MP Lapointe Calls on Ford Government to Direct Funding to Sudbury Cites Public Safety Concerns

SUDBURY – Member of Parliament for Sudbury, Viviane Lapointe, is calling on the Conservative Ford government to direct funding it received from the federal government to communities across Ontario, including Sudbury.

“Increasingly, constituents are raising concerns with me about public safety,” says Lapointe. “Even though crime rates are down in our city, the perception of decline in public safety is real. This is an all-hands-on-deck issue, and every level of government must work together to address this growing concern.”

Lapointe requested a meeting with Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) Chief, Sara Cunningham to discuss the state of public safety in Sudbury.

According to Chief Cunningham, the majority of calls for service to the GSPS are non-criminal in nature. She reports that 84% of calls for service are non-criminal and are primarily related to social disorder stemming from mental health, addictions, and homelessness.

“It’s a very sad trifecta of issues. You have people struggling with mental health, addictions, and homelessness,” says Cunningham. “I believe an upstream, wraparound approach is needed in which robust mental health and social services are available for individuals in need when they need it.”

Both Lapointe and Cunningham agree that what is missing right now in Sudbury is dedicated space and appropriate health care services for people who need immediate intervention when they are a risk to themselves or others.

“The Emergency Department is not the solution either,” notes Lapointe. “And yet, doctors and nurses are telling us that vulnerable people come to the ED as a last resort. What we need are necessary investments in community-level mental health and addictions services. The federal government gave the province of Ontario $1.6 billion for exactly that. However, we have yet to see the Ford government direct those funds to communities in need of help. The Conservative government has to step up now.”