There are still three opportunities to attend Strategy for a Safer Ontario (SSO) public consultations –Toronto on March 10, Cobourg on March 21 and Ottawa on April 2. SSO is a new framework which aims to promote a collaborative approach to community safety and well-being.
The consultation is seeking input on the strategy’s key pillars, which include:
- Enhancing accountability and strengthening civilian governance of police services boards as well as how to ensure police oversight bodies are effective and have clear mandates
- Improving interactions between police and vulnerable Ontarians, including enhancing frontline responses to those in crisis
- Clarifying police duties, modernize training programs and deliver services using a range of public safety personnel
- Developing a provincial framework to ensure equitable and culturally responsive policing for the province’s First Nations communities.
Previous sessions were held in London, Newmarket, Hamilton, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. Online submissions can be made until April 8 on the Ontario government website.
CMHA Ontario continues to encourage police and mental health agencies within communities to collaborate and find effective solutions regarding police interactions with people experiencing a mental health crisis. CMHA Ontario was involved in community consultations and was consulted during the drafting of the Police Record Checks Reform Act, leading to its passing in the Ontario Legislature last December. CMHA branches have also provided suggestions at local SSO consultations.