St. Catharines mayor Mat Siscoe is raising the alarm bell on the state of homelessness in the city, and across the wider Ontario area.
He is part of a coalition of big city mayors who are calling on the provincial and federal governments to introduce a new minister dedicated to tackling the homelessness crisis.
The city of St. Catharines already spends an estimated $4 million on the “downstream” effects of encampments, such as clean up crews and EMS calls.
Niagara region MPPs are taking Siscoe’s side, adding to the calls for a new minister.
This comes after the “Solve the Crisis” campaign was launched earlier this month, encouraging local businesses and residents to share their frustration with the government through a form on their website.
In a statement to CHCH News, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing says they are making “historic investments” into the enhancement of community and supportive housing.
READ MORE: Mayors say homelessness a ‘humanitarian crisis’, ask province to help