Several mayors from across Ontario how vowed to keep pressure on Premier Doug Ford over the current state of housing and homelessness throughout the region.
READ MORE: Mayors say homelessness a ‘humanitarian crisis’, ask province to help
There has been growing calls for the province to step in and provide its municipalities with additional resources, including a dedicated minister whose sole job is to deal with homelessness.
Instead, on Monday during the second day of the 125th Association of Municipalities meeting, Ford unveiled a new ministerial position — for auto theft.
“Underwhelming is a very polite way of saying Doug Ford really blew it today,” Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said.
Alongside the announcement of the new position, a new online tool for commercial realty investment was unveiled, something Ford has called “slick.”
“I’m excited to announce a new online tool developed by Invest Ontario that will help local and international investors better connect with municipalities,” Ford said, adding that he “was fiddling around with it on the weekend, and I’ll tell you this one’s slick.”
Mike Schreiner, the leader of the Green Party said the move “makes no sense.”
“Mayors are calling for the premier to declare a public health emergency around homelessness and his response is an online portal for investors to be able to access housing information,” Schreiner said.
Burlington’s mayor echoed the sentiment. “This is a humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in our streets,” Marianne Meed Ward said. “It needs action urgently and there’s still time for the government to make an announcement.”