Ontario Taking Action to Protect Parks and Public Spaces

April 30, 2025

• Our government is protecting communities by re-introducing legislation that will provide municipalities and police with the enhanced tools they need to end encampments and clean up our parks and public spaces. 
• We have heard loud and clear from municipalities that they need more tools to protect their communities and public spaces, and these concerns are driving our government to deliver through our Safer Municipalities Act.
• This re-introduced legislation, if passed, would increase the penalties for individual who refuse to leave a property after receiving a notice to do so, or if they are likely to reoffend.
• Additionally, our government is proposing decisive action through new enforcement tools to address the use of illegal drugs in public areas such as parks and sidewalks, to protect the safety of our public spaces.
• This action follows investments of more than $75 million in programs that provide long-term stable housing and temporary accommodations for vulnerable individuals currently living in encampments, so they can access safe spaces, as well as nearly $550 million to create 28 Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs
• We will continue to stand with our municipal partners as we deliver on our promise to protect our communities and support people in need.