A call for both senior levels of government to recognize the opioid overdose crisis has gone out from Timmins City Hall.
City clerk Steph Palmateer read the resolution at this week’s council meeting. “Be it resolved that the city of Timmins calls upon the governments of Canada and Ontario to recognize, acknowledge and declare a national health epidemic in respect to the opioid overdose emergency across Canada…”
The resolution comes from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario releasing a report on how the province should be reacting.
It points out that the emergency is not limited to major urban centres. And as read Palmateer, it says that local agencies involved in fighting the epidemic need federal and provincial representatives to work with them on prevention and addiction services and affordable housing to address the crisis.
“And equests the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care attend the city in person to meet with concerned citizens and agencies to explain the provincial plans to address this crisis.”
The resolution received unanimous support at the city council table.
Here it is in its entirety:
Whereas the opioid overdose emergency is affecting communities across Ontario, including the City
of Timmins and the Cochrane District; and
Whereas the prevalence of addiction and the incidence of emergency department visits and deaths
associated with opioid use disorder have increased in recent years; and
Whereas addiction to prescription and illegal opioids is negatively affecting individuals, families and
entire communities; and
Whereas the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) has created a report entitled” Addressing
the Opioid Overdose Emergency in Ontario: Municipal Recommendations for a Provincial Response”
that articulates a path forward.
Now therefore be it resolved that the City of Timmins:
A) Calls upon the Governments of Canada and Ontario to recognize, acknowledge and declare a
national health epidemic in respect to the opioid overdose emergency across Canada;
B) Endorses AMO’ s recommendations with respect to Ontario’ s opioid overdose emergency;
C) Advises the Governments of Canada and Ontario that the opioid emergency is not limited to major
urban centres, and that federal and provincial representatives need to work directly with the Porcupine
Health Unit, the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, the Timmins Police
Services and the City of Timmins to develop and fund a full suite of prevention and addiction services
and affordable social and supportive housing to address the crisis in our communities; and
D) Requests the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care attend the City in person to meet with
concerned citizens and agencies to explain the Provincial plans to address this crisis.
And Further that this resolution be shared with the Prime Minister of Canada, Ministers of Health
and Children, Families and Social Development, Timmins- James Bay MP, Chief Public Health
Officer of Canada, Premier of Ontario, Minister of Health, Ministers of Children, Community and
Social Services, Finance, and Municipal Affairs and Housing, Timmins MPP, Chief Medical Officer
of Health, AMO, all local municipalities in the Cochrane District, the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, and
the Mushkegowuk Council.