. As of March, Ontario service managers reported 1,826 individuals living in 703 encampment sites across the province.

Several GTA-area mayors applauded the move.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown called illicit drug use in public “a serious community safety threat,” particularly in areas where families and children live near encampments.

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton welcomed the legislation, stating, “The actions in this legislation are what we asked for. It feels great to work with a government that listens.”

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter described the initiative as “an important step” in addressing a “national humanitarian crisis,” highlighting the need for ongoing cooperation among all levels of government.

While the province emphasized the health and housing components of its response, the focus on law enforcement tools is likely to generate debate among advocates and legal experts concerned about the potential criminalization of homelessness and addiction. Still, the Ford government signaled it is exploring judicial reforms that could offer rehabilitation alternatives for non-violent drug offences.

The province currently invests nearly $700 million annually in homelessness prevention programs and is building 28 Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, nine of which are already operational.

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner emphasized public safety: “Everyone should feel safe when going to a park, riding transit, or walking through their neighbourhoods.”

Attorney General Doug Downey added that the legislation “supports restoring public order” while working in tandem with expanded support services.

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