Toronto proposes new strategy to support mental health, reduce harm of substance use
The City of Toronto has released a strategic plan to address a “concerning trend” of decreased mental well-being and what it calls a severe crisis of drug toxicity.
Eight high-level recommendations and goals are included in the plan, dubbed “Our Health, Our City: A Mental Health, Substance Use, Harm Reduction, and Treatment Strategy for Toronto.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The directives range from raising awareness about mental health and related resources in the city to creating round-the-clock, low-barrier spaces for those experiencing crisis or substance-related issues.
“Our Health, Our City is a bold plan to make our city safer and more caring by promoting better mental health and wellbeing for all,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement following the release of the report. “Implementing this strategy will be an enormous team effort, requiring collaboration across City divisions, community organizations, health care partners, and other government partners.”
The release of the strategy comes amid a worsening state of mental health overall in Toronto, according to the city.
Back in 2017, at least 71 per cent of adults in the city rated their mental health as “very good” or “excellent.” In 2021, that number dropped to 55 per cent.
A man looks down from a walk way onto normally busy stretch of Queen Street in Toronto on Monday, May 1, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
At the same time, the city said, both mental health and substance use trends worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, the latter of which has proved to be deadly due to opioid-related toxicity in Toronto. Preliminary data from the city notes that 509 deaths were caused by opioid toxicity in 2022 – a 271 per cent increase from 2015.
“Since 2015, nearly 2,900 lives have been lost in the city due to opioid-related toxicity – each death preventable,” the city said.
Toronto’s Board of Health is set to consider the report on Nov. 27. While it’s unclear how much exactly the strategy would cost to implement, the city once again called on the provincial and federal governments to chip in.
“This strategy outlines how key investments in the health and social fabric of our city from all orders of government, including community programming and treatment services, are essential to creating a liveable city for everyone,” Councillor and Chair of the Board of Health Chris Moise said.
The plan in its entirety can be viewed here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

PM pans Poilievre for 'pulling stunts' by threatening to delay MPs' holidays with House tactics
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to delay MPs' holidays by throwing up thousands of procedural motions seeking to block Liberal legislation until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backs off his carbon tax. It's a move Government House Leader Karina Gould was quick to condemn, warning the Official Opposition leader's 'temper tantrum' tactics will impact Canadians.
Police say 3 dead, fourth wounded and shooter also dead in University of Nevada, Las Vegas attack
A gunman killed three people and critically wounded a fourth Wednesday at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas before being killed in a shootout with police, authorities said. The attack sent shock waves through a city still scarred by the deaths of 60 people in a 2017 mass shooting only a few miles away on the famous Strip.
'I'm so broken': Grieving family speaks out after B.C. cancer patient awaiting treatment chooses MAID
A devastated family says long waits for cancer treatment led a beloved father and grandfather to choose medically assisted death 13 days ago.
opinion Don Martin: Greg Fergus risks becoming the shortest serving Speaker in our history
House Speaker Greg Fergus could face a parliamentary committee inquisition where his fate might hang on a few supportive NDP votes. But political columnist Don Martin says this NDP support might be shaky, given how one possible replacement is herself a New Democrat.
BREAKING Public sector negotiations: Common Front rejects Quebec's latest offer
Quebec's Common Front of public sector unions has rejected the government's latest offer. The strike planned for Dec. 8 to 14 will go on as planned.
'I'm never going to be satisfied': Ontario 'crypto king' lands in Australia as associate flees to Dubai
Ontario’s self-described ‘crypto king’ just landed in Australia, the latest destination in a months-long travel spree he’s prolifically posted about on social media, despite ongoing bankruptcy proceedings tied to the more than $40 million scheme he allegedly operated.
No fourth-ballot winner as Assembly of First Nations seeks its next national chief
The Assembly of First Nations is headed into a fifth round of voting to choose a new national chief. Cindy Woodhouse, the current regional chief for Manitoba, continues to lead her closest challenger: David Pratt, vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.
Nevada grand jury indicts six Republicans who falsely certified that Trump won the state in 2020
A Nevada grand jury on Wednesday indicted six Republicans who submitted certificates to Congress falsely declaring Donald Trump the winner of the 2020 presidential election in their state, making Nevada the third to seek charges against so-called 'fake electors.'
Director behind bold and controversial TV comedies has died
Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with 'All in the Family' and 'Maude,' propelling political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of sitcoms, has died. He was 101.