Parks are the heart of our communities. They are where families gather for picnics and barbecues, children play soccer or baseball, and neighbours come together to celebrate milestones and enjoy the outdoors. These spaces are meant to be safe havens for recreation, connection, and relaxation — not zones for illegal drug use and dangerous activity.
The Ontario government’s new legislation, announced by Premier Doug Ford, supporting municipalities in addressing encampments and public drug use, is a welcome step in reclaiming our public spaces. For too long, cities like Brampton have been forced to navigate tenuous legal grounds to tackle encampments in parks and public spaces. This legislation now provides municipalities with the tools to act swiftly.
As mayor, I fully support a zero-tolerance approach to illicit drug use in parks and public spaces. Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous drug — so potent that even a tiny amount can cause death. Its prevalence in public areas has fueled a devastating rise in overdoses, with lives being lost at an alarming rate. This epidemic has turned once-safe spaces into high-risk zones for both users and the broader community. Families in Brampton and across Ontario deserve to enjoy their parks without fear of encountering drug use or discarded needles.
At the same time, we recognize that this issue is deeply rooted in the addiction crisis, which has only worsened in recent years. The same old approaches haven’t worked. Encampments continue to grow, and lives continue to be lost. These aren’t just statistics — they are human lives. The tragic reality is that fatalities in encampments often go unnoticed because they often involve vulnerable members of our community who are living in homelessness.
Premier Ford’s legislation strikes the right balance between compassion and accountability. The legislation is accompanied by investments in homelessness prevention and addiction recovery. The province’s $378 million initiative to establish addiction recovery hubs, along with the creation of supportive housing units, is a critical component of this effort. This is especially urgent as communities face the devastating impact of the overdose crisis, which continues to claim lives across the province.
In Brampton, we are committed to ensuring that every time an encampment is cleared, a shelter bed is made available to all who need it. However, it’s not enough to simply offer a bed. Many individuals struggling with addiction avoid shelters because these environments don’t allow drug use. That’s why I have consistently advocated for more investment in treatment and rehabilitation beds. Addressing the root causes of addiction is the only way to achieve lasting change.
This legislation also addresses a concern that has been raised by many residents: the need for public spaces to remain welcoming and safe for everyone. Parks should be places where children can run freely on playgrounds, where friends can host barbecues, and where sports teams can practice and compete. These are the activities that bring communities together and make our neighbourhoods vibrant. We cannot allow these spaces to become unsafe or inaccessible due to illicit drug use or encampments.
The support from Premier Ford and the Ontario government is a positive step in the right direction. By stepping in as an intervenor and providing clear legal backing, the province is helping cities like Brampton overcome the legal hurdles that have previously hindered our efforts. This partnership is essential because municipalities cannot tackle this crisis alone.
The addiction and homelessness crises are complex, but we cannot afford inaction. By combining enforcement measures with investments in recovery and rehabilitation, we can create safer parks and public spaces while supporting those in need.
Parks belong to our families, our children, and our communities. With this new legislation, we can reclaim these spaces and ensure public safety. But this is just one step — the growing number of overdose fatalities underscores the urgent need for expanded support, including compassionate interventions, to help those at risk find a path to recovery.
Patrick Brown has served as mayor of Brampton since 2018. He's a former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (2015-18) and a former Conservative MP for Barrie (2006-15).
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